The captain then turned to the other soldiers and ordered, "Sound the war drums! Let’s welcome the Great General and our brothers back gloriously!"

"Yes, Captain!"

The soldiers replied in unison, grabbed the war drumsticks, and began to beat the war drums.

Dum~! Duru~ Dum~! Dum~! Duru~ Dum~!

The moment the sounds of the war drums echoed in Xiqiang City, the common people paused what they were doing. They listened carefully for a moment, then realized that it was the sound of victory.

Putting down what they were doing, they rushed toward the city gate while cheering.

"The Great General has returned victoriously!"

"Our heroes have returned!"

In no time, the streets were crowded with common people. Some of them were waiting anxiously for their family members, while others were waiting to welcome their heroes and beloved Great General.

Before long, the common people saw Zhan Qi leading the army.

A young man pointed into the city gate and shouted excitedly, "It’s General Zhan!"

The second his words fell, the crowd erupted in cheers.

"Welcome back, General Zhan!"

"Welcome back, General Fan!"

"Welcome back, Great General!"

Sitting on top of his warhorse, Zhan Qi was stunned by the excited common people and the crowded streets.

He guided his warhorse closer to Fan Wanming and asked in a low voice, "General Fan, what did you guys do while I was away on a mission? It’s only been a few months since I left for the Jin Empire’s military campaign, but I can’t even recognize this place anymore."

Motioning to the tall and majestic wall in the distance with his chin, he added, "Also, isn’t that wall the outer city wall? How come it is now located inside the city?"

Fan Wanming calmly let Zhan Qi finish his questions before saying, "General Zhan, don’t you know how diligent and efficient General Xue is? With him and General Tan overseeing the city’s construction, don’t you think this result is just barely acceptable?"

Zhan Qi pondered his words, then scratched his cheek and muttered, "If you put it like that, it seems what you said is right."

Fan Wanming smiled slightly, then added, "Besides, with the help of the He Clan, the Bai Feng Store is now doing very well. Thanks to their efforts, the trading routes have been restored, and more people and traveling merchants are coming here."

"With the economy restored and money circulating, the common people’s lives are getting better day by day. When they have food to eat, a place to live, and guaranteed safety, sooner or later, this city will flourish."

Hearing this, Zhan Qi looked at Fan Wanming with admiration. "General Fan, you are so smart."

Fan Wanming smiled and humbly replied, "You are not bad either."

While the two of them were chatting about Xiqiang City’s future prospects, the army finally arrived at the barracks.

Unlike the excited common people, the soldiers were lined up neatly to welcome the army. Standing at the front were Xue Ruhong, Tan Pengtai, and Ding Zhenshun.

When they saw Zhan Qi and Fan Wanming, the three of them smiled, then looked at the horse carriage following behind.

Inside the horse carriage, Feng Xiyan waited until it stopped moving before standing up. Walking down the steps, he turned around, then reached out toward Bai Hanyun.

After Bai Hanyun placed her hand in his, Feng Xiyan carefully helped her down from the carriage. When her feet touched the ground, he naturally placed his arm around her waist.

Seeing this, the soldiers hurriedly lowered their heads.

Led by Xue Ruhong, Tan Pengtai, and Ding Zhenshun, the soldiers knelt down and said in unison, "This subordinate greets the Great General. This subordinate greets Fairy Bai."

"Congratulations on your triumphant return, Great General!"

As their powerful voices echoed through the surroundings, Feng Xiyan calmly said, "Please stand up, everyone."

"Thank you, Great General."

After everyone stood up, Feng Xiyan added, "There is no need to stay here. You all can go back to your tasks."

"Yes, Great General!" Receiving his orders, the soldiers dispersed and returned to their duties and training.

Turning to Fan Wanming and Zhan Qi, Feng Xiyan said, "General Fan, General Zhan, you two can take a day’s rest. Give the soldiers and vice-generals two days of rest so they can spend time with their families."

Clasping their fists, Fan Wanming and Zhan Qi responded in unison, "Yes, Great General."

After saying that, Feng Xiyan looked at Bai Hanyun and said, "Yun’er, I will let Feng Wu and his team escort you back. I still have things to discuss with General Xue and the others."

Bai Hanyun nodded at his words. "Alright. Remember to take enough rest and drink your medicine on time."

Being reminded by her, Feng Xiyan smiled gently and then obediently replied, "Mhm, I will listen to you."

After saying that, he called out, "Feng Wu."

The second his words fell, Feng Wu appeared and clasped his fists. "Master."

Feng Xiyan looked at him and instructed, "From now on, your team will be responsible for protecting Yun’er. Arrange for Yi Bai and the other female shadow guards to be Yun’er’s personal bodyguards."

"Yes, Master."

Now that he had made the arrangements, Bai Hanyun said, "Then... I will go back first."

"Mhm. If you need anything, just tell Feng Wu."

"Alright."

With that, Bai Hanyun boarded the horse carriage. Feng Wu put away the stepping stool, then sat on the driver’s seat and lightly flicked the horse whip.

A second later, the horse started walking and soon disappeared from Feng Xiyan’s sight.

Turning to the generals, he said, "Let’s go."

"Yes, Great General."

Arriving at the commander’s tent, Feng Xiyan took off his cloak and hung it on the folding screen.

Taking a seat at the main position, he gestured for Xue Ruhong and the others to sit down, then asked, "Is anything important happening while this general was away?"

Looking at his rosy and healthy complexion, Xue Ruhong asked, "Great General, how is your condition now?"