104: The Youth's Resolve

"Shenji Arrows?"

"Yes." Ming Tian nodded, feeling proud of his own idea.

"This is the Southern and Northern Dynasties. There is no concept of air defense in this era. Although the resistance organization is heavily fortified internally, their main training ground is at the rear, surrounded by a cluster of buildings. It could be described as impregnable, but their sky is wide open. If we had a weapon like the Shenji Arrows, capable of ultra-high firing rates in a short time, we could bypass all their defensive lines and directly annihilate a large portion of their forces."

Hearing this, Yin Chan raised her eyebrows. Having just finished emergency treatment for Zhaoyu, her face showed inevitable fatigue. "Put that way, it is indeed feasible. It's a good idea. Give me the explosive formula, and I can make it after a few adjustments."

As she spoke, Yin Chan let out a weary sigh. "By the way, are you really not planning to complete your great ambition?"

Yin Chan's question caught Ming Tian off guard. Seeing her confused expression, it was clear she could not understand his thinking.

Through the railing, Ming Tian glanced downstairs at Xiao Xinzhu, who was chatting with Mo'er. They looked as close as a mother and daughter, a remarkably warm scene. Apart from the fact that Xinzhu's age didn't quite fit the word "mother," there was nothing incongruous about it.

"No. I think living in this era is quite good. I just want to settle these matters quickly, then marry Xinzhu and live a stable, peaceful life."

"Is that so?"

Yin Chan also glanced at Xiao Xinzhu downstairs. Her face was expressionless, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking. She simply said, "Then I wish you your heart's desire," before returning to her room to rest.

After Cui Jue recalled his men, he sent a portion to blockade the streets surrounding the resistance organization as Ming Tian had requested, then stormed off furiously by himself.

Ming Tian found the sight of his twisted, contorted face amusing and imagined how he might berate his subordinates once he returned to his headquarters.

"You bunch of losers! Losers, losers, losers! What a disaster!"

In his mind, a scene appeared of Cui Jue roaring like the Führer in his rage.

He didn't pay him much more mind. Although they were in a state of cooperation, they were fundamentally mortal enemies. Ming Tian wasn't kind enough to care about his thoughts.

Just as Ming Tian was preparing to sleep, a familiar voice stopped his hand from opening the door.

"Lord Consort."

Following the voice, he saw Feng Mo-wang, holding his blade, looking at him with a bashful, hesitant expression.

"Hmm?"

Having escaped danger and finally relaxing, Ming Tian felt a chill run down his spine the moment he saw the kid.

"W-w-what... what are you doing?"

Remembering that he wasn't wearing his protective groin guard, he quickly covered himself and backed away a few steps. Ming Tian's face turned pale, and his mouth trembled with fear.

Feng Mo-wang lowered his head, hesitated for a long time, and then said in a pleading tone, "Lord Consort, I have a presumptuous request, and I hope you will grant it."

A presumptuous request?

This kid knew how to use idioms now?

"What kind of request?"

As soon as Ming Tian asked, Feng Mo-wang threw his blade down with a clang, fell to his knees, and performed a full prostration before him.

"Lord Consort! I know it’s not right to ask this, but I hope you can try your best not to kill my brothers in the organization. If possible... if possible, please spare my master's life."

Ming Tian had not expected this.

Looking at the child kowtowing sincerely, Ming Tian was not hard-hearted and felt a pang of reluctance.

"They are my companions, after all. I have already killed three of them, and I don't want to see them die anymore. And, 'a teacher for a day is a father for life.' My master... no matter how wrong he is, he is still my master. I hope you can spare them."

This child, even at this moment, was still thinking of his master and his fellow organization members.

Reluctance was one thing, but the saying "a heart of stone is necessary for greatness" was not a derogatory term. Being able to make a clean break when necessary—that was the difference between an adult and a child.

Innocence was a virtue; it kept children from being driven by the temptations of adults. But it was also a fact that such innocence had no place on a cruel battlefield.

Ming Tian looked at his sincere expression. Despite his reluctance, he still shook his head.

"I'm sorry, I cannot agree to this request."

Ming Tian's words made Feng Mo-wang's small body tremble slightly.

Without waiting for a response, Ming Tian continued, "Mo-wang, you are a good child with a kind heart. But have you ever thought about one thing? You consider them companions, but did they show you any mercy when they fought you just now? Did your master think of sparing you because you were his disciple?"

"But... but..."

Feng Mo-wang was rendered speechless, his eyes darting back and forth. Ming Tian gave him plenty of time to compose his words.

"But perhaps my master was just momentarily possessed. If he is willing to repent..."

"He will not repent."

Though cruel, Ming Tian spoke the truth to him.

"Child, I know this is harsh for you, but... this is war. On the battlefield, there are no fathers and sons. I am his enemy because he harmed me and my people. And you... if you truly care about the people of Yangzhou, you should uphold your convictions... even if the person on the other side is your master."

Having said this, Ming Tian crouched down and helped him up. "Remember, he is no longer your master; he is an enemy of Yangzhou. Compassion for the enemy is cruelty to yourself."

Ming Tian's words were like a heavy hammer, striking Feng Mo-wang's heart.

The child bit his lip hard, his face full of conflict.

After a long while, he looked up and asked, "If... Lord Consort, I mean if... if you were in my position, and it was your second master, An Luo, who betrayed you, would you do the same?"

What a devious question.

Looking at the child's desperate eyes, Ming Tian knew he wasn't trying to make things difficult for him; he genuinely wanted an answer.

It was a question Ming Tian had never considered, but... the answer was clear!

Even if it were a brother, if An Luo crossed the line, then...

"If Brother Ming Tian did something that crossed my bottom line, such as massacring the innocent people of a city, I would not forgive him either."

Just then, An Luo's voice rang out.

An Luo walked up the stairs carrying a large pile of herbs that Yin Chan had requested. "And as his best friend, I would kill Brother Ming Tian with my own hands!"

He stepped forward and patted the bewildered Feng Mo-wang on the head, but his eyes were fixed on Ming Tian with trust. "Your second master here isn't very articulate, but if the positions were reversed, I believe Brother Ming Tian would make the same decision as I would."

Looking at the big, simple man, Ming Tian smiled and the corners of his mouth curled up.

"Exactly. What we call brotherhood, friendship, and affection must all be built on the foundation of shared values. If a brother's values become twisted, if he crosses the line and cannot be redeemed... then, as his brother, the only thing you can do is kill him yourself. If it were An Luo who betrayed me today, I would make the same decision."

The simple words left Feng Mo-wang struggling with the choice.

Ming Tian sympathized with him; despite his great potential, he was still a child. How could he make such a decision so easily?

Finally, after two minutes of silence, Feng Mo-wang looked up slightly. Though still fragile, it seemed he had truly made up his mind.

"Then, Lord Consort, I have one last request." He spoke with an attitude of extreme supplication, quite sincere.

"Go ahead."

He bit his lip, and after a few seconds, said, "My master has raised me for three years. My life was given to me by him. At the very least... I hope you can let me be the one to end things with him."

This child.

Although still hesitant, Ming Tian could see that he was serious.

A man must always face countless impossible choices throughout his life.

This was likely the first major decision he had made in his life as a man.

Ming Tian felt no heartache for him, only relief.

It seemed that although De Yi-ao had rotted, he had unexpectedly trained an excellent disciple.

This child would surely achieve great things in the future!

Ming Tian never made predictions, because predictions always came back to bite him. After all, Cui Jue and the Chaos Ripper had just slapped his face quite painfully.

But facing this child, Ming Tian made a prediction about his future from the bottom of his heart for the first time with absolute certainty!

"Alright! I will try my best to keep him alive until then... so you can end it with him yourself!"

Without hesitation, Ming Tian agreed to his request.

"Thank you, Lord Consort!"

Hearing this, although sad, Feng Mo-wang lowered his head and expressed his most heartfelt gratitude.

Immediately after, he wiped away his tears. The child's eyes became resolute; it seemed his determination was set.

Ming Tian and An Luo exchanged a smile, understanding each other's thoughts.

It would be hard for this kid not to become someone great!

After bidding An Luo goodnight and before returning to his room, Ming Tian glanced at the staircase and saw Mo'er blinking her little eyes, curiously staring at Feng Mo-wang's door.

What was wrong with this little girl?

Not thinking too much of it, the exhausted Ming Tian didn't want to bother with the children's thoughts and opened his door to go inside and rest.