7: Official appointment

On the way back to the Xu Residence, Xu Qing looked at the ragged little boy and asked,

“What’s your name?”

“Liu A’da.”

“A’da? Are you the only one in your family?”

“I had a younger sister, Liu A’xiao, but she got sick and we had no money for treatment, so she died.”

“What about your mother then?”

“My father said she was taken by Bandits when she went to the mountains to gather herbs.”

Xu Qing looked at the child in front of him, who was only about ten years old. He should have been innocent, happy, and carefree at this age, but he had experienced so many tragedies.

Alas, what a man-eating world this is.

… …

Upon arriving at the Xu Residence, Xu Qing instructed his servants to take money and help Liu A’da arrange his father’s funeral.

Xu Qing didn't need to do this himself.

Because Liu A’da had no real relation to him; helping him was out of sympathy for his plight.

It was impossible for Xu Qing to personally resolve every person’s tragic situation; that was unrealistic, and Xu Qing couldn't do that.

For Xu Qing, seeing injustice and drawing his sword to help was his greatest act of kindness.

Perhaps there are people in the world who are born Saints, destined to save all injustice in the world.

But that was not Xu Qing, who was an orphan in his previous life.

Xu Qing admired Saints, but he couldn't be a Saint.

All he wanted was to live his own life well, with some kindness.

A few days later, the servant returned with Liu A’da.

Xu Qing looked at Liu A’da; this ten-year-old boy seemed to have grown up in an instant.

His eyes were full of calm, showing no sign that he was now a homeless boy.

“I helped you bury your father, but I will not ask for any repayment from you.

If you don’t want to follow me, you can find your own path.

But if you decide to follow me, you must obey my commands from now on.

So, Liu A’da, what is your decision?”

Liu A’da knelt down with a thud, his head firmly hitting the ground, and a resolute voice came from his lips.

“My lord, my entire family is dead now; going out alone is just seeking death.

I hope to follow you from now on!”

Xu Qing looked at Liu A’da in front of him; Liu A’da was now an orphan.

Looking at Liu A’da’s thin and weak back, Xu Qing seemed to see his past self, who was just as desolate.

Xu Qing personally helped Liu A’da up and said with a smile:

“Good, from now on, you will be my personal servant and follow me at all times.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Liu A’da stood up, looked at his benefactor, the one who gave him a way to live, and said earnestly.

… … … …

The Great Xuan Dynasty was divided from top to bottom by region: Capital, Prefecture, City, County.

At the same time, inside Deputy General Chen Wu’s residence in the Linzhou Capital.

“Oh? Hunting a tiger?”

“And two young men! Good!”

Deputy General Chen Wu was greatly surprised and admired the news from his subordinate.

In the Great Xuan Dynasty, which lacked extraordinary Martial Forest power, being able to hunt a tiger was an extremely astonishing feat.

Even Deputy General Chen Wu, who was one meter ninety tall and full of muscles, wouldn't dare say he could hunt a fierce tiger himself.

Regardless of whether the news was true, the fact that the tiger had been hunted down was a certainty.

If these two were recruited under his command and given official positions, it would certainly be of great benefit to him.

Deputy General Chen Wu thought to himself.

If it was true, it would naturally be excellent; having such inhuman martial arts on the battlefield would surely help him achieve merits.

Even if they climbed higher than him, he presumed they wouldn't forget this favor of promotion.

If it was false, it didn't matter; the news reaching him meant it was already widely known.

Recruiting these two would surely spread word among the common folk that Deputy General Chen Wu had a Wisdom Eye for recognizing talent and was Shanyu at promoting others.

Soldiers in the army, knowing Deputy General Chen Wu’s actions, would certainly be more respectful and obedient, looking forward to Deputy General Chen Wu’s promotion.

“No, how could such a good thing only occur to me!”

“I must act quickly! I cannot let others get ahead of me!”

“Pass on my command: Xu Qing and Yang Long, from Yuan City, are young talents who, working together, hunted down a fierce tiger. They are truly full of vigor.

If they are willing to serve under me, I, Deputy General Chen Wu, am willing to offer them the position of Captain.”

Deputy General Chen Wu waved his hand to summon a messenger, ordering him to ride at top speed, ensuring the message reached Xu Qing and Yang Long as quickly as possible.

It wasn’t just Deputy General Chen Wu.

Deputy General Zhao Long and other generals also heard the news, realizing its significance, and dispatched people to Yuan City as well.

Thus, several swift horses passed through the city gates of the Capital, galloping continuously towards Yuan City.

… … … …

Xu Residence.

After adjusting his breathing, Xu Qing took three breaths in and one out.

His body twisted seemingly slowly yet powerfully, his arm moved in an arc, and then he thrust it forward, punching the rockery in the courtyard.

“Bang!”

The rockery was directly punched through; Xu Qing’s hand was firmly embedded in the stone, leaving a deep fist mark.

Xu Qing raised his hand, looking at his hand that had cracked the stone, smooth as new, without any injury, and was secretly pleased.

Although he didn't use Divine Ability.

However, his body, which had long been permeated and circulated by Divine Ability, had greatly increased in hardness, and could now shatter stone without being harmed.

Xu Qing then thought, does this count as body tempering?

Using Divine Ability to evenly circulate throughout the entire body.

This was like the Iron Sand Palm described in novels, where using certain medicinal herbs over a long period could greatly increase the hardness of the palm.

Then, if I continuously use Divine Ability like this, won't I eventually achieve the Iron Cloth Shirt?

And it wouldn't even be that strenuous; I would just need to evenly coat every part of my body with Divine Ability.

If that's the case, then even the Iron Cloth Shirt could be achieved.

If this counts as skin tempering, then bone and organ tempering should also be possible.

In the future, I can proceed with these steps.

Although I still don't know how to use Divine Ability or cast Divine Ability spells.

But becoming a Martial Forest expert is no problem.

Xu Qing thought.

He suddenly imagined others in the future trying to hack at him with swords, desperately hacking away but unable to break his skin.

Xu Qing couldn't help but find it a little amusing.

“My lord, someone from the City Lord’s Mansion has arrived and requests your presence.”

Liu A’da walked into the courtyard, cupped his hands, and said to Xu Qing.

Go to the City Lord’s Mansion?

Xu Qing was a little puzzled; the City Lord’s Mansion had no dealings with him, so why would they suddenly invite him over?

Never mind, since they called me, I’ll go.

Anyway, as long as it's not hundreds of people in heavy armor surrounding me, I can fight my way out.

“Then you come with me, A’da.”

“Yes, my lord.”

These past few days, Liu A’da had been by Xu Qing’s side.

Liu A’da’s diet had improved, he was able to eat his fill, and his face had gained some flesh, looking much healthier.

His clothes were no longer ragged but had been replaced with servant attire.

He looked much more spirited than before, and his eyes also showed more hope for life.

Liu A’da drove the carriage to the front of the City Lord’s Mansion.

As Xu Qing stepped out of the carriage, he saw the imposing gate of the City Lord’s Mansion.

On both sides stood soldiers with swords, standing rigidly at attention.

“Xu Qing, you’re here too!”

Yang Long also came, and seeing Xu Qing, he excitedly ran over.

“Yang Long, why are you here too?”