Just Discharged From the Military and Got Tied Down by A Cold Beauty
Chapter 606: What is the True Nature of the Mind?

Chapter 606: Chapter 606: What is the True Nature of the Mind?

The next morning, Lu Xiao had just stepped outside when he caught the scent of food.

On the small table in the courtyard, steaming hot dishes were laid out.

Ma Ziqian and the others were already eating.

"Sect... Brother Lu, come have breakfast," Chai Tong almost blurted out "Sect Leader" upon seeing Lu Xiao, but he managed to stop himself just in time.

Lu Xiao didn’t stand on ceremony and grabbed two buns.

"Brother Lu, we’ll head out once we finish eating."

"If we continue southeast for about seventy li, we’ll reach the second checkpoint of Xuanyuan Tomb."

"We need to pick up the pace a bit, as I reckon the second trial carries the most weight of all the assessments."

Lu Xiao nodded, "What’s the second trial about?"

"I’m not sure of the format, it probably changes each time. However, it is likely to test one’s character and choices under immense pressure."

"The first time I participated, the tomb’s disciples disguised themselves as bandits for a raid."

"The second time involved battles between two groups of people, where you had to choose a side and join the fight."

"This time... I’m not sure," Ma Ziqian shook his head.

The assessments at Xuanyuan Tomb were never set in stone.

Apart from a deep ravine, the other assessments changed every time.

He had researched the past twenty years of assessments at Xuanyuan Tomb, and not once had they been repeated.

"Hey, these Lao Liu folks sure know how to keep it interesting," Lu Xiao muttered.

Next to him, Chai Tong swallowed hard; the Junior Sect Leader really did challenge everyone and everything.

If I may, Junior Sect Leader, your master actually designed these assessments.

"Well then, let’s not dawdle any longer, let’s go," Lu Xiao grabbed another couple of buns, pocketing one and stuffing the other into his mouth.

"Brother Chai, thanks for the hospitality; we shall meet again," Lu Xiao said somewhat indistinctly to Chai Tong.

Chai Tong nodded immediately, of course, there would be a next time, likely in the next few days.

You were the one who told me to get ready to head back to Xuanyuan Tomb.

...

When they left, Chai Tong even provided them with three horses, one each for Ma Ziqian and the siblings Gu Wang and Gu Xi.

Lu Xiao didn’t need one, as he had his black horse.

Brother Ma, although having sprained his leg during yesterday’s trek through the ravine, wasn’t abandoned by Lu Xiao; so what if it limped and was a bit slower? I... can handle it.

"Brother Xiao, I feel like your horse might not be able to keep up much longer," Gu Xi couldn’t help but comment after about twenty li.

Lu Xiao looked at Gu Xi, then at the black horse beneath him.

"Impossible, my Brother Ma..."

Before Lu Xiao could finish, the black horse’s front legs buckled and it knelt down with a snap.

On the horse’s back, Lu Xiao hadn’t even held onto the reins, so when the horse knelt, he plunged forward.

Luckily he reacted quickly and managed a roll forward upon hitting the ground, further sparing himself the embarrassment of a face full of dirt.

"Brother Lu, this black horse seems unable to continue, ride with me," Ma Ziqian called out as he dismounted.

Lu Xiao looked at Ma Ziqian, then at the black horse, and shook his head.

Riding the same horse as another man was more than he could bear; just thinking about bumping into each other while the horse galloped was terrifying.

"No worries, my Brother Ma has been dependable and diligent all this way. Now that it’s injured, would I abandon it and still be humane?"

"Before, Brother Ma carried me, now I shall carry Brother Ma."

Having said that, Lu Xiao lifted the black horse onto his shoulders.

With the support of Inner Qi, carrying a horse was a breeze.

Though the scene was undoubtedly a bit bizarre.

"Brother Lu... you’re definitely getting into Xuanyuan Tomb," Ma Ziqian took a deep breath and gave a thumbs up to Lu Xiao.

Look at that, what a character!

Lu Xiao is the very definition of character!

Not giving up on friends or fellow disciples signifies good character, right? Look at Brother Xiao, he won’t even give up on a horse.

He walked with it during the crossing of the ravine, and now he’s carrying it when it’s injured.

Gu Xi and Gu Wang also enthusiastically gave thumbs up to Lu Xiao; indeed, Brother Xiao was a cool guy, the likes of which they had seldom seen in their lives.