Free Web NovelChapter 1690: Chapter 42: As If a Sun Had Gone Out
Then he left openly and confidently.
Truly, he arrived like a thunderbolt and departed like a swift bolt of lightning.
Different from the typical noble daughters with gentle manners and modesty that Jiang Wang encountered in Linzi, yet possessed a unique romantic and carefree spirit of the Chu Territory.
The carriage window remained open, and Jiang Wang looked outside. Qu Shunhua’s carriage was originally parked beside it, equally luxurious, not inferior to Zuo Guangshu’s. She ducked down and sat inside.
"Ah, what a good girl!"
Jiang Wang marvelled, glancing at the departing carriage and then at Zuo Guangshu.
He looked at Zuo Guangshu again, and then at the carriage carrying Qu Shunhua away.
Zuo Guangshu’s face flushed red, and she angrily said, "What are you looking at!"
Jiang Wang laughed heartily but said nothing more.
The little fellow has thin skin; if teased further, she might explode.
...
...
Huai Nation Government House covers an extensive area, and in the pricey Ying City, just this occupancy space is enough to imagine the power of the residence’s owner.
A pair of red jade lions stood at the gate, majestic and noble beyond words.
Especially the lion’s eyes, which glittered like living creatures.
The young master of the Zuo family returned to the residence, and Huai Nation Government House opened its doors widely; guards lined up to welcome him.
Jiang Wang had just gotten off the carriage when he saw a middle-aged beautiful woman gracefully standing there.
Dressed plainly, her demeanor was dignified, carrying an air of nobility in her brows, but not oppressive. The impression she gave was very friendly and gentle.
Zuo Guangshu got off the carriage first and obediently said, "Mom, this is Brother Jiang Wang, whom I’ve invited to assist me in the fight, this year’s Yellow River Leader!"
Xiong Jingyu turned her eyes to him.
Jiang Wang was courteous and said, "Junior Jiang Wang pays respects to Princess Chang of the Great Chu!"
He did his homework in advance and knew Zuo Guangshu’s mother was the current Emperor Chu’s sister, titled Princess Yuyun. Addressing her thus was the safest bet.
Looking at the tall, dignified young man before her, Xiong Jingyu’s eyes briefly blurred.
Her eldest son was also the Yellow River Leader...
But this momentary daze quickly vanished.
Xiong Jingyu spoke softly, "You and Guangshu are friends; you can just call me Aunt directly. Thank you for looking after Guangshu in the Taixu Illusion Realm, and now coming from afar to assist him."
"Not at all." Jiang Wang responded modestly, "In the Taixu Illusion Realm, Guangshu and I helped each other and grew together. Besides, I’m very fascinated by the Mountain and Sea Realm, receiving the invitation was something I greatly desired!"
"How are you adapting to the Mountain and Sea Purgatory?" Xiong Jingyu inquired further.
Jiang Wang glanced at Zuo Guangshu and, with confidence, replied, "Pretty well."
Zuo Guangshu seemed dissatisfied with her mother’s question and shouted from the side, "Can the helper I choose be any less good?"
Xiong Jingyu ignored him and said to Jiang Wang, "That place is too harsh; it makes you suffer along with it. Aunt feels really sorry about it. Take a good rest in the house these days and replenish your energy."
"Guangshu is training with me, it’s not tedious at all, Aunt." Jiang Wang accepted her suggestion smoothly.
Xiong Jingyu asked, "Did Guangshu tell you about his grandfather wanting to meet you?"
"He did." Jiang Wang replied, "The old duke is a hero of this generation, whom I’ve long admired!"
Xiong Jingyu smiled slightly, gaining more fondness for the respectful young man: "Guangshu’s grandfather is waiting for you in the study, I’ll take you there."
She patted Zuo Guangshu’s forehead lightly, "You stay here."
"Why won’t you let me be there?" Zuo Guangshu immediately complained, "Is there anything in the Zuo family that’s not for me to hear?"
"Your grandfather specifically wants to speak with him; does it have anything to do with you?" Xiong Jingyu spun him around and said, "Go away, stop being a nuisance!"
Zuo Guangshu understood his mother’s attitude was unequivocal, but he still exclaimed, "It’s okay to have a conversation, but tell Grandpa not to bully anyone!"
Xiong Jingyu couldn’t help but give him a stern look, "Your grandfather is so much older; do you think he’s like a child like you?"
Zuo Guangshu spoke in jest.
Jiang Wang inexplicably felt a bit uneasy.
Only children think of bullying someone, adults are all about stealing and killing...
Facing Duke Huai, if there’s any dissatisfaction, his small stature wouldn’t endure it.
Yet, he could only follow Xiong Jingyu in the end.
Falling half a step behind, he walked in the deep courtyard of Huai Nation Government House.
Jiang Wang slowly calmed his slightly nervous heart.
He could probably guess why Duke Huai wanted to see him.
The "Flame Flower Burning City Analysis" given by Zuo Guangshu already explained a lot.
Just as Master Ku Jue was able to find him through some connections, for a grand figure like Duke Huai, capturing the bond between him and Zuo Guanglie wouldn’t be difficult.
Duke Chu Huai, Zuo Xiao, had quite a proud name. It’s said that in his youth, he was also a fierce deity, only gradually cultivated himself after ascending high positions.
Of course, he gained fame a long time ago. Today, outside Chuguo, maybe not even any Human Demon’s infamous name spreads widely.
But those who truly know him naturally wouldn’t have such trivial comparisons.
Jiang Wang pondered Duke Huai’s style, measuring his attitude in speaking.
Suddenly, he heard a voice ahead—
"Was he in pain when he left...?"
This voice was so gentle, it seemed it hadn’t sounded.
Yet, it was real and clear, appearing beside Jiang Wang.
Jiang Wang dared not look at her expression walking beside, but he could feel the pain in this question.
This Princess Yu Yun of the Great Chu didn’t mention a name, but Jiang Wang knew very well... who "he" was.
Less pain may be a mother’s final comfort.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Wang said, "Like a sun extinguished. He left cleanly and brilliantly."
"Like a sun..." Xiong Jingyu murmured.
She imagined such a splendid scene and finally felt... that’s the end Guang Lie would choose.
Then she stopped walking: "The study ahead is it; Guangshu’s grandfather is inside."
"Okay. Thanks for accompanying me, Aunt." Jiang Wang bowed to her and walked forward alone.
This young man in a blue shirt, in a mother’s eyes, was deeply imprinted.
Same Yellow River Leader, same extraordinary talent, same young prominence...
But he was not him.
Perhaps it’s due to the Flat Step Qingyun Immortal Technique relation; Jiang Wang moved with a hint of immortal qi.
While Zuo Guanglie was brilliant and dazzling.
Xiong Jingyu gently closed her eyes, again seeing that splendid flame-robed young back, but that back would never turn again.
...
...
The study’s door was open, with no attendants present.
Jiang Wang cautiously entered, seeing a slender old man sitting behind a desk, intently writing something.
Writing as he said without looking up, "Sit."
Jiang Wang glanced around, then sat in the large chair against the wall. Behind him hung a painting of birds flocking to a phoenix; on his right was a tea stool, beyond it was another chair.
The study’s layout was arguably "simple," without any unnecessary decorations.
Duke Huai didn’t intend to test Jiang Wang’s patience, quickly setting down the pen and sliding the freshly written document to the desk’s upper right corner, then looking up.
After all, the name casts a shadow.
Jiang Wang subconsciously stiffened, his seat shifting half an inch.
"Yellow River Leader Jiang Wang, I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time." Duke Huai used this as his opening.
Jiang Wang turned to face him, this time clearly seeing Duke Chu Huai’s features—
Smooth, serene, with a few lines bestowed by time. freёwebnovel.com
Though his appearance lacked much sign of age, it conveyed him to be an elder.
His majesty wasn’t overt.
"To be remembered by the duke is an honor for a junior like me." Jiang Wang said politely.
His respect for Zuo Xiao wasn’t merely due to his position as Duke Chu Huai but also because the man was the grandfather of Zuo Guanglie and Zuo Guangshu.
To treat a friend’s elder as one’s elder.
Duke Huai quietly observed him for a while, then said, "Actually, I wanted to ask you some questions, but later felt it unnecessary to ask. Everyone faces regrets in life; I’m no exception."
He sighed lightly, "Child, I just want to see you now."
