The Demon Lords

Chapter 808 178: Heart's Change (Part 2)

He raised his head again, watching the distant sunset, sometimes frowning and sometimes relaxing.

Then, as if by habit, he took out a metal box from his chest, inside of which there was only one cigarette left.

Since he set out on this campaign, he hasn't returned to Shengle, and naturally, he couldn't replenish his supply of Blindman Cigarettes. This last one he deliberately kept as a token.

He lit the cigarette with a firestarter,

took a deep breath,

and Zheng Fan slowly closed his eyes,

beginning to exhale smoke slowly from his mouth.

At this moment, Zheng Fan's Pixiu showed some restlessness, even unusually burying its head.

Another adult Pi Beast slowly approached, with Tian Wujing sitting on top.

Tian Wujing watched Zheng Fan's current state, his gaze very calm.

But hidden beneath, there seemed to be a concealed thunderstorm.

Tian Wujing landed on the ground, walked behind Zheng Fan, and spoke:

"Feeling uneasy?"

When Tian Wujing's voice came from behind him,

Zheng Fan, uncharacteristically, did not stand up immediately to salute,

but naturally reached out to flick the ash off the cigarette,

and nodded.

"Look at you, acting all worthless."

Without being polished, a piece of jade can't be made into a tool, Zheng Fan was always viewed by Tian Wujing as his "student."

In fact, in any era, passing on one's legacy often holds more weight than one's bloodline descendants.

Descendants are merely a continuation of one's bloodline; the legacy represents the transmission of spirit.

After several generations, even the deepest blood ties might fade, but some things in the spirit can often stand the test of time.

However, being Tian Wujing's "student" seems pleasant, but the pressure that comes with it is unimaginable to ordinary people.

When he's good to you, he's truly good;

When he's training you, even a slight mistake could cost you your life.

"Prince, it's because I found that I actually didn't feel uneasy inside that I felt uneasy."

Upon hearing this response, Tian Wujing slowly closed his eyes.

Two men,

one sitting,

one standing.

The one standing held a higher position,

the one sitting held a lower position;

For a long time,

Zheng Fan suddenly chuckled,

threw the cigarette butt into the river,

reached down to grab a handful of mud beside him, and threw it into the river.

"You don't like it?" Tian Wujing asked.

Zheng Fan looked up,

gazing at Tian Wujing standing behind him,

and said:

"Prince, I like becoming like you, but I don't like becoming you."

The me I aspire to be is the one galloping with iron cavalry under your command,

not a life suppressed to the point of self-mutilation, like yours, Tian Wujing.

Tian Wujing nodded thoughtfully,

and said:

"I understand."

"Phew..."

Zheng Fan silently adjusted his posture, changed from sitting to kneeling on one knee, towards Tian Wujing,

"Prince, please forgive me."

"What you said is merely the truth, in the military, only falsifying military reports is a crime, telling the truth isn't."

Tian Wujing lowered his stance and sat down by the riverside.

He glanced at Zheng Fan, who was kneeling there,

and Tian Wujing patted the spot beside him where Zheng Fan had previously sat,

"Sit."

"Thank you, Prince."

Just like that,

the two Pixiu stood in a row at the back, the smaller one appeared visibly flustered and lacking in confidence;

just like the two men in front,

one stood like a towering mountain, while the other seemed suppressed and a bit subdued in aura.

Although General Zheng also has a commanding presence in Shengle's army, and in Shengle City, a mere wave of his hand can elicit enthusiastic cheers from the locals;

but beside Tian Wujing,

who could overpower him in terms of presence?

Of course, there was no need to suppress this.

"In truth, I don't want you to walk the same path as I did."

Zheng Fan was taken aback upon hearing this.

Previously, he was merely acting unruly to vent some emotions, allowing rare genuine feelings to surface for a moment.

After all, no matter how formidable Tian Wujing may be, to Zheng Fan, he was like a stern older brother.

As a younger brother, within limits, it was expected to cry, tantrum, and vent emotions.

Of course, this had to be controlled properly.

If overdone, it would become annoying;

Eunuch Wei once said, the Ministry of Rites lacked talents like Zheng Fan.

Because knowing how to appear close yet not overstep with one's master is truly the highest scholarly pursuit for those servants aiming to climb.

In Eunuch Wei's view, Zheng Fan was the epitome of this art.

But, however he played the game was his own business, Zheng Fan didn't expect Tian Wujing to reveal a willingness to share his true feelings at this moment.

This instinctively made Zheng Fan feel a bit of fear.

"This road is too bitter, too exhausting, and too lonely."

Zheng Fan understood because this road was stained with blood, a stain that could never be cleansed or erased.

"Prince, if you had one more chance, what would you choose?"

Zheng Fan couldn't help but ask this question.

Silence,

Silence,

Silence...

After a long time,

Tian Wujing showed a slight smile on his face, not warm, but not a bitter smile either, in fact, carrying a slight hint of relief,

and said:

"I have already chosen."

At this moment,

the Wang River in front of them had already started turning red, as the blood of Chu people flowed into it from upstream.

Tian Wujing pointed towards the upstream direction,

and said:

"Go take a look, don't waste it, your vision is large, but without enough boldness to fill it, even the biggest vision is ultimately empty."