327: Sixth Incarnation: Celestial Venerable (VI)

Just as the Hundred Weapons Dao Realm was abuzz with excitement over the birth of "Blade Absolute Edge" and was preparing a grand celebration, in another mundane world tens of thousands of miles away—a world with vastly different rules—a new life was also being born within "Zhenbei Pass," a towering, weather-beaten fortress looming over the northern frontier.

There was no Saber Qi soaring into the sky, no phenomenon of ten thousand weapons paying homage, and no grand scene of a Dao Lord descending.

There was only the biting cold wind unique to the frontier, the mottled bloodstains and saber marks on the city walls, and a tense atmosphere permeating the air, thick with the scent of dust and rust.

Zhenbei Pass was the most crucial barrier for the Great Yin Dynasty to defend against the Northern Wolf Court.

The supreme commander within the pass was the current head of the Wei Family, a Noble Family of generals that had guarded this place for generations: Wei, Head of the Family.

At this moment, outside a delivery room in the rear quarters of the Xu Manor—simply decorated yet exuding the rugged aura of a martial artist—a middle-aged general stood. Clad in black armor with slightly graying hair and a face as resolute as a rock, he paced back and forth along the corridor with his hands behind his back.

His figure was as upright as a pine tree, and the saber at his waist clinked softly against his armor with every step, producing a dull, rhythmic sound.

He was the head of the Wei Family, the General of Zhenbei, Wei, Head of the Family.

From within the delivery room, the muffled cries of a woman in pain and the encouraging voice of a midwife could be heard.

Wei, Head of the Family appeared calm, but his furrowed brows as he glanced toward the room and his subconscious habit of stroking his saber's hilt betrayed his inner anxiety and anticipation.

"General, ease your mind. The Madam is a person of great fortune; she and the child will surely be safe."

To the side, a man also dressed in armor, appearing to be a lieutenant, offered low-voiced consolation.

Wei, Head of the Family stopped pacing and looked up at the gloomy, low-hanging sky of the frontier, where lead-gray clouds seemed to press down on everyone's hearts.

His heavy palm instinctively rubbed the cold hilt of the saber at his waist—a companion that had never left his side through half a lifetime of war.

After a long while, he let out a heavy sigh, his voice carrying the weight and exhaustion characteristic of a veteran of the battlefield.

"Ease my mind? Easier said than done."

He turned to the lieutenant beside him, an old brother-in-arms who had followed him for many years, and lowered his voice, his tone filled with ill-concealed distress and indignation.

"Old Wang, we are not outsiders. The current imperial court... sigh, forget it. Those wolf pups in the north have become increasingly restless over the past two years. Scouts report that several large tribes are sharpening their blades and feeding their horses. This year's snow came early and fierce; life on the grasslands is likely hard. Given the nature of those jackals, plundering the border is only a matter of time. But look at the provisions and armaments the court sends down—skimmed off at every level. By the time they reach our Zhenbei Pass, how much is actually left? The soldiers work hard to guard the border, and morale... it's bound to waver."

Hearing this, Old Wang's expression also darkened, and he nodded in silence.

How could he not know these things?

He simply didn't want to add to the general's burden while he was already anxious.

Wei, Head of the Family turned his gaze back to the closed door of the delivery room. Inside were his wife and child, the softest and most cherished part of his life in this iron-blooded frontier.

His voice softened unconsciously, yet it carried even more of the weariness of age.

"My Wei Family has guarded the northern frontier for generations, and countless members have returned wrapped in horsehide. In my generation, the burden has only grown heavier. I don't ask for this child to be ennobled or appointed as a general like our ancestors, bringing glory to our name... those are all empty things. The world is clearly about to fall into chaos."

He paused, as if imagining the appearance of that tiny future figure. A complex light flashed in his eyes—anticipation, helplessness, and a deep fatherly love.

"I only hope it's a boy, with a sturdy build and a resilient character."

"At this juncture of approaching chaos, I hope he can learn some martial arts for self-protection. I don't ask him to become famous or achieve great things; I only... I only hope he has some ability to protect himself. In this precarious world, I hope he can look after himself and perhaps... look after those he wishes to protect in the future."

"If he can learn to read a few characters, understand reason, and not stray from the right path, I will be satisfied."

As his voice trailed off, the corridor fell silent, save for the never-ending wind of the frontier whistling through the courtyard. It sounded like a desolate elegy played in advance for this unborn child and the troubled nation.

Old Wang opened his mouth, wanting to say something comforting, but found that any words were hollow at this moment.

In the end, he simply cupped his fists deeply and said in a heavy voice, "General, fortune favors the good. The Young Lord will surely be safe and healthy, and in the future... he will certainly become a man of integrity, just as you wish!"

Wei, Head of the Family said no more. He simply tightened his grip on his saber's hilt, his gaze becoming as resolute as iron once more as he stared unblinkingly at the door.

Just then—

"Waa—!"

An unusually loud and vigorous cry of an infant suddenly pierced through the door of the delivery room and the desolate air of the frontier, reaching the ears of Wei, Head of the Family and Old Wang with absolute clarity.

Wei, Head of the Family's whole body jolted. The worry in his eyes was instantly replaced by immense joy, and a stiff but incredibly genuine smile broke out on his resolute face.

"He's born!"

Old Wang also let out an excited, low cry.

The door to the delivery room creaked open, and a beaming midwife quickly stepped out, carrying an infant wrapped in a plain cotton swaddle. She called out repeatedly, "Congratulations, General! Wonderful news, General! The Madam has given birth to a Young Master! Both mother and son are safe!"

Wei, Head of the Family lunged forward in a single stride, yet his movements were extremely cautious, as if he were facing a fragile treasure.

He reached out his large, calloused hands—hands accustomed to wielding a saber and killing enemies—and took the small swaddle with clumsy but incredibly gentle care.

The infant in the swaddle still had the red, wrinkled skin of a newborn, yet he had already stopped crying. He opened a pair of dark, bright, and unusually clear and tranquil eyes, "looking" curiously at the stranger before him—a man so moved that his eyes were slightly red, exuding an aura of iron, blood, and the elements.

There were no phenomena, no auspicious omens.

But those eyes... Wei, Head of the Family's heart stirred again.

The child's gaze was too calm, too clear, as if it could reflect one's heart or see through the turmoils of this world.

It was entirely different from the chubby, incessantly crying infant he had imagined.

"Good! Good boy!"

Wei, Head of the Family suppressed the strange feeling in his heart, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. He used a rough finger to very lightly touch the infant's soft cheek.

"The cry was loud enough! The eyes are bright enough! He's a tough one! Truly of my Wei Family bloodline!"

Holding the child, he turned and spoke loudly to the lieutenant, guards, and servants who had gathered upon hearing the news. His voice was booming, as if to dispel all the gloom of the frontier: "Pass the order! I, Wei, Head of the Family, have been blessed with a son today. Everyone in the manor is to be rewarded! Life at the frontier is hard, so we shall keep things simple, but the celebratory wine must not be lacking! Also, send a fast horse to deliver the good news to the old manor in the capital and inform the Old Madam!"

"Congratulations, General! Our heartfelt congratulations!"

Everyone cheered in unison, and the small courtyard was suddenly filled with a rare atmosphere of joy.