Starting from his vigorous old age, he began to conquer Liaozhai.

After Cao Xiong returned to Guobei County, it was already close to evening. Without resting, he went straight to the county government office in the inner city of Guobei County.

Upon seeing Cao Xiong, the magistrate of Guobei County hurriedly welcomed him into the courtyard behind the county seat.

"What brings Commander Cao to see me so late?" The magistrate knew that Cao Xiong would not usually come to see him unless it was an urgent matter.

"The plague outside the county town is more complicated than I imagined. The manpower of the Hundred Household Office is insufficient, so I hope that the magistrate can lend a helping hand." Cao Xiong did not keep them in suspense and went straight to the point.

The magistrate frowned. As the local official in charge of Guobei County, he knew there was no reason to shirk his responsibility. If the plague was not handled properly, he would lose his official position.

"Just tell me directly, how much cooperation is needed from the county government, Commander Cao?"

Cao Xiong organized his thoughts for a moment, "From what I can see, this zombie plague is likely being orchestrated by someone."

"Our next task is to find the source of the zombie plague; I'll handle that."

"I need the magistrate to organize the constables to assist the Hundred Households in forming an encirclement to firmly control the people infected with the corpse plague in Boli Township. On the other hand, we need to transfer the people in Boli Township who have not been infected with the corpse plague to other places to prevent the corpse plague from spreading."

"We still need some doctors to try to study the corpse plague and see if we can develop an antidote."

"Alright, leave it to me. Tomorrow afternoon, the constables, coroner, and doctor will all arrive at the magistrate's office." The magistrate did not hesitate at all.

"In addition, I will also handle the relocation of the people. Commander Cao is only responsible for leading people to deal with the people infected with the corpse plague and finding the source of the corpse plague."

"Then thank you, Magistrate." Cao Xiong breathed a sigh of relief. The constables in the various offices of the county government totaled fifty or sixty people, which was a considerable force.

Moreover, relocating the people is an extremely troublesome and energy-consuming task, and it is most appropriate for the county government to handle it.

After discussing the specific details with the county magistrate, Cao Xiong left the county office.

……

……

……

The next day, Cao Xiong got up early to cultivate as usual. Not long after finishing breakfast, he received a message from the Fu family's retainers.

The people sent by Fu Tianchou to meet the Fu family members have arrived in Guobei County and want to see Cao Xiong.

Cao Xiong quickly changed into his armor and left the Hundred Household Office. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he returned to the Cao residence.

Two martial artists dressed in black robes stood at the entrance, their eyes sharp, their expressions dignified, and their auras concealed.

"Tendon Refining Realm!" Cao Xiong murmured to himself, and judging from the demeanor of these two, they were most likely from military backgrounds.

He couldn't help but sigh that it was a tough place to make a living in the capital; even a martial artist at the Tendon Refining Realm could only work as a gatekeeper.

Upon seeing Cao Xiong, the two men stepped forward, clasped their hands in greeting, and asked, "Are you Commander Cao?"

"Yes, it's me," Cao Xiong replied, clasping his hands in greeting.

"Commander Cao, please come in. The First Madam and the two Garrison Commanders are waiting for you."

Cao Xiong nodded and stepped into his own gate, but he had a strange feeling in his heart. Why did this Cao residence feel like the Fu family's residence?

There were also six black-clad martial artists standing guard in the courtyard. Cao Xiong walked straight toward the room, but when he passed the six people, he used his divine sense to detect their cultivation levels. They were all at the Tendon Refining Realm.

Inside the main room, Madam Fu sat in the main seat, with Fu Qingfeng and Fu Yuechi also present, seated below Madam Fu.

Besides the three of them, there were two other martial artists who were about the same age as Cao Xiong.

The aura emanating from these two individuals was as unshakeable as a mountain. Cao Xiong felt that they were far more powerful than Miao Yuan, the commander of Linya County, and were at least martial artists at the Refining Internal Organs Realm.

After looking around, Cao Xiong clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Cao Xiong, the centurion of Guobei County, greets Madam Fu and Governor."

"No need for formalities, you did very well this time." One of the guards said to Cao Xiong with approval in his eyes, but he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed after seeing Cao Xiong's age.

Based on the descriptions of Madam Fu and the Fu family's retainers, he concluded that Cao Xiong was a talented individual who had once again made outstanding contributions.

As Cao Xiong's superior, he felt honored, but seeing that Cao Xiong was already around fifty years old, he thought his future prospects were not very bright.

"Thank you for your praise, sir. It is all I should do," Cao Xiong said calmly and humbly.

"Haha, don't worry, you've done well this time, and the reward will be sent to Guobei County soon." After saying this, the garrison commander no longer looked at Cao Xiong.

As for the other commander, he came from the capital and didn't say a word from beginning to end.

Cao Xiong could naturally sense Zhenfu's emotions, but he didn't care. "Thank you for your kindness, sir."

From the moment Cao Xiong entered the door, Madam Fu's smile never stopped.

"Commander Cao, you've worked hard. Please have a seat. This is your home; do you really need me, a guest, to offer you my seat?"

Madam Fu looked to be in her early thirties, and her voice was soft and sweet.

Cao Xiong clasped his hands in greeting to the group again, then sat down at the very back.

"The reason we called Cao Baihu back in such a hurry is that Qingfeng and Yuechi wanted to say goodbye to you properly."

"We are deeply grateful for your saving of my son and me. If you ever need anything in the future, just have someone send this item to the Fu family in the capital." As she spoke, Madam Fu took out a jade pendant engraved with the name of the Fu family from her bosom.

"Madam Fu, you are too kind. As a centurion of Guobei County, it is only right that I lend a helping hand." Cao Xiong stood up again and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Despite his polite words, he naturally walked forward and took the jade pendant from Madam Fu's hand.

Judging from the current situation, there's no way to gain any substantial benefits today, but we absolutely cannot give up this Fu family jade pendant.

Seeing Cao Xiong accept the jade pendant, Madam Fu's smile deepened.

"Commander Cao, I will be returning to the capital soon. Thank you for your hospitality these past few days."

Cao Xiong knew that it was not advisable to stay any longer. "Madam Fu, gentlemen, I will return to the Hundred Household Office now. Guo Bei County has been quite unsettled recently, with a plague breaking out. Please be careful."

As soon as Cao Xiong stepped out of the room, Fu Qingfeng ran out after him, "Master, wait!"

"Why are you out here? Miss Qingfeng, don't call me that. I'm not your master." Cao Xiong said to Fu Qingfeng, sensing the expressions of the black-clad martial artists in the courtyard.

Fu Qingfeng stuck out his tongue, his face slightly flushed. "It's only a matter of time. I'll tell my father when I get back."

Cao Xiong chuckled, "Then I'll wait for your good news. Take care on your long journey back to Beijing."

"Uncle Cao, don't worry, I will definitely figure out this path thoroughly. After that, I will come to pay my respects to Uncle Ming every year and also practice martial arts with you."

Fu Qingfeng watched Cao Xiong leave Fushui Street before returning to her courtyard. Although she hadn't spent much time with Cao Xiong, he was her savior and a martial arts master she admired.

Cao Xiong returned to the centurion's office and immersed himself in cultivation, waiting for the next day to begin recruiting soldiers.