It was a snowy night, and there was also a bonfire. The bright light from the fire illuminated everyone's faces, and everyone's faces were brimming with joyous and festive smiles.
Tian Qing sat on the master's chair in the middle of the courtyard of his private manor, looking at the bustling guests in the courtyard as he fell into deep thought. Today was his 135th birthday, but he didn't feel happy.
This kind of birthday banquet had to be held once every five years, and to be honest, he was already a little tired of it. He had been in the military all his life, experienced countless life and death battles, and enjoyed all the glory, splendor, wealth, and rank. With his current status, it was very difficult for anything to pique his interest.
More than thirty years ago, he had already resigned from his position as the kingdom's Great General. However, war had arisen again, and the Cang Ming Nation's army was pressing on the border, so he had to put on his armor and go into battle again. Unfortunately, he had been defeated on the frontlines that time, and had been utterly defeated, retreating all the way to Tianjing.
Tianjing was the kingdom's capital, and retreating here meant that there was no place to retreat, and he couldn't afford to lose. He had gathered the last of his strength to counterattack, and finally stopped the Cang Ming Nation's army outside the city. In the end, the king came forward to negotiate, and the Cang Ming Nation's army withdrew.
After this battle, the king was bedridden for many years, and the kingdom's previous head of law enforcement, Jiao Gu, was in charge of all government affairs. Fortunately, there were no more wars in these years, and as the Great General, Tian Qing was happy to be idle, staying at home all day.
Being idle didn't mean that he didn't have any worries. His biggest worry over these years was his third son, Tian Yi. This lecher's biggest problem was that he had raped a peasant girl in the suburbs thirty years ago. This was originally a small matter, but it caused a series of negative effects. His old rival, Yu Xingyang, and his loyal subordinate, Bai Pinghai, were buried under the Celestial Heavens Gate's Sacred Mountain.
The death of two close friends didn't sound the alarm for Tian Yi, but instead made his third son go from bad to worse, doing whatever he wanted without restraint. The number of girls he had harmed over the years was uncountable, and Tian Qing was too lazy to care. He couldn't care less, and he was very disappointed in his son. You can play with women if you want, but there's one condition: you can't kill anyone.
While it was true that Skywings did not commit any murders, their reputation was already rotten in the kingdom. Fortunately, the various organizations and sects were all friends and students of Skyblue, and many heartless matters were forcibly suppressed by these people. Skyblue did not want to disregard these friends of his, so he turned a blind eye and let it pass. In any case, he was a great general with great authority, so who would not want to live long enough to come knocking on his door and denounce him?
It was precisely because of this that the peasant boy who came to question him more than thirty years ago had left a deep impression on him. This impression was not because of the boy's persistence and integrity. In the eyes of people at the peak of power like them, integrity was just a word that could only appear in books and would never appear in reality. Whoever took it seriously was an idiot who couldn't be more stupid.
How could there be real justice in this world?
The so-called deep impression didn't appear in reality, but in his dreams. Many nights, he would be frightened awake by nightmares. The murdered farmer boy and the suicidal farmer girl had turned into ferocious ghosts, roaring at him in the most vicious voice, "We will come back one day. I don't want you to die, I want all of you to suffer a fate worse than death!"
This nightmare had troubled him for many years, but he didn't dare to say it out loud, and he couldn't say it out loud. The valiant general Tian Qing hadn't even been afraid of the Cang Ming Army, so how could he be afraid of a little fake dream?
But the dream was so real, and it kept appearing, so it was inevitable that people would be suspicious.
Especially tonight, he felt uneasy, as if something big was about to happen. This feeling grew stronger and stronger, and it had never appeared at any of his previous birthday parties.
If the first two annoyances had disturbed him, the last was a happy annoyance.
His eldest son had died on the battlefield many years ago, his second son's whereabouts were unknown, and his third son was a complete wastrel. After discussing it with his wife, Tian Qing decided to have another child, which would be his fourth.
The fourth child was born after the war in Cang Ming Country. It was a girl named Tian Zhu.
Tian Zhu had been doted on since she was born, because she was the only pearl in the Tian Family. Because of the previous three sons, Tian Qing paid special attention to Tian Zhu's growth, and Tian Zhu didn't disappoint her parents. This proud daughter of the heavens had extraordinary talent, and she was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and tea. She was proficient in all kinds of martial arts, and what was even rarer was that she had awakened her Origin Energy at the age of five. Now, at the age of thirty-four, she was already an advanced combat master, and was about to enter the ranks of the warlords.
It must be known that in the Da Sheng Kingdom, warlord level Origin Energy experts were as high as generals, and low level Origin Energy experts were sitting in sects. How many people couldn't reach this height in their entire lives? Tian Zhu was still young, and she still had a long way to go. It could be said that her future was limitless.
Tian Zhu herself was slender and elegant, and her beauty was astonishing. In addition, at this age, it was the best time to talk about marriage. However, Tian Qing was very distressed. Zhu 'er was too outstanding, and in the entire Da Sheng Dynasty, there was almost no young talent worthy of her. This made him, as a father, anxious and expectant. Where exactly was his future son-in-law?
At this moment, the banquet in the courtyard was halfway through. After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the royal dancers in the distant pavilion sang and danced, celebrating the birthday party. A bonfire was lit on the lawn by the lake, and the fireworks blossomed in the snowy night sky, creating colorful and gorgeous words. "Congratulations to Great General Tian Qing for your good fortune and a long life."
Seeing these resplendent fireworks, many of the people present cheered. Tian Qing, however, was somewhat stunned. The same fireworks and the same words had appeared countless times. He had already become a bit bored of watching them, and he no longer had the gratification and excitement he had at the beginning.
Just as he was lost in thought, another bunch of fireworks rose up, and a row of colorful words blossomed in the night sky. "Delayed justice is not justice, but a nightmare!"
Seeing these words, the originally joyous crowd suddenly quieted down. Everyone turned their heads in surprise. How could there be such congratulatory fireworks at Great General Tian's birthday party?
Was there a mistake?
Tian Qing frowned and turned his head to look at the housekeeper to the side.
The housekeeper broke out in a cold sweat from his gaze, and he hurriedly explained, "General, it might be that those fireworks craftsmen made a mistake."
Even if they made a mistake, it was impossible for them to make a mistake at Tian Qing's birthday party, unless they didn't want to live anymore.
Although the housekeeper's words were tactful, Tian Qing also knew that it was Tian Yi who had arranged the fireworks over the years. That good-for-nothing thing only knew how to find flowers and visit willows, and he liked these kinds of tricks. If there was a mistake, it would be Tian Yi's fault.
"Where is Yi 'er now?" Tian Qing asked indifferently.
The housekeeper answered very carefully, "Young Master Yi is currently in the dance room in the backyard."
Tian Qing frowned again. Tian Yi was clearly fooling around with the dancers of the Royal Dance Troupe. The Royal Dance Troupe had almost become Tian Yi's harem in recent years.
"And Zhu 'er?" Tian Qing asked again.
The housekeeper replied, "Young Miss is still in the training room. She'll be out soon!"
Tian Qing nodded in satisfaction. Tian Zhu had always made him satisfied and reassured.
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the gate of the manor. A group of guards nervously retreated with weapons in their hands. It seemed that someone had barged in from outside.
The crowd fell silent again. How many years had it been since the Tian family's courtyard had been peaceful? Why would someone dare to barge in this time?
Tian Qing could not help but raise his head. He saw a man and a woman walk in side by side. Both of them were very young, and the man was dressed shabbily. He was definitely not from some famous sect, but the man's temperament was extraordinary. His expression was calm, and he walked in leisurely, as if he was strolling in his own backyard.
As for the girl, she was dressed in ordinary, coarse clothing, and with a single look, one could tell that she was a peasant girl. However, this peasant girl had a country-toppling beauty, and as soon as she walked in, many of the men's eyes were glued to her, and even their breathing stopped. In the eyes of many, this peasant girl's looks were comparable to Miss Tian Zhu, perhaps even far superior.
This man and woman were definitely not ordinary people. Tian Qing instantly came to this conclusion. For some reason, he felt that these two young people were very familiar.
He was not the only one who thought so. Everyone else present came to the same conclusion. Thus, someone stepped forward to ask:
"Who dares to barge into Great General Tian's residence?
Don't you know that tonight is Great General Tian's birthday banquet? "
The one who stepped forward was a soldier in martial attire. He did not look young, but he had a handsome white face.
Ding Meng laughed: "Who are you?"
The soldier immediately revealed a proud expression: "General Tian Qing, I am Zhan Feng, the vanguard general of the Flying Horse Tribe's rapid march army!"
Ding Meng thought for a moment: "Who are you to Zhan Long and Zhan Yi?"
Zhan Feng was surprised: "You know my father and uncle?"
Ding Meng nodded his head: "So you are Zhan Long's son, very good!"
Zhan Long was the murderer who killed Zheng Ming at the birthday banquet, and Zhan Yi was Zhan Long's elder brother. These two people had long been killed by Yu Xingyang at the foot of Celestial Heavens Gate.
Seeing Ding Meng's indifferent expression, Zhan Feng was a little uneasy: "Who are you?"
Ding Meng swept his gaze across the courtyard. Everyone present was a hero from all walks of life, the royal family and sects. He said solemnly: "My name is Zheng Ming!"
Ji Chenxue also said: "My name is Qiao Gu!"
Many people stared with their eyes wide open. Were these two crazy people?
A nameless pawn dared to announce his name?
However, a small number of people's expressions changed. Everyone thought of something at the same time. What happened thirty years ago today was originally a trivial matter, but now that the dead had come back to life, could it be that the vengeful spirits had returned to take their lives?
Tian Qing's eyelids twitched. He finally knew why he had such an uneasy premonition tonight. The remnants of the past had not been eradicated, and now the trouble had come.
But when he looked at the other party, he realized that Ding Meng and Zhan Feng only had the aura of two primary warriors. This was nothing to be afraid of.
Unfortunately, Zhan Feng did not know this. He was still aggressively asking: "The two of you trespassed into General Tian's residence without notifying, and even mentioned your late father during such a joyous birthday banquet. Do you know your crime?"
Ji Chenxue couldn't help but laugh. "Are you going to say that we should be lenient on account of your young age and the fact that this is your first offense? Only then can we show General Tian's generosity and benevolence?"
"You!"
Zhan Feng rolled his eyes at the rebuke. A wave of anger immediately rushed to his head. He could not help but say angrily: "Are you deliberately causing trouble?"
Ji Chenxue smiled like a flower: "You are wrong, we are not here to cause trouble."
Zhan Feng let out a sigh of relief. Dealing with Ji Chenxue was like this. You knew that she did not come with good intentions, but when you saw her beautiful smile, it was easy to feel hostility.