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

Thump, thump thump thump…

Three drumbeats sounded, and all was silent.

As dawn broke, golden sunlight bathed the military training ground.

The three armies stood in formation, banners fluttering in the wind, and thousands of soldiers stood tall with their backs straight, their eyes burning as they looked toward the command platform.

Everyone now knew that a reward was to be bestowed.

The final boom of the massive three-zhang-tall drum was still echoing in the air when a figure ascended the command platform.

Wearing black armor and a scarlet battle robe, her long hair was tied up with a jade crown, her face was cold and stern but could not hide the heroic spirit between her brows.

"I have witnessed your bloody battles on the border."

The sound wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Those who have made contributions will be rewarded, and those who have committed crimes will be punished. Today is the day to fulfill our promise."

His gaze swept across the entire area, and he said in a deep voice, "Zhao Hu of the Xuan Kui Camp, step forward."

A commotion arose in the crowd. A burly man with broad shoulders and a thick waist strode forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a rough voice, "Your subordinate is here!"

Li Xuancang took a sandalwood tray from the guard beside him.

The red silk was lifted, revealing three pills the size of pigeon eggs, golden in color with flowing patterns, and rich spiritual energy instantly permeated the air.

Li Xuancang's voice was calm, yet it resounded like thunder.

"You fought bravely, slaying two Blood Condensation Realm cultivators in succession. Despite suffering six wounds, you did not retreat. You are hereby awarded three Breakthrough Pills."

Immediately, Li Xuancang waved his hand, and his personal guards carried silver and various rewards to Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu trembled and kowtowed heavily: "Thank you, Commander."

In an instant, the entire venue erupted in uproar.

The Breakthrough Pill is priceless; I never expected Li Xuancang to be willing to give it away as a reward.

"Zhou Meng of the Po Jun Camp, step forward."

"Your subordinate is here."

"You led five hundred men to fiercely defend the enemy's retreat route, using your own flesh and blood to prevent their escape. You are hereby rewarded with one Breakthrough Pill and one Hundred-Refined Black Iron Spear..."

A long, silver-white spear was thrown out, its tip crackling with lightning.

The moment Zhou Meng caught the gun, lightning flashed up his arm, but he remained motionless, his eyes filled with fanaticism.

After receiving the items, Zhou Meng respectfully withdrew.

"Xuan Kui camps Zhou Shan, step forward."

As Li Xuancang continued to bestow gifts, the scene gradually reached its climax.

Many of these treasures were purchased by Li Xuancang from the merchant guild at great expense, and were intended as rewards for the people.

The imperial court's reward had not yet been issued, so Li Xuancang had to pay out of his own pocket first.

He is now very wealthy and has no worries about money.

The soldiers below the stage had tears in their eyes.

It wasn't out of jealousy, but out of longing.

The commander is truly watching; he remembers everyone's contributions.

One name after another was read out, and no one was left out of credit.

Even if it's just saving a comrade's life, one will receive a corresponding reward.

Each recipient, upon stepping onto the stage, was first in disbelief, then burst into tears, and finally straightened their backs, as if filled with boundless power.

Meanwhile, the soldiers who had not yet distinguished themselves were gripping their weapons so tightly that the veins on their hands bulged, and their eyes burned with an almost frenzied fighting spirit.

"Next time, it will definitely be me."

"I also want to kill the enemy and have the commander personally reward me."

"Damn it! We missed this battle for nothing!"

"..."

Whispers rose and fell in the ranks, and a fire burned in the hearts of everyone.

From the break of dawn to sunset, this bestowal of gifts finally came to an end.

"For all those who die in battle, the pension is 20 taels for ordinary soldiers, 40 taels for squad leaders, 60 taels for platoon leaders, 100 taels for centurions, and 200 taels for battalion commanders."

Li Xuancang did not forget those who died in battle. Such generous compensation moved everyone deeply, and their eyes even reddened.

"Those who are injured or disabled, especially those with minor injuries, can remain in the army to train new recruits and be transferred to the logistics battalion."

"For those who are physically disabled or seriously injured, the government will arrange appropriate jobs to ensure that you will have a worry-free life in the future."

hum!

As soon as Li Xuancang finished speaking, everyone erupted in cheers.

Especially for those wounded soldiers, tears could no longer be held back and flowed down their cheeks.

"I am willing to die for you, sir..."

The soldiers willingly knelt down and paid their respects to Li Xuancang.

After the rewards were distributed, Li Xuancang instructed, "All officers of the rank of battalion commander and above may receive a piece of wolf meat."

Upon hearing this, the battalion commanders and centurions were overjoyed, their bodies trembling with excitement.

"I am willing to go through fire and water for you, sir, without hesitation."

The crowd was overjoyed and bowed deeply to Li Xuancang.

Li Xuancang stepped down from the command platform, and the soldiers left in twos and threes, satisfied.

Su Xinghai looked excited and jogged all the way to a small courtyard in the west of the city.

"Mother, little sister, I'm back."

Su Xinghai opened the courtyard gate and rushed into the small courtyard without waiting.

When Su's mother and a five- or six-year-old girl, who were preparing food, saw Su Xinghai return, they were first taken aback, then filled with boundless joy and visible relief.

"Brother, I miss you so much."

The little girl rushed over and hugged Su Xinghai's leg.

Su Xinghai picked up his younger sister and hugged her tightly, his eyes full of doting affection.

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

With her son returning safely, Su's mother felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders, her eyes slightly red.

She has been living in fear and anxiety these past few days, unable to sleep at night.

She was worried that something might happen to her son on the battlefield, and she became quite haggard.

Seeing that her son was safe and sound, the weight that had been hanging over her heart finally lifted.

"Mother, little sister, I brought back lots of meat and fine rice. Let's have a good meal tonight."

Su Xinghai lifted the meat in his hand, which weighed at least ten pounds, and the rice weighed several dozen pounds.

The younger sister couldn't take her eyes off it, unconsciously licking her lips, her eyes filled with longing.

She couldn't remember when she last ate meat, only that it was delicious.

"Why are you buying so much meat and refined rice? How much did that cost?"

Su's mother hurriedly took the meat and rice, her face full of heartache, and gently scolded her.

"Mother, you've wronged me. This fine rice and meat were a gift from Lord Li. Everyone got some, but I got more than others."

Su Xinghai did not deceive his mother.

After a resounding victory, Li Xuancang was generous with his rewards.

Besides cultivation resources, silver, and cloth, there was mostly food.

Even the soldiers who did not participate in the battle received a pound of meat and five pounds of fine rice each, and they were all grinning from ear to ear.

Su Xinghai killed many enemies and gained far more credit than others.

"Mother, this is fifty taels of silver and some cloth that Lord Li has given me as a reward. I'm entrusting them to you for safekeeping."

Su's mother was startled, and the meat and rice in her hand fell to the ground with a "thud." She quickly realized what was happening and hurriedly put the silver away.

"Quickly put it away. We shouldn't flaunt our wealth. If someone finds out, we'll be in danger."

Su's mother knew the cruelty of the chaotic world. Fifty taels of silver was a huge sum of money for ordinary people, enough to make people take the risk.

Su's mother hurriedly picked up her things and pulled Su Xinghai into the house, constantly looking out into the yard to make sure no one would see them.