Jun wasn't interested in things like rewards. He had sent a letter to the King asking for processed or unprocessed metal for his private army.

He had, of course, sent the details of the enemies he had killed, the ranks of the soldiers, but he didn't describe the specifics as he didn't have enough ink or time. However, he proved that he had actively participated in the battle.

The news of his achievements impressed the King, who did not hesitate to promote him to a commander of five thousand men, allowing him to participate actively in the war if he wished.

Additionally, the King granted him a noble title. However, Jun didn't care much about it since he didn't need a title to continue doing what he enjoyed.

"Sir, the nearby towns we recently took have been cleared. Everyone is wondering when they'll be able to meet you to thank you properly."

Jun stood up from where he was and walked toward the window that overlooked a beautiful cloudy landscape. "I have no time to waste on such things; let's focus on expanding our private army instead."

"But you spend most of your time resting."

"Did you just contradict me?" Jun asked, raising an eyebrow. His demeanor was like that of an old man who had lived many lives.

The messenger dared not say another word, and after delivering his messages, he stopped. All the now crime-free towns were constantly improving. Their production increased, and the benefits Jun was gaining were also growing.

To others, this might seem foolish, but for them, it was beneficial due to the training they had been undergoing to improve as an army.

Jun walked toward the training field, where the soldiers were learning shield wall techniques while wearing heavy armor.

As many know, the infantry is the main body of the army, the first to face the battlefield head-on. If Jun couldn't maintain a battle line at the start, it meant his soldiers still needed more training.

The battle techniques they were using now were simple: a line of shields, a line of spears, and a line of swords. Three front lines that kept the army in formation, marching and advancing.

When the two sides clashed, Jun noticed they lacked discipline. Perhaps this was because common infantry soldiers don't receive the necessary training to become good soldiers.

That's why Jun simulated battles with real shields, real armor, and lightweight prairie swords.

"The infantry that wins the battle will get the largest portion of meat; the others will have to settle for rice and vitamins." Trevor was on the training field with a dozen other instructors.

All the soldiers thought of the vitamins as a ball of unknown substances they had to eat with their rice.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

As is well known, peasants are often brought to war. But this private army Jun was forming was of the highest quality. He knew that if they ever set foot on the battlefield, they would be unstoppable.

Jun was giving everyone power—a strength they could use when they felt threatened.

Perhaps this was his purpose—to protect what belonged to each person and leave behind the bloody things.

Since Jun started providing protection to the villages, he noticed something change in their eyes; they all seemed much happier.

On a path where he once felt alone, it soon brightened, giving him everything he needed to do in this life where he had yet to find a purpose.

"I must defend their lives..." Jun would show them the way. They all needed to know the right way to live.

Perhaps in that way, things would change for the better; that was the dilemma in which he found himself trapped.

It was selfish, but perhaps not entirely, as he wanted to protect what he had defended, regardless of whether he truly desired it at the time.

"We will expand. We must increase the numbers of our private army," Jun said with a calm gaze as five thousand soldiers trained rigorously on the training platform.

His intention now was to create four more sections like this one, eventually reaching twenty thousand high-quality soldiers with top-tier equipment.

Jun would show the other nations the difference between an army and their inept orders.

"The King won't like that..."

"What do you know about what the King likes?" Jun's piercing gaze fell on his subordinates, who were in charge of maintaining this village, which was slowly turning into a beautiful city.

"Well…"

"I am a general; I am fourteen years old, and I can lead ten thousand men on my own. If the King wanted to stop me, he wouldn't have given me power; I think he didn't make a mistake in that." Jun knew what the King of Qin wanted; the King expected him to take an interest in the war.

The King of Qin wanted a unified China, and Jun wanted peace. Both paths were inevitably leading them toward a similar destiny.