“Little Jiu’er.”
Lin Zhao turned around, held Little Jiu’er’s small hand, and said, “It’s best if you choose yourself. Do you want to study at Lin Lu Academy with the old gentleman and become a scholar full of knowledge in the future? Or… do you want to follow this Sword Immortal Lin to learn swordsmanship on the mountain and become a Sword Immortal who can travel the world on a sword?”
Little Jiu’er frowned, feeling wronged. In fact, she didn’t want to go anywhere. She just wanted to stay by Lin Zhao’s brother’s side as Little Jiu’er. However, if she said that, it would surely make him angry. Little Jiu’er didn’t want Lin Zhao’s brother to be angry, let alone disappointed in her. She knew that Lin Zhao’s brother was now the commander of the Death Squad and was already a very formidable person, so… Little Jiu’er should also become a formidable person, so that Lin Zhao’s brother would not be disappointed in her.
Tears welled up in the little girl’s eyes, “Brother Lin Zhao, studying is fine, and learning swordsmanship is also fine. Can you… can you help me choose one?”
Lin Zhao’s forehead creased.
Around them, a large crowd had gathered. Many adults from the town cast envious glances. To be fought over by two great figures, what extraordinary talent did this Su Qingjiu of the Su family possess?
Lin Zhao stood up, cupped his fists towards Lin Qing’er, and said, “Sword Immortal Lin, I have a question to ask.”
“Speak,” Lin Qing’er nodded slightly.
“Little Jiu’er… does she truly have the talent for swordsmanship?”
“Yes.”
Lin Qing’er nodded. “Before the age of ten, she can awaken at least two Sword-Containing Lakes. Before the age of fifteen, she can forge at least one top-grade Sword Heart. I am not exaggerating. Little Jiu’er is indeed an excellent embryo for a Sword Immortal. Entrust her to me, and Changming Mountain will do its utmost to cultivate her.”
“Good!”
Lin Zhao nodded. “Then she’ll learn swordsmanship!”
Saying that, he turned to Zhuge Fan, the head of Lin Lu Academy, cupped his fists, and said, “I’m sorry, old sir, I still think it’s better for Little Jiu’er to learn swordsmanship. After all, she has already studied in a private school before, and has learned many principles from the books of sages. Therefore, she should learn swordsmanship now. In the future, when she can’t reason with others, she can use her sword to reason. As for studying, it’s something that one should never give up in their lifetime. She can still read the books of sages while learning swordsmanship on Changming Mountain. Isn’t that the case?”
The old gentleman’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Young friend, your words are indeed excellent! You… how old are you this year?”
“Fifteen, what’s wrong?”
“How about…”
The old gentleman was a little excited. “Young friend, are you willing to become my disciple, Zhuge Fan, and study with me? I dare not say much about the future, but with your aptitude for learning, you will at least be an official of a state academy. Are you willing?”
“I… I think I’ll pass…”
Lin Zhao scratched his head and chuckled, “I didn’t expect I’d be a seed for learning after all…”
“Naturally!”
The old gentleman said, “Studying is not something you can just pass on. As long as you agree, I will immediately ask Chu Huaixi for permission. No matter the price, I will be your teacher!”
Lin Zhao immediately cupped his fists to the old gentleman and said, “Lin Zhao is fortunate to have met you, old sir, but… it’s truly not the right time. Lin Zhao can no longer dedicate himself wholeheartedly to only reading the books of sages.”
“Why?”
The old gentleman was so anxious he almost jumped.
“Because…”
A person walked out from the crowd, clad in armor. It was Wang Jiang, the commander of the Fenwei Battalion of the Tianchi Army. He laughed heartily, pointed at Lin Zhao, and said with a smile, “Old sir, do you know who this person is? He is the commander of the Death Squad, Lin Zhao! He is the general in white who broke through two enemy encampments with twenty thousand cavalry in the Northern Territory!”
“Ah?”
Zhuge Fan trembled all over and couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter. “So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is, hahahaha~~~~”
He turned around. “It was my oversight. It is an honor to meet you, General!”
Lin Zhao hurriedly supported him, half-laughing, half-crying. “Old sir, you are too kind. It is my honor that you are willing to take my Little Jiu’er as a student. By the way, old sir, have you looked at this young boy? Is he a seed for learning?”
The old gentleman glanced at Little Stone. “He can study, but he seems more suited for martial arts. Why don’t we wait a few days for the people from the Martial Arts Academy to come over? Otherwise, it would be a pity to have him enter the academy.”
“Hmph!”
Little Stone pouted, a little unhappy.
Lin Zhao chuckled and cupped his fists to the old gentleman again, bidding him farewell.
…
Lin Qing’er did not leave. She was followed by several female disciples of Changming Mountain, all in blue robes, holding swords, and looking very beautiful.
“Sword Immortal Lin.”
Lin Zhao said respectfully, “We are staying at the Villa on the Summit. After the fight, Sword Immortal Lin can come to the Villa on the Summit as a guest. To be honest… I am truly reluctant to part with Little Jiu’er.”
“Mm.”
Lin Qing’er smiled lightly. “It’s a deal. I will come to find you after the fight!”
“Alright, it’s a deal!”
Lin Qing’er led her disciples to the inn.
Little Jiu’er was a little dejected because of the impending separation.
Little Stone was a little sulky. The old gentleman had clearly not taken a liking to him, so the young boy vowed that even if he had the chance to study in the future, he would not. He would dedicate himself to practicing fists and become a martial artist like Brother Lin Zhao, using his fists to seek justice for the world!
As they were about to leave, a second-rank military officer walked over. Upon seeing Little Stone, his expression stiffened. He stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, “I am the second-rank General Zhennan of the Prime Minister’s Office. Are you Lin Zhao, commander of the Death Squad?”
“Yes!”
Lin Zhao frowned, scrutinizing this second-rank military officer. The group of people from the Shan Hai Si Shao Fu Ling back then were also under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Office, and they were not good people.
“Ha~~~”
The general seemed to have seen through Lin Zhao’s thoughts and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, I am from Marquis Wen.”
“Oh!”
Lin Zhao was reassured. He had met Marquis Wen, though only briefly. However, he still held a high opinion of Marquis Wen.
“This young friend.”
The general pointed at Little Stone beside Lin Zhao. “He is already a second-level martial artist at such a young age. He is a prodigy in practicing fists. Why don’t you… return to the Prime Minister’s Office with me? We will cultivate him well, and he might become a great general in the future.”
“This…”
Lin Zhao hesitated.
The general smiled slightly. “I am here on the orders of Marquis Wen, Wen Shuoyang, to inspect the situation of the six major palace divisions and their troops stationed here. This is Marquis Wen’s personal letter. I am only here for an inspection and will leave tomorrow. If we miss this opportunity… it may not be possible for this child to enter the Prime Minister’s Office’s youth camp next time.”
“Understood.”
Lin Zhao took a deep breath, cupped his fists, and said, “His name is Little Stone, and his full name is Shi Hu. I treat him as my own younger brother. Therefore… if he goes to the Prime Minister’s Office, I ask Marquis Wen to take good care of him…”
“Naturally!”
The general cupped his fists in return and said, “I will personally convey Lord Lin Zhao’s words to Marquis Wen. Please rest assured, this child is a martial arts prodigy, and perhaps also a general in the making. He will not be wronged in the Prime Minister’s Office!”
“Good!”
Lin Zhao nodded.
“Then…”
The general said, “Shall I have him return to my camp with me now? We will depart early tomorrow morning.”
“Wait!”
Lin Zhao took Little Stone’s hand and said, “I will go back and prepare some clothes for him. Please wait, sir!”
“Alright, I will wait for you in Shao Shi Yu’s command tent!”
“Thank you!”
…
Lin Zhao, along with Little Stone and Little Jiu’er, returned to the Villa on the Summit. He asked Miss Dongcang to pack some clean clothes for Little Stone, and then he rode his horse to the command tent of the Tianchi Army and met Chu Huaixi.
“What is it?”
Chu Huaixi looked surprised. “So rushed, what’s the matter?”
Lin Zhao explained the matter of Little Stone entering the Prime Minister’s Office and his concerns.
Chu Huaixi immediately laughed. “There’s no need to worry. Although Marquis Wen’s reputation in the world is average, his conduct and character are beyond question. Little Stone will not be wronged or be in any danger in the Prime Minister’s Office’s youth camp. As for this second-rank general, his name is Shi Ying. He is a loyal and brave general, just not very bright. I know him, so you don’t need to worry.”
Lin Zhao finally smiled. “If that’s the case, I am relieved.”
“Mm.”
Chu Huaixi looked up at Chen Yu, who was not far away, and said, “Your Highness, please make a note: Little Stone, full name Shi Hu, his destination is the Prime Minister’s Office!”
“Yes, Commander Chu!”
Lin Zhao leaned forward and saw that Chen Yu was already writing a myriad of tiny characters in a ledger. Each line recorded the destination of a child from Tianchi Town, their life, their parents’ names, and the detailed address were all written very meticulously. A single page contained the details of dozens of children.
For a moment, the young man’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. Chu Huaixi had gone to such great lengths for the descendants of the Great Chen Dynasty.
“By the way, there’s another matter.”
Lin Zhao stepped forward, cupped his fists, and also spoke about Little Jiu’er going to Changming Mountain.
“Oh?”
Chu Huaixi was overjoyed. “Little Jiu’er is going to Changming Mountain? That’s great news! And she’s even being personally taken as a disciple by Lin Qing’er?”
“Mm!”
Lin Zhao nodded. “What’s so great about being personally taken as a disciple?”
“It’s a significant matter,” Chu Huaixi said with excitement. “Lin Qing’er herself is a genius sword cultivator. At such a young age, she is already a twelfth-level sword cultivator, and she has the potential to reach the thirteenth level in this life. Therefore, Sword Immortal Lin Qing’er’s temperament is quite eccentric, and she rarely takes disciples personally. Among the disciples on Changming Mountain, Lin Qing’er has only three personal disciples. With Little Jiu’er, that makes four. Once Little Jiu’er becomes Lin Qing’er’s disciple, she will at least start at the True Origin realm as a Sword Immortal. This is a tremendous event for our Great Chen Dynasty!”
Lin Zhao smiled. “Sword Immortal Lin said that Little Jiu’er’s talent will allow her to start at the twelfth-level Sword Immortal realm!”
“Good! Good!”
Chu Huaixi said “good” twice.
Lin Zhao frowned. “Commander Chu, Lin Qing’er is one of the candidates for the five duels, right? Could there be… an accident?”
“No.”
Chu Huaixi shook his head. “Lin Qing’er’s sword mastery is extremely high. Among the twelfth level, Lin Qing’er is practically invincible. Even if the demon race sends their top twelfth-level geniuses, Lin Qing’er’s winning chances are still extremely high. You don’t need to worry about this.”
“That’s good.”
Lin Zhao smiled. “With this, I have no regrets. Even if I die in the future, I will die without regret.”
Saying that, he turned and left the tent.
…
Chu Huaixi watched Lin Zhao’s receding figure with a complex expression.
Chen Yu gritted her teeth, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at Chu Huaixi. “Commander Chu, could it be… could it be that even Lin Zhao has guessed that we are all destined to die?”