My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

When Li Xuancang saw Du Tianfeng, he bowed respectfully.

"Please sit down!"

Du Tianfeng looked at Li Xuancang with gentle eyes, waved for him to sit down, and hid a hint of shock that was not easily detected.

He sent Li Xuancang to support Xuanyang County, clinging to a sliver of hope that Li Xuancang could hold out for a little longer. He never expected Li Xuancang to give him such a big surprise.

Not only did they defend Xuanyang City, but they also repelled the barbarian and demon armies, killing many Qi Refining Realm experts. This achievement was truly remarkable.

"The garrison commander's orders have arrived, and your appointment document is here."

Du Tianfeng pointed to an appointment document lying on the table beside him.

Li Xuancang's eyes lit up as he stared at the document, unable to look away for a moment.

His heart pounded. With this document, he could become a captain who led an army and was in charge of a region, thus gaining full access to the upper echelons of Anzhou.

"Normally, it's not a good time for promotion in the army, but your merits are too great, so the garrison commander overruled the objections and promoted you exceptionally."

Promotion to captain is a major event in the military, and it is not advisable to promote someone when war is raging.

However, Li Xuancang had made many merits and brought back news that the barbarians and the Prince of Fu were going to attack from both sides, which made the Anzhou army prepared and reduced their losses. This merit deserved to be promoted.

"Thank you for your guidance, sir. I am deeply grateful."

Li Xuancang knew that his exceptional promotion was due not only to his merits but also to the considerable efforts of the Zhou family and Du Tianfeng; otherwise, the appointment document would never have been issued so quickly.

Du Tianfeng nodded slightly and brought up another matter.

"Keep half of the corpses of the two Qi Refining Realm demons you killed, and give me the rest."

In order to help Li Xuancang be promoted to captain, Du Tianfeng paid a lot of favors and sacrifices, and the corpse of the monster was just the right thing for him to repay some of those favors.

"Yes, ma'am."

Li Xuancang has no objection.

He was no longer a greenhorn soldier and knew that there were unspoken rules in the military.

He has now broken the rules and been promoted ahead of schedule. Du Tianfeng has made a huge contribution, and it is hoped that these monsters can make up for some of his losses.

Seeing Li Xuancang agree so readily, Du Tianfeng was even more gratified.

Li Xuancang was sensible, knew when to advance and retreat, and was grateful. It was worth the huge price he paid to pave the way for him.

"You've been through a great battle and are exhausted from your journey. Go back home and rest first! A promotion ceremony will be held for you in the army three days from now."

Du Tianfeng knew that Li Xuancang was eager to return home, so he gave him three days to rest.

"Thank you, sir."

Li Xuancang respectfully withdrew.

As soon as Li Xuancang stepped out of Du Tianfeng's tent, a group of generals surrounded him.

"Lord Li, congratulations!"

"Lord Li has returned victorious; congratulations!"

"Lord Li has decisively defeated the barbarians; we admire him greatly."

"..."

The crowd changed their previous indifference and contempt, and now they all smiled and extended goodwill to Li Xuancang.

They all knew that Du Tianfeng had given his full support to Li Xuancang's promotion to captain, and they understood that Li Xuancang's promotion to captain was almost a certainty.

Li Xuancang's status and position would soon rise to a level that they would have to look up to, so they all befriended him in advance.

Besides cultivating a good relationship with Li Xuancang beforehand, they also needed his help.

Li Xuancang bowed slightly to the crowd, neither showing affection nor indifference.

"Lord Li, I have a favor to ask."

A veteran centurion looked at Li Xuancang, about to make his request, when Li Xuancang interrupted him.

"Since it's an unreasonable request, then there's no need to say anything."

Upon hearing Li Xuancang's words, the centurion, who was about to speak, suddenly choked and couldn't utter a single word.

Seeing the crowd's burning gazes sweeping over the monster's corpse, Li Xuancang knew their purpose.

Although he had no use for these monster corpses, they were valuable items that money couldn't buy for others, so he naturally wouldn't share them with everyone.

Moreover, he intended to use these monster corpses to nurture Nangong Zhan and others, so why would he give them to others?

The others were speechless after Li Xuancang's words and were wondering how to speak when Li Xuancang had already walked out of the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have other matters to attend to. Please make yourselves at home."

After saying this, he ignored everyone and waved for Yang Tiangang and the others to pull the carriage away.

As Li Xuancang left, everyone's faces flushed red and then turned pale, their pent-up frustration finding no outlet.

"Hmph, arrogant and haughty, he'll never amount to anything."

"This kid doesn't take us seriously at all; he's far too arrogant."

"Those who don't understand the rules will have limited future achievements."

"..."

Not being able to gain any advantage was a loss for everyone, and they all cursed Li Xuancang's departing figure in their hearts.

Li Xuancang didn't care about what others thought. He was about to be promoted to captain and would soon be in charge of a region. He would have fewer and fewer opportunities to deal with these people, so there was no need for him to care about them.

Upon returning to the camp, Li Xuancang left some of the monster corpses behind and handed over the rest.

After doing all this, Li Xuancang left Yang Tiangang to oversee the overall situation and returned to his residence.

When Li Xuancang appeared outside the Li residence, he was spotted by the servants.

"The master is back! The master is back..."

Several servants rushed towards Li Xuancang, while others rushed into the backyard, shouting loudly, which immediately alerted Li's father, mother, and others.

Li's father, Li's mother, eldest sister, youngest sister, and Zhang Erzhu's entire family hurriedly ran out of the mansion.

Seeing the person she had been longing for return safely, Li's mother choked up with sobs, while her sister stood by her side, her eyes constantly red.

Li Xuancang quickly walked to his family's side.

"Father, Mother, I'm back."

A gentle voice rang out, shedding the fierce and bloodthirsty aura of the battlefield, leaving only the tenderness of returning home.

Li's mother hugged her son, sobbing.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..."

Li's mother's eyes instantly reddened, and the worries, fears, and sleepless nights of anxiety that had been building up for days turned into hot tears.

She held her son very gently, afraid of touching his wounds.

"Let's go home first."

Li's father also spoke up from the side, and no one stopped smiling.

The heavy weight that had been hanging over my heart finally lifted.

All the anxiety and worry I've felt during this time have transformed into the joy of seeing my loved ones again.

The younger sister's eyes were slightly red. She rushed over to him, then obediently stopped, looking timidly at her brother who was covered in the frost of the world, feeling both joy and heartache.

The family gathered in front of the door, watching Li Xuancang return safely. No one mentioned his military achievements, his fame, or the glory of being praised throughout the city. They were only concerned about whether he was injured.

After entering the house and taking their seats, the family sat around the table, their eyes full of concern.

"My son! In the future... in the future, can you please not go to the battlefield? I don't ask you to achieve great things or to have high positions and riches. I only ask that you be safe and sound every year."

A simple word of advice, devoid of any grand national or personal ambitions, only the purest and most heartfelt concern for family.

"Mother, I'm a soldier, how can I not go to the battlefield?"

Li Xuancang was a soldier, and he could not avoid war.

Seeing the worry on his mother's face, Li Xuancang's heart softened, and he gently comforted her.

"Mother, don't worry! I'm back safe and sound, aren't I? Nothing will happen."

Li's mother knew that her idea was unrealistic, so she stopped saying anything and just kept checking on her son to see if he was hurt.