Chapter 225 - 223: Illegitimate Daughter
At the foot of the mountain, Song Changming glanced at Liu Yan’Er, whose limbs felt somewhat weak at the moment.
In this great battle with the Outer Domain, her performance was even more resilient than Song Changming had anticipated.
She showed not a hint of feminine frailty, and she basically went through the entire process without needing Song Changming to lend a hand, relying solely on her own perseverance until the end.
Moreover, her achievements were remarkable, killing many enemies and displaying fierce prowess.
This was no small feat for Liu Yan’Er, who was participating in such a battle for the first time.
"It seems that Elder Liu need not worry too much about this granddaughter anymore, she can take care of herself..." Song Changming thought to himself.
When her spiritual power becomes strong enough, and she begins cultivating Inner Qi in the future, she may not reach the Celestial List, but at least the Earth List should be within reach.
"Impressive!" Suddenly, Li Jinyu, who had been hiding somewhere, reappeared and gave Song Changming a thumbs up.
This Li Jinyu often acted nothing like a master of his stature should, being rather free and easy.
"I wonder what the outcome of the battle on the mountain is?" Song Changming said.
"Don’t worry." Li Jinyu replied indifferently.
Sure enough, after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Song Changming saw many figures on the mountain hastily fleeing.
Without a doubt, these were the strong members of the Outer Realm Evil Cult.
After this battle, their plot to invade Da Han was mostly foiled.
Wangyue Pavilion remains able to steadfastly endure here, as Li Jinyu predicted, it could persist for at least another five hundred years.
And as long as Wangyue Pavilion stands, it signifies that Wangyue Prefecture in Da Han remains unscathed for these five hundred years, and won’t be seized and occupied by the Outer Realm Evil Cult Members.
Thinking of this, Song Changming suddenly asked.
"With the current fragmentation in Da Han, where various heroes claim kingship, and the Chu Dynasty Imperial Court is in decline, can you foresee the future of Da Han, sir?"
"Well..." Li Jinyu pondered for a moment but spoke frankly, "Brother Song, nothing in the world is ever-lasting, even a millennium dynasty has its end of fate, the Chu Family is done!"
Li Jinyu’s voice was somewhat low, like a dull thunder that suddenly exploded!
Even though he was somewhat prepared in his heart, Song Changming still felt a chill inside, quite touched by the words.
After all, this is a dynasty that has lasted for a millennium, with the identity of the Chu Family of emperors deeply rooted and inseparable from Da Han.
If it were someone else suddenly proclaiming the end of a dynasty, ready for a change, Song Changming may not have such a strong reaction in his heart.
But Li Jinyu is different, his words carry weight, and the events he predicts, while not guaranteed to be 100% true, are likely to happen.
He said Da Han’s fate is exhausted, then the future will head in this direction.
"I am curious, among the current local Dukes, who will laugh last and once again unify the empire?" Song Changming asked, which indeed piqued his curiosity.
Though he has lived in the Da Han Dynasty for so many years, he holds little affection for the current Chu Family emperor.
He is not a loyalist to the Chu Family, and if it’s over, it’s over, as long as the country remains.
The old king dies, a new king will always ascend the throne.
"What do you think, Brother Song?" Li Jinyu asked with a smile.
"Since you said the Chu Family is about to fall, then the winner naturally will not be the remaining three Princes, and apart from them, there aren’t many local Dukes who have developed momentum..."
Song Changming thought of the Gu Family, who started from Donglai Prefecture, and now growing stronger and gaining great fame, and thought of Gu Wenhui, who replaced the huge establishment of the Fifth Prince.
In his eyes, Gu Wenhui now has the aura of an emperor.
"Gu Wenhui."
Since Li Jinyu spoke so frankly with him, Song Changming had no reason to hold back and spoke his mind directly.
"Haha, Brother Song, great minds think alike." Li Jinyu said with a smile.
"So it’s really him..." Song Changming murmured, feeling a sense of emotion.
He initially had interactions with Gu Wenhui, but their acquaintance was not deep; it was entirely due to Lu Zheng that they met a few times.
At that time, Gu Wenhui also extended olive branches to him several times, attempting to recruit him.
But Song Changming, wholeheartedly focused on Martial Tao, had no interest in participating in dynastic struggles, so he never agreed.
Gu Wenhui left an impression on Song Changming as a person rich in strategy, someone who never acts without planning, with a meticulous and comprehensive mind.
As a local powerhouse from the small Gu Family in Donglai Prefecture, began his official career under the Xiao Family Governor, stepping onto the path of governance.
After the fall of the Xiao Family, he decisively moved his entire family away from the remote Donglai Prefecture, gathering strength everywhere, and eventually heading to the Imperial Capital to participate in the great power struggle among the Six Kings for the throne.
Later, I pledged myself to the Fifth Prince, offering strategies and schemes while secretly laying my plans.
In the end, I replaced him in one fell swoop, becoming a Foreign King, officially taking charge and vying for domination.
Now, under Gu Wenhui’s command, soldiers abound and his influence is immense, even overshadowing the other two princes who have claimed titles of king.
He currently holds the most power across the Da Han territories, and outsiders now more often refer to him as the reigning master of the age! The True Dragon of the chaotic era!
Having heard Li Jinyu’s words, it isn’t surprising that it may only be a few years before the world truly belongs to the Gu family!
"If Brother Song merely seeks a lifetime of riches, then going to join Gu Wenhui now is the wisest choice." Li Jinyu laughed.
Song Changming shook his head; if he wanted to pledge allegiance, he would have done so a decade ago, not waited until now.
"That is not my pursuit anymore."
Initially, he came from humble beginnings, worrying daily about sustenance, and at that time, perhaps he was interested in so-called wealth and glory.
Now, with skills comparable to the Celestial List masters, his horizons have broadened, and he has higher Martial Tao pursuits; pledging allegiance is something he never considered.
Li Jinyu chuckled, not dwelling on the matter, but calculated the Hour, and with a salute to Song Changming, said:
"This concludes the matter; I have other things to attend to, Brother Song, I’ll take my leave first."
Song Changming returned the gesture.
Regarding this suddenly appearing Li Jinyu, he indeed was capable, and Song Changming was happy to make his acquaintance.
Li Jinyu walked into the forest at the back as such, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
Even when Song Changming used his Spiritual Power to probe, he could not detect Li Jinyu’s presence.
"Strange, what treasure could make him hide so perfectly..." Song Changming pondered.
Could it be my perception is flawed...
As Song Changming was mulling over this, he suddenly sensed, in another part of the forest, a Fog Beast rushing down from the mountain appearing nearby, heading straight for him, clearly perceived by him.
It further proved that his perception had no issues.
Judging by the Fog Beast’s panicked fleeing, most likely it escaped the pursuit of the Da Han Martial Artists after the Outer Domain stronghold was defeated.
In the blink of an eye, the Fog Beast charged to the hillside where Song Changming stood.
The Fog Beast appeared as a pure white fierce tiger, as large as an elephant; though injured, its aura and might were still terrifying enough that Song Changming had to concentrate to deal with it.
After all, this fierce tiger had withdrawn from the mountain battlefield, it couldn’t be weak.
The Fog Beast saw Song Changming’s back and without hesitation pounced as soon as it got near.
Blood Qi spread around, making the air seem to coagulate.
Just as Song Changming was about to draw his saber, the Fog Beast in mid-pounce suddenly stiffened, collapsing before Song Changming.
"Hm?" Song Changming relaxed his brow, watching the Fog Beast struggling, he raised his saber and delivered a Fire God Slash, decapitating the tiger.
Having dealt with the Fog Beast, Song Changming looked to the side.
In a cluster of shriveled brush, Su Qingqing stood with fists clenched, biting her lip, eyes shining bright and pink.
Only when Song Changming had slain the ambushing tiger did she pale and collapse into the flowers.
Just now, it was she who used the so-called Charm Demon Eye Technique, immobilizing the Fog Beast, causing it to halt mid-assault.
"This child..." Song Changming sheathed his blade, walking toward the little girl.
Perhaps the Fog Beast was too powerful, even immobilizing it for just a few seconds taxed the girl’s spirit, causing her to faint.
In this place, succumbing to unconsciousness meant certain death for Song Changming, let alone the little girl.
Song Changming grabbed her worn cape with one hand, lifting the girl.
The small girl, thin and slight, limp as a stray kitten, felt almost weightless held in his hand.
Seeing her furrowed brows indicating discomfort, Song Changming switched to supporting her, allowing her head to rest against his shoulder as he slowly descended the small hill.
"Brother Song, who is this?" Liu Yan’Er asked perplexed upon seeing the little girl cradled by Song Changming.
Distracted thoughts began to fill her mind.
Though Brother Song was unmarried, his age was well apparent, and Martial Artists are strong and virile; there’s a possibility he might have dallied abroad, resulting in a daughter.
Judging by the little girl’s appearance, she looks about eight or nine...