Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 444 Then, you won’t have to use the last name Huo anymore! [2 updates]

Chapter 444: 444 Then, you won’t have to use the last name Huo anymore! [2 updates]

The spear had been one of Shenzhou’s ancient weapons, and martial arts involving spears were numerous. But for thousands of years, only the Divine Strategy Spear Technique remained firmly seated as the paramount discipline.

Shenzhou Martial Arts were vast and profound. Naturally, there were distinctions between the basic and the advanced, and advanced martial arts could enable the martial artist to exert greater power even at the same level of Inner Strength.

Could there still be laymen daring to question the Divine Strategy Spear Technique?

"Do you even know what ’Divine Strategy’ is, or what a spear is?" the young man was unable to suppress his fury, "You think you’re so knowledgeable, then come on! Can you do it, huh?"

"Forget it, Brother Jingping. Look at her delicate appearance, she probably can’t even lift a spear, let alone know how to use it."

"Only those who know the craft appreciate the nuances. Laymen are just onlookers who enjoy the spectacle."

"Did you see that? She’s wearing a cheongsam; could she be here for Young Master Yun Ling? But she’s out of luck—after Yun Ling returned to the Huo Family yesterday, he went back to the Cold Hidden Temple. She’s come here for nothing."

"Masked too, is she someone we can’t see? And she’s got a pretty boy beside her. What kinds of people are showing up at our Huo Family now..."

The other young people whispered and pointed fingers at Ye Wanlan.

Yan Tingfeng’s expression remained unchanged, he coldly said, "Noisy."

At that moment, Xiang Shaoyu’s call came through: "Brother Yan, Miss Ye, you’re still at the Training Ground, right? I’ve met up with Yun Yi and am on my way to find you."

"Tingting, let’s go." Ye Wanlan turned around, "There’s no need."

Spending time on these people felt like a waste to her.

Some were beyond help.

"Hmph." Huo Jingping sneered, folding his arms across his chest, "Good you know fear."

Yan Tingfeng and Ye Wanlan left the Training Ground and just happened to meet Xiang Shaoyu and Huo Yunyi in the garden.

"Miss Ye, this..." Xiang Shaoyu observed her expressions, "Did you encounter some unpleasant matters? Just say it, Yun Yi is here."

"It’s not truly unpleasant." Ye Wanlan had not yet answered when Yan Tingfeng nonchalantly recounted the previous events, concluding, "We just met a few who insulted the legacy of the Divine Strategy."

A simple "that’s all," yet it made Xiang Shaoyu’s heart skip a beat, "Brother Yan—"

"I understand." Huo Yunyi suddenly spoke up, "Please wait a moment, I will be right back."

He strode out of the garden towards the Training Ground.

"Those idle young Masters have poked the hornet’s nest," said Xiang Shaoyu, "Even though Yun Yi hasn’t been home for a long time, his authority remains unshakable."

Ye Wanlan hummed in agreement: "Fortunately, those individuals aren’t the pillars of the Huo Family."

Otherwise, the Huo Family would have long since decayed.

Meanwhile, on the Training Ground—

"What are you all doing here?!"

A cold reprimand halted the conversation among the young people.

They were about to see who dared to make such a bold statement when, at the sight of the newcomer, their legs turned to jelly.

"Yun, Yun Yi... Young Master..." someone finally stammered out after a moment.

They might share the surname Huo, but as collateral relatives, they had no right to address Huo Yunyi as ’big brother’—only with the respectful title of ’Young Master’ could they speak to him.

Why would Huo Yunyi come to the Training Ground at this time?

Huo Jingping, previously so brazen, also shivered; his earlier haughtiness now gone.

His forehead and back were sweating profusely.

In front of others, he could pretend and swagger about.

But in front of Huo Yunyi, the recognized next Family Head of the Huo Family, not even a vain display of skill was sufficient—it was merely ludicrous mimicry.

"Extra training for everyone! Without my permission, none may leave the Training Ground," Huo Yunyi’s gaze was icy, "All this noise and laughter—if war comes one day, are you planning to dance before the enemy?"

...

Silence fell over the ground.

The chastised Huo Family members all lowered their heads, neither daring to speak nor show anger.

"Also, who just left his spear on the ground?" Huo Yunyi demanded, "Step forward!"

Huo Jingping’s legs were already weak, and this command nearly floored him, but of course, he couldn’t hide. Struggling to move his legs, he stepped forward: "Yun, Yun Yi Young Master, I..."

"Spear is not merely a weapon for those of the Divine Strategy Military, but also a brother that stands with us in defending Shenzhou," Huo Yunyi said coldly, "Is this how you treat your brother by throwing it on the ground? Without your spear, what are you?"

Huo Jingping’s face turned beet red, the familiar words causing an unprecedented humiliation and embarrassment to overwhelm him. The many eyes upon him felt like needles on his back.

"Think you’re very capable? Think that just because you bear the Huo surname, you can do whatever you wish?" Huo Yunyi grabbed Huo Jingping by the arm, his voice as cold as ice, "Stripped of the surname Huo—since you wield the Huo name to act arrogantly, from now on, you no longer bear it!"

"!"

At the scene, the other youths were all startled.

None of them had expected that such a trivial matter would lead to Huo Yunyi stripping Huo Jingping of the Huo surname.

Such a punishment was more unbearable than killing Huo Jingping.

"Son Yunyi!" Huo Jingping suddenly raised his head, his lips trembling, "I was wrong, I won’t dare again, please forgive me."

Huo Yunyi showed no mercy, "Go to solitary confinement!"

After dealing with the situation, he left the training ground without looking back.

Huo Jingping knelt on the ground, dazed, until two guards took him away.

"..."

The training ground grew silent once more, and the other youths extinguished their anger, restarting their martial training.

They all knew that Huo Yunyi’s actions were a warning to others.

"Son Yunyi is too harsh, in this peaceful era, when will it ever be our turn to go to battle?"

"Son Yunling is better, he never scolds us and doesn’t bother with such matters."

"Alas, it’s a pity that Son Yunling has become a monk, otherwise the position of the next family head would still be uncertain—"

"Shush, keep it down!"

"Ah, today was really unlucky..."

**

In Huo Yunyi’s courtyard.

Four people sat by the spring, with refreshments laid out on the stone table.

"Miss Ye, I am deeply sorry." Huo Yunyi slowly exhaled, closing his eyes, "I am sorry for what you have encountered on your first visit to the Huo Family due to my lack of discipline, I... truly am..."

He clenched his fist, the veins on his arm showing.

"Son Yunyi, you shouldn’t blame yourself; naturally, you can’t make nearly ten thousand people in the Huo Family develop as you desire." Ye Wanlan smiled faintly, "Besides, such situations are not unique to the Huo Family."

Hearing this, both Xiang Shaoyu and Huo Yunyi’s expressions changed.

Indeed.

The larger the family, the greater the variety of people it contained.

"Many say that my talents can be compared to Marshal Huo." Huo Yunyi couldn’t help but bitterly smile, "Yet Marshal Huo managed to unite eight thousand men of the Divine Strategy Army to protect Shenzhou together, whereas I... how can I compare with Marshal Huo."

Xiang Shaoyu comforted him, "At least people say your talents can compare with an ancestor, which means you truly have strength. Look at me, who dares to say that my talents are on par with Princess Yongning and the King of Yan?"

Huo Yunyi: "..."

Three seconds later, he slowly began, "Then you truly don’t measure up."

Xiang Shaoyu: "?"

He had kindly comforted Huo Yunyi, thinking of him, and Huo Yunyi just kicked him into the ditch?

He was angry.

"However, this incident has reminded me, I must begin to rectify the Huo Family." Huo Yunyi stated, "Not long ago, Shaoyu spoke to me, saying that in the future, a battle involving tens of thousands of soldiers is very likely, and we cannot afford to lose."

Ye Wanlan’s gaze grew sharp, "We can’t afford to lose, indeed."

Whether for the current state of Shenzhou, or in memory of those soldiers who died for Shenzhou a hundred years ago, they could not lose.

"Miss Ye." Huo Yunyi gave her a slight nod, "Thank you for finding Marshal Huo’s remains and the Divine Might Spear; the Great Elder has spoken highly of you many times, and today I had the honor to meet you."

"A pleasure." Ye Wanlan smiled, "Son Yunyi, your reputation is well deserved."

Huo Yunyi continued, "The Great Elder has always wanted to thank you, but wasn’t sure how to repay you."

"There’s no need," Ye Wanlan shook her head slightly, "I too greatly respect Marshal Huo, who died for Shenzhou."

"No, Miss Ye may not need it, but we must give something." Huo Yunyi revealed a faint, yet handsome smile, "I heard from Shaoyu that you enjoy calligraphy and painting. I just happen to have something here that might interest you."

He then turned back to the house, and after a few minutes, he came out with a box.

Huo Yunyi placed the box on the stone table and opened it.

Unexpectedly, inside was a set of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - antiques that had seen years pass.

Ye Wanlan’s pupils suddenly constricted.