Chapter 282

At noon,

Arthur pushed open the door of the ordinary Wooden House that looked unremarkable from outside, even somewhat shabby, and walked in.

Inside, an old man with a withered face and deep wrinkles, yet still standing tall like a pine, had his back to him, laying out utensils and simple food before the rough wooden table.

Hearing Arthur's footsteps, the old man did not turn his head, and in his aged yet steady voice commanded:

First go wash hands.

Arthur obediently nodded and replied:

All right, Merlin Grandpa.

He walked to the washbasin in the corner, carefully washed his hands, then dried them with a cloth, and only then returned to the table and sat in his place.

The food on the table was equally simple, even somewhat coarse: a few pieces of dry-looking wheat bread, a bowl of meat broth steaming slightly, with a few small chunks that seemed to be mutton floating in it, plus a small plate of boiled wild greens of indeterminate kind, and a small handful of fresh berries.

This was their meal.

Merlin——this legendary Great Mage, now more like an ordinary grandfather caring for his grandson's livelihood——sat opposite Arthur, picked up a piece of bread, dipped it in the meat broth, and began to eat.

While eating, he spoke to Arthur in a calm tone:

Arthur, you have reached the age to learn combat skills.

He paused, then continued,

I have hired an experienced warrior for you; he will likely arrive here tomorrow.

Starting tomorrow, you will follow him and earnestly learn combat skills.

Seemingly afraid Arthur might not grasp the preciousness of this opportunity, Merlin added a sentence, his tone carrying a barely detectable 'heartache':

Study well. To have him spare time to teach you, I have paid the price of ten sheep and thirty fine sheepskins!

In this era, as the Roman Empire's forces withdrew from this land, the relatively mature Roman monetary system they brought also collapsed.

(At this time the Roman Empire had long since fallen into decline; the Roman Emperor Lucius defeated by Arthur King, like him, does not exist in history; the Western Roman Empire fell in 476, and the Eastern Roman Empire is too far away, making it unnecessary to attack Britain.)

The Britannic Isles, especially such remote regions, have largely reverted to a primitive barter economy.

Cattle and sheep, hides, grain, and metal—these are the hard currency.

Ten sheep and thirty sheepskins are undoubtedly a considerable 'tuition fee'.

It is precisely in this martial yet institutionally undefined era that the concept of the 'Knight' and a complete system have not yet formed.

Only after several centuries, roughly after the 8th century AD, and especially during the 11th to 13th centuries' Crusades, did knight culture truly mature and become institutionalized, marking its golden age.

At present, active on the land of Britain are those called elite warriors, noble fighters, or tribal heroes; they are the prototypes of later Knights.

In the future, Arthur King's forces will gather many such talents, among which the most legendary will be the Round Table Knights centered on twelve individuals.

However, for Arthur, who is merely a child living in a secluded village at present, those legends and responsibilities are still too distant.

Listening to Merlin's arrangements, he merely felt the elders' expectations and sacrifices; in his green eyes shone a serious light, and he nodded firmly:

Good! Merlin Grandpa, I will surely train hard!

Hmm, eat up, eat more—you are at the age to grow your body. Merlin nodded, said nothing more, and just ate the food before him.

Just as he was about to swallow the chewed food, he suddenly lifted his head to look outside, his brows slightly furrowing.

Huh?

Arthur saw him looking outward, and followed his gaze, but saw nothing, and thus showed a puzzled expression:

Merlin Grandpa, what are you looking at?

Nothing, I'm going out for a bit. Merlin offered no explanation, but put down the half-eaten bread in his hand and then rose.

He draped the cloak hanging on the wall over himself, and picked up the black staff casually placed in the corner, resembling a firewood stick.

He stepped out the door.

Of course, as he was about to leave, he turned back and gave a reminder:

Eat your meal well, don't come out; when you're full, go to sleep.

Arthur, who had originally wanted to follow, could only sit back down, nodding and saying: 'Oh.'

Seeing him sit back down, Merlin strode forward and soon disappeared from his sight.

Outside.

Deep in the woods, light and shadow mottled.

The reason Merlin interrupted his meal and hurried out was that the surrounding plants, trees, and even the breeze that brushed past were urgently telling him in the language of nature—a strong stranger who had come uninvited had set foot in this tranquil forest.

His aura's profundity placed an invisible pressure on the entire forest!

Merlin dared not delay; he had to come personally to investigate and ascertain the stranger's intent.

His gaze, sharp as an eagle's, quickly locked onto the figure not far ahead, casually leaning against an oak tree.

He was a young man with black hair and black pupils, his facial contours utterly distinct from both the native Britons and the Roman remnants.

His posture was relaxed, as if blending with the surroundings, yet he exuded an imposing presence that could not be ignored.

On Merlin's face appeared a smile fitting his present identity as a 'rustic elder'—somewhat restrained yet striving to stay friendly—but the vigilance in the depths of his deep eyes had not faded.

He bowed slightly, probing with his question:

Honored traveler from afar, mighty wayfarer.

You suddenly visited our little place that keeps to itself—what business do you have?

Yu Lin heard this and likewise returned a calm smile, speaking in a relaxed tone:

Merlin Master, no need to be nervous; I am Yu Lin, from a very distant place.

He paused, looked at Merlin with frank eyes, and directly stated his purpose,

I have come here with no ill intent.

I merely wanted to ask you—do you think the child named Arthur needs a teacher?

His smile deepened, carrying a hint of confidence and amusement,

One, a teacher who can teach him true combat skills.

What do you think?

Yu Lin's final address was like a thunderclap that exploded in Merlin's heart.

He actually knows his true identity?!

Merlin fell silent for a moment, as if thinking, before slowly speaking:

So, what do you need?

Yu Lin raised a finger: "When the time comes, I will seek out Arthur again and obtain something from him... well, you'll find out later."

I won't harm him.

How many people beg to become my disciple.

Merlin, upon hearing this, fell silent for an even longer time, but Yu Lin was not in a hurry; he waited patiently.

Is that so.........

Alright then, I have agreed on his behalf.