Chapter 180: A White Stone! (1/2)

When Yang Zhao left, Wang Chong was still filled with disbelief over the happenings just a moment ago.

“I couldn’t have expected this…”

Wang Chong muttered as he shook his head. There was an indescribable feeling in his heart at this very moment.

Who was Yang Zhao? He was the haughty person who said ‘Gongzi, you look like a talented person. You will definitely be one of the pillars holding up the country in the future’ to everyone he met, the dishonest and insincere Imperial Uncle.

Yet, Wang Chong had actually managed to become his ‘sworn brother’ when he was still in a humble position.

Such a bizarre twist of events left Wang Chong with a peculiar sensation. However, there was one thing Wang Chong knew for sure.

His brotherhood with Yang Zhao would prove essential to him in reversing the fate of the empire and dealing with that hidden snake within the royal palace.

There were only benefits to his brotherhood with Yang Zhao.

“I wonder what he gave me.”

Wang Chong thought upon recalling the present that Yang Zhao gave him. The other party had behaved rather secretively before he left, emphasizing several times that Wang Chong could only open the box after his departure.

Since Yang Zhao was already gone, he could now open it up to take a look.

Pah!

Opening the reddish-purple wooden box, Wang Chong didn’t see jewelry, pills, cultivation techniques manuals, or anything shocking within. Instead, all he saw were a few thin pieces of folded paper.

“What is this?”

Wang Chong frowned in bewilderment.

He took out the first piece of paper, unfolded it, and saw column after column of words. Wang Chong’s doubt intensified.

From time immemorial, after swearing to brotherhood, there were some who gifted treasures and some who gave nothing at all. However, Wang Chong had never heard of anybody giving their newly sworn brother a box of letters as a gift.

However, when Wang Chong noticed the seal on the paper, his heart skipped a beat. He finally understood the true meaning of Yang Zhao’s gift.

“King Qi!”

Wang Chong’s heart beat furiously. The paper within the reddish-purple wooden box were all letters that King Qi wrote to Consort Taizhen.

The contents were simple; King Qi was persuading Consort Taizhen to ally with him to deal with King Song. There were six letters in total, and their contents were about the same.

Clearly, King Qi was adamant to pull Consort Taizhen over to his side.

However, it seemed like Consort Taizhen still chose King Song in the end.

“Yang Zhao has truly done both Consort Taizhen and me a favor this time!”

It would be a huge contribution for Wang Chong if he were to give these letters to King Song.

At the very least, it would make King Song owe the Wang Clan a debt.

Carefully placing the letters back into the wooden box, Wang Chong kept them in a drawer within the study. After dealing with other miscellaneous issues, Wang Chong sneaked out of the residence alone, headed for the Ghost Tree District in the city’s west.

The Ghost Tree District was peaceful and silent.

Beneath that towering Chinese scholar tree, Wang Chong saw a tall and skinny figure dressed in simple black clothes. The figure sat cross-legged in front a golden chessboard, seemingly waiting for something or someone.

“Elder!”

Wang Chong walked over and bowed deeply.

“You’ve returned.”

Su Zhengchen said calmly. His lean face was indifferent, but Wang Chong could sense concern from his tone.

“Yes!”

Wang Chong nodded.

“Suffering is a trial of life, being locked in the imperial prison isn’t a big deal. Young man, such suffering will be beneficial for your future.”

Su Zhengchen advised impassively.

“Yes, I’ve learned from your words.”

Wang Chong usually put on a cheerful and casual front before Su Zhengchen, but at this moment, he bowed humbly as though he were a student.

Given Su Zhengchen’s background, he was more than qualified to say these words to him.

Compared to the sufferings the other party had gone through, Wang Chong’s imprisonment was truly nothing at all.

“Un, it’s good that you understand this. Come, have a seat. Let’s play a match!”

Su Zhengchen raised his hand and gestured to the seat before him.

“Yes, elder.”

Wang Chong heaved a sigh of relief as he kneeled at the other side of the chessboard, opposite to Su Zhengchen. Just like that, an elder and a youngster began clashing with one another through black and white stones.

Su Zhengchen had always been a reticent person and today, he seemed no different from before. On the other hand, Wang Chong was still mulling over Su Zhengchen’s previous words, resulting in the turmoil in his heart. As such, he lost a substantial amount of points to the other party.

“Expel everything from your heart and calm yourself. Prestige and fame, shame and humiliation, they are all just mere labels of the material world. Since they aren’t a part of you, why should they shake your heart?”

With a lowered head, Su Zhengchen muttered impassively.

Wang Chong was taken aback. He felt as though Su Zhengchen was making use of his imprisonment to teach him something. This had never happened before.

This left Wang Chong perplexed, but even so, he didn’t feel detest it.