C13 Escaped Soldier!

With a heavy gait, Lin Yan pressed on, running toward the horizon. He wasn't heading toward Duanmu; returning there would likely result in relentless pursuit by the military. His current strength was insufficient for self-defense.

"I must become stronger!"

Gritting his teeth, Lin Yan looked up and bellowed into the sky.

From Boss Hee to Doggie, to the battalion commander, his lack of strength was to blame for everything. Had he become a martial artist sooner, perhaps things would have turned out differently.

Despite his youth, Lin Yan's experiences had matured him beyond his years. Orphaned early and hardened by a year in the army, his mind was far more seasoned than that of his peers.

He couldn't recall how long he'd been walking when the dawn began to break, casting a pale light on the horizon. A crust of dried blood covered his wounds, and his consciousness grew heavy, the world around him blurring.

In the distance, a group of riders approached, their strong horses thundering along the flat road.

"Miss, there's someone here!"

Lin Yan's fading senses barely registered the voice ahead.

His eyes fluttered shut, and he collapsed to the ground.

A black steed charged through the dust, halting beside Lin Yan. A striking young man dismounted and knelt to check Lin Yan's breathing.

"Miss, he's alive," he confirmed, standing to address the approaching riders.

Among them, a young woman turned her gaze to Lin Yan. Though she appeared no older than fifteen, her features were striking, and her smile captivating. Her beauty was such that even at her tender age, she was destined to be a heart-stopper.

"This man's attire looks like it's from Duan," she observed coolly.

"Indeed, he appears to be a deserter from Duan. He probably knows that our Hundred Prosperity Dynasty is at odds with Duan and seeks to evade their soldiers through our enmity," the young man speculated, bowing his head.

"We're at least five hundred miles from Duan's West Military Region. He must have some skill to have made it this far while injured. Xiao Qi, take him back for care. Even if he serves no other purpose, he can work as a laborer," the girl said, casting another glance at Lin Yan, her expression softening slightly at the sight of his bloodied clothes.

...

Three days later, the streets of North Cloud City within the Hundred Prosperity Dynasty bustled with activity. Merchants eagerly hawked their wares to the throngs of passersby. Yet, in the heart of the busiest thoroughfare, one spot remained clear of vendors.

Here stood one of the grandest estates in North Cloud City, home to the preeminent martial arts family, the Ximen.

Pain coursed through Lin Yan as he regained consciousness after three days. He found himself in a dimly lit room, stacked with neatly split firewood. Pushing himself up, he stood, the clinking of heavy chains accompanying his every move.

Though shackled, his steps were unimpeded. As he circulated the vital energy within, he realized his martial realm remained intact. However, his body was too frail to project the aura of a warrior.

Pushing open the door, he was greeted by a secluded courtyard. Lin Yan had been sleeping in a room within this estate that was now partially demolished.

"Hey, kid, you've got some serious luck on your side!"

Approaching from the doorway was a young man leading a stallion, his face beaming with a sunny disposition as he grinned at Lin Yan.

"This is..."

Lin Yan's parched lips barely managed to utter two words before his gaze swept across the courtyard.

"You're in North Cloud City. Your life was saved by my family's young lady. By the way, my name is Xiao Qi. From now on, you're with me."

Xiao Qi secured the horse to the stable and clapped Lin Yan on the shoulder.

Lin Yan looked up at Xiao Qi. Shackled as he was, he felt an unexpected fondness for him.

"My name is Lin Yan. May I ask, Brother Xiao, why am I..."

Lin Yan gestured to the shackles on his feet.

"The young lady ordered it, and I can't remove them for you. You don't strike me as a bad sort, but you're a big deal. In the Hundred Prosperity Dynasty, encountering a soldier of your stature usually means an immediate execution. The fact that you're alive is a testament to my young lady's mercy.

"However, if you prove yourself useful to the Ximen family, earning your freedom from these iron shackles isn't out of the question."

With that, Xiao Qi led Lin Yan out into the estate.

It was Lin Yan's first foray into a martial family's domain, and the Ximen family was the most formidable in North Cloud City. The opulence of the mansion exceeded anything Lin Yan could have imagined.

Ponds as large as lakes he had seen before dotted the landscape, and artificial mountains rivaled the size of real ones, adorned with blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies—a sight to behold.

Navigating half the estate took Lin Yan nearly half an hour. It wasn't until they heard the thunderous sounds of combat that Xiao Qi slowed their pace.

Before Lin Yan lay an expansive martial arts field, boasting over a dozen arenas where young men engaged in fierce battles.

At the heart of the spectator stands sat a young lady, her presence commanding the furtive glances of the combatants even amidst their duels.

"Hahaha... Ah Jie is doing quite well for himself, having recently opened his third Martial Vein. He hasn't had a breakthrough yet, but he's certainly made significant strides."

The girl's demeanor was outwardly serene and elegant, yet her actions and tone carried a boyish vigor.

"Miss Meng, the deserter has awakened," Xiao Qi quietly informed the girl as he and Lin Yan arrived at the base of the stands.

"Oh?"

Ximen Meng's gaze shifted to Lin Yan, her youthful face betraying a hint of embarrassment amidst the unfamiliar surroundings. Her weary eyes lifted slowly, locking with Ximen Meng's.

Her look was tinged with confusion, yet within that haze, a resolute firmness shone through. Despite his youth, he stood unafraid in this arena echoing with the clamor of battle.

"How dare you!" Ximen Meng's voice rang out sharply, silencing the martial arts field in an instant. The young fighters halted, their attention now fixed on Lin Yan.