…
Loneliness, incomparable loneliness!
That was what Wang Chong felt then. Even though he gave it his all, he was unable to reverse the ultimate fate that awaited the Great Tang and the entire Central Plains.
The pain permeated deeply into his bones, and if it was a wound, he would have been dyed completely scarlet…
And the source of it all lies here!
“His Majesty will be arriving later, I have to give this matter some thought before reporting it. Chong-er, you should take your leave first. Brothers, you all should rest as well!”
At the top of the hall, the old master suddenly spoke.
As a retired minister of the Great Tang, the old master weathered through all kinds of storms, and there was rarely anything that could agitate him.
But at this moment, everyone could clearly hear a slight quiver in the old master’s calm voice. Indubitably, his agitation has already reached his very core.
Everyone could catch the scent of an incoming storm!
With the current standing of the old master, every single word he said and every single action he made could generate huge tremors in the royal court.
The old master rarely interfered in the matters of the royal court, but when he did, the entire royal court would move.
“Grandfather, I’ll be taking my leave then!”
Wang Chong stood up and bowed. There was nothing else he could d0.
Regardless of the results, he has already given his best for this matter.
“Wait a moment, Young Master Chong!”
Just as Wang Chong prepared to leave the conference hall, one of the old subordinates who had remained silent the entire time stood up from his seat.
“Elder, what’s wrong?”
Wang Chong turned around in surprise.
“Hahaha, Sheng Jie, come here! Hurry up and greet Young Master Chong!”
The white-haired elder smiled as the beckoned to the person behind him.
“Elder Sun! …”
Wang Chong was taken aback for a moment before he realized what was going on. Delight gushed through his heart. The old subordinates of his grandfather would often bring their offsprings to the Four Quarters Embassy to meet grandfather. This was a sign of respect, as well as a mean to maintain their partnership.
By allowing these offsprings to meet Duke Jiu, their partnership could be passed down to the next generation.
Even so, these old subordinates of grandfather wouldn’t allow their offsprings to come into contact with any Wang Clan member other than the old master.
When the old master and his subordinates reminisce the past, they would listen obediently by the side, not speaking a word. Regardless of whether it was with his elder brother, second brother, or Cousin Wang Li… They never had any interactions with them.
But now, grandfather’s old subordinate, ‘Elder Sun’, actually brought his grandson to greet him! This was something that had never happened before!
Wang Chong understood the meaning behind this simple gesture. It was a mark of submission and loyalty.
Elder Sun was trying to have his grandson submit and pledge his loyalty to him. In the future, when the two of them grew up, even if the old master and Elder Sun passed away, the Sun Clan would continue to support the Wang Clan.
This was a continuation of authority!
Without a doubt, Elder Sun was using this straightforward method to express his ‘extreme approval’ of Wang Chong! This was something unprecedented.
At that instant, Wang Chong turned to look at his grandfather.
“Hehe, Chong-er, go on!”
Sitting at the top, the old master was dazed for a moment before he smiled. He didn’t expect such a sight either. This ‘Sun Buren’ had the temper reminiscent of a stone in the latrine, so his actions came as a pleasant surprise.
“Ning-er, Xiao Zhu, what are you two dawdling about for? Come over and greet Young Master Chong!”
At the same moment, Elder Ma stood up and beckoned the children behind him with a smile.
“Old Ma and Old Sun, I can’t allow you all to monopolize him. I am growing fonder of Young Master Chong the more I look at him. You little fellows, hurry up and go over. Otherwise, Young Master Chong would be taken away by those two old fellows!”
Duke of Hu called. Then, grabbing two children with a hand each, he threw them over as though throwing a ball. The two children were also dexterous, and they managed to ward off the force of their landing. Running over quickly, they squeezed with the others to get into Wang Chong’s surroundings, calling ‘Young Master Chong’ ‘Young Master Chong’ non-stop.
At the same time, the other elders also sent their offsprings over.
In an instant, the entire conference hall grew lively. Upon seeing the sight, the elders chuckled.
“I’ve finally succeeded!”
Looking at the group of people of the same age or older than him, Wang Chong felt exhilarated. These group of ‘old subordinates’ of the old master was known for being difficult, and obtaining their approval was harder than ascending to the heavens.
Big brother, second brother, cousin, little uncle, uncle, father, and big uncle, all of them had fallen tragically. Thus, it was completely beyond Wang Chong’s imagination that he would gain all of their approval in a single gathering.
Elder Ye and Duke of Hu have already acknowledged him long ago, and Elder Ma and Elder Zhao soon followed suit. Along with Elder Sun and a few others, all of the most important subordinates of the old master have approved of him!
In an instant, Wang Chong felt indescribable joy. With their help, Wang Chong would gain boundless strength in the future!
“Young Master Chong!”
Just as Wang Chong’s thoughts were wandering, a deep, powerful, and grave voice sounded by his ears.
Returning from his thoughts, Wang Chong saw a sixteen to seventeen-year-old youngster standing before him. Wide shoulders with a head taller than him, he stood rigidly with a lowered head, and his attitude was extremely respectful.
Looking at the youngster, Wang Chong’s heart suddenly beat furiously.
“Zhao Jingdian!”
Seeing this slightly stiff and honest-looking youngster, all of the thoughts, except for one, disappeared from Wang Chong’s head:
“Good brother! We’ve met again this life! ——”
Time seemed to have slowed countless times at this moment. Looking at that familiar yet slightly foreign face, Wang Chong’s eyes reddened, and he suddenly felt a lump in his throat.
“General, let’s meet again in our next life! ——”
For an instant, something seemed to tear out from his mind, and he transcended through space and time. Amidst flames of war that covered the skies and cries of the horses that shook the heavens, he saw a ferocious figure seated atop a war steed. Without any hesitation, the figure charged forth determinedly into hordes of enemies, leaving him with just a back devoid of any regrets.
“Good brother, there’s no need for us to meet in our next life. In this life, we’ll be good brothers as well!”
Looking at the person before him, that determined figure and the slightly stiff person before him overlapped together.
Wang Chong felt his nose sour, but even more so, he felt gladdened and delighted.
My brother of the previous life, we have finally reunited.
“I am Wang Chong!”
With a grin, Wang Chong stretched out his hand and grabbed Zhao Jingdian’s hand. In an instant, the stiff youngster finally rose his head, and a tinge of astonishment flashed across his eyes…
General Star
It’s a myth that each brilliant general will have a star that represents them in the sky.
Sun Clan (pronounced as Soon Clan)
Sun Buren had the personality like a stone in the latrine
There are two parts to this phrase
Like a stone in the latrine – Smelly and hard.
Meaning, he’s
an obstinate and difficult person.
Chapter 102: Love for the Country!
Actually, Wang Chong had already noticed Zhao Jingdian from the moment he stepped into the conference hall. However, before the entire room of elders, he couldn’t recklessly rush over to reunite with him.
More importantly, even though he remembered Zhao Jingdian, the same could not be the said about him.
In his previous life, he didn’t get the opportunity to enter the conference hall to meet Zhao Jingdian. It was many years later that they met under distress, and after exchanging names, they realized that their grandfathers were in a master-subordinate relationship. After that, Zhao Jingdian became his closest brother, and followed him through all tribulations, until… the final battle!
This was one of Wang Chong’s regret, and in this life, he finally found an opportunity to make up for it.
“Good brother!”
Even though Zhao Jingdian was surprised by Wang Chong’s actions, it did little to dampen Wang Chong’s spirit. This was probably his happiest moment of the entire day.
“Hmph! I don’t want to! I refuse to acknowledge him as young master! ——”
Just as Wang Chong was reuniting with Zhao Jingdian, the shrill voice of a young lady echoed. In an instant, the entire conference hall fell silent. All eyes immediately shot toward the source of the voice.
Not too far away, a sixteen to seventeen-year-old young lady was trying to struggle out of her grandfather’s grasp. She had an exquisite and beautiful face, but her expression betrayed her haughtiness and obstinacy.
“Ping-er, be obedient, don’t create a ruckus here! ——”
Stared at by everyone in the room, including his old brothers, Elder Ye’s face reddened in embarrassment.
“I said that I don’t want to! Look at him! ——”
The young lady named ‘Ping-er’ suddenly pointed a slender finger at Wang Chong, and in an instant, everyone’s gazes turned from Ping-er to Wang Chong.
“Look at his cultivation, he’s only at Origin Energy Tier 5 or Tier 6! That’s so much weaker than me! How can I, Ye Yinping, acknowledge a weakling as young master?”
Pointing at Wang Chong, a trace of disdain appeared on her proud face.
“Awkward!”
For a moment, Wang Chong was unable to say a word. To be able to discern his cultivation realm with a glance, that lady’s eyes were indeed incredible. Even the fact that he has just reached Origin Energy Tier 6 was unable to escape her notice.
Despite being looked down by the other party in public, Wang Chong was unable to refute her words at all. That was because Wang Chong knew that she was a figure who he could only look up to.
The other party had the qualifications to say such words!
In his previous life, there were only a few talented young ladies in the military, and Ye Yinping was one of them. Of all of grandfather’s old subordinates, as well as the Wang Clan, there were less than a handful who had talents exceeding this proud young lady.
Little Sister Wang Xiao Yao might be able to surpass her, but she often slacked off. Given her lack of determination, it was likely that she would never catch up with the latter.
While Cousin Wang Zhu Yan’s cultivation realm exceeded that of Ye Yinping, it was mainly due to her age.
This granddaughter of Elder Ye was nothing short of the word, genius. Not only was she talented, she was extremely diligent in her training as well, to the point that she seemed as though she was putting her life on the line. Wei Hao might be diligent as well, but he was no way up to the level of Ye Yinping.
She only rested four hours a day, and she trained even through the night. Thus, despite her young age of sixteen or seventeen, she has already reached the True Martial Realm. Even Yao Feng wasn’t a match for her.
If not for the fact that the ranking of geniuses in the capital mainly focused on males, Ye Yinping would have already made a name for herself.
“Ping-er, how can you speak like that! Young Master Chong is Duke Jiu’s grandson, hurry up and apologize!”
Elder Ye panicked. With a stony face, he reprimanded his granddaughter.
For this gathering with Duke Jiu, he brought this child over, intending to continue the friendship of the Ye and Wang Clan for the next generation. Furthermore, Wang Chong was indeed not bad, and of all of the offsprings of Duke Jiu, he was the only one whom he and his old brothers were satisfied with.
He had been considering how he should bring Wang Chong about to groom him, but before he could do anything, his daughter has already smeared Young Master Chong’s face. How could he possibly groom him personally now given the current state of events?
To be embarrassed before so many old brothers, how could he face them in the future!
“Hmph, I don’t know what this little lad spoke of that bewitched all of you, but in any case, I don’t understand a single word at all. If you want me to acknowledge him as young master, I can tell you right now—— Dream on!”
The proud young lady harrumphed obstinately before turned around, disregarding her grandfather. Then, with a face tilted upward, she walked out of the room alone.
Left on the spot, Elder Ye was embarrassed. He blushed so furiously to the point that his face was turning purple! He lifted his hands up a few times, only to put them down each time. He couldn’t bear to hit her!
Without a doubt, this child was proud, rebellious, and she disregarded his words. However, her talent was truly extraordinary. Despite being a lady, she worked diligently in her martial arts. Without anyone to urge her on, she would devote even her mealtime and sleeping time to her martial arts training. Even as her grandfather, he couldn’t pick a single flaw with her.
Sometimes, seeing how hard his granddaughter worked and the blisters on her hands, he felt his heart ache.
“Sigh, I truly can’t do anything about her!”
Elder Ye felt angry, but a pang of heartache struck him as well. Turning around, he faced his old brothers, but he was unable to say a single word. The conference hall was silent for a moment before it burst into laughter.
“Hahaha, Old Ye, to think that you would have such a day! You fought so valiantly against millions of soldiers, yet you were unable to settle a sixteen-year-old granddaughter!”
“A dragon births a dragon, a phoenix births a phoenix. Given the personality of that old fellow, it is no wonder why his granddaughter would have such a personality! Hahaha!”
“Hahaha, despite knowing you for so long, this is the first time I’m seeing you so embarrassed!”
“Even the old fellow is unwilling to hit her. I wonder who will be able to tame this young lady of the Ye Clan in the future.”
“That little child sure has a strong character. I wonder if our Young Master Chong is worthy of her.”
…
Initially, everyone was still laughing at Ye Dong, but in the blink of an eye, the topic suddenly returned to Wang Chong.
Awkward, Wang Chong’s face turned scarlet!
“Young Master Chong, I’m truly sorry. I’ve spoilt Ping-er from young, and she’s really getting out of hand. I’ll teach her a lesson when I get back!”
After making Wang Chong’s pride suffer a loss, Elder Ye hurriedly apologized.
“It’s nothing, Elder Ye, there’s no need for you to worry about it.”
Wang Chong shook his hand casually and smiled calmly, indicating that he didn’t take the matter to heart. He was acquainted with Ye Yinping in his previous life, and he knew what kind of person she was.
Even though she possessed outstanding talents in martial arts, just like most other ladies, she wasn’t interested in politics. Regardless of whether it was on the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate or the tariffs, she probably understood very little of what was spoken. In fact, if one were to ask her whether the Abbasid Caliphate and the Charax Spasinu were in the east or the west, she would probably respond with a confused expression.
It would be a wonder with Wang Chong�
��s performance could win her respect.
An obstinate lady like Ye Yinping would only submit to someone stronger than her. Just like she said, given that Wang Chong was only an Origin Energy Tier 6 weakling, what rights did he have to make her call him young master?
“Since you’re unwilling to submit, I’ll beat you into submission. One day, you will willingly call me young master.”
Wang Chong smiled within.
He suffered greatly under Ye Yinping hands in his previous life. This Ye Clan genius seemed to be displeased by the fact that the standing of her own grandfather was beneath that of his grandfather, so she was reluctant to lower her head to any Wang Clan members.
In her previous life, she went all out just to cause him trouble.
However, if Ye Yinping intended to find the value of her existence on him like she did in the previous life, she would be in for hardship.
As he thought so, Wang Chong turned around and walked out.
Reuniting with his brother, Zhao Jingdian, was a huge unexpected gain. However, Wang Chong didn’t act too warmly or passionately. After all, the current Zhao Jingdian wouldn’t understand why he felt so close to him.
“Wait a moment!”
Outside the Erudite Pavilion, just as Wang Chong was walking past a fake hill, through a bamboo forest, a voice suddenly sounded.
Hearing that voice, Wang Chong’s footsteps halted.
“Why did you help me?”
A voice echoed from the back.
“What?”
Wang Chong turned around, and to his astonishment, Cousin Wang Li was staring at him with unreadable eyes.
“Hmph, surely you don’t think that I am that foolish as to not remember what I have spoken? Furthermore, I would never rest on a fake hill. You might be able to fool the others, but you can’t fool me.”
Cousin Wang Li said.
An experience of falling off the fake hill when he was younger left him with a trauma. Even though he didn’t fear it after growing older, that experience caused him to instinctively avoid climbing fake hills.
Wang Li never told this matter to anyone.
Initially, when Wang Chong spoke of the matter, he nearly believed it. However, when Wang Chong claimed that he heard it from him while he was resting on a fake hill, he immediately knew that Wang Chong was making things up.
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 49