Xiao Man smiled nonchalantly. It was already kind of her to wish him enlightenment and ascension. She had actually been hoping he would go to the ultimate bliss sooner.
"The National Preceptor possesses an ethereal aura, like a divine being descended to Earth for a trial. It is only natural to wish the National Preceptor early enlightenment and ascension, to join the ranks of immortals."
"Come here," Feng Tian Lan called out.
Xiao Man scurried over to Feng Tian Lan in a few steps. "Master, am I not correct?"
"Master..." Wen Mo Han was greatly surprised. She hadn't expected the National Preceptor to be Xiao Man's master. No wonder, no wonder she had consistently held the top spot on the Wind and Cloud Rankings, no wonder she was so outstanding. So, she was actually the National Preceptor's beloved disciple. Su Dan Novel Network.
Feng Tian Lan placed two fingers on Xiao Man's wrist. "Your pulse is steady. Although a little weak, it's nothing serious. How is your injury?"
"Thanks to Master's elixirs, it's almost healed," Xiao Man said with a bright smile. "Master, now that you're back, how long will you stay?"
"For the time being, I will not be leaving the imperial capital."
"I haven't seen Master for almost a year. Where did you go playing this past year, Master?" Xiao Man leaned forward, smiling playfully. Her heart, however, was in turmoil. You had a great time playing in Yun Qi this past year, didn't you? Poisoning your beloved disciple, annihilating your beloved disciple's subordinates, you really played a masterful game!
Feng Tian Lan's expression became somewhat distant, but only for a moment. "Do you think your master is as fond of playing as you are? Have you finished the lessons I assigned you before I left?"
"I finished them long ago. I wasn't lazy this time," Xiao Man said, presenting the prepared gift. "Master, having been away for a year, did you bring me anything fun back?"
Feng Tian Lan hesitated for a moment, then took a pendant from his embrace. The pendant was shaped like a teardrop, its red color resembling blood and tears. Inside, there were intricate patterns. Xiao Man's hand subconsciously tightened, almost unable to suppress the killing intent within her. To avoid revealing her emotions, Xiao Man snatched the pendant.
"Is this for me? It's so beautiful."
Feng Tian Lan watched as Xiao Man held the pendant and examined it carefully, her smile radiant, as if she genuinely liked it. A flicker of an unreadable light flashed in Feng Tian Lan's eyes.
Xiao Man put on the pendant and swung it in front of Feng Tian Lan. "Master, doesn't it look good on me?"
Feng Tian Lan looked at Xiao Man's flower-like smile and slowly nodded. That child in the past had also asked him with such joy if it looked good, and in the end, he had personally extinguished her.
"I think it looks good on me too," Xiao Man said proudly. "Right, Mo Han?"
"Yes, it suits you very well," Wen Mo Han said with sincere admiration. "The National Preceptor must have spent countless hours carefully selecting this gift."
The smile on Xiao Man's face deepened, but it didn't reach her eyes. Yes, this was what he had painstakingly obtained with countless drops of blood!
After leaving the National Preceptor's mansion, Xiao Man returned directly to the General's mansion.
Many guests had arrived at the General's mansion, all subordinates of Xiao Zhen's army who had come to visit. They had also brought their own sons along. The reason was that Xiao Zhen had instructed them to do so, with the aim of letting Xiao Man interact with these outstanding young men.
"Man'er, you're finally back. Come and meet your uncles," Xiao Zhen called out cheerfully.
Xiao Man approached with a bright smile and paid her respects. "Happy New Year, esteemed uncles."
"Young lady, you flatter us. Please rise, please rise," everyone said, quickly getting up to return the courtesy.
"You children go play. No need to stay here with us."
Upon hearing they could go play, joy appeared on their faces, and they all excused themselves. "Young lady, shall we go play Cuju?"
"Call my brother. He'll lead one team, and I'll lead another. If I beat my brother, I'll treat you all to a feast at Shi Wei Tian and invite the most beautiful courtesans from Xian Yue Fang to sing for you."
"It's a deal!" Xue Meng shouted the loudest. "In past years, we've never beaten the Young General. Today, we will definitely achieve a glorious victory."
"I'm afraid it will be a repeated defeat!" He Ye laughed. "You all know the Young General's skill!"
"He Ye, are you not confident in me anymore?" Xiao Man asked, crossing her arms and scrutinizing He Ye. "How about we make a bet? If I win against my brother, you will henceforth serve me as your master. If I lose, I will call you 'brother' every time I see you."
"Young lady, perhaps not..."
"Do you dare to bet?"
"Bet!" He Ye exclaimed excitedly. Just the thought of the young lady calling him "brother" was enough to make him bet!
On the Xiao family's training ground, Xiao Man changed into a training outfit. Xiao Luo and his wife also changed into their training attire and came over.
"Man'er, I heard you made a bet with someone, and you intend to beat me?" Xiao Luo asked, tossing the ball in his hand with a smile.
Xiao Man puffed out her chest. "Brother, don't underestimate me. If you lose, you'll have to carry me around the General's mansion."
"In that case, I must not lose. Have you chosen your players?" Xiao Luo asked loudly. He hadn't sparred with Xiao Man in a long time and wanted to see if her tactics had improved.
"Of course," Xiao Man said, clapping her hands. About a dozen people immediately stood behind her, and even Chu Qing Ge stood by Xiao Man's side.
"Ge'er, my wife and I are one. Why have you joined your sister's side?"
Chu Qing Ge covered her mouth and smiled. "I can't help you bully A'man, so I'm on A'man's team."
Xiao Man bared her white teeth, her eyes curving into crescents. "Brother, I'm truly sorry, but my sister-in-law is helping me."
He Ye stood behind Xiao Luo. He saw that Xiao Man's group, including Xiao Man herself, had six girls. Cuju was a physically demanding sport, and girls' strength was inherently inferior to that of men. Moreover, Xiao Man's group had six girls.
"Man'er, your team is still one person short." Cuju was played by twelve people per team, two teams competing. Within a set time, the team with more goals scored was the winner.
"Xue Meng, get over here," Xiao Man said, hands on her hips. "You're with me. Why are you running to my brother's side? Or are you also not confident in me?"
"I accidentally went to the wrong place," Xue Meng quickly ran over. Now that both sides had their full personnel, the guards set up the goalposts, and the two teams took the field.
"You are the younger sister, you can start first," Xiao Luo said, handing the ball to Xiao Man.
"Thank you, brother, then." Xiao Man took the ball, threw it high into the sky, and with a swift movement, kicked it towards Chu Qing Ge, who was hidden among the opposing team. Chu Qing Ge caught the ball and immediately kicked it to Ying Xue, who was in another position. Ying Xue caught the ball with her body, kicked it twice, and then kicked it to the next person.
On the field, dust flew. Neither side yielded, and they constantly vied for the ball. Xiao Man, concealed within the fray, assessed the situation, continuously signaling her teammates, creating trouble for the opponents while also snatching and dribbling the ball. Beyond sheer speed, she gave Xiao Luo and his team no chance to react. Furthermore, several members of her team possessed excellent footwork and agility, allowing Xiao Man to score the first goal.