Super Genius

"Where did all this rice come from? Why does it seem like we have more and more rice to eat?" Chen Fang wondered as she got up early to cook and looked at the rice jars. They had started with only two, but now there were four!

And every single jar was filled to the brim.

Lin Xuan lied, "Mother, Lin An and I went out to buy it before dawn. It's good to stock up on food these days."

Chen Fang nodded, not the least bit suspicious.

The weather was gradually turning colder, though, and winter would arrive in about a month.

Lin Xuan's family had put on new cotton clothes for the first time in ages. Chen Fang had even gotten a new quilt. They no longer had to suffer through the cold as they used to.

Lin Xuan and Lin An practiced martial arts, and their blood and energy were now abundant. They wouldn't feel very cold even under their old, tattered quilt.

Lin Xuan's progress in martial arts had slowed. He had advanced so quickly before because the Black Bear Spirit's meat contained a large amount of true qi. But lately, he hadn't come across any strange beasts that had gained supernatural powers, so he could only eat ordinary meat.

When he went hunting on Rou Mountain, all he caught were ordinary animals. That was why the Black Bear meat had sold for such a high price.

So at the moment, the only way to make rapid progress was through medicinal baths.

But medicinal baths for martial artists were a controlled resource. They weren't available to just anyone, and ordinary herb shops couldn't even supply the essential medicinal herbs they required.

The military Garrisons controlled the most resources in this regard, followed by the martial arts schools in the city.

That was why Lin Xuan intended to enlist now, join a Garrison, and obtain martial arts resources from the military.

Being a combat soldier and being a military farmer were two completely different things. The former carried considerable risks, but offered more resources.

The latter was almost risk-free, but in terms of status, there was little difference between a military farmer and a tenant farmer or serf.

Lin Xuan had been afraid of enlisting and going to war because he hadn't possessed the strength he had now. He would have been nothing but cannon fodder on the battlefield.

But things were completely different now.

He told his mother and Lin An about it, though it was an announcement, not a request for their opinion.

Chen Fang's first reaction was horror. She had already lost her husband; she couldn't lose her son, too. He was the only man left in the Lin family.

"Xuan'er... Your grandfather, your father, your uncle—didn't every one of them leave home with a saber in hand? We don't need the few coins a combat soldier earns, all right? Aren't the three of us living pretty well now? We have plenty to eat and drink.

"Mother doesn't want you to make a name for yourself. I only want you to be safe and sound..."

Lin An knew exactly how strong Lin Xuan was. She tried to reassure Chen Fang. "Mother, don't worry. My younger brother will make a name for himself and stay safe, too.

"He has an incredibly high talent for martial arts, higher than you can imagine! If those military officers have any sense, they won't send him charging into battle right away. The court will invest in him and nurture him instead."

"Really?" Chen Fang asked, looking at Lin Xuan curiously.

"Really. Who do you think carried in those heavy rice jars? I may be young, but I can already match strength with some Flag Commanders." Lin Xuan reassured her.

Chen Fang thought it over and decided he had a point, so she stopped objecting.

Lin An understood Lin Xuan's thinking. He could hunt here in peace, use the money he earned to start a business, and become a wealthy man. He would have a comfortable life and never go hungry.

But his life would never amount to more than that. If he wanted to truly live differently from other people and set himself apart, he had to pursue martial arts to the very end.

Lin Xuan's talent made him perfectly suited for that path!

So he went to the Thousand-Household Commander's Garrison to ask about enlisting.

As usual, he went to Centurion Qin.

Qin Lie spent most of his time at the Thousand-Household Commander's Garrison, so he was easy to find.

"Lin Xuan, nephew, what brings you here today? Were you satisfied with the bow and Goose-Quill Saber I had prepared for you the other day?"

"They work great. Thank you, Uncle Qin. Once I've hunted some game, I'll be sure to bring you the first pick."

Qin Lie laughed. "Hahahaha! It's the thought that counts."

"I came today to ask about enlisting. I feel like my martial arts progress has slowed, and enlisting would give me access to medicinal baths. That's why I wanted to ask."

"Oh? You can't rush things. Have you honed your martial skills? If you've only gained strength but your fists and kicks are no good, then you'll just be all show and no substance—a fancy-looking stance with nothing behind it." Qin Lie cautioned him.

"What's so difficult about that?" Lin Xuan said, brimming with confidence.

Qin Lie saw that he was getting a little conceited and was at a loss for words.

This brat seemed to have a poor attitude, thinking rather too highly of himself. He needed to be taken down a peg, or his arrogance would get him into serious trouble someday.

Qin Lie took the initiative and said, "In that case, let's spar for a couple of moves. If I think you're ready, I'll tell you about becoming a combat soldier. Otherwise, you can spend two more years building a solid foundation."

Lin Xuan nodded. "Then please teach me, Uncle Qin."

The two went to the courtyard of the Qin Family. It was spacious enough for a spar, and there was no need to go to the Garrison's Drill Ground and attract so much attention.

Lin Xuan struck first, using the standard Grand Ancestor Long Fist. His punches were powerful and vigorous.

The moment Qin Lie saw him take his stance, his eyes lit up. Maybe the boy really hadn't been bragging—maybe he really did have what it took.

He had the routine down pat.

Qin Lie used the Grand Ancestor Long Fist as well and engaged him at close range. Lin Xuan's punches were forceful and vicious, but he never aimed at any vital points. After all, this was a spar with an elder, not a fight to the death.

"Good! Very good! Looks like I underestimated you before!" Qin Lie felt completely at ease as he sparred with Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan's strength and techniques were both inferior to his own, and in a real fight, Lin Xuan would certainly lose.

But he didn't look down on Lin Xuan at all. Lin Xuan was still so young, yet he had already reached this level. Qin Lie himself had trained for two or three years before he reached the same level.

Lin Xuan's combat ability probably surpassed that of most of the Flag Commanders in the Garrison!

And after sparring for a while, Lin Xuan showed no sign of running out of strength. He wasn't even breathing hard.

"That's enough!" Qin Lie had already gauged Lin Xuan's true level. He could confirm that Lin Xuan wasn't just a genius at tempering his body and nurturing true qi—he was a genius at martial techniques and combat, too.

All things considered, he was a super genius.

No wonder he had been so confident before. He really had every reason to be proud.

If Qin Lie put himself in Lin Xuan's shoes, at fifteen and with abilities like these, he would probably have been strutting with his nose in the air. Lin Xuan had only been a little boastful.

Seeing Qin Lie fall silent, Lin Xuan asked curiously, "Uncle Qin, why aren't you saying anything? Could it be that I'm still not strong enough?"

"Tch. Is it that hard to become a soldier? Are even the ordinary soldiers that formidable?"