When night came, palace lanterns swung softly. The Da'en Imperial Palace was quiet, except for the imperial study room, which was brightly lit.
On the dragon throne sat a tall, slender man with sharply defined features. His brows exuded calm and determination, and his eyes were as deep as frigid stars. This was Li Yunchuan, the current Emperor of Da'en.
Li Yunchuan closed the memorial in his hands and tapped the table with his long fingers. His tone was low yet resolute. "We can't keep the art of war locked away in the military. Peace has lasted far too long. Sure, we're the third-most powerful nation in the East, but if foreign foes attack, our poorly trained soldiers could lead us straight to ruin."
Zheng De, the chief eunuch standing nearby, bowed cautiously and whispered, "Your Majesty is wise. But the art of war is a national treasure. If spread too freely, it will surely draw objections from court officials, especially..."
"Lin Jiwu," Li Yunchuan finished his sentence, his gaze sharpening.
Zheng De lowered his head respectfully. "Precisely. The Lin family has commanded the army for generations and wields great influence. Without General Lin's approval, this plan will face stiff opposition."
Li Yunchuan thought for a bit, then smiled faintly. "Lin Jiwu is loyal. He won't say no, but he'll be careful. I don't want him to stop this, I need his help."
Zheng De nodded eagerly. "Your Majesty speaks the truth."
Li Yunchuan rubbed his temples and sighed. "Moreover, the western border is in turmoil. If we're to implement this new policy, we must act quickly. Otherwise, any shift in the situation will send shockwaves through the court and the country."
Zheng De ventured, "Does Your Majesty intend to have General Lin lead this effort?"
Li Yunchuan nodded slowly, his gaze icy. "Exactly. Lin Jiwu is the best man for the job."
Zheng De bowed low and said nothing more. "Yes, Your Majesty."
...
Meanwhile, in the hunting camp of the General's Mansion, it was late at night. The Lin siblings gathered inside a tent, chatting as they ate warm meals.
Lin Yuan, fully satiated, was leaning back, enjoying the afterglow of a good meal. Suddenly, his eldest brother, Lin Feng, set down his chopsticks and bowed to Lin Jiwu. "Father, I wish to accompany my master on a journey to roam the martial world next month."
Lady Gu frowned worriedly. "The martial world is full of danger. Chivalry is noble, but it's serious business. Feng'er, are you sure you've thought this through?"
Lin Feng nodded firmly. "I've made up my mind. Traveling the martial world will hone my martial arts and broaden my horizons. Training within the mansion can never compare to real - world experience."
Lin Jiwu was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Since you're determined, I won't stop you. But I have one condition: return within three years, whether you've made a name for yourself or not."
Lin Feng clasped his fists respectfully. "Yes, Father!"
Unable to hold back, the second brother, Lin Gang, teased, "Three years? I bet you'll come back hitched!"
Lin Feng stared, then laughed and cursed, "Stop spouting nonsense!"
Everyone burst into laughter, and even the usually composed fourth sister, Lin Wan, shook her head with a smile.
Just then, a mechanical voice from the Jiuchong Ring echoed in Lin Yuan's mind.
"Ding! Side quest triggered: Prevent the destruction of the Da'en Kingdom."
"Ding! Main quest triggered: Prevent the extermination of the Lin General's Mansion."
Lin Yuan froze, chopsticks hovering in mid - air, his mouth twitching.
"Hey! Don't freak me out! What's with this 'prevent destruction' stuff? Explain now!"
Yet Jiuchong Ring stayed mum, leaving him in the dark.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Lin Yuan's forehead as he inwardly raged: I'm only nine! How did I suddenly get stuck with the responsibility of defending the country and my family?
Before he could dwell on it, distant thunder rumbled, followed by the patter of rain.
Lin Yuan rushed outside the tent. Looking up, he saw dark clouds covering the once - clear sky. Rain fell gently, filling the air with a cool, damp scent.
"Meow~"
Something heavy landed in his arms. Lin Yuan glanced down and saw Xiao Hei lounging in a lazy ball. Meanwhile, Xiao Bai bounded onto his shoulder, flicking its tail across his face as if grumbling about the rain.
Lin Yuan sighed, stroking Xiao Hei's head and playfully pinching Xiao Bai's ears.
"It's raining. Let's go back inside."
He carried Xiao Hei and had Xiao Bai on his shoulder, rushing back to the tent. But Jiuchong Ring's quests kept bothering him...
====================
夜幕低垂,宫灯摇曳,大恩皇宫内一片静谧,唯有御书房内仍然灯火通明.
龙椅之上,一位身材修长的男子正静静端坐,五官立体分明,眉宇间带着沉稳与锐利,眼神如寒星般深邃.他便是当今天子,大恩皇帝李云川.
李云川合上手中的奏折,修长的手指轻轻叩着桌案,语气低沉而坚定:"兵法不可再局限于军中,天下承平已久,国力虽居东方第三,但若遇外敌,兵员素质不高,亦是隐患."
站在一旁的大太监郑德闻言,小心翼翼地拱手低声道:"陛下英明,但兵法乃国之重器,若轻易广传,恐怕会引起朝中众臣异议,尤其是..."
"林季无." 李云川接过话头,目光微微一凝.
郑德低下头,恭敬道:"正是.大将军世代掌军,林家在军中威望极高,若大将军不点头,此事恐难推行."
李云川沉思片刻,嘴角浮现一丝若有似无的笑意,低声道:"林季无忠心可鉴,他不会反对,但他一定会谨慎.朕要的不是他的阻拦,而是他的支持."
郑德连忙附和:"陛下所言极是."
李云川抬手揉了揉眉心,微微叹息:"再者,最近西境局势不稳,若要推行新策,必须尽快,否则局势一旦变动,恐怕朝堂内外都会波涛汹涌."
郑德试探性地问道:"陛下是想让大将军出面主持此事?"
李云川缓缓点头,眸光微冷:"正是.林季无是最合适的人选."
郑德闻言,不再多言,低头恭敬地应了一声:"奴才明白."
...
另一边,将军府的狩猎营地里,夜色已深,将军府的兄弟姐妹们围坐在帐篷内,一边吃着热腾腾的饭菜,一边闲聊.
林远刚刚吃饱喝足,正靠在椅子上享受美食带来的满足感,就听见大哥林锋放下碗筷,对林季无拱手道:"阿爹,孩儿想在下个月随师父去江湖历练."
此话一出,顾氏微微皱眉,语气带着些许担忧:"江湖纷乱,侠义之道虽令人向往,但江湖并非儿戏,锋儿,你当真考虑清楚了?"
林锋点头,神色坚定:"孩儿已经决定了,江湖之行不仅是磨砺自身武艺,也是增长见识,若仅在府中训练,终究不如真正行走四方来得真切."
林季无沉默片刻,随后缓缓点头:"既然你已有决心,为父不拦你.但有一个要求,无论是否闯出名声,三年之内,必须回来."
林锋郑重抱拳:"是,阿爹!"
这时,二哥林刚忍不住调侃道:"三年... 大概率是回来成亲吧?"
林锋闻言一怔,随即笑骂道:"你小子胡说什么?"
众人一听,皆笑作一团,连一向沉稳的四姐林婉都轻笑着摇了摇头.
然而,就在这时,林远脑海里忽然响起了九重戒的机械音.
"叮!触发支线任务:保住大恩国不被灭国."
"叮!触发主线任务:保住林大将军府不被灭门."
林远:"...???"
林远整个人都僵住了,筷子停在半空,嘴角微微抽搐.
"喂喂喂!你别吓我啊!什么叫 '不被灭国' ? '不被灭门' ?你给我解释清楚!"
九重戒却不再回应,只留下一片沉默.
林远额角滑下一滴冷汗,心中疯狂吐槽:这才刚刚九岁,怎么就莫名其妙背上了保家卫国的责任?
还没等他多想,天边忽然传来低沉的雷声,接着便是滴滴答答的细雨声落下.
林远跑到篷外,抬头一看,原本晴朗的夜空已被乌云笼罩,细雨飘洒,空气中带着湿润的清凉气息.
"喵呜~"
怀里突然一沉,林远低头一看,小黑已经跳到了他的身上,懒洋洋地蜷成一团.而小白更是直接蹿到了他的肩上,尾巴扫了扫他的脸,似乎在抱怨潮湿的雨天.
林远叹了口气,揉了揉小黑的脑袋,又顺手捏了捏小白的耳朵.
"都下雨了,我们回去躲一躲吧."
说着,他抱着小黑,小白趴在他的肩膀上,快步走回帐篷,心里却依旧对九重戒的任务耿耿于怀...