Chapter Two: Setting Out for Chang'an!

“Attention! Lie down… Stay concealed, crawl forward… Very good!”

“Aw—aw!”

At the ancestral courtyard of the Li family on Qianlong Ridge, Li Zhao was earnestly training Yasha.

Yasha was now a year old, raised with great care. He was over four feet long and weighed seventy pounds, with upright ears, keen eyes, and the speed of a galloping horse. His fangs were as sharp as knives, and his wolf-blue fur was both beautiful and majestic.

Were this the wild, such a grown wolf pup would already be learning hunting skills from his parents. But with Yasha’s parents absent, the task of teaching him naturally fell to Li Zhao.

Scouting, tracking, concealment, ambush, combat—the past half year of rigorous training had seen Yasha progress rapidly. He could now hunt wild goats and deer on his own and had even killed a gray-backed jackal nearly his own size. His performance was excellent.

Yet as the offspring of both the Wolf King and the Dog King, his potential was far from fully tapped. To truly unlock it, he would need to endure even harsher and bloodier training.

…

“Young master, the wild boar you requested has been caught. It’s still kicking and lively!”

“Excellent. Tie it under the big tree!”

“Yes, sir!”

Baimo returned, accompanied by four veteran hunters. Together, using a thick wooden pole, they carried a wild boar weighing over two hundred pounds, which squealed and howled incessantly.

This was all according to Li Zhao’s instructions, the boar specially captured alive from Zhongnan Mountain to be used in Yasha’s training.

A sturdy long rope was used to tie the boar by its waist under the big tree; this way, it couldn’t escape but still had some mobility.

“Yasha, go!”

“Aw!”

“Snort… snort!”

At Li Zhao’s command, Yasha shot forward like lightning and launched a fierce attack on the wild boar.

Faced with a life-or-death struggle, the boar went all out, relying on its size and screaming as it fought back with all its might. The battle between the two was deadlocked.

There’s an old saying in the mountains: “First the boar, second the tiger, third the bear!” Wild boars, though they appear stupid, are in fact formidable fighters. Their upward-curving tusks are tremendously powerful—one strike can grievously injure, if not kill, even tigers and black bears.

Moreover, to fend off biting insects, wild boars often rub against pine trees, gradually coating themselves in a thick layer of pine resin, sand, and gravel—essentially donning a suit of armor.

Against such a well-defended opponent, Yasha struggled, suffering a minor wound as the boar’s tusk tore open his back, leaving blood streaming down.

“Yasha, don’t fight recklessly. Use your head… Kill it!”

Seeing Yasha injured, Li Zhao’s heart ached, but he restrained himself from intervening. It was like raising a child—if he didn’t let him stumble and fall a few times, he’d never grow up strong.

…

Yasha was clever and quickly changed tactics. No longer did he confront the boar head-on. Instead, he used his agility and speed to harry it—biting here and there, slowly wearing down his opponent’s strength.

The boar was indeed powerful, but its stamina was mediocre, and its temper was short. After a round of this running fight, it was drenched in sweat and its reactions slowed; it could no longer defend all sides.

Seizing the opportunity, Yasha charged, knocking the boar off balance and raking its soft underbelly with a fierce swipe—instantly tearing flesh and spilling blood.

Having struck successfully, he immediately retreated.

He maintained the harrying tactics, searching for chances to attack the boar’s vital spots—its belly, eyes, anus, groin—ruthless and precise.

After half an hour of this struggle, the boar was utterly exhausted, its blood drained. With a few unwilling howls, it collapsed and could not rise again.

Yasha leapt forward, snapped its throat, then tore open its belly and devoured the prime meat inside—his well-earned prize.

“Well done! Beautifully done!”

Seeing Yasha defeat the wild boar, Li Zhao nodded in satisfaction, stroking his head as a reward while pondering what even fiercer opponent to pit him against next.

Perhaps a larger wild boar, or a wild wolf, leopard, or lynx?

No, not a wolf—no need for kin to kill kin.

…

Meanwhile, watching Yasha devour his prize, Li Zhao felt a hint of hunger himself. It was the height of summer, the blazing sun overhead—what would be good to eat?

Of course—cold jelly noodles!

With the limited variety of Tang Dynasty cuisine, Li Zhao often made delicacies himself as a treat, and cold jelly noodles were among his favorites.

Sweet potato starch would be the ideal base, but since that was unavailable in this era, he had to use pea starch instead.

Step one: Take some pea starch, mix it with water into a slurry, and cook over a low fire, stirring until it thickens and turns translucent.

Step two: While still hot, pour it into an oiled flat pan. Once it sets and cools, invert it to obtain a block of cold jelly.

Step three: Place the jelly in a bowl, drizzle with prepared sauce, and top with julienned cucumber and chopped scallions, mixing well.

…

Soon, the tangy and fragrant cold jelly was ready. Only three came to taste it: Li Zhao, Baimo, and Aunt Qing.

As for Pei Min and Jin Bao’er, they had left Qianlong Ridge ten days earlier to wander the martial world, upholding justice.

In Pei Min’s words: For those who practice martial arts, training at home is not enough. Only by traveling the land and tempering body and soul can one become a true hero.

Though Li Zhao was reluctant, for Jin Bao’er’s growth, he could only agree… Their parting was filled with tears and sorrow.

Still, Li Zhao vaguely sensed that Pei Min’s insistence on taking Jin Bao’er away was not simply for the sake of experience; the old man surely had ulterior motives.

…

Just as they finished the cold jelly, Uncle Cai came rushing in like a gust of wind, tightly clutching a silver-flowered document—a Tang Dynasty official notice adorned with silver.

“Congratulations, young master! Wonderful news—a great and joyous event!”

“Uncle Cai, have some tea and sit down—tell us slowly.”

Having run so fast, Uncle Cai was drenched in sweat and short of breath, but he could not stop grinning, his white beard bristling with delight.

Li Zhao hurried to help him sit, then personally brought tea, letting the old man catch his breath and moisten his throat before speaking.

“A wonderful event! The Ministry of Personnel has sent an official summons, inviting you to the capital, Chang’an, to participate in the civil service examination on the tenth day of next month. Young master, you are clever beyond compare and full of learning—you are sure to pass, and then you will become an official, a great official, bringing glory to your ancestors! If that day comes, even if I am laid to rest, I can close my eyes with a smile, able to face your forebears…”

It took much effort for Uncle Cai to explain everything clearly, and his words were like a stone cast into a tranquil lake, stirring countless ripples at once…

Aunt Qing rushed to the family shrine to report the good news to the ancestors, praying for their continued protection so Li Zhao’s official career would rise steadily, from baron to viscount, earl, marquis, duke—all the way to prince!

Baimo told the servants to hang lanterns and banners, lay red carpets, and prepare a grand banquet for three days and nights, with a troupe brought in to perform opera in celebration.

Soon enough, the villagers of Qianlong Ridge heard the news. They beat drums and gongs, celebrating with such enthusiasm that it rivaled New Year’s festivities.

…

As for our protagonist, Li Zhao, he could only smile wryly.

It was now the twenty-ninth year of the Kaiyuan era. According to history, in just over a decade, the world would be plunged into chaos, war breaking out everywhere. By then, the pen would be far less useful than the sword!

His original plan had been to strengthen his body, diligently practice martial arts, then join the army at eighteen and earn merit on the battlefield—that was the true path for a man.

Twice he had lived, and he would not forget the soul of a soldier!

But now, with the Ministry’s summons, all his plans were disrupted. What should he do?

Uncle Cai and Aunt Qing both hoped he would restore the family’s fortunes as soon as possible. If he refused to go to Chang’an for the exam, they would surely be heartbroken, perhaps even plead with their lives.

He couldn’t explain his reasons, nor would they understand.

And with the official document in hand, how could he defy the order?

Who had recommended him to the court? Most likely Cui Zongzhi. If he’d known, he would never have drunk with him or spoken at such length.

No matter. Since he had nothing pressing to do, he might as well go to Chang’an, and take in the sights of the Tang Empire’s capital!

Having made up his mind, he packed his things… and set off!