After the battle ended, Wang Tianshan pressed the long knife at his waist and strode forward, stepping over blood and severed limbs, exuding an incredibly fierce aura.

The surrounding soldiers instinctively stepped aside, chilled by the aura Wang Tianshan emitted, not daring to approach.

He quickly arrived beside Li Xuancang, looking down at the three barbarian corpses on the ground, his gaze falling on Li Xuancang, who stood with a blood-stained spear.

"You, alone, killed three barbarians?"

Facing the master of life and death in the camp, Li Xuancang couldn't help but feel a bit nervous, yet he held his iron spear steady, standing tall.

"Yes, sir."

In chaotic times, humility is useless, cowardice leads to death, only strength can earn respect and a path to survival.

Wang Tianshan glanced at him, wasting no words, and spoke in a deep voice.

"There are no empty words in the army, orders are as firm as mountains, promises made will not be broken."

He slightly raised his hand, coldly commanding his personal guard behind him.

"Record the merit!"

"Conscript Li Xuancang, for slaying three barbarians in this battle, his military merit is recorded, and he is immediately removed from civilian registration and entered into the regular border army status of the Great Yan."

The words fell like a thunderbolt, striking the ears of all the conscripts.

Regular Army Status!

These four words, in an era of chaos with demons and monsters, where human life is as cheap as grass, weigh as much as a thousand pounds.

It is a threshold that countless common people spend their whole lives unable to reach, the only way to escape being a lowly commoner, to break free from enslavement, and to have the capital to survive.

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Many conscripts' eyes were filled with jealousy and envy, but more were deeply powerless.

They also wanted to kill the enemy to change their fate, but their bodies were weak, and they were timid and afraid of death, going up only to die in vain.

Seeing the envious and longing gazes of those around him, Wang Tianshan was very satisfied.

This was exactly his goal, to spend a fortune to buy a good example, fulfilling promises in front of everyone, so that in the subsequent battles, everyone would fight desperately.

With Li Xuancang as a living example, many ambitious people would surely fight with their lives.

The personal guard immediately brought the military register and ink seal, registering him on the spot.

From this moment, Li Xuancang was no longer a conscript at the mercy of the government, no longer cannon fodder, but a legitimate soldier of the Great Yan Dynasty's border army.

Wang Tianshan then publicly announced, fulfilling all promises, each word clear, echoing across the city walls.

"From today on, Li Xuancang will enjoy all the benefits of a regular soldier."

"A monthly salary of silver, fine rice, and food supplies, with meat rations provided."

"Issued with standard iron scale armor and a refined battle spear."

"Priority access to healing ointments and body-strengthening herbs, with injuries treated by the accompanying military physician."

"Exempt from all corvée labor and hard labor, no longer subject to arbitrary beatings and insults by minor officials."

At this point, Wang Tianshan paused, emphasizing his tone.

"Additionally, the most important point, your family registration and clan, direct relatives in your hometown of Green Creek Village, are exempt from taxes for ten years, exempt from forced labor."

"Not subject to local conscription, not exploited by local gentry and powerful families, and in case of small bandit groups or low-level demonic creatures causing trouble, they can seek aid and protection from the nearest military camp."

As these words were spoken, everyone's spirits exploded with a "buzz," their eyes bloodshot, breathing heavily.

Their eyes widened as they looked at Li Xuancang, wishing they could take his place.

The conditions were too tempting, especially the exemption from family taxes for ten years, something everyone dreamed of.

"Boom!"

Li Xuancang's chest shook violently, the depression accumulated over two years suddenly dissipating.

It was worth it.

Fighting this bloody battle, gambling with his life, was completely worth it.

Two years ago, he was forcibly conscripted to the border, leaving his home, living in fear day and night.

What he feared most was not dying in battle at the border, but his parents, elder sister, and younger sister far away in Green Creek Village.

For a farming family, life was already difficult.

In chaotic times, taxes increased layer by layer, officials exploited them, mountain demons often descended to prey, and rogue soldiers and bandits roamed, with no protection, the family could be destroyed at any moment.

But now, he had entered the military, possessing military privileges.

His family no longer had to be crushed by heavy taxes, no longer worried about being forcibly taken for labor, the village had military protection in name, and ordinary bandits and small demons dared not provoke them easily.

This is the weight of martial prowess and military power in chaotic times.

Ordinary people are like ants, trampled at will.

Once you enter the military, holding military merit, you immediately leap like a fish into a dragon's gate, ensuring the safety of your wife, children, and family.

Li Xuancang clenched his fists, his determination growing stronger.

This was just the beginning.

Being a regular soldier was only the starting point, above that were 5-Man Leader, Ten-Man Commander, Hundred-Man Commander, Camp Commander...

The higher the military rank, the greater the privileges, the wider the range of protection.

He wanted to climb step by step until he could fully protect his family, free from the hardships of chaotic times.

"Thank you, sir."

Li Xuancang quickly calmed himself, bowing to Wang Tianshan in salute.

He knew Wang Tianshan's purpose was to use him as an example, encouraging other conscripts to follow suit, fighting fearlessly in the upcoming battles, risking their lives.

Although Wang Tianshan had his own calculations, the benefits falling on Li Xuancang were real, and he was genuinely grateful to Wang Tianshan.

Wang Tianshan nodded slightly, his gaze like a torch as he looked at Li Xuancang.

"Your physique far surpasses ordinary people, decisive in killing, you're material for a soldier."

"Fight well, accumulate military merit, and in the future, the positions of 5-Man Leader and Ten-Man Commander will be within reach."

"In chaotic times, only through killing can one endure."

He encouraged Li Xuancang with a few words, painting a picture of a bright future.

If it were someone else, they would have already knelt and sworn to serve him to the death.

But Li Xuancang, having lived two different lives in two worlds, naturally wouldn't bow down easily.

He knew that obtaining all of this was mainly because he fought with his life, achieving military merit.

Wang Tianshan at most played a role in facilitating the process, not enough for him to pledge his life.

After speaking, Wang Tianshan turned and returned to the high ground of the defense line, in his eyes, Li Xuancang was just an ordinary person, not worth his attention.

Today, conversing with Li Xuancang was already him lowering himself.

"Follow me!"

Under the envious gazes of everyone, Li Xuancang followed a soldier away.

Before long, he received the equipment of a combat soldier.

A set of finely polished iron scale armor, hard and heavy, enough to withstand sword slashes and claw tears, a true life-saving item.

A standard battle spear made of refined iron, its blade gleaming, far superior to the previous iron spear.

Also, a small jar of military healing ointment and a full ration of fine rice food coupons were handed over together.

With these good items, Li Xuancang immediately changed out of his worn-out clothes, discarding the old iron spear.

Donning the battle armor and holding a fine weapon, his aura changed instantly.

The iron armor reflected the cold light of the battle flames, a chilling aura belonging to a soldier quietly growing.

The conscripts around him looked at him with completely changed eyes.

Before, they were all the same miserable cannon fodder, eating coarse grain, enduring beatings and insults, fearing death.

Now, in just one battle, the difference was like heaven and earth.

He became a legitimate soldier, with salary, armor, backed by the imperial court, able to protect his family, the gap was like night and day.