Chapter 121: Birthday

“Sixth Senior Brother is still so diligent in his cultivation!” Several named disciples from the old martial arts school stood at a distance, observing Ling Chi honing his swordsmanship.

“Of course! You might get his name wrong, but never his nickname. The title ‘Martial Maniac of He County’ is already known for hundreds of miles around. Who knows, maybe soon it will echo throughout the entire Northwest Circuit.”

“You don’t understand. The Northwest Circuit can never confine our Sixth Senior Brother. His battlefield will always be somewhere beyond our sight.”

As the leader among the named disciples, Li Wu was now Ling Chi’s second most devoted follower, with Hei Wa holding the first spot.

At some point, even Yang Shu appeared, holding a brand-new robe, smiling warmly from nearby.

When Ling Chi sheathed his blade and stood up, she approached him with graceful steps.

“Little Six, I made you a garment. Try it on now; if it doesn’t fit, I’ll alter it.”

Yang Shu handed Ling Chi a martial artist’s brocade robe.

“With my mistress’s craftsmanship, it’s bound to fit perfectly,” Ling Chi declared aloud as he draped the robe over his shoulders.

Yang Shu covered her mouth, laughing heartily.

Smoothing out the wrinkles on the robe, Ling Chi’s smile deepened.

“Little Six, your birthday is coming soon. Consider this robe a gift from your mistress!”

“This is your coming-of-age gift. Master and I are planning a celebration for you!” she added.

Ling Chi was momentarily stunned, suddenly realizing he was about to turn sixteen. Yet he had never been interested in such occasions, preferring to dedicate his time to rigorous cultivation.

Not wanting to dampen everyone’s enthusiasm, he said earnestly, “You all can arrange whatever you like. For us martial artists, simple ceremonies are best.”

Yang Shu took his hand and led him toward the backyard. The Executioner’s Blade shyly peeked out from behind Ling Chi as if curious about the familiar figure before it.

“That’s your mistress. You know her,” Ling Chi said, patting the scabbard.

The sword slipped free from his belt and leisurely circled around Yang Shu.

Yang Shu stared in astonishment at the familiar yet strangely animated great cleaving blade.

“L-Little Six, has your sword become sentient?” she asked, bewildered, turning repeatedly to watch the blade orbit her.

“That’s called awakening intelligence, not becoming sentient,” Ling Chi laughed heartily.

Yang Shu looked both surprised and skeptical. Had the Executioner’s Blade not weighed a hundred pounds, she might have tried handling it herself.

Ling Chi continued explaining the blade’s awakening as a little girl, Xiao Rui, toddled toward them.

He scooped her up onto his shoulder and walked into the backyard.

Zhao Qing held a letter, frowning deeply in thought. Seeing Ling Chi arrive, he casually said, “Old Six, Cao Hubao has sent word.”

Ling Chi took the letter and read it swiftly.

Wei Commander Sun Xuan was finally ready to move against the He family. The letter summoned He County’s Jing’an Division elite troops to the prefectural seat to participate in the siege against the He family.

“Old Six, how many should we send from our side?” Zhao Qing asked.

“Master, just the two of us would be best. We’ll be flexible enough to adapt if anything unexpected happens,” Ling Chi replied, folding the letter and handing Xiao Rui to his mistress before sitting beside Zhao Qing.

“That’s fine. Third and Fifth Seniors haven’t reached the Qi Sea stage yet; they can’t be counted on in battle.”

“Then let the two of us, master and apprentice, go see what the ‘Tiger of Yingshou’ He family is really like,” Zhao Qing decided promptly.

“Master, He Zhong, the Deputy General of He Prefecture, is the eldest son of He Zhixian. The prefectural official Jiang Xianhe is also his sworn brother.”

“Currently, the He family’s second son is dead by my hand, and the third is still imprisoned in our dungeon.”

“We don’t know what hidden forces might support the He family. We must be cautious,” Ling Chi analyzed calmly.

Zhao Qing nodded solemnly, deep in thought, a faint murderous aura gathering about him.

“What are you two plotting? Come eat quickly,” Yang Shu’s voice came from outside.

Zhao Qing’s expression instantly changed, the killing intent vanishing as he returned to his usual appearance of a good husband and father.

The dining hall was filled with delicious food. Several named disciples stood and saluted as Zhao Qing and Ling Chi entered together.

“Little Six, your sixteenth birthday and your master’s are just a day apart. How about celebrating together tomorrow?” Yang Shu asked while feeding Xiao Rui fish broth mixed with tiger bone powder.

“Whatever Mistress decides,” Ling Chi replied indifferently.

He thought to himself that the tiger skin meant for his master still needed to be retrieved; he’d have Li Wu run that errand later.

Zhao Qing nodded in agreement, showing no objection.

Martial artists live far longer than ordinary people. Upon reaching the Qi Sea stage, as long as the body remains unharmed, living over a hundred years poses no problem—let alone those above the Spirit Pearl stage.

After the meal, Ling Chi went to the training ground alone.

After a session of punching, his body felt like a furnace, scorching the surrounding cold air until white mist rose, shrouding the training ground in clouds and fog.

Executioner’s Blade frolicked nearby, occasionally whistling past and sending shockwaves through the air.

Time seemed to slip away quickly in cultivation. When Ling Chi opened his eyes from meditation, the sun was already high.

Li Wu had risen early to fetch the prepared tiger skin from Willow Tree Town and handed it to Ling Chi.

“Is Willow Tree Town okay?” Ling Chi asked casually.

“All is well. Commander Pei Shinan manages things meticulously. Even theft and poaching are rare,” Li Wu replied, impressed by Ling Chi’s lingering influence in Willow Tree Town.

“Good. How many layers of meridians have you opened now? I’ll have Master send you out later,” Ling Chi inquired.

“Sixth Senior Brother, I’m at five layers now. I think I’ll stay with Master and refine for another two years,” Li Wu said, somewhat dispirited. Effort and talent must go hand in hand; he had plenty of effort but lacked the innate gift. Such is fate.

Ling Chi patted his shoulder silently. Comforting him was pointless; accepting mediocrity was not so difficult.

The dining hall was packed with senior brothers and juniors.

Ling Chi greeted everyone in turn before approaching Zhao Qing.

“Wishing Master longevity and the pinnacle of martial arts,” Ling Chi said, handing over the tiger skin with a few congratulatory words.

“For my part, I hope your martial path advances without end,” Zhao Qing replied, patting his shoulder, feeling somewhat nostalgic.

Only three or four years had passed, yet the once youthful and ambitious boy was nearly matching his cultivation level. It was a poignant sight.

“Mistress wishes you a life of peace and joy, far from calamity,” sentimental Yang Shu said before tears welled up, and she clung to Ling Chi’s arm, sobbing softly.

Ling Chi gently helped her sit down. Such words as peace and joy were destined not to accompany him. Violence, slaughter, and death were lifelong companions.

Glasses clinked and cups passed as Yang Shu, tear-eyed, spoke blessings.

“Master, someone from the prefectural seat has arrived!” the duty officer suddenly reported.

“Commander Zhao, I am Xu Qiang from the Northern County. Captain Cao orders that the war be launched ahead of schedule. You are to depart immediately, leading He County’s elite to assemble at the prefectural seat,” Xu Qiang said, bowing in respect.

Zhao Qing stood and returned the bow, ordering refreshments to be served.

“Commander Zhao, I must hurry to the Northern County to lead troops to the prefectural seat. We shall meet there,” Xu Qiang said before taking his leave.

Zhao Qing and Ling Chi exchanged a glance, both hearts kindling with the fire of battle.

“For my sixteenth birthday, I shall gift myself a grand slaughter!”