Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 556 Reorganization of the Demon-Suppressing Camp

News of the Demon Suppression Camp's crushing defeat.

Li Xiangming had heard about it countless times from others, but he only had an abstract concept of how terrible it really was.

Until he arrived at Changyang Valley and saw those once spirited demon-hunting cultivators now huddled in cramped, shabby rooms, their eyes devoid of any sharpness, only filled with dejection.

It was in this situation that he truly understood what it meant to be "utterly defeated".

"Master Li!"

One of them saw Li Xiangming and immediately stood up, looking excited.

"Yang Yun, you're still alive."

A hint of relief flashed in Li Xiangming's eyes as he gestured for the other man to come closer. He then looked at the others, his gaze settling on a haggard-looking middle-aged man: "Chief Hu, are these all the brothers we have left?"

Hu Qidao touched the stubble of his new hair and said with a wry smile, "When we retreated to Danggui Mountain, there were 64 people left; after we moved to Changyang Valley, there were 56 people left; now, there are only 43 people left."

Forty-three people?

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming felt very uncomfortable.

At its peak, the Demon Suppression Camp had five hundred members, but now it has less than one-tenth of that number.

Had he known this would happen, he shouldn't have led his troops north.
But there's no going back in life.
Li Xiangming slowly exhaled and continued to ask, "Judging from your condition, you are not in good health. Has the Li family mistreated you?"

The people in the room kept looking around.

Many people hesitated to speak, but in the end, no one said a word.

Li Xiangming frowned and looked at Hu Qidao.

Hu Qidao clasped his hands in a fist salute and replied in a deep voice, "The Li family has not mistreated us. It's just that the deputy commander and the two Li family commanders are missing. We are all at a loss and anxious in Changyang Valley."

anxiety?

Li Xiangming was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening, and his expression turned rather unpleasant.

Li Xiangguang only told him that some of the demon-suppressing camp cultivators had withdrawn, but did not say how to settle them.

It now seems that it wasn't that Li Xiangguang didn't want to talk, but rather that the Li family hadn't made any arrangements.

Hu Qidao and the others stayed in Changyang Valley for more than half a month, not because they were loyal to the Li family, but because the benefits they were supposed to receive had not been delivered, and they were resentful.

Those who left were utterly disappointed with the Li family!

Don't people in the family know how to win people's hearts?
The image of Li Qianxiong's rugged face flashed through Li Xiangming's mind; the patriarch would never make such a basic mistake.
But then I thought, Li Qianxiong might really not have time to worry about the Demon Suppression Camp.

In the past month, he has been exhausted just from calming the emotions of the clan, not to mention the need to select cultivators, prepare supplies, and support the Yunhuang mines.

Compared to the internal and external troubles facing the Li family, the few dozen rogue cultivators who had lost all courage were clearly insignificant.

Actually, the Li family has their own reasons for not interfering with them.

When Li Xiangming established the merit system in the Demon Suppression Camp, he clearly stated that all merits could only be redeemed for rewards after the battle.

Is the present situation considered post-war?
In the eyes of both the Li family and Li Xiangming, they were far from being considered a threat.

But these people probably don't think that way.

They had served in the Demon Suppression Camp for several months and had all received some spoils of war, but most of them could not carry much with them except for their personal magical artifacts, some pills and talismans.

Because not everyone has a storage bag!

It is a common practice to entrust spoils of war to a few trusted superiors.

However, as the Demon Suppression Camp was scattered and everyone fled far away, only a few people gathered in Changyang Valley, and the spoils they had worked so hard to earn were basically lost.

If we don't even count the merits, then everyone has truly benefited without losing anything.

After sorting through all this, Li Xiangming's expression gradually became serious: "The brothers have risked their lives, but gained very little. It is my Li family's carelessness that has led to this. But please rest assured, my Li family will never go back on its word! Anyone who remembers their own merits, please report them to me."

Upon hearing this, a light finally appeared in everyone's eyes.

Hu Qidao immediately took out a jade slip and handed it over.

Li Xiangming glanced at them a few times. He remembered clearly where each of the forty-three people killed the monsters and how many they killed.

According to the Demon Suppression Camp's system, the certification of merit requires key parts of the fallen demon beast, such as its head and ears. Experienced demon hunters can determine the demon beast's specific cultivation level and time of death based on these parts.

If the key parts of a demon beast are missing, or if the demon beast's demonic power is exhausted after a certain period of time, severely affecting the demon hunter's judgment, then no matter how many demon beasts are killed, it will not count.

These regulations make the merits of the Demon Suppression Camp seem especially real.

However, the process for certifying meritorious service appears to be rather subjective.

If, in a sentry, someone kills a monster in the early stages of the Spirit Summoning realm and obtains its head, who will record the merit?

Commander!

If the scout obtains the monster's head, he can award the person 100 or 200 merit points.

If it's the latter, what should be done with the missing monster head? It can be replaced with a monster head submitted by another person.

Since all the monster parts are on the squad leader, and the special jade slips recording merits are also on the squad leader, the squad leader only needs to ensure that the total number of merits matches the number of monster parts and then get certified by the superior.

Of course, the sergeant didn't dare to go too far.

After all, the sentry members are not without memories. If they find that their merits are far from those regularly announced by the Demon Suppression Camp, they will definitely cause trouble.

Even so, the merits that were lost were still lost.

Because you can't prove that your memory is correct.

Li Xiangming admitted that this was a flawed system.

But this is the result of compromise!
Demon-hunting cultivators are already accustomed to a lax lifestyle. Rather than establishing a complex and strict military merit system and treating them like soldiers, it would be better to turn a blind eye and win over the middle and high-ranking cultivators of the Demon-Suppressing Camp so that they can quickly form a fighting force to defeat the beast tide.

Unfortunately, this plan failed.

After the Demon Suppression Camp was scattered, the people could neither find their squad leader nor their subordinates. Where could they find any of the merits they had registered in the past?

Therefore, the jade slips that Hu Qidao handed him were all records of these people's "merits" in the "memory" of the people. Without any superior certification or surviving evidence of demonic beast parts, their authenticity was questionable.

Nevertheless, Li Xiangming only glanced at it a couple more times before putting it away, and said quite naturally, "Brothers, you've worked hard. I remember all these merits. In less than three days, I will have the Li family redeem the rewards for you."

Seeing that Li Xiangming didn't find any fault, but instead promised a specific timeframe for claiming the prize.

The atmosphere on the field changed instantly. A young man next to Hu Qidao reacted the fastest, kneeling down with a thud and saying excitedly, "Thank you, Hall Master Li!"

"Master Li is so magnanimous!"

“I’ve said it before, anyone could renege on their debts, but Master Li is the only one who won’t.”

"."

Li Xiangming glanced at everyone and smiled slightly: "You are all heroes of the Demon Suppression Camp. I will not only reward you in advance, but also give you extra rewards."

After saying that, he clapped his hands.

Several people poured in from outside, each carrying a wooden box of varying lengths. After several rounds of this, the wooden boxes inside had piled up into a small mountain.

"This is."

Everyone was talking about it.

Li Xiangming gestured for Yang Yun to step forward. Yang Yun did not dare to delay and carefully opened the small wooden box on the top, inside which was a bluish-green dagger.

"Magical weapon?"

Immediately, some people were surprised. Those with sharp eyes gasped, "It's a brand new mid-grade magic artifact!"

Upon hearing this, someone couldn't help but step forward and open three wooden boxes in succession. All of them contained unrefined new magical artifacts, and all of them were mid-grade magical artifacts.

"Master Li"

Before the man could ask a question, Li Xiangming interrupted calmly, "The Demon Suppression Camp suffered a great defeat in Calabash Valley. As its commander, I bear the responsibility. Consider these magical artifacts my compensation to everyone."

Upon hearing this, the man instinctively withdrew his finger.

The others reacted in the same way, all withdrawing their covetous gazes.

Li Xiangming was greatly surprised and asked, "Don't you want the new magic weapon?"

No one answered.

The atmosphere on the field underwent another subtle change.

Li Xiangming looked at them and sighed inwardly.

He knew these people were afraid that if they took the magical artifact, they would have to continue serving the Li family.

That was exactly what he meant!

However, he underestimated the fear people had of the beast tide.

At the same time, they overestimated their influence.

Just as he was about to speak to break the deadlock, a thin arm grabbed the green dagger in the wooden box on top.

This move instantly attracted everyone's attention.

"Xiaoyun, you..."

Hu Qidao opened his mouth subconsciously, but then immediately shut it.

Yang Yun looked at Hu Qidao and suddenly revealed a bright smile: "Brother Hu, there is still a beast tide causing trouble in Pudong. Although the Demon Suppression Camp lost a battle, Hall Master Li is still here, and we are still here, aren't we? Hall Master Li has not wronged me, and I still want to follow him."

Hu Qidao paused for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Others also looked at each other.

Seeing this, Li Xiangming immediately said, "After the defeat at Calabash Valley, I have learned my lesson and understand that the beast tide in Pudong cannot be defeated in one battle. The strategy of the Demon Suppression Camp will change in the future. If the beast tide gathers, we will lure it into splitting its forces; if the beast tide splits its forces, we will annihilate its weaker units. I assure you all that if the Demon Suppression Camp suffers another defeat like this, I will offer my head to you."

Those present were all rogue cultivators who hunted demons; how could they dare to ask the Li family for a head?
Moreover, he is a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

No one took Li Xiangming's words to heart, but everyone clenched their fists.

Calabash Valley is not only a source of pain for Li Xiangming, but also an indelible regret for everyone. Given a choice, who would willingly choose to be a defeated and humiliated stray dog?

Zhou Miao's expression shifted between light and shadow.

If Master Li dies in the belly of a demon, and if the Li family refuses to acknowledge the merits we all have, then who cares about this bullshit beast tide?
But Master Li has returned and is willing to compensate the brothers of the Demon Suppression Camp.

Recalling the torrential rain in Calabash Valley, and the image of that resolute green robe that covered the rear overlapping with the person before him, Zhou Miao finally let out a sigh of relief. Just as Yang Yun had said, Master Li had not wronged him, nor had he wronged himself.

As for danger, where aren't low-level cultivators like them always keeping their heads in check?
"I, Zhou Miao, am willing to serve Master Li!"

Zhou Miao?

Li Xiangming looked at the equally young cultivator at his feet, and was genuinely surprised. This person seemed to have no connection with him whatsoever, yet he trusted him so much.

Hu Qidao was even more surprised by this scene, and he looked at Zhou Miao with a hesitant expression.

Although he liked Yang Yun's quick wit, Yang Yun was, after all, a member of the Mad Lion Demon Hunting Group, and he wasn't close to him. He couldn't and didn't want to interfere with Yang Yun's decision.

But Zhou Miao had known him for almost ten years!

After he joined the Xuanmao Demon Hunting Team, Zhou Miao quickly became his right-hand man.

After the Demon Suppression Camp suffered a major defeat, the two had privately discussed that they would wait until they had enough merit points to exchange for spirit stones before going to Qingshui County to try their luck. Who would have thought that Zhou Miao would suddenly change his mind?

Yes, Zhou Miao has always admired Master Li.
Hu Qidao couldn't help but smile bitterly. He looked at the others, their faces all showing hesitation, a stark contrast to their previous "indifference."

If Master Li were to offer even more benefits, how many of these people would still be able to stay true to their principles?
"Chief Hu."

At this moment, Li Xiangming stepped forward and said sincerely, "Now the Demon Suppression Camp is suffering from a shortage of talent. Among everyone present, you hold the highest position. Are you willing to shoulder the heavy responsibility of rebuilding the Demon Suppression Camp?"

Hu Qidao stared silently at his toes.

After an unknown amount of time, he finally sighed, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said, "I am deeply grateful for Master Li's kindness."
-
Subduing the former members of the Demon Suppression Camp was much more difficult than Li Xiangming had anticipated, but it went relatively smoothly overall!
He reorganized the group, restructured the Yanji Division, and promoted Hu Qidao to Division Commander and Zhou Miao to Captain. He also divided the eighty cultivators selected by the Li family equally among the Mingqiao and Jiangyun Divisions.

At this point, the Demon Suppression Camp was restored to its original three-department structure. Although none of them were at full strength, they already possessed a certain level of combat capability.

"Perhaps it was the right thing for the patriarch to put Xiangming in charge of the beast tide."

Several clan elders inspected the newly relocated Demon Suppression Camp's base near Tailai Peak and were all shocked.

The Li family spent more than half a month preparing to assemble a cultivator force to attack the Qin family, while Li Xiangming accomplished this in just a few days.

Although the Demon Suppression Camp is currently at a disadvantage in all aspects, whether in terms of the number of cultivators or their overall cultivation level, this is only a difference in "personnel".

In fact, the morale of the Demon Suppression Camp was not bad. The family members who were originally terrified of the beast tide were also inspired by the "veterans" of the Demon Suppression Camp, and their morale was growing day by day.

"I said it long ago, the defeat at Calabash Valley was not due to a lack of skill in battle."

Li Chenglu laughed heartily, "If it weren't for the sudden southward surge of beasts from Lingyue Peak, Xiangming would have already made a great contribution."

Li Chengweng, standing to the side, grumbled, "Your Xiang Ming is impressive, but our Xiang Yu is no less so, having become the commander of the Demon Suppression Camp!"

"Wasn't that mere position of commander given to you by Xiang Yu by Xiang Ming?"

"Nonsense, Xiang Yu is clearly a man of both talent and virtue."

The two had only exchanged a few words when they started arguing, much to Li Xiangming's dismay.

Perhaps because the fourth branch of the family clearly coveted the position of head of the family, the other branches of the family acted somewhat aggressively.

The second wife, in particular, would argue with the fourth wife over even the most trivial matters.

Just as he was considering how to start the conversation to dissuade him, a figure flew in from afar.

"Uncle Qianfu?"

Li Xiangming was startled and stepped forward.

Although Li Qianfu was a branch cultivator, he was taken care of by him and served as the deputy manager of the clerk's office, making him one of the few high-ranking members of the branch in the Imperial Household Department.

Now, he has been assigned to contact cultivation forces in various parts of Pudong.

As soon as Li Qianfu saw Li Xiangming, he quickly cupped his hands in greeting and whispered, "The envoys from the Luo family of Shangqingyuan and the Lingwu Sect have arrived."

Who are these people who came?

Li Xiangming immediately pressed for more information.

Li Qianfu replied, "The person from the Luo family is Luo Wanlin, who is Luo Wantao's younger brother; the envoy from Lingwu Sect is Xie Jun, who is the personal disciple of Sect Leader Pei Wen."

One is the younger brother of the family head, and the other is the direct disciple of the sect leader!
It seems that the Luo family and Lingwu Sect are also eager to contact the Li family.

Li Xiangming breathed a sigh of relief. It would be extremely difficult for the Li family to completely eradicate the beast tide with their own strength alone.

However, if they could unite with those powerful sects and families to form the Pudong Allied Army, there would be even more possibilities.

"Go and have a look."

Li Xiangming could no longer care about the clan elders and hurriedly returned to the clan.

(End of this chapter)