The crowd thought too much and listened in confusion, but General Tian, who thought simply, understood very clearly.
Because he knew what he needed to hear, his face was full of regrets.
Is it really going to go to waste just like that?
"General Tian needn't worry. I don't feel sad or regretful," Lei Zhonglian said, a smile emerging on his usually stoic face. "I'm very happy to have fulfilled my wish; even at a cost, it's worth it."
Indeed, on the battlefield, being able to kill even one more enemy makes dying worth it.
General Tian laughed heartily.
"However, even though you can't go to the battlefield yourself, you can still teach the soldiers," he said. "You could become an instructor."
Lei Zhonglian nodded.
"Yes, that's exactly what I plan to do. Even though my hand is disabled and I can't use double guns to face the enemy, I myself am not disabled, my heart is not disabled. I can still teach my disciples and pass on the art of the double guns," he said.
His hand was wasted before, and it made him feel wasted too, but now that his hand was truly useless, he felt more spirited than ever.
General Tian was overjoyed.
"Then please, Master Lei, come with us quickly," he said. "Our leader has already requested a token for you. Once you join us, you will be directly granted the rank of a ninth-grade government official."
Even though it was a ninth-grade military officer position, it was still a mark of official rank, something many soldiers could not achieve in a lifetime.
Lei Zhonglian somehow received such a promise, going from a commoner to an official instantly.
The onlooking crowd's eyes widened.
This was like a pie falling from the sky, an opportunity even a fool would grab.
Lei Zhonglian was no fool, but he still didn't accept it, instead expressing his thanks.
"Thank you for your high regard, but I still cannot comply," he said.
The straightforward General Tian quickly lost his patience and became angry.
"As a martial artist and a hero of Jianghu, how can you be as obstructive and fussy as those scholars, bargaining and haggling?" he said. "I'm not afraid to tell you that this ninth-grade official position is the best our leader can offer you; we can't provide you with a greater future."
Lei Zhonglian was not angered.
"No, General, that's not what I mean. I cannot comply because my double guns are for the Jianghu, suited for solo battles, not suitable for soldiers to learn. The soldiers should learn simple and effective spear techniques, and emphasize cooperation and formations on the battlefield. These would be even more powerful than my double guns," he sincerely said.
General Tian's expression softened.
"You have a point," he said. "Learning your spear technique requires a lot of time and effort that our soldiers and officers truly don't have. However, you could simplify your technique so it could be more effective when used in army formations and group battles."
Lei Zhonglian thanked him again.
"I am most grateful for your kind offer," he said, lifting his head. "Besides the first point, there is something more important: I still wish to establish the Shanxi Yiyouxing Troop to honor my late master and brothers."
His voice became slightly choked up.
"I've already kept them waiting for fourteen years, I can wait no longer."
Loyalty to one's faith and filial piety were beliefs General Tian also respected, so he did not press someone to betray these beliefs. After showing his admiration to Lei Zhonglian with a few more words, he swiftly mounted his horse and led his soldiers away at a gallop.
The crowd in front of the gate surged forward.
"Old Lei, did they really invite you to be an official?"
"What's going on here? Is your hand really disabled?"
"Are you Dual-Spear Lotus? Are you really Dual-Spear Lotus?"
A myriad of questions bombarded Lei Zhonglian, but he didn't panic, instead posting a disciple recruitment notice outside the door and then slamming it shut with a snap.
He showed not the slightest intention to engage in discussion.
"That's how Lei Zhonglian is," Fang Chengyu told Fang Yuxiu. "He's very rigid. He does exactly what he's supposed to do—never says an extra word or takes an extra step."
"What about money?" Fang Yuxiu asked seriously.
Fang Chengyu nodded.
"Money won't work either," he replied earnestly.
Fang Yuxiu pursed her lips and smiled.
"Miss Jiuling is really amazing," she sighed again.
"Yes, she is amazing," Fang Chengyu echoed with a sigh, looking at the gathered crowd, bustling and discussing; his face showed a deeper smile. "Everyone should know her incredible talent."
Though Lei Zhonglian didn't go into details about his circumstances, that didn't stop the word from spreading. After all, apart from Lei Zhonglian, there were other Fang Family guards involved as well.
The storyteller from Yangcheng was elated once more, having spent money to gather details of the ambush, the entrapment, and stumbling through the killing fields. The tales where dramatic heroics were displayed at critical moments were even more captivating, swiftly sweeping through the entire city and reclaiming the ground that had been dominated by the Runan People.
Though Lei Zhonglian was the main character in the story, Miss Jun's image was cast in an even more mysterious and formidable light.
Many people felt that the Miss Jun they thought they knew was not really who she appeared to be, and they eagerly anticipated the opportunity to see her for themselves now, albeit regrettably, Miss Jun had left town.
This further confirmed the rumors about Miss Jun's romantic affairs being false.
Otherwise, how could she be traveling so freely and at will? Only visiting relatives had that kind of freedom, not daughters-in-law.
"Miss Jun has important matters to attend to."
"It's said that she was invited to treat someone's illness."
"It's such a pity. We were a step too late to get Miss Jun to diagnose and prescribe for us."
"Miss Jun will surely come back. When she does, we'll give it a try."
"But when will Miss Jun return?"
The term "Old Lady Fang" was gradually being used less often. Following the habits of the Runan People, Yangcheng also began addressing her as Miss Jun or Miss Jiuling, and they looked forward to her return with great enthusiasm.
Compared to the Yangcheng residents who awaited Miss Jun's return with curiosity, the Fang Family was more concerned about where she was at the moment.
"Today she should have reached this place," Fang Chengyu said, studying the map carefully multiple times before pointing to a location.
Fang Yuxiu and Fang Yunxiao had just come over to look when Fang Chengyu shook his head again.
"No, that's not right," he said, his finger moving across the map. "It should be here. Jiuling is familiar with journeying through the wilderness, and without the burden of me accompanying her, she must be traveling even faster."
Fang Yunxiao couldn't help but laugh.
"Is she really that impressive, knowing everything?" she asked.
"Of course," Fang Chengyu answered without hesitation. "She is indeed very impressive."
Fang Yuxiu waved her fan as she returned to her seat.
"Not long ago, our little brother was swearing by how impressive his two sisters were," she said. "It hasn't been that long, and now it's out with the old and in with the new."
Fang Yunxiao pursed her lips and laughed, turning to Fang Chengyu.
"Second sister, your words are unreasonable," he said, surprised yet serious. "Who says that if someone else is impressive, you are not?"
Fang Yuxiu paused, then shook her fan and laughed.
"That's fair," she said. "Indeed, I was mistaken."
Amidst the laughter, Lady Fang entered the room.
"Such joy?" she said with a smile.
Laughter filled the home, transforming the entire atmosphere into one of delight.
"We're looking to see where our cousin has reached," Fang Yunxiao said with a smile.
"This child, off on her own with just a maid, is truly worrisome," Lady Fang said.
"Mother needn't worry. Our cousin always sends timely updates through the money business to ensure her safety. She seems to handle things very well," Fang Yunxiao said with a laugh.
Lady Fang's eyes twinkled with a smile.
"Yes, she has indeed become more sensible than before," she laughed.
Fang Yunxiao was about to speak when Fang Yuxiu interjected.
"Mother, we should go and check the accounts. Although we now have Chengyu taking care of things, we shouldn't let our years of learning go to waste," she said with a smile.
Lady Fang nodded.
"Of course not. The two of you have a small family, and you must support each other," she said.
Fang Yuxiu and Fang Yunxiao excused themselves with a bow.
"What is it?" Fang Yunxiao asked as soon as they left the room.
Although she was not particularly shrewd, she could still read the room and it was clear that Fang Yuxiu had intentionally excused themselves.
"Mother has something private to tell Chengyu," Fang Yuxiu said, glancing at two maids approaching from outside. "It's not convenient for us to be there."
What could be so private that they should not be present? Fang Yunxiao was puzzled. Following Fang Yuxiu's gaze, her expression suddenly grew complex.
A maid was leading another, who was timidly and nervously lowering her head - it was Lingzhi, whom they had not seen in a long time.
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Still adding more chapters