Chapter 209: Wang Zhaoling

Chapter 209: Wang Zhaoling

This martial contest, counting from the moment Situ Xiao broke through the gate, lasted an entire day.

Led by Situ Xiao and Zhao Changhe’s little family, the tournament rules became utterly irrelevant; those who appeared afterward simply fought whomever they wished, whether suppressing their power for same-level sparring or unleashing their full strength to see how many they could defeat—in short, freedom and spontaneity reigned.

As for the method of ranking by wins, without an overseer to keep count, such rules easily turned to dust; people forgot as they fought, who knew how many victories each had?

So even that rule was abandoned, for aside from Zhao Changhe, no one else was truly covetous of that treasure.

None were at the bottom of the martial world; those who could ascend to Hidden Dragon were all exceptionally gifted—aside from that certain Zhao-named novice, who else could be troubled by meridian issues? If it could bring a powerful transformation to the meridians, perhaps they might be eager, but “slightly expand” sparked little interest.

What people truly cared about was the battle itself.

This was mutual verification, sparring and honing, without any self-interest or purpose—the true meaning of a young warriors’ martial debate.

Situ Xiao couldn’t resist stepping down again, fighting with blazing fervor, until finally everyone shared a feast and drank themselves into a stupor.

Zhao Changhe sighed regretfully.

He longed to participate—perhaps he wanted it most of all, for not only was the training value immense, but fighting each person could allow a Heavenly Book review… yet he could not join, even gritting his teeth to abandon a reward so crucial to him.

Xia Chichi did not attend the feast; she left early.

Everyone has limitations imposed by their identity; none can do whatever they please without restraint.

Zhao Changhe sat drinking alone in melancholy, when Wang Zhaoling approached with a wine flask, pouring him a cup: “A chat?”

Nearby, Cui Yuanyang pricked up her ears.

Wang Zhaoling glanced at her, showing no courtesy, and continued to Zhao Changhe: “Just the two of us, take a walk?”

Cui Yuanyang tried to follow.

Wang Zhaoling said helplessly: “Keep up your pretense of distance in public if you must; don’t waste your father’s efforts. The Wang family sees through it, but others will notice. In a sense, this is Uncle Cui’s spur for Brother Zhao—though I think Brother Zhao may not need that spur, you should understand Uncle’s intentions…”

Cui Yuanyang: “…”

“Originally you shouldn’t have entered the contest, but…” Wang Zhaoling glanced at his left palm and shook his head with a smile: “Since you have this ability, it’s fitting. A man must achieve fame and drink to drunkenness; having learned martial arts, you should show yourself before the world once. Otherwise, what’s the point of pleasure and indulgence? For whom did you train so hard since childhood?”

Cui Yuanyang said: “Hey, when did you start lecturing?”

“It’s just that I found today very dull… perhaps everyone else had fun, but I was the clown.” Wang Zhaoling smiled: “Look, even now, Situ is singing and drinking freely, even Xuan Chong is laughing loudly, while what are we doing? Dull, truly dull. I suddenly understand why Brother Zhao refuses to acknowledge his identity.”

Zhao Changhe finally said: “But you still have to do your business?”

Wang Zhaoling was silent for a moment, then made a gesture: “A walk?”

“Fine.” Zhao Changhe rose to his full height; this time Cui Yuanyang pouted and finally did not follow.

Summer nights were hot, but the Wang estate was cool.

Artificial streams wound around, waterfalls cascaded from rockeries, splashing water droplets that scattered over the pavilion, bringing a refreshing dampness that made Zhao Changhe feel as if he had returned to the waterside pavilions of Gusu, rather than the land of Qilu.

The clamor of drinking and laughter from the banquet hall gradually faded, distant, as if from another world.

Even the contrast between the blood-boiling battle just now and the present cool pavilion with green lotus felt like another world.

Wang Zhaoling leaned on the pavilion railing, gazing at the lotus leaves on the pond below, and after a long while said: “You said some people exhaust their hearts to protect this land, while we scheme selfishly for our own gain… but why don’t you go help her? Is it fear of being drawn into greater storms, or are you merely acting for yourself?”

“Both.” Zhao Changhe said frankly: “But more importantly, I have no desire to preserve the Xia imperial dynasty; it’s none of my concern. Admiring loyal ministers and good generals is one thing; throwing myself in is another.”

Wang Zhaoling nodded: “We all analyzed that this is your attitude; it’s quite obvious, you don’t hide it.”

“Indeed.” Zhao Changhe said: “So what do you want to talk about?”

“Have you considered that many problems today are caused by the Emperor himself? If another family took over, the so-called chaotic times might end very quickly?”

Zhao Changhe said: “Perhaps. But may I ask Brother Wang a question?”

“Please speak.”

“Given the Emperor’s strength, he had to rely on the cooperation of various families back then, ultimately leading to aristocratic clans and great sects each controlling their own regions. I don’t believe a man like him wouldn’t want to suppress everything, but he couldn’t, right?”

“Of course. Some things require compromise; personal martial power cannot decide everything.”

Zhao Changhe said: “The world’s best may not decide everything, but the world’s best can deter many things. If he were to throw caution to the wind and insist on taking Maitreya’s head, I think Maitreya would likely be unable to withstand it. The barbarian shamans dare not cross the border, not out of fear of the Yanmen defenders, but of him. Many loyal generals and ministers still give their all because they still hold hope for him. The curtain of chaos has never fully fallen, not because of Chief Tang’s patching up, but because he is still alive.”

Wang Zhaoling said: “True.”

Back then, Cui Wenjing also taught Cui Yuanyang—did she really think the Emperor did nothing and Tang Wanzhuang alone propped up the realm? What kind of storybook was that?

“Your father is only tenth on the Heaven List; even if he hides his strength, it’s unlikely he can surpass the barbarian Great Shaman. As I see it, the Wang family’s current power may not even surpass the Cui family. You swallow all of Situ’s provocations and dare not fall out with the Shenhuang Sect. With such frustration, if you succeed, wouldn’t it become another case of strong branches and weak trunk? I doubt it would be better than the one who supposedly went astray.”

Wang Zhaoling shook his head slightly: “Brother Zhao is being simplistic. Court affairs are not calculated like that. As for my behavior, perhaps Brother Zhao misunderstands—in our eyes, no matter how strong a sect, they are still wild commoners; economics and military are unrelated to them. I am not afraid of Situ, and my father is not afraid of Li Shentong. Rather than saying I dare not offend Situ, it’s more that I am guiding the situation; Situ has actually facilitated what I want.”

“Alright…” Zhao Changhe paused, then suddenly asked: “But why are you in such a hurry?”

This time Wang Zhaoling fell silent and did not answer.

Smart people know when to stop; Zhao Changhe did not press further.

No matter how you look at it, the Cui family’s approach is more in line with true aristocratic thinking. The Wang family’s actions are quite inexplicable; even if they truly want to replace the Xia, why can’t they wait a few years? There must be a reason behind it. If they really go ahead, whether the chaos ends faster or new waves arise is uncertain.

Of course, they are still only in the first stage of testing the world; whether they will proceed to the next step remains unknown. Precisely because it is only this stage, Wang Zhaoling is willing to talk with Zhao Changhe, trying to win his inclination. If it reached the stage of open rebellion, Zhao Changhe probably wouldn’t dare set foot in Langya.

In other words, the Wang family’s actions might still be halted. Zhao Changhe somewhat wanted to try; he felt Wang Zhaoling was not a bad person…

But then Wang Zhaoling slowly spoke: “Who doesn’t want the beautiful rivers and mountains? Whether slow or urgent, there is a reason; no need to say more. I know what Brother Zhao is thinking, but don’t say it. Although I was stirred by the martial passion just now, that was momentary. The position of crown prince—you don’t want it, but I do.”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

Indeed, if the Wang family succeeds, this guy really would be the crown prince.

“Each has his own ambition, that’s all.” Wang Zhaoling suddenly laughed: “Hey, tell me, am I qualified?”

Zhao Changhe nodded: “Putting aside other things, your bearing is acceptable.”

Wang Zhaoling laughed heartily: “For that remark, I’ll give you a heads-up. Actually, the family discussed whether to assassinate you, as long as it couldn’t be traced to the Wang family… So far, the consensus is to win you over first, but given Brother Zhao’s current performance, from now on you and I will likely be enemies, and probably of the kind that won’t stop until one of us dies.”

Zhao Changhe found it interesting: “And you’re telling me?”

“Telling you, you have no evidence that it was my Wang family’s doing. Are you going to run to Cui Yuanyang and cry?” Wang Zhaoling smiled: “As for why I tell you… you can take it as our aristocratic habit of planting good seeds. If things fail in the future, you’ll spare me a thread of incense so my line doesn’t end, how about that?”

Zhao Changhe’s eyes widened: “You think so highly of me? What say do I have in that?”

“That’s called investment; whether it yields returns depends on insight and luck.” Wang Zhaoling patted Zhao Changhe’s shoulder: “That treasure for expanding meridians, I’ll give it to you on my own authority. I’ll give the favor myself—why should it go to Xia Chichi and Cui Yuanyang?”