"That's a relief." Song Chuan smiled. "General Chi's endeavor has been known by a lot of people. With him at the frontline to take care of the rebellions, we'll surely be victorious."
Old Master Nan's lips twitched as he realized that the young man named Song Chuan was really eloquent. He had bad memory when dealing with people who were smart at using their mouths, so he merely nodded.
"Please prepare a place first."
"Yes."
While Old Master Nan led the soldiers to inspect the area and prepare place for them to stay, Long Qian Xing's attention was on Song Chuan. It was to the point that the young man felt a bit uncomfortable.
"If you don't mind, how about if we have some talk, Minister Song?"
Song Chuan was stunned. He smiled weakly. "Young Commander, I'm not a minister yet. It's my father's position."
Long Qian Xing nodded. "Since you're the one who had stepped forward, I think something happened?"
"It's…"
Old Master Nan didn't follow the conversation of the two youths. He did ask Hou Liang to investigate more about Song Chuan and this city, though. When it was night time, he received the result of the short investigation that was done.
"Song Chuan is the son of Minister Song, the local governor in this city. Minister Song fell from his horse on the first day of battle, so Song Chuan took charge by taking the lead. Right now, Minister Song is still recuperating."
"How old is Song Chuan?"
"Replying to Master, Song Chuan is 18 years old this year."
18 years old.
Old Master Nan nodded. He didn't think that he would meet with a very capable youth when he was just doing this duty like this. However, striking a conversation with that Song Chuan didn't feel that comfortable to him. The young man aura reminded him of someone whom he wanted to stay away at all cost.
"Long Qian Xing is still talking with him?"
"Yes. If I'm allowed to presume, Young Commander Long might be interested in pulling Song Chuan to his group who will support the One."
"It might be a good decision, but he's too young." Old Master Nan smiled bitterly. Song Chuan was still not an adult yet based on the current era's tradition. In other words, even if Song Chuan were to be pulled to Long Qian Xing's group, it would take another year or two before he could be useful.
"Master, would you like to…"
"I'm not interested to be pulled in their game." Old Master Nan waved his hand. Rather than gathering people like what he did when he was young, he would rather spend his time to nurture his two grandchildren. Right now, his passion had died down and no longer as passionate as when he was still young.
Hou Liang didn't say anything else. He knew very well that Old Master Nan was already fairly old. When the general was young, he would surely take things into his own hand and try his best to make sure that he would win.
But now that he had already started to go advance in age, he no longer cared that much. He became more meticulous and careful in his steps, no longer daring to move forward without care.
"That said, tell Nan Luo to spend more time to search for friend in the academy. It wouldn't do him any good if he only stuck with Hua'er all the time." Old Master Nan recalled his grandson and gave instruction.
"Yes, Master."
If Nan Luo was here, he would have chocked. He didn't do anything and yet he had to bear the brunt of his grandfather deciding things for him.
"As for that Long Qian Xing and the others…." Old Master Nan glanced out of the window and shook his head. "Forget it and let him be. In any case, it's quite complicated."
Nan Shu Cheng's position, Nan Si Qiao's position, and now Nan Hua's position because of her future husband. He could only hope that they would not end up putting blades on each other's neck.
Seeing his flesh and blood killing each other would only tear his heart apart.
…
*Back at the Capital City*
Nan Luo had no other choice but to follow his grandfather's instruction and head to the academy. However, he didn't manage to get any good friend as most of them only get close to him in hope to be able to latch onto his background. Nan Luo was annoyed and ended up leaving the academy earlier.
It happened until the young boy was fed up.
"What's with Grandfather's instruction, ah? I don't really think that there's any benefit for me to get close to those people who only want to latch onto my background." Nan Luo was annoyed as he swung his sword at the back. Ever since the incident with the assassins, Nan Luo always practiced with his real sword and not the wooden sword.
The weight was just right and it allowed him to be more proficient in handling the blade.
Nan Hua looked at her twin brother. "He wants you to build connection."
"Connection?"
"Normal people can't live alone." Nan Hua looked at her hand before glancing up. Hou Lin had thrown several rocks towards her.
Swish! Swish! Thud! Thud!
Nan Hua easily blocked them with her needles as the rocks fell down to the ground. It was so fast and swift. If one were to pay close attention, they would be able to see the red marking on the rock. It was the mark that Hou Lin made and Nan Hua hit all of them right at the middle.
Nan Luo blinked his eyes. Why did he feel that Nan Hua was telling him that it would be good for him to have connection while Nan Hua herself was fine without it? That sounded a bit strange.
"Young Master, Young Miss."
"What is it?"
"Master Nan and Concubine Qu are here."
Jleb!
The sword on Nan Luo's hand was immediately stabbed into the ground. Since he forgot to control his force, the sword entered a third as it entered the floor. His eyes glowed dangerously as he looked at the servant. "What do these people want by coming here without any appointment?"
The servant was trembling in fear. He looked at Nan Hua as if asking for help. Since Nan Hua was training to use her needles, she didn't change into her training clothes. She looked as if she was simply watching her twin brother train in this Ning Shu Pavilion.
However, Nan Hua ignored the servant and continued to sit leisurely.
"They…they want to ask Young Master and Young Miss to return."
"Return, heh?" Nan Luo's expression was filled with anger and annoyance. "As if we would like to return to that hellhole."
"This…"
"Luo, let's see them." Nan Hua knew that the news of the twins kicking their parents out of the residence came out, it wouldn't do them any good. At the very least, they had to make sure to 'entertain' the guest for some time before kicking them out.
Nan Luo snorted. "They didn't deserve any respect."
"Luo."
"Fine, ask them to wait in the main hall." Nan Luo pulled his sword and sheathed it once more. He looked at the blade in his hand as if calculating whether it would be fine for him to use the sword to slash at that Concubine Qu's neck or not. The death of a concubine shouldn't be a big deal, right?
Oh, right, that immoral woman was already the main wife by now.
Her death couldn't be made so easily anymore.
Nan Luo put away the sword and walked out with Nan Hua. He didn't even bother to change his clothes. Since these people came when he was training, why should he bother to change clothes just to welcome them?
He didn't even want to meet them.
Slowly, the two of them entered the main hall. Upon their arrival, they could see a man around the age of 30 or so. He had sharp eyebrows and handsome countenance that could easily attract many ladies. Donning in long grey robe, the young man looked like an accomplished scholar.
By his side, there was a woman dressed in lavish clothes. Qu Fei Jiao was only in her mid twenties but with makeup, she looked even younger. Unfortunately, her face shape was not one that could hide her real age easily.
When one was young, they could easily wear light colored dress without looking out of place. But when they were older, it looked a bit mismatch, which was what Concubine Qu currently looked like in their eyes.
The two of them did look good, though.
But Nan Hua and Nan Luo had no time to appreciate their disgusting appearance. They just needed to entertain the guest for some time before kicking them out.
"So, what brings you here, Mr.. Nan Shu Cheng and Concubine Qu?" Nan Luo asked without bothering to even greet them.