Farewell

Section 7: Farewell

"Oh my, where did you hear all that?" Zichuan Xiu exclaimed, his face paling in alarm, looking as if a secret had been exposed.

"Sir, please stop pretending. We got the full story from Miss Zichuan Ning: you are the fifth and final disciple of the human world's greatest expert, Lord Zuo Jia Ming Wang, and you've inherited his full legacy. You've mastered Ripple Divine Skill, Lightning Saber, Thunderous Foot, Iron Head Skill, Dugu Nine Swords, Buddha's Palm, Sunflower Manual, Divine Turtle Shockwave, and Super Saiyan Generation 3—in short, you're incredibly powerful!"

"Sigh, didn't I already tell Ah Ning not to blab outside..." Zichuan Xiu knew well that women were like children; if you wanted them to spread a piece of news widely, the best method was to tell them repeatedly, "Don't you dare say a word!" — And indeed, the effect was immediate. By the next day, Roger and the other two arrived with mischievous grins. Furthermore, rumors tended to breed and become more vivid as they spread, eventually solidifying into: "Zichuan Xiu is a direct disciple of Zuo Jia Ming Wang!"

"Alas, since it's come to this, I have no choice but to admit it: That's right! I am Zuo Jia Ming Wang's fifth disciple!"

"Sir, please rest assured, we'll keep our lips sealed for you! However, we do have a small request..."

"Oh, so that's it: the three of you want to learn martial arts from me!" Zichuan Xiu suddenly understood.

The three nodded vigorously.

"You know, this is a difficult matter..."

Shirakawa produced a thick stack of bills, and Roger brought out a pile of adult magazines. Zichuan Xiu sighed, "You guys are always like this, what can I do?"

"Alright, since you've shown such sincerity, I will impart to you the most profound and secret martial arts of our Zuo Jia sect!"

***

Two days later, at the Xiu Battalion's encampment, three Flag Bearers were engaged in a session of learning and sharing their experiences.

Shirakawa began reciting the internal energy cultivation method, enunciating each word loudly: "Om Mani Padme Hum!"

Roger: "What's this? 'I'll coax you'?"

Chuan: "You're an idiot! It's the Buddhist Five-Syllable Mantra!"

Shirakawa continued: "Lin, Bing, Dou, Zhe, Jie, Lie, Zai, Quan, Jin!"

Roger: "What's this?"

Chuan: "It's the Taoist Nine-Syllable Mantra." He marveled, "Officer Ah Xiu is truly learned, combining the strengths of both Buddhism and Taoism!"

Shirakawa sang: "Turn left three times, turn right three times, twist your neck, shake your hips, get up in the morning and exercise!"

Roger turned his head to Chuan: "What's this one now?"

Chuan: "Don't ask me!"

Shirakawa sang: "Ali, Alibaba, Alibaba is a happy young man!"

Roger: "..."

Chuan: "..."

"You are like that, a flame! ...Sinking abyss, embracing the sea, love is a belief, bringing you back to my side... The dantian is like a furnace... Young people disappear in the birch forest...

Qi flows through the eight meridians, power is released through the four limbs... Azure Dragon sinks into the abyss, White Tiger gathers at the summit... All is at ease, only great enlightenment... I love La Fange! ...An'erle, meticulous care...

Appearing still while moving, observing the subtle to reach the extreme, the body is nowhere... Sincerity lasts forever, we are always working hard... Because of love, we love, thank you for your love, I love you for ten thousand years... Utmost Yang, utmost strength, evil spirits retreat! Ha!"

As he finished, Shirakawa struck out with his palm, and with a "whoosh," a large hole appeared in the wall.

Roger stared, dumbfounded: "It actually works! My power has really increased!"

Shirakawa said resentfully, "That idiot! He has to recite the incantation every time he strikes, it's so annoying! There's no more ridiculous martial art than this!"

"Who says there isn't!" Roger and Chuan retorted in unison, looking like they were about to cry, "Compared to ours, yours is still pretty good!"

***

Li Qing, an internal affairs officer from the Commanders' Office and a Red Guard Captain, saw Roger the Flag Bearer the moment he stepped into the Xiu Battalion's encampment. Roger was squatting like a toad, his mouth wide open facing the rising sun, muttering something that sounded like an incantation: "I am a stupid donkey... I am a stupid donkey... I am a stupid donkey..."

"Flag Bearer Roger, what are you doing?"

"...I am a stupid donkey, don't disturb me: I am practicing, absorbing the sun's vital energy... I am a stupid donkey... Once I succeed, I'll be invincible!"

Li Qing stuck out his tongue: "May I ask, where is your Officer Xiuchuan?"

"...I am a stupid donkey... Go in the main gate, turn right, I am a stupid donkey... The one with a picture of a naked woman posted on the door!"

"Thanks." Li Qing thanked him and walked inside, only to hear Roger loudly proclaiming from behind, letting out a roar: "I am a stupid donkey!"

"Got it! No need to say it so many times!" Li Qing replied without looking back.

***

"Flag Bearer Chuan, what are you doing now? You're on all fours, tongue sticking out, panting heavily, with one leg propped up on a utility pole. You look a lot like a... a... certain mammal!"

Chuan's refined face flushed, and he quickly got up from the ground: "Oh, this is the latest popular natural therapy!"

Just then, Shirakawa walked by, not looking left or right, chanting: "Eat grapes, don't spit out the skins; don't eat grapes, spit out the skins instead... One is one, ten is ten, fourteen is fourteen, forty is forty! Don't say one is ten, and don't say ten is one..."

The two stared blankly as Shirakawa walked away while speaking. Chuan gave an awkward laugh: "Shirakawa is planning to switch careers to stand-up comedy."

***

Zichuan Xiu warmly got up to greet Li Qing when he saw him enter. Since Li Qing was a close friend of Zichuan Ning, their relationship had always been good.

As soon as they met, Li Qing said, "Ah Xiu, when did the 'Xiu Battalion' become a psychiatric hospital?"

Zichuan Xiu: "How could that be? — At least I'm perfectly normal!"

Li Qing's expression was a half-smile: "You call yourself normal when you're sitting there reading an adult magazine first thing in the morning!?"

Zichuan Xiu quickly stuffed "Cangchun Pavilion" under his butt and coughed dryly, "Red Guard Captain Li, what brings you here? Any instructions?"

Li Qing put away her smile. "Esteemed Zichuan Xiu, I am here under orders from the Commanders' Office. Please assemble your subordinates so I can read the order... Hey, why did you snatch my order? Don't tear it, don't tear it... Sigh!" she complained, "I am an imperial envoy. You're making me lose face like this!"

"'Xiu Battalion' will depart immediately for Gollum Fortress to await Commander Fang Jin's orders." "That's strange. Didn't they say the newly recruited militia would have a month to train? We've only had two weeks! And we haven't even received all our equipment. Some squadrons don't even have complete winter tents."

"This is the President Commander's decision. The stated reason is that the Far East is in a state of war and needs to support Sterling quickly. The actual reason is the intention of Zhibu Shao, the Deputy Commander in the Imperial Capital. He went to Luobo Minghai weeping and said:

'As long as the Xiu Battalion exists, the Imperial Capital will not know peace.' Hurry up and drive those beasts away! — Ah Xiu, do you know how the people of the Imperial Capital evaluate your troops?"

Zichuan Xiu said with a serious face, "The people of the Imperial Capital, seeing the mighty army of the Xiu Battalion pass by, all let out heartfelt exclamations: 'Mighty and valiant, a righteous army! Truly worthy of the soldiers led by esteemed Zichuan! Their discipline is strict, their demeanor unmatched!'"

Li Qing smiled, "You really can make things up! You know very well that everyone is saying now: 'The three scourges of the Imperial Capital: flies, rats, and the Xiu Battalion!'"

Li Qing got up to leave. "Alright, that's all for this matter. If there's anything that hasn't been handled properly, deal with it quickly. For the parts where equipment is incomplete, you can come to me. Do you know that to get you out of here as soon as possible, the logistics department spared no expense? You can take this opportunity to extort some extra benefits from them."

"One more thing: I have a letter for Sterling. You're going to the Far East, so please help me deliver it."

Zichuan Xiu's heart trembled. He had always known that Sterling loved Princess Kadan. If it hadn't been mentioned, he would have forgotten that, in terms of status, Li Qing was Sterling's fiancée.

"Remember, you must hand it to him personally!"

He silently took the letter. "Okay." In his heart, he sighed: Women are so short-sighted, thinking that going to the Far East is like going to their own backyard. They don't know that the Far East battlefield spans nearly a million kilometers, and Sterling's troops are constantly on the move. How can one guarantee meeting Sterling in such a vast area?

He escorted her to the entrance of the encampment. Li Qing turned around, gazed deeply at him, and said meaningfully, "For Ah Ning, take good care of yourself."

Zichuan Xiu's heart was shaken, but he remained outwardly calm. "Yes, for the future Commander-in-Chief of the family, I should indeed take care of myself."

Li Qing's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if dissatisfied with his words, but she said nothing and turned to leave.

"Brother, you're back?" Zichuan Ning felt a special joy at his sudden appearance. "You bought flowers... Wow, brother, you're amazing! I thought you had forgotten my eighteenth birthday!"

Today was Zichuan Ning's birthday! Zichuan Xiu was startled. He had bought the flowers purely to set the stage for his conversation with Zichuan Ning, but he hadn't expected it to be her birthday. Seeing Zichuan Ning holding the bouquet and looking incredibly happy, he couldn't speak. Should he have that kind of conversation with Zichuan Ning at this moment?

Kadan came out of the room. "Let me see... Why is someone giving flowers as a birthday gift?"

"Ah, really! My brother is always so scatterbrained, honestly!" Although Zichuan Ning was complaining, her expression was one of deep contentment. As long as Zichuan Xiu remembered her birthday, she would have been overjoyed even if he had picked a blade of grass from the roadside.

Roger, Shirakawa, and Chuan also came to attend the birthday party. They said, "We're here for friendship and blessings!" But Zichuan Xiu saw through them immediately; they were there for the free food. Shirakawa gave a music box, while Roger and Chuan, two "penniless scoundrels who are broke by the end of the month," jointly gifted a bag of sunflower seeds.

Zichuan Ning was in a very good mood and thanked everyone sincerely, regardless of what she received. Zichuan Xiu knew that she came from a wealthy family and usually had very high standards, rarely finding anything that caught her eye.

The food and drinks were very rich, opening the eyes of the few country bumpkins from the Far East. Kadan smiled and said, "This is comparable to our former court banquets."

While eating, Zichuan Ning toasted Zichuan Xiu, wishing her "Brother Xiu a victorious departure and a safe return." It was then that Zichuan Xiu realized that Li Qing had already informed Zichuan Ning about his impending departure. Zichuan Xiu silently downed the wine, and everyone accompanied him. Even Kadan and Shirakawa, who usually didn't drink, had flushed cheeks from the alcohol.

Everyone was in high spirits. Roger specifically toasted the beautiful ladies. At one point, he proposed a toast to Sterling in the Far East, and at another, he proposed a toast to the family's early suppression of the rebellion. Less than three minutes later, he proposed a toast to the safe return of those going on the expedition. His attentiveness made Zichuan Xiu suspect his motives: was he trying to get the ladies drunk so he could take advantage of the situation? He then dismissed the thought: Impossible, Roger was too foolish to think of such a plan. If it were Chuan, it would be suspicious.

The conversation always revolved around the Far East war. Because Zichuan Ning had Li Qing as a friend, she knew a lot of news about the Far East. For example, the Commanders' Office intended to establish a unified command headquarters for the Far East war zone, but the selection of the supreme commander had always been undecided. Based on combat performance, both the Commanders' Office and the Commander-in-Chief favored Sterling. However, Sterling's qualifications to be a commander were too shallow. If he were the supreme commander, he might not be able to control Ming Hui, an old hand at the same level as him. If they needed someone above the level of Sterling and Ming Hui, only President Commander Luobo Minghai would be suitable.

At this point, several family officers laughed. Luobo Minghai was notoriously ignorant of military affairs. Chuan told a joke about Luobo Minghai: Once, when he went to command a battle, the Liufeng Family's cavalry was about to charge into the command post. Luobo Minghai remained seated, saying nothing. Seeing their commander so calm and confident, his subordinates' courage surged, and they repelled the enemy's attack in one go. As everyone cheered "Long live!", Luobo Minghai secretly pulled over an orderly and asked, "Did we win or lose?" The joke wasn't very funny, but everyone laughed heartily.

Kadan secretly tugged at his sleeve, and Zichuan Xiu, understanding, walked into the outer corridor. Kadan handed Zichuan Xiu a letter.

"Please help me give this to him..." This "him" referred to Sterling.

Zichuan Xiu nodded blankly, took the letter, and sighed inwardly, but then made up his mind. "Can you help me call Ah Ning out?"

Kadan looked at him affectionately and teased, "Ah, you want to whisper secrets! Alright, I'll call her for you."

A moment later, Zichuan Ning came out. "Brother, what's so mysterious?" Whether it was due to the alcohol or something else, her face was flushed.

Zichuan Xiu smiled without answering. "Wait a moment." He drew his military saber and threw it at the corridor door. The saber penetrated the door panel effortlessly. Roger and Chuan's startled cries came from behind the door.

Zichuan Ning then realized they were eavesdropping and laughed so hard she bent over.

Zichuan Xiu used his internal energy to scan the surroundings again, confirming that no one was eavesdropping. He took a deep breath; the following conversation required courage.

The night sky was clear, dotted with countless stars, as if myriad curious eyes were peeking at the human world. The cool night breeze blew, bringing a sense of clarity to those who were slightly intoxicated.

"Brother, you seem a bit unhappy tonight. You're not talking much," Zichuan Ning's tone was much clearer.

Zichuan Xiu slowly began to speak, "Ah Ning, I still remember when you were little, you were afraid of the dark and cried a lot, your tears flowing endlessly. When your father, Lord Yuanxing, was about to pass away, he instructed me to take care of you. But your brother is useless; I've had to rely on you for care several times."

"Brother, we're family, why say such things? You've always protected me in secret, how could I not know? That year, during the riots in the Imperial Capital, my father wasn't home. Fierce rioters rushed into the Commander-in-Chief's Mansion, and the guards all fled in fear. I was so scared I cried on my bed. You were only eight, but you guarded my bedside all night with a sword in hand. I still remember peeking out from under the covers; you looked so valiant!"

Zichuan Xiu rubbed his head and said, "Don't mention it. The first person I saw entering your room, I swung my sword and yelled 'Ah!' As a result, I was kicked and sent rolling out like a tumbling gourd—it turned out your father had returned. I was bedridden for a whole week."

Zichuan Ning giggled, "But I think the way you rolled was also very handsome!"

Recalling those past events, both of them felt a wave of emotion. Zichuan Xiu smiled and said, "In the blink of an eye, the little girl with a runny nose back then has grown so big. I have finally lived up to Lord Yuanxing's trust. — Ah Ning, let's be good siblings for a lifetime, okay?"

"Zichuan Ning's eyes widened. "We've always been good siblings!"

Zichuan Ning didn't understand his meaning, so Zichuan Xiu sighed and changed his approach. "Ah Ning, I'll be going to the Far East in a couple of days, and it might be for a long time."

Zichuan Ning said calmly, "No matter how long it takes, I'll wait for you."

Zichuan Xiu said with a forced smile, "It's also possible I won't come back."

The maiden's eyes were as bright as stars, gazing at Zichuan Xiu's handsome face. "No, I'll wait for you."

Zichuan Xiu was so despairing he almost wanted to commit suicide. How could she be so dense! He stammered, "Well, we are good siblings, of course, you'll wait for me! It's just that while waiting, you can do other things, like, like..."

Zichuan Ning looked at him, not understanding why. In her impression, her dashing and carefree elder brother had never been so flustered.

Zichuan Xiu gathered his courage. "For example, go out more, meet some boys your age. I've noticed you don't seem to have any friends of the opposite sex. For a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, that's not quite normal."

Zichuan Ning replied in surprise, "I have many friends of the opposite sex! Like Brother Sterling, Roger, Chuan, they all play very well with me."

Zichuan Xiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I don't mean that anyone of the opposite sex counts as a friend... Oh, no, I mean not all friends of the opposite sex are that 'kind' of 'friend'."

He racked his brain and finally thought of a good example. "For instance, that 'kind' of 'friend' is like that pair of scoundrels, Kadan and Sterling."

Zichuan Ning's eyes widened. "That 'kind' of 'friend'?"

Zichuan Xiu affirmed, "That 'kind' of 'friend'!"

"You want me to find that 'kind' of 'friend'?!!"

Zichuan Xiu lowered his head and fell silent.

Kadan stared at him fixedly, not saying a word. Her gaze gradually became watery, her expression unreadable, as if she were about to cry. Her slender body began to tremble.

Zichuan Xiu, with a heart of stone, pretended not to see. He suddenly developed a strong interest in the roses in the garden and turned his head to study them intently.

The tense silence seemed like it could last until the end of the universe. Just as Zichuan Xiu was about to lose his resolve and turn around, footsteps sounded behind him, gradually fading away.

Also fading away were his and Zichuan Ning's first love.

He turned around. In the darkness, a white dress was receding into the distance. He suddenly remembered a word to describe the girl's expression as she left: poignant.

He gave a self-deprecating smile. Zichuan Xiu, you're a scoundrel, you deserve to go to hell.

He looked up at the sky. Amidst the bright starlight in the distance, it seemed as if a pair of eyes were watching him.

A pair of stern eyes. The passage of time had not diminished the power of those eyes over Zichuan Xiu at all. He seemed to hear a thunderous roar in his ears again: "Lin He, know your place! Gilded is never true gold!"

Zichuan Xiu's lips twitched. Yes, I know very well. How could an orphan with no background and no father be worthy of such a prominent and noble family? I also know that the Zichuan surname is just a layer of gold plated on me; a slight touch and you see the weak brass underneath. No matter how much they say 'treat him as their own son,' to the Zichuan family, I'm always an outsider.

Otherwise, why, upon seeing my affection for Zichuan Ning, did you immediately send me far away to the Far East Military Academy when I was only nine years old? If I truly had the family bloodline, would Yang Minghua have dared to arrest me without requesting permission? With my talents, how could the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Zichuan family fall to Zichuan Canxing?

Gilded is never true gold! Lord Yuanxing, is this the outcome you wished to see?

The starlight suddenly became like a girl's tear-filled eyes. I'm sorry, Ah Ning. Today is your eighteenth birthday. You are about to begin the most beautiful years of a woman's youth. How many years can a woman be beautiful in her lifetime? I don't want you to waste such precious years in pointless waiting.

Goodbye, Ah Ning, forgive my heart of stone. When your sight is no longer limited by my figure, you will discover that there are more outstanding men in the world worthy of your love. When that day comes, and you truly succeed as Commander-in-Chief, you will understand my intentions. When that day comes, and you walk down the aisle with the one you love, I will be far away, blessing you. At that time, will you still remember the person you once liked?

It's not just because of the promise made at Lord Yuanxing's sickbed that I will silently watch your movements from afar, waiting only for your first call, and I will appear, no matter how many mountains and rivers lie between us.

My beloved girl, may you never grow old, never die, and remain happy and beautiful.

And I, I will forever protect you, without regret, even unto death.

The "Xiu Battalion," with its eight thousand officers and soldiers, departed at midnight that night for the Far East battlefield. Zichuan Xiu left without waking Zichuan Ning. He simply left the payment for his accommodation and room key on the living room table and quietly departed Zichuan Ning's manor.

Looking back, Zichuan Ning's room was completely dark. He sighed, spurred his horse, and galloped away from the place he had lived for over a year. He didn't notice that in the dark room, a sliver of the curtains had been pulled open, and a pair of bright eyes had been following his upright figure until his deep blue officer's uniform gradually disappeared into the khaki ranks of soldiers.

Zichuan Ning whispered a prayer, "God, my eighteenth birthday wish is: please protect Brother Zichuan Xiu and keep him safe."

Tears streamed down her face like rain.