Chapter 337: The Meaning of Companions

Come on, let's practice; this time we're going out, we'll probably have to fight, so let's practice first. Ning Hanmo changed into a set of clothes, still coarse cloth; he didn't know when it started, but he seemed to have gotten used to coarse cloth.

At first it felt rough, his skin felt uncomfortable, but gradually it became a habit, absorbing sweat and breathable, which wasn't bad either.

"Come." Ning Qiancheng laughed loudly.

Jia Er looked at the two brothers, "Come on."

In a moment, on the drill field, the three youths tangled together.

Sometimes two people pressed Ning Hanmo, sometimes two teamed up to beat Jia Chuan, and eventually, not knowing how, they ended up two people beating Ning Qiancheng.

Anyway, the main point is there are no eternal teammates, but also no eternal enemies.

When the three had no strength left, the three youths lay on the ground, breathing heavily, nobody cared about dirt, they laughed and laughed, laughing even louder.

"Jia Er, if you feel stifled, just throw punches; we can't choose the elders' affairs, but we can choose what we do."

"Jia Er, as long as you're here, the Jia Clan remains."

Ning Hanmo lay flat, merely turned his side, and looked toward Jia Er on one side.

These past days, they've all seen Jia Er's emotions; the family underwent a sudden change, he didn't break down, he's already become a strong person.

"I know."

Jia Er gave a light smile; his words are always few, he always thinks before acting.

Although he's Jia Er, his nature is the calmest; at home he looks after his mother, outside he looks after his several brothers.

"Jia Er!"

At this moment, the usually silent Ning Qiancheng shouted at him.

Then he suddenly stood up, looking down at Jia Er's eyes, "The brothers are here."

Jia Er could see the seriousness in his eyes, and also see Ning Lao Da's worry; he understood all of it.

"I know."

"I'm thinking about the road ahead..."

His mother's status destined him never to become an official in this lifetime, nor to go to the battlefield; then what could he do?

Everything now is the best result the Dean fought for; he doesn't know where his parents are, nor any news of them.

The Dean said, "No news is good news."

When news comes, it's the settled death notice.

As long as one lives, there is belief.

"What's there to think about? Not being able to become an official—so what? Not being able to go to the battlefield—so what? Zhang Xiao San's ambition is in trade, Han Xiao Si's is in farming; aren't they also working hard?"

Ning Hanmo sat up, then looked at Jia Er and said, "My ambition is on the battlefield; I can only protect my mother if I inherit Ning Chengyan's position."

"The youngest's goal..."

Ning Hanmo looked at Ning Qiancheng, who gave a light smile, "Nothing hard to say."

"If I don't reach that position, with the temper of my several imperial brothers, could they let me live?"

"I have never had a choice."

"Jia Er, look, we actually have no choice; on the contrary, you are the one who does have a choice."

Ning Qiancheng's words were so plain and light, like a breeze could blow them away, yet this path is destined to be a sea of blood and mountains of corpses.

If he wins, he will protect his companions for a lifetime.

If he loses, he will be a skeleton, forever buried in that dark place.

That is also the place he dislikes most.

"Ning Lao Da, Jia Er, Lao Yao."

At this moment, shouts came from outside, wave after wave.

"Zhang San, how did he come?" The three stood up from the ground and immediately saw the thin, tall youth running over.

"Hahaha, I guessed you'd be here; this is from my family's small kitchen, Jia Er, your favorite date cake, try it." Zhang San held the food box, not saying a single unpleasant word.

Only Ning Qiancheng and Ning Hanmo exchanged a glance, looking at his student uniform he hadn't had time to take off, fearing something had happened.

"Delicious." Jia Er nodded.

"Just delicious isn't enough; you have to try the wine—this is what my grandfather brewed, I saw him secretly bury it, hehe." Han Wen Jun walked in from the main gate, holding two wine jars.

"Good lad, how did you also come?" Zhang Cunwen asked with a hearty laugh.

"How can you come but I can't?"

Han Wen Jun raised an eyebrow, looking at the gathered people, whether spoiled rich kids or little monsters, they've actually always been them.

They have never changed.

"Hey hey hey, don't bring that distinction of closeness and distance; we are a family."

As the words fell, a large group of Kang Clan children, each holding something—some with food boxes, some carrying pastries, some holding drinks.

They had only parted less than two hours ago, yet they all gathered here unconsciously.

"Princess Consort, they've all returned." Zi Su reported the situation, also smiling helplessly.

Knowing the academy wasn't opening, these kids went straight through the Wang Fu gate into the mansion, each carrying something.

"Today is their day; I'll just stay out of the way."

"Tell the small kitchen to prepare more hot water and sobering soup."

"Have the servants inform each household, so the mansion doesn't wait anxiously."

Jiang Yunchu gave a light smile, then turned the page of the book in his hand; these kids are thoughtful.

There were no fancy tables or chairs; they sat on the ground on the martial platform, plates of food were brought out directly, wine was opened, its aroma spreading freely.

"We've experienced much; in the future we will experience even more."

"All the yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows leave us speechless."

Ning Hanmo looked at the crowd; he hadn't expected everyone to come, none missing; that caring gaze never lies.

"Thanks, Jia Er noted it down." Jia Chuan glanced around, then downed the cup in one gulp.

This wasn't his first drink, but it was the fastest he'd ever downed; the strong liquor scent burned his throat, leaving him slightly breathless—cough cough cough.

"Hahaha, Jia Er can't hold his liquor—one sip and he's coughing. Look at the young master."

Zhang Cunwen took a direct gulp, then quickly stuck out his tongue: 'Water, water, so spicy, so spicy.'

"Hahaha——"

The crowd's laughter lingered in the martial arts arena where they shed sweat and tears.

No one brought up that matter again, nor did anyone comfort Jia Er, for they knew all they could offer was companionship; the tribulations ahead still had to be faced by him alone.

But they were his confidence, the faith that saw him through his tribulation.

"How much did they drink?" Jiang Yunchu got the message, went over to look, and saw everyone slumped over, some already asleep.

"I haven't drunk that much, it's just that the liquor might be a bit strong." The only one relatively sober was Kang Ziwei.

She looked at the people strewn about and couldn't help but laugh and cry at once.

A rare indulgence.