Fu Bo was persuaded by Feng Yunlan and turned to look at Zhou Fang, whose gaze was filled with anticipation.
“Father.” Fu Bo called out hesitantly.
Zhou Fang instantly burst into tears of joy, grasping Fu Bo’s hand, and exclaimed, “Ah—my good son!”
Once Zhou Fang calmed down, he told Fu Bo, “Your name is Chengbo, Zhou Chengbo. From now on, you will be the crown prince of my Great Zhou Dynasty. When I pass away, this vast land will belong to you!”
Shuaichang interjected, “Cousin, Chengbo will assume the position of the Wulin Alliance leader in three days. You are still young; why not let Chengbo return to court in a few years?”
In Zhou Chengbo’s heart, his master’s words carried significantly more weight than that of the father he had just recognized. “Father, I want to be the Wulin Alliance leader.”
Zhou Fang glared at Shuaichang. “You’ve led my son astray! Why abandon the empire to take on some worthless Wulin Alliance leader position?”
However, since they had just recognized each other, Zhou Fang wanted to impress Zhou Chengbo and didn’t dare to oppose his son’s decision, fearing Chengbo would reject him.
“Father will give you at most three years, Chengbo. It is not that I am forcing you, but I have longed for you and your mother for many years. My health has deteriorated, and I fear my lifespan may not be long. If you do not help me soon, the ministers will surely drive me to my grave.”
Zhou Chengbo was kind-hearted. If Zhou Fang had tried to force him, he would have refused, but seeing Zhou Fang show vulnerability softened his heart. “Father, I will be the Wulin Alliance leader for only three years. After that, I will return to help you.”
“Good, good, good! Truly my good son. Yuruo in heaven will surely be delighted.”
Three days later, Zhou Fang secretly watched the inauguration ceremony of the Wulin Alliance leader, hidden among the crowd. When he saw his son receive the golden seal from Fu Qingya, pride filled his heart beyond anything else.
This was his and Yuruo’s son, becoming the Wulin Alliance leader at twenty, managing the vast Wulin world. In three years, he would take charge of the Great Zhou Dynasty, inheriting the vast empire his father had established. When that day comes, he would go meet Yuruo and tell her all about their son; Yuruo would surely be as proud as he was.
On the day Zhou Chengbo assumed the position of Wulin Alliance leader, news arrived at the palace that the missing treasure map had been found. It had been hidden by thieves in the cold palace all along and was recently discovered by maids during cleaning.
Thus, the crisis in the Wulin world was averted, and many who had been eager to seize the treasure map from Zhou Chengbo returned disappointed.
With the burden lifted, Shuaichang left with Feng Yunlan the following day. They planned to travel throughout the beautiful landscapes and, when old, find a peaceful spot to build a thatched cottage, living a carefree life like wild clouds and cranes.
One day, as they strolled through the mountains and fields, a young girl’s cries for help suddenly reached their ears. Just as Shuaichang and Feng Yunlan were about to investigate, a girl in thin gauze fell at Shuaichang’s feet, crying for help.
Behind her followed a burly man, brandishing an axe, shouting arrogantly, “You two, hurry up and scram! You’re disturbing me. Be careful, or I’ll cleave you in two!” He waved the axe in a threatening manner.
The girl looked up, tears streaming down her face as she implored, “Please, save me!” She appeared exceedingly pitiful.
Shuaichang flicked his wrist, and with a swift motion, his willow-leaf blade cut through the axe-wielding man’s wrist. The man cried out in pain, clutching his arm and kneeling on the ground.
“You—you dare to hurt me! Just you wait!” The man, pale and shaken, clutched the axe and ran away.
The girl stood gracefully, bowing slightly to Shuaichang. “Thank you for saving me, noble sir. I have nothing to repay your kindness, except for this humble but pleasing form. Please allow me to repay you with my body.”
Shuaichang replied, “…My lady.”
The girl gazed at him with affectionate eyes. “Please, noble sir, speak.”
Shuaichang said, “I think you look quite ordinary, so there’s really no need for such an arrangement.”
The girl’s eyes widened in disbelief, glistening with tears like a gentle current flowing down her cheeks: “Noble sir, I understand that you do not want to take advantage of me, and that is why you say this. I genuinely admire you and wish to serve you. I do not ask for much; just a glance at me, and I would be content.”
Shuaichang hesitated, “But I really don’t want to look at grass. I have beauties at home; why would I look at wild grass? Isn’t that just asking for trouble?”
“Lan’er, why not remove your mask to give this lady a better sense of self-worth?”
Feng Yunlan replied, “…”
Moments later, the girl, feeling inferior, covered her face and fled.
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