Ji Li was very thorough. Since he started his lessons, he didn’t stop. He wasn’t a great strategist, nor was he a great teacher. No, he studied psychology and knew how to break someone’s mind, as well as how to burn a lesson into someone’s mind.
Did he learn this from his sessions with psychopaths? Maybe. Were the methods he used partially mental torture? For sure. Did he care? No, he didn’t. Since they chose to join the military, no matter the reason, they should learn how to behave and how to act. They should learn how to do better, and how to learn.
He was mad with them, at first he did it out of pettiness for ignoring the matter of his mentor, later he did it out of habit and anger. The people didn’t learn after teaching it once, twice was also not enough. So, what would the right answer be? Correct, teach it trice and more!
When the raids were smaller, he intentionally called out the bad students to be at the forefront and screamed at them from atop the walls whenever they did a mistake. This went even beyond teaching, either they learned and gained life, or they didn’t and fell to death. Some were practical learners after all, since all theoretical learners already learned their lessons at least to a satisfying point, and the practical learners gained the knowledge to avoid death, then those that didn’t learn were the lazy people.
Ji Li was harsh, truly, but there was a little ambition in him after many raids. He wanted to try his hands on the military, and this outpost would be his playfield. The lessons were recorded, his treatment and all the reviews too, and he compiled everything.
Fights had losses in all ranges, new recruits came, and he taught them the hard way of the military. His outpost also grew with his ambition, more and more recruits were sent to him when the regional army headquarters received the records of kills and deaths. He only had to give numbers, and they would give battle merits to those he marked, he himself also gained some since he was overseeing the whole outpost.
This was normally investigated by eunuchs, but since he was one himself, it wasn’t appropriate for him to be tested by his brothers, so they just accepted what he said by word. Of course, he might be a bit tyrannical, but he wasn’t corrupt.
He told Qianyu and Lu Wei to properly record all kills and deaths from the videos, and after an overview, he would send it proper. The soldiers understood this, and although some resentment built up in them, it wasn’t against him, but towards their own weakness and embarrassment. So, after seeing the battle merit they earned, this resentment subsided and they were happy with their growth, although this came after many bad experiences.
The outpost was very far in the west, no fortress was as close, so soon, it was decided that it should be the westernmost fortress. This would take time, but they were given this time luckily. After a few months, Tian Xuan came back and acted as the vice-outpost leader during Ji Li’s stay. He could take his title back, but he didn’t, no, he took his time and learned by Ji Li’s side.
Hua Jing also came back at one point, and he integrated himself well into the whole construct. Ji Li was power driven for several months and it piled up to over two years, this was when it started to bore him. War wasn’t boring, but the repetition of it for two whole years was too much.
No matter how much power he felt, it was boring, so he let go of it slowly. He started to cultivate more and give more space to Tian Xuan, letting him play more important roles. After the third year, Ji Li advanced to the High Essence Awakening Stage, Shixuan and Qianyu climbing after him to the Middle Stage.
He didn’t leave directly but fought some more, stabilising his cultivation and building a stronger foundation for the future. As for Lila, she was already in the High Essence Awakening Stage, she often involved herself into the fights personally and swiped many strong enemies. With the long accumulation, she advanced to the Peak Stage and was now grinding away the bottleneck in front of her. This was an important step in cultivation and shouldn’t be rushed.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
…
The second quarter of the fourth year was approaching, and that was when Ji Li finished his own work. Three years and three months, that was how long he stayed at the military. The fortress developed beautifully under his leadership, while he learned many lessons in life.
In truth, his own life was never in danger, but with time he saw how fleeting life was. It was shocking how many people died and how fast it happened. From the initial batch of soldiers, he led, so many died, even from among the captains, but he didn’t care much about them. He was and has always been a petty person. For him, after some revenge, it wasn’t difficult to forgive, but he will never forget.
He stood in the central building that was upgraded from simple stone to bricks. The captains were around as he said a final word “I shall leave. The deputy leader of the fortress, Lieutenant Tian Xuan, will take over with the assistance of Senior Eunuch Hua Jing!”
The captains had somewhat cold expressions, but all their eyes showed sadness. They saluted a last time “Thank you for all your duties Esteemed Eunuch Li!” then left the building.
The few people remaining were Ji Li, Qianyu, Shixuan, Tian Xuan, Hua Jing, Lu Wei and Lila. This was basically the controlling group of the whole fortress. Ji Li looked at Lu Wei before asking “Do you wish to follow me or stay in the military?”
Being an assistant for over three years now, Lu Wei understood a bit of Ji Li’s character. This was a true question as well as a test for him. It was best to answer honestly in such situations, so he said, “Esteemed Eunuch, if I was allowed, I would stay in the military under the leadership of Lieutenant Tian Xuan.”
“Indeed, your talent is suitable for the military. You should have started here in the first place. I can feel that you aren’t far from the peak of Talent Refining. Alright, you can stay here.”
Lu Wei bowed a last time before he also left the building. Ji Li now looked at his mentor, he stepped forward and hugged him “Brother Jing! I’ll miss you! You have to take care of yourself when you are here. Too much blood is not good for your cultivation, after all, we are eunuchs and not soldiers. Maybe you should go back after some time!”
Hua Jing also smiled and patted Ji Li’s back “Yes yes, I will also go back soon. When the situation is fully stabilised after your departure, I will also leave.”
Then Ji Li let go and looked at Tian Xuan. He looked coldly and piercingly at first, then he softened his eyes and patted Xuan’s shoulders, which was a bit difficult since Xuan was taller “Brother-In-Law Xuan! You have to take good care of brother Jing. He’s too good in what he does, many people are looking at him with bad eyes!” then he pulled two needles from his sleeve and handed it over to him “These are needles formed from the thorns of the Dahlia Flower! Use them as a hidden weapon to safe yourself in critical moments. After all, you will stay longer in the military and it’s better to have one more hidden hand!”
Tian Xuan smiled and went ahead and hugged Ji Li.
“Alas brother Li, you are too nice. When I catch something good here, I will make sure to send it together with Jing’er!” Ji Li patted his back then pushed him away. He smiled and then left with his two brothers as he took Lila into his arms.
The title he used to refer to his mentor and his mentors’ husband has changed over the years. It wasn’t that he disrespected them, but as a proper eunuch, he wasn’t in the position to call anyone uncle or so. Prior, he was still pretty young, and it wasn’t bad for him to refer to them as such. But he is already twenty years old and he had integrated more and more into his role of an eunuch, so it was more appropriate to have the proper etiquette. After all, he was called Polite!
…
He didn’t stay much longer in the fortress and soon left with some mist horses in his own carriage. Shixuan was the one riding, the other two sat inside with him.
But no one talked as they were all quite tired.
At one point, the carriage halted and Shixuan came from the outside “Big brother, we arrived at the regional headquarters!”
Ji Li took a moment to calm his mind and straighten his robes which had never even become dirty, then he left last as usual. Outside, he saw the great headquarters. Buildings made of material he couldn’t fathom, behind him was a wall he had just crossed and when he looked around, then he saw that the headquarters looked like a huge fortress itself.
The atmosphere was heavy everywhere, but eunuchs were important regardless of where they were. So, he walked ahead and was not stopped by anyone till he was inside a reception. He stated that his position and that he would like to meet the head of education in the military.