Chapter Nine: The Army Sets Out

Another three months passed, and the Marquis’s residence was filled with tranquility and harmony.

As the weather warmed, Summer Wanwan specially set up a shaded pavilion outside the right wing of the backyard for the Chen brothers. Not far from there, she laid out a small training ground to facilitate the gentlemen’s martial practice.

At the same time, Summer Wanwan hired an instructor skilled in blade techniques, so that young Chen Yuan could also be subtly influenced from an early age.

“The Autumn Water Blade technique emphasizes agility, following the movement of the blade with the body...” The instructor’s surname was Ding, and his given name was San-si, reportedly because he was born on March 4th, a name casually bestowed by his elders. Though the name was rather careless, his blade skills were anything but. Especially this light and nimble Autumn Water Blade style—his movements were so seamless and dense that they were quite intimidating.

Even with Chen Yi’s swordsmanship, he could only conceive of about one hundred and thirty sword techniques capable of countering it, which speaks volumes about the subtlety of Ding’s blade work.

“Second brother, don’t you think Mr. Ding’s blade technique looks a bit strange?” Chen Yuan whispered as he watched.

“Strange how?” Chen Yi glanced at the jade blade hanging from his brother’s wrist and wondered silently if these grasping objects truly enhanced their wearer’s talents. But since he’d worn the jade sword, aside from feeling a bit stronger physically, he hadn’t noticed anything special.

“Oddly ugly.”

Snap.

Ding San-si’s foot faltered, and the wooden blade in his hand tilted, the tip snapping off and flying away.

His expression changed immediately, and he quickly cupped his hands in apology. “I’m sorry, young masters, I’ll go fetch another wooden blade.”

Without a doubt, Chen Yi knew Ding had overheard the comment.

“Please, sir, take your time.”

After speaking, he looked at Chen Yuan helplessly, “I think Mr. Ding’s blade form and footwork are quite elegant. How is it ugly?”

“Don’t you notice?” Chen Yuan said suspiciously, “He’s so tall and thin but wields such a small blade, it’s like a performer in a troupe... boo hoo.”

Chen Yi hurriedly covered his brother’s mouth and waited until Ding San-si walked away before releasing him.

Calling the blade technique ugly was one thing, but comparing him to a performer was another.

“Big brother, it’s best not to say things like that in front of others.”

“Why?”

“You might get hit.”

“Then can I tell mother if Mr. Ding hits me?” Little Chen Yuan scratched his head, puzzled.

Chen Yi: “...”

Well, Ding San-si was indeed the right person to teach blade techniques.

If this got out, the next day he’d be dead meat.

Helpless, Chen Yi patiently persuaded his older brother to abandon the idea of bothering their parents with complaints.

“I understand!”

“Just like when I said ‘bald monk’ before, you can’t say it to his face. And if he wants to hit me, I can’t tell mother either, right?”

“Sort of...”

Chen Yi didn’t understand why little Chen Yuan was so fond of the phrase “bald monk,” which he had been repeating frequently during their time together. He dared not imagine the expression on the head monk of the Great Empty Temple’s face if he ever found out.

“Yuan’er, Yi’er, come eat some fruit,” Summer Wanwan said as she entered with two plates of fruit.

“Yay, I want grapes!” Little Chen Yuan dashed over to take a plate, hugging it as he began eating.

Chen Yi respectfully saluted, “Mother.”

Summer Wanwan set down the fruit and smiled, “I saw Mr. Ding leave in a hurry just now. Did something happen?”

“The wooden blade broke; he went to the training ground to get another,” Chen Yi replied, not mentioning his brother’s comment about the technique being ugly. He picked up a mango and then asked, “Has father returned from court yet?”

“No, probably not until evening.”

Summer Wanwan stroked his head gently, her voice tender, “Yi’er, do you miss your father leaving?”

She thought to herself that Yi’er had truly grown up, now understanding the sorrow of her husband leaving to guard the northern frontier at Xiongguan.

Chen Yi nodded honestly, “Yes, a little.”

Heh, not a little at all.

Chen Taiping, that doting husband, had no qualms about spoiling his son.

Better to think of the ten great immortals of the Dao Sect!

“Would you like to see your maternal grandparents?” Summer Wanwan asked, a thought stirring within her.

Although she had previously refused Zhou Wanyi’s suggestion, these days such thoughts kept emerging in her mind. Since marrying into the Marquis of Wu’an’s household, apart from returning once to northern Zhili during the post-marriage visit, she had not gone back home for three years. Communication had only been through letters.

“Mother, are you going to northern Zhili?” Chen Yi asked after some thought.

Summer Wanwan replied, “I want to go back to visit, but I’m worried it might affect your foundation-building assessment.”

“Besides, I can travel with your father’s army when going, but returning...”

At this point, Summer Wanwan had already decided—not to return.

Northern Zhili was too close to the border. If they encountered any demons on the way, both she and Yi’er would be in danger.

“I won’t go back after all.”

“When you’re older, I’ll take you to northern Zhili.”

Chen Yi nodded thoughtfully.

Though he didn’t fully grasp what Summer Wanwan was thinking, personally he also preferred not to go back. It wasn’t fear of the long journey or demon attacks; he simply couldn’t bear to leave Aunt Zhou Wanyi behind.

[Passed thirty-one years with no progress, you were secretly poisoned and ingested “Soft Bone Powder”]

[Toxin is mild, already absorbed, comeback points +1]

[Comeback points: 90/100]

Chen Yi glanced at the status panel, thinking he was only ten points away from unlocking the second comeback mission.

If he left the Marquis’s residence, wouldn’t Aunt Zhou Wanyi be left unprotected?

...

A few days later, the day arrived for Marquis Chen Taiping of Wu’an to lead his troops north.

Chen Yi and Chen Yuan woke early.

With the help of their wet nurse, they washed and dressed in slightly formal brocade robes.

Besides the jade objects hanging from their wrists, both wore jade rings at their waists representing their noble status.

They then followed Summer Wanwan in a carriage, leaving the Marquis’s residence and traveling south along Zhuque Street to the Guangyuan Gate.

Along the way, Summer Wanwan held the two brothers tightly, remaining silent.

Zhou Wanyi, due to health issues, did not accompany them.

Thump, thump thump!

Ascending the city tower, Chen Yi heard the rhythmic beating of drums.

Being too short, he could only be lifted by a guard to look out beyond the city walls.

Under the faint starry night, Guangyuan Gate was lit brightly by bonfires.

The soldiers clad in black armor sat silently atop their tall horses, exuding a solemn and deadly aura.

At the forefront stood Marquis Chen Taiping of Wu’an.

He wore black and red scale armor, with raised pauldrons on his shoulders. His helmet was tucked under his arm, and his expression was grave as he looked up at the city tower.

This was the first time Chen Yi had seen Chen Taiping wear such an expression.

Usually, at the Marquis’s residence, he wore a cheerful smile and behaved casually, like a wandering knight of the streets—laughing when happy, cursing a little when annoyed.

But he seldom resorted to violence.

Even when servants bumped into him, he would wave them off with a “Don’t be so clumsy next time.”

In the Marquis’s household, the respect for Chen Taiping was tinged more with affection than fear.

Servants especially said they’d hit the jackpot with such a good master.

Though Chen Yi was reluctant to admit it, deep down he thought Chen Taiping was what a man truly should be.

Responsible, dependable, principled.

Able to lead an army to guard the border on horseback, yet also calm the entire household when off the horse.

As Chen Yi looked down at the troops, Chen Taiping spotted them and a faint smile broke his stern face.

Perhaps it was an illusion, but Chen Yi even saw Chen Taiping wink at them.

That playful gesture nearly made him burst out laughing.

But it lasted only a moment before a sharp voice rang out, and the entire army fell silent.

“The Emperor arrives!”