pappabearbooks Chapter 5 People from the General's Mansion
Chapter 5 People from the General's Mansion
It was early morning, just as dawn was breaking.
Xia Bing sat cross-legged in the courtyard, her Sacred Heart Qi slowly circulating within her body.
The joy of breaking through to the early stage of the Innate Realm last night had not yet dissipated when he began to worry about another matter.
Chief Secretary of the General's Office.
That middle-aged man, having had his guard crippled, certainly won't let it go easily. The General's Mansion wields considerable power in Handan City; if they're determined to deal with him…
"Bing'er."
Xia Yufang's voice came from inside the house.
Xia Bing finished her practice and stood up.
"Mother, why are you up so early?"
Xia Yufang stepped out of the room and saw her son standing in the courtyard, a smile on her face: "I feel much better after a nap. That exercise really works."
"That's good." Xia Bing nodded. "You continue to rest, I'll go for a walk around the city."
"Wait," Xia Yufang called out to him, "Bing'er, there's something I want to tell you."
Xia Bing turned around and looked at her mother.
Xia Yufang hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Your background..."
"Mother," Xia Bing interrupted her, "I don't need to know."
"What?" Xia Yufang was stunned.
"No matter whose son I am, no matter who my father is, I am still your son." Xia Bing walked up to her. "You raised me for sixteen years, and that's more important than anything else."
Xia Yufang looked at him, her eyes slightly red.
"Bing'er..."
"Mother, don't think too much." Xia Bing held her hand. "I'll listen to your story slowly once you've recovered."
Xia Yufang nodded and said nothing more.
......
After leaving the courtyard, Xia Bing headed towards the city.
He needed to find out what was going on at the General's Mansion.
He had just reached the street corner when he suddenly stopped.
There were two people standing in front.
A young gentleman dressed in brocade robes was waving a folding fan in his hand, looking rather nonchalant.
The other was a middle-aged man dressed as a butler, with a professional smile on his face.
"Young Master Xia."
The young man in the brocade robe spoke, his tone playful, "What a coincidence to run into you here."
Xia Bing squinted.
He recognized that face.
Last night in the palace, the young man behind the middle-aged man whose guard he had dismissed.
"Who are you?"
The young man in brocade robes closed his folding fan and smiled, "My name is Zhao Heng, the second young master of the General's Mansion. Last night, I heard the Chief Clerk mention Young Master Xia's illustrious name, so I came to pay him a special visit."
Zhao Heng.
Xia Bing's heart skipped a beat.
The second son of the general's family, a notorious playboy in Handan City.
"So it's Young Master Zhao." Xia Bing said calmly. "May I ask what brings you here, Young Master Zhao?"
"Let's not beat around the bush," Zhao Heng said, his smile fading. "Last night you stormed the palace and injured people; this matter could be serious or minor."
"Oh?" Xia Bing looked at him. "What does Young Master Zhao want?"
"I don't want to resort to violence like the Chief Secretary," Zhao Heng said, spreading his hands. "I only want to make a deal with Young Master Xia."
"trade?"
"Young Master Xia's mother is ill and needs renowned doctors and the best medicine," Zhao Heng said, narrowing his eyes. "Fortunately, the General's Mansion knows many famous doctors. If Young Master Xia is willing to cooperate, I guarantee your mother will receive the best treatment."
Xia Bing remained silent for a moment.
Zhao Heng's words sounded well-intentioned, but he could clearly hear the threat in them.
"What does Young Master Zhao want me to cooperate with?"
"Simple." Zhao Heng closed his folding fan. "Join the General's Mansion and serve me for three years."
"No." Xia Bing shook her head.
"Don't rush to refuse," Zhao Heng said calmly. "Three years is just a blink of an eye for a martial artist. The General's Mansion will not treat you unfairly."
"I appreciate Young Master Zhao's kindness," Xia Bing said, looking at him, "but I have no intention of joining the General's Mansion."
Zhao Heng's smile gradually faded.
"Young Master Xia, you should think this through." His tone turned cold. "The General's Mansion is in Handan City; not just anyone can refuse it."
"I know," Xia Bing said, her expression unchanged, "but I still maintain that I'm not interested."
Zhao Heng stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed.
"Interesting." He closed his folding fan. "Since Young Master Xia is unwilling, then so be it. However..."
He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"I advise Young Master Xia to think this over carefully. After all, your mother's illness... cannot be delayed."
After saying that, he turned and left, with the butler following closely behind.
Xia Bing watched their retreating figures, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
He's not afraid of being threatened.
But if anyone dares to touch his mother...
......
Back in the courtyard, Xia Bing pushed open the door and saw her mother sunbathing in the yard.
"Bing'er, you're back?" Xia Yufang looked up. "You don't look well. What happened?"
"It's nothing." Xia Bing walked over and sat down beside her. "I ran into a few clueless people."
"Who is it?"
"People from the General's Mansion," Xia Bing said calmly, "They tried to recruit me, but I refused."
Xia Yufang's expression changed: "The General's Mansion? They didn't give you any trouble, did they?"
"No." Xia Bing grasped her hand. "Don't worry, Mother, I know what I'm doing."
Xia Yufang looked at him, hesitant to speak.
She knew the General's Mansion was not to be trifled with. But judging from her son's expression, he didn't seem worried.
"Bing'er, promise your mother, don't be reckless," she whispered. "If you offend the General's Mansion..."
"Mother," Xia Bing interrupted her, "your son isn't that stupid. The people from the General's Mansion can't do anything to me."
Xia Yufang sighed and said nothing more.
She knew her son had grown up and had his own ideas. All she could do was trust him.
......
late at night.
Xia Bing sat on the roof, gazing at the starry sky.
He went through the day's events in his mind.
Zhao Heng, the second son of the general's mansion.
On the surface, he appears to be a spoiled brat, but he is actually very shrewd. Today's conversation, though seemingly casual, was in fact a series of tests.
His purpose was not simply to recruit him.
It's more like... testing his own capabilities.
Xia Bing squinted.
What is the General's Mansion planning?
He couldn't figure it out for the time being.
But in any case, he will not join the general's mansion.
His goal is to continuously improve his strength and protect his mother.
As for other things...
We'll talk about it when we encounter it.
He closed his eyes and continued his cultivation.
The Sacred Heart Qi circulated within his body, becoming even more refined than yesterday.
The innate realm is gradually stabilizing.
In a few more days, he will be able to completely control this power.
By then, even if the General's Mansion really takes action, he is confident he can handle it.