Inside the central command tent.
"An urgent dispatch from Anding Prefecture—eight hundred li in haste."
Xiang Tingchun threw the letter onto the table. "Who would've thought? The four grassland tribes that have fought and schemed against each other for years have now suddenly allied overnight.
"And that's not all—they've ignored Liangzhou completely and instead sent 50,000 troops straight for Yunzhou. According to the letter, they've already set up camp outside the Great Wall and could attack at any moment. The Yunzhou Command has ordered us to reinforce the defenses and hold our position. We are not to advance without orders, and any developments must be reported immediately."
He swept his gaze across the tent. "What are your thoughts?"
All the Hundred-Household Officers stood in silence, faces grave.
One of them, a man surnamed Qian, stepped forward. "Could today's cavalry ambush be connected to this incident?"
"It's possible," said Feng Yong, picking up the thought. "Those riders didn't look like raiders. Their attack felt more like a test—to probe our defenses along the Great Wall."
"Oh?"
Xiang Tingchun's expression hardened. "So you're suggesting the Xi River tribe intends to attack Poyang County directly?"
"I wouldn't dare make such a bold claim," said Feng Yong. "Given their current strength, the Xi River tribe probably wouldn't have that courage. But it's possible they've received secret reinforcements."
Attacking a city was a completely different challenge from defending one. To assault fortifications, the attacker typically needed several times more troops than the defenders.
"That seems unlikely," said Luo Dongquan in a deep voice. "The three northwestern prefectures and Anding Prefecture are all strategic choke points. The enemy would need at least 300,000 troops to challenge us effectively. Even if the four barbarian tribes have joined forces, their manpower and supplies are still limited. There's no way they'd have resources left to reinforce the Xi River tribe."
"Even so, we should remain cautious," said Xiang Tingchun. "The Night-Scout Unit will depart in fifteen days to investigate the Xi River tribe's situation. I want a full report on their movements."
"Yes, sir!"
Once the discussion on strategy ended, they moved on to rewards for the battle.
"Hundred-Household Officer Chen, single-handedly breaking through thirty enemy riders and slaying the enemy commander—you fought with unmatched valor!"
Xiang Tingchun's tone carried genuine admiration. "Even when I was your age, I couldn't compare!
"I'll personally submit a memorial to the court, recommending you for promotion to Chengxin Captain.
"As for medicinal supplies in the camp—from now on, any medicinal baths you need are on me. You may use whatever you want."
He paused for a moment. "But starting from the Black Jade Body-Protection Salve, the supply is limited. Every Hundred-Household needs it, so I can't allocate it all to you alone."
A sixth-rank Hundred-Household was first granted the title Zhaoxin Captain, and after merit or a full term of service, promoted to Chengxin Captain—a direct military rank advancement.
Only with higher rank could one continue to rise in position.
Without significant merit or a major cultivation breakthrough, that climb was painfully slow.
Even Xiang Tingchun himself had remained a deputy Thousand-Household for years after reaching the tempering organs stage before finally being promoted to full Thousand-Household.
"Other than that," he said, "if you want any additional reward, speak freely."
"My lord, I want horses," Chen Sanshi said without hesitation. "Can I keep the twenty horses I captured?"
"Of course!"
Xiang Tingchun agreed readily. "Not only those twenty—I'll find a way to add another thirty for you."
"Thank you, Thousand-Household!" Chen Sanshi cupped his fists.
He wanted horses partly for practical use—but also because the Thousand-Household Division was dirt poor and clearly couldn't offer much else in reward.
Poyang County really was a dead end—resources were far too scarce.
After leaving the tent, he found Shan Yuanzhi waiting outside.
"Congratulations, Hundred-Household Officer Chen!" Shan Yuanzhi said with a smile. "You and your one horse nearly wiped out the entire invading cavalry. With such achievements, even His Highness the Crown Prince himself would take notice!"
His words carried a hidden meaning—hinting that Chen Sanshi's future prospects were limitless if he chose the right alliances.
"The medicine," Chen Sanshi said bluntly. "Guard Shan, didn't the Prefect say he wanted to gift me a secret medicine?"
"Prefect Ji Guangxian was delighted to hear of your loyalty and intent to serve," Shan Yuanzhi replied. "He's invited you to the prefectural manor for a banquet. After the feast, he'll personally prepare the medicine for you."
He gestured toward the path. "Hundred-Household Officer Chen, this way, please."
"So considerate, huh? Wang Zhi! Someone's treating us!" Chen Sanshi shouted with a grin.
"Who?!"
From a hundred meters away, Fat Wang appeared in a blur, rushing over like a whirlwind. "You're the Prefect's bodyguard? Oh, so Prefect Ji himself invited us? Excellent, excellent!"
"?"
Shan Yuanzhi was completely caught off guard by this sudden addition.
"Guard Shan," Chen Sanshi said with a faint smile, "add another pair of chopsticks, would you? I'm sure Prefect Ji won't mind."
This trip—ninety-nine percent—was meant as a gesture of goodwill. Ji Guangxian likely had no ill intentions. Still, it was always better to be prepared for anything.
"Ahem… of course not," Shan Yuanzhi replied awkwardly before leading the way.
Outside the barracks, a fine carriage was already waiting.
It was Chen Sanshi's first time riding in a carriage. He couldn't help but think—those with wealth and status really knew how to live.
"Heh, Shitou, you really made it big this time," Wang Zhi said, rubbing his hands excitedly. "Ji Guangxian's a major figure around here—looks like we've hit the jackpot!"
The carriage rattled down the road as dusk settled over the land, finally stopping before a grand estate.
Ji Guangxian, dressed in casual robes, personally came out to welcome them.
"Hundred-Household Officer Chen," he greeted warmly, "your heroic deeds have spread through all of Poyang within less than two hours!"
He smiled approvingly. "I knew I wasn't wrong about you. Hmm? And this is…?"
Wang Zhi clasped his fists and laughed. "The name's Wang. Hundred-Household Officer from the camp. Came along to share a meal with my lord."
"Guests are guests! Come in, come in!"
Ji Guangxian proved to be remarkably approachable—and extremely generous.
He had even invited the head chefs from the Eight Treasures Restaurant to cook at his residence. The dishes were of the highest quality—beast meat, a rare nourishing treasure fish, and premium deer blood wine.
The cost of that table alone had to exceed one hundred taels of silver.
'No poison.'
Ever since acquiring [Recognition of Formulas Upon Sight], Chen Sanshi could discern any medicinal substance at a glance—and poison counted as medicine too.
If anyone dared to add something harmful to his food, he would spot it instantly.
So, without hesitation, he picked up his chopsticks and started eating the treasure fish.
Wang Zhi wasn't far behind, gobbling away with oil dripping down his chin.
The two ate and drank with such focus that Ji Guangxian couldn't find a good moment to speak.
He waited patiently until they were both full and satisfied before finally saying, "Hundred-Household Officer Chen, have you thought over what we discussed—about leaving Poyang with me?"
"Prefect Ji, weren't you going to give me the secret medicine?" Chen Sanshi asked bluntly.
"Bring it in!" Ji Guangxian clapped his hands.
Two beautiful maids entered, carrying a pair of wooden barrels—one filled with iron sand, the other with a prepared medicinal bath.
"To tell you the truth," Ji Guangxian said proudly, "my ancestors were in the medicinal trade. So I'm no stranger to the art of medicine myself.
"I heard that Hundred-Household Officer Chen has reached the stage of tempering bone and is now working on tempering skin. This medicine is a rare secret formula that greatly aids that process—it's called 'Condensed Dew Body-Refining Decoction.'
"Its greatest advantage is that it combines the protective effects of Black Jade Body-Protection Salve with the physical-strengthening properties of a top-grade medicinal bath. It remains effective all the way up to the Major Achievement stage of tempering bone. You'll know once you try it!"
Shan Yuanzhi added quickly, "Our Prefect personally brewed this himself—it took him an entire afternoon!"
"Alright," Chen Sanshi said calmly, immediately stripping off his clothes.
He first rubbed his skin with the iron sand to toughen and abrade the surface, then stepped into the steaming medicinal bath.
Unlike ordinary medicinal soaks, this one didn't burn. Instead, it resembled the effect of the Black Jade Body-Protection Salve—the medicine seeped through the small abrasions made by the sand, penetrating deep into the flesh. Not only did it heal the skin, but it also nourished the tendons and strengthened the bones.
No wonder Ji Guangxian could curry favor with powerful figures in the imperial court using this concoction.
"Hundred-Household Officer Chen," Ji Guangxian asked confidently, "how is it?"
"Average," Chen Sanshi replied flatly.