In order to avoid suspicion, at the pinnacle of his life, So Jung-son chose to hand over his military authority and retreat bravely. He lived alone in the Su Residence and refused to meet any guests. He severed all ties with the military commanders and the important officials of the royal court.
In order to uphold the loyalty of Emperor Taizong, So Jung-son even gave up on his martial arts cultivation. From then on, no one could hear the sound of war or any ripples of Origin Energy in the Su Residence. He allowed himself to grow old like an ordinary person.
The gates of the Su Residence were tightly shut all year round, as though a wall had formed, isolating the outside world and So Jung-son himself. So Jung-son's tragedy had only just begun.
If one were to say that So Jung-son could still endure the criticism of the officials when he was at the pinnacle of his life, then losing his son in his middle age was a heavy blow to him.
So Jung-son might have retreated from the royal court, but he didn't forbid his son from working for the royal court. This was what he regretted the most.
And when So Jung-son's only grandson died as well, So Jung-son suffered a fatal blow. From then on, his life was filled with endless sorrow and pain.
From then on, the old servant had never seen So Jung-son smile again. When the old servant spoke of this matter, he couldn't help but wipe away his tears.
A great war god who had contributed greatly to the expansion of the Central Plains should not meet such a fate!
So Jung-son had never been happy in his life!
And this absent-minded child who was licking the candied haws was the only happiness he had in the latter half of his life! Even though this happiness only lasted for a few short years.
Life was short. Regardless of whether he could obtain So Jung-son's legacy or not, Wang Chong hoped that this war god would be able to be happy. Perhaps, bringing this happiness forward by a few years through his own hands was the best way to show respect to him!
"Remember, you aren't allowed to tell this matter to Old Mister."
Wang Chong patted the child's head and tossed him a silver ingot from his sleeve. Then, he placed a new black chess piece on the gold-plated chessboard.
So Jung-son only had one chance. If he made one mistake, he would lose the whole game. As long as the chess piece was placed in the wrong place, it would never be fated again in the future.
Wang Chong had already lost a stone, but he was not eliminated. Instead, he gave himself a second black stone. Wang Chong knew that he had successfully attracted the attention of the old marshal.
Leaving behind the black piece, Wang Chong turned around and left the Ghost Tree District once more.
So Jung-son's "Art of God and Demon Obliteration" was known as the most difficult supreme art to obtain. Back then, so many old marshals, including the late emperor, were all mercilessly rejected, let alone himself.
Wang Chong did not think that he could obtain the legacy of this War God just by playing a few games of chess. However, as long as he could attract his attention and make some progress, that would be enough.
…
While Wang Chong was leaving the Ghost Tree District, in the Yao Residence, Yao Feng wasn't idling around either.
"Wang Yan, Wang Bei, Wang Chong … One day, I'll make your Wang Clan vanish to the ground to pay for the humiliation you have inflicted on our Yao Clan!"
Yao Feng clenched his fists tightly and swept the items on the table onto the floor.
The atmosphere in the Yao Residence was heavy, extremely heavy!
Ever since his father, Yao Guang Yi, suffered a setback by the borders and lost to Wang Zhi, the atmosphere in the Yao Residence had been extremely heavy. The old master of the Four Quarters Embassy had ordered that no one from the Yao Clan was to cause trouble outside. The old master of the Four Quarters Embassy had ordered that no one from the Yao Clan was to cause trouble outside.
Ever since that day, the gates of the Yao Clan had been tightly shut. Even Yao Feng's movements were restricted, and he was forbidden from leaving. This was the first time in his life that something like this had happened.
To the prideful Yao Feng, this was a heavy blow.
Yao Feng knew the reason behind this. It was because the old master didn't wish to attract the attention of that clan after coming to a truce with the Wang Clan.
Right now, Yao Feng didn't need to leave to know that he had become a laughingstock among the other scions.
Yao Feng had always been proud of his demeanor, and this matter was a huge humiliation!
"No matter what, our Yao Clan can't take this lying down!"
Yao Feng thought hatefully.
In the Vast Crane Pavilion, Yao Feng had suffered a huge loss in the hands of the Wang Clan siblings. However, Yao Feng didn't make a move, nor did he try to exact revenge.
This wasn't because Yao Feng was magnanimous. Rather, Yao Feng was instructed by his father not to cause unnecessary trouble.
The scheme of his father and King Qi wasn't a secret to Yao Feng. As long as his father succeeded, the entire Wang Clan would vanish in an instant.
This was also the reason why Yao Feng had been tolerating the matter. For the sake of the bigger picture, he would try his best not to make a move.
However, Yao Feng didn't expect that after waiting for so long, instead of receiving news of his father's victory at the border and the discord between the Wang Clan and The King of Song, he received news of his father making a fool of himself at the border and becoming a laughingstock in the capital.
Even his grandfather, whom he had always respected since young, had to lower his head to the Wang Clan Old Master in order to appease the repercussions of this matter.
When he received the news, Yao Feng's heart was bleeding!
The Yao Clan was like the sun in the sky, and they had the protection of King Qi. When had they ever experienced such humiliation?
However, this wasn't the end. Soon, his father passed down the order for the Yao Clan to close their doors to avoid the storm.
After enduring for ten days, Yao Feng couldn't take it any longer.
"No! I have to speak to my father. Our Yao Clan can't tolerate such humiliation! "
Yao Feng left the study and headed straight for his father, Yao Guang Yi's study. In order to deal with the Wang Clan, Yao Feng felt that he had to have a good talk with his father.
"Lord, I've just received news that the Wang Clan's Wang Chong has appeared at the Bluebottle Pavilion …"
Just as he arrived at his father's study, Yao Feng heard a familiar voice from afar.
"It's Guard Zhou."
Yao Feng stopped in his tracks. Guard Zhou was his father's trusted aide and he was in charge of gathering all news in the capital. Yao Feng didn't expect to hear news of the youngest son of the Wang Clan, Wang Chong, from his mouth.
Yao Feng stopped in his tracks and was about to listen carefully when he heard a long sigh.
"There's no need to speak. Father has ordered that our Yao Clan shouldn't offend the Wang Clan for the time being. In the future, don't report any news regarding the Wang Clan to me. "
His father's heavy voice sounded from the door, and it was filled with deep fatigue.
"… Yes!"
Guard Zhou fell silent for a moment before keeping his mouth shut.
Yao Feng stood at the door, and his face suddenly turned pale. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Yao Feng wouldn't have believed that this was the confident, steady, and intelligent father in his mind.
Yao Feng knew the reason.
His father had lost the war by the borders. His father had always looked down on Wang Chong's father. However, this time, his father had suffered a crushing defeat. Furthermore, it was in the scheme that he was most proficient in.
His father didn't reveal the slightest hint of this matter to keep it a secret. It was impossible for the Wang Clan to obtain news from him. However, this was precisely the reason why his father suffered such a huge blow.
If he couldn't find out who was helping the Wang Clan from the shadows, if he couldn't understand how he lost, it would be hard for his father to stand up again.
"Wang Yan, I can't deal with you. I can't deal with your two sons either. However, I can deal with your younger one! "
Recalling how he was beaten up by Wang Chong in the Vast Crane Pavilion, Yao Feng's face turned red and his hatred for the Wang Clan intensified.
Grandfather told them to restrain themselves and his father ordered him not to offend the Wang Clan for the time being. Yao Feng knew that it wasn't a wise move to deal with Wang Chong now.
However, to Yao Feng, there was no need for him to deal with the Wang Clan personally.
Thinking so, Yao Feng sneered coldly. He turned around and left the Yao Clan secretly. He knew of a place where there was a formidable assassin who could help him accomplish all of this without anyone noticing.
…
That afternoon, Zhao Fengchen's thirty-five thousand gold taels was sent to Wang Chong. When it was sent over, Wang Chong's uncle, Li Lin, was delighted. He praised Wang Chong several times.
He had complete trust in Wang Chong.
Wang Chong didn't take all of the thirty-five thousand gold taels with him. Instead, he left half of it for his uncle. He asked his uncle to keep it for him.
Other than that, Wang Chong had some ideas. He wanted his uncle to help him deal with this matter. This way, he would be spared from a lot of trouble.
Naturally, Uncle Li Lin nodded his head in agreement.
Through this matter, the relationship between uncle and nephew grew closer.
"Chong-er, you have so much money now. To the Wang Clan, this is an unimaginably huge sum of money. Have you thought about how you are going to spend it in the future? Furthermore, it's inconvenient for you to stay in the Wang Clan. You might accidentally bring trouble upon yourself. Have you thought about finding a place to live in? "
While they were chatting in the carriage, Uncle Li Lin suddenly mentioned this matter. He wasn't blind. There were many things that Wang Chong was hiding from him. However, these matters were a blessing to the Wang Clan.
Moreover, Li Lin could also sense that although his nephew was young, his ambition was not small. The things he was doing were getting bigger and bigger.
Based on his experience, Li Lin felt that there were many problems within. Wang Chong didn't notice these problems himself, but Li Lin could.
For example, Duke Jiu's lineage had always been incorruptible. Would Wang Chong suddenly obtain such a huge sum of money raise unnecessary suspicions? Even though Wang Chong's wealth came from a legitimate source, it might cause unnecessary trouble for the Wang Clan.
These were all things that needed to be considered.
"Un. Uncle, I'll leave this matter to you. "
Wang Chong said that he was also thinking about this matter. There were many things that were becoming more and more inconvenient for him to do at home. Furthermore, just like what Uncle Li Lin said, there were some things that would be fine if he handled them well, but if he didn't, it might bring trouble to the clan.
Putting everything else aside, thirty thousand gold taels was something that might attract the covetous eyes of others. This was also the reason why he gave half of the gold taels to Uncle Li Lin.
"Also, don't tell my mother about this matter yet."
Wang Chong said.
"Don't worry."
Li Lin smiled and said with a doting expression.
The more he looked at this nephew of his, the more he liked him. If not for Wang Chong, he would have continued to hold that position for many years. Thus, out of gratitude and as a kinsman, no matter what Wang Chong did, Li Lin approved of it.
Furthermore, if the clan were to learn of what Wang Chong had done, he might be restricted or supervised. As a mother, it was inevitable that she would worry about him.
This way, Wang Chong wouldn't be able to do as he pleased.
Thus, Li Lin was in favor of Wang Chong keeping this matter a secret for now.
"You can talk to your mother about this later. It'll be the same. Also, Lord Zhao asked me to pass this invitation to you. He said that if you are free, he would like to invite you to the Imperial Army. "
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