Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Three years of traveling all over the country

The horse is silent, the sky is darkening.

Travelers wander along the bluestone road

Three years have passed, and the years have flown by.

Fireworks are here, laughter is gone

On the riverbank ten miles long, we stand side by side.

Lianjing City, the imperial city of Canghuan Kingdom, has a ten-mile long river passing through the city. 

On both sides, there are many pavilions and bright lights; on the river, there are painted boats and the sound 

of laughter and joy.

The distant and near sounds of silk and bamboo music drift through the night, as two dark figures stand silently 

by the river, gazing into the distance.

"Is this the world-famous Ten Miles Long River?" Feng Qing murmured. Looking at the extravagant scene in 

front of him, people couldn't help but think of the Jinling Qinhuai River in ancient China.

At that time, there was the saying, "The courtesan knows not the sorrow of a fallen nation, yet across the river, 

she still sings the song of the flowers." Now, in this vast world, it seems as if there is another short-lived ancient 

capital, Jinling City.

Without further ado, Feng Qing turned his head to Feng Lan and asked, "Which painted boat did the letter from 

Kui mention?"

"Master, it's the painted boat in Qihong Tower." Feng Lan said softly, raising his finger to point to the fluttering 

flag on the painted boat.

"Oh." Feng Qing nodded thoughtfully, waved his hand, "Let's go."

Time flies, and another three years have passed. During these three years, Feng Qing took Feng Lan to travel 

across the territories of the Three Kingdoms; in the first two years, according to his plans, the thirteen 

prefectures of Canghuan were all established under his influence: Dongying Building, set up to gather 

talents, intelligence, and carry out assassinations, and the merchant houses built to accumulate wealth. 

Over the course of two years, he visited all thirteen provinces, overseeing and inspecting the training 

of the Shadows, and guiding the operations of his subordinates' businesses. In the final year, he broadly 

traveled through the other two major nations: Hongcheng and Guangyu, gaining a macro-level understanding 

of their national strength.

Feng Qing had to admit that Hong Cheng was currently the strongest, unmatched by the present Canghuan 

Kingdom. If it weren't for the aging and frail emperor who had no thoughts of expansion, Canghuan would 

certainly have external troubles; And that Guangyu, although it cannot rival the wealth of Canghuan, has very 

clear politics, and the people all support it. The emperor is a young sovereign, and according to his information, 

his ambitions are quite significant. However, the overall situation remains stable for now, with the three 

countries mutually restraining each other, so Guangyu does not dare to take action for the time being.

"We're here, Master." Feng Lan interrupted his thoughts, Feng Qing raised his eyes, and the signboard of 

Qihong Tower came into view, the painted boat gently swaying on the water's surface.

The soundproofing of the painting boat is excellent; inside the boat, the only sound is the faint sound of 

breathing.

After looking at each other for a moment, Feng Qing, at this moment, became Si Cang Qing, slowly bent 

down, and called out softly, "Your humble son, Si Cang Qing, pays his respects to Father Emperor."

Not bothering to consider that Si Cang Qing had not observed the formalities of a ruler and subject, 

Si Cang JueTian's expression was stern, but he could not hide the excitement in his eyes. Hearing 

Si Cang Qing's words, he hurriedly spoke up, "No need for excessive formalities, we are father and son."

In his heart, he sighed. This strange feeling must be the bond of blood between father and son, right? 

Si Cang JueTian scrutinized the tall and slender youth. His delicate features and eyes revealed the grace 

of the past Concubine Hui. His narrow eyes held a cold and profound gaze, and a teardrop mole under his 

left eye softened his originally indifferent face.

For a moment, Si Cang Juetian didn't know how to speak.

In the court, that cold, hard, strong, decisive, and ruthless emperor was, at this moment, just an ordinary 

father, a father who had been separated from his child for over a decade. With deep guilt in his heart, 

Si Cang JueTian slowly said after a long pause, "Over the years, my son, have you been well?"

"Mm." Si Cang Qing gently responded, looking into the other person's eyes, where he could see the 

excitement. Compared to Si Cang Juetian, he didn't feel much, after all, his soul had its own experiences 

and memories. However, he did not reject the emperor in front of him, his father in this life.

As an emperor, this man possesses enough intelligence and strength to earn his admiration; as a father, 

although this man bears the same appearance as his previous father, Feng Aozhu, he is utterly different. 

He can sense that this man has deep feelings for him, stemming from a bond of blood and kinship, which 

makes him feel even more fondly towards him.

Unexpectedly, Si Cang Qing was so indifferent. Si Cang Juetian was momentarily taken aback, carefully 

scrutinizing the child. Ultimately, he felt a pang of sympathy, fearing that Feng Wufei's words were indeed true. 

This child had become so cold and distant due to the lack of care and attention from his parents.

"My son, your name is Qing?" Si Cang Juetian found a topic and said with a faint smile: "I will call you 

Qing'er! But why did your master name you Qing?"

"Qing," meaning minister or official, as the future emperor of the Canghuan Kingdom, it seems somewhat 

inappropriate to take this name. 

"This 'Qing' does not refer to the minister," although not quite understanding why the other person brought the 

topic to his name, Si Cang Qing simply answered the question, "Master once said that it is you should be 

loyal to me, which means that your children and ministers should be true to themselves." 

It's just that Lu Huan always jokes that it's just a name borrowed by the master. She feels that the master 

simply named him Qing because it sounded nice. Si Cang Qing has no particular feelings about his name; 

whether it's Feng Qing or Si Cang Qing, it's just a form of address. Placing hope in these insubstantial things 

is of no use.

"So that's how it is," Si Cang Juetian said with a smile on his slightly pale face, "Feng Wufei is indeed worthy 

of the name of Penglai Immortal."

With a slight nod, Feng Qing neither agreed nor disagreed, quietly waiting for the other person's next words.

Looking at the other person's cold but earnest expression, Si Cang JueTian quickly realized that this child 

was just naturally aloof and not truly rejecting him. Although the words were few, the attitude was indeed 

serious and sincere.

The father and son began to converse softly in this painted boat.

The atmosphere was no longer stagnant; Si Cang JueTian, like an ordinary father, began to ask Si Cang 

Qing about his growth and experiences from childhood to adulthood.

Perhaps it was the memory of Feng Aozhu in his previous life, or perhaps it was his appreciation for this 

emperor, or perhaps it was the blood relationship between this body and the other person. Although 

Si Cang Qing spoke little, he answered Si Cang Juetian's questions seriously.

◇Cang Huan◇Seven Palaces◇

"Father, I wonder why you asked your son to come to the capital this time?"

After chatting endlessly for a long time, Si Cang Qing finally spoke up and asked. Back then, 

Si Cang Juetian and Feng Wufei had agreed that he would return to the imperial city only before his 

sixteenth birthday ceremony, but why did Si Cang Juetian want to see him now?

"I originally agreed with your master that you could not come back until you were sixteen." Si Cang 

Juetian's expression was warm and he smiled to explain, "At that time, it was too dangerous to keep you 

by my side. Did you ever blame me?"

"No." Si Cang Qing shook his head slightly. After all, he was not really an ignorant child, but rather a 

wandering soul with an adult mind.

Sighing in relief, Si Cang Juetian continued: "Back then, I gave myself sixteen years to eradicate the Qin clan; 

and you also need to study and train. It's just..."

He never expected that this child was almost a prodigy, possessing meticulous thinking and practical 

intelligence, as well as independent ideas and a decisive personality. He was almost a born emperor!

not to mention……

"My body is becoming increasingly weak," Si Cang JueTian said with a bitter smile, "and the Qin family 

has not been fundamentally eradicated. Although we haven't met in these past few years, your achievements 

are enough to demonstrate your abilities. If Canghuan were to be entrusted to you, I would have no worries."

Silently looking at the emperor who had just stood in front of him, his face was a bit sickly white, and there 

were a few silver strands on his temples. These years, it is clear that he has had a very difficult time. Although 

he was gifted with intelligence and tenacity, he was unfortunately suffering from the torment of the 

Heart-Cutting Gu, so a generation of emperors could only place their hopes on their youngest son.

How tragic!

After thinking for a moment, Si Cang Qing asked quietly, "Father, is your illness incurable?"

"There is no cure." Si Cang Juetian said calmly, smiling nonchalantly, "I'm afraid it won't last for a few years, 

so I hope the prince can inherit the throne."

Without Si Cang JueTian having to say it himself, Si Cang Qing actually understood very well in his heart. 

He knew the news from the shadow guards in the past few years and he was very familiar with the emperor's 

health.

"Father," Si Cang Qing said calmly, "I will clean up the Qin family and push our Canghuan national power to 

the top, but… I still need some time."

"How long?"

"Two years." Si Cang Qing looked at the other party with deep eyes, "Since I want to be the highest-ranking 

person in the world, I need stronger martial arts."

Although today, if his martial arts were to be truly compared, he would definitely be among the top in the martial 

world. However, there are certainly stronger individuals out there. Although it is said that there is no peak in 

martial arts, since he knows there are still greater heights to reach, how could he possibly relax?

"Two years, huh," Si Cang JueTian chuckled softly, "I was too impatient. You're not even fourteen yet this year. 

Then, father will support you for a few more years!"

Looking at Si Cang Qing with a kind expression, Si Cang JueTian gently said, "As for martial arts, you 

shouldn't force it. For an emperor, martial prowess is not the priority."

"I understand clearly," Si Cang Qing responded, but he did not allow himself to be weak.

"Then so be it!" Si Cang Juetian stood up, preparing to leave. "As per our agreement from back then, 

return to the capital before your coming-of-age ceremony."

"Qing'er, take care!"

The ship's door gently swayed, the night breeze was cool, and the person had already left.

Si Cang Qing sat silently at the table, with his eyes lowered, thinking about something.

"Master, it's late at night." Feng Lan walked in and reminded softly, "You have to go on your way tomorrow."

"Let's go!" Si Cang Qing stood up quickly and led Feng Lan away from the painted boat.

By the riverside, laughter and joy continue endlessly.
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