Volume One: The Wild Child Chapter Fifty: Slaying the White One and Farewell

The entire hall was enveloped in a suffocating silence, as if cowed by the aura of violence radiating from Zhang Wenshu; behind the ostentatious young man, not a soul dared move. Zhang Wenshu was still smiling, Xie Daoyun shook her head, and Lin Changtian’s brows were tightly furrowed.

Clap, clap, clap—applause rang out, abrupt and out of place, yet it persisted. The man wore red sleeves over white garments, an indescribable allure about him, as if a few drops of oil paint had stained the refined monochrome of ink, making it all the more flamboyant. Zhang Wenshu’s smile faded; this was the very person he had labored to lure from the main entrance. But Xie Daoyun thought him too troublesome, and so she shook her head; Lin Changtian disliked the killing, and so he frowned.

“When they see me, they behave themselves, not daring to utter a word even about their own leader’s death.” The man’s words ceased, but the sharpness in his eyes grew more pronounced, as if questioning Zhang Wenshu’s audacity.

Zhang Wenshu grinned broadly. “We can resolve the concerns that trouble you, sir; they cannot.”

The man looked at Lin Changtian’s group with keen interest, then pointed to Zhang Wenshu and addressed the crowd: “It seems you recognize me. Who among you is in charge? Whatever you wish to say, I am willing to listen.”

Had an outsider been present, they would have noticed the varying expressions among the ostentatious young man’s followers, yet ultimately, all were manifestations of one emotion: fear, rooted deep within their bones.

Lin Changtian remained silent, so Xie Daoyun took up the thread, speaking slowly: “Forgive us, we only recognize the badge of the Seven Clans.”

The man’s smile widened. “Indeed, I am not as renowned as the Seven Clans. Come inside and speak—there truly is a vexing matter that requires your assistance.”

...

“Have you killed before? Dare you slay a few big names?” As soon as they entered the mercenary hall’s council chamber, the man spoke abruptly.

Xie Daoyun was about to respond, but Lin Changtian stopped her, glancing at the man with detached calm. “Who, and for what price?”

“The target is Bai Zhengmou, the head of the Bai family from the Seven Clans. The price is a favor from Old Yang Five Willows.”

“Is Old Yang Five Willows among the ten elders?” Lin Changtian scratched his head, unable to recall such a person in Ru Zhou.

The man smoothed his inner robe, folding every corner until it was perfectly docile, before finally speaking. “There is indeed an empty seat among the ten elders. Wei Shaoqing simply uses it to recruit ‘heroes’—and coincidentally, that is me. Alas, this power was wrested from the Bai family’s mouth. They make a fuss, the Seven Clans stay out of it, seemingly curious about what I can do. To tell the truth, I am not native to Ru Zhou, unfamiliar with its ways, so I came to the mercenary hall to try my luck, hoping to find someone capable to resolve this troublesome matter for me.”

“You are one of the ten elders, the Bai family’s power has waned—wouldn’t it be more impressive to handle it yourself?” Zhang Wenshu’s gaze betrayed his confusion; in his logic, who would pass up the chance to beat a dog when it’s down?

Xie Daoyun placed a hand on Zhang Wenshu’s shoulder, answering for the man: “You likely wish to absorb the Bai clan for yourself. A force scattered overnight needs a new towering tree.”

Yang Five Willows nodded, reclining lazily in his chair. “So, do you all have the courage to make a trip on my behalf? If successful, the protection of the ten elders in Ru Zhou is something all would covet.”

Lin Changtian and Xie Daoyun exchanged glances, then replied in unison, “We accept the job!”

...

The Bai Estate still glowed with bright lights, its entrance lavishly decorated, as if oblivious to the rumors of decline. Yet, the ancient willows and age-old stones were nowhere to be found. In the eyes of the Seven Clans, the Bai family’s heritage was depleted, and they now appeared as mere upstart tycoons.

From being one of the Seven Noble Clans to just a ‘local strongman,’ the Bai family was unwilling to accept their fate. But when their top experts tried to flee, they were caught in formation and executed on the spot by Wei Shaoqing—without a single protest.

Thus, with no one left to command respect and their reputation utterly ruined, the Bai family had no choice but to acquiesce.

...

Yet, as Wei Shaoqing had noted, the nobles’ dependence on power was ingrained in their very blood. The current Bai family head decided to gamble everything.

When the Lin family’s Wangchuan Legion was defeated, the Bai family members, thanks to their patriarch’s desertion, were ‘assigned’ to the front lines of the war. Those who survived seized the chaos, capitalizing on their local advantage to capture several Lin family boundary weapons and bionic mechs—the only intact Lin technology in Ru Zhou.

Yang Five Willows wanted Bai Zhengmou dead—but Bai Zhengmou equally wished to rid himself of this interloper who had snatched their hereditary rights.

“Listen carefully! Yang Five Willows is truly half a step from the Cave God realm. In terms of personal strength, only Old Wei Shaoqing might surpass him in Ru Zhou. Do not be careless!” Bai Zhengmou’s gaze, sharp as a blade, swept over every clan member in the hall, pausing at several ‘peculiar’ figures.

Bai Zhengmou laughed at the sight of these all-black-clad men. “You’re right to wear black, but you haven’t even left the estate—why cover your faces? Aren’t you suffocating?”

The leader muttered a few words, muffled by the cloth covering his face.

“What?” Bai Zhengmou couldn’t hear, so he hurried closer. But the moment he approached, he sensed danger and tried to pull away—too late. A flash of silver revealed the face beneath the black veil, and before Bai Zhengmou could cry out, Lin Changtian’s blade was already sheathed.

The Bai clan members were stunned—killed before even setting out? Yet Lin Changtian’s group were not ones for chivalry; while the others gaped in shock, they rushed forward to seize the boundary weapons and mechs, smashing through the roof and soaring skyward.

The Bai clan still stood dazed, not out of stupidity, but because their last expert had been slain with a single stroke—who else dared step forward to die?

...

“Slow down, slow down, this is too fast!” Lin Changtian frantically slapped Xie Daoyun’s boundary weapon. The more he panicked, the more excited she became, pushing the speed to the limit, veering toward the outskirts of the city.

Soon, the roar faded, and a few unexpected guests arrived on the wilds outside the city.

“Changtian, thank you for your care these past days. Should I, Xie Daoyun, ever rise to power, I will certainly repay you.” Her face hidden beneath a metal shell, the voice, augmented by machinery, was calm as still water—she seemed to bid Lin Changtian farewell forever.

Yet Xie Daoyun found it absurd; he felt reluctant to leave Ru Zhou, or rather, to part from Lin Changtian, whom he had only known for a month.

But, trained from youth as a warrior by the Lin family, his mind was filled with the glory of his masters. He steadied his tone, grateful that the metal mask concealed his embarrassment.

“Our army’s situation is urgent. To be honest, Wenshu deceived you that day—the Wangchuan Legion’s surprise attack on Ru Zhou was merely a feint. The Lin family’s true intent was to intimidate neighboring enemies, as the conquered north remains rife with factions needing consolidation. Rebels and traitors are the norm now—every day someone turns bandit or crowns themselves king.”

Lin Changtian tilted his head, ignoring Xie Daoyun’s words, pondering his own return.

Seeing this, Xie Daoyun said no more, but solemnly bowed; after all, his own group had been less than honest, freeloading for so long, and even tricking him once with the boundary weapon.

“There’s another set of boundary armor—use it by channeling energy within, practice until it moves as one with you. Then, at your call, it will cover your body, and at your will, it will vanish as skin.” With those words, Xie Daoyun departed, soaring skyward, unwilling to say another word of farewell.

The mask’s advantage was plain—it always seemed cold and aloof.

He was, after all, a commander.

Zhang Wenshu pursed his lips; this rough fellow never uttered anything sentimental, only placing his hand over his chest—the Lin family’s salute to comrades.

Lin Changtian swept away his earlier indifference, placing his fist over his heart in solemn respect—the highest honor of the northern lands.

Under the vast night sky, they faded into starlight. Perhaps, one day without war and with less corruption of heart, they would meet again and share a few bottles.

...

The next morning, Yang Five Willows rubbed his hands, circling Lin Changtian and scrutinizing him. “Excellent, excellent! I didn’t expect you to actually kill the Bai patriarch—so clean and swift. I’m new here and need people. Why not stay under my command and build a career in Ru Zhou together?”

Lin Changtian’s eyes lit up, and he quickly replied, “Sir, to be honest, I am not from Ru Zhou either. How about we swear brotherhood?”

...

Yang Five Willows’ smile grew. “Second Brother!” “Big Brother!” “Second Brother!” “Big Brother!” “Second Brother, tell me, was that legendary boundary weapon what flew out of the Bai estate that day?”

Lin Changtian looked up sharply, realizing that Yang Five Willows’ smile always harbored a hint of mockery.

Perhaps this man had caught wind long ago, and what he sought to control was not the dying Bai clan, but those powerful, mysterious boundary weapons—using Lin Changtian’s hand to obtain them.

“Hm?” Lin Changtian widened his eyes—three parts innocent, three parts astonished, and the remaining four full of wounded suspicion and helplessness.

This left Yang Five Willows momentarily perplexed. He glanced around, then said casually, “Second Brother, aren’t your companions here?”

Lin Changtian blinked, still immersed in ‘grief.’

“Second Brother!” Yang Five Willows barked impatiently, as if Lin Changtian’s act had gone on long enough.

“Oh, oh!” Lin Changtian seemed to snap out of it. “To be honest, big brother, I teamed up with them for this job. Those people are truly fierce—kill someone and then vanish, who knows where they got such strange devices, able to fly straight out of the city. What you’re asking about is probably in their hands now.”

Yang Five Willows frowned; yesterday’s reports from his own subordinates matched Lin Changtian’s account.

Yet something seemed off.

Yang Five Willows squeezed out a smile. “Second Brother, you’ve worked hard. From now on, as I’m in charge of Ru Zhou’s security, the eastern district will be yours to maintain. Do well—your appointment starts tomorrow!”

With that, he waved Lin Changtian out.

Lin Changtian quickly put on a submissive act, bowing and ‘thanking’ his big brother.

But as the door closed, the smiles on both their faces turned cold—as if carved from the same mold.

...

Lin Changtian returned to his courtyard, carrying a heap of food. Yi Xiao and Wei Mou, starved for days, ate happily.

But the self-proclaimed ‘Ru Zhou King of Meals’ found his appetite lacking.

After all, the courtyard had grown empty once more.

Faces flashed through his mind—from the northern lands to the central north, and now Ru Zhou.

The north held hopes of war, the central north had trials of life and death, but Ru Zhou alone was chilly.

The whole city was bustling, yet not a hint of mundane warmth.

A sudden thought struck Lin Changtian: “No wonder Ru Zhou fell to war; no wonder Xie Daoyun lost the battle.”

Why did that stubborn fellow insist on the dignity of a commander, unable to utter a proper goodbye?

Yet Lin Changtian did not brood long, for he had sensed the longing behind the metal mask.

...

“Bah!” Lin Changtian drank alone, spat on the ground, thinking of the mysterious moon, his gaze distant. “Xie Daoyun, you rascal, playing it cold with me—well then, I wish you…” Lin Changtian trailed off, pitched forward, and soon only the sounds of his deep sleep remained, muttering, “Safe travels.”