Chapter 367: Chapter 315: Isn’t That Like Letting a Pig Guard a Vegetable Garden?
Huang Shan tossed a long spear over to Xiao Mo.
"SHINK!"
The long spear landed point-first in the ground before Xiao Mo.
He looked at the long spear. It was the same length as the one he currently held.
What set it apart, however, was that this long spear was pure white, its shaft engraved with a series of cryptic patterns that resembled various Fierce Beasts.
"This long spear is called the ’Ten Fierce Spear.’ It is an Immortal Soldier, and it’s a gift for you from your master. However, all Immortal Soldiers have a temper of their own.
"There are many ways to conquer an Immortal Soldier.
"Some people conquer them with their Realm.
"Some use an Array to do it.
"Others must forge a connection with the Immortal Soldier through their bloodline.
"But the Ten Fierce Spear is different.
"Whether or not you can earn its acknowledgment has nothing to do with your Realm or strength; it depends entirely on your will.
"If you can withstand its feral nature and killing intent, it will accept you as its master. Otherwise, your very Divine Soul will be devoured by it!
"Whether you can tame it is up to you."
Huang Shan grinned.
"So, what do you say? Dare to give it a try?"
"Then I’ll give it a try."
Xiao Mo stepped forward without the slightest hesitation and reached for the Ten Fierce Spear.
The instant Xiao Mo gripped the long spear, phantoms of one Fierce Beast after another appeared in his mind.
They roared at him ceaselessly, their frenzied rage so intense it felt as if they would tear him to shreds!
The storm of power radiating from the long spear whipped through Xiao Mo’s hair, and the force alone was enough to slice open his palm, drawing blood.
Huang Shan stroked his beard, watching the contest between Xiao Mo and the Ten Fierce Spear.
After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Xiao Mo’s eyes snapped open.
His eyes were filled with a vicious light.
As a wave of Spiritual Power erupted from him, the bestial roars gradually died down.
Xiao Mo picked up the Ten Fierce Spear and swung it a few times, but he quickly felt his Spiritual Power being drained dry, and his face turned deathly pale.
"Don’t be in such a hurry, kid. You may have temporarily earned the Ten Fierce Spear’s acknowledgment, but your Realm is too low. Forget unleashing its true power—a few swings are enough to have your Spiritual Power completely drained by it."
Huang Shan said with a smile.
"For now, keep using the Fourth-Grade Magical Artifact I gave you before. Once you reach the Nascent Soul Realm, you can switch to the Ten Fierce Spear. Understand?"
"Yes." Xiao Mo nodded, placing the Ten Fierce Spear into his Storage Pouch.
"It’s a shame," Huang Shan said with a sigh, shaking his head. "I, your master, wanted to get you a Hereditary Title as Prince Zhenbei, but even with all my influence, that’s probably not something I can pull off."
"Master, there’s no need for that," Xiao Mo replied. "If I want titles and honors, I will claim them myself."
"Hahaha! Good! ’Claim them myself!’ Excellent!"
Huang Shan boomed with laughter.
"Excellent! I, your master, will be waiting to see you claim those honors! I’m off!"
With a great wave of his sleeve, Huang Shan strode out of the Xiao Mansion.
Xiao Mo watched his master’s retreating figure. ’Traveling through the Allied States has certainly given him a carefree air. He even wanted to get me a Hereditary Title.’
’It seems perfectly normal to me that Master couldn’t manage it. The Qin Kingdom is one of the seven great nations; no matter how high his status is, how could the title of Prince Zhenbei be given away based on one person’s word?’
’Wouldn’t that throw the entire court into disarray?’
’But the fact that Master could even suggest it proves his status is anything but ordinary.
’But the question is...
’...why would Master be working as a humble Tutor in the Xiao Mansion?’
On the second day after Master Huang’s departure, none of the students were required to go to the training grounds to practice anymore.
Still, everyone habitually gathered at the training grounds for a look.
"Big Brother, I’m heading to the barracks tomorrow," Xiao Yang said to Xiao Mo.
The scions of the Xiao Family, whether from the main or branch families, were all required to temper themselves in the military barracks, unless they were dedicated scholars destined for the imperial examinations.
It was only a matter of when.
Now that Tutor Huang had left and they had all learned a martial art, it was time for them to enter the barracks.
"Me too, Big Brother," Xiao Fu said with a smile, rubbing his nose. "I’ve been assigned to the army of the General of the Expeditionary Army. Maybe after a few years, I’ll be a Thousand-Man Commander."
"I’m in the Prince’s Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry. My mother had to beg the First Madam for a long time to get me in," Xiao Gui said with a happy grin.
"Not bad, kid!"
"No wonder your mom is always bringing gifts to the First Madam."
"When you become a big shot in the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry, you won’t pretend you don’t know us, will you?"
"Never," Xiao Gui said, lifting his chin proudly. "When I make a name for myself, I’ll have you all transferred over. We brothers can fight side-by-side!"
"Look at you, getting all cocky."
Xiao Hai and the others started roughhousing, each giving Xiao Gui a playful smack on the head.
Xiao Mo watched from the side with a smile.
After a moment, Xiao Yang turned to Xiao Mo and asked, "Big Brother, which barracks were you assigned to?"
At Xiao Yang’s question, the others all turned to look at Xiao Mo.
In their eyes, their big brother’s talent was undeniable. He had even mastered such a difficult Spear Technique, so he was sure to be assigned to an elite unit.
"I haven’t been."
Xiao Mo shook his head with a smile. "I haven’t received any news yet."
...
「At the same time.」
Outside the Imperial Study, someone knocked gently on the door. "Imperial Father, your daughter requests an audience."
"Come in," the Sovereign of Qin called out.
Soon, a young woman in a long, pink palace dress walked in, holding up her skirt, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
"Imperial Father~"
Qin Siyao walked gracefully behind her Imperial Father, poured him a cup of tea, and began to gently massage his shoulders.
"You silly girl, if you have something on your mind, just say it. There’s no need for all this fuss," the Sovereign of Qin said with a chuckle.
Whenever his daughter wanted something, this was always her approach. Over time, the Sovereign of Qin had grown accustomed to it.
"How can you say that, Imperial Father?" Qin Siyao said with a laugh. "I just wanted to show you my filial respect. Why would you think I want something?"
"Really nothing? If not, then forget it."
The Sovereign of Qin went back to reviewing the memorials on his desk.
Qin Siyao’s eyes darted about before she finally spoke up. "Well, since you mentioned it, Imperial Father, you’ve reminded me... I do have one tiny little thing to ask."
"I knew you were up to no good, you little rascal. Spit it out, what is it?"
"Well, Imperial Father, I heard that once the scions of the Xiao Family reach a certain age, most of them are sent to the military barracks for training, correct?" Qin Siyao began, carefully choosing her words.
"That is correct," the Sovereign of Qin nodded. "And?"
"And so... I was thinking, since Xiao Mo is so capable, making him an Imperial Palace Guard wouldn’t be too much to ask, would it?"
After she finished, Qin Siyao gazed at her Imperial Father, blinking her eyes innocently.
"..."
’How could I not understand what my own daughter is thinking?’
’She just wants Xiao Mo to be closer to her.’
’The Imperial Palace Guard is stationed in the Outer Palace. This girl could go find Xiao Mo there anytime she pleased.’
’Isn’t that just letting the fox guard the henhouse?’
’Granted, the girl is only thirteen and doesn’t understand anything about love.’
’But still... what if?’
"Imperial Father, please say yes... Imperial Father..."
Seeing her Imperial Father still hesitating, Qin Siyao began to shake his arm relentlessly.
"Daughter, let your Imperial Father think on it, alright? I need to check the current roster of the Imperial Guard. If it’s possible, I will certainly assign him. After all, I also admire him greatly."
"Alright."
Qin Siyao hesitated for a moment. ’I can’t seem too eager. The more desperate I am, the less likely Imperial Father will be to agree.’
"Then I shall take my leave."
"Go on, go on."
After waving his hand to dismiss his daughter, the Sovereign of Qin took out a scroll.
It contained records of all the major garrisons in the Capital City.
’If I send Xiao Mo too far away, my daughter will likely throw a tantrum. But I absolutely cannot let him be too close, either.’
"Hm?"
Just as the Sovereign of Qin was making his selection, one particular barracks caught his eye.
"This one is perfect."
...
...
I went to a small clinic yesterday, thinking I’d get better, but I didn’t. My fever went back up to 39.5°C.
I really didn’t mean to take a day off yesterday, my friends, I just felt awful. I was afraid you esteemed readers would think I’d bailed, so I pushed through the fever to write 4,000 characters before rushing to the emergency room.
