Chapter 1, After I die, it is yours
The young man divided four cups of fragrant tea and then looked at the elder across from him, saying
His gaze is clear and ethereal, compelling you to watch him, to watch him, and before you know it, you find yourself drawn to him
The elderly man across from me shook his head disdainfully and said
The repugnant stench, the heavy air of decay, the irritable temperament stemming from a military background, and the difficulty in serving such a disposition are all reasons that are hard to accept
Neglecting one's proper duties, with this time and effort, it would be better to practice a few more sword techniques. In the military academy entrance examination a few years from now, it would be beneficial to have some assurance!
From that day onward, Fang Ning took on this job
However, Fang Ning stayed behind. Counting today, he has been assisting in this military veterans' home for a full two years. The reason Fang Ning chose to remain is, on one hand, undoubtedly because this job offers the highest remuneration; it is no secret that he needs money
"Not bad," the old man nodded, closing his eyes. "If there were still longevity pills, it would probably be no problem to drag on for another twenty or thirty years. Unfortunately, longevity pills will never exist again. I only have a month or two left..."
These evaluations have never ceased. If it were not for Fang Ning's consistent top performance at the official martial arts academy over the past few years, it is likely that even harsher criticisms would have been voiced.
However, Fang Ning is not afraid; no matter how difficult or challenging it may be, Fang Ning has never wavered in her belief that she must be admitted to a military academy. This is a promise made with her father since childhood, and regardless of the hardships, she cannot abandon this goal
Fool! Idiot! Greedy!
This is the Military Retirement Home, where those soldiers who have dedicated their entire lives to the Tianluo Empire, without establishing families or having descendants, will spend their final years.
Gu Tian Nan finally finished his criticism, indulged to his heart's content, and drank all the tea, appearing to be in a good mood
This is also the reason why Fang Ning can achieve first place in the official martial arts academy year after year. Under the guidance of these elders, Fang Ning, at merely fifteen years of age and with average physical fitness, has already reached the third level of the Qi Refinement stage.
No, no, Ning, you are still lacking three points of effort; you brewed this tea too hastily
After I die, it will be yours!
Fang Ning looked and saw that it was almost done, then asked:
"Great-grandfather, please have some tea. What do you think of this time?"
One hundred and ninety-seven years old?" Fang Ning was astonished, staring in disbelief at the elderly man before him
The soup flowers, whether thick or thin, heavy or light, floating or scattered, are skillfully poured into the cup by the young man, creating a mesmerizing visual experience of rising and sinking, gathering and dispersing. The froth surges in the kettle, while the flowers bloom in the bowl, vividly depicting the marvelous scene of the soup flowers rippling after the tea is poured.
Fang Ning did not know how many times she had heard him say these words in the past, but today, upon hearing them, she felt a particular sentiment. Her nose tinged with bitterness, and she struggled to hold back her tears.
In those years, I was known as the Dawn Sword, a long sword that swept through the borderlands, causing those Gauls to change color at the mere mention of my name
Kezhou City enjoys a spring-like climate year-round, making it an ideal place for retirement. Additionally, due to its location on the northwestern border of the Tianluo Empire, many retired soldiers from the twelve cities of the Western Capital Province reside here.
Unfortunately, the results from the official military academy do not guarantee admission to a military school, as the admission standards and examination subjects for military schools are the most stringent
After growing old, he became extremely reclusive. At the slightest provocation, he would curse and strike out. Other veterans were unwilling to associate with him, and no one was willing to pay him any attention. The caregivers and doctors in the veterans' home had all been offended by him, and no caregiver was willing to take care of him
You listen to me first!" Gu Tian Nan waved his hand, interrupting Fang Ning's words
I just don't know how many more days I can see this sunlight
Yet no matter how strong the flesh and blood may be, it cannot withstand the erosion of time. Today, they have become heroes in their twilight, aged and weary.
Within the high walls are more than ten buildings and pavilions, interspersed with gardens and libraries. There are pavilions and grassy areas, where elderly individuals can be seen everywhere, either chatting, playing chess, or sitting on benches reminiscing about the past
The boy was approximately fifteen or sixteen years old, somewhat slender in build, with clear brows and bright eyes. At first glance, he seemed to possess nothing particularly remarkable, just an ordinary boy from the neighborhood. However, upon closer inspection, he exuded an indescribable aura.
In the northwest corner of the bustling city of Kezhou, there lies a tranquil place. From a distance, two imposing soldiers stand guard at the grand entrance.
However, I can still change your fate, for I possess one last treasure.
I knew you would ask this, Ning. Listen carefully: the Twin Swords break the Tower Shield, which is also known as the Giant Shield, and is referred to as the Turtle Shell.
The setting sun is infinitely beautiful, yet it is merely close to dusk
Fang Ning had also been scolded and beaten here, but he merely smiled in response. Thus, he became Gu Tian Nan's caregiver. No matter how eccentric or reclusive Gu Tian Nan was, or how harshly he mocked him, Fang Ning simply smiled gently, showing no concern.
I am already one hundred and ninety-seven years old this year
Gu Tian Nan's rise seems to echo in this mockery and criticism, as if he has returned to his former glorious moments. Living is meaningful only for him, and although his appearance reflects a man in his sixties, seeing him evokes a sense of decay, making one acutely aware that he has aged to the limit, as if he is on the brink of death.
The young man is brewing tea, his movements neither hurried nor slow, flowing like clouds and water. He has reached the final stage of brewing, preparing the tea and pouring the infusion into the cup.
You rascal, I have been watching you all along and I know that you want to enter a military academy, wish to save your father, and hope to cure your mother's illness. If it were thirty years ago, all of this would have been a matter of a single word from me. Now, I can no longer help you change your fate instantly, but...
Because being admitted to a military academy signifies that from then on, one becomes an imperial official, enjoying a stable career, entering the ranks of the ruling class, living a life free from worries, with guaranteed income regardless of drought or flood, a narrow bridge that millions aspire to cross.
Tanghua refers to the froth produced from brewed tea, essentially a type of foam. However, this foam is of great significance; the tea ceremony of the Tianluo Empire considers it the essence of the tea. The art of tea tasting lies in discerning these essences.
The reason why Gu Tian Nan appears to be only in his sixties is that he is a congenital strongman. Once he enters the congenital realm, as long as he does not die, his appearance will remain youthful. However, his entire vital energy has already been exhausted, leaving only death energy and foul energy. Even standing and walking has become a difficult task for him
From the age of thirteen to fifteen, during these two years, his classmates naturally looked down on him
However, it is precisely because of this lifelessness and foul atmosphere that most of Fang Ning's classmates, after visiting once or twice, never return to the military old age home again
After a long time, Gu Tian Nan finished speaking. He paid no attention to Fang Ning, who was desperately trying to memorize and absorb this knowledge, but instead squinted his eyes, gazing greedily into the distance, and said with emotion:
The young man, who has deeply understood the essence of the tea ceremony, is criticized by the old man as being utterly lacking in merit. However, the young man remains unfazed, calm and composed, embodying the qualities of a gentleman like jade. He knows this is the old man's habit; in his eyes, nothing is satisfactory, and even an egg can be found fault with.
Fang Ning was momentarily taken aback. Although he had taken care of Gu Tiannan for as long as two years, he truly did not know how old he was. It is known that upon advancing to the innate realm, one's lifespan increases, and under normal circumstances, one could live to at least one hundred and fifty years.
They once fought for the empire with their youth and passion, dedicating almost their entire lives to this country. They have no children, no relatives, no possessions, and their final resting place is nothing more than a patch of yellow earth in the backyard of the veterans' home.
Hahaha! The old man laughed heartily, "May you live a long life? May you live a long life... Ning, do you know how old I am this year?"
In the face of the inevitable death that may come sooner or later, those who have experienced countless battles now seem no different from ordinary elderly individuals. They have become accustomed to and numb to the monotonous routine of daily life.
Originally, serving in the military academy was one of the career options available to the students of the imperial official military academy.
Hello, is that Fang Ning still helping out at the military veterans' home? How desperate for money can he be to be willing to endure the stench of those old fellows
Not only him, but almost all the elderly in the military retirement home are like this. The powerful true energy and essence they once possessed have now dissipated, leaving only this dead energy and foul air within their bodies
Among this group of frail, white-haired elders, there stands a young man with black hair
Do not be deceived by the fact that this is merely a small nursing home, nor by the frailty of the elderly individuals here; many of them were once formidable figures who commanded respect and instilled fear in their adversaries.
That young man is so full of himself, thinking that being first every year means he can succeed just by passing the exams
Every time he accompanied them, Fang Ning enjoyed chatting with them, absorbing their countless experiences through conversation. Just like Gu Tian Nan, a once innate strongman, he was a hundred times stronger than many teachers in official academies and martial arts schools. Any casual mention of martial arts secrets or military formations was considered a hidden treasure outside.
He bitterly smiled at himself, barely raising his right hand, gazing at the withered and decayed palm, trembling incessantly in the autumn wind
The glory once held, along with the chilling aura, gradually fades away in the relentless, silent, yet ceaseless flow of time. Here, they either enjoy the last moments of beauty or immerse themselves in memories of the past
"Old Grandfather, what are the methods for breaking the last four types of shields mentioned last time in the dual swords breaking shields, namely the tower shield, square shield, round shield, and nail shield?"
On another note, this group of elderly individuals once made remarkable contributions to the empire, yet now they can only await death in silence. Each of them carries profound stories within, having once experienced their own glory.
To break it, one must act swiftly, with dual swords rotating. One sword feigns an attack to draw the opponent's attention, utilizing the opponent's towering shield to obscure their line of sight, while the other sword shatters the shield
Every day before dawn, he sets out from home to attend classes at the official military academy. By noon, after school, he arrives at the veterans' home to take care of the daily needs of the elderly. This way of life has continued for two years
"Grandfather, you will live a long life; do not think too much."
He raised his head, and a strange brilliance shone in his eyes, with pride evident in every word.
The old man is named Gu Tiannan, also known as the Dawn Divine Sword. He is a congenital expert and was originally the armaments chief of the Divine Martial Fortress
I serve Old Master Gu not for..." Fang Ning quickly interjected to refuse. Although Gu Tiannan is a congenital expert, the elderly in the military retirement home are now all without possessions, so Fang Ning felt embarrassed to take anything from him
It is said that Gu Tian Nan, despite being born into a prominent family, is unapproachable, speaks harshly, and shows no mercy, having had no friends throughout his life
Kezhou City is located on the northwestern border of the Tianluo Empire, and is one of the twelve cities in the Western Capital Province, with a population of 200,000 households. Further west, 500 miles away, lies the Divine Martial Fortress, which guards the edge of the world's void for the empire.
Xiao Ningzi, you have taken care of me for these past few years, I will give you something as compensation
Fang Ning was inexplicably drawn to this group of elderly people. When he saw them struggling to hold their spoons, trembling as they drank their porridge and spilling it all over their chests, he ultimately could not bring himself to turn away. He walked over, picked up a bowl, and began to feed these elderly individuals, one spoonful at a time
Gu Tian Nan smiled and said
Gu Tian Nan began to speak slowly, and Fang Ning listened attentively. This was the third reason for Fang Ning's presence here. Those classmates did not realize that this place was a treasure trove of knowledge and experience. From these elders, he gained countless valuable insights. These elders had once risked their lives and served the country, possessing rich experience. Now they are old, but their wisdom remains.