A Treasure of a Boy

Watching the two argue, Wu Youren could not help feeling a bit cynical: it was truly as they said—a man's loyalty only lasted until the price was right, and a woman's virtue only until the temptation was great enough. As long as the gain was substantial enough, very few people could resist temptation. After haggling for quite some time, Jeff finally gave his promise: two pale cyan Guizu relics, not a single one more! Instructor Hong glanced at the boy and rose to walk outside. "Come with me." Seeing them leave, the knight who had spoken earlier could not hold back. "Sir, those who merely talk military theory are all show and no substance!" "Shut your mouth," Jeff said coldly, then lowered his voice. "Whether it works or not is for us to decide." He clearly intended to get it for free. Hearing this, the female knight could not help muttering, "Hong Yan is not someone to mess with." "Pfft, whether she's easy to mess with or not..." Jeff cut himself off mid-sentence, looking astonished. "That fast?" Instructor Hong walked in from outside, an odd expression on her face. "Two words are enough: pilot test!" "A... pilot?" Jeff froze upon hearing this. Once it registered, he instinctively shook his head. "That's far too difficult." He understood the concept instantly, but where would the pilot be held? Would it look like they were targeting specific people? The difficulty of implementing it... Strictly speaking, the idea was thin as window paper. The reason he had failed to think of it previously was that his mind had been trapped under layers of tangled relationships and vested interests! A peculiar glint showed in Hong Yan's eyes. "A fairly simple approach, isn't it? He didn't need to know the specific details of the infighting." She had overheard the knight's doubts from across the room, and in truth, she hadn't expected the boy to produce a workable proposal either. Yet looking at it now, it really was... that simple. She couldn't help wondering in her heart: *Why didn't I think of that?* Yet after a moment's contemplation, Jeff still shook his head slowly. "The difficulty of actually executing it... is too great!" His mind had already begun formulating plans, but the troublesome snags were still plentiful. "Anyway, I'm just chatting with you," Instructor Hong said, refusing to argue and openly distancing herself. At the same time, she firmly believed it would work. "Two Guizu relics, within half a month, or I'll be charging interest!" At that moment, Jeff was visibly preoccupied, in no state to bicker with her. He waved a hand absently. "Don't bother me. I need to sort this out properly." "Go sort it out back home," Hong Yan said briskly, waving him off. After watching them leave, she turned back to Wu Youren. "Implementing a pilot program seems exceptionally difficult as well." The boy's eyes were clear. "Compared to the difficulty of an empire-wide rollout?" To break a deadlock on paper, it was best to step outside the board entirely, focusing on setting aside the messy ground realities. He was discussing strategic perspective—methodology. Getting bogged down in practical details would only be asking for trouble. Instructor Hong was left speechless. "You really do have something to you. No wonder Jeff refused to let you go." "Just wild imagination," Wu Youren replied vaguely. It wasn't modesty. Even if she had shown him some favor, no one liked seeing an enemy state produce exceptional talent. On this point, he had to keep a clear head at all times. In the next breath, he showed concern for Hong Da: "Will he renege on the debt?" "High probability," Instructor Hong replied calmly, as if discussing someone else's business entirely. "The New Army's reputation isn't much better than the regular military's." She knew full well that although the advice was sound, the answer was simply too brief. Compared to what she had demanded, it almost felt like extortion; who would willingly pay up? Still, she didn't care much. "If he reneges... let's see if the New Army has the nerve to come knocking on Red Pine's door again." If she didn't benefit personally, Red Pine would at least stay clear of the vortex; either way, it was a bargain. *As long as you see it that way!* Wu Youren breathed a quiet sigh of relief, nodding with sincere praise. "Hong Da, you truly have vision!" "Save it!" Instructor Hong shook her head, then thought for a moment and added, "If anyone gives you trouble in the future, tell them to take it up with me!" This time, no matter how the New Army reacted, she had profited from the boy to some extent. So taking on a bit of responsibility for him was only right. Wu Youren asked with a smile, "Anything at all?" Hong Yan rolled her eyes at him and turned away. "What do you think?" *Give you an inch, and you take a mile!* Yet she trusted that with the boy's sharp wit, he certainly knew what matters he could ask about and what lines not to cross. Wu Youren breathed a silent sigh of relief. He had finally gotten those words from Hong Da. Truly, making as many friends as possible was the way to go! With her backing, he wouldn't need to worry about anyone at Red Pine Martial Academy anymore! Just thinking about it made him a little thrilled! He walked up outside Instructor Hong's room and asked through the door, "Hong Da, when are we heading back?" "Head back where?" came her raspy, husky voice. "I'm staying right here to collect my debt!" *Damn it...* Wu Youren was speechless. Had he spun a cocoon only to trap himself in it? Not that it mattered too much. Since the others hadn't returned yet, it was the perfect time. "Then I'll go out for a walk." At that moment, Instructor Hong was leaning lazily against the headboard. She glanced absently out the window. "It's not even raining. What are you walking for?" Right then, she began to understand why the other instructors kept such close tabs on the boy. He truly was... someone who sprang surprises on people at every turn, a real treasure of a boy! "Well, it's started raining now," Wu Youren answered softly. "I'll just take a stroll nearby." "Go on, then," the raspy voice said lazily. "I'll be keeping an eye on you. Don't wander far." *Now I don't really want to go out anymore!* Wu Youren touched his forehead. Being watched every second by a grand knight? Still, having already said the words, he couldn't back out now; that would only invite more trouble. He tidied himself up briefly and stepped outside, only for someone to dart out from the side after just a few steps—none other than that female knight from the New Army. Evidently, she had been waiting for him here; it couldn't possibly be a coincidence. The woman offered a faint smile and held out a medallion—thin, with a faint metallic luster. "A New Army transit token. Free passage anywhere in the Tianjing region... including Hostage Manor. The Commander thought you might need it." Wu Youren paused for a moment, then waved his hand dismissively. "Thanks, but I'm not worthy. "Next time you want to kill me, this would just be another excuse." He wasn't deliberately picking a fight. Half a year ago, such a token was something he wouldn't even dare dream of. Now, however, he had no need for it. Help was only precious when offered in times of need. Offering an umbrella after the storm had already passed... He wasn't that curious about Tianjing anyway, and more importantly, if he took the token and Hong Da found out, she might feel uncomfortable about it. Hearing this, the female knight's smile froze instantly. *A mere hostage from an enemy state, putting on airs?* This was precisely the expression Wu Youren enjoyed seeing most. *Can't stand me, can you? But sorry... you can't kill me either!* "Don't disturb me," he said, eyes clear. "I'm already Hong Da's person." "Hm?" A faint scoff seemed to sound by his ear, feeling far away yet right beside him. The female knight blinked in surprise before answering, "I have female warriors under my command too, younger and prettier than Ailin!" "This has nothing to do with gender," Wu Youren said, shaking his head as he stepped forward. "Besides, Hong Da isn't old!" He didn't know whether flattering women about youth was popular in Liang—mature warriors were often far more powerful. Yet without question, Hong Da would never appreciate being called old. "You..." Watching his retreating back, the female knight stomped her foot in vexation. How was she supposed to report back to the Commander? Earlier, as soon as the five of them stepped out of the courtyard, Commander Jeff had slapped his thigh and muttered ruefully, "I acted too hastily!" Among the four knights, only one nodded slightly. "It seems... a little, but I can't put my finger on why." The Commander fell silent. Only after a long pause did he sigh. "The Jin hostage stands outside the game!" Then he had ordered the female knight to stay behind and present a transit token to the boy. Crucially, the Commander had sternly emphasized that she must be amiable and under no circumstances lose her temper. "I can threaten him, but you lot... wouldn't know where to draw the line!" Watching the boy walk ahead alone, she had no choice but to follow quietly while contacting the Commander via her communication wristwatch. As she raised her wrist, she looked up at the sky. *Is it raining?* Wu Youren could sense her trailing behind him. When he took a turn, she was still following! For a moment, he was at a loss for words. *Is it really this hard to take a walk by myself?* While he was grumbling internally, a short figure suddenly darted out from the side, hurtling toward him at startling speed. Wu Youren raised a hand, drew the scimitar at his waist, and slashed forward without hesitation. The newcomer was also a youth, younger than him, whose eyes weren't looking at Wu Youren at all, as though distracted by something else. Yet in the next moment, the youth screeched to a sudden halt, watching with wide eyes as the gleaming blade flashed right past his chest. Had he been even a fraction slower, he would have ended up gutted. The two boys stared at each other for three or four seconds. Wu Youren simply stepped forward and continued on his way without a word. After four or five paces, he sheathed his scimitar back at his waist, sighing inwardly. *The local atmosphere really is uniquely Great Liang.* The other youth stared at his back, partly dazed, partly gnashing his teeth. While he was still hesitating over whether to give chase, a gun barrel was already pressed against his forehead. Then a cold female voice rang out: "Don't move. Move and I'll blow your head off!" The female knight was from the New Army, but since she was here on an assignment today, she wasn't wearing her uniform. Two burly men stepped out from nearby, sneering at her. "Then pull the trigger! You dare?" The female knight shifted her aim and pulled the trigger without hesitation. *Bang!* With a loud gunshot, one of the men clutched his thigh and collapsed to the ground. Immediately following were three more shots: *Bang! Bang! Bang!* It turned out the boy, feeling the barrel move away, had bolted without a second thought. He was exceptionally agile, swift as the wind; making a living in this line of work, he naturally seized every fleeting opportunity.