In two months, Shangguan Cheng would turn five. He had received his New Year's gift early: a real Narrow Saber. He asked his father, "Has it killed many people?"
Unrivaled King drew the Narrow Saber and placed it in his son's hands, then clasped those soft little hands tightly. "This is a brand-new saber. One day, you'll use it to drink your fill of blood."
His son's ambition made Unrivaled King's New Year a happy one, unspoiled by the Dragon King's army outside the city.
Shangguan Cheng didn't really know what killing meant. In his small world, he only knew it was a word his father liked. He kept it on his lips, just like clever children who called out "Father" and "Mother" all day long.
The Shangguan Family's tradition was to begin a child's education at five, with martial arts and literacy. Shangguan Cheng was still a little too young, so the first killing he ever witnessed was that pale stranger hacking a body into pieces.
So this is killing? Shangguan Cheng wondered. By habit, he regarded everyone in the Stone Fortress as his father's subordinates, so he asked Unrivaled King, "Father, did you kill someone again?"
A Green Face carried King Lord's youngest son, knelt on the ground, and shuffled up the seven steps on his knees. He lifted Shangguan Cheng high and handed him to King Lord, then retreated on his knees.
Unrivaled King held his son and looked into those lively, clever eyes. They reminded him a little of Shangguan Ru as a child, and he was quite pleased. His son had seen a bloody scene for the first time and hadn't shown the slightest fear. He truly was the heir to Golden Peng Fortress.
He glanced again at the Dragon King below the steps, and