Lin Zhao stepped into the courtyard, Leng Yan close behind.
Seeing the old man’s frail appearance, Lin Zhao couldn’t help but frown. This elder was merely a cultivator of the fourth realm. His lifespan might be slightly longer than ordinary people, but he was likely over a hundred years old now, with not much time left. It was no wonder he looked so aged.
“Old sir, were you part of the Yunzhou Iron Cavalry back in the day?”
Lin Zhao crouched before the old man, watching him hone his sword.
“Oh?”
The old man glanced at Lin Zhao and smiled faintly. “I never expected a young man nowadays to still recognize the swords of the Yunzhou Iron Cavalry, or even know their name. It’s truly rare.”
“The Yunzhou Iron Cavalry, peerless in the world. I know a little,”
Lin Zhao furrowed his brow. “Old sir, who exactly are you? Marquis Wen’s residence has been abandoned for years, why are you still here alone?”
“…”
The old man stopped grinding his sword. The hand holding the hilt trembled slightly. His slightly clouded eyes looked at Lin Zhao and said, “I am a member of the Yunzhou Iron Cavalry. After the failure of Marquis Wu, Yue Hao’s northern expedition, we were rescued by the Western Shu Iron Cavalry at Guxiao Pass. Afterwards, I followed Marquis Wen, serving as a Qian Qi Zhang (Captain of a Thousand Cavalry). We fiercely attacked the demon army south of the Snow Region Heavenly Lake. A century has passed in the blink of an eye, and the world… has gradually forgotten Marquis Wen’s merits. It seems everyone only remembers the line, ‘Lin Baiyi of the Snow Region Heavenly Lake, who in this world does not know you?’”
Leng Yan’s delicate eyebrows knitted. “The Heavenly Furnace formation was originally Lin Zhao’s strategy. Marquis Wen merely executed it to the end. Why is it that the world only remembers Wen Shuoyang and not Lin Baiyi?”
The old man raised his eyebrows, looking at her, and chuckled coldly. “Little girl, so young yet so sharp-tongued. How old are you? How much do you know about those events from back then?”
Leng Yan was choked with anger and was about to speak again when Lin Zhao grasped her wrist, his gaze signaling her to stop. There was no need to argue with this elder. After all, a hundred years had passed. How important was it who received the credit?
“Old general.”
Lin Zhao smiled. “Since you were a close follower of Marquis Wen back then, I wish to inquire about something.”
“Speak.”
“Back then, Marquis Wen led the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Within it, he established a Youngling Camp, a place where Marquis Wen trained young talents for the Great Shang Dynasty. Later, after Marquis Wen moved out of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, it became the Qinglin Academy. Old sir, do you know the whereabouts of the Youngling Camp? After all these years, where did those children from the Youngling Camp go?”
“That…”
The old man smiled. “The Youngling Camp nurtured countless young prodigies, generals, and scholars. Now, these children are scattered throughout the Great Shang Dynasty. Some serve as officials in the Mountain and Water Department, some have become renowned generals, and others have already died for the country, their blood spilled on the battlefield. In short, the children of the Youngling Camp did not disappoint Marquis Wen.”
Upon mentioning Marquis Wen, the old man’s eyes lit up, as if that was the faith of his entire life.
“Is that so…”
Lin Zhao said, “There should be a roster, right? Does old sir know?”
“That, I do not know.”
The old man frowned. “Youngster, who exactly are you trying to find?”
“Little Stone, Shi Hu.”
Lin Zhao respectfully said, “Has old sir heard this name?”
“No…”
The old man shook his head. He was merely a soldier. In truth, he barely knew any of the children from the Youngling Camp, except for a few whose later military achievements and fame were simply too brilliant.
Lin Zhao was slightly disappointed.
The old man looked at Lin Zhao. This cultivator of the fifth realm possessed a profound sword intent, his strength should be considerable. He was so polite to a fourth-realm warrior like himself, who was nearing his end. He was indeed a good person. Thus, feeling a slight pang of sympathy, he said, “I don’t know here, but I know of someone who would certainly know. He was in charge of the entire Youngling Camp back then.”
“Ah?!”
Lin Zhao was overjoyed. “Who?”
“Li Yu.”
The old man smiled. “A second-grade military officer. He was Marquis Wen’s confidant in the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Later, after Marquis Wen’s ascension to immortality, Li Yu began assisting young master Wen Hao. Currently, Li Yu is stationed in the Grand Marshal Wen Hao’s mansion, taking orders. If you wish to find Li Yu, you can see him at the Grand Marshal’s residence.”
“Got it!”
Lin Zhao was filled with joy and clasped his fists towards the old man. “Thank you very much, old general!”
“Go on!”
Lin Zhao stood up. After a few steps, he looked back at the old man. “Old general, is this all you can do?”
“What else?”
The old man began to grind his sword again, smiling. “In this life, there are many things one cannot let go of. I am here now… waiting to ascend. Then, I will return to Marquis Wen’s command, and I will be content.”
“…”
Lin Zhao did not say anything more, only clasped his fists and bowed to the old man. Some people were worthy of such a salute from Lin Zhao.
…
Leaving Yantai Alley, Lin Zhao summoned the large map of White Emperor City and quickly located the Grand Marshal’s residence. He and Leng Yan galloped through the streets. The streets now had quite a few scattered players walking around, eager to accept tasks from various NPCs and claim the first spoils of White Emperor City, earning their first fortune.
If nothing else, players who could reach White Emperor City at over level 100 were destined to be winners in the game. The number of such people was likely less than one ten-thousandth of the total game players!
Leng Yan, while galloping, flipped through information. “The Grand Marshal is named Wen Hao, a cultivator of the Heavenly Origin realm, Marquis Wen’s adopted son. He has achieved great military fame in the south. He also married Zhang Yu’an, Marquis of Chun’an, and is supported by the powerful Ju Yang Gong Lin Yan lineage in the south. He controls half of the military power in the court, standing as an equal to the Northern Marshal Li Chunyang.”
“Mm.”
Lin Zhao nodded. “I’ve seen this information too. Let’s go, we’ll know once we get there.”
“Alright.”
The two rode off at full speed. As they entered the alley leading to the Grand Marshal’s residence, heavy hoofbeats sounded from behind. A group of iron cavalry returning from patrolling outside the city charged forward. On either side of the cavalry were countless armored soldiers holding long spears, pushing the townspeople on the street to the sides. Lin Zhao and Leng Yan could only stand meekly among the crowd.
“What a grand display…”
Leng Yan frowned, slightly displeased.
Lin Zhao gazed into the distance. He saw a person riding a strong, sturdy warhorse, clad in golden armor, with a stern face. A potent fist intent flowed from him. This fist intent was incredibly familiar to Lin Zhao; it was the fist intent of the Farmer’s Three Punches. The man’s gaze swept forward arrogantly as he galloped past. In that fleeting glimpse, Lin Zhao knew who it was.
This person, surrounded by many, the legendary Southern Marshal of the Great Shang Dynasty, the Grand Marshal of Heavenly Origin realm, was none other than Little Stone!
His body trembled, and he shouted, “Little Stone!”
On his horse, Grand Marshal Wen Hao’s body trembled slightly. The voice seemed to pierce his soul. He was somewhat taken aback but did not turn back. He merely sped up, arriving at the mansion gate with his iron cavalry escorts, dismounted, and entered the residence.
“Little Stone!”
Lin Zhao shouted again.
“Show some respect!”
A group of spear-wielding mansion guards blocked Lin Zhao and Leng Yan. One centurion said sternly, “How dare you be disrespectful to the Grand Marshal! Do you not wish to live?!”
Lin Zhao gritted his teeth, wishing he could pull out a Sword Mirror Talisman and kill them all.
Leng Yan watched silently, her expression cold, but her heart ached terribly. How could Shi Hu not have heard Lin Zhao’s voice? He wasn’t deaf.
…
The armored soldiers all entered the mansion.
Lin Zhao, unwilling to give up, strode to the front of the Grand Marshal’s mansion, his brows tightly furrowed. He clasped his fists towards the guards. “An old friend, Lin Zhao, wishes to see Grand Marshal Wen Hao. Please inform him!”
“An old friend? Lin Zhao?”
A centurion frowned. “Do you know our Grand Marshal?”
“Yes.”
“But our Grand Marshal may not know you…”
The centurion said sternly, “Young hero, do not blame me for being heartless. Every day, people claim to be old friends and come to visit the Grand Marshal. I cannot let everyone in, can I? The Grand Marshal is busy with military affairs and has endless matters to attend to. He cannot possibly spare time to see idle people.”
“I understand.”
Lin Zhao’s heart sank slightly. With just the name "Lin Zhao," he was no longer qualified to see this Grand Marshal. He straightened his chest and said in a deep voice, “Snow Region Heavenly Lake, Baiyi, wishes to see the Grand Marshal!”
“Baiyi!?”
Immediately, a look of horror appeared on the faces of the guards. The one who caused such a stir in the Snow Region Heavenly Lake had actually come to White Emperor City!
“In that case, please allow me to inform him. May I ask Baiyi young hero to rest in the tea pavilion first?”
“Thank you!”
…
Lin Zhao and Leng Yan followed the guards into the mansion and waited in a pavilion with beautiful scenery. However, he had no interest in drinking tea. He walked to the corridor, his sword-like eyebrows tightly knit, watching the fish swim in the lotus pond, his heart in turmoil.
“Lin Zhao.”
Leng Yan spoke softly from the side, “Not everything in the world happens as you imagine. People always change. One hundred years have passed, and any change is not surprising. Moreover, Little Stone had a strong competitive spirit when he practiced punches with you back then. You know this yourself. In the treacherous currents of the Great Shang Dynasty, do you think he would not have changed at all?”
“I know…”
Lin Zhao’s mind was in a mess.
Leng Yan stayed by his side and said gently, “Accept all possibilities that come. This is reality.”
“Mm, thank you, Ah Yan.”
Lin Zhao remained standing at the edge of the tea pavilion.
…
Shortly after, a Wan Qi Chang (Commander of Ten Thousand Cavalry) approached, followed by a guard holding a tray piled high with gold ingots. He placed a tray of gold before Lin Zhao and said, “The Grand Marshal heard of his old friend’s visit, but he is busy with military affairs and has no time to meet him. Therefore, he ordered me to present five thousand gold to our distinguished guest. We hope you will not find it insufficient.”
“…”
Lin Zhao stood there as if struck by lightning. Was he truly worth only this 5,000 gold coins to him?
“No need.”
His heart turned to ash. He slowly pushed back the tray filled with gold and smiled mournfully. “Please convey to him my best wishes for his journey ahead and for all his endeavors to be successful.”
“…”
The Wan Qi Chang also fell silent.
…
“Ah Yan, let’s go.”
As Lin Zhao walked out of the mansion, his body swayed. Leng Yan quickly supported him. At this moment, Leng Yan’s heart felt as if it were being crushed. Little Stone no longer recognized him as his brother Lin Zhao. How heartbroken and disappointed must Lin Zhao be at this moment?