"My lord truly is a celestial being."
"With this fine liquor, this servant will surely develop the Immortals’ Liquor House into the largest tavern in the world, providing an endless stream of wealth for my lord," Han Xi knelt and bowed to Zhao Feng.
"Where have the herbs been placed?" Zhao Feng asked, helping Han Xi to her feet.
"Please follow this servant, my lord." Han Xi immediately led the way.
In another newly constructed wooden house, piles of the various herbs Zhao Feng needed were stacked high.
"Are the large pool and cauldron that I asked you to prepare ready?" Zhao Feng inquired.
"They are all ready," Han Xi nodded, then asked, "Is my lord preparing to concoct medicine?"
"Assign some people to take out a tenth of these herbs, decoct them in the large cauldron, and pour the mixture into the pool. Go and do it immediately," Zhao Feng said thoughtfully.
"This servant obeys," Han Xi replied promptly.
In front of a large pool, one that could accommodate forty or fifty strong men, several Dead Soldiers poured ice-cold water into it. In the blink of an eye, the pool was thirty percent full.
Next to the pool, a large cauldron bubbled over a fierce fire, decocting the herbs required for the Bone Tempering Powder. The air was thick with the various pungent odors of the medicine.
Nearly three hundred of Zhao Feng’s Dead Soldiers stood waiting expressionlessly before the pool. Three months of training had stripped away their naivete. They now possessed the qualifications of an elite force, and only they could truly understand the harshness of the trials they had endured.
Ying Bu stood rigidly in front of them.
"My lord, all these herbs have been decocted into a soup," Han Shuang reported loudly.
"Pour it into the pool," Zhao Feng directed, pointing to the large pool. The source of thɪs content is novel-fire.net
More than a dozen trusted aides immediately went to work, using long poles to lift the heavy cauldron and tip its contents into the pool.
The scalding medicinal liquid flowed into the water. The once-clear pool was instantly dyed a blackish-red, looking incredibly eerie.
"This concoction is known as Bone Tempering Powder," Zhao Feng announced. "These herbs were acquired by me at great expense. It is a Spiritual Medicine bestowed by an Immortal; soaking your entire body in this Bone Tempering Powder can temper your muscles and bones, improve your Constitution, and increase your Strength.
"You are my first batch of Dead Soldiers, and today I bestow upon you the opportunity for transformation.
"Remove your clothes, enter the pool, and receive this baptism.
"Truly become the Dead Soldiers that belong to me.
"The longer you can endure it, the greater the benefits you will receive.
"But do not push beyond your limits," Zhao Feng said commandingly, his gaze fixed on the newly trained soldiers.
The Bone Tempering Powder was a formula Zhao Feng had obtained from the Treasure Box. Claiming it was a gift from an Immortal was a way to instill deeper reverence in these Dead Soldiers. However, its effects were undeniably potent for first-time users, offering increased Strength and improved Constitution. The longer one persisted, the greater the rewards.
Having said this, Zhao Feng waved his hand.
"As the lord commands!" Ying Bu replied loudly.
Without any hesitation, he stripped off his clothing and plunged into the massive pool. As his body was submerged, the potent medicine permeated his body through his pores.
Even with his great endurance, Ying Bu felt excruciating pain assault him, as if his entire body was being torn apart. But he remembered Zhao Feng’s words, clenched his teeth, and endured.
Following Ying Bu’s lead, rows of Dead Soldiers shed their clothes and jumped into the pool, sitting down within it. There were both men and women, but after three months of training, such distinctions no longer existed for them.
As dozens of people crowded into the pool, it filled with agonizing cries.
The Bone Tempering Powder was tempering their bodies, and the continuous screaming from within the pool was enough to make one’s scalp tingle. The surrounding trusted aides and the former members of the Imperial Guard Army who had trained the Dead Soldiers all felt their skin crawl.
"What are you screaming for? This is a great honor bestowed upon us by our lord! He said that the longer we persist, the greater the rewards. If you can’t endure it, then get out and let the next person in!" Ying Bu roared.
That shout caused the screaming Dead Soldiers to clench their teeth and endure the pain with all their might.
As expected of a famous historical general. Such fortitude is rare. The historical Ying Bu was truly formidable. Now that he has joined my ranks, he won’t suffer the fate of being discarded after his purpose is served. A capable general like him is far more valuable than hundreds or thousands of Dead Soldiers. In this era, there’s no shortage of men. Otherwise, the saying ’a general is hard to find, though a thousand pieces of gold are not’ wouldn’t exist.
Watching Ying Bu’s performance, Zhao Feng was deeply satisfied.
「Time continued to pass.」
Ying Bu remained seated in the pool, enduring. The pain intensified as time went on, but the Dead Soldiers around him had already been replaced in batch after batch. The medicinal liquid in the pool gradually cleared, a sign that its potency had been absorbed.
"The potency of the Bone Tempering Powder has been fully absorbed," Zhao Feng announced slowly.
Only then did Ying Bu return to his senses and slowly stand up. His expression was filled with excitement. He lifted his hands and murmured, "I feel like my body is overflowing with endless strength."
"All of you, feel the strength within you," Zhao Feng said slowly.
At his command, Ying Bu eagerly leaped from the pool. The other Dead Soldiers also began to test their newfound strength.
Ying Bu walked directly to a large stone that weighed over two hundred pounds. He wrapped his hands around it and, with a heave, lifted it effortlessly.
His heart shook with shock. Do I now possess the strength to lift a ceremonial cauldron? His gaze toward Zhao Feng became filled with even greater reverence and awe.
"Thank you for this generous gift, my lord."