Book 1, Chapter 2 – The Dragonblood Warrior Clan (part one)
In the blink of an eye, another half year had passed. Training hard and strengthening his body, Linley passed through the gentle, warm spring, the blazing summer, and the chilly autumn. The white poplar tree next to the empty training field of Wushan would always scatter some dried leaves onto the ground whenever the wind blew. The leaves slowly whirled down, covering the entire training ground.
The sky had slowly grown dark.
Today, there was an exceptionally large number of people on the training grounds, nearly three hundred.
"Today's evening training session ends now." Hillman smiled. "Before leaving, however, everyone needs to first congratulate this next crop of children who are about to leave Wushan and join the army."
With autumn's end came the season of military recruitment. With the entire continent engaged in an age of warfare, every youngster viewed becoming a mighty warrior as a badge of honor. Naturally, there were also those who wished to become mages, but becoming a mage is an extremely difficult task. Perhaps only one person in ten thousand had the necessary qualifications to become a mage. With such a low probability, the average person wouldn't even consider it.
Becoming a warrior was much easier. Upon turning sixteen, as long as they were at least warriors of the first rank, they could easily enter the army.
"Uncle Hillman, thank you!"
A hundred and twenty six children, all age seventeen, respectfully bowed towards Hillman. These youngsters normally did not attend training. They had all become adults, and had their own jobs to do. But since they had all been trained by Hillman since they were toddlers, they all considered Hillman to have been their benevolent master.
Before joining the army, they all came here to say farewell to Hillman.
Staring at this group of energetic, eager seventeen year olds, Hillman was filled with countless mixed feelings. This was because Hillman knew that all of these children were eager to join the army, but after ten years of military service, how many of them would come back alive?
"I hope at least half of these hundred and twenty six will be able to return alive," Hillman prayed silently.
Hillman stared at the children, and said in a clear voice, "Brats, listen up! You are all men of Wushan town. The men of Wushan town must straighten their chests and welcome any challenges, and accept no fear. Am I understood?"
All of those seventeen year old youths straightened their chest, their bodies ramrod straight. Their eyes filled with a hot ardor for military life, they all responded in loud unison, "Understood!"
"Good!" Hillman stood ramrod straight as well. His cold gaze was filled with a military aura.
"Tomorrow, all of you will depart. Tonight, prepare well. I know how strong all of you are. All of you will be able to easily enter the army! I, Hillman, will wait here for all of you to make your glorious return to Wushan town!" Hillman said in a bright voice.
The eyes of those youths shone bright.
Returning home with honor. This was the dream of every youth.
"Now, I order all of you, go home immediately and begin your preparations. Disperse!" Hillman said in a cold, fierce voice.
"Yes sir!"
A hundred and twenty six youths respectfully saluted, and then departed. They were followed by the worshipful gazes of the nearly two hundred youths that remained. Tomorrow, they would begin a brand new journey.
