Chapter 1: We Are Different
The Dayong Dynasty, Zhang Family Training Grounds.
The early summer sun baked the earth, making the air near the ground shimmer and distort.
Lu Yuan swung his long saber with meticulous, practiced movements.
His body followed the blade, as agile as a leopard.
His exposed upper body was chiseled and gleaming with sweat, like solid rock. His face, though still bearing a trace of youthfulness, radiated a martial spirit.
[You have swung your saber. Skill Level for +1]
[You have swung your saber. Skill Level for +1]
[You have swung your saber. Skill Level for +1]
...
[Name: Lu Yuan]
[Age: 16]
[Cultivation Technique: (Skill Level: 431/1000, Minor Achievement)]
[ (Skill Level: 6/10, Uninitiated)]
’Training in this yard is just too slow. If I could get some real combat experience, my progress would be much faster.’
Lu Yuan sighed to himself. He had been at it for two full hours today and was just about to put his saber away.
Just then, an old man in a gray tunic, his back slightly stooped, walked over. "Young Master Yuan, the Patriarch requests your presence in the front hall."
"Thank you, Elder Zhong. I’ll head over right away." After placing his long saber on the weapon rack, Lu Yuan threw on a shirt and walked toward the front hall.
The old man, Elder Zhong, said nothing. He simply watched Lu Yuan’s retreating figure and shook his head with a hint of pity.
In the Zhang Family’s front hall, Lu Yuan had just reached the doorway when he saw a young man, slightly older than himself, sitting at an exquisite sandalwood table and wolfing down dumplings.
The young man was Zhang Zhe, his older cousin and the eldest son of the Zhang Family’s second branch. He served as a Centurion in Zezhou Prefecture. His father was the Assistant Governor of Zezhou Prefecture, a Junior Sixth Grade official in charge of judicial matters.
Across the table sat a bowl of noodles topped with a fried egg.
Seated at the head of the large, square table facing the main entrance was a middle-aged man with a blank expression. This was Zhang Hong, Patriarch of the Zhang Family and head of its main branch. He was the Aide of Yunzhou, holding a Junior Fifth Grade official rank.
He wore a black brocade robe with gold embroidery. A neat goatee adorned his chin, and the deep lines framing his mouth lent him an air of authority.
"Yuan, you’re here. Go ahead and eat."
Zhang Hong gestured toward the bowl of noodles on the table.
Lu Yuan didn’t waste any time. He sat down and began to devour his food, as if in a race with the young man across from him.
"Yuan, I’m sure you know why I’ve summoned you, so I won’t beat around the bush.
Your father died young, and the family has supported you and your mother ever since. Over the years, your third branch’s expenses have been well-covered—not the best, perhaps, but certainly not poor. Now, the family is facing a serious crisis. Your cousin has injured the son of the General of Yunzhou.
The Zhang Family is at a critical juncture; we absolutely cannot afford to offend a military commander.
Therefore, someone must take the blame. Zhang Zhe is young, yet his cultivation has already reached the Bone Forging stage. He is one of the most talented of the younger generation. If he were to be exiled to the army on the Northern Border, the loss to our family would be too great.
That is why you must be the one to bear this hardship. But rest assured, the family will fully cover your mother’s medical expenses. I guarantee she will live out her remaining years in peace."
Lu Yuan didn’t answer, merely keeping his head down and focusing on his meal.
Zhang Hong said nothing more, sitting quietly and sipping his tea.
Only when Lu Yuan had finished the entire bowl of noodles did he look up. "When I was a child, I always trailed after my cousin. I did whatever he told me to do. When Zhang Zhe caused trouble, the family would beat me. Now that we’re grown, he gets into a jealous brawl at a brothel, and I’m the one who has to take the fall.
This ’debt’ I owe the family... it seems it can never be repaid.
Will this trip to the Northern Border finally be enough to clear it?"
As he spoke, Lu Yuan looked up, his eyes fixed on his uncle.
His gaze was calm, without a trace of fear.
’He had transmigrated into this world ten days ago. At the time, he was in a brothel drinking with Zhang Zhe, his supposed cousin, when a fight broke out. The body’s original owner had tried to break it up, only to be knocked to the ground by a flying stool.’
’When he awoke, he found himself in this new body.’
’The given name, Yuan, was the same as his own, but his full name here was Zhang Yuan.’
"It will. Once you take responsibility for this, you will no longer owe the Zhang Family anything. On the contrary, the family will owe you. This isn’t a selfish decision on my part. It’s just that your second uncle’s and your cousin’s positions are too important. If the family is to advance, they absolutely cannot make a mistake."
Zhang Hong’s hand, holding his teacup, trembled slightly.
’For a family to prosper, one must always consider the greater good.’
’Zhang Yuan had practiced martial arts since he was a child, and while he had always been physically strong, he had never even reached the Entry Level. With his father long dead, his use to the family was clearly much less than Zhang Zhe’s.’
"Fine, I’ll go. But don’t tell my mother about this. Her health is poor. I won’t say goodbye to her before I leave this time. Just tell her I’ve gone away to do business."
"Don’t worry. As long as the Zhang Family stands, we will provide for your mother. However, you know that our family is based in the south, while Yan Province is in the far north. We have no special connections there, and we certainly don’t know anyone in the military. Once you get there, you will have to rely on yourself. I’ve prepared some silver taels for you to cover expenses on your journey.
If you have any other requests, state them now, and I will have them arranged as quickly as possible. The military escort is already waiting at the gate. We can’t delay much longer."
"Get me some Body Tempering Pills."
The Body Tempering Pill was an elixir required for the Body Tempering stage, which one entered after reaching the Entry Level.
The Dayong Dynasty was founded on martial strength, so cultivation was held in the highest regard. A detailed progression of realms had been established, rising from low to high: Body Tempering, Bone Forging, Tendon Refining, Organ Refining (of which there are five stages), Blood Movement, Meridian Passage, True Essence, Gang Qi, Innate...
It was said that a warrior who reached the Innate Realm could single-handedly slaughter three thousand Armored Warriors. Their power was truly terrifying.
As a major clan in Yunzhou, the Zhang Family naturally did not neglect cultivation.
Though Zhang Hong was merely a Civil Servant, his cultivation had already reached the Gang Qi Realm, just one step away from breaking through to the Innate Realm.
At that point, he could be appointed to govern a region, becoming a State Governor.
Official appointments in Dayong had always followed this principle. Although the domains of the highest-ranking civil and military officials within a state were completely separate, both were required to have reached the Innate Realm. For example, the highest-ranking Military General in Yunzhou, the General of Yunzhou, held a Senior Fifth Grade position and was an Innate Realm expert.
But though it was only a single step, the gap was as wide as a chasm. Achieving that breakthrough was anything but simple.
"I will have Elder Zhong prepare them at once. You depart in the time it takes an incense stick to burn."
After giving his instructions, Zhang Hong left the front hall, presumably to find Elder Zhong.
Zhang Zhe finished off his plate of dumplings, wiped his mouth, and shot Lu Yuan a sidelong glance. "Don’t hold a grudge, little cousin. We’re not the same."
With that, he walked over and clapped Lu Yuan on the shoulder with the same greasy hand he had just used to wipe his mouth, then swaggered away.
Lu Yuan’s fists clenched at his sides.
’For the past ten days, his bedridden mother had cared for him tirelessly.’
’Though he didn’t feel much of an emotional connection, he had, after all, taken over her son’s body. He had a responsibility to bear. And right now, there was no time for second thoughts.’
’If he refused, the Zhang Family would undoubtedly find a way to make him go to the Northern Border regardless.’
’So, it was better to cooperate and use the opportunity to get some benefits for himself.’
Now, Lu Yuan was the only one left in the empty hall.
A moment later, footsteps sounded from outside. "Young Master Yuan, the Camp Captain has arrived. It is time for you to depart."
Elder Zhong appeared outside the hall, carrying a heavy bundle and a leather waterskin.
...
"Lu Yuan! Lu Yuan! What are you spacing out for? The relief shift is here. Let’s go get something to eat."
On the Northern Border of Dayong, though it was early spring, the air was still cold. An old veteran of the Border Army pulled his right hand from his sleeve and tugged on Lu Yuan’s arm, snapping him out of his daze.
Lu Yuan gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that, Old Huang. I was just lost in thought."
After arriving at the Northern Border, Lu Yuan had spent some silver to change his name. For one, it was to make a clean break from the Zhang Family. For another, he worried that the son of the General of Yunzhou might try to settle the score with him later. The possibility was remote, but changing his name was the safer option.
"It’s nothing. You’ve only been here for half a month, so it’s normal to be a little out of it. Our life here can’t be compared to other places. We’re constantly dealing with the Icefield and the Northern Barbarians. You’ll get used to it."
As Old Huang spoke, he cinched the straps on his leather armor, its color long since worn away.
Lu Yuan nodded, and a moment later, the two of them arrived at a small eatery.
"Two bowls of beef offal, extra spicy!" Old Huang bellowed. This eatery was a favorite among the Border Army soldiers. Eating a bowl of hot beef offal on a cold day was a simple, profound pleasure.
"Aye, coming right up!"
A stout woman called back, and a moment later, two steaming bowls of beef offal were placed on the table in front of Lu Yuan and Old Huang. She then turned and bustled back to her work.
"Don’t mind Widow Li’s stout figure; her daughter is the belle of Icefield County. I’ll go play matchmaker for you later. Once you come to a place like this, you should stop thinking about going back. Just find a wife and settle down."
Old Huang’s beady eyes darted toward the back of the eatery.
He had no children of his own, and ever since Lu Yuan arrived in Icefield County, he’d been tasked with showing him the ropes of guard duty at the city gate. He had taken quite a shine to the young newcomer.
The Northern Border was a place for Garrison Soldiers who were farmers in peacetime and defenders of the fortress in wartime. Shortly after arriving, Lu Yuan was allocated thirty mu of land. He lived in Ice Valley Lane, which was administered by a commander of a Thousand Households. This kind of guard duty came up once every three months.
Once today’s shift was over, his next turn guarding the city wouldn’t be for another three months.
"I think I’ll pass," Lu Yuan said, shaking his head.
"Why are you so bashful? If I had your looks, I’d have gone over to ask her myself ages ago. Fine, I’ll go talk to the widow for you tomorrow when you’re not around. A lovely girl like that, if you don’t make a move, someone else will snap her up before you have a chance to regret it," Old Huang said with a sly grin.
He downed his bowl of beef offal in just a few large mouthfuls.
Seeing that Lu Yuan was still eating, he didn’t rush him. He poured himself a bowl of water and sipped it as he spoke. "Did you hear? Our Centurion was killed last night by a Northern Barbarian spy right here in the city. One fatal cut. They didn’t find him until the blood had frozen on the ground.
The higher-ups are looking for a new Centurion."
Once you reached the rank of Centurion, you were no longer a part-time farmer-soldier like Lu Yuan. You were a full-fledged military man. The post was usually held by hardened veterans, and the compensation was on a whole different level.
As an ordinary Garrison Soldier, he was only given land.
But a Centurion received a monthly pay of two taels of silver, commanded more than ten soldiers, and was granted over twenty additional mu of land. That was enough to produce a significant amount of extra grain.
For people at the bottom, that was a massive sum.
"So that’s why I didn’t see him this morning," Lu Yuan said, looking up in surprise.
"Sigh. We’ve only got a few hundred Border Army soldiers in this whole area. The city’s as porous as a sieve. Try not to go out after dark," Old Huang advised Lu Yuan.
By this time, Lu Yuan had also finished his bowl of offal.
CLACK!
Lu Yuan tossed twenty copper coins onto the table, then grabbed the standard-issue long saber that was leaning against it. "I’m heading out."
Old Huang gave him a thumbs-up. "Class act."
Then, he followed Lu Yuan out the door.
But just as they stepped outside the eatery, he seemed to remember something. He turned to Lu Yuan and said, "You head back first. I forgot something inside, just going to grab it."
With that, he turned and went back inside.
Lu Yuan acknowledged him and started walking toward his residence.
Most of the soldiers in the Border Army here were either criminals or demoted officials. Upon arrival, they were stripped of all rank and forced to start over from the very bottom.
However, in exchange, all their past crimes were pardoned.
The only requirement was to defend the border.
The region was vast and sparsely populated, so the Border Army allocated courtyards to its soldiers. Since Lu Yuan was assigned to the North Gate, his courtyard was in the northern part of the city, at Number 34, Ice Valley Lane.
It was a decent size, with three tile-roofed rooms.
For a member of the Border Army, having such a courtyard was considered quite good. Lu Yuan had spent an extra ten taels of silver greasing some palms to get it.
The Zhang Family hadn’t been stingy with the silver they gave him, but he had spent most of it on the journey here to cover his tracks. Now that he was settled, he didn’t have much left.
Back in his room, he first stoked the fire for the heated brick bed, then lit the stove.
As the temperature slowly began to rise, Lu Yuan opened his system panel.