Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

Mu Sheng Xi felt that he was truly weak.

So weak that he wouldn't be able to do anything to help the family right now. His father had retired and he was nothing more than a 4000 men commander.

How many years would it take for him to reach the rank of a general?

He was not so capable.

"Be patient." General Mu glanced at his second son. "Your cousin will get married soon. You can try to make use of her marriage to expand our connection a bit. At the very least, it will prevent others from thinking Mu Family is a weakling."

Mu Sheng Xi pursed his lips.

His sisters and half sisters were all married to various people whom General Mu felt quite talented and might be able to help Mu Family. They were all nothing more than bargaining chips used to expand Mu Family power.

While Mu Sheng Xi didn't really like the way his father doing things, but he also knew that it was the only way possible for them to prevent being completely destroyed.

He sighed.

"I understand, Father. I'll go to the Capital City soon."

"Go."

General Mu closed his eyes, reclining on the long chair once more.

Mu Sheng Xi looked at his father and lowered his eyes. He cupped his fists, turned around, and then left.

As the one who will lead the Mu Family, the burden on his shoulder was not small. But he knew that he had accepted this arrangement from his father, so he had to make sure to finish the tasks given to him.

…

<Long distance away, Old Master Nan and Feng Ao Kuai's location>

"For someone who hadn't studied this for several years, you have good memory." Old Master Nan pushed the go piece in front of him forward.

Feng Ao Kuai smiled and simply moved another piece from the other side. "Grandfather had taught me well."

Old Master Nan snorted. He focused on the board in front of him, feeling that his grandson was getting more and more ruthless as time passed. This was the third game with Feng Ao Kuai and Old Master Nan was already about to lose miserably.

Even when he was trying to disrupt Feng Ao Kuai by asking various questions related to those books, Feng Ao Kuai was still as calm as ever.

"With deep knowledge, it's not strange for you to switch your focus to the court." Old Master Nan finally gave up. He knew that no matter which route he picked, he would definitely lose miserably in his grandson's hand. 

At this time, he was silently wondering whose intelligence that Feng Ao Kuai actually inherited.

"I only see that there's a chance and want to take it, Grandfather." Feng Ao Kuai relaxed on his seat and smiled calmly. "There are still a lot that I have to learn but I'm willing to contribute my talent to the court."

Old Master Nan sneered.

Contribute his talent?

Who is he trying to fool?

If Feng Ao Kuai said this to outsiders who didn't know this young man's personality, there was a chance that they might buy it. But Old Master Nan had known this young man ever since he was a baby.

How could Feng Ao Kuai fool Old Master Nan?

"You better not thinking of retiring early. You're still too young to retire." Old Master Nan looked at Feng Ao Kuai sharply. If his grandson ever mentioned that he wanted to retire, he would not hesitate to spank this brat.

He had just reached adulthood and he wanted to retire.

Did he think that he was already so rich that he could retire so early like that?

"I wouldn't think that way, Grandfather." Feng Ao Kuai smiled helplessly and waved his hand to signal Si Kang to prepare tea for them. Now that they were in the middle of a break, everyone was currently relaxing on the camp.

Old Master Nan was unsettled with his decision and decided to give him a test. But for Feng Ao Kuai, this test was too easy.

There were many other people who were smarter and harder to handle than Old Master Nan in the court. This was nothing more than a small warm up. 

"You better be." Old Master Nan picked the cup of tea and sipped it slowly. Among his grandchildren, the one that eased him the most were Nan Hua and Feng Ao Kuai. The two of them had their own plan for their future, one that he usually couldn't interfere.

And as they grew up, he felt that it was getting harder and harder to understand these two. 

"There are just some things that are more interesting." Feng Ao Kuai smiled. "And I'm only making my preparation for the inevitable future."

Old Master Nan passed a glance at Feng Ao Kuai and snorted. "Take care of yourself. Those old foxes in the court are not easy to deal with."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"And before we reach the Capital City, you should follow me to review your lessons. The examination is conducted in less a month's time, so you have a lot that you need to review." Old Master Nan sighed.

There was such little time.

Would it be fine for Feng Ao Kuai to participate in the examination this time?

Feng Ao Kuai chuckled. "Grandfather, your knowledge is not as much as me. If you would like to pose a challenge to me, you should have brought Prime Minister Lan forward."

"That's a good idea." Old Master Nan narrowed his eyes. "I will call Prime Minister Lan to accompany you tomorrow and ask some questions."

Feng Ao Kuai: "…" did I dig a hole for myself?

Looking at his gloating grandfather, Feng Ao Kuai sighed and said nothing more. He was thinking about the court and the fact that he had to face those people again.

It was indeed more relaxed on the frontline with the soldiers.

But he had his reasons to enter the court this time.