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

After the battle, Wang Tianshan gripped the long sword at his waist and strode forward, his feet stepping over blood and severed limbs, his aura incredibly fierce.

The surrounding soldiers instinctively gave way; the aura emanating from Wang Tianshan sent chills down their spines, and they dared not approach.

He strode over to Li Xuancang's side, looked down at the three barbarian corpses on the ground, and then his gaze fell on Li Xuancang, who was covered in blood and standing with a gun in his hand.

"You, all by yourself, slew three barbarians?"

Facing the ruler of the camp who held the power of life and death over everyone, Li Xuancang was inevitably a little nervous, but he gripped his iron spear firmly and straightened his back.

"Yes, sir."

In chaotic times, humility is useless, and cowardice will lead to death. Only strength can earn respect and a way to survive.

Wang Tianshan glanced at him, then said in a deep voice without uttering any further words.

"No falsehoods exist in the military; military orders are absolute; once a promise is made, it will never be broken."

He slightly raised his hand and coldly shouted at the guards behind him.

"Record your merit!"

"Li Xuancang, a conscript, killed three barbarians in this battle. His military merit is recorded. He is immediately removed from the civilian register and enrolled in the regular border army of the Great Yan."

His words struck like a thunderbolt, hitting the ears of all the soldiers.

Regular military status!

These four words carried immense weight in an era of demons and monsters, where human life was cheap and worthless.

It is a threshold that countless ordinary people at the bottom of society can never reach in their entire lives; it is the only way out of being a lowly person, free from slavery, and having the means to survive.

Many of the conscripts were filled with jealousy and envy, but even more so with a deep sense of powerlessness.

They also wanted to kill the enemy to improve their future, but they were physically weak, cowardly, and afraid of death, so going up would only result in them losing their lives.

Looking at the envious and longing gazes of those around him, Wang Tianshan felt very satisfied.

This was exactly what he wanted: to spend a fortune to buy a horse's bones, to fulfill his promise in front of everyone, and to motivate everyone to fight desperately in the subsequent battle.

With Li Xuancang as a living example before them, many ambitious people would surely risk their lives for him.

The guards immediately brought out the military register and ink seal, and registered the information on the spot.

From then on, Li Xuancang was no longer a conscript or cannon fodder to be arbitrarily conscripted and abandoned by the government, but a regular border soldier of the Great Yan Dynasty.

Wang Tianshan then publicly announced that he would fulfill all his promises, his words clear and resounding throughout the city.

"From this day forward, Li Xuancang shall enjoy all the benefits of a regular soldier."

"Monthly stipends, fine rice and rations, and meat supplies were provided."

"Issued with standard-issue iron armor and refined war guns."

"Priority will be given to receiving healing ointments and herbal remedies for physical training, and injuries will be treated by the accompanying military medics."

"They were exempted from all corvée labor and hard labor, and were no longer subject to arbitrary beatings and humiliations by petty officials."

At this point, Wang Tianshan paused, emphasizing his words.

"Furthermore, the most important provision is that your registered clan members and direct relatives in your hometown of Qingxi Village are exempt from taxes and forced labor for ten years."

"They are not subject to local conscription or exploitation by local gentry and powerful figures. If they encounter small groups of bandits or low-level monsters causing trouble, they can seek help and protection from the nearest military camp."

Upon hearing this, everyone's souls exploded with a "buzz," their eyes became bloodshot, and their breathing became heavy.

His eyes were practically popping out of his head as he stared at Li Xuancang, wishing he could take his place.

This offer is too tempting, especially the exemption of family members from taxes for ten years, which is something everyone dreams of.

"boom!"

Li Xuancang's chest suddenly trembled, and the depression that had been building up in his heart for two years suddenly dissipated.

Worth it.

It's absolutely worth fighting this bloody battle, risking our lives.

Two years ago, I was forcibly conscripted to guard the border, leaving my hometown and living in constant fear.

What he feared most was never dying on the frontier, but rather his parents, elder sister, and younger sister far away in Qingxi Village.

Farmers already struggle to make ends meet.

In chaotic times, taxes are increased at every level, officials exploit the people, mountain demons often come down from the mountains to plunder, and bandits and soldiers roam freely. Without any protection, a family may be destroyed at any time.

Now, he has joined the military and enjoys military privileges.

Family members no longer have to be suffocated by exorbitant taxes, no longer have to worry about being forcibly conscripted for hard labor, and the village has the protection of the military, so ordinary bandits and monsters dare not easily provoke them.

This is the weight that martial arts and military power carry in chaotic times.

Ordinary people are like ants, trampled on by everyone.

Once you join the military and earn military merit, you'll immediately rise to prominence, and your wife, children, and elderly parents will all be able to live in peace.

Li Xuancang clenched his fists, his resolve growing ever stronger.

This is just the beginning.

Regular soldiers are just the starting point; above them are squad leaders, platoon leaders, centurions, battalion commanders, and so on...

The higher the military rank, the greater the privileges and the wider the scope of protection.

He would climb up step by step until he could completely protect his family from the slightest suffering in the chaos of the world.

"Thank you, sir."

Li Xuancang quickly calmed himself down and bowed to Wang Tianshan.

He knew that Wang Tianshan's purpose was to set an example for others, so that they would follow suit and fight bravely and risk their lives in the battles to come.

Although Wang Tianshan had his own calculations, the benefits that came to Li Xuancang were real, and he was genuinely grateful to Wang Tianshan.

Wang Tianshan nodded slightly, his gaze sharp as he looked at Li Xuancang.

"Your physique is far superior to that of ordinary people, and you are decisive in killing. You are the makings of a soldier."

"Kill the enemy well and accumulate military merits. You will have the opportunity to be promoted to the positions of squad leader and platoon leader in the future."

"In chaotic times, only through killing and warfare can one survive."

He offered Li Xuancang a few words of encouragement, describing a bright future.

If it were anyone else, they would have already knelt down and kowtowed, wishing they could die for him.

However, Li Xuancang had lived two different lives in two different worlds, so naturally he wouldn't bow down and worship.

The main reason he was able to achieve all this was because he risked his life and made meritorious contributions in battle.

Wang Tianshan could at most play a supporting role, and was not worth his life.

After speaking, Wang Tianshan turned around and returned to the high ground of the defensive line. In his eyes, Li Xuancang was just an ordinary person and not worth his attention.

Today, Li Xuancang's conversation with him was already an act of deference on his part.

"Come with me!"

Amidst the envious gazes of everyone, Li Xuancang left with a soldier.

Before long, they received their soldier equipment.

A set of finely crafted iron scale armor, hard and heavy, is enough to withstand the slashing of swords and the tearing of claws, and is a true life-saving item.

A standard-issue war gun, entirely forged from refined iron, with a gleaming blade, far superior to the previous iron gun.

A small jar of military wound-healing ointment and a full set of rice ration coupons were also delivered.

Having acquired something good, Li Xuancang immediately changed out of his tattered clothes and discarded his iron spear.

Donning armor and wielding a fine weapon, his aura instantly transforms.

The armor reflected the cold light of the battle, and a chilling aura belonging to soldiers quietly arose.

The way the surrounding soldiers looked at him completely changed.

In the past, we were all the same miserable cannon fodder, eating coarse food, being beaten and scolded, and fearing death together.

Now, in just one battle, the difference is like night and day.

He became a member of the elite regular army, with salary, armor, the backing of the imperial court, and the protection of his family—a world of difference.