Chapter 9 The Army Sets Out

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Another three months had passed in tranquility and peace within the Marquis Mansion.

After the weather warmed up, Xia Wanwan specifically set up a cool pavilion outside of the back courtyard's right wing for the Chen Yi siblings.

And not far from there, a small Martial Arts Arena was laid out for the convenience of the teachers to practice Martial Arts.

At the same time, Xia Wanwan also found an instructor skilled in Sword Technique to let little Chen Yuan immerse in it from a young age.

"Qiushui Blade Technique focuses on agility and emphasizes moving along with the blade..."

The instructor teaching the blade technique was surnamed Ding, named Ding Sansi.

It is said that he was named so because he was born on the fourth day of the third month, a name casually given by an elder in his clan.

Despite the perfunctory name, his blade work was not poor.

Especially this set of Qiushui Blade Technique, which leans towards lightness and agility, when performed by him, it was tight and intimidating.

Even with Chen Yi's swordsmanship cultivation, he could only come up with one hundred and thirty sets of sword techniques that could break it.

This shows the exquisiteness of his blade technique.

"Second brother, don't you think Mr. Ding's blade technique is a bit strange?"

While watching, Chen Yuan quietly approached and asked in a low voice.

"Strange in what way?"

Chen Yi glanced at the Jade Blade hanging on his wrist, thinking to himself if charmed items truly have the power to enhance a certain talent of the wearer?

But after wearing the Jade Sword, apart from getting stronger, he didn't feel anything special...

"It's oddly ugly."

Crack.

Ding Sansi's footsteps stumbled, his wooden blade tilted, and the tip snapped off and flew away.

His face changed, and he quickly bowed:

"Sorry, young masters, I'll go fetch another wooden blade."

Without saying it, Chen Yi knew Mr. Ding must have heard.

"Please go ahead, Teacher."

After he spoke, he turned to Chen Yuan with a helpless expression, "I think Mr. Ding's blade technique and footwork both look very good, where's the ugliness?"

"Didn't you notice?" Chen Yuan expressed his doubt: "He's so tall and thin yet holds a small knife, just, just like someone from a theatrical troupe... Uh-uh."

Chen Yi quickly covered his mouth, carefully waiting until Ding Sansi walked away before letting go.

Saying the blade technique is ugly is one thing, saying he looks like a theatrical actor...

"Big brother, it's best not to say such things in front of others."

"Why?"

"You could get hit."

"Then, can I tell mother that Mr. Ding wants to hit me?" Little Chen Yuan scratched his head, a look of confusion on his face.

Chen Yi: "..."

Goodness, Ding Sansi has come to teach you blade technique, and that's worked out well.

If these words got out, by tomorrow he'd be receiving his last meal.

No choice, Chen Yi had to patiently persuade and dissuade the older brother from the idea of running to the parents over every little thing.

"I understand!"

"Just like how I called Kongjing a 'bald monk' before, I can't say that to his face. And if he wants to hit me, I also can't run to tell mother, right?"

"Suppose so..."

Chen Yi didn't know why little Chen Yuan had a special fondness for the term "bald monk"; during their time together, it was often on his lips.

He couldn't even dare to imagine the expression of the abbot of Dakong Temple if he knew.

"Yuan Er, Yi Er, it's time for fruit."

At this moment, Xia Wanwan came in with two plates of fruit.

"Yeah, I want grapes." Little Chen Yuan rushed over to take a plate of fruit and started eating.

Chen Yi bowed respectfully, "Mother."

Xia Wanwan put down the fruit and smiled, asking, "I just saw Mr. Ding leave in a hurry, did something happen?"

"The wooden blade broke, he went to the Martial Arts Arena to get another."

Chen Yi didn't mention the matter about his brother calling it ugly, and took a mango instead, then asked:

"Father hasn't left court yet?"

"Not yet, probably not until evening."

Xia Wanwan stroked his head, asking tenderly, "Does Yi Er also miss your father when he's gone?"

In her heart, she thought to herself, Yi Er really has grown up, knowing that his father is about to go far away to Beixiong Pass to guard the frontier and feeling reluctant to let go.

Chen Yi nodded honestly, "Yeah, a little."

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Hehe, not in the slightest.

Chen Taiping, that doting wife maniac, has no stance whatsoever when it comes to digging a hole for his son.

Instead of thinking about him, it's better to think about the Ten Great Immortals of the Taoist sect!

"Do you want to see your grandma and grandpa?" Xia Wanwan asked with a sudden thought.

Even though she had previously rejected Zhou Wanyi's suggestion face to face, the idea would occasionally pop into her head these days.

After all, since she married into the Duke Wuan Mansion, except for the time she returned to Beizhi for her homecoming visit, it had been three years since she last went back.

They had only corresponded through letters.

"Is mother thinking of going to Beizhi?" Chen Yi thought for a moment before asking.

Xia Wanwan said, "I do want to go back for a visit, but I'm afraid it might affect your Foundation Establishment evaluation."

"Moreover, you could go with your father's army, but coming back would be..."

At this point, Xia Wanwan already had her answer in her heart—she would not go back.

Beizhi was too close to the frontier; along the way, if they encountered demons, both she and Yi Er would be in danger.

"Let's not go back after all."

"When you grow up a bit, I will take you to Beizhi."

Chen Yi nodded thoughtfully.

Although he was not clear about Xia Wanwan's thoughts, his own preference was also not to go to Beizhi.

It was not because he was afraid of the long journey or demon attacks; he just couldn't bear to part with his aunt Zhou Wanyi.

[At thirty-one and a half, with no progress, you were poisoned by "Soft Bone Powder"]

[The poison was mild, has been absorbed, Rebellion Points +1]

[Rebellion Points: 90/100]

Chen Yi glanced at the panel and thought that he only needed ten more points to initiate the second rebellion mission.

If he left the Marquis Mansion, wouldn't that mean Aunt Zhou would have no one to harm?

...

A few days passed, and the day for Duke Wuan Chen Taiping to lead the army northward arrived.

Chen Yi and Chen Yuan got up early in the morning.

With the help of their nurse, they washed up, changed their clothes, and put on the slightly more formal brocade clothes.

Aside from the items used for the grabbing ceremony hanging from their wrists, both had jade rings hanging from their waists, representing their noble status.

They then followed Xia Wanwan to board a carriage and leave the Duke Wuan Mansion, traveling down Vermilion Bird Street towards the south all the way to the Guangyuan Gate.

The whole way, Xia Wanwan just hugged Chen Yi and Chen Yuan tightly, without saying a word.

Zhou Wanyi, because of her health, did not follow.

Thump, thump thump!

Upon climbing up to the city wall, Chen Yi heard the sound of drums.

Being too short to see over the wall, he had to be held up by a guard to look out.

Under the sparse starlight of the dim night, the area outside Guangyuan Gate was bright with bonfires.

Those soldiers in Black Armor, mounted on tall horses, were silent and exuded an air of solemn killing intent.

Leading them was Duke Wuan Chen Taiping himself.

He was clad in black armor with red accents, his shoulders protected by raised pauldrons, and his helmet tucked in the crook of his arm, his expression solemn as he looked towards the city wall.

This was the first time Chen Yi saw Chen Taiping with such an expression.

Usually, in the Duke Wuan Mansion, he was often smiling, his behavior casual.

Like those heroes in the Martial World—laughing when happy and cursing a few times when not, but rarely laying a hand on anyone.

Even if bumped into by the servants, he would wave it off saying, "Don't be so clumsy next time."

It could be said that everyone in the Duke Wuan Mansion, aside from revering Chen Taiping, held a great fondness for him.

Especially the household servants; they all said they had landed a good master.

Even though Chen Yi didn't want to admit it, he also felt that a man like Chen Taiping was what one would call a real man.

Responsible, committed, with clear boundaries.

Ready to lead troops to guard the border on horseback, while also keeping the entire Marquis Mansion at peace off it.

As Chen Yi looked down at the army formation, Chen Taiping spotted them, and a smile spread across his serious face.

Chen Yi wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but he thought he saw Chen Taiping wink at them.

That mischievous expression almost made him laugh out loud.

However, it was only for a moment. With the arrival of a sharp voice, the whole army came to a halt.

"The Holy Emperor has arrived!"