BLEACH: Blade of Purification

He probably hadn't said these words to anyone else. It was because there was no one around him who could understand, and because these were things he couldn't easily say even to his mother. Perhaps, in the young boy's heart, he already saw Ling Qing as a figure who was both a father and a friend. Therefore, these words, his thoughts, his ideals, his ambitions, could only be spoken here, and only to Ling Qing.

"I kept hesitating, wondering if I should try. After you went to Zaraki, Brother Ling Qing, I realized that just thinking, just hesitating, changes nothing. So, I tried telling my mother about it."

"And then?" Ling Qing raised an eyebrow slightly. It wasn't bad news. Knowing that much was enough to put him at ease.

Ling Qing knew that Yuishinryu had the aptitude to be a Shinigami. The simplest proof was that Yuishinryu needed to eat. Back then, the reason the Hollow he'd slain had saved Yuishinryu for last, even toying with him, wasn't because of the desperate sacrifices of his father and uncles. It was because Yuishinryu was the only one among them with the potential to be a Shinigami. In other words, his soul was the most delicious, so the Hollow had deliberately saved him to be savored at the end.

"My mother... she immediately arranged the trip for me. She said that since I want to change, since I've made my decision, I shouldn't be indecisive. Whether I succeed or fail, the most important thing is to have the courage to try. Tomorrow, I'm leaving for the Seireitei to take the entrance exam for the Shin'ō Academy."

As Yuishinryu said this, an expression of disbelief still lingered on his face. In his eyes, those were not words his gentle mother would say.

But Ling Qing could understand the sentiment. A mother's love makes her strong. Now that Yuishinryu had lost his father, his mother was his only relative and support, so she had to be strong. There was the ancient story of Mencius's mother moving three times for her son's sake. Even though Yuishinryu's mother was surely filled with reluctance and worry, she had to be decisive for her son's future.

"Isn't that great?" Ling Qing stood up and patted Yuishinryu's shoulder encouragingly.

Strangely enough, Ling Qing also felt a peculiar sense of a child having grown up. If that was the case, then his own decision, which he had been hesitant to announce, and the words he was planning to say, would probably have to change.

"And I forgot to tell you something. Your Brother Qing here is also getting ready to head to the Seireitei."

"Eh?! Really?!"

Yuishinryu had not expected Ling Qing to reply like this at all. Perhaps because Ling Qing was so strong yet had never shown any intention of going to the Seireitei, Yuishinryu had instinctively dismissed the possibility. When he heard Ling Qing say this, he subconsciously shot to his feet, his eyes wide with overjoyed surprise.

Ultimately, the reason he had been so anxious was that, for the first time in his life, he was leaving his hometown completely to go to a place that was entirely foreign to him, with no one familiar by his side. But now, things were different. Just knowing that Ling Qing would also be in the Seireitei filled Yuishinryu's heart with a sense of security.

Whether Ling Qing was a Shinigami or not had never really been important to Yuishinryu. It would be perfectly natural for Ling Qing to be a powerful Shinigami. And if Ling Qing wasn't a Shinigami, it didn't detract from his strength or his character. If he wanted to become a Shinigami, there was no way he wouldn't be able to get into the academy.

"I wouldn't lie to you," Ling Qing said with a slight smile, seeing Yuishinryu's joyous expression. He sat back down. If he hadn't reacted quickly, he might have gotten a headbutt to the chin from the boy as he stood up.

Ling Qing didn't have Yuishinryu's delicate sensibilities. Having worked for many years, he was long used to being alone and handling problems by himself. Although he had friends in his work and life, not every matter required a friend's help. Still, knowing that this kid Yuishinryu was also going to the Shin'ō Academy made him happy for him. After all, in Soul Society, being a Shinigami was an "iron rice bowl"—a stable, lifelong career that could change one's life.

"However... I'm not in such a hurry. I still have some unfinished business to take care of." He rested his thumb on his chin, his fingers covering his lips as he considered what loose ends he needed to tie up.

"But based on your travel speed... I might arrive at the Seireitei before you do."

"Ah, speaking of that!" After the initial joy, Yuishinryu quickly calmed down. After experiencing such a life-altering event, he had become much more mature.

Ling Qing's words seemed to trigger a memory. "While you were away in Zaraki, Brother Ling Qing, an unfamiliar older man came here several times asking if you were back. It seems he wants to hire you for something. If you're not in a hurry, you could wait for him. Judging by his clothes, that man looked very wealthy."

Having been born into a merchant family, he spoke of this without hesitation. Yuishinryu gave Ling Qing a sly grin. "Brother Ling Qing, you could try to make a big score! I hear that money disappears fast in the Seireitei."

Although Ling Qing had saved the only heir of the Yui family, he hadn't demanded payment for it. If he had treated saving Yuishinryu as a mere transaction, Yuishinryu's attitude toward him now would be completely different. The Yui family providing him with this temporary place to stay was considered his payment. And before that, when taking on commissions to hunt Hollows, Ling Qing had consciously earned some money for his own use.

But now...

"Well, we'll see," Ling Qing said with a wave of his hand. "If I run into him before I leave, I'll see what it's about. If not, then it just wasn't meant to be."

Making money was indeed important, but Ling Qing had never considered it the most important thing. When he clearly realized he could use his power to kill Hollows for money, Ling Qing knew that in Soul Society, power was the primary factor. On that foundation, both money and authority were likely just derivatives of power.

If he happened to meet the man before he finished his business and could make a large sum, delaying his trip for a bit to earn some extra cash wasn't out of the question. But to make him wait here for ten days or half a month, postponing his trip to the Seireitei for it, would be to lose sight of his main goal for a trivial gain.

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