I Just Won't Play By The Book



"It's hard to tie the long willow and jade, I hate that I can't hang on to the setting sun in the sparse forest ~"

In the imperial garden, Jiang Beiran was sitting on a rocking chair with his eyes closed, resting. Kong Qianqian was singing a song she had just learned.

Just as everyone in the imperial garden was reveling in Kong Qianqian's poignant singing, Jiang Beiran suddenly opened his eyes and waved his hand.""All of you can leave. Zhen is a little tired."

"Yes."

When everyone heard this, they immediately left the imperial garden.

After everyone had left, the man extended a finger and stopped it in front of him. The next second, a black shadow swooped down from the sky and landed steadily on his finger.

"giao~giao~"

Ying Fengniao shouted with his mouth wide open.

He casually took out a piece of scaled beast meat from his Cosmos Ring and tossed it to Ying Fengniao. Ying Fengniao caught it with his mouth and flapped his wings happily before handing a small bamboo tube to Jiang Beiran.

Opening the bamboo tube, Jiang Beiran took out a rolled-up letter. Opening it, he realized that it was from Li Fucheng.

He quickly skimmed through the letter. The words in the letter were very sincere, even more so than the flattery of the ministers in the memorials. At the end, Jiang Beiran realized that he had a favor to ask.

He took out a piece of paper from his Cosmos Ring and wrote two lines of words on it. He then put it back into the bamboo tube and stuffed it into the feather of the Ying Hummingbird.

"giao~giao~"

Flapping its wings twice, the Ying Feng bird turned into a black shadow and quickly disappeared into the air.

Standing up, Jiang Beiran took two steps forward and disappeared from the imperial garden.

In the evening, Jiang Beiran looked into the distance as he pondered over a philosophical question on life, beside the Jin River that was burning like fire under the sunlight.

"What are we having for dinner tonight?"

Before he could get an answer, Jiang Beiran heard Li Fucheng's voice from behind him.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Jiang Beiran turned around slowly and found someone following Li Fucheng.

Noticing Jiang Beiran's gaze on him, the man immediately cupped his hands and said,""I'm Huo Zhishang. Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Is he the person you mentioned in your letter?"Jiang Beiran asked Li Fucheng.

Li Fucheng nodded and cupped his hands." That's right. Brother Huo is chivalrous and courageous. After joining our World Association, he has repeatedly made extraordinary contributions. His character and cultivation are both top-grade. A few days ago…"

Listening to Li Fucheng's tone, which sounded as if he was reporting to the gang leader how awesome his new underling was, Jiang Beiran waved his hand and said,""Get to the point."

Just as Li Fucheng was about to speak, Huo Zhishang stepped forward and said,""Vice Sect Leader Li, let me say it myself."

"Alright." Li Fucheng nodded and took a step back.

He bowed to Jiang Beiran and said,""Your Majesty, ever since you ascended the throne, Feng Province has taken on a new look. The people live and work in peace and contentment. We admire you very much. Now, Your Majesty's influence among the people is unparalleled. Therefore, please forgive this humble one for shamelessly asking for a favor."

"Speak."

"I have a son named Wenkang. My son is very important to me, but..." Huo Zhishang sighed." Seven years ago, when I entered Fengyi Manor, I was chased by my enemies. So, I hid my son in a haystack. However, there were too many enemies. It took me half a month to escape. When I returned, I could not find him.""

'Seven years ago…'

Muttering to himself, Jiang Beiran asked again,""How many years did your son lose?"

"In my swaddling years."

'This difficulty is a little too high…He lost it when he was a baby. Seven years later, even his father wouldn't be able to recognize his son face to face.'

Seeing Jiang Beiran, Huo Zhishang frowned and sighed,""In the past seven years, I have searched everywhere, but I still could not find any news of my son. Therefore, I shamelessly begged Your Majesty that if Your Majesty could find him, my three-foot-long body would be at Your Majesty's beck and call for the rest of my life!"

Jiang Beiran was about to ask more when three options popped up.

[Option 1: Refuse Huo Zhishang. [Completion reward: Hundred Penetrating Spear (Earth Grade Lower Rank)]

[Option 2: Agree to send someone to help him find his son. [Completion Reward: Wind Speed Treasure Art (Mysterious Grade Middle Rank)]

[Option 3: Help him find his son. [Completion Reward: Random Basic Skill Point +1]

"Oh?"

Jiang Beiran could not help but feel a little surprised after reading the report. What was the background of his son? Did he have to personally look for him? Or did Huo Zhiyou have some sort of huge influence?

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Beiran chose the third option and said,""I see. Anyone would be extremely anxious after losing their son. I can help you with this matter."

Huo Zhishang's body trembled when he heard that. He knelt on the ground and said,"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

[Mission completed. Reward: Alchemy +1]

"Please stand up. Do you have any personal belongings of your son?"

Huo Zhishang pondered for a moment after hearing that. He took out a pair of embroidered shoes from his Cosmos Ring and said,""These shoes are what my son usually wears."

"Sure."

Jiang Beiran took the straw sandals and put them into his Interspatial Ring before continuing,""Write down your son's birth characters and give them to Zhen. It would be even better if there was a portrait."

"This... It's not a problem to generate the eight characters, but this portrait, I'm just a rough person, I really can't do anything about it."Huo Zhishang said helplessly.

"Do you still remember what your son looks like?"

"I remember! Seven years! I've never forgotten!" Huo Zhishang said firmly.

"Since that's the case, you tell me and I'll draw. I'll try my best to describe it clearly."

Huo Zhishang was overjoyed when he heard that. He nodded repeatedly and said,"Your Majesty is truly a celestial!"

Jiang Beiran set up the drawing board and adjusted the paint. He then nodded at Huo Zhishang, indicating that he could start describing.

An hour later, Huo Zhishang looked at the baby boy on the drawing board and a tear fell from the corner of his eye.