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

The 5,000 soldiers of Ganquan Camp were at full strength, but lacked enough strong warriors, which greatly reduced the army's combat power.

After pondering for a while, Li Xuancang made a decision.

"Issue a notice to conscript soldiers throughout the county."

As soon as Li Xuancang gave the order, the government quickly posted notices throughout the prefecture.

"Since the beginning of autumn, this county has been plagued by frequent occurrences of evil spirits and demons, causing fear among the people and worry among the government."

"Moreover, the grassland people are eyeing us covetously, their eagerness to make a move is obvious."

"Although my soldiers at Ganquan patrol day and night, we lack skilled warriors and it is difficult to wipe them out completely."

"By order of the garrison commander, the 'Martial Arts Champion Camp' is hereby established to recruit heroes from all over the land. Anyone with martial arts skills and extraordinary courage will be selected regardless of background or past. Talent will be the sole criterion."

"Anyone who is 18 years of age or older but not over 50, physically strong and healthy, and free from serious or hidden illnesses may go to the examination hall to take the test."

The examination is divided into three subjects: archery and horsemanship, weapons, and martial arts performance.

Those who excel in all three subjects are admitted to the upper class; those who excel in two subjects are admitted to the middle class; and those who excel in one subject are admitted to the lower class.

"Different ranks lead to different official positions."

"Superior: Appointed as centurion, leading 100 soldiers, with a monthly salary of 30 taels of silver, granted a scroll of martial arts manual, and 100 taels of silver for settling down."

"Medium: Appointed as a squad leader, leading ten soldiers, with a monthly salary of twelve taels of silver, and given three pills and thirty taels of silver for settling down."

"Lower grade: appointed as squad leader, leading a squad of soldiers, with a monthly salary of seven taels of silver and a settlement allowance of five taels of silver."

"Those selected for the Martial Arts Champion Battalion will be provided with an additional set of fine armor and monthly military rations."

Those who make outstanding contributions in battle will be promoted, with no upper limit.

"The exams will be held from the 10th to the 20th of this month at the military training ground, starting at 5:00 AM and ending at 5:00 PM."

"Any deserter from the army, a bandit, or someone with a murder charge is not allowed to participate."

"Once discovered, the case will be handed over to the relevant authorities for severe punishment, without any leniency."

"Those who pass the examination but do not wish to take up the post will be given five taels of silver by the government, and they may choose whether to stay or leave."

"This notice shall take effect from the date of its posting. We urge heroes from all directions to spread the word and eagerly participate in the examination. Serving the country and eliminating harm for the people, fame and fortune await you in this one moment."

Soon after the notice was posted, the entire county town was like a pot of ignited oil, instantly boiling over.

The notice board in front of the prefectural government office was crowded with people who kept looking at it.

"Make way, make way."

Some literate people squeezed to the front, stood on tiptoe, and started reading at the top of their lungs.

"The garrison headquarters is recruiting martial arts experts... Oh dear, the monthly salary is thirty taels, the settlement allowance is one hundred taels, and they'll even give you martial arts techniques."

Everyone was shocked and excited when they saw the generous benefits advertised on the notice.

Thirty taels?!

A butcher almost dropped his pig-slaughtering knife.

"I only earn a few coins for killing one pig, but this is more than I could earn killing so many pigs in a month!"

"Why are you getting so worked up?" A tall, thin man next to him sneered. "You're a pig butcher, do you have any martial arts skills? They're looking for a master, not just a pig butcher."

The butcher slammed his knife onto the chopping board, making a loud thud as he pounded his chest.

"Why not? I can split a pig in half with one hand, I've killed wild boars and fought mad dogs, what makes me afraid of not being able to step onto the training ground?"

The butcher disagreed and retorted loudly, which only drew laughter from the crowd.

Before the laughter subsided, another person squeezed through from behind—a dark-faced man carrying an iron gun.

Without looking to the side, he walked straight to the notice and read it carefully from beginning to end, a slow smile spreading across his face.

"good!"

He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "I've waited three years, and this day has finally come!"

Someone nearby recognized him: "Hey, isn't this Sun Tietou, the guy who practices shooting in the east of the city? Didn't you try to join the army last year but get kicked out?"

Sun Tietou's face darkened, and he looked furious.

"What do you mean I was kicked out? It's because I looked down on those soldiers who had no ability. They even made me pay money to join the army. That's outrageous."

Sun Tietou had also wanted to join the Ganquan Battalion and dedicate himself to serving his country.

But when he entered the military camp, he found that it was already in a state of disrepair and left disappointed.

Li Xuancang's sweeping reforms of the military camp had already caused quite a stir, and Sun Tietou's patriotic spirit was rekindled.

"Now it's all good, regardless of background, only ability matters! This spear of mine has been gathering dust for a year, it's time to see some blood."

Sun Tietou's eyes shone brightly, filled with intense hatred.

His family died at the hands of the nomads, and he longed to fight on the battlefield and avenge his family.

Before he could finish speaking, someone behind him echoed his words.

"That's right. In the past, if you wanted to join the army, you had to spend money to bribe your way in, and you could only start as a private. Even if you had the ability, you couldn't even become a sergeant."

"Now it's great, we don't spend a penny, we earn our living through our own abilities, and as long as we are selected, we will be at least a squad leader."

The notice board immediately erupted in chaos.

Some people were counting their salaries on their fingers, while others were gesturing to indicate what weapons they could use.

Some people patted their chests and boasted about how many fights they had been in back then, while others had already started discussing going together to sign up.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the city in less than half an hour.

Inside the tavern, several wandering martial artists sat around a table, barely touching the food and wine in front of them, discussing the notices.

"In my opinion, this is a great opportunity for us to turn things around."

A scarred man lowered his voice.

"Over the years, we've been drifting through the underworld, living on the edge, constantly on the move, unable to accumulate wealth or build a reputation."

"Nowadays, when the government recruits people, as long as you join the Martial Arts Camp, you're considered to have a legitimate background."

"Promotion, wealth, and privileges for one's wife and children are all within reach."

Although they were people from the martial arts world, they were not affiliated with any sect or school. They were independent cultivators who accidentally obtained cultivation techniques and embarked on the path of cultivation.

They came from humble beginnings, had no powerful backing, were looked down upon by gangs, were bullied at will, and were also targeted by the imperial court, making their lives difficult.

A gaunt swordsman opposite him shook his head.

"You're dreaming. There are too many rules in the military; it's nothing like the freedom we have in the martial arts world."

The scarred man sneered, "Comfortable? Can comfort put food on the table?"

"Last month, you almost got hacked to death in the wilderness for a few taels of silver while working as a bodyguard. Is that what you call carefree?"

The swordsman was speechless; his wounds were still throbbing.

These independent cultivators, without any sect or faction, find it extremely difficult to survive and must fight for their lives.

Since you're going to risk your life anyway, why not join the army and strive for a bright future, at least your family will be secure?

In the past, they wanted to join the army but could not.

The opportunity to join the army and even become a general is a once-in-a-century opportunity.

"Commander Li is a fierce general on the battlefield. If we follow him, we will surely achieve great things and bring honor to our wives and children."

The swordsman made up his mind, picked up the wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and slammed it down.

"Alright! I'll do as you say. At worst, I'll work for two years, save up some money, and then go back to the underworld."

Scarface laughed and patted him on the shoulder.

"That's a true brother! Come on, bottoms up! We'll head to the training ground together tomorrow!"

The two men clinked their bowls together, splashing wine everywhere.

In the slums of the south of the city, a gaunt boy, after listening to the notice read aloud by the uncle next door, couldn't wait to run back to his dilapidated house.

"mother!"

The boy's eyes lit up as he looked at his mother mending clothes.

"I want to join the army."