The Ever-Victorious General

How could familial bonds ever be distant? When a loved one faces danger, how could one possibly stand by and do nothing?

A blade appeared as if from nowhere, scattering the dark clouds and restoring clear skies for thousands of miles. The magical array gradually faded, and at last, the tension weighing on everyone’s hearts eased.

Within the courtyard, Song Yutian sheathed his blade and revealed a smile that had not been seen for a long time. Song Linjie asked, “Father, what just happened?”

Song Yutian gazed at the sky for a moment, then spoke calmly, “It’s because of you. Before you were born, a Taoist came to the Song family. Your grandfather’s name was Song Qingtian—by tradition, your name should have been Lingtian. But the Taoist said that three generations using the character ‘Tian’ violated divine harmony. If you insisted on using that name, you would be punished by heaven. Naming your blade is the same as naming yourself.”

Song Linjie looked at the blade in his hand, Forging Heaven, and asked, “So, did we make it through?”

Song Yutian shook his head. “It’s not so simple. This thunder was only the prelude, I fear. If someone hadn’t intervened, you might not have survived even the first trial.”

Song Linjie’s gaze was resolute, his spirit undaunted. “If I cannot escape it, then I will face it head-on. No matter how many tribulations come, I will break through them with one stroke.”

Song Yutian nodded with satisfaction and continued, “The Taoist I mentioned is none other than the current leader of the Taoist sect, Chi Xundao. If you meet him, remember to repay his kindness yourself.”

He sighed. “The magical array was crafted by that celestial master, and the strike that broke through the void came from your grandfather. Back then, our Song family was nothing but a small clan in Liufeng City. Your grandfather was the head of the family. During a banquet at a tavern, his friend offended the city lord’s second son and was beheaded on the spot. Your grandfather was enraged and wanted to act, though others tried to restrain him. But that night, he sneaked into the city lord’s residence and killed the culprit. To avoid implicating the Song family, he left alone. Yet the city lord’s house continued to persecute us, pushing the Song family to the brink of division. I had no choice but to step forward and publicly sever the Song family’s ties with your grandfather. Only then did the city lord’s house relent. That is the origin of the feud between our Song family and the city lord’s household.”

Song Yutian smiled, “But since he was willing to deliver that strike for you, at least it means he acknowledges you as his grandson.”

Song Linjie was puzzled. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

Song Yutian replied calmly, “Because you will encounter these people on your journey.”

Zhang Ling blurted out, “The capital.”

Song Yutian nodded.

Song Yutian waved at Song Linjie. “Alright, I’ve told you everything I needed to. Go on, I have something I need to discuss with Zhang Ling alone.”

Song Linjie didn’t quite understand, but left the courtyard to try out his new blade.

Watching him go, Song Yutian turned to Zhang Ling. “What I said earlier was rushed. There are things I need to explain to you more clearly.”

Zhang Ling raised an eyebrow, “Can’t you give me a hint? And how do you know so much about me?”

Song Yutian shook his head. “Your family member didn’t tell you, probably because they feared you would act impulsively. Once you enter the academy, you’ll find investigating those matters much easier and safer—even His Majesty will support you. So there’s no need to worry. As for how I guessed your identity, it’s because I once met your father. I can also tell you about some people who bear grudges against your father.”

He handed Zhang Ling a folded paper. Zhang Ling’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’ve dug up everything about the capital, haven’t you?”

Song Yutian nodded. “Once you enter the academy, those people won’t dare make a move. Originally, only your father offended them. They have no means to take revenge. As long as you don’t pursue them, they’ll let things be.”

Song Yutian concluded, “That’s all I can tell you. Next, you and Song Linjie should visit the Wang and Luo families. I have matters to attend to, so I won’t accompany you.”

Zhang Ling left the courtyard alone and saw Song Linjie swinging Forging Heaven with great delight. Song Linjie sheathed the blade and stood ready. Zhang Ling said, “Let’s go visit the other two families.”

After asking about the routes, Zhang Ling led the way, Song Linjie following behind, carrying his blade and swaggering down the street with a carefree air. Passersby assumed the blade-bearer was a servant to the young master ahead, but those who recognized him respectfully called out, “Young Master Song.” Some avoided him altogether, clearly having suffered at his hands before.

Zhang Ling slowed to walk alongside him. “Song Linjie, why are you going to the academy?”

Song Linjie’s spirit soared at the question. “I’ve heard the academy has many masterful blade techniques. The dean is one of the top two blade wielders in the land. I want to witness the Southern Blade firsthand.”

Zhang Ling continued at an even pace. “Have you considered the possibility that he might be your grandfather? To deliver such a powerful strike, only a grandmaster at the Returning Origin level could do so. There are only two such grandmasters in the world—the Northern Blade Sage and the Southern Blade King. And as it happens, the Blade King is where we’re headed next.”

Song Linjie stopped abruptly, a chill running through him. So what if it’s true? So what if it’s not? He came only to hone his martial arts.

Song Linjie, ever optimistic, soon regained his smile. “Zhang Ling, why are you going to the academy?”

Zhang Ling replied calmly, “There are matters I need to attend to in the capital. The academy will make things easier.”

Song Linjie only responded with a casual “Oh,” clearly uninterested.

After a while, Zhang Ling asked, “Do you know someone named Zhang Mingze? He’s supposed to be an important figure in the State of Chen.”

Song Linjie’s eyes lit up with excitement. “You must mean the great general! He fought bravely on the battlefield, earning countless military honors. He rose from a lowly soldier to the rank of general, and the armies he led were undefeated. The late emperor bestowed upon him the title ‘Ever-Victorious,’ and he was said to have mastered martial arts on his own, reaching the first-rank level. Later, the late emperor gave him the second-most renowned blade in the land, ‘National Mourning.’ In the eyes of the people of Chen, he is the undefeated war god.”

Zhang Ling wondered, “How is it that such a figure is unknown to me in Luochuan County?”

Song Linjie sighed for once. “Because he died for his country. In the Battle of Luping Valley seventeen years ago, both the Chen and Mo armies were annihilated.”

After a moment of silence, Song Linjie asked, “Do you have some connection to the general?”

Zhang Ling understood now why such a famous figure in Luochuan County was unknown to him—it must have been a deliberate omission by his family.

Zhang Ling did not answer, merely said, “We’re here.”