In the long river of time, Lin Zhao's figure and soul had always been ethereal, but at this moment, he understood many things. It turned out that the white tree was a spiritual branch of the World Tree, carrying immense fortune and majestic rules. The Heavenly Pool Army's staunch defense of the Snow Region Heavenly Pool was not only guarding the northernmost gateway of the human race, but also this white tree!
The God of War and the Sage of Confucianism, defying all odds, joined forces to seize the spiritual branch from the sea of heavens, and ultimately left it in the mortal world, preserving a sliver of hope for the human race. How magnificent a deed this was!
At this moment, the young man almost wanted to cry. His senior brother and Mr. Qin were truly remarkable.
...
His vision began to blur. Qin Suihan gently pushed the young man's shoulder, and instantly Lin Zhao, together with Mr. Qin, stepped out of the river of time, appearing in the small courtyard of the bookstore. The north wind was still howling and snow was falling, and the white tree in the courtyard, with its pale branches and leaves, remained as it was, not having lost too many leaves with the advent of winter.
Each leaf was a wisp of heavenly fortune.
"Mr. Qin!"
Lin Zhao turned and performed a Confucian bow to the scholar, saying, "For all people, I thank you, sir!"
"Mm."
Qin Suihan stood tall and accepted it calmly.
He smiled slightly, looking at the young man in armor before him, and said, "In the future, perhaps all people will also thank you, Lin Zhao, for what you will do next, won't they?"
Lin Zhao couldn't help but be moved, as if nothing could be hidden from his teacher.
"Lin Zhao..."
Qin Suihan pointed to a spot not far away and said, "I've stewed a pot of venison today, sent by Commander Chu. Would you like to join me for a drink?"
"Good!"
Although Lin Zhao had already eaten and there was a military prohibition on alcohol, accompanying Mr. Qin for a drink was an unquestionable matter, and no one would ever hold him accountable for drinking. Who would dare to question him for drinking with the Sage of Confucianism?
...
Outside, the north wind was blowing snow, while inside, warmth permeated the room.
The venison was simmering over charcoal, bubbling merrily. Lin Zhao was not one to stand on ceremony. As a martial artist of the eighth realm, his appetite was extraordinary. He ate heartily and drank deeply with Mr. Qin. On this day, the scholar also became spirited, eating and drinking with equal gusto. He found great ease in being with the young man.
"After four years of harsh winter outside, it's time for the earth to revive."
Qin Suihan looked outside and asked with a smile, "Do you know why there's a winter in the world?"
Lin Zhao frowned and pointed upwards.
"Mm."
Qin Suihan chuckled, "Those high and mighty beings are punishing the mortal world~~~"
Lin Zhao smiled, "A bunch of petty, self-serving creatures."
"Well said!"
Qin Suihan laughed, "We must have a drink to that!"
"Indeed, Mr. Qin!"
Lin Zhao drank cup after cup, growing slightly drunk. He hadn't expected that last year's New Year's Eve was spent ushering in the new year with Xiao Shi Tou and Guo Dongyang, but this year... he was drinking with Mr. Qin here, and he was just as happy!
...
They drank until the early hours of the morning before Lin Zhao had to leave. The demon race might sound the horn for their southward advance at any moment. It was already the New Year, and Lin Zhao dared not be negligent about the front lines.
"Mr. Qin, I must return to the camp!"
The young man straightened his armor and put on his cloak, clasped his hands, and said, "It has been a great joy to drink with you, Mr. Qin, this New Year!"
"Mm."
Qin Suihan, draped in a gray-white cloak, saw Lin Zhao off. At the doorway, he hesitated to speak, and after a while, he said, "Lin Zhao, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"Mm?"
The young man, leading his horse, turned back and said, "Mr. Qin, please, say whatever you wish."
"Are you willing..."
Qin Suihan asked, "To become my student, Qin Suihan?"
"Ah?"
The young man blinked, a look of shyness and embarrassment on his face, and said, "Naturally, I wish a thousand times over to become your disciple, to study and learn with you, but... I already have a sect. My third senior brother and second senior sister... and I'm also worried my master would be angry, so... I'm sorry, Mr. Qin..."
"Oh, it's alright then."
Qin Suihan waved his hand and smiled, "Go on, be careful on your journey."
"Mm!"
The young man spurred his horse and rode away.
Qin Suihan sighed, a hint of disappointment in his heart.
"Tsk tsk..."
An old physician sat on the wall, taking a sip of medicinal wine and chuckling, "The esteemed Sage of Confucianism tried to take a disciple, and was actually rejected. Hahahaha~~~ Old Qin, Old Qin, how did you end up like this?"
Qin Suihan smiled gently, "Old fellow, coming for a drink? To usher in the new year with me?"
"Coming, coming~~~"
...
Several days later, the north wind finally ceased.
A contingent of cavalry from the human imperial court hurried from the south, traveling up the mountain and arriving at the command tent in the Snow Region Heavenly Pool. Chen Wanli had ordered his soldiers to construct a ten-meter-high platform several days prior. At noon that day, Chen Wanli issued an order for Lin Zhao to go to the Snow Region Heavenly Pool.
The young man returned in a hurry, completely bewildered.
"Just follow me," Chen Wanli said.
"Yes, Old Marshal!"
Lin Zhao followed the old marshal step by step onto the high platform. On the way, he saw Chu Huaixi, Huang Tingyu, Chen Yu, and others. Everyone had a smile on their faces, as if only Lin Zhao was unaware of what was happening. It wasn't until Chen Wanli led him to the platform that a high-ranking official in a purple court robe of the Great Shang Dynasty appeared, holding a sacred decree, with guards behind him holding a gilded sword. Only then did Lin Zhao realize what was about to happen. Was this too child's play? I'm only sixteen years old, still a child!
"No backing down!"
Chen Wanli's voice was stern. "If you're told to be marshal, then be marshal. Lead the human race to win this war, and all else will be easy."
"..."
Lin Zhao felt rather uneasy. After the first-rank official finished reading the sacred decree, he had no choice but to step forward, kneel on one knee, and await the gilded sword.
"The Marshal's Sword!"
Chen Wanli said sternly, "Only the Marshal of the Human Race may wield it. You have now received your imperial seal. Receive the sword!"
Lin Zhao took a deep breath and accepted the sword. He felt that although the sword was not heavy, his heart felt weighty.
In all directions, countless soldiers of the Great Shang Dynasty knelt on one knee, and even the old marshal Chen Wanli took a step back and knelt on one knee before Lin Zhao. The crowd roared, "Greetings, Marshal!"
...
In the afternoon, upon returning to the command tent of the Death-Seeking Camp, Lin Zhao still felt as if he were in a dream. However, Zhi Gui, Luo Yang, Mu Gua, and the others were overjoyed. Their lord had become the Marshal of the Human Race, commanding over two million troops. How could they not be happy? Subsequently, the command tent of the entire human army was moved forward, situated within the camp of the Death-Seeking Camp. Flying riders came and went frequently every day.
After Lin Zhao began his duties, he had no personal time left.
From the north of the Snow Region Heavenly Pool to the south of Heavenly Pool Ridge, he personally marked and re-organized the arrangements for each major position. While handling these matters, he felt as if he were playing a game of chess, and for a time, he couldn't believe himself how he knew all these details so thoroughly. Could he truly be a born general?
At this time, on the cliff north of the Snow Region Heavenly Pool.
Shen Xingchen and Xu Yan once again sat on the edge of the cliff, their four jade legs dangling, overlooking the vast landscape.
"Lin Zhao has been appointed Marshal."
Shen Xingchen looked into the distance and said, "The system's notification bell has been ringing non-stop all morning..."
Leng Yan pursed her red lips and said, "Being a marshal should be better, right? At least... the commander of the three armies will be well-protected, and the survival rate will be higher, won't it?"
"Who knows."
Shen Xingchen stood up, first glancing at the human defense situation to the north, then at the defense situation to the south. She narrowed her beautiful eyes and said, "Ah Yan, I have some news that might be good news for you."
"What?!"
"Lin Zhao..." Shen Xingchen smiled slightly, "might possibly be real."
"Ah?"
Leng Yan's cherry lips parted slightly, her face filled with astonishment. "Wh-why do you say that?"
"I'm just saying possibly."
Shen Xingchen sat down again, held her best friend's hand, and said with a smile, "The human army has been abuzz these past few days, saying that the entire human military deployment was arranged by Lin Zhao. And I've carefully observed the battlefield distribution many times. It's a strategic structure designed to lure the enemy deep, with tiered defenses and nodes of attack. This kind of warfare is rare in ancient times and was only formally proposed in modern times, called the Heavenly Furnace Strategy. If Lin Zhao is indeed using the Heavenly Furnace Strategy, then he might be a real person, just not a beta tester in the way we exist in the game. Of course, this is just a possibility..."
Leng Yan was overjoyed and surprised. "Possibly... means there's still a chance, right?"
"Mm-hmm!"
"That's great!"
Leng Yan gave Shen Xingchen a big hug.
...
In the real world, in Suzhou, at the sanatorium.
A beautiful woman in military uniform stood before a liquid game pod. It was Murong Feiyue. She looked at Lin Zhao in the game pod, frowned, and said softly, "Xiao Zhao, less than five days until the beta test ends. Don't you want to wake up soon? My sister has some matters to attend to and will probably leave in a day or two... I really want to talk to you after you wake up..."
Inside the game pod, Lin Zhao's eyes were closed, but he slightly furrowed his brow.
Beside her, Ding Chi said, "Sister Feiyue, it seems he can hear you..."
"Mm!"
Murong Feiyue stepped forward, reached out to gently caress the outer wall of the game pod, and said, "Wake up quickly, wake up quickly..."
Beside her, Deputy Officer Ning Yu smiled slightly, "Your Excellency, even so... he might not necessarily wake up directly. Don't get too agitated. Lin Zhao will definitely wake up."
Murong Feiyue turned and asked a doctor, "What if Xiao Zhao hasn't woken up by the end of the beta test?"
"Impossible."
The middle-aged doctor smiled slightly. "Don't worry, Your Excellency. Lin Zhao's brainwave activity is already quite high. Once the beta test ends and the game's brainwave stimulation system is turned off, he will definitely wake up."
"Mm, that's good."
...
In the command tent of the Snow Region Heavenly Pool, late at night.
Lin Zhao suddenly woke up and sat up in bed, "Sis..."