Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1286 - 422: Ji Jiang’s Predicament, True Sibling Affection, the Head-Cutter Strikes Again (Part 3)

Embarrassed upon realizing tears streamed down her face, Ji Jiang wiped her eyes hastily, then spotted the silver token hanging from Ji Hong’s waist and grabbed it curiously without delay.

The token’s obverse displayed merely three characters: "Dragon Martial Army". Its reverse inscribed "Reconnaissance Camp Fifth Team Ji Hong".

Examining the token closely, Ji Jiang lifted her gaze hesitantly toward her brother.

Pride beaming across his features, Ji Hong declared, "Haha, a spot opened up in the Reconnaissance Camp last month. Your big brother has now officially joined the Dragon Martial Army’s Reconnaissance Camp."

"That’s great!"

Joy surged through Ji Jiang at the news, her expression brimming with pride.

In Great Xia nowadays, for average Cold Resistance Level people beyond Eight Departments officials, military service offers the finest route. Soldiers enjoy steady pay plus half the spoils from hunts and combats kept outright—a boon exceeding seventy to eighty percent of camp-based Cold Resistance Levels.

Even better, her brother belongs to the Dragon Martial Army, elite among Great Xia’s fifteen armies for might; whether current benefits or future promise, nothing tops it.

Catching her brother’s proud look, Ji Jiang recalled a detail and asked with a grin, "Brother, you’ve advanced to mid-stage Cold Resistance, right? How strong are you now?"

Ji Hong nodded as a confident grin lit his face. "Broke through two months back. My power reaches Nine Manes now."

Though aware her brother had overtaken her, the Nine Manes revelation still sparked unwitting surprise on Ji Jiang’s face.

With his top-grade Battle Body Talent, he’d only hit Cold Resistance Level last September. Merely five months later, Six Manes gained—one monthly. Such velocity places him elite in Great Xia.

"Humph, doesn’t it owe to the Yangyuan Pills I sent you!"

His sister’s remark wiped Ji Hong’s smile instantly; sternness settled as he peered down at Ji Jiang.

Her brother’s grave visage made Ji Jiang’s heart plummet.

From his chest, Ji Hong drew three porcelain vials, intoning solemnly, "Ah Jiang, as an official Dragon Martial Army member now, cultivation resources abound for me. No more sending me things. Hoard your contribution value for yourself—understood?"

Speech done, he pressed the three vials straight into Ji Jiang’s grasp.

Seizing the vials, Ji Jiang uncorked each in turn, discovering her 30 Yangyuan Pills pristine inside—fury heated her lovely cheeks.

Glancing up at her brother’s rigid face, she bit back retorts; distress swelled, reddening her eyes until she whipped away, weeping quietly.

"Ah Jiang, why cry? Don’t cry!"

"I only meant for you to save more contribution value for yourself. Not scolding you."

"Please stop crying, Ah Jiang..."

His sister’s tears melted Ji Hong’s heart at once; he hastened to console her.

Clearly furious, Ji Jiang kept her back turned stubbornly. After what felt like ages, her emotions eased faintly. Choking back sobs, she murmured, "Brother, you’ve shouldered my care nearly ten years. At last I earn contribution value myself, just to snag you some cultivation aids.

Saved over three months’ allowance for these 30 Yangyuan Pills. I stay safe in the city daily, but you clash with Cold Beasts in the Dragon Martial Army—danger everywhere. Quicker strength means less peril, easing my worries.

You haven’t touched even one, not a single one..."

Agitation built as Ji Jiang spoke; she faltered briefly, then pressed on, "You shoulder all alone, while I burden you. My drag slowed your cultivation. Xu An, merely two years your senior, matched you once—now vast chasm, my doing. Must I carry guilt forever?"

"Brother never saw it that way, Ah Jiang, don’t..."

"Besides, faster gains let you shield me better, no?"

Interrupted by her sharp reply, Ji Hong stood speechless before his sister’s logic.

Fuming for real, Ji Jiang thrust up the three vials wrathfully. "Refuse these 30 Yangyuan Pills? Then we sever ties—I’ll smash them here, and take no more of your contribution value ever."

As she flung the vials for real, Ji Hong lunged to snatch them midair, conceding helplessly, "Okay, okay, I’ll use them."

Watching him tuck the vials back into his chest, Ji Jiang flipped expressions in a blink—rage vanished, a sly smile bloomed as she sidled close, hooking his arm with hers, eyes dancing with roguery.

"That’s better! Hahaha..."

"I can’t win against you, can’t win!"

Ji Hong rumpled his sister’s hair fondly, helplessness etched on his face, though warmth deepened markedly in his gaze.

Raised side by side, he grasped Ji Jiang’s temperament perfectly—that touch of theatrics could never fool him.

His yielding had been deliberate!

"By the way, something off with your shop?"

Eying the shop’s empty racks moments ago, Ji Hong had itched to probe sooner. Pills resolved with his sister, curiosity overflowed—he voiced it outright.