Super Genius

"Where did this rice come from? Why does it seem like our supply only grows the more we eat?" Chen Fang, who had risen early to cook, stared at the rice jars and fell into deep thought. There had originally been only two, but now there were four!

Every single jar was filled to the brim.

Lin Xuan lied, "Mother, Lin An and I went out to buy this before dawn. It's better to stock up on grain in times like these."

Chen Fang nodded, harboring no suspicions.

However, the weather was gradually turning cold, and winter was less than a month away.

The Lin Family had changed into new cotton-padded clothes they hadn't been able to afford for a long time; Chen Fang even had a new quilt. They no longer had to suffer through the freezing cold as they once did.

Lin Xuan and Lin An were practicing martial arts, and with their abundant vitality, they wouldn't feel much cold even if they still used their old, tattered bedding.

The speed of Lin Xuan's martial progress had slowed down. His rapid growth before was due to the Black Bear Spirit meat, which contained vast amounts of true energy. But lately, he hadn't encountered any such supernatural beasts and had to settle for ordinary meat.

He had gone hunting in Rou Mountain, but he only managed to bag common wild animals; that was why the Black Bear Spirit meat had been so expensive back then.

Therefore, the only way to advance rapidly now was through medicinal baths.

Medicinal baths for martial arts were a controlled resource, not something anyone could easily obtain. Ordinary pharmacies didn't even stock the key herbs required for them.

The Garrison held the most resources in this regard, followed by the martial arts schools within the city.

Thus, Lin Xuan intended to enlist, enter the Garrison for training, and obtain martial arts resources from the military.

Being a combat soldier was a different matter entirely from being a farming soldier. The former carried greater risks, but the resources one could obtain were far more substantial.

The latter carried almost no risk, but one's status was little better than that of a tenant farmer or serf.

Previously, Lin Xuan had feared joining the army to fight because he lacked his current strength; on the battlefield, he would have been nothing but cannon fodder.

Now, the situation was completely different.

He brought this up with his mother and Lin An, though it was a notification, not a discussion.

Chen Fang's first reaction upon hearing this was terror. She had already lost her husband and could not bear to lose her son; he was the only male left in the Lin Family.

"Xuan'er... your grandfather, your father, your uncle—which one of them didn't go out carrying a saber? Can we not just forgo the meager pay of a combat soldier? Aren't the three of us living quite well now? We have enough to eat and drink. Mother doesn't want you to make a name for yourself; I only ask that you stay safe..."

Lin An saw Lin Xuan's current strength clearly. She advised Chen Fang, "Mother, don't worry. Little Brother will not only make a name for himself, but he will also stay safe. His martial arts talent is incredibly high—higher than you could ever imagine! If the military commanders have any sense, they won't send him to the front lines to charge; they will have the imperial court support and nurture him instead."

"Is that true?" Chen Fang looked at Lin Xuan curiously.

"It is. Who do you think carried those heavy rice jars? Despite my age, I can now go toe-to-toe with some of the Flag Commander officers," Lin Xuan reassured her.

Chen Fang thought it over, decided his logic held up, and stopped opposing him.

Lin An understood Lin Xuan's mindset. Staying here to hunt safely and running a small business to live as a wealthy commoner would be a comfortable life, and they wouldn't go hungry.

But that would be the extent of it. To truly live differently and pull ahead of others, one had to walk the path of martial arts to the very end.

Lin Xuan's talent was perfectly suited for this path!

He took the initiative to go to the Thousand-Household Commander Garrison to inquire about enlistment.

Following custom, he sought out Centurion Qin.

Qin Lie was at the Thousand-Household Commander Garrison year-round, so finding him was easy.

"Nephew Lin Xuan, what brings you here today? Are you satisfied with the bow and Goose-Quill Saber I provided you a while back?"

"They are very useful, thank you, Uncle Qin. In a few days, whatever wild beast I catch, I will certainly bring the best of it to honor you first."

Qin Lie laughed, "Hahaha, it's good that you have such a heart."

"I came today to ask about enlisting. I feel my martial progress has slowed down, and I want to access the medicinal bath resources available through the military."

"Oh? Haste makes waste. Have you polished your martial arts? If only your strength has increased but your hand-to-hand skills are lacking, it's just an empty shell—a flashy display," Qin Lie warned.

"What is difficult about that?" Lin Xuan said, looking smug.

Seeing his slight arrogance, Qin Lie's face darkened.

This brat's temperament didn't seem quite right; he was a bit too full of himself. He needed to be tempered, or his arrogance would surely lead to a great loss in the future.

Qin Lie took the initiative, "In that case, let us spar a few rounds. If I deem you ready, I will discuss the details of becoming a combat soldier. Otherwise, you should settle down for another two years."

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

The two went to the courtyard of the Qin Family. It was sufficient for a spar and wouldn't attract the unwanted attention of the Garrison training grounds.

Lin Xuan struck first, using the standard Grand Ancestor Long Fist, his movements powerful and vigorous.

The moment Qin Lie saw Lin Xuan's opening stance, his eyes lit up. This kid wasn't bragging; he really had the skills.

The form was impeccable.

Qin Lie also used the Grand Ancestor Long Fist to engage him in close quarters. Lin Xuan's strikes were powerful and ruthless, yet he avoided hitting any vital points—after all, this was a spar with an elder, not a life-or-death struggle.

"Good! Well fought! It seems I underestimated you before!" Although Qin Lie felt calm and composed while fighting Lin Xuan—the boy's strength and techniques were entirely beneath his own, and in a real fight, Lin Xuan would surely lose—he did not look down on him in the slightest. Lin Xuan was still so young to have reached this level; it had taken Qin Lie himself two or three years of practice to reach where Lin Xuan was now.

Lin Xuan's combat ability likely already surpassed most of the Flag Commander officers in the Garrison!

Furthermore, after a round of sparring, Lin Xuan showed no signs of exhaustion whatsoever; he wasn't even breathing heavily.

"That's enough!" Qin Lie had already gauged Lin Xuan's true level. He could confirm that Lin Xuan was not only a genius at tempering and nourishing his internal energy, but also a prodigy in martial arts and combat.

All things considered, he was a super-genius.

It was no wonder he had been so confident before; he truly had the capital to be proud.

If he put himself in those shoes, had Qin Lie possessed such ability at fifteen, his tail would have likely been wagging in the clouds long ago. Lin Xuan was merely a bit smug in his speech.

Seeing that Qin Lie remained silent for a long time, Lin Xuan asked curiously, "Uncle Qin, why aren't you saying anything? Could it be that my current strength still isn't enough?"

"Hiss, is it really that hard to become a soldier? Are those ordinary foot soldiers all that formidable?"