"Holy crap! You got dragged into a group by Zhao Diaosi?"
Fang Xin didn't immediately react to what Bai Mao Zai said.
Gradually, he came to his senses and realized Bai Mao Zai seemed to be talking about Zhao Qinghu.
"You mean Zhao Qinghu? Why is he called Zhao Diaosi?" Fang Xin asked, confused.
Bai Mao Zai chuckled, "That kid got his 'magazine' injured during a fight once and almost became a eunuch, so I gave him that nickname!"
Fang Xin didn't know how to comment; it seemed like Bai Mao Zai had given nicknames to a lot of people.
Bai Mao Zai pulled the conversation back to the main topic, "Try to get along well with the people in that small group. They're all second-generation elites. Although their combat power isn't as good as mine or Zhao Diaosi's, among their peers, they're still top-notch.
Moreover, these people are all successors that their families are heavily investing resources in to cultivate. In other words, they are all future helmsmen of various forces. Getting along with them will only benefit you in the future, not harm you.
So, if anyone in that group asks for your help, you must help if you can, understand?"
Fang Xin responded, "Understood!"
"Really understood?" Bai Mao Zai asked again.
Fang Xin replied, "Really understood."
"Then can you lend me some god and demon marrow?"
Fang Xin couldn't help but laugh good-naturedly. Damn it, so this Bai Mao Zai had been beating around the bush all this time, waiting for this moment.
"How much?"
"Three million!"
"zhilian device transfer?"
"OK!"
Fang Xin immediately transferred three million god and demon marrow to Bai Mao Zai via his zhilian device.
Bai Mao Zai immediately laughed, "Battalion Commander Fang is generous!"
"You're calling it too early. My Old Master Ye looks quite robust! It'll be many years before I can take over as Battalion Commander!"
"Is there something special about your squad? All the members are incredibly filial!"
Fang Xin shrugged, involuntarily thinking of Shi Tailang, the most filial son in his squad, and Li Bao'er, the most filial daughter.
Bai Mao Zai sent a voice message, "Gotta go for now. This morning, I disguised myself and infiltrated the Eternal Night Army. I listened to their upcoming combat plans in their main tent for a while. No matter where I am, I always get sleepy during meetings, it's an old habit. I need to go back and catch up on some sleep!"
Listening to Bai Mao Zai's yawn, Fang Xin didn't know how to comment on this Bai Mao Jie Liu Zi.
Putting his zhilian device aside, Fang Xin began to practice. His home had a dedicated training room prepared for him. With the aid of spirit-nurturing incense, his practice was twice as effective. Fang Xin's Strength Talent alone had already reached Level 8 Warrior.
Although a Level 8 Warrior was indeed outstanding among students of the same level, under normal circumstances, it was still very difficult to become a Battalion Commander of the Ninth Division right after graduation. After all, the Ninth Division was full of talented Awakened, and there were plenty of Level 9 Warriors waiting in line to become Battalion Commanders. This was why some people in the Ninth Division chose to transfer to other divisions.
Fang Xin's smooth appointment as Battalion Commander was largely due to Old Master Ye's backing. Old Master Ye had kept it a secret, waiting for Fang Xin to grow. Now, by prematurely signaling their blood relation to the outside world, it was a way to prepare others for Fang Xin's eventual assumption of the position.
Because the war in the north was tense, the original long holiday was directly compressed to three days. Fang Xin could only stay here for another day and a half before he had to report to the Ninth Division headquarters.
At noon, Yanzhi sent a message to go for a stroll, but Fang Xin rejected it without thinking. If he wasted all his time strolling, when would he achieve the great rejuvenation of the nation!
Yanzhi was also sensible and didn't pester him, only asking when Fang Xin would depart.
After a full day of training, in the evening, Old Master Ye called Fang Xin into his study.
"You're reporting for duty tomorrow, and there are a few things I must tell you. First, don't be like those scions who bully others by relying on their power. If you dare to do that, I'll break your legs! Second, you can make friends with people of ambiguous backgrounds, but you must not harm the interests of the Ninth Division!
Third, if anyone asks who your grandfather is, just say you don't know. Some people, especially those in high positions, already have suspicions about your grandfather's identity. They will definitely use you as a breakthrough point to constantly pursue his whereabouts. This is not good for you or your grandfather, understand?"
Fang Xin nodded, "Understood, Old Master Ye."
Ye Qingcang's expression softened slightly, and he said earnestly, "Xiao Xin, the wheels of time roll through space, leaving behind ruts known as history. However, some paths in time are not clear; the road ahead is confused, and the future is dark. Yet, there must always be someone to push the wheels towards the light. Those who push the wheels forward will ultimately become indelible names in the ruts of history. A few strokes of a historian's pen will capture their magnificent lives.
But whether these wheels can ultimately reach the light depends on those who push them, and these strongmen who push the wheels do not all define 'light' in the same way. This is why there are various factions and different historical causes and effects. But no matter the faction or the cause and effect, it cannot change the truth: true light is not the light we see with our eyes, but the light in our hearts. Where the heart yearns, there is light."
Fang Xin listened quietly to Ye Qingcang's words.
He didn't know why Ye Qingcang suddenly spoke of these things.
Ye Qingcang withdrew his gaze and stared at Fang Xin, saying, "Xiao Xin, Eternal Night Descends soon, but the true Eternal Night is not when the heavens and earth are dark, but when the hearts of all beings are dark. The evil of human nature will be infinitely amplified. Whether human nature is inherently good or inherently evil, this question has been debated for many years. Humans are ultimately complex; good and evil are but a single thought apart. There is no absolute good, nor absolute evil, only which is stronger.
But no matter what, there must always be light in your heart. Light a lamp of good thoughts, and even if Eternal Night Descends and darkness covers the earth, the spark will remain, and the embers of humanity will endure."
Fang Xin stared blankly at the Old Master Ye before him.
When Ye Qingcang said these words, his eyes were somewhat distant, lost in thought. For some reason, Fang Xin could always sense Old Master Ye's feelings.
When he came back to his senses, Ye Qingcang saw Fang Xin's bewildered gaze.
Fang Xin asked, confused, "Old Master Ye, what do you mean by telling me all this?"
Ye Qingcang smiled, "Just speaking from the heart! But no matter what, Xiao Xin, I want you to remember: always harbor good thoughts in your heart. But this good thought is not a 'saintly mother' type of good thought, but a good thought that conforms to the Dao of Heaven. Light a lamp of good thoughts; it will ensure you cross the Eternal Night!"
Seeing that Fang Xin listened with a mix of understanding and confusion, but mostly bewilderment, Ye Qingcang took a sip of tea and said, "Let me put it more plainly for you: before Eternal Night Descends, feel free to do whatever you want. As long as what you do isn't heinous, go ahead and stir things up! No matter what happens, Old Master Ye has your back!"