Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

Inside the main hall, there were only two people now.

"Everyone have different vision and goal in their lives. The one that unite them is if one of their goals overlapped with each other." Old Master Nan was the first one to break the silence. He looked at the young emperor before him and cupped his fist. "This subject wishes that His Majesty could keep this in mind."

If he wished to keep the officials united, they would need to have a goal.

Their goal would be to bring prosperity and rise Fei Yang Kingdom together.

And for them to be able to work together, they would have understanding of the means. Even if some of them might not completely agree, they could have some compromise in order to achieve the greater goal.

Emperor Yang Zhou sat on his seat in silence. He looked at Old Master Nan. "Is that the last message my grandfather gave me?"

"There are many words that couldn't be conveyed. However, His Majesty Emperor Huan had high expectation of you, Your Majesty." Old Master Nan bowed. "Heaven shall bless you in your goal, Your Majesty."

"Thank you."

Closing his eyes, Emperor Yang Zhou was silent as he looked at the ceiling. His grandfather spent most of his life at the battlefield, but he did come to pay a visit a few times. During those times, Emperor Yang Zhou would feel like he learned a lot.

Even through small things, there was always something that his grandfather taught him. Even until the very end.

It was not much.

And it might be the reason why his grandfather asked his old friend to deliver the message to him when he was old enough to understand.

"I won't disappoint my grandfather."

"Those words… are more than enough for this subject, Your Majesty."

Emperor Yang Zhou lowered his head, looking at Old Master Nan. He might not understand the friendship between those four, but he felt that it might be like sworn brothers. They trusted each other and moved forward together.

"The younger generation hadn't completely grown up yet. I hope that you can still help us on the frontline, Great General Nan," Emperor Yang Zhou said slowly.

He knew very well that Old Master Nan, Old Master Shangguan, and Old Master Long had sacrificed many things for Fei Yang Kingdom. It was thanks to their unrelenting effort that Fei Yang Kingdom could stay alive and stay strong all these years.

However…

Fei Yang Kingdom still needed a strong figure at the forefront.

Without the existences of these people, he was sure that it wouldn't be easy for Fei Yang Kingdom to gain the advantage against other kingdoms. It could be said that their mere presence was the strategy that was necessary for them to stay at the forefront.

He didn't want to put more burden on Old Master Nan's shoulder.

But he knew that it was the most effective measure.

Even though as a person he felt that it was inhumane to ask Old Master Nan for more things in his old age, as an Emperor, he knew that this was what the kingdom truly needed.

It was conflicting.

Old Master Nan was silent for a moment. The question of whether he should go back to the battlefield again or not had been circulating in his mind over and over. Ever since Nan Hua told him that he could actually return, he was already contemplating about this matter.

Should he?

He wanted to.

Yet, at the same time, he didn't want to go back to that place filled with death.

Slowly, Old Master Nan cupped his fist. "Should Your Majesty needs this subject, this subject shall be Your Majesty's sword at the frontline."

Emperor Yang Zhou looked at Old Master Nan deeply.

In the end, he waved his hand. "You may go, Old Master Nan."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. May the Heaven be with you." Old Master Nan cupped his fist once more and knelt down before standing up and left.

He dismissed Old Master Nan and called the other officials back. Now, it was time for him to settle the scores.

Old Master Nan walked out of the main hall and slowly descended the stairs. Looking at the view in front of him, there was a bitter smile at the corner of his lips. He couldn't forget the time when he walked here along with his old friends.

Now, neither one of them were here.

He was left behind.

"Time had caught up to all of us."

He missed the time when they were all still together, but he also knew that there was no way it could be everlasting. Everything that has beginning will have the end.

Back then, they all laughed happily and walked through the path paved with blood and corpses. It was a path that he didn't want to repeat again in his entire life if it was not necessary.

As a reckless man, the others often said that he was the one who could end up in the enemy's hand first.

After all, Old Master Long was more cunning and meticulous while Old Master Shangguan's physical strength was simply overwhelming. Who would have thought that fate played a joke with them?

The one they thought will go first ended up being the one who lived the longest.

Old Master Nan continued his walk until he reached the front gate. He immediately spotted his granddaughter and the smell of blood. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Nan Hua up and down.

If not because she was still wearing a mask, he would have long lifted her up to check whether she had any wound or not.

She's his granddaughter!

Ugh, just restraining himself from approaching her directly to check was already very strenuous for him.

"Nan, everything is done. We can go back now."

Nan Hua looked at her grandfather and nodded her head obediently. She knew that there was nothing for them to do anymore. The other soldiers could finish the work splendidly even without their presence.

They were only here to help with the matter and Nan Hua had no interest to participate in the follow up. For her, it was simply too troublesome and only a waste of time. Since the others could do it, it would be better to leave them to do it.

Before they could leave, they heard someone calling Old Master Nan.

"Great General Nan."

Old Master Nan furrowed his eyebrows and looked at the interrupter, Prime Minister Bei, with frown. "Is there anything I could do to help, Prime Minister Bei?"

"I come here to greet you and to take a look at your little bodyguard." Prime Minister Bei swept his gaze towards Nan Hua. His dark eyes seemed to be able to see through any layer of disguise.

However, Nan Hua was calm and her clear black obsidian eyes stared back at Prime Minister Bei. There was no fear or other feelings within. All that left was nothing more than indifference and coldness.

Prime Minister Bei kept a smile on his face. "I have heard that his formal rank is that of an adjutant. I was wondering why this little brother would stay at the Capital City when Young Commander Nan is away."

"He's staying because I have other task for him. I don't think there's any rule that stated an adjutant had to follow their commander everywhere, Prime Minister Bei." Old Master Nan narrowed his eyes.

"Of course not." Prime Minister Bei chuckled. "I just find your little bodyguard to be a bit interesting."

"I see." Old Master Nan then cupped his fist. "I still have something to do, so forgive me for not being able to accompany you, Prime Minister Bei."

With that said, the two of them walked away. Nan Hua still glanced at the man a few steps behind Prime Minister Bei. He was an official who came from Shi Long Kingdom in order to expand his career. His vision in military was really great and Emperor Yang Zhou valued him very much.

Once Prime Minister Bei was removed of his position, that person would be the next prime minister.

He's capable.

But in regards to his worldview, Nan Hua felt that he was lacking. It was because of him… some future events would be very detrimental for the entire Fei Yang Kingdom. But for the time being, he was indeed the best person to be the next prime minister.

After all… Fei Yang Kingdom would enter the total war soon.

And for several years ahead, the war wouldn't end. Conquering big kingdom required delicate preparation and a lot of manpower. It was not something that could be easily done just because one wanted it.

Fei Yang Kingdom is strong.

But it would still take a long time for it to be the overlord.

Well, it didn't matter. Nan Hua would not participate in all of them and only a few of them.