The Human Emperor c1-2382

by Huangfu Qi (皇甫奇)

  Yao Feng frowned. He was displeased with the manager’s actions, but he didn’t express it blatantly.

  “Didn’t I say to allow no one to interrupt me now? ——Tell Ma Zhou to come later.”

  Yao Feng said.

  “I have already said it…”

  The manager’s voice trailed off. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to say it, “But… he has already barged in!”

  The moment those words were spoken, silence fell over the room.

  Initially, Yao Feng was just slightly displeased but after hearing those words, he couldn’t help but be infuriated. Ma Zhou was just an insignificant pawn to him. If he were to wreck such an important meeting, Yao Feng would not let him off easily.

  “Young Master, why don’t we…”

  A young man dressed in silk tried asking.

  “There’s no need!”

  Before the other party could finish his words, Yao Feng interrupted him.

  “Everyone, a small matter had propped up. I apologize for my impertinence. ——Manager Zhang, please hand this over to him. Tell him that I’ll meet him personally at the end of the gathering.”

  With a jerk of his hand, Yao Feng threw the golden token on his waist over.

  Yao Feng rarely used his token, unless something major had occurred. If Ma Zhou was wise, he should be able to understand his intentions after looking at this token.

  If he still chose to barge in even after that to ruin his opportunity, then he couldn’t blame him for being merciless!

  “Young Master Yao, why go through so much trouble? It’ll be more convenient if we just enter straight!”

  A cold sneer could be heard from beyond the doors. The door was kicked open and Wang Chong walked in.

  “Wang Chong?!”

  Upon recognizing the person walking in, Yao Feng’s entire body trembled. He couldn’t believe in his eyes. He never would have thought that this person would barge in on him.

  “Why? Young Master Yao, do you not welcome me?”

  Wang Chong smiled. He was extremely satisfied with Yao Feng’s shocked expression. Before Yao Feng could even say anything, he had already pulled out a chair next to Yao Feng and sat down on it.

  Seeing Wang Chong’s actions, Yao Feng’s eyelids twitched. He suppressed the anger in his heart and smiled in response:

  “How could that be? All that comes are my guests, and I won’t treat any of my guests rudely.”

  No matter what, he was still the son of a distinguished family. Every action of his exuded grace and magnanimity. On this aspect, few families were able to match up to him. At this moment, Wang Chong was rather impressed by him.

  It wasn’t without a cause that Yao Feng was able to become one of the leaders of the younger generation in the capital. At the very least, his attitude and disposition were something unmatched by others.

  However, it was a pity that Wang Chong’s purpose here was to cause trouble. Also, Yao Feng had yet to possess that distinguished position he had in his previous life.

  “Heh, little sister, hurry here! There is someone who wants to treat us and there is a lot of good food here! See, your brother never lies to you!”

  Without turning back, he beckoned the person behind him.

  “Really?”

  It was an immature and crisp voice. Everyone else stared in shock as a round face emerged from the wooden door behind Wang Chong. Her large eyes glimmered in curiosity as she looked around the room. Soon, her gaze fell upon the delicacies spread out over the table.

  “Waaa, you aren’t lying!”

  The young girl was awed. She stepped into the room, walked over and sat beside Wang Chong. Grabbing a fragrant chicken leg over, she started to dig in.

  She completely ignored the presence of the other guests in the room. Her young mind wasn’t able to process that much. Since her brother said that it was alright to dig in, she dug in.

  She couldn’t be bothered to think about anything else.

  “Un, delicious! This is really delicious!…”

  The Wang Family’s little sister was a person with voracious appetite. She might be of small stature, but the same could not be said about her stomach. With two or three chomps, she finished a giant piece of chicken legs. While eating, she complimented the food and the bones that emerged from her mouth were completely clean. In fact, teeth marks could be seen on it.

  The dishes of the Vast Crane Pavilion had the fragrance, outer appearance and taste befitting of a renowned restaurant in the capital. Their dishes, regardless of whether they were steamed, fried, broiled or barbecued, they were done to the point of perfection.

  Even though the food she ate at home were remarkable delicacies as well, how could they compare up to the Vast Crane Pavilion, given the amount of effort the cooks here put into the food? The little sister of the Wang Family was delighted and at this moment, the only thought that was in her mind was that her brother was a wonderful person. She unleashed her appetite and tackled the food frenziedly, filling her hands and mouth with oil

  In the short amount of time since entering the room, she had already cleared two plates. Her eating mannerism and her appetite caused Yao Feng’s eyelids to jump.

  He wasn’t bothered by the speed at which the dishes on the table was being cleared. The Vast Crane Pavilion belonged to his family and food wasn’t a problem. However, these two siblings were obviously here to cause trouble.

  If this Wang Family’s little sister were to be allowed to continue eating like that, who would be willing to dig in? At this rate, this gathering would be ruined. In fact, Yao Feng could already feel the atmosphere cooling down.

  Normally, he would just allow such a matter to slip. However, this was the first time he was approaching the various gentlemen of the capital to win their hearts, so the matter was of utmost importance to him. How could he allow these two insignificant figures ruin such a vital affair?

  “Your younger sister sure is cute! Young Master Wang, all that comes are my guests. How about this, I will play host and prepare a feast at another room for Wang gongzi, and all food and drinks are on me! How do you think of it?”

  Not a hint of displeasure could be seen on Yao Feng’s face and his actions were still calm and elegant. He tried to persuade the two of them calmly, as though oblivious to the fact that the siblings were here to wreck havoc.

  The other gentlemen seated in the room were impressed by Yao Feng’s magnanimity. Through his actions itself, much could be said about the Yao Family and their culture. It was truly a prominent family which few could match up to.

  Wang Chong had been taking in Yao Feng’s expressions and the slight twitch at the corner of the latter’s eyes couldn’t hide from his gaze. He knew that his strategy was working.

  “It is more enjoyable for us to have fun together! How can eating and drinking by oneself compare to the commotion here? I have heard that Yao gongzi is known for his magnanimity, so surely you wouldn’t mind our addition into the room?”

  How could Wang Chong be driven away that easily? It was difficult for him to enter this Vast Crane Pavilion and if he were to be easily sent away by Yao Feng’s words, wouldn’t his efforts go to vain?

  “I would like to see how much longer can you endure!”

  Wang Chong sneered coldly within. He was here to infuriate Yao Feng. Regardless of how deeply hidden the intentions of this Yao gongzi were and how tolerant he was, Wang Chong was determined to have him erupt into anger.

  Upon hearing Wang Chong words, Yao Feng’s expression finally changed. He didn’t expect Wang Chong to ignore his kind persuasion. It was clear that he was reluctant to leave.

  “Wang gongzi, if I’m not wrong, I don’t think that I have invited you here? It’s not that I am a stingy person, but I’m afraid that I would have to invite you to leave.”

  Anger had appeared in Yao Feng’s eyes.

  “Heh, I know that you didn’t invite me, but I can’t simply skip out of this gathering! Otherwise, it would
be disrespectful to Yao gongzi!”

  Wang Chong sneered coldly. He grabbed a bottle of alcohol before another guest, uncapped it and tried it. He complimented:

  “Good wine!”

  Even though Yao Feng was well-cultured, his eyelids twitched furiously in response to Wang Chong’s provocation.

  What do you mean by I didn’t invite you, but you couldn’t skip this meeting?

  Do I, Yao Feng, need your respect?

  If not in consideration of the scions of authoritative officials in the room, Yao Feng wouldn’t have been bothered to talk to a child like him and directly chased him out.

  “Ma Zhou, you bastard! To think that you brought him to me! I will skin you alive!”

  Yao Feng was filled with fury.

  He knew clearly that the youngest son of the Wang Family had never met him before, and that it was impossible for him to know what he had done. For Wang Chong and his younger sister to come knocking, that bastard Ma Zhou must have exposed him!

  However, it wasn’t the time to be pursuing this matter!

  “Wang Chong, I will ask you one last time. Do you really want to go against me?”

  Yao Feng said sharply.

  It was clear that he wouldn’t leave no matter what he said, so it was no use acting politely to him. Everyone could tell that Wang Chong was here to mess up the situation.

  “Hmph, Yao Feng, this is called an eye for an eye!”

  Wang Chong smashed the wine cup on the floor. Pah! It shattered into innumerable fragments.

  When pleasantries fail to work, one’s true intentions are be revealed!

  Immediately, the atmosphere grew tense. Even the most foolish of people could tell that the siblings’ purpose here was Yao Feng. They were intentionally trying to wreck havoc here.

  Just that, there was one thing that everyone didn’t understand. Who were these siblings, to actually dare to stand against Yao Feng? One must know that the Yao Residence possessed exceptional standing in the capital.

  “Wang Chong? You’re from the Wang Clan?”

  A sudden exclaim. A scion in the gathering had recognized Wang Chong.

  “That’s right!”

  Wang Chong replied frankly.

  Upon hearing this answer, the expressions of everyone here changed. It was no wonder that the siblings dared to stand against Yao Feng, not even buying the Yao Family’s tab. They were from the Wang Clan!

  If it was just Wang Yan, there were also many other generals in the militaristic Great Tang Empire who had positions equal to him. But in this capital, everyone knew that there was another powerful figure in the Wang Clan.

  That person was the one who was truly fearsome!

  “So it’s the descendant of Duke Jiu! Please pardon my insolence.”

  “Is your grandfather still doing well?”

  “I am from the Wei Family in the capital. Your grandfather had once helped my father, Wei Li, and he had been thinking about the matter. Young Master Wang, if possible, please help me convey the message to your grandfather that the Wei Li hopes to pay respects to him when he’s free!”

  …

  At this moment, their attitudes toward the Wang siblings changed and they became incomparably respectful toward them. The words ‘Duke Jiu’ held distinct standing in the capital, changing the standing of the Wang siblings in an instant.

  They thought that this was only a farce, but if Duke Jiu, who was in seclusion now, wanted to deal with the Yao Family, then everything would be different.

  This wasn’t something any ordinary families could get involved in!

  Throughout the entire passage, the young masters/scions/gentlemen were termed as .

  The reason why I used gongzi in speech instead of Young Master was because there’s a slight difference between the two.

  I might be wrong, but for young master, there was a slight sense of deference for the latter whereas, for gongzi (gentleman), they were more of equal standing, that they were peers. Previously, Ma Zhou had used Young Master Wang to address Wang Chong, but it was more for jokes in my perspective.

  Also, most of those in the gathering had respectable backgrounds, but it was possible that some of them might not be scions.

  Meaning, they could be scholars of the imperial examination or such, young talents to be exact.

  Thus, it’s not suitable to term them as ‘young masters’ and ‘scions’. Thus, I chose to use a vague word like ‘gentlemen’.

  It might sound weird, but that was the closest word I could get.

  Chapter 8: Wrecking Havoc at Vast Crane Pavilion

  “Young Master Yao, I suddenly recalled that I still have things to attend to. I will first take my departure!”

  “Young Master Yao, let’s gather together again some other time!”

  …

  After some pleasantries, a scion stood up and left. Soon, more and more people followed suit.

  Yao Feng’s face steeled. Soon, his face became as dark as the bottom of a pot. The reason why he had been keeping his anger in check was to persuade Brother Wang Chong to leave peacefully without alarming the others.

  Yet, his efforts still ended in failure. This gathering that he had put together with much effort was forcefully destroyed by this sibling pair.

  Even though these people said that they were interested in gathering together another time, Yao Feng knew that they were all talk. They have already caught the ‘scent’ of something deeper and for a period of time, they would try all means to steer clear of him.

  “Wang Chong, since you two don’t want to leave, then stay here for all eternity! Men, take them down! I would like to see what the Wang Clan has to say about this!”

  Wrath shot forth from Yao Feng’s eyes. He slammed the table and stood up.

  “Boom!”

  With a gust of wind, the two guards of Yao Family, who were already awaiting commands from beyond the door, barged in. They had towering physiques and a savage expression hung on their faces. Without saying a word, their hands assumed the shape of an eagle’s claws and they charged right as Wang Chong and Wang Xiao Yao!

  The movements of the two were agile and fluid. It was clear that they were from the army; their moves were from the standard techniques imparted in the barracks for capturing an enemy alive.

  This technique was aimed at locking one’s shoulders. If Wang Chong and his sister were to be caught in their attack, they would definitely suffer greatly.

  “Little sister, do it!”

  Sensing danger, Wang Chong howled loudly.

  He had made his youngster sister promise not to attack anyone without his permission. Even when dealing with Ma Zhou, he didn’t allow her to make a move. However, he didn’t hesitate at this moment and gave her the permission to act as she pleased.

  The two guards of the Yao Family were extremely swift. In the blink of an eye, right after Wang Chong’s voice sounded, the little sister of the Wang Family moved!

  Kacha! No one knew how she did it, but with the crisp sound of a bone breaking, the first guard of the Yao Family screamed in agony and knelt to the floor. His left palm was bent to a bizarre angle backward.

  The fate of the second guard was even worse. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he was sent flying backward as though a kite whose string was cut. Boom, his body crashed through the wall and he flew out of the building, leaving a giant hole in his wake.

  In a blink of an eye, the battle had already ended! The Wang Family’s little sister was still standing on the table with a chicken leg in her oily hands.

  Silence!

  The entire room was silent!

  Shock showed through Yao Feng’s eyes, and the others took it even worse. No one could have imagined that such massive strength could be harnessed within the small body.

  The two well-trained guards of the Yao Family were unable to withstand a single blow from her. It was a complete defeat!

  Deng deng deng!

  The few guests who sat close to the little sister of t
he Wang Family subconsciously retreated and fear could be seen in their eyes.

  “Too scary! How can she possess such fearsome strength?”

  “I probably will die if that fist were to land on me. How can a ten-year-old girl be so scary?”

  “The guards of the Yao Family are all elites! If I didn’t witness this sight myself, I would have never believed it possible!”

  …

  Everyone left in the room was dumbfounded. Countless people sparred in the capital every day, but none of which was as shocking as the strength which that ten-year-old girl just displayed!

  “I will beat to death anyone who dares to hurt my brother!”

  The little sister of the Wang Clan sat on the table and glared at the others with widened eyes. Even though she looked delicate and young, who would dare to underestimate her now?

  “Well done!”

  Wang Chong was delighted and he secretly shot her a thumbs up. As expected of the ‘number one expert of the Wang Clan’! It was exactly as he remembered it. Even though she often slacked off, her talent was still much too incredible for average people to match up with her.

  Her blows had no techniques whatsoever behind it, but her incredible strength and reaction speed still made it easy to wreck these guards of the Yao Family.

  “Yao Feng, my apologies. You aren’t enough to deal with us siblings!”

  Wang Chong added oil to the fire and sneered coldly at Yao Feng.

  “Audacious! Take them down!”

  Yao Feng flew into a rage. Agitated by Wang Chong, his entire body was convulsing rapidly.

  For the elites of Yao Residence to be unable to defeat a little girl, the reputation of the Yao Family would be tarnished if word were to spread out. The gathering might have been ruined, but he had to capture the Wang siblings to uphold the dignity of the Yao Clan.

  After which, he would march to the Wang Clan to hold them accountable for whatever that happened.

  Boom! The moment Yao Feng raised his hands, four experts from the Yao Residence made their moves at the same time. In terms of cultivation realm, these four were much stronger than the other two whom the little girl crushed previously.

  If they were unable to take them down with this, the reputation of the Yao Clan would really go down the gutters.