Waiting for you online - - - Chapter 142

Chapter 142

When Song Zi Yun returned to Daming after many years, he was not placed in a guest residence within Daming City like the other guests, but was summoned to the palace.

Song Zi Heng met him in his study. In the room, apart from the two real brothers, there were only Song Zi Xiao and Cai Cheng Yi.

Song Zi Yun arched his hand and said, “Greetings to Emperor.” He gave Song Zi Xiao a cautious glance and said respectfully, “Greetings to Your Holiness.”

Song Zi Xiao nodded expressionlessly, “Fifth Prince.”

Many years ago, they were still Fifth Brother and Ninth Brother. Although they’re not very close, they were still brothers nonetheless, but now that they saw each other again, they were already separated by mountains and seas*.

“Lao Wu, it has been a tiring journey for you.” Song Zi Heng smiled lightly, “You’ve put on some weight. Did you become lazy nowadays?”

“Emperor is laughing at me. I have traveled around the world and found that there are too many delicious wines from the folk to taste, haha.”

“Yeah. When I used to travel, I was always enchanted with the landscape and folklore too. There are really a million wonderful things in the mortal realm ah.” Song Zi Heng smiled until his smile gradually disappeared. In the past ten years, he had been caught within the cold and silent walls of the palace, and the few times he had left the palace, it was always related to the crusade against Wuyun Sect. He was no longer curious about Jiuzhou and enjoying the endless fun of freedom and exploration during his youth.

Song Zi Yun was living the life he desired most, and he was truly envious. His life was already doomed, but he wanted Song Zhong Ming to escape from this prison and be a free and happy man.

The two brothers exchanged pleasantries and chatted about the local customs of the places they had both visited. The content of their conversation was not germane but seemed to be very interesting. Song Zi Xiao remained silent on one side, only watching with fascination the brief glimpses of his big brother’s expression.

Originally, Song Zi Heng thought that Song Zi Xiao would leave the table when he became bored, but he did not expect him not to leave, so he finally could not resist saying, “Zi Xiao, Lao Wu and I have not seen each other for many years and we still have a lot to talk about, so why don’t you go and get busy with something else first?”

Song Zi Yun secretly became nervous. From what he knew of these two people, there was a great contrast with the whispers he had heard during this period of time. He simply could not imagine how they were getting along now.

The corners of Song Zi Xiao’s lips curled slightly as he said lazily, “Since big brother has a brother for company today, you should be very happy. Will you eat more tonight?”

“I will.”

“That’s good.” Song Zi Xiao rose gracefully and gave Song Zi Yun a slow glance that was full of warning.

Song Zi Yun was sitting on pins and needles.

Only after Song Zi Xiao left did Song Zi Yun sigh with relief, “Emperor …”

“Between you and me, there is no need to be formal. It is better to call big brother.” Song Zi Heng gazed at Song Zi Yun quietly.

“… big brother.” Song Zi Yun scratched his hair and gave a forced laugh, “I didn’t expect big brother to summon me back to Daming.”

“I didn’t think of summoning you back. You have no burden, the sky is high and the sea is wide for you to travel, so why do you need to step into this mire?” Song Zi Heng said, “I know what you are worried about. Don’t worry, I won’t let you get involved in our disputes.”

“Don’t say that, big brother. Although I don’t value the name of the royal family, I am still a descendant of the Song clan and it is my duty to protect its foundation.” Song Zi Yun arched his hand and said, “If you don’t mind my shallow cultivation, just instruct me if you need anything.”

Song Zi Heng knew this fifth brother very well. Among other siblings, he could be said to have the least sense of existence and was the one who knew how to protect himself. He was always smiling and welcoming to everyone and did not fight or grab. Because of this docility, he was never treated badly even though he was not important. In fact, it’s a very clever way to survive.

If he had not summoned back Song Zi Yun today, this man would probably never be associated with the Song clan ever again in his whole life.

Song Zi Heng sighed lightly, “Zi Yun, I do have a request for you.”

“Just tell me what to do, big brother.”

“Big brother has an adopted son named Zhong Ming. He is seven years old, and is the orphan of Hua Jun Cheng, the young master of the Hua Ying Sect.”

Song Zi Yun showed a surprised expression, “So the Hua family still has a descendant.”

The tragic situation of the Huaying Sect’s bloodshed appeared before Song Zi Heng’s eyes. Four hundred lives were tragically slaughtered and turned into resentful ghosts overnight. His heart still chokes when he recalls it: “Back then, Lu Zhao Feng wiped out the Huaying Sect. When I got the news and brought my men there, it was already too late. He was hidden by a loyal family servant, and he was the only person from the Hua Family who was spared. ”

Song Zi Yun let out a long sigh, “The Hua Family was a great family for two hundred years, and it was destroyed like this by a demonic cultivator, Lu Zhao Feng, who stole cores. It is truly deplorable.”

“I owe so much to the Hua family. Zhong Ming is the only descendant of the Hua family. I had vowed to nurse him to adulthood, and when he becomes an adult that day, I will tell him his birth origins.” Song Zi Heng said in a deep voice, “But, not only am I unable to protect myself now, I may also drag him down.” Whenever Song Zi Xiao threatened him with Song Zhong Ming, he always felt fearful. He did not know whether Song Zi Xiao would actually be so heartless as to strike at a child, and he dared not risk this little life.

At this point in the conversation, Song Zi Yun already understood what he was going to say next, “Big brother wants me to take him away. ”

Song Zi Heng nodded and looked sad: “Zi Yun, you see, I am sitting on this high and lonely throne looking around, but I can’t find anyone I can trust. Thinking here and there, there was only you. I’ve come to beg you because there’s really nothing I can do.”

Song Zi Yun said seriously, “Big brother has treated me well, so as a younger brother, I would like to share your worries.” He understood that Song Zi Heng was entrusting himself with his own life, and he also understood that Song Zi Xiao’s return signaled that the Song Clan was really coming to an end, so he was unwilling to sink together with this big ship, and saving an innocent child and go ashore was considered his small contribution to the Song Clan.

“Zi Yun, thank you.” Song Zi Heng said bitterly, “Big brother also thanks you on the Hua family’s behalf.”

“Big brother has spoken highly of me. This is what I should do.” Song Zi Yun unconsciously lowered his voice and said, “Does big brother have a plan? This matter … should be behind Song Zi Xiao’s back, right?”

“After New Year, he will go to Fenglin continent. Once he leaves, you can take Zhong Ming and leave. I will send someone to escort you guys out of Song Clan’s sphere of influence.”

“He’s going to Immortal Qi? Because the Cangyu Sect won’t pay the annual offerings?”

Song Zi Heng nodded slightly and said gravely, “There will be a fierce battle in Fenglin Continent by then, and the Cangyu Sect is in great danger.”

“I heard that he used the annual offerings as a pretext to scavenge a large amount of heavenly materials and treasures from various immortal families in order to refine a supreme immortal core.

Song Zi Heng shook his head. How many people in this world knew that the supreme immortal core that Song Zi Xiao had gone so much trouble to get was actually close at hand — to be dug out from his stomach.

Song Zi Yun sighed and shook his head, then remembered something else and asked, “Does the child know about it?”

Song Zi Heng’s heart was full of reluctance and he said softly, “I will explain to him myself.”

At night, Song Zi Heng and Song Zi Yun had a family dinner and called Song Zhong Ming over, so that he could recognize his fifth uncle.

Song Zhong Ming is a beautiful and clever person with a troubled life, making people like and pity him. Song Zi Yun, who had not yet married, was fond of children, and he held Song Zhong Ming on his lap to feed him.

During the meal, Song Zhong Ming suddenly asked, “Fifth Uncle, did Father and that devil used to be very good to each other?”

This comment stunned everyone, and Song Zi Yun was so awkward that he did not know how to answer.

Song Zi Heng’s face also sank, “Zhong Ming, who told you this?” He glanced at Cai Cheng Yi. He was still sure of this old chief steward’s mouth, but it was impossible to control the mouths of all his subordinates.

Cai Cheng Yi said sharply, “Aiyo Zhong Ming, the rice in your little mouth has not been swallowed yet, eat properly and don’t talk.”

Song Zhong Ming pursed his lips, “It was that devil himself who said that. I don’t believe it.”

“What don’t you believe?” The voice reached before the person, and everyone in the room tensed up and straightened their backs.

Song Zi Xiao walked in with big steps. The cold air of the winter months clung to his robes and sleeves like frost and snow, and was brought into the room with him. The temperature dropped instantly and everyone felt a chill down their spine.

There was dead silence in the room.

Song Zi Xiao sat beside his big brother, watching Song Zhong Ming being held in Song Zi Yun’s lap, and his sword brows knitted slightly.

This little brat saw him as if looking at a ghost, either making threatening gestures or speaking rudely, yet he was so close to someone he was meeting for the first time.

This boy was a member of the Hua family, but when he called his big brother his father, it made him feel odd. For example, since his big brother could not bear children, this boy could be their child, so it would be more like a family.

Song Zi Xiao was displeased and his face immediately sank as he raised his chin at Song Zhong Ming, “Come here.”

Song Zhong Ming was reluctant, but went over anyway, knowing that if he disobeyed this devil, he might not be able to see his father.

Song Zi Xiao carried the child to sit on his lap and smoothly touched his round little tummy, “Eat so much, you’ll die ah.”

“None of your business.” Song Zhong Ming muttered.

“That question you asked just now, why did you ask him?”

“He’s fifth imperial uncle, why can’t I ask him?”

“You don’t believe me when I say so, but you believe him when he says so?”

“Hmph.”

“What don’t you believe? I used to be your father’s most precious younger brother.” Song Zi Xiao swept Song Zi Yun a glance, “Not him.”

Song Zi Heng said, “Put him down and let him eat properly.”

“It’s not like I didn’t let him eat.” Song Zi Xiao pushed a plate of meat in front of him, “Can you use chopsticks?”

“I already know how to!”

“Then you eat.”

Song Zi Heng couldn’t stand it, “Give it to me.” He snatched the child from Song Zi Xiao’s arms.

Cai Cheng Yi wanted to take over, but when he shook his head, he stepped back.

As Song Zi Xiao watched his big brother patiently ask the boy what he wanted to eat and told him not to skip the greens, he kept getting jealous: “Hey, let me tell you, when I was little, your father fed me the same way, and I was not as picky as you.”

Song Zhong Ming turned his head in surprise to look at Song Zi Heng. Seeing his father’s eyes were dodging, and then looked at Song Zi Yun for help, as if hoping someone would deny it.

Song Zi Xiao said hoarsely with displeasure, “What are you looking at him for? What does he know?”

Song Zi Heng gently scolded, “Why are you being so loud? Don’t scare the child.”

“I, uhm, suddenly don’t feel too well. Emperor, Your Holiness, forgive me for not being able to accompany you guys.” Song Zi Yun could not bear to watch any longer, jumped up and ran away like there was a fire on his buttocks.

Song Zhong Ming wrinkled his little face and looked at his father, “Father, is what he said true?”

“… No, he is even pickier than you.”

When Song Zi Heng said this, he was lowering his eyebrows and picking at the fish bones. His voice was gentle and soft, as if containing a bit of anger and a bit of helplessness.

At that moment, Song Zi Xiao felt his heart melting. He would let go of everything and exchange it for his big brother and Xiao Jiu.

separated by mountains and

seas*[隔山隔海]—signifies their relationship is even further apart