Starting from his vigorous old age, he began to conquer Liaozhai.

After breaking through to the Tendon Refining Realm, Cao Xiong left the camp quietly without saying goodbye to anyone.

On the return journey, no further incidents occurred, and three days later, Cao Xiong returned to Guobei County.

Cao Xiong arrived at the centurion's office immediately and summoned all the junior officers, including Cao Man.

Once everyone had arrived, Cao Xiong began to understand the situation. Next, he needed to be wary of Zhu Quanzi while also preparing for the second bandit suppression operation.

"During my absence, did anything significant happen?"

Qiu Ming stood up, his words filled with resentment.

"Reporting to Commander-in-Chief, the bandits have become increasingly arrogant lately, raiding villages several times in succession. We have tried our best to stop them, but there are too many bandits and their actions are scattered."

"Put the second bandit suppression campaign on the agenda. Wang Er, how's the progress with the muskets?" Cao Xiong's eyes flashed with murderous intent, his words as cold as ice.

"Reporting to the General, the basic structure is now complete, only the matchlock mechanism remains to be finished."

"Approximately how much more time will it take?"

Cao Xiong was quite satisfied with the progress of the musket improvement; the matchlock mechanism shouldn't be a problem for Lao Lu.

"It should be in the next day or two."

After pondering for a while, Wang Er gave a rather vague time.

"Keep a close eye on them. Five days from now, regardless of whether the muskets have been successfully improved, we must set off to suppress the bandits."

Cao Xiong knew he couldn't delay any longer. The bandits' actions were becoming increasingly frantic, which also confirmed that the Tree Demon Granny's need for flesh and blood was growing, which was not good news.

"Everyone, with the remaining few days, let's focus on basic training."

"In the upcoming training, the hereditary military households under each banner must also train with the officers and soldiers. Notices will be posted that the grain tax for all military households will be halved this year."

"Yes, sir!"

After everyone had left, Cao Xiong kept Cao Man behind and asked, "How's your study going lately? Can you understand the techniques I gave you?"

Cao Man's large head swayed from side to side, his eyes darting around. "It's...it's pretty good. I'll be able to understand it soon."

Alright, seeing Cao Man's guilty look, Cao Xiong already knew what was going on.

"Starting today, I will spend half an hour each day guiding you in martial arts practice. Also, starting tomorrow, you will learn five words every day. If you fail to do so, your meals will be halved the next day."

"Yes, sir!"

Cao Man looked miserable, as if learning five words every day was an extremely painful thing for him.

Then, Cao Xiong led Cao Man to the courtyard behind the barracks.

He began teaching Cao Man how to practice the "Fierce Tiger Stance".

He had high hopes for Cao Man. With such excellent innate conditions, once he reached the early stage of the Skin Tempering Realm, there probably wouldn't be many martial artists in the Bone Forging Realm who could rival him.

"The technique I will teach you is called the Tiger Stance Skin Tempering Chapter, which is the standard technique for officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty's garrisons."

"The Skin Tempering Realm is the first stage of martial arts cultivation. When it is mastered, the skin and flesh become tough and resilient, and ordinary swords and blades cannot penetrate its shallow layers."

"Watch closely, the first stance of the Fierce Tiger Stance is the Crouching Tiger Stance."

Cao Xiong first demonstrated for Cao Man, and Cao Man's eyes were fixed on Cao Xiong's every move.

Cao Xiong originally thought it would take a long time for Cao Man to memorize the movements, but to his surprise, Cao Man had memorized all the movements clearly after just one look and could perform them to an 80-90% degree, only lacking in details and breathing.

Cao Xiong's eyes lit up with surprise, but he also felt a little envious. Even though he had the ability to modify his physical attributes and could now be called a genius, he was still far inferior to Cao Man.

He needs more entries!

For the next few hours, the entire Baihu Office seemed to be on fast-forward.

On the third day after returning to Guobei County from the county seat, Cao Xiong met with the martial artists who had participated in the bandit suppression and arranged for them to stay at the garrison.

"Report to the centurion that the firearms have been successfully improved."

Wang Er arrived at Cao Xiong's barracks with a face full of excitement.

"Oh? Where's the musket?"

Cao Xiong stood up from his chair. The musket was the key to this bandit suppression, and he couldn't afford to be careless.

"The three modified muskets have already been put into storage."

"Take the modified muskets to the training ground immediately; I want to test them myself."

"Also, bring out three more unmodified ones."

Not long after, Cao Xiong arrived at the drill ground. Three modified muskets and three old muskets were placed on the ground in front of him, with a soldier standing behind each musket.

Six identical wooden targets were placed fifty meters away.

This scene naturally attracted the officers, soldiers, and military households training on the drill ground.

Cao Xiong ordered his men to clear the area on both sides and in front of the musket.

Hundreds of people stood behind him, discussing the improved musket with great curiosity.

Seeing that everything was ready, Cao Xiong ordered the officers and soldiers who were to fire the muskets to prepare.

"Each person fires three times in quick succession, at the fastest possible speed, and then reloads the gunpowder."

"take!"

Upon hearing Cao Xiong's order, the six soldiers uniformly picked up their muskets from the ground.

"Aim!"

The muskets were raised.

"shooting!"

"Bang bang bang~"

Six muskets began firing one after another, while Cao Xiong observed the soldiers' actions and the targets being fired.

From the first shot to the second reloading, the three soldiers with the improved muskets were significantly faster than the other three soldiers by almost a minute.

The result of the first shot brought Cao Xiong a great sense of relief: none of the three old muskets hit the target, while two of the three improved muskets did.

The results were better than expected.

These six soldiers were selected by Cao Xiong from among all the soldiers, and they were all recognized as top-notch. Their skill levels were all about the same.

The three shots ended quickly, and the result left all the officers and soldiers who were watching the spectacle gasping in surprise.

"The three old muskets hit the target twice in total, while the three improved muskets hit the target six times in total."

"Very good, continue training. All muskets, return to the storeroom."

After the test, Cao Xiong called Wang Er to the barracks alone.

"Go to the blacksmith shop now and keep an eye on things there for the next two days. Yesterday, the bandits robbed the people again."

"The bandits must be wiped out in two days. The time has been set, and I will not change it."

"Therefore, in the next two days, let Old Lu do his best to improve the musket."

"Yes, sir!"

"Uncle Cao, don't worry. Master Lu is now completely familiar with the process. Rebuilding is difficult, but replacing the existing muskets will take two days."

The improved musket gave Cao Xiong great confidence. After three shots, the time difference between the improved musket and the old musket could reach ten minutes. The cooldown time doubled every time the musket was used.

With the improved muskets, mountain bandits were destined to be slaughtered.

He didn't know just how powerful the mountain demon that had seriously injured Wei Qiang was, but he believed that if the soldiers of the Hundred Households' Garrison encountered the mountain demon again, they wouldn't flee in panic.