Keeping People Away

“I’ve heard of it.”

Xie Shenhong was captivated by the pair of crimson pistols, only snapping back to reality after a considerable moment.

The Crimson Hawk.

This was not the name of the guns themselves, but rather the moniker of a hero from five years ago, when the Vermillion Kingdom unified the old territories of the Four Nations.

It was largely due to him that the Vermillion Kingdom had managed to conquer the eastern Sakura Nation at an exceptionally low cost.

“Are these guns connected to that hero?”

“Indeed. And there’s something else I only learned today… It’s said that hero was merely twelve years old at the time.”

“What?!”

Xie Shenhong’s eyes widened involuntarily in shock.

Rumor had it that the hero had defeated a peak Martial Lord from the Sakura Nation. It was worth noting that, setting Hai Zhu aside, Duanmu Yun was currently the strongest individual within the Vermillion Kingdom, also a peak Martial Lord.

To defeat an existence on par with Duanmu Yun, as a mere mortal?

And a twelve-year-old child, no less?

Xie Shenhong found it utterly inconceivable.

“This information comes from Senior Qinglong, so it should be accurate. However, these aren’t the weapons he used to defeat the Sakura Nation’s general.”

Xie Shenhong nodded subtly. A weapon capable of allowing a common person to defeat a Martial Lord would never be kept in such a place.

“So these were his everyday weapons?”

“Precisely. Although they can only fire seven shots consecutively, followed by a one-minute cooldown, each magic bullet possesses the power of a peak Silver-tier.”

Xie Shenhong couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.

While it might seem like only one tier higher, even an ordinary member of the Deep Crimson Knights possessed strength at the peak Silver-tier level.

Moreover, any tier crowned with the term ‘peak’ implied the potential to transcend their current rank.

In other words, these were weapons that could enable a magic-less individual to pose a threat to a Gold-tier practitioner.

This was truly terrifying, with perhaps only one potential drawback—

“These pistols don’t use ordinary magic stones, do they?”

The storage capacity and magical output of magic stones were inherently limited; a magic stone containing Gold-tier magical energy often only delivered Bronze-tier output.

To instantly unleash peak Silver-tier magic, and from a volume small enough to fit inside a pistol… to call them priceless would be an understatement.

“They are infinitely regenerating magic stones.”

“I cannot accept this.”

Xie Shenhong declared immediately.

An infinite magic stone with at least the magical energy of a Martial Lord… this was already a national treasure.

Furthermore, with such unlimited power, wouldn’t it be better used by others than by him?

“Senior Qinglong said that if you don’t take them, he’ll just put them away and let them gather dust in storage.”

How could Xie Shenhong fail to understand the implication? He instantly bristled with anger.

“Have you forgotten something? I’ve already stated I don’t want to rely on the power of the Duanmu or Dongfang families!”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Lyte replied with a serious expression. “But as I said before, if you can’t refuse, then don’t waste it.”

“It would be a waste if *I* used them, do you understand?!”

“I don’t believe that. Firstly, this is precisely the power you need. Secondly, with this power, you’ll be able to protect yourself more effectively, and both the Duanmu and Dongfang families won’t have to constantly worry about you. This will indirectly allow them to focus on their own work with greater peace of mind, and the kingdom will benefit as well…”

Xie Shenhong didn’t fully absorb Lyte’s words.

Halfway through, he understood why such precious items were being offered to him.

It was because he could transform into Hai Zhu.

It was because he, a person of such immense importance, was ordinarily just a magic-less individual.

If he died, everything would be lost.

To protect him, their ‘charging treasure,’ these pistols were essential.

Nothing more, nothing less.

“I understand,” Xie Shenhong said, a desolate smile gracing his lips. “I will accept them.”

“That’s good… I must say, you truly are fortunate.”

“Indeed.”

For once, Xie Shenhong found himself in complete agreement with Lyte.

“Do you resent this fortune?”

“How could I?”

Xie Shenhong smiled forlornly.

Leaving everything else aside, possessing these crimson pistols in this life, and being able to transform into the Hai Zhu puppet… he was vastly stronger than in his previous life.

Such fortune was precisely what he had yearned for… it *should* have been exactly what he wanted.

So why couldn’t he feel even a sliver of happiness?

“Are you unwilling to accept it? Do you feel this fortune came too easily, or that you don’t deserve it…”

“Shut up…” Even Xie Shenhong’s voice, as he rebuked Lyte, had grown weak.

This was solely because he genuinely felt he didn’t deserve such treatment from Duanmu Yun and Dongfang Qinglong.

What deserved it was merely his ‘charging treasure’ ability.

Not ‘him’ as a person.

But what he had always desired was never—

“So, have you ever considered making more people as fortunate as you?”

“What do you mean?”

Xie Shenhong lifted his head, a blank expression on his face.

He saw only the blond, blue-eyed youth, and his perpetually faint smile.

A smile imbued with encouragement, affirmation, understanding… and hope.

“Would you like to join the Deep Crimson Knights?”

****

Lyte handed Xie Shenhong the already prepared application form for the Knights.

“I’ve always believed that since we’ve received an abundance of fortune and excessive help from others, what we *should* do isn’t to wallow in feelings of guilt or resentment, nor to resort to rejection or evasion. Instead, we ought to strive to improve ourselves, to accomplish more, and to make others feel that we truly deserve this fortune… wouldn’t you agree?”

Xie Shenhong slowly extended his hand and accepted the application form.

“Can I truly… achieve this?”

“To be honest, it will be difficult. As a magic-less individual, you certainly won’t pass the rank assessment. Your only path is to achieve significant enough accomplishments to be granted an exceptional admission.”

Lyte stated this without reservation.

“I can temporarily appoint you as my ‘Knight’s Squire,’ to assist me in missions. Yes, this is undeniably taking a shortcut, but—”

Shifting his tone, Lyte offered a gentle, sun-like smile.

“If you succeed, you’ll be able to earn others’ respect purely through your own identity, without relying on anyone else.”

Indeed, let alone within the Four Nations Academy.

Even outside, the uniform of the Deep Crimson Knights served as the ultimate testament to one’s capabilities.

‘Why me? Why choose me? Why help me?’—such words would no longer pass Xie Shenhong’s lips.

Even if Lyte’s true intention was to utilize him for some purpose, at this moment, all Xie Shenhong could do was—

His gaze shifted to the box containing the crimson pistols.

Xie Shenhong extended his hand.

From an initial slight tremor, his movement grew decisive, finally culminating in a firm, steady grasp.

An inexplicable sense of familiarity washed over him.

It was as if he had wielded these pistols countless times before.

As if they were, by nature, his very own wings.

As if he could, with them, soar to unimaginable heights!

This was no mere suitability.

It was a connection on a soul-deep level.

Hed took a deep breath, then looked at the blond youth and declared:

“I will definitely achieve it.”

“Go for it!”

For this single moment, Xie Shenhong forgot all hatred and aversion, and spoke the purest thought in his heart with genuine sincerity:

“Mm, thank you.”

****

Seeing that beautiful, adorable face bloom with a truly happy smile for the first time,

Lyte couldn’t help but smile with relief and contentment.

‘It truly is wonderful that I came to this country…’

His thoughts drifted back five years, finally settling on the scene unfolding before him.

‘I must protect this beauty.’

‘I must protect this country.’

‘I must stop those who seek to destroy this beauty… like those so-called “loyal subjects” whose mouths are full of rhetoric about the nation.’