Are you crazy? Trying to trick him into military service? He's the number one dragon on the fro

"Lu Lang, has that vixen Lin Ruoxue come to see you again?"

"That woman is a fickle woman, she likes to flatter people based on their appearance. She's been trying to please you these past few days, either for your money or for your life!"

"Be careful, don't let her fool you!"

Aunt Liu pulled him down to sit, her face full of earnestness.

She began her story from before she became a widow, recounting similar tales told in the surrounding villages and in the news her husband brought back from the army before his death.

Lu Xiao felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this, and nodded with a smile:

"Don't worry, sister-in-law. I have a clear understanding of who is good to me and who has ulterior motives."

"Well, my sister-in-law just bought a fat rabbit from Hunter Luo today, and the meat is still stewing in the pot."

"Have a seat for a while. I'll go prepare some snacks for you to go with your drinks. We can have a good drink and chat about everyday things later."

After saying that, Aunt Liu went into the kitchen without another word.

Lu Xiao had no suspicions, after all, when the original owner of this body was still alive, this sister-in-law often invited him to her home for meals.

Although he may have coveted the original owner's body, he never made any overstepping moves.

Thinking about this, he decided to do something to thank the other party properly.

About 15 minutes later, Aunt Liu came in carrying a full pot of stewed meat. She busied herself for four or five rounds and then filled the table with food.

She poured Lu Xiao a glass of wine, and after they clinked glasses and drank it, she smiled and said:

"Lu Lang, do you still remember that time not long after your brother died in battle? To protect me from being bullied, you stood in front of several thugs with your small body and told them to leave?"

"Actually, from that time on, my sister-in-law decided to live a good life and carry on your brother's legacy instead of living aimlessly."

"This glass of wine is to you, for giving me the hope to live!"

Snapped!

As their glasses clinked, Liu's cheeks flushed, and a hint of reminiscence appeared in her eyes.

After listening to these words, Lu Xiao carefully recalled them for a while before remembering them.

He nodded with a smile:

"Back then, I was a fearless young man."

"I'll remember your kindness."

Aunt Liu pointed to her heart, then picked up a glass of wine, gesturing for him to follow:

"Over the years, you have come to my house every few days to help my sister-in-law with chores, which has made my life much easier. I can never repay your kindness in this lifetime."

"Come to our house for meals often from now on, and you can also help your sister-in-law with laundry and mending..."

As time went by, Lu Xiao gradually realized that something was wrong.

He initially thought that Liu Sao was just inviting him to dinner as usual, hoping to find someone to talk to and relieve his loneliness and sorrow. However, as they drank, he realized that she was intentionally trying to get him to drink!

He sobered up considerably in an instant and got up to leave:

"Sister Liu, I have other things to attend to, so I won't stay any longer."

"Thank you for your hospitality today. I'll find a chance to repay you tomorrow."

"Are you leaving already?"

Aunt Liu was taken aback, then stood up, her eyes filled with reluctance:

"We haven't finished the stew yet, and you..."

"I'm planning to join the army."

Lu Xiao briefly explained his thoughts:

"Uncle Anping is in charge of conscription in the village. I'll go and have a chat with him before it gets dark."

After saying that, he smiled apologetically and went straight out the door.

Aunt Liu followed after a few steps, but stopped abruptly at the door, gripping the door frame with both hands and gazing blankly into the distance.

……

"Uncle Anping, are you busy?"

Lu Xiao arrived at the village chief's house, who was also his cousin. He saw the man chopping wood in the yard, so he smiled and walked over, intending to take the axe from him and help him.

Lu Anping was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly:

"Brother Xiao, you're a scholar, how can your precious hands do such rough work?"

"Go and rest over there. Just say what's on your mind."

"From now on, I will no longer be a scholar."

Upon hearing Lu Xiao's words, his hand froze, and after a long while, he hurriedly threw down the axe and walked to his side, his face full of surprise:

"What's wrong?"

"You're not planning to continue your studies?"

"Um."

Lu Xiao brushed the dust off the stool, nodded, and said seriously:

"With taxes and levies becoming increasingly heavy, I haven't learned anything from my studies. If I continue to study, I'm afraid I'll starve to death. So I've decided to join the army."

"Didn't the border post issue a conscription notice a couple of days ago?"

"I plan to go and take a look."

"That won't do!"

Without even thinking, Lu Anping immediately refused:

"Brother Xiao, it's not that I look down on you, but you're simply not suited for the military!"

"Look at the families in our village with someone serving in the army, which one doesn't sigh and gaze at the moon during holidays?"

"If all else fails, your uncle will provide for your food and clothing from now on, so you can focus on your studies!"

Lu Anping knew very well that the Lu family had finally produced a promising student, and they had to seize the opportunity to nurture him. They couldn't afford to squander this only hope.

Seeing Lu Xiao shake his head and smile bitterly, he continued to persuade him:

"Although your uncle and your father are not blood brothers, he has taken care of me since I was a child. He is better than anyone else in our Lu family."

"You are their only bloodline left in this world. If something goes wrong on the battlefield, how will your uncle explain it to him after he passes away?"

"Absolutely not!"

Lu Xiao remained silent, his gaze towards the other person filled with gratitude.

This uncle is one of only two relatives who are good to him. He has always treated him like his own son, so he understands the uncle's concerns.

But his determination to join the army was exceptionally firm:

"Uncle, do you think there's still a future in education in this world?"

"Take Changyang County for example. The county magistrate is a high-ranking official, right? But doesn't he still have to cater to the whims of those powerful merchants?"

"At least in the military, it's relatively fair; you can carve out your own path to success based on your own abilities!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Anping fell into a long silence. After what seemed like an eternity, he patted Lu Anping's shoulder and said in a deep voice:

"Go back and think it over carefully, then come back to talk to me tomorrow morning."

After saying that, he pushed the person out of the courtyard without further ado and waved for the guest to leave.

Helpless, Lu Xiao could only turn around and go home.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, his mind sinking into the special space in his mind containing the exquisite pagoda. He stared at the bright lamp, one and a half of which were lit, and fell into deep thought.

Today's encounter with Aunt Liu made him completely convinced of the Linglong Pagoda's implications, but he didn't want to bully the woman who had already suffered so much.

Perhaps there are other ways to ignite the "Bright Eyes Lamp"?

After fiddling with it for a while, Lu Xiao still couldn't find an answer, so he could only focus his mind, wash up, and go to sleep.

dong dong——

He had barely lain down when he heard a knock on the door, followed by Aunt Liu's soft, sweet voice from outside:

"Lu Lang, are you resting?"

"After you left, my sister-in-law thought about it for a long time and still decided to make this decision."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to give myself to you!"