The next day at noon, only half-past ten-year-old Cui Yanjin and Cui Xingzhi left from Cui family of Qinghe.
After a night of consideration, the others all felt it too dangerous to let their offspring go to Nanchu. They feared a one-way journey with no return. It did not seem wise to them for Mister Cui to let his most promising grandson abandon his original path and head to Nanchu.
They thought of the two hundred guards he had assigned to Zhou Gu and how in such a short time, news had come back saying only a few of the guards had survived the battle. As a message traveled all the way to Nanchu and then from the Duchess to Mister Cui hand, it had been a month. A lot could have happened in that time. Zhou Gu could even have lost his life.
Mister Cui felt disappointment when he saw only young Cui Yanjin, but he also acknowledged that the cautious decision made by the others was understandable given the grim situation turning up in Nanchu.
He patted Cui Xingzhi on the shoulder, "Xingzhi, take good care of Yanjin. Once you two brothers enter Nanchu, keep a low profile and understand the situation as quickly as possible. Try to find your cousin Zhou Gu and follow his words."
Cui Xingzhi nodded, "Grandfather, don’t worry."
"If it’s clear that the situation is not good, and Nanchu is not salvageable, you bring Yanjin back." Uncle Sheng advised from the side. In reality, what he wanted to say was, "If something happens to Zhou Gu, don’t be foolish. Come back immediately."
Cui Xingzhi, not wanting to disrespect the elder, agreed, "Sure."
Mister Cui glanced at Uncle Sheng but said nothing. He waved to Cui Xingzhi, "Off you go!"
Cui Xingzhi bid farewell to his grandparents, parents and family members, and mounted his horse.
On the other side, the fourth uncle and aunt were talking to Cui Yanjin. The carefree fourth uncle said, "Lad, make your father proud. When you’re in Nanchu with your cousin, make a name for us and give your father and me a chance to hold our heads high."
While munching on seeds, the fourth aunt asked, "Did you bring the sword manual? What about the hidden weapons and poisons? When you were young, learning martial arts from your grandfather, you claimed that you would roam the Jianghu when you grew up. Now that we’re letting you go, don’t let your grandfather down. If you do, don’t say that you are a disciple taught by the master of the Evil Ghost Sect."
After finishing, she patted her belly, "After you leave, your father and I will try to give you a little brother. Don’t worry about no one paying a tribute to us; just take care of your own life."
Cui Yanjin patted his chest and assured, "Don’t worry, Dad."
Then, puffing up his chest, he said, "And Mum, don’t worry. If I lose face, I will make sure to acknowledge you as my mother and not mention my grandfather’s word."
The fourth aunt spit out the seed husk and glared at him, "It’s not okay for me either. I have my prestige too."
Cui Yanjin stuck his tongue out and then ran away.
just as Cui Xingzhi mounted his horse, he saw his younger cousin running towards him. Cui Yanjin grabbed the horse’s rein, climbed the horse elegantly, looked at him confidently, and said, "Brother Xingzhi, let’s go."
Cui Xingzhi paused for a moment, nodded, "Let’s go!"
Just as he finished speaking, the younger cousin spurred the horse and dashed out first.
Cui Xingzhi turned to look at the fourth uncle and aunt. The couple were not watching Cui Yanjin. The fourth aunt seemed to be angry, and the fourth uncle was holding her and coaxing her. He silently moved his eyes away and made another salute to the elders. Without any more words, he galloped away.
Mister Cui provided over a thousand guards for Cui Xingzhi and also divided his own wealth the day before, giving him half. However, Cui Xingzhi had to go to guard Zhou Gu first, travelling light. The wealth and belongings would later be sent to Nanchu by the escort agency.
He still had a great deal of faith in his grandson Zhou Gu. He believed that the gifted and talented young Master Zhou from Duke Residence, with all his skills learned since childhood, would be enough to protect himself. Even if all the guards were lost, he would not fall easily.
After Cui Xingzhi and Cui Yanjin left, Uncle Sheng exclaimed in shock, "You’ve given half of the family wealth and all the family guards to Xingzhi?"
"Yes." Mister Cui nodded, "He can’t possibly go to Nanchu empty-handed and fight with people under such severe circumstances."
Uncle Sheng stopped talking. He felt that this was too much, too risky, just in case it failed.
"No risk, no reward, Uncle Sheng. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world, anything lucrative comes with a risk," Mister Cui said, not wanting to discuss it anymore.
Uncle Sheng sighed, "Indeed. Ah, I still feel it is too risky. I just can’t bear to see Xingzhi, this boy."
While saying this, he gritted his teeth and ordered the man next to him, "Let Changsheng select two hundred people to catch up with Xingzhi and follow him. Tell him that these are from me and he should accept them. As his grand uncle, I can’t just watch him head to his death. I must ensure he comes back alive."
"Yes," the man immediately left.
Mister Cui smiled, "Thank you, Uncle Sheng."
Uncle Sheng also waved his hand tiredly, "Enough, what is there to thank? You have sacrificed your most beloved grandson for the family. I can’t be stingy. I hope he can succeed. If not, at least he can come back safely."
Mister Cui smiled and said, "He will."
After Cui Xingzhi and Cui Yanjin had traveled thirty miles out of the city, a group of people caught up with them from behind. Changsheng, following Uncle Sheng’s orders, handed over the people to Cui Xingzhi, along with Uncle Sheng’s words.
At the same time, Cui Jingcheng also sent a hundred guards saying he would let him lead the way and hoped he would have a bright future.
Cui Xingzhi’s eyes reddened slightly, "Thank you, Uncle, thank you, Jingcheng."
Indeed, he had not expected that the most opposed Uncle would actually give him two hundred people. As far as he knew, his family only had three hundred guards in total. As for Jingcheng, despite his refusal the day before, he still sent a hundred guards his way.
After accepting the people, Cui Xingzhi continued on his way with them.
Cui Yanjin cheerfully said, "Brother Xingzhi, I just remembered, my parents didn’t give me a single person to take along."
Cui Xingzhi looked at him speechlessly, "You’re just realizing that now? Isn’t it a bit late?"
Cui Yanjin touched his nose, "Perhaps my parents forgot?"
Cui Xingzhi was not sure whether that whimsical couple had forgotten or not, "It doesn’t matter. We have enough people. Grandfather gave me all the guards from our house. He only kept a few people with him."
Speaking of their grandfather, Cui Xingzhi also felt reluctant. When he heard that he was to take all the guards, he firmly opposed it. But his grandfather said that he was going there to help Cousin Zhou Gu, who must be in desperate need of manpower. Otherwise, Aunt wouldn’t send a letter asking him to send more manpower. Additionally, it was also a way to seek a future for the Cui family. This was what he deserved. At home, there was not much danger, and he could rear more guards. Taking enough people with him to Nanchu was the top priority.
Cui Yanjin nodded and patted the swollen travel bag in front of his saddle, "Rest assured, Brother Xingzhi, I have brought enough hidden weapons and poisons."
Cui Xingzhi nodded.
The two of them, along with their people, traveled day and night. After half a month, they were stopped by a large group of people in a small town. The group consisted of diverse people, men and women, old and young, tall and short, fat and thin. The leader, an ordinary-looking man in his thirties, saluted Cui Yanjin, "Are you Young Master Yanjin? We, by the command of our sect leader, have been waiting here for you. From now on, we will follow you in life and death."
Cui Yanjin: "..."
Well, it turned out that his unreliable parents did not forget him after all.
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