The Immortal Fire

Chapter 55: A Plan to Return to the Capital

"*Wang Ze, Young Master Xue came to face," reported one of the bodyguards kneeling in front of Wang Yan.

The young man smiled. He swung his right arm as an order for the bodyguard to let his guest in. The bodyguard moved obediently.

Wang Yan was tall-looking and handsome, yet on the other hand, he was just a spoiled son of the king. Moreover, the condition of his body that was weak from birth, he could only rely on an escort of the level of a Gold Swordsman by his side.

Regarding the level of noble martial arts, then Gold Swordsman was the best achievement that could be carved by their circles. While the level above it, usually only penetrated by spiritual practitioners who are generally equipped with various basic sciences since childhood.

As for Xue Hongli, he was the only one from the noble family who could break through the highest achievements and never existed before. By the age of eighteen he had already broken through to the sixth level of the Earth Swordsman. And at this time, his Wu Gong was already almost on par with the martial will of the Qianhen Monastery Master, already coming to the practice of the eighth level Sky Swordsman.

Therefore, Xue Hongli was greatly respected in the empire other than because of the background of the royal noble family attached to him. The name of the royal magistrate Xue Ding was very famous considering she was the confidant of the Grand Concubine, Wu Qinghua, the mother of Wang Yan.

After a case of forgery of the decree by the Grand Concubine, Judge Xue's position faltered even though the Emperor did not revoke his position. The Grand Concubine entrusted Wang Yan's future to Judge Xue, so inevitably, Xue Hongli also got dragged into the father's devotion to the Grand Concubine.

That was why he was sent by Xue Ding to pick up Wang Yan from his vacation personally, intending to make him as Wang Yan's loyal companion who could look after him at all times.

But being the son of a judge who was fully a Grand Concubine, did not necessarily make Xue Hongli really serve. One thing to know is that he is the Emperor, submissive to the Emperor.

"Wang Ze's!"

The arrival of Xue Hongli interrupted the activity of Wang Yan who was busy twirling the pen on his finger, he immediately knelt down and saluted him.

"Sit down, Young Master Xue. I apologize for inconveniencing you for this visit," Wang Yan said kindly.

"Ah, not at all troublesome. Our family is indebted for life to Grand Consort Wu, it is my duty to ensure the safety of His Majesty."

Xue Hongli sat on the opposite bench, calling Shi Xia to bring him a medium-sized box from his carriage.

"Before coming here, I took the time to stop by the Nanhua Association. I also prepared some gifts for you, I hope, this will be useful." Xue Hongli placed the box on the table.

Wang Yan accepted it enthusiastically, he smiled after opening the lid. Xue Hongli returned the smile with lips that were bent knots, waiting for the next reaction from Wang Yan.

The prince looked back at Xue Hongli. "This resource is precious, I appreciate your good intentions. Thank you for your concern, Young Master Xue."

"*Lan! Keep well this Young Master Xue gift, put it in my room," Wang Yan ordered the two bodyguards standing one meter to his left, not far from the seat he was sitting in.

They moved the box carefully from the table. Xue Hongli chuckled to see Wang Yan so fond of the gift he brought, several times shaking his head with a smile.

"It's only been a few months, I've missed the capital so much" Wang Yan chirped at the surface of the table. "How's my dad doing? The weather has been very cold lately, may my father always be blessed with health."

Xue Hongli nodded slowly. "His Majesty's news is very good, he even had a hunt yesterday afternoon. It's just... The matters of the empire began to get out of hand, the Huangyin Border had several times of siege from Emperor Tang."

"What's the situation at the border right now?" wang Yan asked with a worried look.

"Not too good. The Emperor had sent General Zhao and the Second Prince along with the Laoying Cavalry, to evacuate the residents living in the border area. Should, within the next month, the border has been completely cleared."

Compassion and concern perched in Xue Hongli's heart. He closed his lips and smiled faintly to Wang Yan, trying to encourage him.

"Don't be discouraged, Wang Ze. Help and support do not come from strength alone. As long as one has strong ambitions and a clean heart, then one can conquer the entire world" Xue Hongli said.

Wang Yan returned his smile. "You've always been like that, Young Master Xue, always treated me well. When everyone underestimated me, vilified me, even scorned my mother, but you were still very kind to me. Brother-sister, these three are great people. But I feel more like you're my brother."

"Thank you," said Wang Yan slowly.

***

Xue Hongli stepped foot into the room of an inn that had been prepared by the maid. After closing the door, he immediately took off his clothes one by one until only a thin underwear remained that covered his gallant body.

He headed for the bathroom which had also been warmed by the innkeeper. The young man drowned his body, from chest to foot in a wooden tub filled with warm water. Grandi-go, Xue Hongli closed his eyes while leaning his head on the lips of the bathtub. Feels soothing.

The state issue will have no end. Born as the son of a judge's family, it means that he will never be separated from the affairs of state. Sometimes, Xue Hongli often imagined how good it would be if he was just the son of a shepherd. Perhaps, that way, his life could be calmer and free.

Every day bring cattle to the mountain, bring an *Dizi and play Shanhua songs while riding cattle, avoiding the world of hustle and bustle.

The achievements he had carved in the martial world he could relinquish, despite being an ordinary person who had no ability whatsoever, but it was a better thing than just being a pawn on the board *Weiqi world.

All this time, he had been trying to become stronger and more powerful just to protect himself from his enemies, building the White Fortress organization as a reserve of strength, to support the empire to stay strong. He could never avoid his fate.

Imagining that, the heavy burden on his head seemed to be lifted to a great extent. Xue Hongli had almost fallen asleep in his position, not feeling it, he had been there thirty minutes.

Xue Hongli immediately got up then picked up a towel to start drying his body. He was wearing new clothes that were not too thick, putting his feet into the room.

However Xue Hongli's footsteps immediately came to a halt as he realized, that he was not alone in the room.

"Who's there?!"

----~----~----~----

*Wang Zi: prince.

*Lan ren: server (used when calling a server only).

*Dizi: one type of flute in China.

*Weiqi: chess (cough/igo/chess go)

...Nihao! Always vote and share this story to your friends, yes. Don't forget to comment a lot, I always read your comments....