142 Heroes Should Not Be Without Posterity! (1/2)
Each word written in the manual was a gem and each phrase incisive; it was so much more astute than the mystical Qi manuals she usually read. The more she flipped through the book, the more astounded she was and the more she felt the charm of this mystical skill.
”This mystical skill is too invaluable.” Shangguan Lingxiu’s fair hands gripped the Triple Threat Mystical Skill manual tightly. ”I’m afraid that the Shangguan Family of Generals and I cannot accept this gracious gift!”
Yun Yang frowned and said, ”Sister Lingxiu’s words are all too formal. We are children of the martial arts world, it would only be right that we behave like a family. I have no reason to hold onto this skill manual, why are you being courteous to me? It would only be hypocritical to still be courteous at this point.”
Shangguan Lingxiu burst out laughing, regained her straightforward manner and said, ”Alright, I shall keep it. Young Brother Yun, I shall remember this favor of yours!”
Yun Yang smiled. ”It is my utmost honor that the Shangguan Family of Generals can accept my gift. That being said, you can’t train them like this anymore, Sister Lingxiu; their mystical Qi cultivation should be the top priority. You’ll also need to take note of treasured gems, mystical stones, mystical crystals and anything else that can help increase their mystical Qi. Also, mystical meat should be one of their staple diets from now as well. This is very important to cultivators of higher level mystical Qi, you wouldn’t want to skip that.”
Shangguan Lingxiu nodded seriously and said through gritted teeth, ”I know! Yun Yang, if the Shangguan Family of Generals could ever revive its former glory in the future, it’s all thanks to you and what you’ve done tonight!”
”Sister Lingxiu is exaggerating the whole matter.” Yun Yang smiled. ”I shall bid my leave then. You should go home too. You need not toil so hard in future. Actually, you might need to work even harder just to supply these children with their cultivation resources. The amount needed will almost cost an astronomical figure, you should be prepared for that.”
”Thank you.” Shangguan Lingxiu straightened up and bowed to Yun Yang respectfully.
Yun Yang chuckled and turned to leave; his lean figure instantly disappearing into the night.
Shangguan Lingxiu sighed softly looking at where Yun Yang had faded away; her expression then returned to its usual hardened calmness as she hollered, ”Come over, nephews! We’re going home!”
”Really? Really?”
”Really. You need not exhaust yourselves so much in the future and you won’t have to come here to train your courage anymore.”
”Really? Wow, that’s awesome!” The six children cheered, hugging and patting each other on the back.
Looking at the six children’s joyful faces, Shangguan Lingxiu was happy as well. Her grasp on the mystical skill manual was tight, her emotions were intense.
It will be alright!
The Shangguan Family of Generals… will be alright!
Thank you, Yun Yang.
When Yun Yang returned to the Residence of Yun, the sky was already gaining its radiance as dawn showered the world once more.
The truth was nothing coincidental like what Yun Yang had told Shangguan Lingxiu; the truth was that Yun Yang had watched everything that had happened in Shangguan Family of Generals by the side for the entire day.
That included the six children being woken up before daybreak to train. First, they had to adjust their breathing before they began their long-distance run bearing weights. All manners of physical training then followed suit.
When they had completed everything, the sky had only held the slightest glimpse of sun rays; the toll it had taken had made Yun Yang immensely shocked.
However, it was still a start.
Various training and drills followed; exercises to work all physical aspects of the children before they began practicing with both ranged and melee weapons including swords, spears, sabers, axes, forks and more. Soon, they began their archery and horse riding as well.
The break period was only two hours during noon but even then, the children had to read books and records on the art of war while they rested, memorizing classic war examples accompanied by some random quizzes.
What can one do to prevent this battle from suffering a huge loss?
What can one do to turn defeat to victory under such circumstances?
What can one do in this situation in order to keep the abilities intact?
Do you choose to retreat and conserve resources or die fighting under that situation?
Punishment awaited each wrong answer.
Yun Yang felt his heart twinge while watching the scene; the eldest among the children was nine years old while the youngest was only six years old.
It was far too brutal for them to train like this, or even to live in such a harsh environment.
After they had dinner and rested for a bit at night, Shangguan Lingxiu brought them out again to the shoddy red-light district to fight with thugs; training them in actual combat and experiencing the fleeting vagaries of life and death. Until late in the night, they were not given a chance to rest but were brought to the unmarked cemetery to train their courage instead.
What the children had gone through in this entire day gave Yun Yang the chills – this was a day in the life of the children of the family of generals!
Yun Yang heaved a sigh that wafted up to the sky.
Looking at the all-female seniors in the Residence of Shangguan and looking at the innumerable ancestral tablets in Shangguan’s ancestral hall – this was the price paid by the family of generals.
Of course, Yun Yang understood why they had to do this; they were not intentionally torturing these children, their own flesh and blood.
In truth, they felt even more sorry for these children than anyone else.
Yet they had to do this!
Even when they had thought the training was incredibly brutal, they still could not prevent things that were far worse from happening.
These children had their destiny sealed the moment they were born, their futures had been decided – they were to be gruelingly trained from a young age without a single day of rest and get married when they grew up to leave their lineage. After that, only the battlefield awaited them.
They would inevitably perish in war.
Their remains would be brought home, wrapped in horse hide.