Chapter Forty-Three: Though the Wind Howls and the Rain Sways, I Remain Unshaken!

Though Li Gou'er was only ten years old, he had lived deep in the mountains for years, spending his days among wild beasts. His nature was fierce and bloodthirsty; even the bravest soldiers shied away from him, uneasy about the reckless, animalistic aura he carried. Now, the general had summoned Li Gou'er—was he intending to end this child's life? No one knew what offense the eight-year-old Li Zisheng had given the general. The soldiers glanced at Li Zisheng with sympathetic eyes.

Li Zisheng noticed the odd atmosphere. Gone were the previous looks of disdain; now, sympathy filled their gazes. He was no fool; the reason must lie with Li Gou'er. Clearly, Li Gou'er was no ordinary beggar.

Following Liu Er, Li Zisheng observed that Liu Er walked with great caution, constantly glancing behind him. It seemed he feared Li Gou'er deeply, despite Li Gouer's frail build and the obvious physical disparity between them. Why, then, was Liu Er so wary?

Li Zisheng focused all his attention on Li Gou'er, who, according to the bearded general, was a soldier, yet wore no uniform—only ragged beggar’s clothes. Beneath his wild, tangled hair, his eyes gleamed with untamed ferocity; defiance and bestiality radiated from them. Li Zisheng was startled—could this be a child raised by wolves?

A bold suspicion rose in his heart. Li Gou'er's appearance reminded him of the wolf children from his own era, raised among beasts, their temperament and behavior indistinguishable from wild animals. Understanding dawned on Li Zisheng: if his guess was correct, then the supervisor and the bearded general were truly ruthless.

Clearly, they meant to take his life.

Li Zisheng’s brows furrowed with anger as he glanced at the supervisor, but soon he regained his composure. He knew he must act; otherwise, he might not survive the day. Unlike men, wild beasts did not hold back. Though the others had looked down on the academy's students, they knew restraint. But Li Gou'er was reckless—a threat greater than any. If the bearded general claimed, "In battle, injuries are inevitable," Li Zisheng would have no recourse, no complaint—at best, a feeble apology.

“General, I have something to say,” Li Zisheng spoke, reclaiming the initiative.

“Oh? Child, what do you wish to say?” The bearded general halted Liu Er. Li Gou'er stood behind, dazed yet increasingly savage, as though ready to devour someone.

“General, may I ask: in the contest between the academy and the army, is it that each soldier faces one student, as Liu Er faced Wang Shizhen, from the test of physical strength to the subsequent tactical challenge?”

Li Zisheng gazed calmly at the bearded general, his eyes unruffled, as if discussing something irrelevant to himself.

Upon hearing this, both the supervisor and the general exchanged glances, their eyes revealing surprise.

“Correct,” the general replied, evidently anticipating Li Zisheng’s move. He sighed, recognizing the youth’s keen mind. Now, his opinion of Li Zisheng had changed.

“Then, General, I concede. I am no match for Li Gou'er in physical strength. I surrender,” Li Zisheng declared serenely.

Eliminating danger before it arose was one of Li Zisheng’s guiding principles. Since he stood no chance against Li Gou'er, there was no reason to risk himself; surrender was the wise path.

“Well done,” the general said, resigned; after all, it was his own rule. The supervisor’s face soured, clearly displeased with Li Zisheng.

Hearing his concession, the soldiers remained silent, but the academy students erupted in a storm of mockery.

“The way of Confucius and Mencius is to sacrifice oneself for righteousness. Li Zisheng is a disgrace to the valor of Tang men. Though only eight, he knows neither propriety nor honor; truly a parasite of the Tang, a stain on history!”

“To surrender to a mere beggar—shame on our academy, shame on our Tang! The supervisor should expel him from Hui Le to preserve our academy’s reputation!”

“Utterly disgraceful! Go home, lest you embarrass us further!”

Wave after wave of harsh words reached Li Zisheng's ears, yet he remained unmoved, calm as ever, his gaze fixed on the bearded general.

“This child is extraordinary,” the general murmured, summing up his thoughts on Li Zisheng. Despite the scorn from all sides, the boy was unshaken, his composure so far beyond his years that it bordered on preternatural. Though he could not fathom the supervisor’s animosity, Li Zisheng’s temperament was worthy of caution.

“Very well, I accept,” the general announced. “In this round, Li Gou'er is the victor, Li Zisheng is defeated!”

A fresh barrage of ridicule followed, but Li Zisheng ignored it, stepped off the stage, and returned to his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Let the winds and rains rage outside; he remained steadfast and unmoved.

The supervisor’s gaze burned with fury, glaring at the relaxed, eyes-shut Li Zisheng, yet he was powerless.

“This round of physical competition is concluded. Wang Zheyuan and Feng Hai of the academy earn one point each; all others, the soldiers of the camp, receive one point. This contest is best of three rounds; whoever accumulates two points advances to the next stage.”

The remaining competitors grew eager, rolling up their sleeves, awaiting the next tactical simulation. After all, without formal academy training, how could mere soldiers hope to defeat the students?

The ten academy students brimmed with pride, even the reserved Wang Zheyuan and Feng Hai, and the departed Wang Shizhen. They were convinced victory in the tactical simulation was theirs.

Only Li Zisheng remained calm, inwardly bemused. Every soldier had survived war; their grasp of strategy and reality was far superior to those who only theorized.

Detached from the situation, Li Zisheng ignored the proceedings, keeping his eyes closed, pondering how to handle the supervisor and the many troubles yet to come.