Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

"You're afraid."

Hearing Emperor Yang Zhou's words, Shangguan Xian's body was taut and even stiffer than before. He was sure that he hid his expression very well, so how come Emperor Yang Zhou was able to notice what he was actually feeling?

Shangguan Xian was worried.

Emperor Yang Zhou shook his head slightly. "If you're sure of your retirement, I'll not stop you. However, due to your mistake in the army, I couldn't reward you for this war."

"I know, Your Majesty."

For Shangguan Xian, not receiving any reward was good. After all, he lost and it would be rather strange for Emperor Yang Zhou to give him any reward. Even if he had served Fei Yang Kingdom for a long time, he had already received his rewards during those years. His saving was quite a lot due to his good performance over the years. Even if it was not that much, but it would be enough for him and his family to live until the rest of their lives.

Granted that they didn't spend money lavishly for unnecessary things. "You can arrange your soldiers by yourself." Emperor Yang Zhou would not handle such a matter on his own. He had other more important things to do with his time. "I'll not punish you either, Shangguan Xian."

No punishment?

Shangguan Xian raised his head in surprise and saw Emperor Yang Zhou looking in his direction. The young emperor was younger than him, but Shangguan Xian felt a faint oppression no less than his grandfather back then. Being raised by such a powerful grandfather, it was hard for him in the early years where he had to train every single day. His grandfather would not let him have many rests and determined to raise him to become a powerful general like him. But eventually, it was impossible for him to see the result. Because his grandfather and father had fallen far earlier before him. Emperor Yang Zhou waved his hand. "You can arrange the aftermath of your actions by yourself without the need to think about me. I'll not interfere in your decisions and actions. You may leave now."

Shangguan Xian looked at Emperor Yang Zhou in a daze.

He was sure that Emperor Yang Zhou knew something. Either it was because of his own reactions or it was because of the investigations that Emperor Yang Zhou had done. After all, even if Shangguan Yu had done everything in secret, there was no truly impenetrable wall in the world. Emperor Yang Zhou might have found some clues about what Shangguan Yu did.

But no matter what, Shangguan Xian could never say it out loud. He would not put Shangguan Yu to the forefront anymore. Because after all, he owed Shangguan Yu a lot. So no matter what happened, he would never admit it. Even if they already had the evidences in hand, he will never say it. Shangguan Xian cupped his fist. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After that, Shangguan Xian left and Emperor Yang Zhou stayed in his study room, looking at the back of Shangguan Xian. He sighed slightly and then shook his head, not wanting to think about this matter anymore. Shangguan Family might no longer be so united as they used to be, but the few people who were left will never betray each other. Having siblings like that was really amazing.

It was something that Emperor Yang Zhou could never imagine in his life because he knew for sure that in the Imperial Family, the one who was most likely to kill him would be the person who shared the same blood as him. It was as simple as that. Emperor Yang Zhou moved his gaze back to the documents in hand. There were still many things to prepare for their conquest to Shi Long Kingdom for the second time in a few months' time.

This time, the preparation had to be more thorough to prevent any accident like what happened before. …

<Long distance away, South border of Shi Long Kingdom, the three family's head and General Gao location, Shi Long Kingdom's side>

It has been a few days since Shi Long Kingdom's retreat and also General Lei's order for his people to move to the south.

During this period of time, Shi Long Kingdom never stop even once in their relentless attacks. They wanted to kill these people from the three families who dared to offend them. But the situation was not very good.

The two sides were more or less equal.

But because General Lei, Lei Lu Yao, had to protect his people, they were mostly put in the defensive situation, which caused more casualties in their side. But no matter how much his heart was bleeding, he had to continue. Because only after everyone was moved would it be possible for them to fight and then made sure they could create a safe environment for their descendants. "They're still moving the soldiers?" General Gao asked, his tone was extremely cold.

After the failure back then, General Gao was basically going all out, trying his best to make sure that he could make some differences here. He knew that if he returned with only the news of defeat, he wouldn't be able to keep his life. So, he tried his best in the past few days, trying to create a miracle or anything in order to make sure that he would not look so bad and poor. "General Gao, they're almost done moving," the soldiers reported truthfully.

"Damn it!"

General Gao was thinking of taking this advantage to win agains these three annoying family. But for some reasons, they were all able to stop him again and again, making him even more irritable. As time passed, he was no longer sure that he would be able to win this battle. Because he knew that they would be able to start attacking as well when they no longer have any scruples. Just as he was confused, a soldier ran and reported to him, "General Gao, Adjutant Bo has arrived."