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

"Li, Li Xuancang?!"

Zhao Changlin looked at the tall and upright Li Xuancang with disbelief and excitement at the reunion with an old friend.

"Lord Zhao, it's me."

Upon seeing Zhao Changlin, his savior, again, Li Xuancang was filled with emotion.

Zhao Changlin was seriously injured and unable to go to the battlefield, so he was sent to the rear to recuperate. Li Xuancang did not know why he was here.

Zhao Changlin was overjoyed and hurriedly stepped forward, genuinely happy.

Li Xuancang had saved him from danger many times, and now he had come to his rescue again. He could hardly repay this kindness.

"Xuan Cang, thank you for saving my life. I will never forget it."

Zhao Changlin thanked Li Xuancang with a solemn expression.

"Lord Zhao, you flatter me. It's not a simple matter."

Li Xuancang waved his hand lightly, not caring at all.

Zhao Changlin carefully examined Li Xuancang and discovered that he was no longer the same person he used to be.

Li Xuancang wasn't dressed in the uniform of a centurion, but he exuded a subtle sense of oppression befitting a superior, causing Zhao Changlin to tremble slightly.

"Xuan Cang, why are you here? Are you doing well in the army?"

Zhao Changlin asked instinctively, knowing that with Li Xuancang's abilities, he would rise to prominence in the army sooner or later.

Before Li Xuancang could speak, Wang Xiaoniu behind him, looking arrogant, couldn't wait to answer.

"Lord Zhao, Lord Li is now a centurion and is on his way to Anzhou City to take up his post."

hum!

Upon hearing this, the people in the surrounding caravans froze, their expressions instantly turning blank.

Zhao Changlin's pupils shrank suddenly, as if struck by lightning, and his whole body stiffened abruptly, freezing him completely in place.

His eyes widened, the corners of his eyes slightly red, and his breathing stopped for a moment, his chest heaving violently.

"This...this..."

His lips trembled, and he opened his mouth several times, but he couldn't utter a single complete sentence.

The color drained from his face at a visible speed, leaving only a deathly pale complexion.

The guards behind him were all dumbfounded, their mouths agape.

The gazes directed at Li Xuancang became filled with awe, and the entire place fell into a deathly silence, save for the suppressed gasps of the crowd.

The words "centurion" struck Zhao Changlin's heart like a heavy hammer.

This is a truly important person. Even if he were still serving as a centurion in the army, he would still have to be extremely respectful in front of such a person.

He had just addressed Li Xuancang by his given name, which was extremely disrespectful. If Li Xuancang held it against him, he would be in deep trouble.

Zhao Changlin swayed, but Li Xuancang caught him quickly and glared at Wang Xiaoniu.

Wang Xiaoniu's eyes darted around, and he knew he had spoken too quickly and caused trouble, so he quickly pulled his head back.

With Li Xuancang's help, Zhao Changlin steadied himself and gradually regained his senses.

A storm raged within him; all his previous nonchalance vanished, replaced by utmost respect as he prepared to pay homage to Li Xuancang.

"Greetings, Li..."

He was about to bow when Li Xuancang stopped him, saying, "Lord Zhao, there's no need for that."

Li Xuancang had never cared about such formalities, and since Zhao Changlin had been kind to him, it was even more impossible for him to ask Zhao Changlin to kowtow.

Seeing that Li Xuancang's attitude had not changed, Zhao Changlin was relieved.

He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing several times before he finally found his voice, his tone filled with lingering shock and horror.

"Lord Li, I knew from the beginning that you would rise to prominence, but I never expected it to happen so soon."

Zhao Changlin was deeply moved and found it unbelievable.

How long has it been? Li Xuancang has already become a centurion.

He couldn't imagine the perilous journey Li Xuancang had endured, the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, to get to this point.

"It was just a fluke."

Li Xuancang asked calmly, "Why is Lord Zhao here instead of in the army?"

Zhao Changlin should be recuperating in the army, but he appeared here instead, which puzzled Li Xuancang.

"Ugh!"

Zhao Changlin sighed and said helplessly, "My injuries are too severe. Even if I recover, my foundation will be damaged, and I will not be able to exert my full strength. Staying in the army will only cause trouble, so I have left the army and returned to my family."

In the military, strength is the fundamental basis for survival.

Zhao Changlin's strength was diminished, and he was no longer able to fulfill the position of a hundred generals, so he had no choice but to withdraw.

This might be the best option for him.

Although he lost his status as a general and all the benefits the court had given him, at least he could keep his life.

Without the strength, a single mission could lead to his demise, so leaving the army was a wise move.

Zhao Changlin continued, "After I left the army, I followed my family's merchant caravan to transport supplies. The group that ambushed us just now was the Iron Fist Sect, a gang from Anzhou City."

At this point, Zhao Changlin felt somewhat guilty.

"The gangs wield considerable power in Anzhou City, even the imperial court has to give them some leeway. The Iron Fist Sect is particularly vengeful, so Lord Li must be very careful in the future."

Li Xuancang saved them, thus offending the Iron Fist Sect, and there's no guarantee they won't retaliate.

Li Xuancang was somewhat surprised after learning about Zhao Changlin's situation, not expecting that he had already left the army.

Many people joined the imperial court for the status of soldiers, and Zhao Changlin was a centurion, which was already a high rank.

If he dies on the battlefield, his family will continue to enjoy special treatment from the imperial court.

However, once he left the army, these benefits were greatly reduced, and many people would rather die in battle than voluntarily leave the army.

However, everyone has their own ambitions, and this is Zhao Changlin's choice, so he will not comment on it.

"Lord Zhao, we are heading to Anzhou City. Where are you going?"

"Lord Li, we are heading to Liuyun County, so we must part ways here."

The two routes are not on the same road, so they cannot travel together.

Li Xuancang clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhao Changlin, saying, "Take care on your journey, Lord Zhao."

Zhao Changlin was somewhat flattered and quickly responded.

"Take care on your journey, Lord Li. I have no way to repay your kindness. I can only wish you peace, good fortune, and prosperity in your military career."

Li Xuancang saved his life many times, but now that Li Xuancang is a centurion, he has neither the ability nor the opportunity to repay him. He can only wish Li Xuancang well.

"Then I'll take my leave, Lord Zhao, thanks for your kind words."

Li Xuancang smiled slightly, turned and left, and the group soon set off.

"Lord Zhao, take care!"

Wang Xiaoniu waved to Zhao Changlin, showing great respect for his former boss.

"Take care of yourself."

Zhao Changlin responded quickly.

Li Xuancang's group quickly disappeared at the end of the road, and only after they were completely out of sight did the crowd reluctantly turn their gaze away.

Let's go!

The group continued on their journey, but the shock in their hearts lingered for a long time.

"Second Uncle, who is this Lord Li? Tell me about him!"

Zhao Changlin's nephew kept pestering Zhao Changlin, wanting to learn more about Li Xuancang.

The two were about the same age, but Li Xuancang was already an unapproachable centurion, which filled him with both admiration and curiosity.

"Hurry up and get going. Is it something you can inquire about Lord Li's situation?"

Zhao Changlin's face was stern, and he reprimanded him sternly.

The boy bumped into something, covered in dust and dirt, and dared not ask any more questions. He angrily buried his head and continued on his way.