Hearing this, Hu Feng couldn't help but smile bitterly. Back in his youth, wasn't he the same? Ambitious but unlucky. These eight words perfectly encapsulate the plight of the vast majority of children from impoverished families.
After decades of wasted effort and struggle, in the end, wasn't he just a minor county magistrate? Therefore, Hu Feng was unwilling for his son to follow in his footsteps.
It can be said that unless you come from a poor family and are truly exceptionally gifted, like Cai Yong, who achieved a fifth-level quasi-sage status through sheer academic achievement, you can naturally become a high-ranking official.
Alternatively, you could distinguish yourself, demonstrate your exceptional talent, and then align yourself with a prominent family. For example, you could marry a woman from a prestigious family. In this way, becoming a member of a prominent family would naturally grant you access to official positions. Otherwise, it would be incredibly difficult.
"Since you are so confident, let's have a fight. If you win, the matter of becoming the head of the household guards will naturally be dropped. But if you lose..."
"If I lose, I will directly become your disciple and serve as your retainer," Hu Yong said loudly before Lin Yang could finish speaking.
Hearing this, Lin Yang couldn't help but smile. When dealing with teenagers like this, provocation is always the most effective method. Moreover, he'd have a thorough, physical exchange with him later. He believed that under the tutelage of his iron fists, Hu Yong would definitely remember it vividly.
...
On the drill ground, Hu Yong stood to the east, and Lin Yang to the west. Hu Yong was fully armed and mounted on a white horse, while Lin Yang was dressed as a scholar, with a bow and arrow, a broadsword, and a fine sword beside him. He wasn't even riding a horse.
It's fair to say that Hu Yong was furious upon seeing this outfit.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Accompanied by shouts of battle, Hu Yong's momentum surged instantly. He charged directly at Lin Yang like a hungry wolf.
Seeing this, Lin Yang couldn't help but shake his head. "You're really young. The entire training ground is a kilometer in diameter. Even riding a BMW, you can't just charge in like that! Can you maintain peak concentration for such a long distance? All I can say is, youth is truly wonderful!"
With a slight flick of his left hand, San Shi's iron-rimmed bow was lifted. Then, an arrow was nocked on the bowstring. The target, of course, was Hu Yong.
With a clang, accompanied by the sound of metal clashing, the arrow was blocked. Hu Yong was even more delighted.
"Haha, so-called chosen one, nothing special. They're still three hundred paces away, and they've already started shooting arrows. At such a distance, the arrows are weak and unpredictable, what good are they?"
when
when
when
Soon, more than twenty arrows had been fired. Lin Yang seemed exhausted, placing one hand on his iron-framed bow and standing there to rest. Seeing this, Hu Yong immediately rallied. Now was the time! Seize the opportunity and charge!
A hundred paces is nothing more than four or five breaths for this steed. With its powerful engine, a relentless charge would surely finish the guy off.
However, at that moment, another arrow came flying.
"Oh no, that's some strength, we've fallen for their trap."
"Oh no, this is a barrage of arrows."
Clang! After taking three arrows in quick succession, Hu Yong finally caught his breath. However, at that moment, the last arrow struck his warhorse directly. The horse, in pain, stumbled, and Hu Yong was thrown from his horse. If he hadn't reacted quickly, he might have been trampled.
"Nephew, you've lost this time," Lin Yang said with a smile, as he placed a large horizontal sword directly on the breastplate.
"Ah... I lost. From now on, I'll be your retainer. But I'm not convinced. Your victory was unfair." Hu Yong said unwillingly, and then gave Lin Yang a very resentful look.
"Hey, young people are all hot-blooded, it's normal to be defiant. You'll naturally accept it when you grow up," Lin Yang said with a smile. He wouldn't say anything like "Let's have another fight if you're not convinced," he was just a truly simple and honest young man.
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Chapter Twenty-Two: The Cycle Begins Again
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed. The second cycle was only a few days away. Lin Yang estimated the time and decided to officially set off for the county town.
Then, on the way to the county seat, the second cycle will take place. In this way, the secret can be preserved, and the newly recruited retainers can be effectively intimidated.
Without hesitation, Lin Yang and Su Qing'er, fully armed, along with more than ten retainers, set off from Huang County. Their destination, of course, was Donglai County. Only there was a teleportation array leading directly to Luoyang.
At that time, all that's needed is to pay some silver, and one can instantly reach Luoyang via the teleportation array. It's incredibly convenient, saving both time and effort. Otherwise, even riding a fine horse, it would take at least several months of arduous travel from Qingzhou to Luoyang.
Looking back at his team, Lin Yang was quite pleased. The weakest among them was at least a second-tier destiny. Although their strength was only around the peak of the first tier, most had a solid foundation. With just a suitable cultivation technique, they could break through directly.
This is my team, my original core group in this world.
"Let's go, destination: Dongnae County."
"Let's go, we can finally set off."
No sooner had Lin Yang finished speaking than a cheerful voice rang out. Without turning around, Lin Yang knew who it was. Hearing this, he couldn't help but smile.
...
Just as Lin Yang set off, Wang Hui, who lived outside the county town, also received the news.
"So, it's confirmed that he is the Chosen One?" Wang Hui asked the young Taoist outside the stone gate.
"Yes, when he held the crystal, it shone brightly. This is the behavior of a chosen one. It is estimated that it was because he obtained power from other worlds that the master, madam, and young master met with misfortune," the young Taoist replied.
"Has he already left the county town?"
"Yes, many people witnessed this. They just left this morning. They were accompanied by more than ten attendants. In terms of strength, they were all at the late stage or peak of the first rank. If you, sir, were to take action personally, it would be no problem at all."
Upon hearing this, Wang Hui frowned. It seemed that she was destined not to be able to intercept Lin Yang before she was able to leave. After all, there were still nearly ten days until she emerged from seclusion. Even if they wasted seven or eight days on the road, it would still be too late.
"How long has it been since the last reincarnation?"
"Well, the last cycle was around the 27th or 28th. However, according to the news from the county town, it should be before the 28th. That means he will continue the cycle in two days. If the third cycle is no different from the previous two."
“Alright, go find your senior brother and get the Netherworld Robe. Just tell him I owe him a favor. Three days later, when he reincarnates, that will be the time of his death,” Wang Hui said resolutely.
"The Netherworld Robe? Does Your Excellency intend to directly astral projection and kill this thief at night? But won't that interfere with Your Excellency's seclusion?" the young disciple asked in surprise.