139 Born for the Battlefield, Bred for the Battle (1/2)
Ever since Shangguan’s current generation of men had all perished in the war, the family had grown quiet; the senior women of the family stayed home to educate the children in martial skills and studies with hopes that they would one day fight on the battlefield again and rebuild the family name.
It looked like the Shangguan Family would remain quiet for a while longer.
However, if anything were to happen to the Old Shangguan Mistress, His Majesty would not dare to neglect the issue and would treat it seriously.
As for Shangguan Lingxiu who sat in front of Yun Yang right now, she was the younger generation of the Shangguan Family of Generals, the one who shouldered the main responsibilities now.
This woman was just like her name, spiritual and refined; she knew of worldly affairs but rarely stepped out of her doors. Since she had come to the Residence of Yun to find Yun Yang, there had to be something Yun Yang could not afford to ignore.
It was all for four words – Shangguan Family of Generals. It was natural that Yun Yang was respectful and could not reject her.
”Young Brother Yun.” Shangguan Lingxiu smiled and said, ”My aim in coming here is to ask Young Brother Yun to introduce me to Ling Xiaozui, Master Ling.”
Her speech was laced with the distinct air of the military, it was clear and direct, going straight to the point without beating around the bush.
”Ling Xiaozui?” Yun Yang replied, ”He has just left. Why does Sister Lingxiu look for Ling Xiaozui? Can you tell me? I shall see if I can help.”
It was not polite to probe in other people's affairs, but Shangguan Lingxiu had hoped to contact Ling Xiaozui through him; no matter how much confidence Yun Yang had in the Shangguan Family’s reputation, he still had to be clear of the other’s intention to decide if he would help.
Shangguan Lingxiu answered without skipping a beat, ”Even if Young Brother Yun hadn't asked, I would have explained it anyway. Three of my nephews have the gift of eight innately awakened chakras. I want to try my luck to see if Master Ling takes a liking to any of them and would take them as his disciples.”
”If this can be done, the Shangguan Family can have a few experts in the future. When they fight in the battlefield, they will have a better chance of staying alive,” Shangguan Lingxiu said humbly.
When she mentioned about the chances of staying alive, she could not help but lower her head sadly.
Yun Yang was inwardly shocked. ”When they fight on the battlefield? How old are they now? Why are you talking about fighting in the battlefield already?”
Shangguan Lingxiu's reply was proud, ”The three nephews I mentioned are six years old now. The Shangguan Family is born for the battlefield and bred for the fight. Shangguan Family’s men should step foot into the battlefield once they reach fifteen years of age. They are to contribute to the nation and defend against the enemy!”
Yun Yang’s heart skipped a beat.
Was she already planning for the current six-year-olds to fight in the battlefield and kill the enemy for the country?
Yet everyone from the Shangguan Family seemed to be in favor of this, even instinctually feeling that it was a natural course of life.
”It's too bad Master Ling has left. I don’t know where he has gone to either. It will be difficult to find him.”
Yun Yang sighed, shaking his head. An inexplicable emotion rippled in his heart.
How much had the Shangguan Family of Generals given for the four words ‘The Family of Valiance’? How much more did they have to give? It was as if it had been imprinted in this family’s stubborn heart that the lifetime of a man should be spent fighting in the battlefield until his perished body was brought back by his warhorse!
This was a family anyone and everyone should respect!
Yet it was also an immensely sad family.
Dejection showed on Shangguan Lingxiu’s face as she mumbled, ”Actually, I’ve only come to try my luck. Even if I do really meet him, Master Ling might be reluctant to take them… to take the descendants of a family bearing such grudges and blood debts as disciples.”
”My purpose is only so when my little brothers go to war…”
Shangguan Lingxiu sighed softly and stood up. ”Young Brother Yun, thank you. I shall bid my leave.”
She was incredibly direct and clear-cut; speaking of what she came for and leaving once it could not be done.
Yun Yang could not help saying softly, ”Actually, your little brothers’ future might not have to be sealed to the battlefield.”
Shangguan Lingxiu replied with her back still facing Yun Yang, ”Generations of Shangguan Family have all fought on the battlefield and perished; only to be brought back wrapped in the horse’s hide. If they were not to kill the enemies on the battlefield, who shall ask for the blood debts of these generations? This is the mission of the Shangguan men, their ultimate fate.”
Yun Yang was taken aback when he heard Shangguan Lingxiu’s words.
”The men of the Shangguan Family have died on the battlefield, whether from harmed by conspiracies, ambushed from each direction, or killed in a righteous fight; this is the fate of a militant. There is no regret nor remorse. We won’t take revenge with other methods outside of the battlefield in case we taint the reputation of our ancestors. But this blood debt exists. Since it exists, it should be resolved in the battlefield, before two troops. A life for a life, washing the resentment with the enemies’ blood and souls, to quell the grudge of our ancestors.”
”Shangguan men are born for the battlefield, they live for the fight; they die fighting for the nation, they fall serving the people!”
Shangguan Lingxiu said emotionally, ”This is the Shangguan Family’s precept!”
”Born for the battlefield, live for the fight. Die fighting for the nation, fall serving the people!”
Yun Yang repeated her words in a murmur.
This was the Shangguan Family of General’s family precept!
Watching Shangguan Lingxiu turning to leave, the tall lean back demonstrated the elegance of a lady yet this Lady Shangguan exuded an aura of intimidating force!