“Your smile is so sweet, it melts my heart.”
Li Xin was utterly charmed by that smile. Unable to resist, she reached out and gently pinched Bai Xi’s soft cheek, laughing along with her.
“Why did you decide to become a Knight? You look so gentle—I’d worry you might get bullied. How did your family elders even agree to let you become a Knight?”
“Back then, my family didn’t want me to become a Knight either. They insisted I become a Priest or a Mage instead. They kept saying things like ‘wielding a heavy sword isn’t ladylike’—it gave me such a headache.”
“But what could they do? I didn’t want that! I only wanted to be a Knight, so I became one. Even now, I still believe I made the right choice.”
Li Xin chattered away for a while before finally pausing.
In good spirits, Bai Xi answered each of her questions one by one.
“Chenchen is a Knight, so I want to be one too, just like him.”
Perhaps this was the stubbornness shared between twins—they often ended up liking the same things.
“As for getting bullied, Sister, I think I’ll be the one doing the bullying.”
“My mother respects our choices very much. She supports us unconditionally—she’s the best mother in the world.”
“Hahaha, that’s wonderful. It’s nice that you siblings have each other for company.”
Since Long Haochen was the older brother, Li Xin was about to suggest that he protect Bai Xi. But when she caught sight of Long Haochen’s strikingly beautiful, almost feminine face, she fell silent for a moment.
These two siblings… both looked like they’d be easy to pick on.
“Forget it. From now on, I’ll be the one looking out for both of you.”
Just as they were talking, the person Long Haochen and his sister had come to find finally arrived.
Nalan Shu, the Hall Master of the Hazy Moon Branch Hall—a burly, eight-foot-tall man whose large build made him look almost like a giant ball.
Li Xin first teased the Hall Master out of habit, then explained one of the reasons for their visit.
To deliver a letter.
“What letter? Let me see it.”
It was a letter written by Long Xingyu. Only he and Hall Master Nalan, who was now reading it, knew what it said.
But judging by Hall Master Nalan’s reaction upon seeing the letter, it was clear to everyone present that Long Xingyu was no ordinary person.
Long Xingyu had sent them here to take the Squire assessment.
However, Hall Master Nalan was visibly surprised when he saw Bai Xi. If not for the special status of the letter’s sender, he might have suspected he was being pranked.
“So you’re Bai Xi, the one Lord Xingyu mentioned? How old are you?”
She looked so young… and she was a girl, too.
Could she really pass the Squire assessment, not to mention the additional test?
“I’m Bai Xi. I’m ten years old, just like him.”
Bai Xi was already used to Nalan Shu’s surprise. She had seen this kind of prejudiced look far too many times.
Though it displeased her, she knew she couldn’t change such biases—not yet, at least.
“Ten years old?”
Li Xin couldn’t help exclaiming in surprise. That was much younger than she had expected.
She began to worry whether they could even pass the Squire assessment. If they failed, how could she comfort them without dampening their confidence?
“Then let the assessment begin. Use the swords in your hands and strike this black stone pillar with all your strength.”
After Nalan Shu finished speaking, Long Haochen stepped forward first, as was customary.
“133.”
That was the number Long Haochen’s test produced—a result that left both Nalan Shu and Li Xin astonished.
“Second rank, third level. You’re late for this test.”
Nalan Shu remarked. With Spiritual Power just over 100, one would already qualify as a second-rank Squire.
As for Li Xin, she was both astonished and disheartened by the number.
Could it be that boys truly possessed an insurmountable natural talent in the path of the Knight?
Back in her day, at the age of thirteen, she had become the most talented Knight in the Hazy Moon Branch Hall with Spiritual Power just over 100.
But now, with Long Haochen’s arrival, he had surpassed her in every aspect.
“Xi Xi, it’s your turn.”
Long Haochen suppressed the joy in his heart and reminded Bai Xi.
Bai Xi nodded, imitating Long Haochen’s movements, raised her sword, and struck the stone pillar.
A faint blue glow lit up, revealing a number.
“132.”
“Excellent!”
At the sight of this number, Li Xin cheered loudly.
Her outburst drew the attention of the other three, but she only straightened her posture, her triumphant expression growing even more evident.
Among the four, Li Xin was indeed the happiest.
After choosing the path of the Knight, she had endured countless scornful looks and mockery. Only she knew the hardships she had faced.
Now, seeing Bai Xi, who was clearly exceptionally talented, how could Li Xin not be overjoyed? She could already envision Bai Xi surpassing a whole group of arrogant male Knights in the future.
She, too, could finally hold her head high. Who said there couldn’t be powerful female Knights?
Nalan Shu glanced at the number on the stone pillar, then at the letter in his hand, and couldn’t help but wonder if it contained a mistake.
“Arrange for them to challenge Knights. Let Long Haochen challenge first. After Long Haochen succeeds, assign a Knight with Spiritual Power one level higher for Bai Xi to challenge. Do not disclose the Spiritual Power level of the challenged Knight before the match.”
He couldn’t understand the meaning behind these words.
From every angle, Long Haochen’s strength seemed superior. Why, then, was Bai Xi assigned to challenge a stronger Knight?
“Could it be that Lord Xingyu dislikes this Bai Xi and wants to make things difficult for her, to hinder her Squire assessment?”
“That shouldn’t be the case!”
Nalan Shu couldn’t figure it out.
But at that moment, Long Haochen spoke up, “Does this mean we’ve passed the Squire assessment?”
“Technically, yes, you have passed.”
Nalan Shu snapped back to reality and replied. As soon as he said this, it was clear there was a “but” to follow.
“But Lord Xingyu mentioned in the letter that I should arrange for two actual Knights for you to challenge separately. You must withstand their attacks for at least a quarter of an hour to pass the assessment.”
As expected, there was no good intention behind this.
Having Squires challenge Knights—such an arrangement could only come from Long Xingyu.
“I’ll go first. Please arrange for a Knight.”
Long Haochen still intended to take the lead and suggested changing the venue.
“However, let’s move to a more spacious area. This place isn’t quite suitable.”
This space wasn’t enough for them to fully demonstrate their abilities, especially for Bai Xi.
“Very well, let’s head to the training ground. As for your opponents—”
“Me, me, me! I happen to be a Knight!”
Li Xin excitedly raised her hand, eager to participate.
But she couldn’t bring herself to fight Bai Xi, so she turned her gaze to Long Haochen.
“Haochen, how about I spar with you?”
Long Haochen nodded. To him, it made little difference, and he didn’t want to refuse Li Xin’s goodwill.
Since they had already agreed, Nalan Shu had nothing more to say. He led the group toward the training ground and instructed someone to summon a few Knights to join them.
“Be mindful of your limits.”
Before the match, Nalan Shu gave Li Xin some instructions. Although the duel was arranged according to Long Xingyu’s orders, he still felt somewhat uneasy about potentially injuring someone.
But after glancing at the Squires and Knights crowding around to watch the match,
Nalan Shu felt a chill run down his spine.