Chapter 5: Rewards for Meritorious Service

"I understand, thank you, Brother Lv," Song Changming expressed his gratitude.

The two exchanged a few more words before Lv Gang departed.

Song Changming casually picked up a thin twig from the stone table and waved it a few times in the air.

He pondered silently.

As Lv Gang mentioned, with the number of bandits he has slain increasing, it’s indeed necessary to be on guard against their covert revenge.

The lesson of Sun Wenyan being encircled and slain at night is still vivid in his mind.

For those barefoot and ruthless fellows, the official status of their Patrol Captain cannot ensure their safety, and he has no desire to follow in Sun Wenyan’s footsteps.

"I cannot afford to slack," Song Changming muttered to himself.

A snap was heard as the twig in his hand broke against the wind due to the force he applied.

Noticing that his back didn’t feel much pain when exerting force, Song Changming decided to resume a certain intensity of martial training from today.

Several dozen miles away from Donglai County City, an expansive mountain range stood, enveloped in a vast sea of clouds, traversed by the Luolong River that flowed towards the distant County City.

The mountain was covered with thorny green vines, and numerous black crows nested and moved about in the area.

Hence, it was named Tengya Mountain or Lao Ya Mountain by the people.

In the past, villagers and hunters would climb the mountains to hunt game and capture exotic and rare beasts for sale.

But in recent years, no one dared come to this place anymore.

Many knew that a formidable bandit army occupied the area.

Even the County City’s troops were helpless against this bandit army.

A mountain breeze passed, bending a patch of tall grass in the mountain, and one person zigzagged through the mountain paths, reaching a spot behind a peak.

On a large mountain hollow, a fortress stood, with many armored troops coming in and out.

"Why have you returned?"

"There’s been some disturbance over at the County City; I need to see Banner Master He."

"Come with me," said a soldier guarding the fortress, leading the person inside to meet a burly man seated on a tiger-skin chair.

"What’s the matter?" The burly man squinted slightly, staring at the newcomer.

A nearby maid, dressed lightly, immediately put down the fruit plate, bowing her head low.

"Banner Master, Lord Cao is dead," the spy knelt down and reported.

"Hmm?" The burly man’s eyes opened slightly, a hint of coldness on his face.

"What happened?"

Facing the inquiry, the spy promptly detailed the information he had gathered.

He explained clearly how the Nine Bends Association perished and how Cao Fushan died.

"Truly disappointing, deliver the notice to recall all personnel from the city," the burly man said lightly.

"Yes," the spy stood up, hesitated for a moment before leaving, and then asked, "Should this be reported to the other banner masters?"

"That’s not your concern; they probably already know," the burly man waved dismissively.

"What about the person who killed Lord Cao?"

"Kill him," the burly man gave the order nonchalantly, as if it required little thought.

A few days later, with the martial artist’s healing ability, the knife wound on Song Changming’s back had almost healed, and unless he engaged in immediate intense combat, it barely affected his regular training.

Afterward, he received a summons from Liang Chuan Mountain to assess merits and distribute rewards.

In the action against the Nine Bends Association, Song Changming played an essential role, adding another commendable record to his achievements.

Next came the monetary rewards.

There were three parts.

One portion was distributed by Liang Chuan Mountain based on contributions from the battle, which amounted to one hundred silver for Song Changming.

The second part was an exclusive reward for the Patrol Captain, which only the Patrol Captain could receive.

Based on his performance, Song Changming was given three hundred silver.

This was the largest share among the six Patrol Captains.

The final portion was the bandit leader Cao Fushan’s bounty, which was exclusively for Song Changming, totaling five hundred silver, and Liang Chuan Mountain did not deduct anything from it, giving it all to him.

In sum, the three rewards added up to nine hundred silver for Song Changming.

To him, this was undoubtedly an unexpected windfall, exceeding his expectations.

This was equivalent to his total salary for two and a half years, more than enough to buy a large two-entry courtyard on Houli Street.

And for cultivation, this sum could also further accelerate his martial arts progress.

For instance, a twenty-year wild ginseng valued at ten silver could be exchanged for a fifty-year one, with purer and more potent medicinal power.

The same applied to Bone Forging Powder, choosing only the finest quality, with daily nourishment from exotic and rare beast meat.

The more wealth there is, the more ways to utilize it.

If pursued to the extreme, this nine hundred silver wouldn’t last very long.

After distributing the reward silver, Liang Chuan Mountain encouraged Song Changming with a few words, and then got down to business.

"There are shadows of the bandit army behind the Nine Bends Association, which has drawn great attention from the General Department. The City Patrol Defense Bureau in each district, including ours, will be busy.

We are no exception, Changming, how’s your injury? We must be prepared for possible assignments at any moment."

"The injury is no longer much of an issue," Song Changming responded.

"That’s good," Liang Chuan Mountain nodded.

With Song Changming’s outstanding ability and trustworthiness, Liang Chuan Mountain wasn’t as confident entrusting such matters to anyone else.

Many times, Liang Chuan Mountain truly couldn’t do without this confidant, Song Changming.

Leaving Liang Chuan Mountain’s study, Song Changming first went to see his subordinate Patrol Guards.

In the previous battle against the Nine Bends Association, fortunately, none of his subordinates died, and at most, they only suffered minor injuries.

Among the six Patrol Guard teams of the Patrol Armor Bureau, only his team’s casualty situation could compare with the batch of Patrol Guards from the General Department.

Pushing open the gate of the small courtyard, the Patrol Guards inside appeared to be in a relaxed mood, many with smiles, exuding a sense of joy.

They also received their merits and rewards today, each receiving a share of the reward silver.

Though not as much as Song Changming, it was enough to keep them happy for a whole day.

After all, this was real money and silver; who wouldn’t like that?

"Chief! You’re finally back!"

Seeing the recovered Song Changming, the Patrol Guards immediately stood up.

Compared to before, Song Changming could clearly sense the deeper respect from this group.

Ever since he displayed his true prowess in the battle against the Nine Bends Association, the people beneath him naturally became more respectful.

Even his closest ally, Vice Captain Jiang Chunzi, whom he promoted single-handedly, showed less playful behavior towards him.

Previously, he somewhat relied on Liang Chuan Mountain’s connection to outshine all the Patrol Guards, including other Patrol Captains.

But now, it’s different.

He earned genuine respect from everyone with his impressive battle achievements.