Chapter Thirty: My Lord Is Truly a Divine Being

To ensure a sufficient supply of military provisions, whenever he had a moment to spare, Xu Kang would craft magical bread and enchanted fresh water using his “Food and Water Creation” spell, stockpiling them in case of emergencies.

His spatial backpack could hold a full hundred cubic units, so storing eighty or a hundred thousand magical loaves and enchanted water posed no trouble at all.

Moreover, as his mastery of the skill increased, his production speed improved dramatically—from the initial five or six seconds per item to just two or three seconds now. The progress was nothing short of astonishing.

What delighted him most, however, was discovering that his spiritual power had grown.

Yesterday, after making a hundred magical loaves and waters at a stretch, he’d have to pause to rest and drink, replenishing his spent spirit. But just now, he realized he could manage a hundred and twenty in a single breath.

That was a twenty percent increase in spiritual strength compared to yesterday!

This was cause for great joy. To ensure it wasn’t merely his imagination, he went on to produce over a thousand magical loaves and waters, finally confirming the truth of his improvement.

Thus, he deduced the secret to increasing spiritual power: depletion, recovery, and consolidation.

Depletion required him to drain his spirit through spell use.

Recovery meant restoring the spirit by drinking enchanted water or through rest and sleep.

Consolidation was the period immediately after recovery, when he refrained from further expenditure, allowing his spirit a chance to stabilize and strengthen.

To test his theory, after making over a thousand magical loaves and waters, Xu Kang stopped and began cutting up the used enchanted water pouches into small round tokens, continuing his “token plan.”

When Zhang Cheng entered, Xu Kang was tossing the leftover scraps from the enchanted water pouches into the brazier, which was why the tent was wreathed in curling, mystical smoke.

People of this age were deeply superstitious; Zhang Jiao, for instance, had incited a million followers to rebellion with nothing more than a stone tablet inscribed, “Heaven is dead, the Yellow Sky shall rise; when the cycle begins anew, all under heaven shall prosper.”

Xu Kang was well-versed in such matters. After all, even his current official post had been secured by frightening He Jin with tricks and theatrics, giving him his crucial “first bucket of gold.”

Thus, when he saw Zhang Cheng prostrating himself in terror, Xu Kang was not surprised. With a calm expression, he gestured for the man to rise.

“Enough, Zhang Cheng, get up. I am but an ordinary man—there is still a vast gulf between myself and the true immortals.”

At first glance, his words seemed a denial, but on closer inspection, they subtly affirmed his otherworldly status. After all, how could he know the gap between himself and the immortals unless he had some connection to them?

Zhang Cheng clearly understood this nuance, and his demeanor grew all the more respectful.

“You are too modest, my lord. If you are but a commoner, then what are the likes of us but insects? Since you have chosen to conceal your identity, you must have your reasons. All I can do is follow you with utter devotion, offering even my life if you command it!”

Xu Kang could not help but laugh heartily at this display of loyalty, clapping Zhang Cheng on the shoulder as he did so.

“Very well! Since you’ve declared yourself in such terms, let me be frank: from this day forward, your life is under my protection. No matter if you are gravely wounded or gravely ill, as long as a breath remains to you, I will bring you back. No one can take you from me—I give you my word!”

At this bold proclamation, Zhang Cheng drew a sharp breath, stunned. But he quickly recovered, saluting Xu Kang once more.

“My humble thanks, my lord!”

His tone was sincere, though lacking in excitement or joy—he clearly did not wholly believe Xu Kang’s promise.

Xu Kang was unconcerned; he found this entirely reasonable. What mattered more was that Zhang Cheng, who had previously referred to himself with the modest “your subordinate,” now used the more formal and deferential “your lowly general”—a term reserved for warriors addressing nobility or members of the imperial family.

Such a shift indicated that Xu Kang’s status in Zhang Cheng’s eyes had undergone a profound transformation.

It was precisely for this reason that Xu Kang pledged to protect him. After all, a loyal and capable subordinate was invaluable in chaotic times.

Still, he knew not to press his advantage too far. Seeing Zhang Cheng standing so respectfully before him, Xu Kang did not pursue the topic of immortals, but instead asked directly why he had come.

“Zhang Cheng, you must have another reason for seeking me out today?”

“You are most perceptive, my lord!” came the quick reply, with a small compliment before Zhang Cheng stated his purpose.

“I am here for two matters. First, I wish to inquire about tonight’s password, and ask you to provide it.”

The password was an ancient military practice for distinguishing friend from foe—a matter Xu Kang understood well. He thought for a moment before responding.

“Let the password be ‘Warrior.’ Now, what is the second matter?”

“Yes, my lord!” Zhang Cheng answered promptly, producing from his breast the gold ingot he had previously received from Xu Kang, along with a handful of small round tokens, and presented them with both hands.

“My lord, this is the gold ingot I obtained from you. After discussing with my fellow officers, we would like to return it and instead receive the flatbreads taken from Lord Zhao’s army. I hope you will indulge this request.”

Xu Kang raised an eyebrow in surprise at this, regarding Zhang Cheng with a faint, amused smile.

“This is your first time making such an exchange. Should you return again, I will not accept it. Are you certain you do not regret it?”

“Absolutely certain!” Zhang Cheng replied without a moment’s hesitation.

Seeing his resolve, Xu Kang could only nod with a smile. “Very well, I shall grant your request.”

With a wave of his hand, the gold ingot and pile of tokens vanished from Zhang Cheng’s grasp, and in their place on the ground appeared a heap of magical bread, exuding a sweet and enticing aroma.

Watching Zhang Cheng stare, stupefied, Xu Kang laughed again.

“There you are. Call some men to help you carry this away. I’m going out for a walk to get some fresh air.”

With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and exited the tent.

Zhang Cheng promptly saluted him.

“Farewell, my lord!”

Only when Xu Kang’s footsteps had faded into the distance, after several seconds, did Zhang Cheng straighten up. Gazing at the mound of magical bread before him, piled high like a small mountain, he couldn’t help but exclaim from the heart,

“My lord is truly a divine being!”