“Are you certain? You wish to wed your daughter to my eldest son, Liu Fu?” Liu Dong Tu frowned, putting down his wine. He sighed heavily before turning his attention away to the countless entertainers of the pavilion.


    “Indeed, Brother Liu. Who are we old generals to stop two blooming buds of the future? If I may add another side, then it’ll be smart for our clan’s future too.” Zhulong Tao gestured his cup to the stoic general before him.


    After seconds of thinking, Liu Dong Tu responded bluntly, “Perhaps I’ve been too hands-off on those matters…”


    –Clink!


    “Such is the way of generals, Brother Liu. I too share the same sentiments. We have devoted ourselves to the Great Luan and the royal court so much so that even our offspring follow suit.” Zhulong Tao sipped. “The capital is filled with profligate scions, so we must be grateful for what great offspring we have.”


    Liu Dong Tu stroke his wispy beard at the mention of unruly scions of other noble families. Then his mind was pulled back to the third of his four sons. Changfeng-er…I wonder if something changed between the last I returned home to now?


    “Or was it because of the incident?” He muttered quietly.


    “Hm?” Zhulong Tao raised a brow. “What was that?”


    Liu Dong Tu grunted and returned a long sip. “Pay it no mind. I was thinking about my third son.”


    “Ah, is that so? I don’t think I’ve said it, but that’s something I’ve been envious of—four sons! The Heavens are truly sided with the Liu Clan!” Zhulong Tao laughed.


    “Pah. Four sons—I was bound to have one who brings me endless trouble,” Liu Dong Tu scoffed, shaking his head. “Changfeng-er has always been the most unruly of the lot.”


    Zhulong Tao nodded knowingly. “A boy’s heart is fickle, shaped by both triumph and loss. Whatever happened, perhaps it forced him to see the world through different eyes. Those unsavory rumors reached even my ears.”


    Liu Dong Tu grunted. “Enough talking about our kin. We’ll discuss it another time. Now, what of our duties on the border?”


    “Now, now Brother Liu! It’s a joyous topic, but if you’re so adamant then I’ll admit that my scouts have already relayed to me a rough estimate of those Hwan Kingdom scum. Thousands less than last year—and that troublesome War Prince of theirs is busy inland expanding their reach elsewhere. Our border’s defense will be no trouble, especially as we join hands to repel those invaders.”


    “Humph. That’s it? We could’ve figured this out in mere hours of defending. If that’s all, I’ll meet you at the border.” Liu Dong Tu said, getting up.


    “Ah, wait. About that—why not join my escort in the three days? You can spend some more time at home instead of leaving early.”


    Bothering me still? But…he’s not wrong.


    “Fine. Three days.”


    —


    “Young Master, isn’t that the General?” Han Zhen frowned as he held a beautiful sword.


    He pointed outside the window at a distant figure.


    Perceptive… Liu Changfeng noted.


    “Looks like it.”


    “Huh. I didn’t think the General liked to drink at pavilions or mingle among entertainers.”


    “My father doesn’t. He’s there because of the person who invited him—Zhenlong Tao.”


    Han Zhen jerked his head so quickly he nearly dropped the shop’s sword. Across the store, Jiang Yun’s face darkened.


    “Why would that twisted snake invite our General? To poison his rice wine?” Jiang Yun huffed.


    “It’s a scheme. Definitely a scheme. Should we bust inside?” Han Zhen pondered.


    “You’re both right—ah, not about busting inside. It is a scheme, but my rigid father doesn’t realize it,” Liu Changfeng muttered.


    “Then—!”


    “No. Let alone me, you two are like stalks in the wind against someone of Zhenlong Tao’s cultivation. Besides, the Zhenlong Clan’s head isn’t going to poison one of the Son of Heaven’s generals in the capital. The matter’s already settled.” Liu Changfeng rubbed his chin.


    Hmm…or did he? I think he did something drastic to someone else decades later…


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    “Excuse me, sirs!” Youzhou Wei panted, running out from the back once again. “Are you all leaving? Is our Youzhou Family’s work not good?”


    Liu Changfeng smiled at the boy who barely reached his waist. “No, it’s the opposite. I fear my carriage isn’t enough to carry all that want from this store.”


    "Hrm!?" Youzhou Wei exclaimed. He didn’t understand what the Young Master before him was saying. Was this what his uncle meant when he said, ‘C’mon, Little Wei! Bargain with that Liu Clan prince. His pockets run deep!’


    Liu Changfeng laughed and ruffled Youzhou Wei’s hair. "Brat! I’m saying I wish to form a relationship between the Youzhou Family of Smiths and my Liu Clan of Generals!"


    Like a wolf catching the scent of blood from a forest away, Liu Changfeng heard the clang of metal dropping in the back, followed by booming footsteps rushing toward him. Within seconds, a massive, sweaty, and soot-covered hand swung open the door.


    A pot-bellied and unkempt man emerged, panting just like Youzhou Wei had been earlier. Except this man wore a sleazy grin directed at Liu Changfeng.


    "Ah, Uncle!"


    "Not now, Little Wei." The man put up a hand before bowing deeply. "Young Master! Did my ears deceive me, or did I hear you mention that you wish to form a relationship with this humble smithery?


    "Indeed, I did say that."


    "Then—"


    "Han Zhen, Jiang Yun! Give this hard-working smith all the gold taels I brought here."


    "HUH!?" Both Han Zhen and Jiang Yun exclaimed, their jaws dropping.


    "It’s an order. If anything, it''s too little for collateral."


    The two exchanged incredulous glances before reluctantly reaching for the sacks tied around their waists.


    Now it was the old smith’s turn to be stunned. "Young Master, what is this? You haven’t even—"


    "Treat it as a gift if need be. I am but the third son of the Liu Clan’s head. My promises mean nothing without greater approval, and I am sure you understand this well. However, to show my sincerity in forming a connection with the Youzhou Family, I am willing to provide you with tens of gold taels."


    "I-I don’t know what to say, Young Master. Erm, I haven’t even gotten your name..."


    Liu Changfeng chuckled as Jiang Yun and Han Zhen weighed down the old smith’s arms with heavy sacks of money.


    "Liu Changfeng, third son of General Liu Dong Tu."


    "...This old man’s name is Youzhou Wen.”


    "I bid you farewell, Youzhou Wen. I’ll be seeing you." Liu Changfeng grinned.


    As the three of them left, Youzhou Wen and his nephew stood frozen, stunned by the sheer generosity of the gift.


    —


    "Young Master... those gold taels were the last of your allowance..." Han Zhen frowned as he blocked another flurry of sword strikes. “You didn’t even buy anything.”


    The three of them were back in the manor’s training yard for evening drills. The other guards were absent—actually working—but Liu Changfeng had used his status to pull these two away from their duties.


    "Disappointed I didn’t buy you two some new weapons?" Liu Changfeng smirked.


    "I—No, no! Of course not!"


    Liu Changfeng didn’t let Han Zhen off, pressing forward with another sequence of the Scattered Leaves Sword Art.


    Han Zhen raised a brow but still blocked every strike with ease.


    "I was kidding, Han Zhen."


    Liu Changfeng glanced past him.


    There, Jiang Yun was training on the dummies, following the same mystifying instructions Liu Changfeng had given him two days ago. Primeval Essence flowed from his sword—each strike sharper than the last.


    "Again." Liu Changfeng gestured for Han Zhen to switch with Jiang Yun.


    Hours passed like this.


    If Han Zhen and Jiang Yun weren’t already shocked by their Third Young Master’s skill with the sword, they were now. It was as if he devoured every ounce of knowledge and experience with each exchange. His swordsmanship, already formidable, was improving at an unsettling pace.


    No—before that.


    He wasn’t tired.


    It wasn’t that his stamina was exceptional. It was something else entirely.


    His movements were fluid, each step seamlessly flowing into the next. Of course, having the advantage of being on the offensive helped, but even so—!


    Unbeknownst to the two of them, Liu Changfeng had achieved something he thought would be trivial—adapting to his own body.


    It was at a passable level now, saving increments of stamina and strength from wasted movement.


    However, just as he reached that point, something else blindsided him.


    That mirror-like thing!


    [System Alert!]


    Liu Manor Guard Captain [1/2] recognized: [Jiang Yun]


    [Jiang Yun] Has achieved the First Stage of the Fiendish Heartsword.


    Challenger Liu Changfeng! You have met the conditions for [Grand Marshal’s Subordinates]


    New feature unlocked: [Grand Marshal’s Subordinates]


    At that moment, Jiang Yun, panting from exertion, stepped back and lowered his sword. A flicker of realization crossed his face before he nodded with certainty.


    "...I think I got it now," he muttered.


    Liu Manor Guard Captain [Jiang Yun]


    [Jiang Yun] One half of the rising stars of General Liu Dong Tu’s army—known for his ferocity and unyielding loyalty. In battle with his bloodsworn brother, they were like twin tigers tearing through enemy ranks, their synergy unmatched. But war was cruel. Their injuries had forced them off the battlefield, and while they were still strong, they were no longer the warriors they once were.


    General Liu Dong Tu had given them a chance to recover. One day, they were meant to return to his ranks.


    Yet now, perhaps…a new path may open.


    Hidden Quest Received! [Tiger Brothers 1]


    Task: Reforge the roots of the two former infantry tigers. Although they were reassigned to the Liu Manor for recovery, their fighting spirits remain. Strengthen their resolve, train them to surpass their former selves, and lead them toward a new path.


    Reward: [???]


    Failure: Jiang Yun and Han Zhen remain as guards, unable to regain their former strength. Their fate diverges from yours.


    Progress: [1/2]


    A strange sensation settled in Liu Changfeng’s chest as these words echoed in his mind.


    A formation bonus will be activated if both captains are acknowledged as subordinates.


    “Young Master!” Han Zhen sheathed his sword and rushed to check on Liu Changfeng, who had staggered to a knee.


    Liu Changfeng held up a hand. “I-I’m fine. Maybe I strained myself too much…”


    “I…yes, that was my mistake. I was too distracted by that training Jiang Yun and I have been doing and drilling with you. I forgot that it’s only been a few days since you’ve even picked up a sword, let alone temper your body.” Han Zhen frowned.


    “I’ll call it a night. You can train alongside Jiang Yun…maybe pull him out of his trance.” Liu Changfeng laughed, pointing at Jiang Yunpractically drooling in focus.


    As he made his way back to his bed quarters, the events of the day replayed in his mind. Hidden…quest? That reminds me—I have that main quest I heard when I first woke.


    And as if system noticed his confusion, the mirror appeared again.


    You have unlocked the Main Quest: [Ember of Hope 1]


    Details: The Fated Grand Marshal System will not settle for weakness. Only those who aim to leave their mark in history may wield its power.


    Task: Successfully attend the Black Tortoise Warfare Academy’s Inauguration and secure your place among its Founding Generation of students.


    Time Limit: 147 Days.


    Reward: Clear Meridians.


    Failure: Removal of the Fated Grand Marshal System and consequent benefits.


    He laughed softly to himself as he lay down to rest. This voice is called the ‘Fated Grand Marshal System.’


    Quite the convenient thing.