Chapter 130: The Military Examination (3)

So-mu was in a difficult position. Right before his eyes, his daughter was swinging a wooden sword at him, her determination to strike him clear in her eyes. Yet, he couldn’t simply allow himself to be hit.

Just as the wooden sword curved to strike his side, a brilliant flash of light erupted on the platform.

Flash!

By the time the light faded, the struggle was already over.

So-so lay in her father’s arms, her blood points tapped to immobilize her.

“What a bold child, trying to strike your own father.”

Since So-mu had also pressed her muting point, she couldn’t speak, her large eyes blinking in frustration at being so easily subdued.

Once he released her points, So-so immediately grumbled, “But it doesn’t hurt when I hit you!”

Did she really expect him to just take the blow? So-mu could not yield on this.

“Even so, your father cannot be beaten with a wooden sword in front of his subordinates.”

Flicker of amusement in his eyes, So-mu flicked her forehead.

Tap!

“Ouch!”

Rubbing her forehead, she looked so comical that So-mu burst into laughter.

“Hahaha!”

So-so began to hammer his chest with her small, plum-like fists.

“You’re mean!”

Of course, such blows felt like nothing to him.

Carrying his daughter, So-mu stepped down from the platform.

By now, the evaluation on the field had concluded.

All the applicants, including the leader of Squad 19, had had their armbands removed. Faced with the elite Wolf Fang Squad members, it was a predictable outcome.

Now, only the proctor’s judgment remained.

Clutching the flag, the proctor looked toward So-mu, seeking his guidance.

As he walked off the field, So-mu sent a telepathic message.

– Judge fairly, according to your own conscience.

Although he wanted to fail his daughter, he didn’t want to drag down the other squad members who had fought so hard.

After a moment’s hesitation, the proctor raised a flag.

The golden flag, representing the highest grade, fluttered in the wind.

The spectators erupted into cheers.

Squad 19, which had provided the highlight of the day, had passed with flying colors. A satisfied smile appeared on everyone’s face.

“Hooray!”

“They were incredible!”

“One of them will surely be the top scorer!”

The sharp-featured leader of Squad 19 raised his hand in farewell, having spotted the child waving from So-mu’s shoulders.

“Hehe! Bye, mister! See you again!”

Having spent the day together, she had grown quite fond of him.

So-mu patted his daughter’s bottom and asked, “How do you know that man?”

“We played together today. He came from far away and has no friends.”

“Well, he probably has at least one friend to share a meal with.”

“Really? That’s a relief. But where are we going?”

“Shall we go see Grandfather?”

“Hehe! Yes! I want to see Grandfather.”

The written examination, overseen by General Jang-yang, had concluded the day before.

By now, the list of successful candidates would have been finalized. So-mu needed to meet him.

A moment later, the father and daughter opened the door to Jang-yang’s office.

“Grandfather!”

So-so ran forward and wrapped her arms around Jang-yang’s neck.

“Haha! So-so, you came too. Have you eaten?”

“No… I’m hungry.”

Jang-yang handed her the entire plate of snacks on his desk.

“Eat this for now.”

Receiving the snacks, So-so beamed. Having exerted herself on the field, she was indeed hungry.

“Thank you, Grandfather!”

Bowing politely, So-so took the plate to a corner of the office and sat down.

Leaving the child to her snacks, So-mu sat opposite Jang-yang.

“The military examination has concluded.”

“Hahaha! You worked hard. We have cleared a major hurdle.”

“You worked harder, General. In any case, the scoring will be finalized shortly. Shall we go and verify the results together?”

“Indeed we should. But you look concerned.”

So-mu glanced at his daughter in the corner, who was completely absorbed in eating.

“So-so participated in the examination.”

Jang-yang looked surprised, then chuckled.

“Haha… Is that true?”

“Furthermore… she is one of the top candidates.”

Contrary to So-mu’s concern, Jang-yang was delighted.

“Hahaha! Then is that not something to celebrate? You are the father of the most talented daughter in history.”

“But she is too young to hold a government post.”

“If her abilities are proven and she wishes to do it, why oppose her? We do not have to give her a grueling post. Let’s find a position she might enjoy. If it becomes too difficult, she can resign at any time.”

So-mu fell into thought.

Successful candidates of the military examination were appointed to posts ranging from rank 6b to rank 9b.

Most would be sent to regional administrations or local offices, while some would join the army.

Among the posts, there were special positions such as distributing relief supplies or managing military horses.

“What would be suitable for her?”

“Hahaha! With So-so’s scores, she can choose any post. Why not ask her what she wants to do?”

So-mu called his daughter.

“So-so, come here for a moment.”

Holding a dried persimmon, So-so climbed onto his lap.

“Do you want some, Father?”

“No, I am fine. So-so, why did you take the exam?”

“They said I could work for the country and get pocket money.”

“Well, Father will give you pocket money. Should we just skip it?”

So-so immediately shook her head.

“No! I want to do it!”

Her eyes showed her stubborn resolve.

So-mu knew that when his daughter had that look in her eyes, there was no changing her mind.

“What kind of work do you want to do?”

So-so giggled bashfully, clearly having thought of something.

“What I want to do?”

“Yes. Tell me.”

After a moment’s hesitation, So-so whispered, “A patrol officer…”

So-mu tilted his head. There was no such post as “patrol officer.”

“What is that?”

Jang-yang smiled, understanding her meaning.

“Haha. She likely means a patrol officer of the night watch.”

The night watch was responsible for patrolling the palace grounds to guard against thieves and fires.

What So-so wanted was a squad leader post of the night watch, which was a rank 9b position.

And the chief of the night watch was Officer Yang So, the youngest of the Yang Family Manor, whom So-so had helped rescue from the underground dungeon.

“What about other posts? Would you like to feed the horses at the stables?”

“No. I want to catch thieves.”

It was amusing. She had likely seen the night watch patrolling the palace and developed a fascination for them.

Jang-yang looked at So-mu warmly.

“The palace of Chang’an is the safest place in Shaanxi. A patrol officer here will face little danger. It would be a good experience for her.”

“I worry we are wasting a government post…”

“Why do you say that? For a top candidate of the military examination to ask for a mere rank 9b post is a modest request. Moreover, she possesses the spirit of a martial god. It is only right that we allow her to gain experience for the future of our nation.”

So-mu hadn’t expected Jang-yang to be so supportive. However, the biggest issue remained.

“She must study the zither and attend Snow Flower Academy. I do not know if she can manage it.”

Seeing her father oppose it, So-so grew anxious. She hopped down from his lap and grabbed Jang-yang’s sleeve.

“Grandfather, you’ll let me be a patrol officer, right?”

At her tearful plea, Jang-yang laughed heartily.

“Haha. The night watch operates in shifts. How about we have her work for two hours in the afternoon, and some early morning shifts? Think of it as taking a walk around the palace for exercise. It is not a bad idea.”

So-mu fell into thought. Jang-yang’s suggestion was reasonable.

Although the schedule would be tight, it was not unusual in the martial world.

The young novices of the Emei Sect often have barely enough time to sleep.

Most prestigious orthodox sects were the same.

Their young disciples performed daily chores while training in martial arts all day.

If So-so were to keep pace with the geniuses of her generation in the future, she would need more experience. He had to make a decision.

So-so stood close to Jang-yang, staring at him.

Judging by her heavy breathing, she would burst into tears if he refused.

“Then… shall we let her try?”

The child’s face lit up instantly.

She began to hop around the office like a rabbit.

“Hehe! Yay!”

“But if you do not perform well, you will be fired immediately.”

“I will do well! So-so will catch all the thieves! Hehe.”

Given the security of the palace, it was highly unlikely any thief would enter. Once she lost interest, she would likely resign. So-mu decided not to worry about it for now.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“General, it is Il-gwang.”

“Enter.”

Il-gwang, formerly a captain, now wore the robes of a discipline commander. He had been promoted to rank 6b due to his contributions in securing the camp and purging the Demonic Cult branches.

It was the highest rank Jang-yang could appoint at the moment. Appointing him to a higher post would invite protests from other regional governors.

“The investigation you ordered has been completed.”

“Take a seat.”

So-mu knew what it was about. It concerned the messenger sent to General Yu Guangshi. Although a month had passed, the messenger had not returned, prompting an investigation.

Il-gwang’s face was grim, showing the expression he made when he wanted to kill someone.

So-mu pulled a few copper coins from his pocket and handed them to So-so.

“Go buy some milk at the tea house.”

The palace tea houses sold various beverages for children as well.

“Hehe! Thank you, Father!”

As soon as So-so left, the atmosphere in the room turned heavy.

Il-gwang spoke, suppressing his anger, “We found the body of the murdered messenger.”

Jang-yang’s face hardened.

“The messenger we sent to our ally was found murdered?”

“We received the information from the Beggars’ Sect, and I verified it myself. It is certain.”

The messenger’s destination was not a war zone. It was unbelievable.

“Do we know who the culprit is?”

Gritting his teeth, Il-gwang replied, “It appears… Yu Guangshi killed him. The entry wound in the chest was charred red. It matches the Crimson Blood Flame Spear, the signature technique of General Yu’s family.”

Jang-yang slammed his palm onto the table.

Bang!

“How could he murder our own messenger?!”

They had merely suggested that he march his troops to support Xiangyang Fortress. Not only had he ignored the request, but he had also murdered the messenger.

Il-gwang’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. “Should I go and kill that Yu Guangshi bastard?”

It was unrealistic. If the commander of the army died, the entire force would fall into chaos.

After a brief silence, So-mu spoke softly, “I will go as the messenger myself.”

Jang-yang shook his head, looking weary. “We do not know what he is planning. How can we send you into danger?”

“According to our intelligence, Yu Guangshi is an extremely greedy man. He has long envied the wealth of Privy Councilor Zhang Jun. If we exploit his greed, we can create an opportunity.”

“He is also a man of great ambition. If you have a plan, let me hear it.”

So-mu had anticipated this situation. He had previously served under General Yu’s coalition and witnessed their crushing defeat. He had already devised a plan.

For the next hour, So-mu explained his plan in detail.

Jang-yang hesitated, unable to make a decision.

“If your plan fails, everything we have built will be lost.”

“If we stand idle, the result will be the same. Please make the decision, General.”

After a long pause, Jang-yang finally nodded.

“I trust you more than anyone. I will place our fate in your hands. But I have one condition.”

“Please speak.”

“It is too dangerous for you to go alone. Take Commander Il-gwang with you. If things go wrong, you can rely on each other to escape.”

There was no reason to refuse. So-mu felt his heart warm at the General’s concern.

“Understood. We will depart in two days.”

Jang-yang’s expression brightened.

“Very well. First, we must finalize the examinations. The final scores should be ready by now. Let’s go and check them together.”