Chapter 430: Chapter 324: A Year of Slaying Demons and Destroying Fiends! (Double-Length)_2

"Zhao Zun, think about your other children; you still have them. Don’t do anything stupid, or else..."

Zhao Boqi’s final words were only half spoken, but Zhao Zun already understood his meaning.

The clarity in Zhao Zun’s eyes gradually returned. He took a deep breath, bowed, and said, "Lin Xin is the most talented of my children, and I’ve spent the most effort nurturing him.

But for the sake of the family, I won’t act recklessly anymore. Please, Patriarch, rest assured..."

Zhao Boqi stared at him for a moment and then turned around and said.

"It’s good that you can understand."

By midday the next day, Zhao Zun had already sent people to deliver compensation to Yang Zhen and the others.

The compensation for those targeted, Song Changming and Xing Tiexin, was the most substantial, totaling five thousand Spirit Coins plus one hundred middle grade Spirit Crystals.

It was indeed full of sincerity.

For Zhao Family’s act of sending money, Xing Tiexin felt uncomfortable. He originally didn’t want to accept it, but Yang Zhen convinced him to take it to settle the matter completely.

Song Changming, on the other hand, had no such psychological burdens and accepted it very swiftly.

This amount of Spirit Coins along with Spirit Crystals was enough to cover his cultivation needs for another year!

Why not take free money and resources?

No matter what happens afterward, enjoy them for now.

Originally, Song Changming thought Zhao Zun, feeling unwilling, might play some tricks on him or Xing Tiexin.

But it turned out he had overthought it.

The noble family’s restraining power over their sons is still strong enough, and Zhao Zun hasn’t appeared before Song Changming and the others since that day.

Song Changming also began to get busy.

Aside from daily cultivation, he officially took up his position in the military, becoming the commander of the 41st Flag Army’s twelfth recruit team.

His primary task was to gather his subordinates to meet the quota of one thousand soldiers.

He had to personally examine, select, and recruit new soldiers who met his standards and train them.

Actually, his standards for new soldiers are much higher than those set by the army.

In other teams, martial artists with decent achievements in the Body Refining Realm can become part of the regular army.

However, Song Changming’s requirement for his regular army was to reach the Qi Refining Realm.

This would be elite in other teams, but for him, it’s the minimum threshold.

Not only that, he also had requirements for Martial Arts Mastery among his soldiers.

The Qi Refining Realm was one aspect; they also had to learn and master at least one Martial Technique to form adequate combat power.

Simply put, he wanted all his men to be elite soldiers.

This goal is naturally very difficult.

After all, everyone knows elite soldiers are better and stronger, but the problem is high-quality recruits are limited.

Recruiting soldiers with excellent aptitude and strength is not an easy task.

Aiming for a full team of elite soldiers is not something that can be achieved overnight.

Fortunately, Wang Tianshuang took care of the recruit team, so the new recruit camps in recent years would prioritize the selection of new teams.

Song Changming wasn’t rushing for success; the goal of having all elite soldiers could be pursued slowly.

Some soldiers whose strength hasn’t yet reached the Qi Refining Realm but have potential and aptitude could also be taken in first. Over time, he could cultivate these good seedlings into combat power.

"Becoming a commander, having a higher status and power, brings an additional sense of responsibility..."

Song Changming looked at the first batch of new recruits and suddenly thought of those days in the Patrol Armor Bureau, where he gained experience.

The two are so similar.

Only back then, it was more about fighting people, battling the evil ones of Jianghu.

Now, it’s more about fighting demons, slaughtering on the battlefield.

As the sun and moon alternate, winter goes and summer comes.

The entire Cui Bai Dao spent a year recuperating and living while restoring order and rebuilding villages and towns.

With cicadas singing, the blazing sun above, and the red heat evaporating the earth’s moisture.

June, a great drought.

This night, in the courtyard.

On the stone table were several cups of brewed wine that Song Changming tasted one by one.

For the first few cups, he took a light sip, slightly relished, and then went on to taste the next.

Until the last cup, he took a sip, his eyes lit up, and he drank it all at once.

"This wine is the best."

Song Changming raised the empty cup in his hand and smiled at Song Ping’an beside him.

"Hahaha, young master, we have the same taste." Song Ping’an said happily.

In the past year, based on his experience and using new materials from the Ancient Abyss Country, he developed six types of wine.

He deliberately saved his most confident cup for last, and after receiving Song Changming’s approval, he was very pleased.

"Of course, the previous five types are also good and can be promoted." Song Changming nodded and said.

He was indeed very satisfied with Song Ping’an’s work results over the past year.

"Young master entrusted me with such a large sum of funds and let me spread my wings; I naturally cannot betray your trust." Song Ping’an laughed, poured Song Changming another cup.

The wine presented to Song Changming was already from the best of the best, meeting Song Changming’s desired quality.

"Good, now we’ll wait for your good news next." Song Changming nodded.

Once the distillery stabilizes and enters the right track, Song Ping’an will expand his network and channels, then he can develop other trades and industries, crazily amassing wealth for Song Changming collecting resources and obtaining intelligence.

He’s quite adept at this.

Where there are people, there is Jianghu. As long as he adapts to the environment of the Ancient Abyss Country, the basic rules of Jianghu won’t change too much.

"Young master, then I’ll leave." Song Ping’an said with a smile.

"Wait, leave that pot of wine."

"Okay."

Song Ping’an departed in a hurry; there were still many things at the distillery requiring his personal attention.

"You guys should go to sleep as well." Song Changming said to the two children standing shoulder to shoulder not far away.

"Young master, we’re not sleepy." A Da said earnestly.

Beside him, the little brother’s eyelids were already drooping, his body swaying, ready to enter dreamland.

"Children should grow during this time; go ahead." Song Changming waved his hand.

"Yes." A Da no longer insisted, grabbing the little brother’s collar and dragging him back to the room.

The courtyard was left with Song Changming drinking alone under the moon.

Oh, not entirely alone.

By his feet were two dogs strong as giant creatures, and on the stone table, a curious Little Yellow Chicken watched the wine in the cup.

"Want some?" Song Changming said amused, extending two fingers to push the wine cup.

Little Yellow Chicken couldn’t resist its curiosity, moved closer, and pecked at the wine in the cup.

One cup of tea later.

Little Yellow Chicken staggered, showing off drunken boxing on the stone table, its former tiny eyes seeming to turn into spirals, spinning continuously.

"Chirp..."

Song Changming laughed out loud.

Occasionally teasing the pets at home like this was one of his everyday joys.

After a pot of wine, it was nearly midnight.

"It’s about time." Song Changming estimated, and sure enough, he heard the familiar notification sound.

Then he opened the panel and browsed the latest information that popped up.

[Annual Evaluation: A Year of Slaying Demons and Removing Evil!]

[Martial Arts Aspect: This year your Martial Arts Cultivation had a significant breakthrough, unlocking the third Earth Martial Vein. Innate Qi Aura increased greatly. Third Grade Wind and Thunder Divine Movement Technique practiced to mastery. Second Grade Thunderfire Saber Technique practiced to mastery...]

[Achievements Aspect: This year you killed demons and eliminated evil, with outstanding military achievements in the army, exterminating over five hundred demons...]

[Power and Prestige Aspect: This year, you were promoted to Commander in the army, commanding a thousand riders, shining brightly during the demon disaster, your prestige in the army increased.]

[Family Aspect: Alone and solitary, negative evaluation...]

[Participated in Major Events: 1, Demon Disaster! 2, Celestial Phoenix Nirvana!]

[Please select annual rewards.]

[1, Lifespan +6000. 2, Lifespan -5000, obtain related blue physique ’Demon Slayer’. 3, Lifespan -3000, can upgrade one related physique (Qi Refiner). 4, Consume lifespan -500, attribute points +5.]

[Note: Based on evaluation level, choose two from four options as rewards.]