Chapter 544: Idiot and Actor

I’m sorry, but I can’t comply with that.

Absolutely! Here is the translation of your text into English, preserving the tone and structure as closely as possible:

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Of course, that's correct. Now, Zhang Tianshu has entered the 'harmonious path,' and as long as he crosses this threshold, he will be promoted to second rank. At that moment, his elderly family will descend from the mountains to the capital to cover the courses they missed during the year. I used to often hear him lamenting, saying how remorseful he was for entrusting the emperor, even if he lost the dragons and tigers, he would never let the emperor be manipulated by a corrupt minister.

Zhang Qingxia, seeing his face turn red and eyes glowing with longing, smiled and said: "Perhaps someday, the North will become the core of our Dragon and Tiger Mountain. If that happens, if nothing unexpected occurs, you at least should get some land to settle on the Dragon and Tiger Mountain."

Thank you, brother!

The dragon, sensing the tension, felt a surge of gratitude and rushed forward, barely managing to grasp the hand before him. His steps were swift, his head nearly colliding with the roof of the carriage.

Just then, the driver of the carriage, a man named Huang Xin, shouted at him to stop.

It was clearly midday, but the streets of the palace were sealed off, as if the city itself was holding its breath. The smooth stone path, worn by years of use, halted before the grand, freshly painted palace gates.

"Have you ever considered that you might one day become the foundation of our Dragon and Tiger Mountain?" Zhang Qingxia thought, his mind racing.

"Perhaps someday, the North will become the backbone of our Dragon and Tiger Mountain," he mused, recalling the words his father had once said. "But if he truly meant it, why would he not want to be killed?"

Who would think to harm him here? Who would dare to kill him and expect to get away with it?

Zhang Qingxia’s heart thudded with anger. He looked down at himself, and then suddenly, a cold, piercing sensation gripped his limbs. The pain vanished, but the darkness within surged, relentless and overwhelming.

In that fleeting moment before unconsciousness, he saw a sharp, angular face staring back at him—no longer the familiar one he knew.

"Who attacked me?"

Just then, the driver lunged forward, and Zhang Qingxia was caught in the fury of the attack.

But just as the driver was about to strike him, a sharp blow from Li Jian’s hand sent him sprawling.

Li Jian, ever the playful spirit, gently pulled Zhang Qingxia out of the carriage. He looked down at him, his expression unreadable, and managed a weak, forced smile.

"Your majesty, it has been too long since we last saw each other."

"Brothers? You're all gone?" Zhang Qingxia asked, his voice trembling.

Li Jian sighed, his face reddening. "We should have stopped him sooner. If we hadn't run away, maybe I wouldn't have had to endure such a cruel fate."

Zhang Qingxia’s mind raced. His thoughts were consumed by the idea of Li Jian—how he had become so loyal after entering the Tianshu family, and how he had truly changed.

"Please, let me beg for mercy," Zhang Qingxia pleaded.

Li Jian chuckled, shaking his head. "The matter is settled. You should have listened to the old man’s words."

Zhang Qingxia bowed deeply, grateful for the attention.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

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