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

After the great battle ended, the military camp was shrouded in sorrow and was extremely oppressive.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and no new battles broke out.

Only small groups of barbarian troops frequently raided the area, and low-level monsters often appeared in the mountains.

Li Xuancang led his squad on patrols, guarding passes, slaying barbarians, and exterminating demons, his battle achievements soaring.

With a daily increase of 1% in strength that never stops, Li Xuancang's strength changes every day, and ordinary early-stage Body Tempering Realm cultivators are no longer his match.

At the same time, dust billowed at the entrance of Qingxi Village as two men dressed as government officials led horses straight toward the Li family's courtyard, the most remote and dilapidated house in the village.

The villagers of Qingxi Village, who were working in the fields, stopped what they were doing and gathered around with surprised and doubtful expressions when they saw this scene.

In this era of demonic chaos and rampant taxes, government officials and their entourage never came with good news. They were either demanding tax payments or forcibly conscripting laborers, and every household avoided them like the plague.

"They're county constables, what are they doing at the Li family's house?"

"Could it be that the Li family's son is dead? The constables have come to deliver the news?"

"The arrival of officials must mean something has happened; let's go and see."

"..."

The villagers whispered among themselves, filled with curiosity.

Some people couldn't even bear to see the Li family doing well, and maliciously wondered if Li Xuancang had died on the battlefield and the officials had come to report his death.

It's no wonder they think that way; on the battlefield, death is all too common.

Before long, the Li family's courtyard was filled with people.

In the small courtyard, Li's father, his body hunched over, was repairing old farm tools.

Li's mother was mending tattered clothes, while Li Ling'er was busy drying wild vegetables.

Hearing the commotion outside the courtyard, Li's father put down his farm tools and walked towards the gate.

Seeing the officers approach, his heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively felt fear. He nervously approached them, his voice trembling, "Officer...Officer, what brings you here...?"

The person who came was Zheng Feng, who had led the group last time. At this moment, he had a kind face and did not show any sense of superiority as an official.

"Uncle Li, congratulations!"

Zheng Feng's attitude was more amiable than last time, even showing a hint of closeness.

Previously, Li Xuancang was just a soldier. Although he received the protection of the imperial court, he was not worth currying favor with.

Li Xuancang is now a squad leader. Although he is the lowest-ranking officer, he is still an official, and his status is completely different.

Mr. Li was completely bewildered, not knowing why he was so happy.

Zheng Feng didn't keep him in suspense and said with a big smile, "Uncle Li, Brother Li is fighting bravely against the enemy at the border and has made great achievements. He is now a squad leader."

boom!

Upon hearing this, the Li family members were instantly stunned, their eyes freezing in place.

He froze on the spot, completely bewildered, thinking he had misheard.

The villagers gathered outside the courtyard fell silent, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Before anyone could react, another constable handed over a heavy cloth bag and a short military letter, and announced loudly.

"Li Xuancang, the squad leader, has rendered meritorious service in defending the border and has killed barbarian monsters. He has been promoted to squad leader in exceptional order. He is hereby sent ten taels of silver to supplement his family's income."

"Another military order was issued, exempting the Li family from corvée labor and taxes for life, and granting them protection under the imperial military register."

Ten taels of silver, permanently exempt from corvée labor and taxes, and granted military protection.

Every word they uttered was earth-shattering, exploding throughout the small village of Qingxi.

The villagers outside the courtyard were in an uproar, breaking through the courtyard wall. Their eyes, which had initially been filled with surprise and doubt, turned into awe and envy.

Ten taels of silver, in this chaotic world, is enough for an ordinary farmer to live comfortably for two or three years, without having to eat wild vegetables and suffer from hunger.

The exemption from corvée labor and taxes removed a huge burden from the Li family, freeing them from being exploited by officials and forced into hard labor.

Military protection meant that bandits, local bullies, and gentry would no longer dare to harass the Li family at will.

In the past, the Li family could enjoy these benefits, but only for a limited time. Now, however, they have the privilege forever, making the surrounding villagers green with envy.

"How is that possible? The Li family's son has actually become a squad leader; that's already an official position."

"The Li family has produced an extraordinary person who is about to rise to prominence."

"Even if the young man from the Li family dies on the battlefield, the Li family will still have the imperial court as a support and can survive."

"..."

Who would have thought that the boy who was taken away as cannon fodder would make a name for himself on the frontier and become a military officer sergeant in the imperial court?

The Li family gradually came to their senses. Li's father, with trembling hands, accepted the heavy silver pouch, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Li's mother was sobbing uncontrollably, her cloudy eyes filled with a mixture of worry and joy.

Mr. Li's voice choked with emotion as he held the brief letter home, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

"My son distinguished himself at the border, became a squad leader, and even sent money back home..."

The Li family produced a man who could earn military merit and become a military officer.

From now on, they will no longer be lowly people who can be bullied at will, and they will no longer have to live in fear of uncertainty.

The villagers surrounded the Li family's courtyard, their eyes filled with awe and obsequiousness as they looked at the Li family.

"Brother Li, you've raised a wonderful son!"

"Li, the sergeant, is really something. The border is so dangerous, yet he managed to become an official and send back so much silver."

"From now on, who in the surrounding villages would dare to bully the Li family?"

"..."

The praise filled the Li family with pride.

But this pride was quickly overwhelmed by deep worry.

Li's mother wiped away her tears, her sobs filled with worry.

"So what if he became a corporal... The border is so chaotic, the barbarians are brutal, and demons eat people. Every time he fights, he's licking blood off the edge of a blade..."

A mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles. She hadn't seen her son for more than two years and didn't know if she would ever see him again. Overwhelmed with sorrow, she felt a deep sadness.

"yes……"

Mr. Li sighed deeply, the joy fading from his face, leaving only endless worry.

"Military merits are earned with one's life. The higher he climbs, the fiercer the battles become, and the greater the danger... We would rather he be safe than risk his life for this money..."

Li's mother hugged Li Ling'er tightly, her eyes red and her heart full of worry.

Our son's success is a source of pride for the whole family, but the thought of him fighting on the frontier and facing danger at any moment fills us with inexplicable heartache.

Pride is real, but worry is etched into my very bones.

Holding the heavy ten taels of silver, they felt the hard-won peace of mind, but more than ever before, they missed their loved ones far away.

Every promotion and achievement Li Xuancang made on the frontier meant he had experienced another life-or-death battle.

"My son, I don't want money, I don't want fame, I only ask that you come back safe and sound, alive..."

Li's mother gazed in the direction of the border, clasped her hands together, and prayed silently again and again.

The villagers were talking about it, full of envy.

But the Li family knew that this honor and security from thousands of miles away was earned by their son at the risk of his life on the border.