Chapter 75: – Today's First Update

"Going to attend court audience? Of course, no matter how you say it, I'm a high‑ranking military officer of the Ming Dynasty, so I must go see the Emperor." Bai Lang, standing before the eunuch, was sweating; it was clear Bai Lang was being extremely courteous, not overstepping etiquette in the slightest, yet this eunuch felt as if his whole body were trapped in a pit full of blades, though cold, he involuntarily broke into a cold sweat...... The person before him, even if dressed in plain white robes, looked like a great white tiger......

Going to the capital was simple for Bai Lang: he took a boat south to Xiangyang, then sailed up the Yangtze and the Grand Canal northward, finally entering the Capital (Jingcheng). But before that he first had to go see his own "patron" and "mentor", Governor Deng—such worldly affairs are simply human nature. Bai Lang was no exception, just going through the motions. Governor Deng certainly wouldn't put on airs; people would think Bai Lang had risen from his ranks, which counts as his favor of promotion, but Governor Deng himself couldn't see it that way, and it would be impossible for him to put on airs before Bai Lang—otherwise he'd really be serving his post in a dog's belly.

Governor Deng personally came out to meet him and brought Bai Lang into his private reception room, a gesture of friendliness. First, he praised Bai Lang's magnificent military achievements in slaying bandits for the state, and Bai Lang returned the favor, lauding Governor Deng's strategic planning—after all, Bai Lang wasn't a muscle‑brain; having once been a corporate drone, he still had this social IQ. It's like giving someone a lift in a fancy sedan; besides, this person is basically about to climb to the highest tier of civil officials.

As they chatted, Governor Deng laughed and said that quite a few official families, aristocratic houses, and military lineages had come to him seeking his matchmaking, willing to marry off their good daughters to you—what do you think? Bai Lang laughed too, but didn't say much; he hadn't yet decided whether to refuse or what to do, though this matter could be left for later to worry about—for you know his fabricated background is now a problem, but it looks like the higher-ups intend to erase this problem.

As they chatted, Governor Deng asked, "Bai Lang, my worthy nephew, do you have a courtesy name?" Bai Lang shook his head and said he had never had one. So Governor Deng stroked his beard and laughed, "If you don't mind, worthy nephew, why don't I give you a courtesy name?"

Bai Lang clasped his fists and said, "That is exactly what I wish; please, sir, bestow a courtesy name." Governor Deng pondered for a moment, then exclaimed, "Bai Lang, my worthy nephew, you are now the Ming Dynasty's heaven‑supporting jade pillar! I have it—Heaven‑Supporting White Jade Pillar, Sea‑Spanning Purple‑Gold Beam. Your courtesy name shall be Yuzhu! Bai Lang, White Jade Pillar—excellent." Bai Lang laughed, "I am grateful for your kind words, sir; from now on I shall be called Bai Lang White Jade Pillar." But Bai Lang is not a man of letters, so this sobriquet is just for show—nowadays his conduct is mainly that of a peerless rough‑and‑ready warrior, not a famed general like Qi Nan Tang, so giving himself a sobriquet would only invite ridicule.

After his talk with Governor Deng, Bai Lang truly set out for the Capital (Jingcheng), poor fellow—he didn't even have his own troops, not a single personal bodyguard—such a fierce general, the notion of having personal bodyguard troops is no joke. In the end, Governor Sun and Governor Deng jointly sent him a dozen or so servants, and those hereditary military families sent a heap of maidservants—these people had nothing else, but there were plenty of such women.

Of course they also raised the matter of a marriage alliance, saying they had good daughters who were gentle and virtuous, fit to be a great general's consort; Bai Lang didn't know how to respond, so he just laughed it off. Accompanying him to the capital were also a eunuch and the Brocade Guard, as a second‑rank military officer of the current dynasty holding the title of Left Grand Commander—a first‑rank post—and also the honorific Junior Tutor to the Heir Apparent; Bai Lang's processional entourage was quite extravagant, with the basic clearing of the way for departure and arrival, and there should also be plaques and such held aloft to clear the path.

This is the dignity of the state court; even if Bai Lang isn't very patient, he can only suppress his impatience and endure—this made Eunuch Cao quite pleased, and he looked on Bai Lang with favor. Such a person, this rare martial man, shows such respect to the court, which is far better than the military commanders wandering everywhere these days; compared to the Liaoxi military clans, it's simply incomparable. Eunuch Cao is also a martial‑skilled chief of the Imperial Household; eunuchs are innately deficient, and the martial arts they cultivate are sinister and vicious, perhaps unmatched, but in the realm of upright, grand, overbearing, and fierce prowess they fall short.

Eunuch Cao could certainly feel the white tiger's aura emanating from Bai Lang, that fierce and heavy killing intent—even he would find it hard to stay constantly in Bai Lang's company and maintain affection. In this regard, those civil officials who lack martial skill but possess official authority actually fare better. Especially when Bai Lang harbors no hostility at all, these civil officials feel nothing special, making them easier to get along with than military officers.

The official ship was quite large, lavishly decorated; though not fast, no one dared to contend for the right of way on the Yangtze or the Grand Canal, so its progress was not slow. Bai Lang continued his daily training without cease, though he mostly practiced low‑impact movement—static work with limited range and gentle motion—never neglecting the daily intake of the rising morning sun's qi. Having finished his practice that day, he casually leaned on the second‑floor gallery to enjoy the waterscape. At that time the Yangtze still bore no industrial pollution, and the verdant hills, clear waters, and land of fish and rice made a fine view.

"Could someone come to assassinate me? Hahaha, the banks on either side are probably a li or two away, and the underwater currents are complex—where would an assassin come from……" Bai Lang also stroked his own beard, lost in idle thought—this is just leisure! A tiger must gather its spirit; one accustomed to killing must gather its spirit, or else perhaps one will truly fall into madness and deviate into demonic practice. Bai Lang thought becoming possessed was unlikely, but turning into a madman was quite possible, so he must control himself, detach himself, and absolutely must not grow accustomed to solving problems through killing.

Fortunately, this is killing on the battlefield, so Bai Lang can still control his spirit; on the battlefield there is only stance, no grudge. But if it were killing in everyday life, that would be truly terrible. Just as White Jade Pillar was idly musing, a small boat sped down the river from the rear‑side and loomed close. "Whoa, we're about to collide." Bai Lang muttered to himself, yet he still found it rather amusing to watch the small boat—an egg striking a stone.

"Has it lost control?" Bai Lang looked at the small boat, "Not really…… the oars are still there. Is it a fire ship? It hasn't been lit yet." Bai Lang walked along the gallery toward the point where the boat might strike, preparing to look down from above and enjoy the sight of the eggshell cracking with a pop— as for rescuing people? Given this situation there's surely a hassle, Bai Lang had no interest in saving anyone; instead he felt his blood stirring, his intuition telling him perhaps a deal was coming.

"Surely I'm not that much of a jinx? I just finished talking about assassins, and here they come…… I hope they are assassins!" Bai Lang gazed down with delight; he had already reached the second‑floor corridor above the possible impact point. From this vantage point, the small boat had a canopy, and indeed nothing could be seen inside— not even a person, it seemed.