Deities Abandoning Children (Part 4)
The tongueless servants of the manor moved in silence as naturally as if they were in a separate dimension to the rest of the world, but it felt as if the rest of the world actually isolated the manor. Their blank expressions were proof that nobody understood them, and they themselves did not seek to be understood. Wang Du’s residence was at the end of this silent, dark-green courtyard.
Twenty years ago, mentioning his name alone had the same effect as mentioning “Baima” nowadays. As a matter of fact, Wang Du put down more bandits and rebels than Baima had.
Wang and Xie Clans had rooted themselves in numerous departments of the imperial court, so their fates were bound to the imperial court’s. Thus, the imperial family trusted them the most among the Seven Champion White Princes to the point that they believed Dark Robe Brotherhood would never betray them. Their history went all the way back to Li Dynasty’s prime.
Black Robe Brotherhood was originally a family of aristocrats, the type with money and power, yet were close to falling from grace. They were once notorious for being a family of martial artists whom picked on those beneath them and showed no regards for what their ancestors left behind. Several centuries ago, Wang and Xie clans decided to purge the bad eggs in their clans and usher in new policies. The patriarch of that generation genuinely wished to do better and to aid those in need. Ever since then, they were able to reinvent themselves into one of the major orthodox faction’s sects. When the last dynasty was at its end, Dark Robe Brotherhood stopped up and contributed significantly for the people. Li Dynasty’s progenitor, therefore, awarded them handsomely and started their familial relationship.
Through the passage of time, Black Robe Brotherhood was on track to returning to their roots again. Although Dark Robe Brotherhood could not compare to the other six Champion White Princes under Wang Du’s leadership, they had maintained their position, which was still a testament to his abilities.
Besides Jin Wangshi, who was whistling, and Su Xiao, who was deep in thought, the others were on edge. This rubbed the steward the wrong way enough for him to want to trip Su Xiao, but a vibration in his ear numbed his limbs. Wang Du’s cough told the steward that his intent was noticed. Following a salute at the doors, the steward voiced, “Your disciple seeks an audience.”
Now that they learnt the steward was Wang Du’s disciple, it made sense as to why he was so proficient with “Forbidden Lightning Wind” and why he was so protective of Wang Du’s reputation. His background reminded Bai Lian of her own shifu, which reduced her distaste for the manor’s surroundings.
“Come in.”
There was no telling his age based off his voice. Interestingly, his voice sounded refreshing initially, but it gradually turned rough later on, and then the contents were erased from memory. By the time they snapped out of it, they had already subconsciously stepped through the doors.
Bai Youhan: His internal discipline allows him to remove any thought of resistance? I didn’t even know such a thing was possible.
The group followed the steward to the large room at the end of the courtyard, where a man in his forties was waiting. It was the wrinkles at his eyes that gave away his age. If one were to judge him off his somewhat chubby appearance alone, they would think he was only thirty years old. Even by the toughest standard, Wang Du was the pretty-boy type. His most distinct feature when first meeting him was his casual posture of an inviting drinking partner. His loosely-fitted white robe and splayed hair fitted the rumours of his unorthodox personality perfectly.
Jin Wangshi also had a laid-back pretty boy aura, but his aura came from his love for roaming, his larger-than-life personality and the nature of his wandering. In contrast, Wang Du’s unorthodox and uncaring aura was him himself.
“Hmm, you’ve grown prettier since you left. Still on bad terms with your shifu?” Wang Du cordially asked of Langya.
Though Wang Du did not speak in a formal tone, Langya, who made sure she was groomed primly before their meeting, did not take it for granted. She even did up her hair with a golden hairpin unlike when she was fighting before.
“Lanya’s respects, Patriarch.”
Wang Du shook his head and wagged his hand. “You’re no longer one of us since you decided to leave the clan, so there’s no need to honour the clan’s formalities. Technically, you could even call me ‘Uncle’.”
Langya stayed kneeling until Wang Du told her to rise.
Subsequent to hearing everyone’s introductions, Wang Du smiled. “Not only have so many young talents converged here, but even the General Manager of the Interior and Liu Shan Men’s constable are visiting? Miss Song, you’re not part of the main family, are you?”
Being as young as she was, Song Wei was stressed out in the presence of Wang Du, but she obediently nodded since he sounded and looked friendly. “This one’s father is only a stableman. Therefore, she cannot be considered a member of Song Clan.”
“What’s wrong with being a stableman? Horses are my favourite, too.”
“Really? What do you like about them?”
“Hmm… Their meat.” Wang Du enjoyed Song Wei’s tears like a mischievous uncle.
Jin Shiwang held his hands up in salute. “It is an honour to meet you, Marquis.”
Wang Du froze for a moment prior to shaking his head. “It is rare to be addressed like that. Everyone, come on in.”
A young Wang Du impressed the new Emperor when he took down the bandit Gu Wuzhu, which His Majesty considered an entity that his father should have eliminated instead of leaving alone. Accordingly, Wang Du was conferred a marquis title. Because of the promotion, the public believed that Wang Du was going to be one of the new Emperor’s Ultimate Three. That would have been the case if another prodigy from Wang Clan did not rise while Wang Du was recuperating from his injuries.
Many people thought it was a pity regarding Wang Du’s fall from grace and decision to become a recluse, but he did not display any signs of dissatisfaction. He and his abode shared the same aura.
“He was here,” stated Wang Du. “I remember the person you mentioned.”
The only reason Wang Du invited them inside was so that it was more convenient to drink. He did not care for anyone or the fact that the smell of alcohol permeated the room and drank immediately upon entering. Whether it was before or after alcohol, he always had an empty look with a tinge of despair.
“He fought in an extremely bizarre style. He didn’t hesitate to reveal himself to Emperor’s Entourage in order to get his hands on our three treasures, sneaking around at night and trying to assassinate our people. While I couldn’t care less for material possessions, I tried to stop him because I didn’t want people dying.”
The night of the intrusion was far more bizarre than Wang Du put it. The intruder interrogated a servant for the location of the three items to no avail and was about to kill him when Wang Du suddenly appeared before him.
The intruder attired in black garments tried to put Wang Du away using his immense might and sharp senses using a double palm strike. Yet, using just one hand because he was holding his alcohol in his other hand, Wang Du sent him staggering back with just a single hand. Not only did the intruder go flying, but his wrist tendons were torn, and his flesh was burnt. Had he not amputated an arm in a timely manner, more than just his arms would have been burnt. As soon as he recovered his posture, the intruder fled from the manor.
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