Su Jiong's death could have sparked a great storm. At first glance, he was merely an officer In the Inspection Bureau, but to the people of Guosu and its elders, Su Jiong was a high-ranking figure and the heir who would soon take the seat of the tribe's leadership. Thus, his death—especially by suicide—could have ignited conflict between the Guosu aristocrats and the ruler of Beichi, leading to bloody wars and strife across the country.
Shang Shanghu knew well that the king's goal was to solidify his rule, suppress the prince's power, and take control of Su Jiong to prevent any cracks in authority.
But for Su Jiong, these restrictions had never meant death. If Su Yao—or anyone else—had been killed, the matter could have been settled more easily. However, Su Jiong's death, under the current circumstances, carried a heavy burden of consequences.
A smirk played on Shang Shanghu's lips. A question echoed in his mind: Had Su Jiong always planned this from the start, intending to take his own life should things reach a critical point? Or had the decision struck him suddenly, born out of necessity?
Either way, it was a bold yet effective move—one that forced Shang Shanghu to surrender to the situation at once.
"Young Master Su, you know exactly how to make a decision that forces others to yield. Fine, I'll agree."
Hearing this, Su Jiong eased the pressure of his sword against his throat and asked, "Can I trust you?"
With a calm expression, Shang Shanghu replied, "Have you ever heard me take back my word?"
Su Jiong had never considered such a question before. He lowered his head. "No, not really."
"Then it's impossible for me to make an exception now."
Su Jiong cast a deep, searching gaze at him before asking, "You're one of His Majesty's closest men. Are you not afraid of his wrath?"
Shang Shanghu smiled. "I'm certain His Majesty will understand this decision."
At that moment, Ying Zhi protested, "But Commander Shang, you have no authority to revoke the disciplinary ceremony without His Majesty's command! How will you face the consequences?"
Other officials also raised their voices In objection.
Shang Shanghu snapped, "You—shut up!"
The color drained from Ying Zhi's face. His protests held no weight here.
Shang Shanghu then addressed the entire assembly with steely resolve. "All of you—be silent!"
A moment of stillness fell over the hall, as if even the sound of breathing had been swallowed by the silence.
Su Yao slowly approached Su Jiong. His hands were trembling violently, yet with unwavering determination, he took the sword from Su Jiong's grasp. His gaze, filled with reproach and anger, bore into him. "What the hell were you thinking?!"
Su Jiong's lips curved ever so slightly, a gentle, serene smile forming—like a soft breeze easing over troubled waters. In that instant, it was as though all struggles and burdens had been lifted from his mind.
"Well… you see, it worked." His voice carried an unintentional note of satisfaction.
Su Yao's face bloomed like a flower in the morning sun as he laughed. His laughter rang out:
"You survived this stage. Have you thought about what you're going to do when you face my father?!"
Su Jiong replied,
"I'll figure something out for that too."
After a brief moment of silence, he let himself go in a burst of laughter. Su Yao, with a warm smile, carefully sheathed Su Jiong's sword.
Bending slightly in mock submission, Su Jiong playfully said,
"Oh, my lord… be careful. You might just slice my stomach open!"
Su Yao responded with a mocking frown,
"I learned swordsmanship a year before you, and I was born six months earlier than you. Do you think I'm such a fool that I can't even sheath a sword properly?!"
A mischievous grin appeared on Su Jiong's face as he said,
"I would never be so bold."
In response, Su Yao landed a firm punch on his arm.
Shang Shanghu, who had remained silent until then, spoke coldly,
"Your Highness, Young Master Su, please follow me. We must go to the main palace and wait for His Majesty. Now that the disciplinary ceremony has been halted, It would be best if you explained the situation to him yourselves."
That single sentence was enough to darken both Su Jiong's and Su Yao's expressions. Su Jiong sighed in exasperation,
"Ugh… I just hope this whole ordeal ends well!"
Though he knew this hope was nothing more than a foolish dream, he still clung to a small wish for a miracle.
Shang Shanghu gestured toward the officials gathered in the Hall of Discourse and commanded,
"Make way!"
The faces of the officials, like wounded boars, twisted in grief and helpless defeat. They looked furious, miserable, and resentful.
Su Yao and Su Jiong slowly descended the steps. When Su Yao's gaze met Jue Yan's, his heart felt as if it had been pierced by excitement. Jue Yan's face, a symbol of calm and reassurance, was imprinted in his mind. He smiled briefly before quickly averting his eyes.
Jue Yan approached them with a reassuring smile and said,
"Your Highness… Young Master… I'm glad everything turned out well."
But just as everyone was beginning to feel at ease, Ming Yuan—always eager to spread negativity—suddenly emerged from nowhere and said sharply,
"Nothing is over yet. I can't wait to see Brother Su Jiong's expression when he stands before His Majesty."
Su Jiong's face darkened like an erupting volcano at those words. Crossing his arms, he shot a piercing glare at Ming Yuan, his voice like a merciless storm:
"Tell me, who even gave you permission to speak?!"
Ming Yuan, completely taken aback by Su Jiong's fury, opened his mouth, but his words died in his throat, his protests vanishing into thin air.
Su Yao, having lost patience with the endless arguments, nudged Su Jiong and said, "Ajiong, let it go. Brother Ming Yuan is just worried about you. Show a little softness."
Ming Yuan, with a wide grin on his face, nodded in agreement and added, "Yes, yes, Your Highness, Young Master Su is far too Ill-tempered. Please advise him to be a bit more pleasant."
Su Jiong, furious, snapped, "You—!"
Su Yao quickly stepped in, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "Alright, alright… Commander Shang is waiting for us. We should go. You two can argue later."
Then, turning to Jue Yan, he placed a hand on his shoulder and, with a lively expression, said, "Thanks for coming today."
Jue Yan, maintaining his respectful demeanor, bowed slightly and replied, "it was my duty, Your Highness. This was the least I could do."
Su Yao gave a nod of acknowledgment and then, alongside Su Jiong, made his way toward the exit.
Shang Shanghu and the disciplined Black Guard followed closely behind them in perfect formation.
Meanwhile, Ming Yuan, his curiosity piqued, stepped closer to Jue Yan and lowered his voice.
"Brother Jue, why did the prince only thank you?"
Jue Yan turned to him, his eyes filled with confusion. "What do you mean?"
Ming Yuan let out a bitter smile and continued, "The prince thanked you for coming today, but he didn't thank me. He didn't even thank Su Jiong. Only you!"
Still puzzled, Jue Yan replied, "I have no idea! Maybe it didn't mean anything… You really focus on the strangest details."
Ming Yuan smirked mockingly. "Well, this is important. It shows that the prince pays special attention to you. Brother Jue... It seems fortune has smiled upon you. If His Highness rises to power, you might ascend the ranks swiftly!"
Jue Yan, growing irritated by Ming Yuan's words, dismissed him with a firm tone. "Watch your words! Do you think my loyalty to the prince is for the sake of status and rank?"
Ming Yuan pursed his lips in skepticism. "You always spoil the mood! Who in this world doesn't seek status? Even cultivators pursue power. Don't try to convince me that you're the exception!"
Jue Yan frowned and retorted, "You talk too much. Let's go and catch up with the prince and Young Master Su."
But just then, Ying Zhi suddenly emerged from the shadows, approaching them with a firm expression.
"Wait. There is no need for you to follow them."
Still taken aback by the abrupt order, Jue Yan's voice turned cold and questioning. "And why Is that?"
Ying Zhi said,
"You've put yourselves in too much trouble—especially you, Young Master Ming. You'd best stay here. No one knows what fate awaits Prince Xiaoyan and Young Master Su. Listen to me, especially you, Young Master Ming. Don't you think about your father?"
Jue Yan, as if a stubborn hen were clucking in his ear, shrugged indifferently and moved to walk past Ying Zhi. But suddenly, his sleeve was tugged, stopping him In his tracks.
Ming Yuan, his gaze hesitant, had held him back. "Brother Jue, wait." His voice was calm, yet laced with concern. "Sir Ying isn't entirely wrong. We should stay here. In any case, no one will allow us into the main palace. So, it's either here or outside the palace—we'll just have to wait and see what happens."
But Jue Yan was too stubborn to back down so easily. With a voice full of protest, he said, "We've come this far! How can we retreat now? If you won't come, I will! Let go of me."
A brief silence… then Ying Zhi spoke.
"Please, don't argue."
A devilish smile played on his lips, as if he were enjoying their dispute. With an air of cool composure, he continued,
"Young Master Ming is right. There's nothing more you can do. But unfortunately, I must inform you, Young Master Ming, that you cannot leave the palace."
Ming Yuan's eyes widened in shock.
"For what reason?!"
Ying Zhi, clearly pleased by their surprise, said with a voice brimming with satisfaction,
"Did you really think His Majesty would forgive your transgressions so easily? It seems you've forgotten the chaos you stirred up! True, Young Master Su urged you to accompany him, but that doesn't change the reality of the situation. You are guilty. You must await His Majesty's judgment."
Jue Yan, blood rushing through his veins, retorted hotly, "The young lord didn't force us! We chose to follow him of our own will."
Ming Yuan nodded in agreement. But Ying Zhi, in that same slow, venomous tone that slithered like poison, continued,
"No, you don't understand. You were forced, whether you admit it or not. Because otherwise, you wouldn't have dared to stand against His Majesty."
Jue Yan, as if trying to explain an obvious truth to a stubborn fool, scoffed with mockery and disdain,
"Is that something you know? Or something we, who came here of our own accord, know better?"
Ying Zhi calmly stepped toward him. His eyes were like those of a snake waiting in ambush before striking its prey. In a quiet voice, he said, "It would be better for His Highness and the government officials to think like me… Otherwise, your head will be separated from your body very soon, young man."
He then gestured toward Ming Yuan and continued: "Lord Ming, son of Lord Ming Zhou, is not threatened by any danger to his life. After all, he has the support of his family. Lord Su's situation is clear as well; Your Highness, thanks to the influence and backing of the prominent figures in Guosu, would never dare harm him. But..." His gaze slid toward Jue Yan, like a knife slowly sinking into flesh. "There is only you left, the child of a peasant. Now, tell me, if someone is to serve as an example to others, who is more suitable for that role? You... Lord Ming… or Lord Su?"
A silence descended upon the room, as if the very earth and sky were holding their breath. Jue Yan, who had stood firm against every challenge up to that moment, suddenly felt a weight heavier than mountains descend upon his shoulders. His face slowly drained of color, and his gaze fell into the darkness of terror. But this fear wasn't the fear of death. It stemmed from an image that began to form in his mind—the image of his neck being severed before the eyes of all—no longer as a warrior, but as a traitor.
Ming Yuan, seeing the anxiety and terror on his friend's face, stepped forward, grasped Ying Zhi's hands, and said: "Lord Ying, please don't say that! I'm sure Prince Xiaoyan and Lord Su will support Brother Jue!"
Ying Zhi, as if enjoying his naïveté and hope, sneered and, in a calm yet biting tone, replied: "Those two?" He cast a disdainful look at Ming Yuan. "They are already guilty themselves. If they manage to save their own lives, they'll be lucky. Do you think they'll risk their positions to save a peasant's son?"
Ming Yuan, still clinging to a faint hope, immediately replied: "My father… My father will surely guarantee it! He knows Lord Jue's brother well. If I ask him, I'm sure he will side with Jue Yan!"
But Ying Zhi, as if he had anticipated this response, shook his head slowly. "Your father?" His voice was laced with mockery. "Your father is the commander-in-chief of the army; If he can manage to get your political interference resolved, he'll have been fortunate. Do you really think he'll have time to fight for the life of a peasant's son?"
Ming Yuan was left speechless.
Jue Yan lowered his head, as though thousands of thoughts were swirling in his mind. The moment he had decided to walk this path alongside Su Jiong, he had believed they would share the burden together. But now, the truth had revealed itself in a different light – a bitter and stinging truth. Suddenly, he realized that soon, all the blame might fall upon him. And that... It was far from fair.
His throat had gone dry. He swallowed hard, and finally, with a hesitation that was evident in his voice, he said:
"Lord Ying… You…" He paused, as if afraid to ask what was on his mind. Then, he continued, struggling: "You are one of the officials close to His Majesty... You speak these words because of the understanding you have of him… right?"
Ying Zhi smiled. But this smile was not one of kindness; it resembled a touch of the hand that is brushed over the victim's head before the dagger is driven into their chest. He calmly reached out and grasped Jue Yan's arm. "Yes, that's right. But don't be disheartened. Sometimes His Majesty's decisions are unpredictable… You must hold onto hope."
Yet, what floated In his gaze was nothing but a bitter mockery of this false hope.
Jue Yan's mind was like a stormy sea; the restless waves of his thoughts crashed against the rocks of doubt, shattering each idea before it could take form. On one hand, he could not trust Ying Zhi's judgment. His position in the court, his open enmity with the prince, and that mysterious smile—everything about him hinted at a motive Jue Yan could not trust so easily.
On the other hand, he could not ignore his words. Every word that left Ying Zhi's mouth painted a terrifying picture in his mind; a picture where he was the only victim, forced to pay the price for his loyalty to the prince.
No! He hadn't fought for this fate.
Jue Yan had dedicated all his years to serving the prince. Though to many, he was merely the son of a simple peasant, through hard work and perseverance, he had risen to a position few believed a man of his background could ever achieve. He had faced grueling tests, passed through countless obstacles, and now held a place among the officials. Now… would he be executed so easily?! Not for any justified reason, but simply for proving his loyalty to the prince?!
This was impossible!
He pushed aside the dark, foreboding thoughts, like dust he needed to rid from his mind. He took a deep breath and lifted his chin. With an expression somewhere between contempt and determination, he scanned Ying Zhi from head to toe, narrowing his eyes, and then, in a cold and firm tone, he said:
"These words won't turn me against the prince or my lord. Please, leave me be." And without waiting for Ying Zhi's response, he turned and headed toward the exit.
The air felt oppressive and heavy to him, but he was resolute. Outside this hall, at the very spot where they had handed their horses to the servants upon entering the palace, he would wait for Su Jiong.
As soon as he passed through the gate, one of the guards from the Black Guard, standing beside the door, suddenly blocked his path.
"You are not allowed to leave!"
The words came down on him like a heavy hammer. His heart sank for a moment in his chest. Ying Zhi's first words turned out to be true!
Despite the storm of anxiety brewing inside him, he tried to appear calm. He furrowed his brow and asked, "Why?!"
Without hesitation, the guard sharply replied, "You caused an uproar in the debating hall, leading to chaos and a violent confrontation. Most importantly, you are officers of the Inspection Department. It needs to be determined whether you alone are guilty of this treason, or if the entire Inspection Department is involved in this matter!"
Upon hearing the last sentence, Jue Yan's mind suddenly spiraled into a haze of thoughts. He felt something within him collapse. He bit his lip, and with breath coming in sharp gasps, he mentally replayed the scene that had occurred just hours earlier—the moment they had stood at the palace gate and the commander of the guards had blocked their entry. Su Jiong! He had used the Deputy Inspectorate's seal to enter the palace! And now, that seal… was in the hands of the commander of the guards!
His eyes widened. Now he understood! Now everything was clear! The commander hadn't wanted the seal just to allow them entry, but to have a document showing that the Inspection Department was involved in this matter! It was all part of a plot.
His hands clenched into fists. A cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He cast a quick glance at Ming Yuan. Jue Yan, with his mouth half open and his heart pounding In his chest like a war drum, murmured under his breath,
"We've landed In a terrible mess..."
And this mess was a deadly trap that could drag them all to destruction.
If the ruler decided to use the treason of the Inspection Department as a pretext for revenge and officially declared that the department had allied with Prince Xiaoyan without his and the court's approval, no force could save them from death. Neither the Guosu tribe could protest the execution of Su Jiong, nor could the prince's confidants dare to take action to defend him. It would be a definite condemnation!
Jue Yan thought again of another bitter truth:
If the ruler had planned this from the start, then Ming Yuan's father, too, would fall into this deadly trap. As one of the country's distinguished generals, he would be accused of sending his son to the palace to prevent the execution of the prince's disciplinary ceremony—an event that was supposed to officially strip the prince of his right to succession. A complete disaster!
Cold sweat ran down Jue Yan's forehead.
So, should he flee?
But immediately, he pushed that thought aside.
"No! That's impossible!"
If the ruler had planned such a sinister scheme from the beginning, he must have surrounded the palace with thousands of soldiers and guards! Any attempt to escape would only result in a swift death. So, he had to find a way to resist, didn't he?
Without a moment's hesitation, he rushed towards Ming Yuan. His breath was quick, yet all the thoughts in his head poured out incessantly to him.
Ming Yuan, initially stunned, listened intently to his words, but as they progressed, color drained from his face. When he realized the depth of the disaster, he felt the shadow of death looming over him. "What foolishness have we done! My father… how could he not know this was going to happen? My father should have told me to be cautious, but… instead, he supported me...!"
Suddenly, the words dried In his mouth.
He felt his throat tighten, as If a heavy lump had blocked his airway.
Shaken and burning with anxiety, he glanced at Ying Zhi, replaying the terrifying sentence in his mind—the very one Ying Zhi had said to him when entering the hall of discussion.
"I don't understand... Does this mean your father trapped himself in this snare? But why?!"
A snare…?! What snare?!
He couldn't believe it! He didn't want to believe it!
Was this true? Had his father known about this evil plot from the very beginning?!
With trembling hands, Ming Yuan tightly grasped Jue Yan's arm. His heart thudded like a war drum in his chest. He nearly lost his balance but managed to keep himself steady with great effort. Under his breath, he murmured, "We are doomed!"
Cultivator To Be or Not To Be… That is the Question!
In ancient times, when empires were still in their formative stages and kings had not yet risen to power, In the heart of this turbulent world, a group of humans gained abilities that transcended the boundaries of time and space. Through relentless effort, endless asceticism, and Cultivator of the soul, they acquired powers that would later be known as "Cultivator."
These supernatural abilities were not limited to martial arts alone but also involved mastery over the forces of nature, and even the spirit and mind of humans. As time passed, the art of Cultivator split into three main branches: Jisu Cultivator, Liusu Cultivator, and Guang Yusu Cultivator. Each of these branches had its own unique characteristics and capabilities that set them apart from one anotherr.
The Jisu Cultivators, at their highest levels, could command the four elemental forces. These individuals, due to their unparalleled mastery over nature, could easily change the flow of rivers, shape the earth as they wished, and even control wind and fire. For example, a Jisu Cultivators skilled in the element of water could alter the course of rivers or bring raindrops hidden in the clouds to the ground. But their power was not limited to natural changes; they could even alter the blood running through the veins of humans or animals, thickening or thinning it, and in some cases, even extracting blood from the body. Such abilities made them appear almost otherworldly and terrifying in the eyes of others.
However, in the world of Cultivator, not everything was as beautiful and easy as it seemed. The Liusu Cultivators, who specialized in martial arts, drew their powers from the golden core of "Gravitational Qi." These individuals were less inclined to display strange and astonishing powers and focused more on the art of warfare and combat. Their martial abilities, combined with the force of Gravitational Qi, made them invincible warriors. On the battlefield, if a Liusu Cultivators faced a prominent general, victory was certain for the Cultivators. Even if this Cultivators lacked much experience in combat, their inner force granted them strength that no power could resist.
And then there were the Guang Yusu Cultivators, who were truly the most dangerous of all. They possessed the ability to combine the powers of both Jisu and Liusu, which is why they were seen by others as almost invincible beings. A Guang Yusu Cultivators, in addition to the Jisu powers of elemental manipulation, also wielded the Gravitational Qi in martial arts. Furthermore, they were capable of mastering sorcery and magic, wielding powers beyond ordinary imagination. Their abilities were so vast and complex that even the human mind could not fully comprehend them.
Thus, the conflicts between these three groups of Cultivators gradually intensified. The bloody and endless battles between the Guang Yusu Cultivators on one side and the Jisu and Liusu Cultivators on the other plunged the world into chaos and an unending war. These wars lasted over four hundred years, during which countless Cultivators perished, and empires and civilizations were destroyed in the flames of these conflicts. Finally, the founder of the Beichi Kingdom, with his sharp wit and cunning, managed to gain control over the world of Cultivator with the help of alliances between various tribes, with the Guosu tribe being one of the most significant.
He eventually succeeded In banning these dangerous arts throughout the land, declaring any attempt to access them as a criminal act. From that moment on, Cultivator not only became a forbidden practice but also a grave crime. Those who continued to seek mastery over these powers faced severe punishments, including execution. This law completely dominated the lives of the people, and for a long time, no one dared even to remember these powers, until Cultivator became a part of forgotten history.
Was Cultivator, in the end, truly nothing but a scourge to humanity? Is a return to these powers possible? In this new world, many questions remain, and the answers will only be hidden in the shadows of the past.
Childish mind, or foolish logic?
What were Ming Yuan and Jue Yan really expecting? Did they truly think that after the uproar they caused in the palace, they could simply walk out with ease and continue their lives without a care? Did they not realize that the king, who never overlooked even the smallest of mistakes, would not let such a major transgression slip by unnoticed?
Especially considering that their actions were not only a direct defiance of the king's clear and explicit orders, but also an insult to the very system and laws of the monarchy. Their previous position as officers In the Inspection Bureau had allowed them considerable freedom, and they had likely grown accustomed to thinking they could once again get away with their actions, as they had in the past. However, it seemed they were gravely mistaken this time.
The king was no longer someone who would turn a blind eye to such behavior, and instead of overlooking their actions as he had before, he was now intent on punishing them and demonstrating his authority.
The Life of Jue Yan, a Peasant with a Bright Future.
Jue Yan was born into a poor, farming family. He had lost both his parents at a young age and had lived with his grandparents ever since he could remember. According to his grandmother, his mother had died giving birth to him, and his father had traveled south in search of better income, after which there had been no word from him. No one knew whether his father was still alive or, If he was, where he might be in the world, oblivious to his son's fate. But for Jue Yan, It didn't matter. In his heart, he believed his father was dead. Even if his father were alive, it made no difference—someone who had abandoned his son for so many years, even if living, had no right to be called a father.
Jue Yan lived in the small village where he was born until the age of fourteen or fifteen. He always helped his grandfather with farm work, although he had no interest in farming. His heart and mind were filled with dreams that seemed impossible for a peasant to achieve. He longed to become a government official someday. But for a peasant, such aspirations were more like a distant fantasy.
One day, when it seemed as though his life would remain confined to that small village, a government decree was announced throughout the country. This decree provided an opportunity for all those who could read and write to participate in the imperial examination and serve the government. At the time, Jue Yan had little faith that such an opportunity existed for him.
He always thought of these exams as little more than a performance, not a real process. He believed the outcomes were predetermined, with only the children of nobles and aristocrats having any chance of passing.
But his grandmother, who had always encouraged him to strive and to hope, suggested he take the exam. She said, "You won't achieve anything unless you try. Perhaps this is your chance to see a new world."
At first, Jue Yan was hesitant, but he listened to his grandmother and decided to take the exam. And that may have been the most important decision of his life. He was fortunate enough that, from a young age, he had been taught literacy and scholarship by a teacher who had been exiled from the capital and now lived in his village. This teacher had taught him the etiquette of literature, poetry, and text analysis, enabling him to develop the necessary skills for such an examination. Jue Yan could write poetry and easily analyze complex texts.
With a heart full of hope and doubt, he made his way to the capital to take the exam. A week later, to his astonishment, he found his name on the list of successful candidates. Out of forty selected individuals, he was ranked twenty-ninth.
It may have seemed unbelievable, but he had succeeded. Jue Yan, a simple peasant who had been confined to his own world, had become one of the selected individuals In an exam that seemed to have no place for him. This great victory not only changed his future but also opened new horizons before him.
Jue Yan immediately said his goodbyes to his beloved grandparents and left his small, peaceful village with determined steps. The path ahead, leading to the capital, was filled with hope and great aspirations, but life doesn't always go as planned.
In the midst of this challenging journey, while still navigating a larger and more complex world, he was ruthlessly robbed. Heartless bandits, without any resistance, took all of his belongings, which were only the small amount of pocket money he had taken from home.
At that time, Jue Yan still didn't know martial arts well and had no means of defense. In that moment, the only thing he could show was surrender, as he had no strength to fight back.
After that incident, without any money or food, he continued his journey, enduring days and nights in uncertainty and hardship. The relentless hunger had weakened his body, but his iron will kept pushing him forward. After two days of struggling with hunger, he finally arrived in the capital, a large and bustling city where people from all over the country gathered to pursue their dreams.
In the capital, Jue Yan introduced himself. Based on his rank in the prestigious exam, he could join one of two prominent institutions: the military academy, where military and technical training was offered, or the judicial office, whichh was responsible for addressing public complaints and overseeing justice. Ultimately, Jue Yan decided to join the military academy.
At the military academy, he first met Su Jiong and Ming Yuan. This meeting was undoubtedly a turning point in his life. He was fortunate, as the military academy was not only a place where officers and government officials were trained, but it also brought together people from various backgrounds. Perhaps one of the reasons there was no discrimination there was because the academy's disciplinary officer himself came from a humble, peasant family.
At first, Jue Yan lived in the academy's dormitory and had no choice but to work at night. To cover his daily expenses, he worked as a janitor in a trading house. During those nights, while cleaning floors and doing small tasks, he tried to push his life forward. Fortunately, he had encountered kind people. The owner of the trading house treated him well and helped him stay strong during difficult times.
Over time, Jue Yan managed to save some money and rented a small house. It took five years for him to join the inspection office as an officer, taking the first step on a path that would change his life forever. Now, after all those years, Jue Yan had not only made a place for himself in the heart of the capital but also in the broader world it represented, knowing that the beginning of his difficult journey would eventually lead to success.
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