Chapter 1269: Good Future (1/2)

The Empire was in a resurgence lately, with numerous geniuses appearing from the younger generation. The accomplishment was much greater than the previous generation’s. Some of the major-clan scions who had been hidden as reserves progressed by leaps and bounds, so much so that they could now be placed on the stage. But no one would’ve imagined that the next to breakthrough after the twin stars was Song Zining.

The natural phenomenon produced by Worldly Prosperity was witnessed by tens of thousands of Imperial soldiers. His future was definitely boundless.

People in the Empire reacted differently—some jumped for joy and others sighed in admiration, but there were also people who fell deep in thought. However, everyone who recalled the Song clan—where it used to be and where it was now—felt the same resonating schadenfreude.

…

At the Highland Song Clan’s Enlightenment Manor, Duchess An’s old residence remained neatly kempt. Song Zhongnian walked through the gardens, watching his busy family members moving things about.

This used to be the duchess’ favorite place, so the Elder Assembly made the decision to preserve and seal the place in her memory.

There was a beautiful lady beside Song Zhongnian, a quiet, charming, and graceful young woman. She looked somewhat sad and almost as though she wanted to memorize the current scenery.

“Ziyan, what are you thinking about?”

Song Ziyan said in a whisper, “I was just thinking about how well the old ancestor treated me back then. I fear I won’t be able to come here anymore.”

Song Zhongnian’s face was full of worry and sorrow. His creases had deepened, and it seemed like he had aged ten years. He sighed deeply, saying, “There’s no helping it. Us unworthy descendants are too ashamed to face the ancestor. Those old fogeys probably don’t want to come here anymore, either, and hence, this decision. Even I don’t want to come here. After all, the Song clan was demoted in my hands. I don’t know how the history books will describe me, but it can’t be good.”

He laughed self-deprecatingly. “Things aren’t fortunate for you. These are tough times for our Song clan, no, Song family, and that has affected your marriage. The Kong family has also refused the engagement.”

Song Ziyan shook her head. “I didn’t want to marry, to begin with!”

“You can’t say that! A girl has to marry sooner or later. No rush, I’ll help you make arrangements.”

Song Ziyan looked up. “My marriage isn’t important, but are you not going to summon seventh brother back even at this point?”

“Will he even be willing to come back?”

Song Zhongnian sighed. “You might not know, but Song Zining and Qianye have made great progress on Fort Continent. That Qianye is on track to proclaim himself king, and considering their relationship, Zining’s status won’t be too far off. There’s nothing in the family to impress him. Besides, Song Zining made his intentions clear when he left the family, how will he face those elders if he comes back?”

Song Ziyan said, “Grandpa, you’re still thinking about those elders? They see nothing but themselves. When have they ever worked for the greater good? Why should we listen to them? As I see it, we should just disperse the elder assembly.”

“Nonsense! The assembly is a rule laid down by the ancestors, every clan has the same system. This is no laughing matter.”

“If we must keep the assembly, we should change all of its members.”

“What do you know? Won’t that make us even less unified?”

“That’s still better than having them slowly break the Song family apart.”

Song Zhongnian’s face was ashen. He said with a loud snort, “This isn’t a topic for a girl like you.”

Song Ziyan sighed. She then softened her tone, saying, “Seventh brother will surely be able to suppress those elders.”

“Suppress? What is he going to suppress them with? He’s not even a divine champion, who’ll listen to him?”

“He will breakthrough sooner or later. Besides, who else in the family is his match even if he isn’t? He also has Qianye’s help.” Song Ziyan’s expression changed at the mention of Qianye, then quickly recovered to normalcy.

Song Zhongnian said with a frown, “It’s not your place to speak of family matters! If becoming a divine champion is so easy, we won’t be without one for so many years since the old ancestors. Let’s see when that day actually comes.”

It was at this moment that an attendant arrived hurriedly, shouting, “Lord, urgent… report!”

“What’s with the panic? Look at yourself. I’ll send you off to Transcendent if you don’t learn to be calm!” In his bad mood, Song Zhongnian berated the attendant while opening the envelope. He then fished out the contents and looked through them.

His hand froze up after a single glance; he didn’t even notice the report falling to the ground.

A curious Song Ziyan picked up the paper. After reading the continents, she cried out in joy, “Seventh brother is a divine champion now!? This is great news! Our Song family finally has a divine champion! Grandpa…”

Her voice slowly faded away when she saw Song Zhongnian’s expression. She suddenly realized something at this point—there might have been some chance of Song Zining returning if he couldn’t break through. Now that he had broken through the divine champion threshold, there was no longer any hope of him returning.

The Imperial Palace, Pepper Hall. Empress Li was leaning on the couch, stroking the cat in her arms. The palace hall was warm, but she was still clad in a thick woolen shawl and her face was abnormally pale.

An old inner attendant walked in with a booklet and began reading to her the important happenings in the Empire. The first of them was Song Zining’s breakthrough to become a divine champion.

Stunned, Empress Li’s grip tightened unknowingly. The cat struggled out of her arms in pain and scuttled toward a corner.

“So he has also broken through. Now that’s unexpected.”

The old attendant said, “This is indeed unexpected, perhaps the Song clan can return to being a major clan.”

Empress Li said, “There might’ve been some chance if he hadn’t broken through, but now, there’s none. That is unless he’s ruthless enough to clean up all of those elders.”

“This matter is all too easy for the seventh young master. Who in the entire clan is his match? Even all the elders together can do nothing against the Seventh Young Master and his Worldly Prosperity.”

“Can and willing are two different matters,” Empress Li said with a laugh. “Besides, why would he need to stain his hands when his future is so good.”