Gu Yunzhi was a tall, robust man with a ruddy complexion and striking thick brows. Though his long beard and hair had turned gray, the vibrant gleam in his eyes betrayed a profound level of cultivation.

While mandated officials were endowed with abilities and cultivation by virtue of their office, they could still cultivate independently to reach the absolute peak of their position. Dismissal meant losing the accompanying cultivation, yet ambitious scholar-officials and martial-officials dedicated themselves to progress, which would allow them to seamlessly adapt to the higher cultivation level of their next promotion.

This was a wise, dignified elder and a seasoned warrior who commanded victory on the battlefield. Gu Yeqi scrutinized him closely.

Humoring her, the old man spread his arms and turned slightly to give her a full view. "What do you see?" he asked.

"You've been waiting a long time for me," she replied.

"It really has been quite a while." He nodded. "Anything else?"

"Your cape is dusted with snow crystals, and the top floor is covered in frost, but there isn't a single footprint. You've spent a long time waiting here by yourself, but whoever or whatever you're thinking about is irrelevant to me." Gu Yeqi shook her head. "That is exactly why I'm puzzled... Grandfather, why have you been waiting for me? I really don't think I'm that important."

"You're right. You're not important at all," said Gu Yunzhi.

Silence fell over the old man, but Gu Yeqi suddenly burst into tears. "Is it my father?" she whispered, "He..."

"He died exactly where you are standing now, by severing his own heart meridian," Gu Yunzhi said. "I had no intention of saving you. As long as your father lived, it was enough. Even if he's a worthless runaway, he's still a member of the Gu clan. I never expected much from him, only that he would bear more offspring and expand the bloodline.

"As for you..." He paused, running a hand down his beard. "I never dreamed that a stubborn rock like him who ran away to the wilderness could sire a piece of exquisite jade like you. What else did you notice?"

"I see that there's no one left to continue the Gu bloodline." Lifting her chin, Gu Yeqi brushed away her tears as a trace of ruthlessness flickered in her eyes. "My uncles and aunts—they're all dead, aren't they? If they didn't fall to the war, then they perished because of your stubbornness, Grandfather. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"They're all dead, completely wiped out. That's why you had to track down my father. But he chose to end his own life, whether it was out of his refusal to be used as a breeding stallion to continue the family bloodline or his desire to save me."

The old man arched an eyebrow. "You're still willing to call me your grandfather, it seems."

"Of course." A chuckle devoid of amusement escaped Gu Yeqi. "If anyone else, including my father, were even half-alive, I would never have been brought back to the Gu clan or gained your attention. Speaking personally, I'm devastated. But speaking realistically, I feel fortunate."

"Aren't you afraid that I will lock you up and turn you into a breeding tool?"

"I've trained in the martial path, so I, too, can sever my heart meridian," she said, completely unfazed. "But if you can somehow prevent me from taking my own life, then I'll be your breeding tool.

"However..." Recalling the figure who raised his sword without hesitation, she said with fierce resolve, "I will resist. Regardless of the outcome, I will fight. You don't actually want things to turn out like this, do you, Grandfather?"

"Good. Those raised by the demonic cult are certainly ruthless." At last, a carefree smile broke across the old man's face. "Truly, it's as they say: The virtuous perish for their morals, while the wicked thrive for lack of them."

He turned around, brushing the frost and snow off his clothes as he faced the setting sun. "For generations, the Gu clan of Hanhai has walked the path of loyalty and virtue. Our hearts are clear before the heavens, and our deeds have brought peace to the people. We have done right by the empire and its subjects.

"But our lineage was almost wiped out after we were caught in the empire's turmoil. The fault is mine to bear, and I accept the blame. For the sake of our ancestral mission, the Gu bloodline must not end here. You must survive. To ensure you do not fall amidst this chaos, I am now imparting a technique that has been passed down through generations of the Hanhai Gu clan, the North Dipper Snakeheart Refinement Art.

"As soon as the war at the northern frontier ends, I will send you to the Dustdawn Sects' territory. I was wondering if a feral mountain brat like you could survive there. Clearly, I was worried for nothing."

"You're certainly not afraid to risk it all, Grandfather." Gu Yeqi fixed her eyes on the old man's back. "Aren't you afraid of losing again?"

"Ha!" the old gambler said. "There's no such thing as a never-ending streak, even losing ones."

***

"Still your thoughts and enter a state of absolute tranquility! You must completely empty your minds to begin the visualization!

"Yes, just like that. Next, imagine a rusty sword... Why rusty? That's how he taught me! Ask him yourself later! If you're really struggling, just treat it like taking a nap. I don't expect you to master it immediately, but it shouldn't be too hard, right?"

In an isolated part of an army camp at Faultjade Pass, a boy emerged from the gates. Sitting on a wooden stake, he gazed up at the snow. "I guess I'm finally done teaching them the technique... It really doesn't seem that hard, so why are so few of them able to grasp it?"

The boy around the age of twelve possessed delicate features and a powerful build. With small irises and prominent whites, his eyes gave him a naturally fierce expression. However, those who had spent time with him knew he was just an easygoing and friendly kid who was a little too consumed by martial training.

After teaching An Jing's contemplation technique to the rest of the children of disaster, an exhausted Cang Linzu slipped away to rest. I honestly don't get how Big Brother keeps track of everyone's quirks and tailors their training routine for each one of them. I never received that level of care, even at the martial academy!

Despite grumbling internally, Cang Linzu shook his head and slapped his cheeks to psych himself up. "No matter what the future holds, we must keep training. Even if we end up back on the run, we're strong enough now to make sure any bandit who crosses us won't leave alive!"

Ever since the Crimsonguard escorted the children of disaster back to Hanhai, they had been relocated, or more accurately, confined at the army camp.

After An Jing left and Gu Yeqi was taken away, the rest of the group had nothing left to do but resume their training. Though most of the surviving children failed to awaken their lifearcs, they possessed exceptional martial talent. They had already mastered the two techniques taught by Direlife Manor, so further practice was pointless.

Keeping An Jing's parting words in mind, Cang Linzu passed on the contemplation technique to the group, which effectively helped soothe their restless minds. In a way, they had to thank the demonic cult for the past two years of nurturing them. As long as they were fed, given water, and allowed to train, they could remain perfectly still without uttering a single complaint.

Oddly enough, few were able to swiftly enter a meditative state with this contemplation technique, while the majority would snap awake mid-visualization, claiming they felt as though they had been sliced by a sword.

Not at all! Whenever I practice the contemplation technique, it's like all the rust on my body is being scrubbed away. I feel lighter, and my soul feels crystal clear... It's an amazing feeling!

Filled with confusion, Cang Linzu sank into another round of meditation. This time, for reasons he couldn't explain, a profound sense of peace and tranquility took root in his heart.