At that moment, A Jun could only smile bitterly and shake his head, quietly mocking his own situation.
After chatting a while longer, the silver boy saw that A Jun could now channel energy freely and speak with strength. He called everyone to prepare for departure—it was getting late, and the Saintess had finished her recovery.
"Here… try it?" Before leaving, the silver boy removed his armor, carefully wiped it down, and handed it back to his friend.
"I… better not. My brother would scold me. That's Uncle's treasure."
The young officer took it smoothly, then joked with a grin: "Hey, you've got real skill. I'm just not cut out for it—wait a sec, your reaction time's so slow, who are you teasing? Oh right, the military drill's the day after tomorrow. Don't say I forgot to tell you!"
"Okay…"
The silver boy greeted the others and led A Jun's group onward. The previous squad of soldiers also joined the escort—by order of the young officer.
With the army's protection, the journey ahead was safe. A Jun nibbled snacks with Xiao Jiuwuo to ease his nerves, while Xiao Xi, still puffed up, eyed their new companion with curiosity.
Without his armor, the silver boy looked refined and scholarly. Short hair, glasses like A Jun's, taller and sturdier—but not like Xiao Xi's stocky build. Xiao Xi's bulk was soft and round—just look at his belly. The new friend was fit and athletic. Both physiques were ones A Jun envied.
In both the earlier battle and now as a leader, the silver boy shone. Everyone agreed—he had the makings of a commander. Throughout the journey, he spoke little, staying serious and focused on their surroundings. The soldiers mirrored him, always alert, maintaining formation and guarding the group.
Fatigued from the fight, A Jun slowed the group's pace. Yet no one complained—not even the aloof new friend. And so, by evening, they reached the main city of Qinglong County.
The evening wind was strong, carrying a chill. The sky had dimmed, but A Jun could still clearly see the city built around a towering ancient tree. From afar, the massive tree looked like a giant umbrella, sheltering the Guardians beneath it.
At the city gate, a crowd had gathered. At the front stood an elderly man—crane-like posture, white hair, one hand resting on a peculiar cane. Peculiar, because it didn't seem placed on the ground—it looked like it had grown from it.
The old man ignored everyone's pleas, standing in the wind with a scarf, eyes bright, gazing into the distance—waiting for the children to return home.
"Grandpa!"
The silver boy waved for the soldiers to continue, then quickened his pace, bowed, and gently supported the elder: "Grandpa, why are you here?"
A Jun had already guessed. He followed his new friend, arriving at the gate with his companions.
Seeing the elder waiting in the wind, the boy felt a pang of guilt. He bowed deeply to Grandpa Yuwen, overwhelmed with gratitude, unable to lift his head.
But the elder, who had waited so long, showed no complaint. Smiling, he reached out with the gentle affection of a senior, patted A Jun's head, and signaled that there was no need for such formality.
As A Jun looked up at the old man, he noticed… the elder's eyes were glistening with tears. The child he had long awaited had finally appeared before him—an emotion of joy, one that A Jun perhaps couldn't yet understand.
However, the old man's grandson wasn't nearly as friendly. The elder seemed to sense something, glanced at the other boy, and gently gestured with his hand. The silver boy, dutiful as ever, forced a faint smile for his grandfather's sake. Though not directed at A Jun and the others, it still made Xiao Xi feel vindicated, chuckling with Xiao Jiuwuo at the stoic face.
After a brief exchange with the children, the elder released his hand from the cane, took A Jun's hand, and—supported by the silver boy—led everyone home.
A Jun, still curious, glanced back. Just as he suspected, the cane had vanished. Only a faint disturbance remained on the ground—a small hole.
Along the way, Grandpa Yuwen asked about A Jun's family, personally checked his condition, and urged him to rest well for the next few days. The trial could wait. He should treat this place as his own home.
Of course, the silver boy showed no warmth—except toward his grandfather. He couldn't understand why this outsider received such care. Since childhood, he had watched his grandfather labor tirelessly for this boy—gathering herbs, preparing medicine, exhausting himself. All for someone else.
During their walk through the city, Grandpa Yuwen gave his grandson a special instruction. At first, the silver boy froze, glanced at A Jun with displeasure, then left the group with a worried look.
With one person missing, A Jun grew anxious. What if Grandpa stumbled or got hurt? What should he do?
Just as he fretted over the elder's safety, a leaf drifted down. A Jun followed its motion to the ground—where a small sprout rapidly grew tall, forming into a cane, waiting before him. How clever was that?
Without hesitation, the boy picked up the cane and handed it to the elder. Grandpa Yuwen accepted it naturally, smiled, looked at the great tree in the distance, then at A Jun, inviting the boy to gaze with him. There, countless leaves danced in the wind. The tree seemed joyful, welcoming the children's arrival.
Later, at Grandpa's warm invitation, A Jun had no choice but to stay—avoiding the silver boy's gaze—alongside Xiao Jiuwuo, Xiao Xi, and Ning'er, in the Yuwen family's grand estate.
Strangely, the children were treated exceptionally well. Every need was attended to—food, clothing, shelter, all provided with care. The Yuwen family members were respectful and polite, so much so that A Jun suspected it was all a façade.
He and Ning'er felt uneasy. A Jun was especially tense and resistant, reacting with a conditioned wariness.
Having grown up in a very different environment, this place felt unreal to him. As the saying goes: comparison breeds pain.
It might sound dramatic, but even though past traumas had been stripped away during his trials, the shadows etched into his heart weren't so easily erased. Ning'er was better off—she was used to independence and quiet, just not this level of attention.
Among them, Xiao Xi adapted best. Raised in a wealthy household, he was used to being served and treated politely. He enjoyed the comfort—eating, drinking, playing games. Xiao Jiuwuo seemed fine too, though her mood was off—perhaps influenced by her roommate Ning'er.
More likely, she was worried about A Jun. After all, they'd spent enough time together to understand each other.
So, Xiao Jiuwuo stayed close to A Jun, meowing now and then to ease his tension. Of course, not everyone in the estate was so pleasant… like Grandpa Yuwen's grandson—the silver boy.
That evening, Grandpa Yuwen formally introduced his grandson to the group, hoping they'd get along and become friends.
But things didn't go as planned. The silver boy barely spoke to the newcomers, didn't smile, and wore a constant scowl. Xiao Xi called him "stone face," though A Jun quickly hushed him.
Day by day, the silver boy's expression grew darker, as if A Jun owed him something. Maybe he didn't like having outsiders in his home.
After a day of rest, the next afternoon, Ning'er—concerned for A Jun's health—gathered her courage and visited him with Xiao Jiuwuo. They discussed his injuries and recovery methods in depth.
But soon, the conversation dried up. Ning'er was naturally quiet, and A Jun had never been good at talking to girls. The room grew awkward, despite Xiao Jiuwuo's meows trying to lighten the mood.
Thankfully, Xiao Xi returned from his food hunt. These past two days, he'd tried dragging A Jun out to find gourmet snacks, but Ning'er and Xiao Jiuwuo had firmly stopped him—A Jun needed rest.
Now, he burst into the room, mouth greasy, carrying gossip and chatter. Instantly, the atmosphere relaxed.
Turns out, when Xiao Xi reached the courtyard, he overheard the servants talking. The main topic: Grandpa Yuwen had ordered his grandson to accompany A Jun's group on their next trial. The silver boy wasn't happy, but had to agree under pressure.
A Jun understood. That explained the sour mood these past two days. So he decided to speak with Grandpa Yuwen. After all, if it was just a trial, he could handle it himself—no need to trouble others.
With a hint of unease, he arrived at the elder's room. The door was open.
He entered respectfully. Grandpa was reading and sipping tea. Upon seeing A Jun, he quickly set everything aside and invited the boy to sit, asking about his condition.
A Jun politely explained his situation and thoughts, shared what he'd learned, and expressed his willingness to face the trial alone. But Grandpa Yuwen was firm.
The elder patiently told A Jun that he understood his grandson's feelings and plans. But as the future heir of the Sacred Healer Clan, the boy had to learn to make sacrifices. The elder was aging, and the silver boy would soon bear the clan's responsibilities.
More importantly, the upcoming trial was no ordinary one. A Jun would need someone by his side—and his grandson was the only choice.
Grandpa Yuwen shared many thoughts. A Jun understood some of his intentions, and sensed there was more beneath the surface. He didn't argue, nor did he wish to offend.
After chatting a bit more, A Jun left the room, reminding himself to be extra cautious this time. He couldn't afford to lose control again—not after all Grandpa had done for him.
Two more days of rest passed. Finally, the day of the trial arrived. A Jun and Ning'er had recovered well.
Xiao Xi, having had no outlet for his energy, buried himself in games. Of course, he had his own plans—not just play.
In those two days, he'd made a new friend in-game. They teamed up daily for ramen and leveling. Everyone knew this person—it was the young officer who'd arrived with the silver boy. His name was Huangfu Shuai, heir to the Marshal's House.
Despite his status, he kept sneaking into the Yuwen estate to attend lessons, eat, and hang out—like it was his own home. Meanwhile, the silver boy, heir to the Yuwen clan, was nowhere to be seen.
Sometimes, even Xiao Xi thought: maybe these two should swap roles.
Early the next morning, on their second day at the Yuwen estate, A Jun and the others ran into the heir of the Marshal's House—standing right at the gate, clocking in like it was routine. After a brief chat, they learned that this young heir was also a fan of games—especially the full-body immersive holographic game that Xiao Xi specialized in. From that moment on, the heir and Xiao Xi bonded over gaming.
Xiao Xi didn't care about titles like "heir" or "noble." He simply called him "Xiao Shuai." The young officer was just as easygoing. The two quickly became like brothers. Xiao Xi even gave their duo a name: the Cricket Brothers.
The day of the third trial finally arrived. That morning, the silver boy didn't leave the estate as usual. Instead, he followed his grandfather's wishes and gathered everyone on time to lead the team. Naturally, the heir was there too.
Xiao Shuai had heard about the plan early and came to stake out the place. He even mooched breakfast from his old friend. He figured—one more person meant one more helping hand.
But A Jun wasn't so sure. He glanced awkwardly at the cheerful Xiao Shuai and raised a concern. As heir to the Huangfu clan, Xiao Shuai suddenly remembered that there was a major military drill scheduled at the camp today. A look of realization crossed his face. Yet his friend, the silver boy, merely cast a dismissive glance and offered no help persuading him.
Xiao Shuai waved it off with flair. "One more or one less—doesn't matter," he said calmly. He admitted he didn't really want to attend the drill anyway. It was boring, all that fighting wasn't his thing. Joining the group sounded more fun—and he could squeeze in a match with Xiao Xi. A Jun and Xiao Jiuwuo exchanged a glance—Well, if you're happy, fine.
Just as the kids stepped out the gate, they were stopped by an elderly woman. Supported by a maid and leaning on a cane identical to Grandpa Yuwen's, she slowly approached Xiao Shuai.
Xiao Shuai didn't panic or try to hide. He rushed forward to help her. This woman was his great-grandmother—the highest-ranking elder of the Marshal's House, once a legendary general: Lady Mu.
Back in the day, during the harshest moments of war, she had stepped forward at nearly seventy years old, leading a battalion of female warriors to repel invaders. Now, at a hundred years old, her body had weakened—her hair was white, her back bent—but she still walked with strength and carried herself with dignity.
What happened next surprised everyone. When Lady Mu saw Xiao Shuai approach, she didn't react at all. She ignored his outstretched hands and walked straight past him—heading directly toward A Jun and the others.
Xiao Shuai stood awkwardly for a moment, then followed behind, clearly used to this.
The elderly woman slowly reached the silver boy. Her smile was warm, kind, and familiar.
And the silver boy—he suddenly became obedient, smiling gently at the old woman. He can smile?
"Son… you've finally come home!"