Song of Adolescence

Chapter 354 Wolf’s Fang, Langya

Midnight.

A small, nameless town.

A blacksmith was sitting outside his own shop, smoking a pipe, while one of his neighbour’s kids who knew him well sat next to him, chatting away. The child loved to read but his family was very poor. Although they could just pay enough to send him to a private school, they couldn’t buy him extra books to read. The blacksmith was from out of town and he always had many stories to tell so the child came to visit him often to hear his stories.

"Uncle Chang, what story are you telling today?" The child asked.

"Little Lu'er, I’m not going to tell you a story today. I’ll tell you about a person, okay?" The blacksmith named Chang smiled as he put down his pipe.

Little Lu'er blinked. "About who? Is he a great hero?"

"A hero? How do you define a hero? Killing the enemy on a battlefield is considered a hero, but serving the people in the imperial court is also a hero. In the countryside, robbing the rich and helping the poor is also called a hero. It’s really hard to define what a hero is." Blacksmith Chang laughed. "But, you’re right, he's indeed a hero. No matter how you define it, he’s a great hero."

Little Lu'er got even more excited. "Who is it? Who is it?"

Blacksmith Chang held the name of the person in suspense, not answering directly. "He travelled the martial world at the age of sixteen and became friends with many talented and unconventional figures. Baili Dongjun, the current First Citymaster of Snow Moon City, Sikong Changfeng, the Third Citymaster, as well as Tang Liangyue, the clan leader of Tang Clan. They were all his friends back then. They wandered the martial world, singing and drinking together, and made a name for themselves. Later, he left the martial world and joined the army. He led the army into thirteen consecutive military campaigns, and he was victorious all thirteen times. He was promoted again and again, until in the end, he couldn’t be promoted any further. But, his military merits continued to accumulate. The Emperor had no choice but to create a new military position for him. Later, the entire Beili army recognised him as their only leader. When the Northern Barbarians armies saw his banner, they would rather take a detour to avoid him. In Nanjue, he was called the Beili Celestial Terminator General, and older folks used his name in stories to scare the children: if you’re not obedient, the Celestial Terminator General will come and get you. He was even more effective than monsters or tigers and wolves."

Little Lu’er was shocked. "He’s so incredible?"

"But he was a very kind and gentle person." Blacksmith Chang reached out and patted little Lu'er's head. "He read poetry books from young, and always observed proper etiquette. He didn’t have a trace of the boisterous air of a warrior, nor did he show off the arrogance of a scholar. He’d sit around to share pancakes and drink gruel with the soldiers. In his spare time, he would also instruct his soldiers with martial arts. On top of that, he was frank and magnanimous. He served in the army for over ten years, empathizing with the soldiers and always looking out for them. But, he also beheaded seven generals under him. Four were due to corruption because they embezzled the army’s provisions. The other three were because they threatened and seized innocent girls from the village. By then, it was impossible to change his mind no matter how many people begged for mercy. He deployed the troops like a god, killing the Nanjue army on the battlefield and causing them to retreat again and again. But, he also loved the common people, so wherever he went, all the people worshiped him like a god. Later, he was bestowed the title, Beili Grand Protector, alongside his title of Prince. He held a glory that none other had possessed since Beili was founded."

Little Lu'er frowned and thought for a while. "If he’s so famous, why hasn’t little Lu'er heard his name before?"

Blacksmith Chang’s face fell slightly. "Because his name is now a taboo. No one is allowed to say it out loud. If you mention it, you’ll be beheaded. Little Lu'er, you have to remember that too."

Little Lu’er jumped when he heard the word "beheaded". "Uncle Chang, I’ll remember."

"But it's okay." Blacksmith Chang stood up. "Very soon, his name will ring on this continent again. People will once again call out his name and recall his glory!"

Little Lu'er was taken aback by the look in Blacksmith Chang’s eyes. He had never seen Blacksmith Chang talk so loudly, with such brightness in his eyes. Blacksmith Chang patted his head. "Time to go home." Only then did little Lu'er blink in response, then he hurriedly ran home.

Blacksmith Chang walked back into his house. There was a letter on the table and he picked it up to read it one last time to confirm its contents. Then, he held it up to the candle flame and burnt it to ashes. He turned around and opened the cupboard. Inside was a set of exquisite armor which he hadn't had a chance to wear for a long time. He leaned forward and brushed his fingers across the emblem on the shoulder piece.

A wolf’s fang.

Langya.

Suddenly a few horses neighed from outside the yard.

"Is it here?" a male voice asked.

"I've secretly come here to drink before. There’s no mistake," another person replied.

"What a dump. It's worse than mine," the male voice from before replied.

The door was pushed open at this moment.

Blacksmith Chang, who was wearing his armor, walked out. Right now, his back was straight as a pole, his eyes bright, and he held a long spear in his hand, clearly looking like a soldier. He looked at the two people outside his courtyard. "Are we all here?"

"We’re the only three in the towns and villages around here." One of the men pointed to a maroon horse beside him. "Chief, this horse is the fastest. He’s yours."

Blacksmith Chang nodded, walked forward, and swung his spear, sticking it into the ground. Then, he saluted with his left hand across his chest. "Langya Army Central Army Whirlwind Battalion Master Commandant of the Cavalry, Chang Guifeng."

The two who were on their horses also placed their arms across their chests.

"Langya Army Central Army Whirlwind Battalion Knight Commandant of the Cloud, Lu Zhanli."

"Langya Army Central Army Whirlwind Battalion Knight Commandant of the Cloud, Chen Buping."

Chang Guifeng retrieved his spear, leaped into the air and mounted his horse. He pulled the horse's reins and turned to look at little Lu'er who was hiding outside his house and watching him surreptitiously. "You love listening to stories about heroes. When you grow up, you must have the courage of a hero. If you want to join the army, come look for me in the future. My name is Chang Guifeng. If I die on the battlefield, take the wolf’s fang I gave you once and bring it to anyone in the Langya Army. Believe me, the Langya Army is back. This entire continent will soon call our name."

Lu Zhanli laughed. "Chief, you’ve been striking the anvil for so many years, but you’re still the best at talking. At my age, I can still feel my blood boiling at your words."

"That’s why you’re just Knight Commandant of the Cloud, but he’s the Master Commandant of the Cavalry," Chen Buping retorted.

"Let's go." Chang Guifeng turned his head and looked ahead. "Let’s go and welcome our general!"

——————————————

Inside the mountain forest, a person was riding a horse at full speed.

Her white hair trailed behind her, and a long staff hung at her waist. She was Ji Xue, Hallmaster of Bai Xiao Hall, riding in a hurry since leaving Heavenly Revelations City.

"Faster, just a little faster!" Ji Xue coaxed in a low voice.

Suddenly a shadowy figure dropped in front of her.

The horse immediately neighed loudly in alarm.

Ji Xue was not surprised. She curled her fingers around her long staff, and prepared to press ahead and run over the other person. This was not the first obstacle she’d encountered on the road, but not a single one of them had been able to get past three strikes of her staff. But this time, her horse came to a stop and trotted in place in a circle. It didn’t dare to get any closer.

What sort of person could possess such a powerful murderous aura to make Ji Xue’s fine yebei horse hesitate like that?

The man straightened and under the moonlight, his scarlet mask of a ferocious ghost looked even more terrifying than usual. He raised his right hand, his skin almost white, and stroked the mask on his face. He looked at Ji Xue, who was still on her horse, and laughed in a low voice. "Hidden River, Kui. Welcome!"

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