Chapter 77 - Damn It
When Ping Shun's fist connected with Zhao Sanlang's abdomen, an unusual sensation welled up within him. In that moment, he experienced a courage he had never felt before in his entire life.
From a young age, everything seemed to fall into place for him, fitting perfectly with his name. Apart from his martial arts prowess, he lacked any other talents and had no inclination for mistreating ordinary people, unlike those spoiled playboys. His sole pastime revolved around his interactions with women.
Nonetheless, in the words of Tang Yue, this wasn't a genuine pastime; rather, it was something he engaged in when he found himself bored.
If he stumbled upon something more captivating, he naturally wouldn't be preoccupied with women incessantly.
The conclusion of this battle witnessed Zhao Sanlang pinning Ping Shun to the ground, rendering him motionless. There was no astonishment or shock among the onlookers. Wine glasses were raised, and amidst the revelry, an anonymous voice boldly exclaimed, “Esteemed Heir, your skin is positively radiant!”
“Haha…”
Zhao Sanlang chuckled, unconcerned about the potential damage to his reputation as one of the city's four handsome men, as he touched Ping Shun's head and affectionately declared, “Good lad, call me your brother!”
Pingshun covered his swollen face and groaned.
“What? I didn't hear you clearly.” Zhao Sanlang laughed and said, “Louder.”
Pingshun struggled, but he was too weak to push Zhao Sanlang away. He shouted, “Brother!”
“Haha… good boy… From now on, you will be my brother. I will protect you!”
Tang Yue sneered inwardly. These two simpletons had strangely grown closer after their altercation. If they continued to look out for each other, they might even form a duo of fools.
Rising to his feet, Zhao Sanlang extended his hand to help Ping Shun up from the ground. Surprisingly, even after considerable effort, Ping Shun remained firmly planted on the ground. This prompted laughter from the dispersing audience once more.
Wang Zizhao walked over and held Ping Shun's arm with one hand, lifting him up easily.
When Zhao Sanlang saw him, he immediately looked away and was about to run away.
Ping Shun found himself in a situation no better than his counterpart's. Regret filled him as he wished he could rewind time and erase the memory of his brawl with Zhao Sanlang.
As Wang Zizhao began to speak, the two young masters immediately grew tense, abandoning any thought of escape.
“Starting tomorrow, both of you will undergo daily training with Deputy General Hu at seven o'clock,” Wang Zizhao instructed. “Given your newcomer status, I'll halve the intensity of your training.”
Zhao Sanlang wore a bitter expression, wanting to retort but refraining out of fear. Ping Shun remained bewildered, unable to grasp the situation.
Wang Zizhao departed without concern for their predicament. Tang Yue approached and gave them a friendly pat. “Thanks for your assistance.”
Zhao Sanlang couldn't contain his frustration any longer and confronted Tang Yue, teeth clenched. “It's your fault, Tang Yue. If you hadn't incited Fatty, Wang Zizhao might have noticed you.”
Tang Yue propped his leg on his knee and produced a scalpel from his belongings. “So you're aware that others might overlook you too. You're not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed!”
His scalpel danced deftly between his fingers, its blade gleaming sharp. Instinctively, Zhao Sanlang took a step back, apprehensive.
He stared straight at Tang Yue's hand. “How… how did you do it?”
Tang Yue turned the scalpel to his palm. The small knife spun quickly in his palm. He clenched his fingers and held the scalpel in his palm.
“I have to put in a lot of effort to do it well. Do you think I can do it in a day or two?”
Zhao Sanlang shook his head.
Tang Yue reached down and retrieved a dry branch from the ground, snapping off a small section. He meticulously removed the tough, parched outer layer before deftly etching intricate patterns onto the wood with a knife. As wood shavings fluttered down, the finger-thick branch gradually took on the form of a dragon on one side.
Ping Shun, observing from the sidelines, stood in silent astonishment. Zhao Sanlang too gazed intently, fully absorbed in the sight.
Tang Yue's carving prowess had always been held in high regard, but witnessing it firsthand left Zhao Sanlang utterly spellbound. He hadn't anticipated its sheer enchantment.
A crowd began to gather, offering their admiration for Tang Yue's sculpting skills. Many had only known him as a brilliant military doctor, never suspecting he possessed such remarkable sculpting talents.
It left them pondering how greatly fortune favored him and, in turn, envying his charmed existence.
The fire gradually illuminated the surroundings, and Tang Yue utilized its faint glow to complete the final touches. He raised his eyes and instructed Zhao Sanlang, “Fetch a piece of charred wood.”
Zhao Sanlang nodded and hastened to the fire's edge. There, he retrieved a slender charcoal fragment and handed it to Tang Yue, watching intently as Tang Yue used the black charcoal to ignite two points in the dragon's eyes.
“This is for you,” Tang Yue offered, passing the wooden sculpture to Zhao Sanlang. The recipient cradled it carefully in his palm, emitting a string of impressed remarks.
The wooden sculpture was of a simple yellow hue and was not overly intricate in the palm-sized form it took. Nonetheless, creating such a work in such a brief span of time was undeniably commendable.
“Sanlang leads a carefree existence, free from the concerns of the world. He doesn't grasp the suffering of the common people. Count this as your good fortune. If you continue to be blessed with such luck, you might never have to worry about anything in your lifetime.
“However, in this world, eight or nine out of ten things don't go as planned. To put it plainly, if one day you lose the ability to act on your own accord, can you still navigate this world?”
Zhao Sanlang furrowed his brow and retorted, “I wouldn't dare claim to be wealthy, but I'm not as naive as Ping Shun. Even without State Protector Prefecture, I could serve as a court official.”
Tang Yue patted his shoulder, a smile gracing his lips. “Becoming an official isn't as straightforward as you might think.”
Without someone dependable, this child would have fallen victim to deception numerous times.
Ping Shun still projected an aura of “Don't mess with me,” while Zhao Sanlang appeared as though he had a sign on his forehead saying, “I'm utterly innocent, come and deceive me.”
Ping Shun scooted closer to Tang Yue and whispered, “Tang Yue, can I have a dragon?”
Tang Yue turned to him and replied, “Certainly, provided you shed three pounds before reaching Qinyang City, I'll craft a more intricate one for you.”
During this era, dragons weren't the exclusive domain of the royal family. They still lived on in legends, and their dragon robes had yet to grace the world. People were less cautious about dragons.
Ping Shun nodded, his eyes sparkling. His captivating peach blossom eyes made Tang Yue believe that not many women could resist his gaze.
Dinner consisted of hearty porridge mixed with chilled wild vegetables, the sound of slurping porridge filling the air. Tang Yue felt his appetite had improved, and he was no longer particular about his food.
Of course, even if he wanted to be selective, he lacked the authority to do so.
The sole member of the team who could make a modest contribution was Wang Zizhao. Everyone treated him with utmost care, as if he were a delicate crystal figurine. They were determined to protect him.
If others wished to take action, they risked punishment under military law unless they kept their actions secret.
After the meal, Zhao Sanlang sat beside the river with the dragon figurine in his hand. He gazed up at the distant mountain, his thoughts a mystery to everyone.
No one had ever spoken these words to him. No one dared to imply that the State Protector Prefecture didn't matter to him. His mother was merely a decoration in their home, devoid of any influence. His father only berated him for his idleness and disappointment. Consequently, he valued the proactive son of a scoundrel more.
He had never realized the deficiency in his life, but today, as he watched Tang Yue handle the knife with skill and contemplated his impressive medical and sculpting talents, along with the young men's culinary skills, he longed for that confidence and camaraderie he had always yearned for but could never attain.
How did a sixteen-year-old boy acquire so many skills? What was his upbringing like from a young age?
Zhao Sanlang ran his hand through his hair in annoyance, unable to comprehend why he had to sit here pondering such matters.
He asserted his ability to live as he pleased, so why would a few words distract him?
It was entirely Tang Xiaolang's fault; he was inexplicably lecturing him. Had he recently developed a penchant for educating Fatty? Did he aspire to become a teacher?
Rising to his feet, he patted his rear end, intending to relegate these chaotic thoughts to the recesses of his mind. But just before he turned away, he overheard someone say from behind, “Sanlang, you shouldn't have come.”
He pivoted to confront his estranged brother's somber countenance and tugged at the corner of his lips, inquiring, “What do you mean?”
“You've been sheltered since childhood, unable to endure hardship. If you attend, not only will you lose face, but you'll also disgrace State Protector Prefecture. Father is aware and will be furious.”
Zhao Sanlang sneered, “That doesn't mean you've amassed much honor for our family by meddling in others' affairs.”
“I'm doing this for your own benefit. How do you intend to establish yourself in the Imperial Court after losing face in front of Wang Zizhao?”
“So, I should learn to be a sycophant like you?”
The eldest son of the Zhao family's face tightened, nearly losing his composure. Ultimately, he restrained himself and said, “You're still young and don't grasp these matters. I'm merely cautioning you that if you choose to attend, do so with dignity. Don't embarrass yourself. Look out for your own reputation.”
Zhao Sanlang glared at him and huffed, “You just need to worry about yourself.”
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