TNIBFT -Chapter 220 The Protection of the Heroic Spirit

Zhu Zhongyi, who had been silent beside them, had sharp eyes. When he spoke of killing Imperial Uncle Zhao Boping, his gaze grew excited and serious, as if he were embarking on a mission of his life.

As long as Zhao Boping was killed, the number of their enemies would keep dwindling.

Soon!

Very soon, he would be able to live his own life!

Holding a short blade in one hand, Zhu Zhongyi clasped his fists and said, “Father, the arrangements have been made. Tomorrow night, all the uncles will arrive at Sifang City.”

“At that time, we’ll kill that old dog Zhao together and avenge the Grand General!”

Mentioning the Grand General, Fang Shenghu and Zhu Heyu’s eyes hardened with determination, unwavering.

A short while later, Fang Shenghu arranged the spirit tablet.

He treated it with utmost reverence, careful not to desecrate it, placing the offerings and incense burner with meticulous care.

Zhu Zhongyi looked at the tablet, which bore the large characters: “Spirit Tablet of Grand General Ye Zhengyang.”

He stepped forward respectfully, lighting three sticks of pure incense and placing them in the burner with exact precision.

Then it was Fang Shenghu and Zhu Heyu’s turn.

Both knelt on the ground, faces solemn, saying nothing.

The room fell silent.

Reverent.

Staring at the spirit tablet on the table, Fang Shenghu’s eyes reddened. Raising the incense high above his head, he said in a deep voice, “General, I, your humble Fang Shenghu, earnestly pray that your spirit blesses us to slay Zhao Boping and return safely!”

After speaking, he kowtowed respectfully with a muffled thud.

Zhu Heyu said, “Once I avenge my enemy and vindicate the General, I, Zhu Heyu, will not live for myself alone. I will descend to serve the General.”

“Please forgive me, General, for asking you to wait a few more days!”

Zhu Heyu finished with a smile, pressing his forehead to the ground, bowing heavily as if he felt no pain at all.

Behind them, Zhu Zhongyi stared blankly at the spirit tablet, hands clutching the short blade so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

After the ritual, Fang Shenghu packed up the offerings.

“When Zhao Boping comes to Sifang City this time, I don’t think it’s just a coincidence. He and the Grand General are mortal enemies. If he finds out that both the Heir and the Young Heir are in the city, the Heir may be in danger,” Zhu Heyu said.

Fang Shenghu immediately nodded, looking tense. “Today, the Heir has been acting strangely. I fear he may awaken his memories. If that happens, no one could stop him.”

Zhu Heyu nodded. “For the Heir’s safety, we have no choice but to send someone to escort him to a secure location.”

Fang Shenghu agreed with a nod.

Finally, Zhu Zhongyi could no longer contain himself. He shouted in anger, “Again with the Heir?”

“Our manpower is already insufficient. During the last raid on Gao Defu, dozens died or were injured. Zhao Boping is not Gao Defu—he is Imperial Uncle. Skilled men surround him. And at this moment, you’re still worried about that useless Heir?”

“Who would care about killing such a worthless fool?”

Slap!

Before he could finish, his father struck his mouth, splitting the corner.

Zhu Zhongyi glared defiantly, refusing to submit, staring at Zhu Heyu.

Fang Shenghu also rose, ready to scold Zhu Zhongyi.

Zhu Heyu spoke angrily, “This isn’t your place to speak. Do you dare insult the Heir?”

“Disrespecting a superior—if the Grand General were here, he’d beat you with twenty military rods.”

“Hmph!”

Zhu Zhongyi sneered with disdain.

Again with the Grand General!

The Grand General has been dead for six years. These relics still think their Grand General, as if a god, could protect them?

If he couldn’t outmatch others in life, could he do so in death?

Ridiculous!

Seeing his father’s eyes cloudy, filled with disappointment, Zhu Zhongyi didn’t utter any more harsh words. He turned and opened the door, leaving the room.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Zhu Heyu shook his head helplessly, bowing his head in silence.

Fang Shenghu, standing nearby, said, “Forget it. Don’t bother arguing with a kid.”

“He’s only seventeen. How could he understand the general’s loyalty toward us?”

At the mention of the general, a faint glimmer returned to Zhu Heyu’s cloudy eyes. His lips curled slightly, and his normally quiet voice became soft: “Back then, during the battle at Huguokuan, the general led three hundred of us to burn the grain supplies of Da Zhou. I don’t know who tipped them off, but Da Zhou was well-prepared.”

“Our three hundred men, in the midst of heavy snow, stripped off our cotton jackets and fought with bloodshot eyes. The general charged at the front…”

His face seemed to reflect the flames of that long-ago battle.

Zhu Heyu’s gaze grew wistful as he continued, “The Da Zhou soldiers didn’t dare advance!”

“Back then, it was truly exhilarating—protecting the homeland, defending the country… Haha…” Zhu Heyu laughed until tears ran down his face. He seemed almost mad as he recalled, “The general amassed countless war merits. He didn’t die at the hands of Da Zhou’s soldiers, but at the hands of that dog Zhao Boping. Who was he protecting?”

“When I returned home to visit, my fiancée had been defiled, my parents beaten to death, and there was nowhere to turn for justice. Who was I protecting then?”

“It was a bunch of utterly evil people—they deserved to die more than Da Zhou’s soldiers!” Zhu Heyu’s hands trembled, his eyes darkened. “Later, it was the general who saved me!”

“For a lowly soldier, he ran everywhere, seeking justice for me. I, Zhu Heyu, will never forget it in my lifetime!”

“What would it have been like if the general were still alive?”

Zhu Heyu murmured to himself…

Meanwhile, outside the room,

Zhu Zhongyi felt stifled. He didn’t want to stay inside the room arguing, so he walked along the second-floor corridor. Looking up at the pitch-black sky, only tiny pinpricks of stars shone.

Dim.

Quiet.

Mysterious and unknown—just like the rest of his life ahead.

He knew the general was an extraordinary man, but he didn’t want his father to throw his life away. What’s more important than staying alive?

Zhu Zhongyi didn’t understand. And what about Ye Tian? He was the general’s own son—why didn’t he need to seek revenge?

Why didn’t he have to hide, being hunted down by others?

“Dad, look over here!”

“Look here!”

A child’s innocent voice rang out. Zhu Zhongyi stopped on the corridor, craning his neck to see the rooftop.

Under the dark starry sky, Ye Tian sat on the roof, wrapped in a thick cotton robe like a giant dumpling. Beside him, a little girl chattered away.

The next second—

“Whoosh!” A small snowball flew toward him. The little girl clapped her hands and stood up on the roof, frowning, her bright eyes staring at him. At that moment, Zhu Zhongyi felt like a thief, sneaking a peek at someone else’s happiness, someone else’s life.

He shrank his neck, ready to slink away.

“Where are you going?”

“Big brother, aren’t you the one Uncle Fang brought back?” The clear, tender voice made Zhu Zhongyi freeze; he didn’t know how to reply.

“Want to come up and feel the breeze?”

A man’s voice suddenly called out. Zhu Zhongyi realized it was Ye Tian. Before he could reply, Ye Tian continued: “Come up from the far-right staircase.”

A moment later, Zhu Zhongyi reached the roof and saw Ye Tian sitting leisurely, drinking wine and gnawing on a large chicken leg. Truly the son of a noble—he knew how to enjoy himself.

“Want some?”

Ye Tian suddenly offered a small jar of wine. “This is rice wine. Even kids can drink it.”

Kids?

Zhu Zhongyi frowned. This was the first time someone had ever called him a kid.

Since it was offered, he took it. Sitting beside Ye Tian, he remained silent.

“You’re pretty skilled, huh?”