Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 813 Anhu City

"You also mentioned his cultivation as a cultivator. The methods of cultivators are far more wondrous than those of martial artists!" Lu Youan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then smiled. "Moreover, someone even broke into the Lian family's old residence and burned down the Lian family's ancestral hall!"

"What a deep-seated hatred, what a deep-seated grudge!"

He laughed with a hint of schadenfreude.

In just half a day, the Lian family had already become a laughing stock in the Lingxiu Sea.

Once something like this happens, even if the Lian family wants to cover it up, they can't, since Lianjia Town isn't only inhabited by members of the Lian family.

Lan Peng stroked his unkempt beard and said thoughtfully, "This seems like something Brother Yang would do!"

He had known Yang Zhengshan for twenty years and naturally understood Yang Zhengshan's temperament.

"Don't be fooled by Brother Yang's seemingly righteous appearance; he's actually full of wicked schemes!" Lan Peng gave a very apt assessment.

These words made Lu Youan burst into laughter.

“Even so, the summons from the Yang family of Lingxi cannot be avoided!” Lan Peng’s expression turned serious again.

The call-up order for the joint enforcement team has been issued, and no one can be exempted unless the top leaders of the three major corporations give the order.

Lu Youan lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, and said, "Go to Lingxi Mountain and take a look. If the Yang family of Lingxi needs someone, I can help recruit a few people to fill the Yang family's recruitment quota!"

Yang Zhengshan had also saved his life; in fact, the Lu family owed Yang Zhengshan several lives.

If possible, he would naturally like to help Yang Zhengshan.

Of course, he wouldn't use someone from the Lu family to replace them, since the Lu family doesn't have any manpower available right now.

As the saying goes, "It's better to die than to die," the Lu family may not have enough manpower, but other martial arts families in Shanggu County can still spare some innate martial artists.

“Alright, I’ll go to Lingxi Mountain again!” Lan Peng said.

……

Yang Zhengshan and Lan Peng arrived at Lingxi Mountain almost one after the other.

Inside the tea room of the Yang family ancestral home.

"Did you really do what happened to the Lian family?" Lan Peng looked at Yang Zhengshan with bright eyes.

"The Lian family, what happened to the Lian family?" Yang Zhengshan asked, feigning confusion.

Seeing his reaction, Lan Peng pointed at him and burst into laughter, "Brother Yang, how could you not know about the Lian family's affairs?"

"I just got back, didn't I?" Yang Zhengshan blinked and said.

Lan Peng looked at Li Chang beside him, "Kid, you didn't tell him!"

Li Chang was taken aback. "This junior has not yet had a chance to report."

"Hehe, don't try to fool me. How could you not report something this big immediately? And you, Brother Yang, you're not being honest. You're actually hiding something. Hehe, the Martial God-level Gale Wolf, haha~~" Lan Peng laughed loudly.

Yang Zhengshan was speechless.

Well, it seems I really can't fool them anymore.

Lan Peng knew him very well, and was also very familiar with the situation of the Yang family in Lingxi.

Although the Secret Guards have always acted in a very secretive manner, Lan Peng still managed to discover some clues.

Lan Peng had long known that Yang Zhengshan had his own information channels, and Li Chang was specifically responsible for passing on messages to Yang Zhengshan.

"The Gale Wolf? I've never seen one before!"

Yang Zhengshan still did not admit it.

Lan Peng smiled and didn't press the matter further. He knew he couldn't admit to it, because doing so would definitely cause big trouble.

"You'an asked me to ask you if you need any help with the conscription."

How can I help?

"Find a few people to fill some of the draft quota!"

Yang Zhengshan shook his head slightly, "Then let's forget about it!"

If they could all be replaced, that would be acceptable.

However, if it only replaces a portion of the product, then it doesn't make much sense.

With the jade token in hand, Ding Qiu and Yang Minghao could bring their own people back to the Spirit Source Land at any time. However, having a few outsiders with them would make things more difficult.

This is also why Yang Zhengshan did not allow the Yang family of Lingxi to go to Anhu City together.

"You don't intend to take all the innate martial artists of the Yang family to Anhu City, do you?" Lan Peng said, frowning.

"How could that be! I have other men!" Yang Zhengshan said.

"Where did it come from?" Lan Peng asked curiously.

He knew that Yang Zhengshan was hiding many secrets. For example, the Golden Feathered Eagle he gave to Yang Zhengshan was not found on Lingxi Mountain. Also, Yang Zhengshan had mentioned before that the Flying Servant Eagle was his granddaughter's spirit pet, but Yang Zhengshan had no descendants on Lingxi Mountain.

Yang Zhengshan gave Li Chang a wink, and Li Chang immediately went out. A moment later, he came in with Yang Minghao.

"This is my third son, Minghao. Minghao, why don't you pay your respects to your uncle!"

Yang Minghao quickly cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Nephew greets Uncle!"

Yang Zhengshan and Lan Peng were true sworn brothers, and he knew Lan Peng well, knowing that Lan Peng was an upright man, so he didn't mind letting Lan Peng learn more about the Yang family.

Of course, the existence of the Spirit Source Land must not be revealed.

"Haha, so it's my dear nephew." Lan Peng was taken aback at first, then said somewhat awkwardly, "Look at you, your dear nephew is coming, and you didn't even tell me beforehand, so I could have prepared a gift!"

Yang Zhengshan waved his hand, "There's no need. I have many children and grandchildren. If they all came to ask you for a gift, I'd probably have to sell the entire Lan family to make it worthwhile!"

This isn't Yang Zhengshan bragging; if he really invited the entire Yang family, Lan Peng's meager resources wouldn't be enough to cover the initial gifts.

Lan Peng looked at Yang Minghao, then at Yang Zhengshan, and said, "It seems I underestimated Brother Yang before!"

Yang Minghao stepped forward and poured tea for Lan Peng, saying, "Uncle, please have some tea!"

"Haha, very good!" Lan Peng laughed.

He didn't ask about the specifics of the Yang family, but simply chatted with Yang Minghao.

……

After seeing Lan Peng off, Ding Qiu, Yang Minghao, and the others also embarked on their journey to Anhu City.

Yang Zhengshan returned to Xuegu Town and entered the Spirit Source Land from there.

Lingyuan Land has a considerable business in Snow Valley Town, and it is often necessary to transport goods out of Lingyuan Land or send received goods to Lingyuan Land.

Therefore, a passage must be established in Snow Valley Town for the Spirit Source Land.

Previously, Yang Zhengshan left the entrance to the cave here, and later he gave the jade token to Zhen Tao to facilitate the transportation of goods.

Now that Yang Zhengshan left the entrance to the cave in the ancient formation, and the jade token was given to Yang Minghao, Yang Zhengshan could only leave his mark here.

After arranging things outside, Yang Zhengshan once again focused on his cultivation.

He is now at the ninth level of Qi Refining. He only needs to accumulate his magic power to the point of perfection before he can attempt to break through. In addition, he needs to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill before breaking through.

Therefore, his main task now is to accumulate magical power and refine Foundation Establishment Pills.

Foundation Building Pill is a second-tier pill, and Yang Zhengshan needs to break through to the second tier in his alchemy skills if he wants to refine it.

However, this was not a difficult task. With the assistance of the Golden Crow, Yang Zhengshan was very confident.

Before refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, he first chose a second-tier pill to practice with. The Youth Preservation Pill, a second-tier pill, has the effect of preserving one's youthful appearance.

Although this pill is of no use in improving cultivation, it will definitely be highly sought after by female cultivators.

In fact, the Jade Bone Ice Heart Pill also has the effect of preserving youth, especially the Jade Bone Ice Heart Pill improved by Yang Zhengshan, which also has the effect of reversing aging.

However, the Jade Bone Ice Heart Pill requires long-term use to maintain one's appearance, while the Youth Preservation Pill only requires one pill to maintain one's appearance for a hundred years.

Yang Zhengshan chose to refine the Youth Preservation Pill not for Yu Qingyi, nor to earn spirit stones with this pill, but because he could easily gather the materials needed to refine the Youth Preservation Pill.

The main ingredient of the Youth Preservation Pill is Moonlight Grass, and there is plenty of Moonlight Grass in the ancient ruins, enough for Yang Zhengshan to practice with.

Yang Zhengshan's life became increasingly peaceful and tranquil as he cultivated, refined elixirs, and studied talismans when he felt tired.

Meanwhile, Yang Minghao and Ding Qiu arrived in Anhu City as scheduled.

Anhu City is a fortified city with walls over ten zhang high, and each zhang of the wall is engraved with intricate runes.

The majestic city sits between two mountains, like a giant beast lying among the peaks, with the two mountain peaks on the east and west sides also encompassed by Anhu City.

In fact, Anhu City and Snow Valley Town are quite similar, both being paradises for adventurers.

However, compared to Snow Valley Town, Anhu City is larger in scale and has more innate martial artists.

The entire city of Anhu has a population of nearly 300,000, of which as many as 100,000 are innate martial artists.

The three sects and twelve families all have important industries here, and there are also many martial arts families in this city.

These martial arts families are different from those in Shanggu County. The martial arts families in Shanggu County are more like a group of wealthy landlords, while the martial arts families here are true martial arts families. They regard martial arts as the foundation of their survival.

The masters of Anhu City are naturally the three major sects, who take turns ruling Anhu City every thirty years. At this time, the Huan Yue Sect is in charge of Anhu City.

In addition, Anhu City also has a city defense army, which is composed of innate martial artists from the three sects, twelve families, and many martial arts families.

Ding Qiu, Yang Minghao, and others answered the call to join the city defense army.

Upon arriving at Anhu City, Ding Qiu and Yang Minghao immediately sensed a heavy atmosphere.

In front of the towering city gate, hundreds of fully armed soldiers of the city defense force inspected everyone entering the city, while also blocking anyone who wanted to leave.

Ding Qiu peered through the tall gate at the people inside the city who wanted to leave, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Entry is permitted, but exit is not!"

Yang Minghao also noticed the situation inside the city and said softly, "It seems that Anhu City is not in a good situation!"

Before they arrived, they knew that the strange beasts in the Yunxiao Mountains had been stirring recently. Originally, there were very few strange beasts near Anhu City, but recently groups of strange beasts have been appearing frequently near Anhu City.

Although there are no signs of a beast tide yet, it could form at any time under these circumstances.

Ding Qiu nodded without saying anything more.

The group then lined up to wait for inspection before entering the city.

About fifteen minutes later, it was their turn.

Yang Minghao stepped forward and handed the conscription documents given to them by the joint law enforcement team to the soldiers in charge of the inspection.

This is a tall woman, yes, a woman, a woman as big as a bear.

If she didn't lack a beard, one would definitely think she was a man.

"Soldiers who have answered the call! The Yang family of Lingxi, Shanggu County?"

As the woman examined the documents, she also glanced at Yang Minghao and his group, a strange glint in her eyes.

"I am Li Wenyu, a disciple of the Illusion Moon Sect, and I have been appointed as a captain in the Anhu City garrison. Since you are soldiers who have answered the call, you shall serve under me from now on!"

Yang Minghao was stunned. He hadn't expected that the guard at the gate was actually a captain.

The rank of Colonel was a military position in the former Great Zhao Dynasty, and the dynasties west of the Lingxiu Sea still maintain this military system.

However, the city defense army of Anhu City is definitely not a regular army. Their essence is still the sect's power, and the construction of the army is only to meet the needs of Anhu City's defense.

Therefore, Anhu City has five captains, each with more than a thousand soldiers under their command.

Yang Minghao thought that he would be targeted by the Lian family after arriving here, but he did not expect that he would be recruited into the army by the disciples of the Illusion Moon Sect before he even entered the city.

"What, you're unwilling?" Li Wenyu frowned slightly, his face full of fat making him look somewhat fierce.

"No, no, I just didn't expect to join the city defense army before even entering the city!" Yang Minghao explained.

Li Wenyu's expression softened slightly. "You don't need to worry about the rest. Just stay in my camp and wait for orders!"

"Duan He, take them to the military camp. There are exactly ten of them, so just appoint a squad leader for them!"

“Yes, sir!” came a soldier from the Li family camp behind him.

Thus, before Yang Minghao and his men even entered the city, they became Li Wenyu's soldiers.

After bowing to Li Wenyu, Yang Minghao followed the armored soldier named Duan He into the city.

As for why Li Wenyu directly recruited Yang Minghao and his men, the reason is actually quite simple.

Firstly, Anhu City urgently needs more forces to protect the city, and as one of the five captains of the city's defense army, she naturally hopes to have as many soldiers as possible under her command.

She is a disciple of the Illusion Moon Sect, and now Anhu City is under the control of the Illusion Moon Sect, so she is responsible for guarding the city gate in order to take the opportunity to recruit more soldiers.

The second reason was that she noticed the difference in Yang Minghao's group. There were ten people in total, including two Tiangang stage martial artists and eight Qihai stage martial artists. Their strength was neither particularly strong nor weak.

However, Li Wenyu saw a military aura in Yang Minghao and others.

The difference between a proper soldier and an ordinary martial artist is quite easy to see.

Even though Yang Minghao and the others didn't try to show it, Li Wenyu noticed the differences in them.

In particular, the eight guardian soldiers were wearing the same armor and carrying the same swords and bows.

Li Wenyu needed such soldiers, so he naturally recruited them into his ranks without hesitation.

After Ding Qiu and Yang Minghao entered the city, they were taken to the military camp.

"This is your barracks. Ten of you will share one room. I am the centurion, and you will be under my command from now on!"

Duan He looked at Ding Qiu and Yang Minghao and said politely, "If you need anything else, please feel free to contact me!"

The barracks here are not rudimentary. Each barracks is divided into four compartments, each with a bed and a table and chairs, and all the necessary living supplies are provided. Moreover, they are kept very clean.

"Sir, what do we need to do next?" Yang Minghao asked.

Duan He waved his hand and said with a smile, "No need to call me sir, you can just call me by my name."

"My name is Duan He, and I am also a disciple of the Illusion Moon Sect!"

The Illusion Moon Sect is predominantly female, but it also has many male martial artists. Duan He is an inner disciple of the Illusion Moon Sect.

"My name is Yang Minghao!"

"Ding Qiu!"

Duan He nodded and said, "There's nothing to do for now. You can familiarize yourselves with the camp, but don't leave it. We might be on a mission at any time!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Minghao didn't ask any further questions and simply settled in.

He originally thought that he would be very busy after arriving here, probably having to go out of the city to hunt down the strange beasts that approached Anhu City, but in reality, their task was just to guard the city gate or the city wall.

The expected beast tide did not come, and Ding Qiu and Yang Minghao became soldiers of the city defense army of Anhu City, leaving the two of them speechless.

(End of this chapter)