novelraw Chapter 1104 - 640: As King, Was I Already Transcendent?
Chapter 1104 - 640: As King, Was I Already Transcendent?
"The Daqian Royal Family is foolish and corrupt, extorting the people, so that they cannot live in peace."
"We intend to raise an army to strike Daqian and restore a clear and bright world to the people."
"From this day on, rent for tenant farmers within a twenty-mile radius of Lin’an County is to be reduced to fifty percent!"
Plop!!
The declaration of the rebel commander was recited by scouts, who set off on horseback, spreading it throughout Lin’an County.
Chen Feng knew the world had changed, for he personally saw Landlord Sun dragged out and beheaded publicly, losing his head.
The villagers initially felt fear, but soon began to clap their hands in delight.
Particularly upon hearing that the rent was reduced, they loudly praised the enlightened virtue of the rebel commander.
"Commander Xu has issued an order!"
"Anyone over the age of sixteen can enlist in the army, granted ten acres of land, with a monthly ration of one stone, and a pay silver of five qian!"
"Family taxes reduced by half a percent, and a yearly reward of five taels of silver!"
Hua la!!
The sudden announcement spread like a gale through Lin’an County.
In this time of famine, such treatment was almost a grace from the heavens.
All the villages within dozens of miles were stirred, with many young and strong men responding by joining the army.
"Son, you should join the army too."
"These are difficult times, perhaps that’s also a good way to make a living..."
The elderly parents spoke softly, faces full of reluctance and worry.
They could tell that the rebels would continue to revolt and wage war, and enlisting now might mean becoming cannon fodder.
However, staying in the village was not a feasible plan either.
"Brother Feng, I want to join the army too."
"I’ve settled all the matters at home, and if I go, the family could receive quite a lot of care, even if I unfortunately die, they’ll receive compensation."
Childhood friend Brother Lin came to the house, expressing his ambition.
He wanted to follow the rebels and kill those villains like Sun Bapi.
To this, Chen Feng remained silent.
Without saying much, he silently went into the mountains, chopped down a lot of firewood, and piled it behind the courtyard house, covering an entire courtyard wall.
Then, he went hunting and killed several wild boars, cleaned and handed them over to his parents to cure.
With the intent to seek immortal traces, naturally one had to have enough financial resources and manpower, so he decided to follow the rebels north, striving for prominence.
And with such a journey, it would likely be years before he could return home.
"Go, son."
"Your father and I will wait for your safe return."
The final embrace and farewell, Chen Feng eventually joined the rebels with Brother Lin.
Setting up camp and training day and night.
From a big-headed soldier to besieging cities and killing enemies.
Plop!!
Blood splattered, severing the enemy’s head.
Relying on brute force and the immortal’s fortune from wild fruits, Chen Feng’s qi was astonishing, matching one against a hundred.
He encountered jealousy from others and nearly became cannon fodder himself.
Until finally, on the day he turned seventeen.
The rebels attacked the prefecture city.
He took the lead, climbed ladders and walls, using his comrades’ corpses to shield against arrows, leaping onto the city wall.
And then.
"Kill!!"
Plop!!
He swung his blade and severed the head of the city gate commander, invigorating all the rebel soldiers.
That day, his name echoed in the ears of all the rebels of the prefecture.
And from that day onwards, he rose in rank, from an ordinary soldier to Captain of Cavalry.
Breaking through cities, defeating enemies, commanding troops.
Charging through formations, beheading generals, seizing flags....
His extraordinary qi scared the world, accomplishing one feat after another.
Unknowingly, he became the first among the twelve great generals of the rebels, commanding tens of thousands of troops.
Brother Lin also followed him all along, becoming his most trusted strategist.
"General, this banquet invitation from King Xu, I fear they come with ill intentions."
That night, inside the camp.
Chen Feng had reached the age of thirty, with a tall and robust stature, armored and with a sword, no longer showing the initial delicate figure.
The flickering light of the oil lamp in the tent, he received the letter from the rebels’ leader, King Xu.
Once a mere commoner, the rebel power made the Daqian Royal Family fear, granting him the title of prince several years ago.
The letter was simple, inviting him to the capital for a banquet the next day.
"With the Daqian Imperial City about to fall, it is the time to press on with full force."
"Instead of organizing and preparing, they throw grand celebrations and invite everyone.... In my view, this banquet likely harbors a plot."
Brother Lin, no longer the naive youth, with gray-black beard, gave an impression of calmness.
He had often provided strategies, helping Chen Feng uncover others’ plots.
"I know."
In a low voice, Chen Feng acknowledged the key points.
Immediately, he set aside the letter, looking at the flickering lamp flame.
Grand Commander...
With a silent sigh, he gently caressed the sword at his waist.
One day later.
Puchi!!
Heads rolled, blood splattered five steps.
At the banquet, he faced thousands, personally beheading Commander King Xu.
The corpses of many personal guards lay nearby, everyone’s expressions changed as they knelt in submission.
That year, he was thirty, officially becoming the leader of the rebels, awarded the title King Chen by the Daqian Royal Family.
Then, he remained silent for two years, reorganized the troops, and stabilized the situation.
At thirty-two.
He led the army to break through the city, ascended the royal palace, and personally chopped off the head of the Emperor of Daqian.
At that moment, he ascended to the throne, becoming the sovereign of the world.
Cheers erupted, each general received rewards, becoming princes.
Brother Lin also ascended to the position of Prime Minister, overjoyed.
However, unlike all others.
Chen Feng felt no satisfaction, no joy.
Instead, he entered the royal secret vault alone, searching through records from over eight hundred years of the Daqian Royal Family.
"Over eight hundred years ago, the founding ancestor of Daqian revolted, slew a flood dragon, causing heavenly thunder to shake... but in truth, it was merely the killing of a mottled venomous snake during a thunderstorm."
"Rumors in East Yu County spoke of an immortal appearing and leaving a cave dwelling... yet it was merely an abandoned Taoist temple due to a mountain collapse."
"Auspicious signs at West Moon Lake spoke of cold dew descending, springs gushing forth golden lotus, a dragon turtle appeared with golden beads in its mouth... but it was just a ruse by the Prefecture Chief to flatter the emperor..."
With a disappointed look, Chen Feng felt his long-held aspirations begin to crumble.
He had thought that storming into the Imperial City would reveal many past secrets and uncover traces of immortals, but all was just fantasy.
With eyes slightly cold, he ascended to the throne without any joy, causing officials to secretly wonder.
Finally, upon Brother Lin’s inquiry, he shared his thoughts.
The Seeking Immortal Pavilion was thus established, tasked with gathering various rural legends and exploring dangerous places around the world to search for traces of immortals.
Day after day, year after year.
During this time, alchemists offered pills claiming they could prolong life, and various places reported auspicious signs, alleging the emergence of immortals.
But all these were seen through by the numerous spies of the Seeking Immortal Pavilion, and by Chen Feng’s repeated trials.
"Could it be that there truly are no immortals in this world?"
"Is the so-called transcendence just wishful thinking?"
With changing expressions, Chen Feng was now over sixty.
He was no longer the heroic sovereign, his black hair turned white, his once strong body now hunched and aged.
"Your Majesty..."
That year, Brother Lin lay on the sickbed in the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
His face withered, he was soon to pass away.
Upon hearing, Chen Feng hurried over, sitting beside the sickbed as others from the Prime Minister’s Mansion looked on trembling.
The two briefly exchanged glances, and Chen Feng felt as though he was back at the village entrance that afternoon.
"Brother Lin..."
Speaking with trembling voice, Chen Feng no longer addressed him as Prime Minister.
With moist eyes, Brother Lin understood, grasping his hand.
"Brother Feng..."
From sharing childhood adventures, to becoming ruler and minister together.
They had lived through a long era together.
"Do you have any last wishes?"
Chen Feng asked, suppressing grief, for as king he could not cry.
Brother Lin’s breathing grew weaker, his gaze signaling others to leave.
Seeing this, Chen Feng nodded, and looked at the guards and others.
All figures left the room, the door closed, leaving only the two of them.
"To follow Your Majesty throughout my life is a blessing from heaven, though I am about to die, I have no regrets."
"Only..."
Their gazes met, and the murkiness in Brother Lin’s eyes cleared somewhat, like a fleeting return to clarity.
He recalled the silence of his brother upon ascending the throne.
Remembered his persistence in seeking immortality as the world settled...
"I hope Brother Feng won’t heed the alchemists’ whispers."
"You are an emperor... why seek immortality."
Buzz!!
As his voice faded, Chen Feng’s eyes trembled.
Before him, Brother Lin smiled, as though resolving some inner matter.
With no regrets left, his breathing gradually ceased.
The best friend passed away, Chen Feng remained seated in silence for a long time.
Intense loneliness surrounded him from all sides.
But...
Watching the people of the Prime Minister’s Mansion enter, mourning and weeping.
Chen Feng returned to the palace, with Brother Lin’s final advice echoing in his mind.
"I am emperor, why seek immortality."
"As king, have I not already transcended?"