Chapter 467: Making Babies
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
…
Two figures say under the moonlight. It was dim, but the two figures glittered in the light.
After eating and drinking his fill, Fang Zhengzhi changed into a fresh set of clothes. The only thing left to do was get a good night’s rest.
However…
He still chose to sit down with Chi Guyan.
There was no special reason. Perhaps it was because Chi Guyan was leaving at daybreak and Fang Zhengzhi wanted to repay her for saving him.
There was no harm in listening to the roar of beasts whilst snacking on some nuts. They could enjoy watching the moon whilst being surrounded by an army of demons.
The night was best for admiring the moon.
He leaned against the backrest of the stone chair and placed his feet on the table. He held a handful of nuts in his hand.
This was his reward after the battle.
“What are your plans after you return to the capital?” Chi Guyan wasn’t surprised to see Fang Zhengzhi so relaxed.
“I’ll visit the Northern Mountain Village first.” Fang Zhengzhi turned to look at Chi Guyan.
Chi Guyan was wearing a blue dress and had a white flower pinned to her chest. A white belt around her waist accentuated her great figure.
Fang Zhengzhi had to admit that Chi Guyan’s eyes were especially alluring, and she had an attractive aura about her.
It was a pity that she was a little too arrogant.
“And then what?” Chi Guyan pressed.
“I’ll build a big house.”
“And?”
“Marry… erm, find 100 servants.”
“100?”
“Yes.”
“Is 100 enough?”
“Haha… yes it is, any more and the expenses would be too great.”
“Mm, that’s true.” Chi Guyan nodded but didn’t say more.
Fang Zhengzhi was silent as well. He continued eating the nuts in his hand, but he found that they weren’t as tasty as before.
The night was chilly.
It was almost winter. Nights in the Southern Region were already cold, and the chill cooled the stone seats even further.
After some time…
Chi Guyan spoked once again.
“Once you return to the capital, I think the Emperor would make you acting minister of the Ministry of Rites. What… do you think of that?”
“Then I’ll just take it up.” Fang Zhengzhi replied.
“The Heaven Dao Pavillion selections are in a month’s time, will you be participating?” Chi Guyan’s voice was calm, but her eyes were filled with anticipation.
Fang Zhengzhi didn’t speak.
He knew why Chi Guyan had come to find him, and he also knew that he had promised her that he would go to the selections.
The only problem was…
Could he still do it?
Time seemed to crawl…
The night deepened.
Fang Zhengzhi raised his head and closed his eyes.
Chi Guyan did not press further. She simply sat quietly, her eyes glittering like the stars in the sky.
It was a calm night…
Some distance away, there was another calm figure…
This figure was clad in black leather, her beige skin glowing.
She watched the two figures sitting under the moonlight.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince and the Settlement Chiefs are waiting for you.” Someone whispered respectfully beside her.
“I got it. Are there any movements from the demons?”
“Not yet.”
“Okay, pass down my orders. The Silver Horned Wolves are to help reinforce the defences. There must be no points of weakness! Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with by court-martial!”
“Yes, ma’am!” The voice replied and took his leave.
She continued to watch the two figures under the moonlight for a while. Her eyes glittered momentarily, then she took her leave.
…
At daybreak, Chi Guyan left and brought a begrudging Ping Yang with her.
The demon army was still camped outside the Iron Hill Settlement. They exercised and practiced formations, but never launched an attack.
When Fang Zhengzhi was free, he would go and sit on the settlement walls.
There was always one figure standing at the front of the demon camp. That was a figure in a white dress.
Three days later, the demon army withdrew.
The Southern Region war was finally over.
As the commander, Xing Yuanguo headed straight back to the capital after the war was over. Xing Qingsui, the Dragon Protection Squad, the Mountain Breaking Army and the 100,000 Great Xia soldiers returned with him.
However…
The Crown Prince did not return immediately.
All of the candidates who had participated in the court examinations stayed behind with the Crown Prince to participate in the celebratory dinner.
As the one with the greatest contribution to this victory…
Fang Zhengzhi stayed behind as well. He followed the Southern Region soldiers back to the Sagely Mountain City and basked in the festivities.
At that very moment, the capital of the Great Xia was also in a celebratory mood.
News of the battle had already reached the capital. The events of the Southern Region sent everyone in the capital into a frenzy.
“Did you hear? Fang Zhengzhi dueled a Sage!”
“Of course I heard about it. I am sure he would be handsomely rewarded.”
“It is a pity that this is the end of the road for his cultivation.”
“So what? His contributions to the battle would definitely mean that the Emperor will reward him handsomely! His cultivation may have been ruined, but it was for the country! Even if he was crippled, it would be worth it!”
Everyone was talking about the war, and everyone was talking about Fang Zhengzhi…
…
In the throne room…
The officials stood on both sides whilst Emperor Lin Mubai took his seat on the throne. He was smiling radiantly.
This was a difficult battle.
However…
It had gone even better than he had expected. Even though they had suffered some losses, they managed to quell the unrest in the Southern Region. The Emperor was delighted.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince had been a key factor in our victory. Now, he is negotiating with the Southern Region on behalf of the Great Xia. In my modest opinion…”
“When is Xing Hou expected to arrive?” Emperor Lin Mubai interrupted and waved the official off.
“Your Highness, we have reports that he has left the Southern Region. He should be back within the next five days.” Another official stepped forward, smirking at the other embarrassed official.
The Crown Prince?
That’s jumping the gun.
They had won the Southern Region war. As the chief invigilator of the court examination, he did have a part to play in the victory, but…
In comparison to some others… his contributions were negligible.
“Okay, my orders are as follows. Tell Xing Hou not to rush and to take care of himself. Have all the cities and provinces along the way prepare feasts as a reward for our army.” Emperor Lin Mubai nodded.
“Yes, your highness!”
“Oh yes, Fang Zhengzhi is still in the Southern Regions, yes?” Emperor Lin Mubai seemed to remember something.
“Your Highness, Fang Zhengzhi is participating in the celebratory feast in the Southern Region. He should be there for another week. He will return with the Crown Prince…” The official replied.
All of the other officials looked at each other. They knew what was coming…
Discussing Fang Zhengzhi right after Xing Hou…
That meant that he was valued far more than just a rank four official.
However, none of them raised any objections because they knew that there will be a youth in the courts very soon.
A sixteen-year-old…
This was a teenager who they had to listen to and value his opinions. This man was the main reason why they were victorious.
A duel against Canyang in The Vast World.
This would make him famous throughout all the lands…
Even if he was no longer a talent…
“Okay, here are my orders. Fang Zhengzhi is to be made assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites. He will temporarily be a rank three official. He will represent the ministry and assist in negotiations with the Southern Region.” Emperor Lin Mubai ordered.
“Yes, your highness!” All of the officials replied.
No one dared to bring up the fact that Fang Zhengzhi’s cultivation had been ruined. Even Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping closed his eyes and remained calm.
They all heard the word “temporarily”.
Rank three official? Temporarily?
He had already received a double promotion despite not having returned to the capital. One could only imagine what rewards awaited him when he returned.
…
The Sagely Mountain City was in a festive mood.
From the foot of the hill all the way to the peak, ladies in rattan lined the sides of the road, dancing to welcome the victorious army. There were bonfires all along the path…
Beasts roasted on each bonfire, the fragrance wafting into the noses of the soldiers.
This was how the Southern Region welcomed their warriors. Each bonfire represented a settlement. The ladies danced to welcome their warriors back.
When the warriors passed by the bonfire of their settlement, they could stop and enjoy the food.
Of course…
If they wanted to, they could interact with the ladies dancing by the bonfire. If the ladies were willing, they could form even deeper connections.
The Southern Region was a land of warriors.
It was also a very liberal place.
Countless warriors stopped in their tracks and joined in the festivities, eating and drinking their fill.
At the peak of the Sagely Mountain City…
The festivities were at their greatest inside the royal palace.
A myriad of leather pieces hung from the walls of the palace. There were also pictures fashioned from dyed rattan and gems.
Each picture represented something different.
It was an honor.
It was also a faith…
A faith that belonged to the major settlements of the Southern Region.
The bigger and more intricate the picture, the more space it took. The six largest pictures hung from the main door.
There was a golden picture in the middle of the six.
This belonged to the royal family.
Inside the throne room, the King of the Southern Region, dressed in exquisite leather, sat next to the Crown Prince.
Just below them were Shan Ling and Princess Shan Yu, as well as the settlement chiefs and Great Xia candidates.
“Drink!” The King of the Southern Region raised his glass.
“Drink!” The settlement chiefs echoed.
The candidates from the Great Xia raised their glasses as well. They were all flushed; the wine in the Southern Region was much stronger than they were used to.
However, they weren’t about to concede.
As such…
They raised their glasses and gulped it down.
With everyone high and tipsy, the poetry composition began.
The brushes of the Great Xia candidates were stained black with ink.
The Southern Region settlement chiefs found friends amongst the generals and music began to fill the room.
Fang Zhengzhi had little interest in all of this.
However, there was too much attention on him. Even the King of the Southern Region and Crown Prince Lin Tianrong came over to toast him.
Then, there were the settlement chiefs and generals…
All this while, Fang Zhengzhi had been a bit of a recluse during such events. However, today, he was the center of attraction.
No one tried to challenge him to poetry.
After the candidates finished their composition, they would turn to look at Fang Zhengzhi with excitement and anticipation.
“Official Fang, please critique!”
“Good!” Fang Zhengzhi replied casually.
“Thank you, Official Fang!” The candidate would smile and bow before he turned to ask for comments from the others.
Watching this…
Fang Zhengzhi felt rather exasperated.
Being so popular isn’t such a great thing after all. That being said… he could probably start taking bribes in the near future.
After he received his titles and land and servants… he couldn’t possibly reject all the gifts offered to him…
Right?
Fang Zhengzhi smiled to himself. After so many toasts, he was beginning to feel a little tipsy.
After a few more rounds, he felt rather groggy.
At that moment, the King of the Southern Region stood up, his face flushed as he surveyed the candidates below.
“The people of the Great Xia are knowledgeable and cultured. I am truly in awe! It is a pity that age is catching up with me. I will have to leave the cultural exchange and learning to the next generation.”
“Your Highness, you are still young.” Crown Prince Lin Tianrong stood up and smiled.
“Hahaha… there is no point in denying that I am old. However, my age is of little concern. I am simply handing over the responsibilities to the next generation a little earlier.” The King of the Southern Region chuckled.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong squinted when he heard this. His eyes glittered icily as he looked at Shan Ling.
However, they reverted to normal very quickly.
“In my modest opinion, you still have more than a decade of ruling in you!” Crown Prince Lin Tianrong added.
“Ten years? Hahaha… you must be joking. I know my body well. I wouldn’t even last a year longer, much less ten. However, there’s something that I’ve been unable to put to rest.” The Southern Region King lamented.
“What is it?”
“This requires your help, Crown Prince.” The King of the Southern Region added.
“Your Highness, you are too kind. If I have the honor of assisting you, I will definitely do my best without any hesitation!” Lin Tianrong squinted.
“Hahaha… that’s great! Let me thank you on behalf of Princess Shan Yu in advance!” The King of the Southern Region laughed.
“Princess?” Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was taken aback.
“Yes, this daughter of mine has been pampered since young. She doesn’t like any of our brave warriors. However, she has taken an interest in the candidates…” The King of the Southern Region looked at Fang Zhengzhi.
Fang Zhengzhi was slightly tipsy…
However, this did not affect his judgment.
He was shocked to see the King of the Southern Region look at him. “F*ck me, is he trying to get me to marry his daughter?”
Then…
Should he accept or reject?
At that very moment, Fang Zhengzhi felt another pair of eyes looking at him. This figure was wearing a luxurious piece of leather.
Her eyes were as black as ink and glittered in the light.
Her body exuded an animalistic aura that radiated all over her skin. She also had thin, pen-like legs.
Princess Shan Yu.
She was a lady with many suitors.
Fang Zhengzhi never expected that he would be the center of attraction today.
Much less the subject of an arranged marriage.
This request came from the King himself?
Shouldn’t this be requested by the guy?
If this was the case…
Could he save on the dowry?
After all, Princess Shan Yu was a princess. He was at an advantage here! She was more influential than most girls he could find.
More importantly, she was capable!
So… should he marry this person and make babies with her? Fang Zhengzhi thought to himself as he looked at Shan Yu and the King.