Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 160 Monthly Sign-in Gift

Dingbei City was still shrouded in a thin mist in the early morning, but there was already movement in the backyard of the General's Mansion.

Lin Chen sat cross-legged on the couch in the quiet room, his consciousness sinking into his mind.

Today is the monthly sign-in day.

[System, check-in.]

Ding! Monthly sign-in successful! Congratulations, host, you have obtained:

1. Three hundred unruly guards (all at the peak of the Grandmaster level, proficient in assassination, infiltration, and intelligence gathering).

2. Seven Human Immortal Pills (After being taken by a Celestial Realm cultivator, there is a 70% chance of breaking through to the Land Immortal Realm, with no side effects)

3. Three hundred pieces of Celestial Armor (capable of withstanding a full-force attack from a Grandmaster at their peak)

4. One thousand spirit stones

5. "The Art of Seducing Women: Practical Guide" (A dual cultivation technique; it does not enhance cultivation level and is purely for pleasure purposes)

Lin Chen looked at the reward list and grinned.

"This month's contract is really generous... Three hundred Grandmasters, seven Human Immortal Pills, is this some kind of move to make me walk sideways in the Eastern Region?"

He stroked his chin, pondering:

"Sending the Bad Guards to Zhongzhou is just right. Three hundred Grandmasters can lie in wait and gather intelligence, which will give the Netherworld Sect a run for its money."

The elixir of immortality... one each for Zhao Zilong, Zhuge Liang, Li Chunfeng, and Jing Ke.

The rest will be taken back to the capital for Mr. Yuan, Dongfang Bai, and Hua Tuo.

As for that book, "The Art of Seducing Women"...

Lin Chen chuckled: That's good. I can discuss it with Sixth Sister-in-law on the way.

After exiting the system space, Lin Chen got up and pushed open the door to leave.

In the courtyard, Qin Shuyan and her two daughters were having breakfast at the stone table.

Qin Shuyan and Xiao Yulou's lower abdomens were already slightly protruding.

Although it has only been a month, the two are both highly skilled, one being a grandmaster and the other having undergone the conditioning of the Marrow Cleansing Elixir, resulting in vigorous blood and energy and obvious signs of pregnancy.

"Eighth Brother is awake?" Qin Shuyan greeted softly.

"Come and have your meal. Mr. Sun has specially prepared a medicinal meal to help with pregnancy... uh, to nourish your body."

She blushed halfway through her sentence.

That medicinal diet was for her and Xiao Yulou to help with their pregnancy.

But Sun Bu'er said that Lin Chen was "exhausted" and needed to be replenished.

Lin Chen sat down, looked at the table full of medicinal dishes, and smiled:

"Mr. Sun, you're so kind. Third and fourth sisters-in-law, eat more; it's good for the children."

He paused, a look of longing flashing in his eyes, "Judging by the days, my sister-in-law is almost four months pregnant, isn't she?"

Ye Qingying silently ladled a bowl of soup for Lin Chen and said softly:

"I received another letter from home in the capital the day before yesterday. My sister-in-law is doing well and her pregnancy is stable."

Seventh Sister and Little Sister often went to keep her company and talk to her.

Lin Chen nodded gently, took the soup, and then held Ye Qingying's hand:

"Sixth Sister-in-law, eat more and take good care of your health."

Ye Qingying's ears turned red, she gently withdrew her hand, and whispered:

"Eighth brother... someone is watching over you."

Qin Shuyan and Xiao Yulou exchanged a glance and both smiled.

After finishing his meal, Lin Chen stood up and said:

"I'm going to the military camp to take care of some things. You guys pack your things and we'll head back to the capital in three days."

"So fast?" Xiao Yulou asked in surprise. "In the Northern Border..."

"With Zilong and Kongming here, things won't get chaotic," Lin Chen waved his hand.

"You are pregnant, so you need to go back to Beijing and take good care of yourselves."

The house is in a nice environment, and Grandmother and Mother can take care of things. Your sisters-in-law and Xiaoxiao can also keep you company.

The three women nodded.

……

Military camp, central command tent.

Zhao Zilong, Zhuge Liang, Li Chunfeng, and Jing Ke were already waiting.

Lin Chen dismissed those around him and set up a soundproof barrier before taking out four Human Immortal Pills.

The elixir was pure white, with clouds and mist swirling around its surface, and faint sounds of the Great Dao emanating from it; it was clearly no ordinary item.

"This is a Human Immortal Pill," Lin Chen explained.

"If consumed by someone at the Celestial Realm, there is a 70% chance of breaking through to the level of a Land Immortal."

Each of you four will receive one, and tonight at midnight, you will go in batches to Hidden Dragon Valley, a hundred miles south of the city, to break through your limits.

I will have Mr. Li Bai personally protect me; it won't attract attention.

All four were shocked upon hearing this.

"My lord, this..." Zhao Zilong's voice trembled with excitement.

"A terrestrial deity... What merit do I, a humble general, possess...?"

"Stop talking nonsense." Lin Chen raised his hand to interrupt Zhao Zilong.

"Zilong, you are guarding the northern border. Now the Netherworld Sect is eyeing you covetously. Without the cultivation of a terrestrial immortal, you can't keep the situation under control."

Mr. Kongming and Mr. Li are my right-hand men, and their strength must keep up.

Jing Ke specializes in assassinations, and those at the Land Immortal Realm are even more efficient at it.

Mr. Yuan is stationed in Beijing and cannot be left out; otherwise, there should be one of his own.

Zhuge Liang bowed deeply: "Liang thanks my lord for his generous gift."

Land immortals are beings with lifespans of thousands of years.

Li Chunfeng stroked his beard and smiled, "With the help of this elixir, my array formation skills may be able to reach a higher level. Thank you for the medicine, my lord."

Jing Ke nodded emphatically.

"Alright, put them all away."

Lin Chen waved his hand, then summoned three hundred unruly guards and took out three hundred pieces of Heavenly God Armor to distribute to everyone.

These black-clad guards appeared in the tent like ghosts, kneeling on one knee, their aura restrained, yet the pressure of a Grandmaster-level expert was faintly palpable.

"Disciplinary guards, heed my command!" Lin Chen said in a deep voice.

"Immediately infiltrate Zhongzhou to gather intelligence on the Netherworld Sect and other major forces."

Within three years, I will have control over all the major and minor powers in Zhongzhou.

Remember—prepare to remain hidden; avoid taking action unless absolutely necessary.

"Yes, sir!" the three hundred people replied in unison, and then turned into black smoke and disappeared.

Zhao Zilong was astonished and exclaimed, "Our lord has an endless stream of talented and extraordinary people under his command."

Lin Chen smiled and took out another storage ring, handing it to Zhuge Liang:

"Here are 10,000 spirit stones and the development plan for the three continents of the Northern Territory for the next three years. You shall implement it accordingly."

In addition, I have sent a message to the capital, requesting an additional three million taels of gold and five hundred thousand shi of grain to be allocated for the construction of the northern border and the royal palace.

Zhuge Liang accepted the ring and solemnly said, "I will certainly not fail my lord's trust."

"Alright, now that we've finished the important stuff," Lin Chen stretched and continued:

"Zilong, the northern border is now in your hands."

Remember, prioritize stability, focus on training and development, and ensure the army's size does not exceed 200,000.

"Northern Shuo won't be making any major moves for now, but we still need to be wary of their schemes."

"Understood, sir!"

"Mr. Kongming, you will assist Zilong for three months and then return to the capital after you have sorted out the government affairs."

The North needs you, but the capital needs you even more.

"Yes."

Lin Chen finally looked at Li Chunfeng:

"Mr. Li, thank you for your hard work in setting up the formation."

After the breakthrough is complete, you will deploy large-scale formations in Dingbei City and key border locations to ensure absolute security.

"I've already put the formation blueprints in my ring."

"This humble Taoist obeys the order."

After making the arrangements, Lin Chen left the military camp and returned to the general's mansion.

At midnight, in Hidden Dragon Valley.

Four figures sneaked into the valley in batches. Lin Chen took the Human Immortal Pill from the "Deceive the Heavens and Cross the Sea Formation" rewarded by the system and began to break through.

Lin Chen stood on the mountaintop outside the valley, his hands behind his back.

Li Bai appeared silently beside him and whispered:

"My lord, I've added another layer of protection; there should be no cause for concern!"

Lin Chen nodded slightly without saying a word.

The two silently gazed toward the valley.

There, four soaring auras were slowly gathering, cleverly concealed by the great formation, appearing to the outside world as ordinary celestial phenomena.

Three hours later, dawn broke.

Zhao Zilong and the other three emerged from the valley one after another, their auras vastly different from before—they had achieved the Land Immortal Realm!

"Congratulations," Lin Chen said with a smile.

The four men bowed in unison: "Thank you, my lord!"

"Remember, this breakthrough must be kept strictly confidential," Lin Chen said solemnly.

"To outsiders, you are still at the Celestial Realm. This is your trump card, and you will not reveal it unless it is a matter of life and death."

"clear!"