The Queen took out gold and silver to reward the distant merchant caravan.
She also promised that once the Stone Tooth Boar's medicinal concoction was ready, she would distribute a portion to each of the three caravan commanders, including Commander Qian.
Upon learning that the camp could still refine Secret Elixirs, the three commanders were astonished.
Having witnessed the genius of Tang Wen, they set aside their own sense of worldly superiority.
"Additionally, Commanders Tang Wen and Zhou Bing have slain the Earth-Walking Beast. According to our previous agreement, half of the Mutated Beast's meat belongs to Commanders Tang Wen and Zhou Bing. As for the Secret Elixir, since the Earth-Walking Beast's brain was incomplete, only four and a half portions of the elixir could be refined, all of which are yours."
General Zhou took the opportunity to clarify matters while everyone was present.
The others were fine, having already known about the hunting squad's great harvest and General Zhao's overnight support.
However, the three caravan commanders, including Qian Sanduo, were surprised: "Commanders Tang Wen, did you two really kill the Earth-Walking Beast?"
Is that even possible?
Their caravan had encountered the Earth-Walking Beast several times.
There was only one way to deal with it.
That was to send a Martial Master to lure it away with meat, allowing the caravan to quickly pass through its territory.
Not just their caravan, but all caravans shared this opinion when exchanging experiences.
Without an Awakened or at least five Martial Masters, one should not engage the Earth-Walking Beast.
Even with five or more Martial Masters, it was uncertain whether they could keep it.
At worst, it would be a waste of effort and time.
Therefore, one should either drive it away or avoid it.
Tang Wen smiled, and Zhou Bing glanced at him: "I didn't help much; Little Wen killed it alone."
"What?"
The exclamation of disbelief came from Commander Qian Dong of the Guards, who was related to Qian Sanduo.
"That's impossible, isn't it? Could it be?"
Qian Dong thought of a possibility, his face filled with disbelief.
The other commanders also exchanged glances.
The two generals on the platform looked at each other, and General Zhao laughed: "That's right! Commander Tang Wen has broken through. As a second-class Martial Master, his strength is even greater, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to kill the Earth-Walking Beast."
The room erupted in astonishment.
How old is Tang Wen?
Qian Sanduo exclaimed in admiration. Having traveled far and wide for so many years, he had only seen young Martial Masters in some major factions. In smaller cities and camps, not only had he never seen one, he hadn't even heard of them.
As everyone regained their composure, they congratulated Tang Wen.
Tang Wen stood up and returned the greetings with a fist salute.
General Zhao announced: "From today, Commander Tang Wen is relieved of his duties as the commander of the outer city hunting camp. He is appointed as the Palace Commander, not required to attend unless summoned. Just focus on training!"
Tang Wen was inwardly delighted and glanced at Zhou Bing, who smiled back.
General Zhao added: "You don't need to report when going out to train, but if you're gone for ten days or half a month, you should still let me know where you went."
"Understood! Thank you, General."
Everyone understood that the Palace Commander was a nominal position, with the same benefits as the Guards, even slightly better than the hunting camp.
But it was a position where one received pay and provisions without having to work.
Only retired generals or commanders who had made great contributions received such treatment.
As the discussions concluded, the Queen spoke: "In three days, I will enter seclusion. Zhou Bing, accompany me in seclusion for training!"
Whoever the Queen chose to train with was an opportunity for that person.
Both in terms of Martial Arts and status.
Everyone was envious, but no one objected.
The Queen didn't need to explain her choice of training partner.
Moreover, what is Zhou Bing's status?
The Queen is unmarried, and General Zhou's children are still young.
The most distinguished second-generation figure in the camp is Zhou Bing.
Zhou Bing stood up and agreed.
After the meeting, the two of them first went to the hunting camp to hand over their duties.
Liu Sha and Zhang Mian were the ones who took over their responsibilities at the outer city hunting camp.
Both of these old-timers were originally from the outer city.
They warmly invited Tang Wen and Zhou Bing to a meal and drinks.
Tang Wen also entrusted them to take care of Wu Tian and others.
After the banquet, the two walked back side by side.
"How long will the Queen be in seclusion?"
"It's hard to say, sometimes three to five months, maybe half a year or a year. My aunt was spurred on by you, and this time she dragged me into training with her. If I don't make progress, she definitely won't let me out." Zhou Bing looked at Tang Wen's profile with a hint of reluctance.
Transcendents, if they don't perish midway, have a lifespan of over a hundred years.
Moreover, the Queen is stronger than the average Transcendent, and her lifespan is even longer. A few months in seclusion is just ordinary for her.
"Then let's not practice martial arts these two days, let's take a good stroll around."
"Alright! I'll listen to you." Zhou Bing's eyes sparkled.
The principle of balancing tension and relaxation applies to both martial and literary pursuits.
Tang Wen hadn't relaxed in a long time, so it was a good time to rest for a few days.
Recently, his expert-level Flying Stone was on the verge of advancing.
He had a premonition that after this upgrade, the Experience Panel might undergo some changes.
Zhou Bing took Tang Wen around the inner city. She had grown up in the inner city and could be said to have watched it being built piece by piece.
"That corner over there is the chicken farm. We'll come here to buy chickens for the house in the future."
The chicken farm had a foul smell, and Tang Wen only glanced at it briefly.
The structure was simple, just a large courtyard divided into dozens of open-air compartments.
Each compartment housed chickens of different sizes.
There were ten such courtyards in total.
No wonder the camp canteen had eggs every day.
After passing the chicken farm, the two continued their stroll.
Lotus pond, water storage tower, brick kiln, textile factory, tavern, sauce and vinegar workshop...
They spent the whole day wandering, and Tang Wen realized how vast the inner city was, with so many things and so many people.
He had been so focused on martial arts training before, his activities confined to a two-point line, and he had never paid attention to these things.
As the sun set, Tang Wen and Zhou Bing sat at the top of the water tower, side by side, watching the egg-yolk-like sunset.
As the last red glow disappeared, their figures intertwined.
"Work hard on your training! Break through to Transcendent as soon as possible!"
Tang Wen bent over as he walked down the water tower, his face showing helplessness.
Zhou Bing followed behind, supporting his shoulders and giggling.
The next day, the two had breakfast at the inner city hunting camp.
They continued their stroll, first arriving at a teahouse.
The teahouse wasn't large, only two stories, with a wooden stage on the first floor.
Someone sat on the stage telling stories.
The two sat on the second floor, eating melon seeds, peanuts, and malt candy, listening to the storyteller narrate "The Queen's Battle with the Black Mountain Devil!"
The storyteller was clearly not a Martial Practitioner, and although the tale was lively, the martial arts moves were all made up.
It was purely for entertainment.
As they listened, someone urged him to tell something new.
The storyteller collected a round of tips and peanuts, placed them on the table, and began the story of the Tang-Bing Couple Heroes slaying an Awakened.
Hearing the names, Tang Wen and Zhou Bing were stunned.
What the heck?
What is this?
The two esteemed Martial Masters were, for the first time, doubting whether they had heard correctly.
As soon as the storyteller opened his mouth, they understood—yes, what a coincidence, it was indeed about them!
Tang Wen was full of embarrassment, his toes curling up enough to dig out a three-bedroom apartment.
"Shall we leave?"
"Alright!"
They didn't even eat the roasted sweet potatoes, leaving in a hurry as if fleeing from a disaster.
Just like the young couples strolling the streets in his past life, Tang Wen and Zhou Bing walked in the breeze until evening, then stopped by a tavern for a few drinks.
Finally, they staggered their way home.
On the third day, Tang Wen took Zhou Bing to the outer city. They went to the main gate and saw the small hut where the siblings had lived for a long time.
It had already collapsed under the winter snow and wind.
Tang Wen felt as if a lifetime had passed.
The two went hunting outside the city, chasing Red-billed Finches and pheasants, causing chaos in the forest as chickens and rabbits scurried about.
If the chickens and rabbits were a bit smarter, they would surely be cursing in their hearts: "Heavens! A Martial Master is here to slaughter us little animals! Is anyone going to do something about this?!"
After three days together, the affection between the two had deepened.
Before this, Tang Wen's feelings for Zhou Bing were largely based on her beauty.
In his past life, he would have been called shameless for lusting after her body.
Early on the fourth
day, Zhou Bing left home and headed to the palace.
Tang Wen also packed his newly acquired long sword and provisions, ready to leave the city.
It was time for the Flying Stone to break through.
(End of Chapter)