155 The Debauchee Alliance (1/2)

Jun Wu Yi and Jun Zhan Tian had no idea that this issue surrounding Tang Yuan was one of the most insignificant ones, which could be traced back to Jun Mo Xie. They were completely unaware that Jun Mo Xie was audaciously and innocently smiling at them after causing the majority of trouble which the Tian Xiang City had found itself in over the last few months... they had no idea that he was behind the Imperial Tutor Li's injury, and the reason behind their enemy's state teacher's visit... also, he was the reason why so many advanced Xuan's were flocking to the city…

”This has gone too far, no one shall be allowed to know about this!” Old man Jun stated: ”That good old Tang Wan Li must be going green with madness, and I hope that he doesn't find out about this... he shouldn't, unless Tang Yuan rats you out…”

Jun Zhan Tian sighed, and then said: ”Thanks to the heavens that he is Tang Wan Li's grandson, if he was anyone else's boy, Old Zhu would have blown him to dust on the spot. Mo Xie, you're lucky that your friend made it out alive, but this was way too dangerous… If anyone finds out, and especially if Eunuch Zhu finds out about the reality behind this incident, then even the Old Tang will not be able to save the two of you.”

”What do you mean? What's so special about being Tang Wan Li's grandson? Even though fatty and I were only trying to make mischief, we never had any intention of hurting anyone... but what does this have to do with his grandfather?” Jun Mo Xie simply couldn't fathom that the Old Eunuch would possibly have enough influence to harm a 'Jun' and a 'Tang'… [He might be a Sky Xuan, but he's still just a palace eunuch.]

”Zhu Zhu Zhu is far more than just a palace eunuch, Mo Xie. I know you've matured a lot lately, but you need to be more careful before setting sail again…” Jun Zhan Tian stated in an earnest tone.

Jun Mo Xie stared at his grandfather questioningly.

”Mo Xie, I agree that you didn't know about this… but Zhu Zhu Zhu is far more than a palace eunuch… he used to be a military general… he was a part of Empire's army, and was considered just below Old Dugu and me…” Grandfather Jun seemed to be getting a bit emotional at this point.

”Is ah?…” this time it was Jun Wu Yi who interjected: ”Father, you said that that you've never worked with Old Zhu before… and that he's never served with you or Dugu Zhong Heng... Didn't general Zhu Cong Long die in the battle as the legend states?”

Jun Zhan Tian shook his head: ”This is a secret which only a few people know apart from His Majesty, Tang Wan Li, Old Dugu and myself… Many years ago, when the Emperor was only the crown price, he took his army into battle. The Jun army was flanking the right side of the enemy; the Dugu army was flanking the left, and the Prince was supposed to go head-on. At that time, the Tian Xiang Empire was still taking shape, and was only a very small Empire. The prince was ambushed, and we all arrived a little too late to rescue him. As a result, the prince was captured by the enemies along with two of his generals, Tang Wan Li, and Zhu Cong Long. The enemy wanted to rot the prince's body with vermin to stifle our military's motivation… But Zhu Cong Long stood out as a hero and valiantly disguised himself as the prince, and was then detained by the enemy for conducting their tortures…”

”Tortures?” Jun Mo Xie and Jun Wu Yi glanced at each other as they finally saw the light. They could finally see all the lies clearly!

”Obviously, we charged at the enemy at night to rescue our prince, and killed their attackers. Somehow, we were able to carry Zhu Cong Long away from the danger at the last second. But by the time we rescued him, his body had already stopped resembling that of a human being. His upper and lower body had been eaten away by vermin, poisonous snakes, rats… his injuries had brought him on the doorstep of death... he had sustained at least a thousand wounds on his body; even his crotch had been torn to pieces… This general…” Jun Zhan Tian sighed regretfully.

[So that's why! That's the reason why such an accomplished expert is only a palace eunuch! And that's why he's so obsessed with cleanliness...]

Jun Mo Xie was finally able to understand, [no wonder the Old Eunuch occupies such a favored position in the palace… he suffered so much for the King… his majesty wouldn't allow such a loyal servant of his to be mistreated at any cost...]

This was another trait of the hitman, he couldn't admit that he was wrong; of course, he'd acknowledge it within his heart, but he wouldn't be able to bring it onto his tongue very easily!

”The war continued and we emerged victorious, but Zhu Cong Long was left with no desire to live. He was so shaken that he couldn't even talk about his trauma… he simply lost all courage to live, and even refused all medical treatment; he wouldn't drink or eat, and it seemed that he would die soon. Tang Wan Li was looking after him at the time, and Old Tang kept telling him, 'you saved my life; if you die, then I won't live in this world either.' Tang Wan Li stopped eating in protest, but Zhu Cong Long remained indifferent to his hunger strike for the initial three days, and his condition continued to worsen. Then, Tang Wan Li took out a blade and started cutting himself in front of Zhu Cong Long's eyes; he kept saying, 'I will kill myself in front of you before I watch you die'....”

Jun Mo Xie and Jun Wu Yi glanced at each other with dismal in their hearts. The tragic atmosphere of that moment from the past had left their hearts gloomy, but they were still very fascinated with the strength of their previous generation's brotherhood.

”Soon, Tang Wan Li had cut-off almost thirty pieces of flesh from his own body….. then, suddenly Zhu Cong Long broke into tears, and started eating his food. But Tang Wan Li fell down…. The condition of his injuries was far worse than the General's…..”

Jun Zhan Tian continued: ”At the end of the war, the prince ascended to the throne as the new Emperor. Tang Wan Li was given the status of nobility, and Zhu Cong Long volunteered to become a palace eunuch. He changed his name to Zhu Zhu Zhu and dedicated his life for safeguarding the Emperor in secrecy. The general Zhu, who died in the battle protecting the prince, is still alive in the man named Zhu Zhu Zhu!”

”No one has ever been able to find out that Zhu Zhu Zhu and General Zhu Cong Long is the same person since he changed his appearance....”