Chapter 34: The great peng rises with the wind in one day, soaring straight up ninety thousand li【End of the Prologue】

Da Xia Capital.

State-Protecting Duke's Residence.

Gu Family's jade carriage halted, three hundred elite troops stood in formation on both sides; these soldiers, wearing armor, were all the elite of the State-Protecting Duke's Residence.

Each one is a martial artist, not lacking in masters.

Today is the day Gu Jin Nian goes to Small Stream Village to participate in the Da Xia Academy's recruitment.

The entire Gu Family is extremely solemn, with everyone up and down busy with this matter.

Inside the inner gate.

Grandfather Gu, Gu Jin Nian's sixth uncle, and Gu Jin Nian's mother Lady Li were already waiting here.

This journey is three hundred li, also about three or four days; as family, they naturally worry.

"Nian'er, you must be careful on this journey; if anything happens, let the subordinates handle it—you must absolutely not act recklessly."

"Grandfather has arranged three hundred iron cavalry for you, secretly sent some people to guard you; if true danger arises, remember to preserve your life as the priority—do not act rashly."

"Do you understand?"

At the inner gate, the grandfather gave a series of admonitions, instructing Gu Jin Nian on the rules for being out and about.

But before Gu Jin Nian could answer, the grandfather's gaze instantly fell on Gu Ningya.

"Lao Liu."

"Pay attention, I—if Jin Nian suffers any mishap, I will never forgive you lightly."

"You understand?"

Grandfather Gu looked at Gu Ningya and spoke sternly.

Upon hearing this, Gu Ningya immediately nodded, though he felt a bit unhappy inside; there was nothing he could do—after all, Gu Jin Nian is the family's favorite, he himself is past his prime, so he can only endure.

"Grandfather, rest assured, I will ask the sixth uncle about anything; besides, it's only three hundred li—what major trouble could arise?"

Gu Jin Nian, however, seemed unconvinced.

Small Stream Village is three hundred li from the capital; with the Gu Family's strength, if anything happened to me, they could reach me within the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

With the three hundred iron cavalry plus the hidden masters protecting me, could we not even secure the time it takes to burn an incense stick?

As for sending some peerless master to cause me trouble, that's even more impossible—there are only a handful of peerless masters in the world; to openly move against me, would they be bored? "Nian'er, when you're out and about, you must not think like that."

"In any case, just be careful and cautious; you must obey everything your sixth uncle says."

"Your sixth uncle is experienced in handling affairs, meticulous in thought; whatever happens, whatever he says goes."

"Lao Liu, you've worked hard on this journey."

Lady Li spoke, being very courteous to Gu Ningya, unlike the bluntness of Grandfather Gu.

"Eldest sister-in-law, you're being polite."

"Please rest assured, eldest sister-in-law; with me escorting, Jin Nian will certainly not encounter any mishap."

Gu Ningya answered with a smile.

Still, the eldest sister-in-law knows how to speak; looking at my own father, I truly doubt whether he's my biological parent.

But soon, Lady Li pulled Gu Jin Nian aside to speak.

"Nian'er."

"On this journey, you should eat more; don't be stingy with silver—take this banknote and buy whatever you like."

"Remember, let your sixth uncle spend his silver first, then spend yours."

"Furthermore, if you truly encounter danger, you must run immediately—never mind your sixth uncle; he's thick-skinned and can take a few blows, but you must absolutely not come to harm—if you do, how could Mother go on living?"

Lady Li gave various instructions.

"Mother, rest assured, the child will come to no harm."

Gu Jin Nian felt a bit embarrassed; this sixth uncle was right nearby—although we were whispering aside, he couldn't possibly not hear.

What does it mean, his skin is thick and his flesh sturdy, taking a few blades is nothing?

Is this stabbing the sixth uncle's heart? At that moment, Lady Li had a maid send over an embroidered robe and handed it to Gu Jin Nian, saying:

"Nian'er, the weather has changed recently; this is clothing Mother sewed for you—if it's cold, wear it and don't catch a chill."

"You've only just recovered from a serious illness, and now you're going on a long journey—Mother feels uneasy."

"They all want you to go study, to go suffer; Mother is reluctant in every way—you've grown up this big and have never ventured far from home."

"On this trip, Mother worries night after night."

"Nian'er, Mother doesn't expect you to achieve anything; just return safely—do you understand?"

Lady Li felt extreme heartache; even as she spoke later, she couldn't help but have tears welling up.

Three hundred li may seem not far, but to Lady Li, Gu Jin Nian has lived in brocade and jade since childhood; this outing will surely involve hardship.

Furthermore, a few days ago he nearly drowned and died; for her as his mother, this makes her even more reluctant, her heart filled with many worries.

Grandfather Gu and Gu Ningya saw this scene and said nothing; after all, given what happened, it's only natural for a mother to feel heartache for her child.

"Mother."

"Don't be sad, child understands; please Mother, rest assured."

Taking the embroidered robe handed by Mother, Gu Jin Nian looked at each stitch and thread, then at the red dots in Lady Li's hand, and his heart involuntarily felt sour.

As a transmigrator, I have accepted the identity of the Gu Family's eldest grandson, yet emotionally I find it hard to resonate.

But today, Lady Li's actions have moved Gu Jin Nian deeply.

"The time is not early."

"Old."

Just then, the grandfather spoke.

The sound fell, and Gu Jin Nian set out.

The crowd walked out of the vestibule and arrived at the mansion's entrance.

Gu Ningya went out early to inspect the affairs.

Gu Jin Nian, however, walked to the jade carriage.

The massive procession looked exceedingly lively; the household servants had already prepared firecrackers, ready to ignite them as soon as the jade carriage set off for a send‑off.

A moment later, Gu Ningya came over and, looking at Grandfather Gu, said.

"Father, the inspection is complete, there are no issues; we can depart now."

He spoke, giving an affirmative reply.

"Fine."

"Nian'er, go ahead."

"Study well; if you aren't selected, Grandfather will shave his face and bring a Great Scholar for you; don't take on too much burden."

Grandfather Gu patted Gu Jin Nian's shoulder, giving him utmost confidence and assurance.

As for the Li family, they grew increasingly sorrowful, unable to say anything, and merely nodded toward Gu Jin Nian.

At this moment.

A strong wind rose.

It ruffled Gu Jin Nian's brocade robe.

Feeling the Gu family's concern, his heart was filled with gratitude.

"Grandfather."

"Mother."

"I, your child, will exert all my effort on this journey and will not disappoint."

A voice sounded.

Outside the Prince of the State's residence.

Gu Jin Nian faced his grandfather and mother and bowed deeply.

After the salute.

Gu Jin Nian said nothing, turned, and entered the jade carriage.

The next moment, Butler Wang's booming voice rang out.

"The auspicious time has arrived."

"We respectfully escort the heir apparent into Da Xia Academy."

The voice sounded, and in an instant the firecrackers ignited, making the whole long street even more lively.

And outside the Prince of the State's residence.

Grandfather Gu's expression changed slightly.

Because he had just discovered that his grandson seemed somehow different.

The glance he just gave made him inexplicably feel that his grandson had been hiding all along.

That cannot be.

Grandfather Gu stood stunned in place.

He dared not believe it.

But the behavior just now was too different.

"Could it be that my grandson harbors great talent?"

Grandfather Gu's whole body went rigid; the terrifying thought exploded in his mind instantly.

Recalling Heaven's Mandate's selection of Gu Jin Nian made his body tremble slightly.

It was a tremor of excitement.

Gu Family.

Is it truly time for a dragon to emerge? He could not be sure.

Everything hinges on this Da Xia Academy enrollment.

At this moment.

On the jade carriage.

Gu Jin Nian's entire aura underwent its greatest transformation in an instant.

The reason he appears unremarkable after traversing to the present is due to two reasons.

First, he is ultimately not a person of this world; perhaps he will return someday, so he resists this world.

Second, the Gu family's affection is ultimately not his, making integration difficult; yet today the Li family's actions, including Grandfather Gu's love for him and the whole Gu family's pampering,

made Gu Jin Nian completely let go of all his guard.

"You grant me a lifetime of wealth, I grant you eternal fame."

On the jade carriage.

Gu Jin Nian murmured to himself.

This is a farewell.

A farewell to his past self, and also a farewell to another Gu Jin Nian.

From today onward.

The one standing before you is.

The eldest grandson of the Prince of the State of Da Xia, the first son of the Lord of Linyang, son of Princess Ningyue, nephew the Da Xia Emperor, second uncle, Commander of the Divine Mechanism Camp beyond the Pass, third uncle, Deputy General of the Xuanwu Army also beyond the Pass, fourth uncle, Left‑Wing General still beyond the Pass, fifth uncle, Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice, future Minister of Justice, and sixth uncle, Deputy Commander of the Suspended Lantern Department.

Eldest cousin, principal wife of the Mighty Marquis; second cousin, disciple of the Sword Immortal of Qingzhou; third cousin, senior sister of the Exquisite Immortal Palace; youngest cousin, Holy Maiden of the Qingwei Immortal Sect.

He is also the top aristocrat of Da Xia, Gu Jin Nian.

Inside the capital.

The mighty convoy attracted countless gazes.

A strong wind followed, as if also seeing off Gu Jin Nian.

The carriage was not fast.

But after half an hour.

Already driven out of the city gate. —Prologue, ended.

Volume One, Da Xia's Winds and Clouds, begins.

(End of chapter)