Destiny in Cinders

Most of the children wouldn't be able to notice that, but An Jing did. Direlife Manor frequently hunted wild beasts to the point that they had enough flesh for disciples to consume during meals. They definitely had some special techniques that normal hunting parties didn't have, such as combat formations designed to fight against them.

Given An Jing's martial understanding, however, he could tell that the formations weren't just meant for normal wild beasts. They seemed capable of handling even larger, more ferocious creatures, specifically those that were rooted in one location. However, most wild beasts usually attacked by pouncing and ambushing, which got him wondering if Direlife Manor also had techniques to lure them into traps. Whether he could figure it out or not, he couldn't go wrong with learning the formations.

His mind had countless questions that needed answering, and he was prepared to find them. All he needed was the opportune cloudy night to make his move, and he didn't have to wait long for it.

Though nobody could really tell what time of the month it was deep in the mountains, they could still feel which season it was. Considering that it was getting warmer, summer was approaching, which brought with it strong winds that blew thick clouds across the mountainous area. From a distance, the dark, inky clouds rolled over like living things, casting a veil of oppressive pressure across the land. It seemed like wind and rain were on the way.

"We'll stop here today." Even instructors of Direlife Manor wouldn't have their disciples train in such conditions. The one in charge of the session that day had the group return to their dormitories.

"Yeqi, Cang, wait a moment," An Jing said, calling out to his two best friends.

Gu Yeqi happily agreed.

Cang Linzu was also initially curious, but when the thought occurred to him, he felt a chill down his spine. "Wait, Brother Jing, don't tell me you want us to train in the heavy rain? I know it's effective, but I'm afraid that the chills will seep deep into my body..."

"Do I appear that terrifying to you?" An Jing blinked with a look of displeasure. "Do you take me for some kind of villain? On the contrary, I'm someone who cares heavily for my brothers and sisters."

He had conveniently forgotten the fact that members in his group always say that their stomachs hurt during the leg-day sessions he organized. Gu Yeqi and Cang Linzu, however, had to take part in the extra training with him.

An Jing said with a serious look, "You two misunderstood. I'm only asking you to do something for me."

He handed the two of them a booklet each. "These are the insights I've gotten from training Armorpierce Impetus and Abyssedge Stake Aura. There are also some other techniques in there... You know where they come from."

The two of them seemed excited, but An Jing's expression was incredibly stern. "The manor lord told me to not spread this around, and I don't wish to go against his instructions either. But you two can also tell, right? We're asked to train in this combat formation because we might be asked to hunt wild beasts soon."

"That's true..." Gu Yeqi nodded in agreement. They had all spent enough time with Zhang Ying to know how terrifying wild beasts were.

Cang Linzu hesitated for a moment before saying, "I think it won't be normal wild beasts either. The formation seemed geared for something much larger and more dangerous. It might be a beast with a fey bloodline."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about," An Jing said. "No matter what, things are getting dangerous. To be honest, I really don't want you two to die. So, I'm taking a risk to break the rules to teach you these techniques."

"Wait..." Gu Yeqi's brow furrowed when she realized something. "Big Brother An, are you up to something dangerous?"

While Cang Linzu wasn't nearly as sensitive, hearing it spelled out immediately clued him in. He didn't think An Jing was organizing his final rites or anything, but he could tell how worried he was. "What is it? Is there something we can help with?"

"The best way to help me out is for you two to become strong enough to protect yourselves." An Jing sighed. If not for the fact that they were rather slow in mastering Armorpierce Impetus, he would've passed his insights to them long ago. Getting them too early would impede their progress rather than aid it. "I have seen people we know leave one by one and I don't wish the two of you to suddenly disappear like they did." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

He patted them both on the shoulder and said, "Work hard."

A blinding bolt of lightning struck the mountain in the distance, connecting heaven and earth, casting a white blindness across the land. Then, a torrent of rain poured down incessantly. Cang Linzu and Gu Yeqi gave him a quiet look before nodding.

When it was deep in the night, there was no illumination aside from the occasional lightning bolt. The only thing visible through the fading afterglow was a pair of open eyes.

An Jing rose and put on the clothes he had prepared. He bundled some other clothing items into a humanoid shape and put his sleepwear around them. His power allowed him to easily dry wet clothes, but he still elected to change into something else for his little excursion.

Silently, he left the dormitory. The heavy rain muffled his steps while the heavy clouds kept the moon and starlight from tracing out his form. He headed to the eastern farm plots as swiftly as he could, going past the apothecary.

The manor lord who also bore the position of vice apothecary squinted his eyes. The green light within his pupils faded, allowing him to see the red trace of vigor leaving the dormitory and heading towards the eastern farm plots.

"Hehe..." He muttered in a low, calm voice. "Just like the Lord Inspector of the North said, the smarter the child, the more they like to prowl around in secret."

He broke into a bright smile. "It truly is a good thing. Those that blindly follow rules are nothing but third rate. Only when one is able to venture deep into one's mind and shatter one's unquestioning acceptance of authority, rules, divinities, life, death, and even the will of heaven and destiny itself can we find the truth! Only then can you be one of the Heavenly Divine Cult!

"An Jing, I wonder if you will become the Constellar Official or Divine General Carnage? It's impossible for you to be the Profound Yin Goddess... But if you're the Seven Ruins—" He shook his head at the ridiculous conjecture and stopped himself. Even so, he kept looking in the direction An Jing went in with a smile before turning around and returning to his seat.

He noted the time down and flipped an hourglass around before taking a sip of his tea. The green flames in his eyes seemed to undulate in an unstable manner. "Let's give him a time limit. We can't let him roam freely and cause trouble, after all. Still, I'm really curious how he'd feel once he learns the truth."

At the same time, a clear voice rang out in An Jing's head. "You have been discovered!"

He kept running without showing any signs of surprise. "I know. Thank you for your help last time. I am clearly aware that the manor lord has discovered me."

"Oh?" The voice seemed puzzled that An Jing was taking it so calmly. "Not bad, as expected of a starchild. How do you intend to respond?"

"If my guess is right..." An Jing didn't answer the voice immediately. He continued to mutter, "The entire Direlife Manor should be part of a famous sect here in the northwest, the Heavenly Will Divine Cult. Most people just call them the Heavenly Divine Cult, but they're known by another famous name: the Heavenly Demon Cult."