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

With a solemn expression, Nangong Zhan accepted the items, took the dry rations, and spurred his horse onward, galloping towards Qingyang County.

Three days later, Nangong Zhan arrived at the Qingyang County government office, identified himself, and successfully met with County Magistrate Yang Yunlong.

Knowing Nangong Zhan's purpose, Yang Yunlong dared not delay in the slightest. He immediately ordered his yamen runners to prepare three spacious carriages, sufficient food and fodder, and guards, and headed straight for Qingxi Village.

Nangong Zhan was surprised by Yang Yunlong's cooperation, which saved him a lot of effort.

"Thank you, Lord Yang."

Nangong Zhan bowed to Yang Yunlong in thanks.

"Young man, you're too kind. This is merely my duty. Please convey my regards to General Li."

Yang Yunlong had a kind and approachable face, without a trace of the arrogance of a county magistrate.

"I will certainly report the truth to Lord Li. Farewell."

Nangong Zhan dared not waste any time and quickly left with the officials.

After Nangong Zhan left, Yang Yunlong's smile disappeared, replaced by a deep expression.

"My lord, although Li Xuancang is a centurion, is it really necessary for us to cooperate with him like this?"

After Nangong Zhan left, Yang Yunlong's advisor asked him in confusion.

Li Xuancang was a centurion, but Yang Yunlong was also a county magistrate, holding the power of life and death over a radius of a hundred miles. His status was higher than that of a centurion, so there was no need for him to fawn over a centurion.

"What do you know?"

Yang Yunlong gave a rebuke and slowly said, "I have received news from the officials of the Prefectural Governor's Office that the Prefectural Army will abandon Cangyun Ridge and enter Xuanyang County City."

At this point, Yang Yunlong's eyes were filled with worry as he continued, "When the time comes, other territories will become places overrun by barbarians and demons, and we will soon have to retreat. Doing Li Xuancang a favor now might bring rich rewards in the future."

Yang Yunlong also had his own sources of information, knowing that the county army was about to abandon Cangyun Ridge, and he needed to make plans for the future.

Once the army retreats to the county town, they will inevitably have to deal with the army. Making good relations with a centurion would be beneficial and harmless, so why not?

Moreover, what Li Xuancang asked for was just a simple matter for him, so why would he offend a hundred general for it?

"What? The army is abandoning Cangyun Ridge? Doesn't that put us in danger?"

Upon hearing this, the advisor was struck dumb, his face drained of color instantly.

"What's the panic? I'll take you away when the time comes."

Seeing the flustered advisor, Yang Yunlong shouted angrily.

Even if barbarians and demons attack, these officials will leave in advance, so there's no need to worry.

"What you say is absolutely right, sir. It was I who lost my composure."

The advisor quickly calmed down, realizing that he was not an ordinary citizen and didn't need to stay and wait to die.

At noon, the sound of hurried carriages and horses suddenly broke the tranquility of Qingxi Village.

The villagers, who were worried about their livelihoods tomorrow, all poked their heads out, their expressions instantly turning to panic.

A large group of people drove into the village, led by a soldier wearing armor and carrying a long sword at his waist.

He stood tall and straight, with a cold and stern face, exuding the unique iron-blooded aura of a soldier.

Behind them followed ten yamen runners from Qingyang County, surrounding three spacious and sturdy carriages covered with thick cloth curtains. Small flags representing military status were also stuck on the carriage shafts, making them look very imposing.

The villagers had never seen anything like it before. They were so frightened that they all hid in their homes, peeking through the cracks in their doors and the walls of their courtyards, their faces filled with panic and confusion.

"Why are the government officials here again? And the soldiers too? Are they here to conscript men and collect taxes again?"

"We're doomed, we can't survive anymore. Are the authorities going to force us further?"

"Don't make a sound, and whatever you do, don't let them target you."

"..."

The villagers whispered in hushed tones, their faces pale with fear.

The shadow of heavy taxes had long instilled in them a fear of the government and soldiers.

As if another calamity had befallen them, the entire village fell into a tense, deathly silence. The children were covered by adults, and dared not make a sound.

Ignoring the villagers' fear, Nangong Zhan led his men straight to the entrance of the Li family's courtyard. He dismounted, stepped forward, and gently knocked on the door, speaking respectfully.

"Is this the residence of Master Li and Madam Li? Your subordinate, Nangong Zhan, has come to escort you two to the county town on the orders of General Li Xuancang."

Mr. and Mrs. Li had already been alerted and were about to open the door when they heard Nangong Zhan's words and were immediately taken aback.

"Clang!"

After a moment of stunned silence, the two were overjoyed and hurriedly opened the courtyard gate.

Li's mother blushed and grabbed Nangong Zhan's arm.

"You come from the border? Do you know if my son is well?"

Li's father was also very excited, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Nangong Zhan, wanting to get more information about his son from him.

When Li's mother grabbed his arm, Nangong Zhan did not dodge and responded respectfully.

"Master Li, Madam, Lord Li is well and has specially asked me to take you to Xuanyang County to enjoy your retirement."

Before the news of the army abandoning Cangyunling spread, Nangong Zhan could not make it public and found a reasonable excuse.

"This is Lord Li's handwritten letter and token; please examine them, sir."

Mr. and Mrs. Li trembled as they accepted their son's handwritten letter and keepsake, tears welling up in their eyes.

They read the letter carefully, word by word, as if trying to see their son, who had been away from home for more than two years, in it.

"The government officials are here for the Li family, so there's no need to worry."

"Could it be that something happened to the Li family's son, and the officials have come to deliver a death notice?"

"The soldiers have all arrived; this matter must be extraordinary."

"..."

Seeing the government officials heading to the Li family, the villagers gradually relaxed.

Some people harbor malicious intentions, hoping that Li Xuancang will die on the battlefield and the Li family will fall from grace.

Some villagers, unable to contain their curiosity, came to the Li family's courtyard.

Seeing the villagers' curious expressions, Nangong Zhan spoke loudly to the surrounding villagers.

"Fellow villagers, Li Bai has repeatedly performed outstanding feats on the border and has been greatly rewarded. He has specially sent me to escort his family to the county town to live a peaceful life. You need not be alarmed."

These words immediately caused an uproar among the villagers. Their panic turned into shock and envy, and discussions rose and fell.

"So it was the Li family lad who sent people to pick up his family. No wonder there was such a big commotion."

"The Li family's son is truly filial. Even while fighting on the frontier, he doesn't forget to bring his parents away to enjoy a comfortable life."

"The city is safe. The barbarians and demons can't defeat it. The Li family is going to live a peaceful life."

"..."

As the crowd watched the constables carefully load the Li family's belongings onto the carriage and help Mr. and Mrs. Li into the carriage, their eyes were filled with envy and deep helplessness.

They also wanted to go to the county seat so they wouldn't have to worry about their livelihood, but it was difficult for them to even enter the county seat, let alone the prefecture seat.

Let's go!

With the help of the yamen runners, the household items were quickly tidied up.

The four members of the Li family quickly got into the carriage and left without speaking to the villagers.

In his letter, Li Xuancang instructed his parents not to talk to the villagers and to leave immediately with Nangong Zhan.

Mr. and Mrs. Li resolutely followed their son's arrangements, remaining silent and not giving the villagers a chance to ask questions.

"Will the Li family members come back after leaving?"

The carriage slowly drove away from Qingxi Village. The villagers stood at the village entrance, watching it go for a long time, and their discussions never stopped.

Nangong Zhan protected the carriage, not daring to delay for a moment, and soon arrived at Zhangjia Village next door.

Upon arriving at Zhangjia Village, they again caused panic and a great deal of discussion among the villagers.

When Nangong Zhan explained his purpose—to take Li Xiu's family to the county town—the Zhang family villagers were filled with envy.

"Xiuer, we have land and livestock in Zhangjia Village. How will we live in the county town if we leave here?"

Zhang Erzhu was reluctant to leave his hometown and Zhangjia Village.

They still have a few acres of land in Zhangjia Village to live on. If they leave Zhangjia Village, they don't know how they will survive.

"Don't worry! Lord Li has arranged everything. Let's go!"

Nangong Zhan only wanted to bring the person to Xuanyang County City to fulfill Li Xuancang's request and deceive the Zhang family.

He wasn't exactly deceiving anyone. Given Li Xuancang's status and position, arranging a job for the Zhang family in the county town would have been a piece of cake.

"Father, elder brother, let's go! My sister-in-law's brother is a centurion; he wouldn't let us go hungry."

Zhang Cuihua kept urging, her eyes full of anticipation, eager to head to the county town.

"Well... okay!"

Although Zhang Erzhu and his mother were unwilling, they dared not resist and could only leave with them.

Once Nangong Zhan confirmed that all the relatives from both families had arrived, he immediately waved and, with three carriages and a group of yamen runners, turned the carriages around and sped away, leaving behind only the villagers' discussions and envy.