Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

Outside the capital city, at the Xuanzhen Temple.

"May you rest in peace, sir."

My son is going on a long journey; may his father be well.

"Da'an, get up and sit down."

Upon hearing this, Jia Tang stood up and looked up at Jia Jing, who was sitting at the head of the table in a Taoist robe, his cheeks gaunt and even thinner than when they last met.

Jia Jing glanced at his youngest son, who was sitting respectfully to the side, a look of satisfaction and expectation appearing in his eyes, and his voice softened involuntarily.

Have you set a travel date yet?

"I'll leave tomorrow."

"Although you are exceptionally talented and have a solid foundation, the battlefield is a place where swords and spears have no eyes. You need to protect yourself, do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

"On your way to Liaodong, first pay your respects to the Marquis of Pingliao. He has a past relationship with your grandfather and will be very supportive of you. After that, you must first take control of your own troops, as this is the foundation for your survival and meritorious service."

"Yes."

"After you return home from your military service, if you are rewarded with a title for your military achievements, come to Xuanzhen Temple again. I have something to pass on to you."

Jia Tang's eyes flickered slightly, as if he were deep in thought.

"I understand."

"I won't go on the expedition since I'm wearing armor. You may go back if there's nothing else to do."

"Yes, please take good care of yourself, sir."

······

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), at Rongqing Hall.

Having just returned from Xuanzhen Temple, Jia Tang led Qingwen out of Ningguo Mansion and walked towards Grandmother Jia's courtyard through the west gate. Along the way, they were greeted by the constant greetings of servants and maids.

After entering through the hanging flower gate, there are covered corridors on both sides, and a passageway in the middle, where a large marble screen with a rosewood frame is placed. Turning past the screen, you enter a small three-room hall, behind which is the main courtyard of the back house.

The main building has five rooms, all with carved beams and painted rafters, and corridors and side rooms on both sides, where various parrots, thrushes and other birds are hung.

On the platform sat several maids dressed in red and green. Upon seeing Jia Tang arrive, they hurriedly greeted him with smiles, lifted the curtain, and called out:

"Master Yu, you've arrived."

The way people in the East and West mansions addressed Jia Tang was either as "Master Yu" or simply "Master Yu," without any ranking or listing. It was a long-established practice to group him under a single lineage and address him by his generational name.

Jia Tang stepped inside and found the room already packed with people, all seated in their assigned places.

Jia Tang first paid his respects to the old matriarch of the Jia family, Jia Shi, whose temples were as white as silver, causing the elegant and noble Jia Min to turn slightly to avoid him.

"Alright, alright, Tiger, get up quickly."

Jia Tang stood up and greeted Jia She of the main branch of the West Mansion and his seemingly foolish second wife, Jia Xingshi; Jia Zheng of the second branch of the West Mansion and Jia Wangshi, who looked like a Buddha statue; Jia Zhen, his elder brother of the East Mansion and his second wife, Youshi; as well as Li Wan and Wang Xifeng, who were standing behind their respective mothers-in-law.

Then, she saw four beautiful and graceful young girls sitting to the right of Grandmother Jia.

With slightly plump skin, a well-proportioned figure, cheeks like fresh lychees, and a nose like goose fat, Yingchun is gentle, quiet, and approachable.

With slender shoulders and a narrow waist, a tall and graceful figure, an oval face, bright eyes and delicate eyebrows, a captivating gaze, and refined literary talent, Tan Chun is a sight to behold.

Tan Chun was flanked by the delicate and frail Lin Daiyu, with her slender eyebrows and timid eyes, and her younger sister Xi Chun, who was still small in stature, with bright eyes and a mischievous spirit.

Jia Tang looked at Xi Chun, who seemed rather sullen, and couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Before the age of twelve, the original owner of this body was a quiet and reserved person who only cared about practicing martial arts with the Tiger Guards and was determined to join the army to restore the family's prestige. He did not care about his younger sister who was raised in the West Mansion.

Servants of wealthy and powerful families throughout history have always been adept at flattering the powerful and belittling the weak, so Xichun was often neglected in the West Mansion.

Ever since Jia Tang regained his memories of his past life, he has always doted on his younger sister.

From then on, if any servant in the East or West mansions did anything to displease him, Jia Tang would either give them a severe beating or sell them off.

In recent years, Xichun's living environment has been vastly different from that in the original story, which has also fostered her quirky and mischievous personality.

Jia Tang walked over, first smiling and nodding to Lin Daiyu, then ruffling Xichun's hair and asking, "Who dares to offend the goddess I'm afraid of? Why are you so unhappy? Did your second brother Bao cause this?"

Having said that, he waved his hand to stop Yingchun and Tanchun, who were about to greet him, and made a gesture of rolling up his sleeves, ready to capture Jia Baoyu, who was hiding behind Lady Wang.

"It wasn't me, Ancestor, save me! Save me!"

Upon hearing this, Bao Geda screamed in fright.

Jia Tang couldn't help but laugh at his pitiful appearance. Before the age of twelve, the original owner's life goal was to become the best in martial arts and to be ennobled and appointed as a general in the country. But Jia Baoyu told him that he was "determined to be a stupid thief who wants to win the country's riches" and "a muddy and smelly warrior". How could he not beat him?

Needless to say, after the age of twelve, he basically spent his time eating, practicing martial arts, and fighting with Baoyu, or going to and from the government office and fighting with Baoyu.

Grandmother Jia, seated on a high, soft couch, watched her grandchildren play with a smile. Madam Xing, sitting below, quickly put down the teacup she had just picked up. Madam Wang, on the other hand, played with her Buddhist prayer beads with a blank expression, but the veins on her hands were clearly visible.

At this moment, Tan Chun stood up, grabbed Jia Tang and said, "Who in our Jia family dares to offend this little tyrant? She just knows you're about to join the army and she's reluctant to part with you. Don't blame Brother Bao."

"Yes, yes, Brother Yu Yin, we dare not offend her. Poor thing, I serve her the best food, drink and entertainment every day, afraid of getting hurt." Wang Xifeng, who was standing to the side, quickly made a joke after secretly noticing her aunt's expression, and even pretended to wipe the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.

"It's just a joke."

Jia Tang pointed at Baoyu with a threatening look, then turned back and whispered a few words to Xichun, making some agreements. The little maid giggled, her big eyes brightening considerably.

At this moment, the old lady on the soft couch spoke up: "You rascal, you're going to the border to join the army tomorrow and you're still causing trouble with your brother. Has the Tiger Guard made any arrangements?"

"Reporting to our ancestor, everything has been prepared properly."

"Don't worry about things at home, and don't be impatient while fighting abroad. Proceed steadily and surely. I, your old woman, can still hold on until you gain momentum."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

"Okay, okay."

Although Grandmother Jia echoed her words, her voice was choked with emotion: "It's really hard on my good grandson. Our family has declined a lot in recent years, and your fathers are not up to any good. Some are chanting scriptures, and others are playing games. It's pitiful that you have to go to the battlefield at such a young age."

"Grandmother, there's no need for this. It's what I should do. When my grandson returns with his official rank and title, the Jia family will still be the most prestigious family in the capital," Jia Tang said with a smile.

In the eight years since he regained his memories of his past life, plus the twelve years of memories of the original owner, apart from some conflicts with some clueless people in the West Mansion, everyone else treated him extremely well and genuinely doted on him, making this cleaner who had spent his previous life in the Middle East feel very good.

Moreover, in this era of great change, having a family business and fighting alone are completely different concepts.

"What ambition! Truly worthy of being my Jia family's tiger cub!" Grandmother Jia praised him repeatedly, filled with immense satisfaction. She then added, "The old master's fire tiger armor is still lying idle in the manor; you should take it for self-defense. Yuanyang, go to the treasury and order..."

"Wait a minute, Grandmother, back then, the Golden Fire Double Tiger Armor belonged to both the Dukes of the East and West Mansions, one set for each. My second brother's armor is enough from the East Mansion." Jia Zhen hurriedly jumped out to stop her after hearing Grandmother Jia's words.

Jia Tang waved his hand and said, "Alright, Ancestor, please don't worry. I'm starving, let's eat quickly."

"Then let it be. Yuanyang, hurry up and serve the meal. I will not forgive anyone who dares to let my grandson go hungry."

After a hearty meal, the younger generation returned to their rooms at the behest of their elders, leaving only the heads of the East and West households to return to Rongqing Hall.

After dismissing everyone else, Grandmother Jia asked Jia Tang, "Which household did the Second Master invite?"

Upon hearing this, Jia She, Jia Zheng, and Jia Min looked grief-stricken, recalling the earth-shattering battle of yesteryear. Otherwise, why would they need their youngest son to step forward?

Jia Tang sighed and replied, "A second-generation ancestor of the Duke of Xiu's mansion."

After thinking carefully, Grandmother Jia suddenly realized, "It's an old monkey, with a violent temper and a ruthless heart. That's right, it will definitely intimidate those blind scum."

Jia Tang nodded and asked Jia Min, "Aunt Min, when are you going south? Is my cousin being raised in the manor?"

Jia Min glanced at Grandmother Jia and said, "I'll go tomorrow too. The sooner I go back, the sooner I can feel at ease."

"As for Yu'er, let her stay with the old lady for now, and we'll bring her back once things are more stable in the south."

She originally planned to send the guards south first, while she stayed for a couple more days.

Firstly, it allows me to spend time with my mother, and secondly, it gives my younger siblings more time to interact and strengthen their bond.

Who knew...

Jia Tang nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "After you go south, no matter what problems you encounter, stick to the principle of 'guarding'."

"Once I make a name for myself in the border army, those scoundrels will probably run away at the mere sight of me."

Everyone smiled upon hearing this: "That's exactly right!"

···

Late at night, in the Northern Garrison Prison.

A dark figure passed through numerous checkpoints and entered the prison cell. Looking at the spies who had been tortured beyond recognition, the figure pointed out streams of dark green energy, which merged into their bodies and shattered their heart meridians.

Upon seeing this, the person smiled faintly and vanished instantly.

On the other side, in the Archives of the Flying Eagle Division's Subordinate Bureau, this place is where confidential files are stored.

But at this moment, inside the archives, two men in black robes and masks were slowly groping in the darkness, searching through the relevant files about the Northwest submitted by the Northern Garrison Command.

"Found it, let's retreat!"