Chapter 25: A New Avatar

"Brother Jin! Brother Bao!"

"I heard the Imperial Guard had changed shifts, so I came over to take a look. I never expected to actually run into both of you!"

Su Lian spoke excitedly as soon as she approached. Liang Jin looked her over and asked, "It seems like life has been treating you well lately."

Su Lian was glowing, free of the exhaustion she once carried. Previously, her work in the laundry had left the hem of her skirt perpetually stained with mud and damp. Now, however, her skirt was clean and dry.

Su Lian said proudly, "Of course! I’m the favorite person by the Auntie’s side now! I don’t even have to wash clothes anymore. I just pull up a small stool and act as a supervisor every day—you have no idea how relaxing it is!"

Seeing Su Lian happy brought comfort to Liang Jin and Zhao Bao. Just as Zhao Bao was about to speak, Su Lian changed the subject.

"But come to think of it, I suppose this is all thanks to Brother Jin’s help, right? It was you who entrusted someone to deliver medicine to the Auntie’s family back home, wasn't it?"

Liang Jin smiled and did not deny it. As long as it was within his power to help Zhao Bao and Su Lian, he would never hesitate.

Su Lian lifted a food box. "That’s why I specifically brought these osmanthus cakes from the Auntie today to thank Brother Jin. Brother Bao, you should have some too."

"Wait? Brother Bao, your clothes... these look like the uniform of the Zongwu Prefecture. Brother Bao, did you become a martial artist and join the Zongwu Prefecture?"

"Wow! Congratulations!"

Seeing that the two had finally noticed his change, Zhao Bao stood tall, showing off his new attire. It was clear that he took great pride in all of this.

"Little Lian, how is it? Do I look sharp?" Zhao Bao smiled, then his expression turned earnest. "But my entry into the Zongwu Prefecture is also entirely thanks to Brother Jin’s help."

As he spoke, his gaze toward Liang Jin was filled with gratitude. Liang Jin laughed and said, "Alright, let's hurry up and taste the osmanthus cakes Little Lian brought."

The three of them opened the food box and began to eat together. They chatted as they ate, no longer feeling the rush they once had. After all, neither Zhao Bao nor Su Lian had superiors constantly forcing them to work anymore, so they had a bit more leisure time. It had been a long time since the three of them had enjoyed such a long, happy conversation.

After a while, Su Lian stood up. "I have to head back. Brother Jin, Brother Bao, let's talk again another day."

With that, she left happily.

***

After Su Lian left, only Liang Jin and Zhao Bao remained. Zhao Bao looked conflicted. Finally, gritting his teeth, he suddenly fell to his knees in front of Liang Jin with a heavy thud.

"Brother Jin, I have failed you."

"But I truly had no other choice. I want to climb higher, and I don't want to be bullied anymore. Please, beat me or scold me!"

Liang Jin was slightly puzzled. He reached out to help Zhao Bao up, but Zhao Bao refused to budge. Liang Jin had no choice but to say sternly, "Stand up! Tell me clearly what is going on."

Zhao Bao rose to his feet but kept his head bowed low, answering in a hushed voice: "Brother Jin, I gave the *Manual of Bone-Melting Palm* that you gave me to Li Dafu, the manager of the Zongwu Prefecture, so that he would take me on as his foster son."

"I was blinded by my desires at the time, and only after I did it did I realize how much I had betrayed you."

Zhao Bao was filled with immense shame. Liang Jin had been so good to him, yet in his pursuit of a backer, he had been blinded by greed and betrayed Liang Jin’s trust. He didn't dare to meet Liang Jin’s eyes.

Liang Jin frowned slightly. "Does anyone else know that the *Bone-Melting Palm* came from me?"

A manual that didn't suit him was one thing—if Zhao Bao gave it away, it wasn't a major issue. But if this matter implicated him, the problem would be significant.

Zhao Bao hurriedly shook his head. "Li Dafu asked me, but Brother Jin, rest assured, I only told him it was an ancestral heirloom. I absolutely did not say it came from you. Please believe me, I would rather die than betray you!"

Hearing this, Liang Jin felt slightly relieved. He looked at Zhao Bao, shaking his head inwardly. Zhao Bao was no longer the naive boy he once was; he had learned to trade manuals to secure a godfather. Liang Jin did not know what hardships Zhao Bao had endured, so he would not lecture him on virtue. However, since Zhao Bao regarded him as a brother, Liang Jin could not simply ignore the situation.

"To a martial artist, the rarer a manual is, the more precious it becomes. To put it bluntly, your life in this palace is worth very little. Zhao Bao, by rashly gifting this manual, you may not necessarily reap the benefits you expect," Liang Jin said.

Zhao Bao’s status was too lowly—so lowly that someone could simply kill him to keep the manual for themselves. This was Liang Jin’s greatest concern.

Zhao Bao replied, "Brother Jin, I understand that logic. That is precisely why I chose Li Dafu, who has the best reputation in the palace. He has always been known as a great philanthropist."

***

"So you see, not only did he not kill me, but he even took me in as his foster son."

Liang Jin shook his head slightly. "In this imperial palace, I do not believe in true philanthropists. Those who value their reputation are bound by the benefits of that reputation. Li Dafu is likely constrained by his image as a 'good man' and finds it inconvenient to act personally. In any case, you must be careful and cautious in everything you do; do not give others an excuse. Regarding Li Dafu, you must keep your guard up at all times."

At first, Zhao Bao thought Liang Jin was being a bit nagging. But upon deeper reflection, he realized Liang Jin’s words held truth.

Zhao Bao nodded. "Brother Jin, I will keep your words in my heart. In the coming days, I will begin training at the Zongwu Prefecture, and I expect it will be a long time before I can come to see you again. While I am away, please take care of yourself, and look after Little Lian as well."

Liang Jin nodded. Given their relationship, he would naturally help whenever any of them faced difficulties.

Zhao Bao turned to leave, but after two steps, he turned back. His nose was slightly red.

"I have failed you, Brother Jin, yet you have not uttered a single word of reproach. This makes me feel..."

"I, Zhao Bao, never had a brother, but fortunately, I met you, Brother Jin. Thank you for not looking down on me and treating me like a younger brother. I regard you as my elder brother as well!"

"Brother Jin, please accept a bow from me."

With that, Zhao Bao bowed deeply. He was not one to express his feelings easily, but today, overcome with emotion, he could not hold back and spoke his heart. Liang Jin’s kindness was as heavy as a mountain, yet he had nothing to repay him with. This left Zhao Bao feeling both touched and increasingly ashamed. He swore to himself: if one day he were to rise to greatness, he would never forget Brother Jin’s grace.

After the bow, Zhao Bao turned and left. Liang Jin watched his retreating figure and sighed softly.

At that moment, it was time to sign in. Liang Jin did so without hesitation.

[Congratulations to the host for signing in for two consecutive months. You have obtained a second external avatar.]

[External Avatar: Manifest holiness before the masses, save the common people.]

[Destination for this manifestation: Dingfeng City.]

[Trait obtained by this external avatar: Thousand-Mile Tracking.]

[Random deployment of the avatar is imminent...]