chapter 4

“Hm?” Gu Nan looked at the old man with a stupefied look .

Did he just say Bai Qi?

“This old man is asking you, would you like to come under my tutelage and become my disciple?” Bai Qi patiently asked again .

He’s now in his 60s, and half of his generation have already been buried . His time isn’t too far away and the legacy must be passed on .

For great Qin, maybe it will be of use once he’s gone .

Bai Zhong, my son, is too conservative and clings to the old ideals . He’ll be of no use to the state . There is still the king, although his strategies are often flawed . If it weren’t for my friendship with the king, the rest of the court would just agree without voicing concerns . The past few years though, I’ve gotten old and getting out of bed is now an even concern . There is still Meng Wu, but it’ll be hard for him to obtain prestige and a title . Hm…

Wait a minute, the king’s court is still young and the talents still hidden . It wouldn’t be difficult to introduce another member . Just like how I recommended Wang Jian all those years ago, this girl shouldn’t be any different .

Hmm…

Moreover, she’s a promising talent . If this talent is nurtured well, the King won’t have a reason to reject, even if it’s a woman .

Thinking of this, Bai Qi could finally relax a little .

As if crushed by his sudden vigor, Gu Nan felt a weight on her chest, making it difficult to breathe and speak . “Wait, wait . You just said you’re Bai Qi?”

Who is Bai Qi? The general of the State of Qin . In the battle of Changping, he massacred the enemy’s 400,000 troops . One of the Four Great Generals of the Warring States, he’s known as the “human butcher” .

Without a doubt, it’s now the Warring States period, and she just met its most infamous character . Gu Nan looked at the old man before her . Those questions from before were about the Battle of Changping!

“Yes, this old man is Bai Qi . ”

“Then, is this the state of Qin?”

“It is Qin . ” The Bai Qi said with a slightly proud tone . He smiled a bit . “Don’t tell me you don’t even know where you are, right? Haha . ”

He may be jolly, but Gu Nan held a bitter expression .

Some scholar once said that it was better to be a dog in a peaceful era than a person in the Warring States period . Even the Northern Song Dynasty would’ve been better!

I’m done for, why am I so unlucky!

“How about it? To be disciple under my tutelage, this old man will provide everything you’ll need . ” Bai Qi said warmly, meanwhile, he was also imagining all the new concepts he could teach her .

“Then…” Gu Nan glanced dejectedly at the half bowl of bean rice still on the table .

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“Wuuuu– ”

The door opened with a low creak, revealing the Bai manor .

Gu Nan felt it was much different than her expectations . She envisioned a place bustling with servants, befitting a famous general . But although the place was indeed spacious, it felt deserted and empty .

Only an old housekeeper was there to greet them .

“You have worked hard . ”

Bai Qi heaved a refreshed sigh as he shouts, “Wife, I’m back! Ha!”

Today, he was in an exuberant mood, even the corners of his mouth were raised high . He went out of a meal, and he even reeled back a disciple . Fantastic! Any more excitement and his heart probably couldn’t take it .

Gu Nan stood behind with folded arms, taking up a wronged expression . It wasn’t like she wanted to be his disciple .

You can’t forget that Bai Qi was the infamous murderer of the Warring States . His mere arrival defeated enemies . Who knows how many hundreds of thousands have died from his battles . If he’s in a bad mood someday, a sword could probably cut her straight in half!

But, it’s not like she had a choice in the matter . If she didn’t find a place, she’d probably just be another corpse on the streets sooner or later . Between slowly starving to death and being well-fed but potentially dying, she’d much rather try her chances with the last one .

It’s too cruel to die on an empty stomach!

The housekeeper gave Bai Qi a strange look and then at Gu Nan again . The last time the general was this lively was back in his young military days .

“What are you yelling about in broad daylight!” A yell came out of the main building as an old woman rushed out .

She wore a well-crafted robe, and her long hair was in a neat bun .

It was a simple arrangement but without any loss in style . And although she was old, she still held quite the overwhelming temperament, a feeling that made people feel ashamed of their inferiority .

Hearing the woman’s yells, Bai Qi stalled for a moment, and his aura toned down substantially .

“Ahem, are you not happy to see me? Come, let me introduce you . ”

Then, he pulled out Gu Nan standing behind him . “This is–”

Before he could finish the sentence though, the old woman’s face turned grim, and one hand was already latched on to one of Bai Qi’s ears .

“Good, good! You’re so old and you dare bring a girl back with you! Do you think I’m so old to be bullied like this!?

“Oi, oi!” Bai Qi screamed out . “Listen to me, it’s not like that . Hey!

Is this the Bai family? Gu Nan watched the two running around quarreling . It seems to be quite the unique household .

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“Pa . ” The teacup clinked down on the stone table in the inner courtyard . The old woman sat beside Bai Qi as she inspected the new girl .

“So this is the disciple you finally picked up?” She asked, still unconvinced .

A hint of praise flickered in his eyes . Although he may have been embarrassed just recently, his determination was still unwavering .

Bai Qi started to smile and nodded . “Yes, although she has not studied military affairs, she already has some natural insights into the art of war . She has the talent to become a commander . ”

The old woman’s tone turned dark . “You know what the battlefield is . It’s not a place for girls . Timidness is death and you think this girl can handle it?”

Since Bai Qi is looking for a disciple, great expectations and responsibilities would naturally also be placed on her . To be a general, both a strategic mind and a great martial prowess are indispensable . Killing is the duty of general, and to be cruel is their greatest mercy . This kind of cruelty and suffering is not something an ordinary man can withstand, much less this soft and weak girl .

As she looked at Gu Nan, her tone became much softer . “Girl, why do you want to learn this?”

“This…” Gu Nan licked her mouth and pointed . “He promised me food . ”

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Bai Qi slowly turned towards his wife with a strange face . I’m really not a trafficker!

“Cough, don’t look at me with those accusing eyes . Wife, you know, Bai Zhong hardly ever comes back anymore . Besides this house is quite cold and empty and another girl would help to liven things up . ”

“Fine . Humph, I’ve gotten too old to care about what you do . I’ve also taken a liking to this girl, she can do whatever she wants . ” The old woman picked up the teacup and took a sip .

“Yes, yes, wife, you’re right . ”

If the world knew that this infamous figure would suck up to his wife, who knows how many horizons would flip . No wonder so few descriptions of the Bai household remain . It’s too scandalous!