Instructions

As he walked into Heaven Dou City, Lin Jin had thought his younger sister would come to greet him.

But after all that way, he saw neither Lin Xue nor her by Qian Renxue's side.

Eight years. Eight years in the Northern Border.

Everything he had worked for over those eight years had been so his younger sister could grow up safe and healthy by Qian Renxue's side.

Now that he had finally returned in glory and could see his younger sister again, she was nowhere to be found beside Qian Renxue.

Lin Jin had originally planned to see Lin Xue first thing after entering the city, but the formalities could not be skipped.

That was why, when Prince Xue Xing made things difficult for him at court, Lin Jin had not argued his case.

He did not care about such power. From beginning to end, all he cared about was his younger sister's safety.

So when Qian Renxue came over to offer a toast, Lin Jin lowered his voice and asked impatiently.

Seeing how urgent Lin Jin looked, Qian Renxue had wanted to crack a joke and see just how anxious he could get.

But soon, she sensed a trace of restrained killing intent from him.

Qian Renxue suddenly understood. The siblings had not seen each other for nearly eight years. If she really joked with Lin Jin now—

This Heavenly Wolf of the Northern Border before her would probably turn hostile right at the banquet.

After considering it, Qian Renxue could only reply, "General Lin, rest assured. My younger sister is perfectly well."

"After my younger sister graduated from Primary Academy and entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy, I considered that she was getting older. Having her live in my residence all the time would not be good for a girl's reputation if outsiders saw it. So she now lives in the academy dormitory, with dedicated people watching over her. Her safety is assured."

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Lin Jin raised his brows slightly.

That did surprise him somewhat, but on second thought, it was indeed something Qian Renxue would do. After all, he had fully proven his value in the Northern Border.

If sending him to the Northern Border upon their first meeting had been a test from Qian Renxue—

Then after his feat three years ago of breaking the Iron Rock Fortress defense line and killing a Soul King against the odds, Qian Renxue naturally could not possibly give him up.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." Lin Jin's tone softened somewhat. He would remember this favor, even though he knew Qian Renxue had not done it out of pure goodwill.

Still, during the eight years he had been away, Qian Renxue had always been the one looking after her.

"You are too polite, General."

After the investiture and banquet ended, Lin Jin did not immediately head to the academy.

He first went to the Count's Mansion Xue Ye had bestowed upon him.

Located in a quiet aristocratic district, the residence had been prepared by Xue Ye as soon as the Imperial Edict arrived a month ago.

The grounds outside the mansion were quite spacious, with pavilions and towers all complete, displaying the grandeur of a newly elevated noble.

"Welcome home, my lord Count. I am Old Mo, the butler His Majesty sent to manage your residence."

Lin Jin led a hundred Blood Blade Personal Guards into the mansion courtyard, where he saw an elderly man in his sixties emerge to greet him with four Maids.

"His Majesty has been most thoughtful. Please convey my thanks to him." Lin Jin's expression remained calm, but he understood perfectly well. This man was called a butler, but he was most likely here to watch him.

Still, it was his first time returning to the mansion, and it would not be appropriate to drive the man away. Would that not be a direct slap in Xue Ye's face?

"My lord Count is too polite. His Majesty feared that after spending so long in the Barracks, you might not be accustomed to life upon returning to Heaven Dou City, so he sent this old servant to attend you," Butler Old Mo explained with a smile.

"Fine. Arrange rooms for my brothers. Also, clean up another room beside my Main Room. Make sure it is spotless." Lin Jin did not stand on ceremony and gave his orders directly.

Since someone was available to do the work, there was no reason not to use him.

"As you command." Old Mo turned and entered the hall with the four Maids.

"Brothers, we're back in Heaven Dou City. For the next while, settle in and get some proper rest. Of course, if you want to go home and visit your families, just let A Tu know," Lin Jin said to his early Blood Blade comrades with a faint smile.

"Thank you, General."

"A Tu, come out with me to buy a few things."

"Yes, General."

Before going to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to pick up his younger sister, Lin Jin wanted to dress himself up properly and decorate the room while he was at it.

Naturally, gifts were indispensable too.

Just as Lin Jin and his Assistant A Tu stepped out of the mansion, they saw Qin Yue riding over with his Personal Guards.

"Xiao Lin, the residence His Majesty bestowed on you looks quite impressive." Qin Yue dismounted, walked over, and examined the mansion gate.

"General Qin, are you heading out of the city?" Lin Jin asked bluntly.

"Yes. Returning to Heaven Dou was only to report back and go through the motions. Besides, my family is all in the north, and there are too many masked faces at court. It doesn't suit a rough man like me."

Qin Yue then patted Lin Jin on the shoulder and said seriously, "But you, kid—Heaven Dou City is not like the Northern Border. When I first met you, I told you something. Do you remember?"

"Of course I remember your teaching, General," Lin Jin answered earnestly. "You said the evil winds of the Imperial Court could sometimes wound more deeply than Star Luo's blades."

"That's right. Besides coming to say goodbye, I wanted to give you a reminder." Qin Yue turned slightly and said slowly, "At the banquet, I saw you speaking quite a bit with His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Do you think His Highness the Crown Prince is unfit for great responsibility?" Lin Jin could not help asking.

Qin Yue nodded, then shook his head, his expression conflicted. "Not exactly. It's just that His Highness the Crown Prince seems perfect, but I've always felt that being too perfect feels false, as though his perfection is deliberately put on."

"After all, everyone has flaws. Still, I hope I'm merely overthinking it."

"I only want to remind you that talking is fine, but if you intend to form a close friendship, be more cautious. This place is not the Northern Border. The waters run too deep, and the blades are all invisible."

Lin Jin naturally understood Qin Yue's concern and nodded slightly. "Thank you for the reminder, General. I will be careful."

How could he not know that Qian Renxue's perfection was deliberately feigned? He even knew more than Qin Yue did.

But he had no intention of explaining at the moment. He merely committed the warning to heart.

"As long as you understand." Qin Yue sighed. "I know your heart is with your younger sister, but do not neglect public duty for private matters and leave others a handle to use against you. The Fifth Detachment of the City Defense Force may not be as prestigious as the post of Corps Commander, but it is still real troops. Use it well, and only then can you gain a firm foothold in Heaven Dou City."

Qin Yue swung himself onto his horse and gave one final reminder. "Remember, if you encounter any trouble, you can write to the Northern Border at any time. We share a Life-and-Death Friendship, so don't stand on ceremony with me!"

"Certainly." Lin Jin cupped his hands solemnly. "Take care on your journey, General."

Watching Qin Yue lead his Personal Guards away at a gallop, Lin Jin stood where he was for a long while.

Qin Yue's words sent ripples through his heart, but he quickly suppressed those thoughts.

Right now, nothing was more important than seeing Xiao Xue.

After seeing Qin Yue off, Lin Jin took a deep breath and said to A Tu, "Let's go."

He led A Tu through the bustling Street Market, carefully selecting many things girls would like.

He also deliberately bought a pair of adorably clumsy stuffed dolls. He remembered that when he had left home, Xiao Xue had loved hugging stuffed dolls to sleep.