4. Brother in arms

After getting back to the Long manor, both of the boy washed up, Long lingxu never expect that his holiday would be the time when he get his first kill, the feeling of it even seems to scare the boy for a bit.

as cold as he is, he is still just a 14 years old boy and not some ice hearted person, but knowing what he did at least saves some people live keep his guilt in the minimum.

after washing up, the boy walk to the main study where Hei Lingmei is arranging some document and paper from the army, after she let him in Lingmei just stare at the boy.

"you killed someone?" asked her, "yes, a slave trader guard insult me after I tried to buy 5 slave children from their abuse" answer Lingxu.

"Good young Lord, never stand down to injustice, even if its cost your life" said Lingmei hearing his explanation.

"the 5 slave childs, I want to train them" he said after a brief silent, which in return get another stare from Lingmei "why?" she asked.

"one of the boy is interesting" lingxu gave a short answer as usual, "that's it? what about the other 4?" lingmei is wondering, "can't leave behind, the boy defend one of the child back then" answe Lingxu again.

"Verywell, I will have old Heidi took care of their training" said Lingmei, "no, they will not be servant, I want to train them as my guard" said Lingxu which gave him another stare.

"suicidal?" asked Lingmei knowing that the slave children are from Wei state, "no, not yet" he answered, Lingmei admit defeat "hahhh, very well, I will have Baidu to train them you can tell Baidu on what to do with them, and then gave Gamei order to gave them a place" answered Lingmei.

Lingxu just walk out but before he is out he said "I already did so" which make Lingmei surprised but then remember that the boy is as cunning as the late Lady.

some moment latter, Lingxu called his brother and the five childs to private training area.

"what's wrong Brother? huh? they are here too?" asked Taidu not knowing what is happening, and then start to circle around the child as they have been properly washed.

"Taidu, Behave" said Lingxu in calm tone and Taidu follow suit like always which gave the children understanding of who is in charge.

"name?" lingxu asked without changing expression and looking at any of them, he just said that while writing something.

"pft, my brother asked you guys name, start from you on the left I guess, no need to be scared even if he is cold, he is kind in heart" taidu said while smiling from ear to ear.

"I am Juton, I don't have surname my lord" said Juton while bowing down but before he finish his bow a sword is infront of his face inch away from touching his face.

"I don't accept bow that is insincere, continue to do so, I will not regret killing you" said Lingxu and the seathing his sword, "continue" after saying that he return into the line and watch them.

"I go by San My lord" instead of bowing San only cusp his hand together and bow his head showing military respect, which Lingxu nod with approval.

"I am Yue my Lord" she did the same thing as San.

"I am Feng my lord" He also did not bow and only cups his hand together.

and lastly, a beauty even by the standard of high class man in the Qin kingdom, not like Lingxu has seen many anyway.

"my name is Sulan my Lord" she said but before she even cups her hand she saw both of the lord that save her face filled with shock.

"is Sulan a common name brother?" said Taidu asking his Brother in shock.

"our father name is Sulan written in Plain Mountain, while she, hmm now that you said it, you Sulan, what character did your name use?" Lingxu asked knowing that he need to write it down.

"it is Su as in White Silk and Lan as in Orchid my lord" and then she understood why the Lord is surprised by her name

"now that I know you have name, I asked you only once, will you serve me to battle after I become adult" asked Lingxu before continuing

all of them kneel down in one knees and cusp their hand and said "Yes My lord" at the same time.

"very well, I will have you task, and you will also be trained by the task I gave to you, firstly Juton out of all five of them you seems to be the bravest so you will train to be a guard a combatant that will slain my enemy that will come" saying that Lingxu continue.

"Next is San, I heard that you are the one who steals the food and almost slip away and even managed to get away many time, so from now on you will train in the art of espionage and by my eyes when I call upom you, in two years time you will be given some men and be tested at how well you do your job, this is also be a test of your loyalty"

"next is Yue, you said that you wished to learn the art of war, and been interested by it after I read the report of the one who oversee you, so you will be learning the art of war and be the one who make plan for the coming battle"

"Next Feng you said that you want to be a soldier huh? very well, same as Juton you will also train in the same field and be my sword when I call you"

"lastly Sulan, no matter how well you try to hide it, I still know of your noble birth so try to not hide anything from me ever again, I do not mind for you to hide it, but I will not forgive the second time, you will also learn the art of War with Yue, and if you show any bit of hostility then I will see you as a spy from Wei and execute you my self"

"you guys may thinks that I trust you easily and not have any precaution of knowing your secret, even so I trust that you will have your worth and treat you fairy, as long as you did not betray that trust, I will see you as my friend and brother in arms, the past you is a slave, a fallen noble woman with no family to return, a bastard of a general, but even so, I see you as a human and my soon to be companion, so walk tall by my side, help me bring back the Long Family glory, and I will show you the might of Long, one day you will be proud that you are my companion, my brother and sister, go to the duty I assign you, do know that I am watching" he finish and all five them bow and then led to the place they are given to by the servant.

"how do you know brother?" asked Taidu

"use some connection here and there, well their past is of no concern, as long as they are loyal to us then I will not mind" said Lingxu.

before Lingxu turn to head back to his room Taidu suddenly kneel in his knees and cusp his hand "I Long Taidu swear on my ancestors that I will never betray your trust, and from here on out you will be My Leader, Lord, General, and Brother"

Lingxu who is shocked at what his brother just did holding back his laughter just smile "I Long Lingxu swear upon my Ancestors that if my one and only brother did the same thing again, I will kick his ass" said Lingxu showing an emotion which he rarely do.

the two brother laugh it out away and readying themself to train for the upcoming years.

to be continued