On the Ideals of Youth

Tang Ke was not difficult to approach. After placing all his belongings in his room, he stepped outside and sat on the ground with Lin Xi, engaging in conversation. 

"Are you truly so uninformed about the military structure of our Yun Qin Empire?" 

Lin Xi was curious about what the border army truly entailed, while Tang Ke was astonished by Lin Xi's ignorance. 

"Don't assume that just because I was chosen by destiny, I should know a great deal. As I mentioned before, I have no idea how I was recommended here; my father is merely an ordinary merchant with a small shop." Lin Xi rubbed his slightly sore calves and continued, "So, don't mention military structure; I don't even know the ranks of officials. At best, I know that the highest official in a town is called the Town Supervisor, and above that are the Ling Supervisor and the Provincial Supervisor—nothing more." 

"Aside from military structure, I only know that there are eight divisions," Tang Ke replied, mimicking Lin Xi by rubbing his own calves, trying to relax a bit. Without the long knife on his back, he felt somewhat out of sorts and unconsciously stiff. "Our Yun Qin Empire's military is divided into three main systems: the Zhongzhou Guard, the Local Army, and the Border Army." The tall, slender youth, slightly hunched, organized his thoughts and corrected Lin Xi's misunderstanding: "Strictly speaking, the Border Army refers specifically to the garrison stationed at the empire's most remote edges, not just any location." 

Lin Xi nodded, indicating his understanding of this clarification. 

Tang Ke pondered for a moment before continuing, "Our Yun Qin Empire was founded on martial prowess, with the military wielding the greatest authority. The Zhongzhou Guard is responsible for protecting the imperial city of Zhongzhou and is directly overseen by the emperor. The Local Army and the Border Army are essentially the same; their only difference lies in their deployment." 

"Is it the perilous nature of the territories occupied by the Border Army that creates the most significant distinction?" 

"Indeed." Tang Ke looked at Lin Xi and countered, "Do you know why most of us 'border folk' do not keep long hair and tend to be somewhat hunched?" 

Lin Xi gazed quietly into Tang Ke's eyes and shook his head. "To be honest, I am quite curious, but I cannot deduce the reason." 

Tang Ke fell silent, then explained, "Long hair can hinder movement and create noise when it catches on things. As for the hunched posture, part of it stems from enduring labor unsuitable for our age during childhood, and by the time we joined the Border Army, we had already developed this habit. Curling our bodies makes it harder for the sudden cold arrows to strike us. The casualties in the Border Army have always been high, so in addition to the regular troops dispatched each year, many refugees and prisoners have joined the ranks. Refugees aspire to achieve merit... In our Yun Qin Empire, military accomplishments can absolve past transgressions." 

Lin Xi furrowed his brow. "So, the situation in our Yun Qin Empire is not as tranquil as it appears?" 

"We have three major Border Armies: the Biluo Border Army, the Qianxia Border Army, and the Longshe Border Army." Tang Ke explained softly, "Fifty years ago, Director Zhang single-handedly decapitated thirty Western generals in one night, driving fifteen tribes west of Biluo Ridge. However, over the past fifty years, those tribes have become bandits, crossing Biluo Ridge in droves each autumn and winter. The territories they occupy extend westward into the realm of the Tangzang Ancient Kingdom. In recent years, soldiers and experts from the Tangzang Ancient Kingdom have frequently appeared near Biluo Ridge, clashing with the Border Army, resulting in mutual casualties. However, due to the respective strengths of both sides, neither dares to escalate the conflict; they merely wear each other down. As for the Longshe Border Army, it faces the uncivilized cave dwellers in the desolate areas east of the Longshe Mountain Range. The Qianxia Border Army, on the other hand, was established after Director Zhang and Vice Director Xia's victory at Falling Star Lake, which forced the Southern Mo Kingdom to retreat and allowed us to occupy the Qianxia Mountain, previously belonging to them. Following that battle, the Southern Mo Kingdom underwent a regime change and transformed into the Great Mang Dynasty. In the past decade, the Longshe Border Army has engaged in numerous skirmishes with the Great Mang Dynasty's forces near the Black Water Marsh." 

"So, the west, south, and east all harbor hidden dangers. What about the north?" Hearing Tang Ke mention the Longshe Border Army, Lin Xi's frown deepened, for his hometown, Lulin Town, was not far from the Longshe Mountain Range. 

"The north is frigid and inhospitable, guarded by the Tian Teng Mountain Range and Qing Luan Academy, making it relatively worry-free. However, the other three fronts have drained our Yun Qin Empire of considerable manpower and resources, and the harsh environments of places like Longshe Mountain prevent our Border Army from advancing. As a result, the bandits from the west and the cave dwellers outside the Longshe Mountain Range remain unvanquished, akin to grass that keeps regrowing after being cut. In recent years, while our Yun Qin Empire appears outwardly prosperous and peaceful, it is, in reality, being eroded from three sides. Just the supplies allocated to the Border Army now are a stark contrast to what was provided a decade ago, revealing the current plight of our empire." 

"In other words, the tranquility of our Lulin Town is built upon the blood-soaked vigilance of those in the Border Army, refugees, and prisoners," Lin Xi observed with admiration, looking at Tang Ke. "I never expected you to possess such knowledge and insight." 

Tang Ke's complexion turned slightly pale as he shook his head. "At my age, how could I possibly know so much? Without personal experience, how could I dare comment on the differences in the supplies provided to the Border Army over the years?" 

Lin Xi glanced at Tang Ke's door, unexpected thoughts of the black-sheathed long knife and bow crossing his mind. 

"It was my brother who informed me. His name is Liu Mayue, a graduate of a lesser-known academy. He taught me many things; without him, I might not have survived, let alone made it here," Tang Ke said, gazing intently at his worn-out cloth shoes. 

Lin Xi nodded and inquired, "Which Border Army do you belong to?" 

"The Biluo Border Army, stationed at the eastern outskirts of Mirror Sky Lake." 

"At your age, how did you end up there?" Lin Xi asked gently. "Of course, if you prefer not to answer, that is perfectly fine." 

Tang Ke shook his head slightly. "There's nothing I can't share. Every border town has its support personnel. My father was responsible for provisioning the army, and my mother specialized in repairing armor. They both perished during a bandit raid one night, so I naturally became a member of the Biluo Border Army." 

Lin Xi regarded Tang Ke quietly for a moment before stating earnestly, "It must have been quite a challenge for you to be recommended to participate in Qing Luan Academy's entrance examination." 

The remark felt somewhat abrupt, yet the two boys sitting cross-legged on the ground seemed to sense each other's thoughts and emotions. Tang Ke nodded seriously, his gaze somewhat hollow as he stared at the door of his room. "There were two occasions when my squad was left with only me... The first time, I was shot and lost consciousness; the second time, it was thanks to my brother. He should have survived, but in the end, I was the one who lived. In our Biluo Border Army, there's a saying: surviving alone once is not remarkable, but surviving alone twice is a sign of a hard fate, a harbinger of misfortune. Others who accompany me are likely to meet their end, so they used the recommendation slot from the eastern outskirts to send me away." 

"No wonder you felt compelled to keep his knife and bow," Lin Xi said, unable to refrain from patting Tang Ke's shoulder, falling momentarily into silence. 

Tang Ke stretched his legs and leaned against the railing of the corridor. He realized that sitting here with Lin Xi had brought him an unprecedented sense of ease, as if Lin Xi possessed an intangible calming aura that allowed one to momentarily shed the burdens they carried. He turned to look into Lin Xi's eyes, clear and devoid of any ambition. 

"I had thought you sought me out to discuss matters of cultivation," Tang Ke said, a wave of unspoken meaning stirring within him. After a brief hesitation, he spoke again. 

Lin Xi shook his head with a smile. "I'm not in a rush for that. Since I'm now in this academy, it will naturally teach me. The academy's knowledge on cultivation should be far more profound and accurate than what you know." 

"You certainly are a bit exceptional; it's no wonder you were chosen by destiny," Tang Ke chuckled. "Speaking of my situation, what about you? You truly arrived here without knowing how you were recommended?" 

"Believe it or not, I do," Lin Xi replied casually, expressing a hint of frustration. "I was contently staying in Lulin Town when, out of the blue, a girl two years younger than me appeared, bombarding me with questions. Before I knew it, a carriage arrived, carrying an order from the Ling Supervisor, compelling me to come here for the grand examination." 

Tang Ke furrowed his brow. "That must mean some significant figure took notice of you; otherwise, a mere Ling Supervisor would likely recommend their own kin." 

Lin Xi smiled. "Uncle Liu, the coachman who brought me, advised that for small fry like us, it's best not to waste our thoughts on things we cannot comprehend." 

Tang Ke chuckled, and the two young men sat on the corridor floor, each lost in their thoughts yet smiling. 

After a prolonged silence, Lin Xi nudged Tang Ke's arm. "Now that you are a student at the academy, what are your plans? Will you still pursue a career in the Border Army to achieve great deeds?" 

Tang Ke shook his head earnestly. "No, I promised my brother I would live well. I initially intended to enter the Civil Administration Department... because my brother believed that for our current Yun Qin Empire, internal governance is likely more critical than the blades and arrows of the Border Army. Now that I'm in the Academy of Peace, if I can graduate and leave, I would likely choose to start as a Town Supervisor." 

"And you, Lin Xi?" Tang Ke turned to look at Lin Xi and asked, "What are your plans?" 

"I haven't thought too much about it. If I must state an intention..." Lin Xi furrowed his brow and said, "I wish to see what lies beyond the Tian Teng Mountain Range."