Chapter 142

When Zong Zi Yun returned to Daming after many years, he was not placed in a guest residence within Daming City like the other guests, but was summoned to the palace.

Zong Zi Heng met him in his study. In the room, apart from the two real brothers, there were only Zong Zi Xiao and Cai Cheng Yi.

Zong Zi Yun arched his hand and said, "Greetings to the Emperor." He gave Zong Zi Xiao a cautious glance and said respectfully, "Greetings to Your Holiness."

Zong Zi Xiao nodded expressionlessly, "Fifth Prince."

Many years ago, they were still Fifth Brother and Ninth Brother. Although they’re not very close, they were still brothers nonetheless, but now that they saw each other again, they were already separated by mountains and seas*.

"Lao Wu, it has been a tiring journey for you." Zong Zi Heng smiled lightly, "You've put on some weight. Did you become lazy nowadays?"

"Emperor is laughing at me. I have traveled around the world and found that there are too many delicious folk wines to taste, haha."

"Yeah. When I used to travel, I was always enchanted with the landscape and folklore too. There are really a million wonderful things in the human realm ah." Zong Zi Heng smiled until his smile gradually disappeared. In the past ten years, he had been caught within the cold and silent walls of the palace, and the few times he had left the palace, it was always related to the crusade against Wuyun Sect. He was no longer curious about Jiuzhou and enjoying the endless fun of freedom and exploration during his youth.

Zong Zi Yun was living the life he desired most, and he was truly envious. His life was already doomed, but he wanted Zong Zhong Ming to escape from this prison and be a free and happy man.

The two brothers exchanged pleasantries and chatted about the local customs of the places they had both visited. The content of their conversation was not germane but seemed to be very interesting. Zong Zi Xiao remained silent on one side, only watching with fascination the brief glimpses of his big brother's expression.

Originally, Zong Zi Heng thought that Zong Zi Xiao would leave the table when he became bored, but he did not expect him to stay, so he finally could not resist saying, "Zi Xiao, Lao Wu and I have not seen each other for many years and we still have a lot to talk about, so why don't you go and get busy with something else first?"

Zong Zi Yun secretly became nervous. From what he knew of these two people, there was a great contrast with the whispers he had heard during this period of time. He simply could not imagine how they were getting along now.

The corners of Zong Zi Xiao's lips curled slightly as he said lazily, "Since big brother has a brother for company today, you should be very happy. Will you eat more tonight?"

"I will."

"That's good." Zong Zi Xiao rose gracefully and gave Zong Zi Yun a slow glance that was full of warning.

Zong Zi Yun was sitting on pins and needles.

Only after Zong Zi Xiao left did Zong Zi Yun sigh with relief, "Emperor ..."

"Between you and me, there is no need to be formal. It is better to call me big brother." Zong Zi Heng gazed at Zong Zi Yun quietly.

"... big brother." Zong Zi Yun scratched his hair and gave a forced laugh, "I didn't expect big brother to summon me back to Daming."

"I didn't think of summoning you back. You have no burden, the sky is high and the sea is wide for you to travel, so why do you need to step into this mire?" Zong Zi Heng said, "I know what you are worried about. Don't worry, I won't let you get involved in our disputes."

"Don't say that, big brother. Although I don't value the name of the royal family, I am still a descendant of the Zong clan and it is my duty to protect its foundation." Zong Zi Yun arched his hand and said, "If you don't mind my shallow cultivation, just instruct me if you need anything."

Zong Zi Heng knew this fifth brother very well. Among other siblings, he could be said to have the least sense of existence and was the one who knew how to protect himself. He was always smiling and welcoming to everyone and did not fight or grab. Because of this docility, he was never treated badly even though he was not important. In fact, it's a very clever way to survive.

If he had not summoned Zong Zi Yun today, this man would probably never be associated with the Zong clan ever again in his whole life.

Zong Zi Heng sighed lightly, "Zi Yun, I do have a request for you."

"Just tell me what to do, big brother."

"Big brother has an adopted son named Zhong Ming. He is seven years old, and is the orphan of Hua Jun Cheng, the young master of the Hua Ying Sect."

Zong Zi Yun showed a surprised expression, "So the Hua family still has a descendant."

The tragic situation of the Huaying Sect's bloodshed appeared before Zong Zi Heng’s eyes. Four hundred lives were tragically slaughtered and turned into resentful ghosts overnight. His heart still chokes when he recalls it: "Back then, Lu Zhao Feng wiped out the Huaying Sect. When I got the news and brought my men there, it was already too late. He was hidden by a loyal family servant, and he was the only person from the Hua Family who was spared. "

Zong Zi Yun let out a long sigh, "The Hua Family was a great family for two hundred years, and it was destroyed like this by a demonic cultivator, Lu Zhao Feng, who stole cores. It is truly deplorable."

"I owe so much to the Hua family. Zhong Ming is the only descendant of the Hua family. I had vowed to nurse him to adulthood, and when he becomes an adult, I will tell him the origins of his birth." Zong Zi Heng said in a deep voice, "But, not only am I unable to protect myself now, I may also drag him down." Whenever Zong Zi Xiao threatened him with Zong Zhong Ming, he always felt fearful. He did not know whether Zong Zi Xiao would actually be so heartless as to strike at a child, and he dared not risk this little life.

At this point in the conversation, Zong Zi Yun already understood what he was going to say next, "Big brother wants me to take him away. "

Zong Zi Heng nodded and looked sad: "Zi Yun, you see, I am sitting on this high and lonely throne looking around, but I can't find anyone I can trust. Thinking here and there, there was only you. I've come to beg you because there's really nothing I can do."

Zong Zi Yun said seriously, "Big brother has treated me well, so as a younger brother, I would like to share your worries." He understood that Zong Zi Heng was entrusting him with his own life, and he also understood that Zong Zi Xiao's return signaled that the Zong Clan was really coming to an end, so he was unwilling to sink together with this big ship, and saving an innocent child and go ashore was considered his small contribution to the Zong Clan.

"Zi Yun, thank you." Zong Zi Heng said bitterly, "Big brother also thanks you on the Hua family’s behalf."

"Big brother has spoken highly of me. This is what I should do." Zong Zi Yun unconsciously lowered his voice and said, "Does big brother have a plan? This matter ... should be behind Zong Zi Xiao’s back, right?"

"After New Year, he will go to Fenglin continent. Once he leaves, you can take Zhong Ming and leave. I will send someone to escort you guys out of the Zong Clan's sphere of influence."

"He's going to Immortal Lord Qi? Because the Cangyu Sect won't pay the annual offerings?"

Zong Zi Heng nodded slightly and said gravely, "There will be a fierce battle in Fenglin Continent by then, and the Cangyu Sect is in great danger."

"I heard that he used the annual offerings as a pretext to scavenge a large amount of heavenly materials and treasures from various immortal families in order to refine a supreme immortal core."

Zong Zi Heng shook his head. How many people in this world knew that the supreme immortal core that Zong Zi Xiao had gone to so much trouble to get was actually close at hand --- to be dug out from his stomach.

Zong Zi Yun sighed and shook his head, then remembered something else and asked, "Does the child know about it?"

Zong Zi Heng's heart was full of reluctance and he said softly, "I will explain to him myself."

At night, Zong Zi Heng and Zong Zi Yun had a family dinner and called Zong Zhong Ming over, so that he could recognize his fifth uncle.

Zong Zhong Ming is a beautiful and clever person with a troubled life, making people like and pity him. Zong Zi Yun, who had not yet married, was fond of children, and he held Zong Zhong Ming on his lap to feed him.

During the meal, Zong Zhong Ming suddenly asked, "Fifth Uncle, did Father and that devil used to be very good to each other?"

This comment stunned everyone, and Zong Zi Yun was so awkward that he did not know how to answer.

Zong Zi Heng's face also sank, "Zhong Ming, who told you this?" He glanced at Cai Cheng Yi. He was still sure of this old chief steward's mouth, but it was impossible to control the mouths of all his subordinates.

Cai Cheng Yi said sharply, "Aiyo Zhong Ming, the rice in your little mouth has not been swallowed yet. Eat properly and don't talk."

Zong Zhong Ming pursed his lips, "It was that devil himself who said that. I don't believe it."

"What don't you believe?" The voice reached them before the person, and everyone in the room tensed up and straightened their backs.

Zong Zi Xiao walked in with big steps. The cold air of the winter months clung to his robes and sleeves like frost and snow, and was brought into the room with him. The temperature dropped instantly and everyone felt a chill down their spine.

There was dead silence in the room.

Zong Zi Xiao sat beside his big brother, watching Zong Zhong Ming being held in Zong Zi Yun's lap, and his sword brows knitted slightly.

This little brat saw him as if looking at a ghost, either making threatening gestures or speaking rudely, yet he was so close to someone he was meeting for the first time.

This boy was a member of the Hua family, but when he called his big brother his father, it made him feel odd. For example, since his big brother could not bear children, this boy could be their child, so it would be more like a family.

Zong Zi Xiao was displeased and his face immediately sank as he raised his chin at Zong Zhong Ming, "Come here."

Zong Zhong Ming was reluctant, but went over anyway, knowing that if he disobeyed this devil, he might not be able to see his father.

Zong Zi Xiao carried the child to sit on his lap and smoothly touched his round little tummy, "If you eat so much, you'll die ah."

"None of your business." Zong Zhong Ming muttered.

"That question you asked just now, why did you ask him?"

"He's fifth imperial uncle, why can't I ask him?"

"You don't believe me when I say so, but you believe him when he says so?"

"Hmph."

"What don't you believe? I used to be your father's most precious younger brother." Zong Zi Xiao swept Zong Zi Yun a glance, "Not him."

Zong Zi Heng said, "Put him down and let him eat properly."

"It's not like I didn't let him eat." Zong Zi Xiao pushed a plate of meat in front of him, "Can you use chopsticks?"

"I already know how to!"

"Then eat."

Zong Zi Heng couldn't stand it, "Give it to me." He snatched the child from Zong Zi Xiao's arms.

Cai Cheng Yi wanted to take over, but when he shook his head and stepped back.

As Zong Zi Xiao watched his big brother patiently ask the boy what he wanted to eat and told him not to skip the greens, he kept getting jealous: "Hey, let me tell you, when I was little, your father fed me the same way, and I was not as picky as you."

Zong Zhong Ming turned his head in surprise to look at Zong Zi Heng. Seeing his father's eyes were dodging, and then looked at Zong Zi Yun for help, as if hoping someone would deny it.

Zong Zi Xiao said hoarsely with displeasure, "What are you looking at him for? What does he know?"

Zong Zi Heng gently scolded, "Why are you being so loud? Don't scare the child."

"I, uhm, suddenly don't feel too well. Emperor, Your Holiness, forgive me for not being able to accompany you guys." Zong Zi Yun could not bear to watch any longer, jumped up and ran away like there was a fire on his buttocks.

Zong Zhong Ming wrinkled his little face and looked at his father, "Father, is what he said true?"

"... No, he is even pickier than you."

When Zong Zi Heng said this, he was lowering his eyebrows and picking at the fish bones. His voice was gentle and soft, as if containing a bit of anger and a bit of helplessness.

At that moment, Zong Zi Xiao felt his heart melting. He would let go of everything and exchange it for his big brother and Xiao Jiu.

 

 ----

separated by mountains and seas*[隔山隔海]---signifies their relationship is even further apart

 

Edited on 1 May 21 (Emzie)

 

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