Chapter 101: Wu Hong’s Mother, Lady Zhou

Chapter 101: Wu Hong’s Mother, Lady Zhou

Although the True Sun Tathagata Technique was strange and mysterious, if used properly, it could be a truly excellent method. It spared him the worry of having to kill—he could instead try to guide evil men from the martial world toward goodness. It was far more meaningful to help a villain lay down his sword and change his ways than to kill him outright; in doing so, he would be adding another good person to the world.

Thinking of this, Wu Hong grew excited, and his earlier concerns and fears vanished in an instant.

He freed everyone from their bindings, but the truly wicked had not gained release; instead, they became his most devoted followers, vowing allegiance to him and turning into paragons of virtue under his guidance.

Wu Hong was deeply satisfied with the outcome, working through the night until dawn before returning directly to the Prince Wu’s residence with his two companions.

Lady Li had already heard of Wu Hong’s deeds outside the southern city gates, and she was extremely anxious.

She paced back and forth in her chambers, her face marked with worry—a mother’s concern for her child.

“Mother, Third Aunt, we’re back!” Just as Lady Li was about to send someone to inquire, Wu Songran and Wu Hong entered from outside.

Lady Li’s face brightened. “You two troublemakers! How could you create such a stir just by going out for a stroll? Especially you, Hong—how can you meditate and train so openly in broad daylight? And in a busy place outside the southern city gates, no less! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? If something were to happen to you, how could I face your mother, Lady Zhou, and her trust in me?”

Wu Hong’s expression grew solemn, knowing Lady Li’s reproach was born of deep care. “Third Aunt, I understand,” he replied.

Lady Li mentioned Lady Zhou—Wu Hong’s birth mother—so that her words would carry more weight, fearing that as a stepmother, Wu Hong might disregard her concern.

Wu Hong had always yearned for his mother’s love; she had died giving birth to him. Only after journeying to the Book of Heaven’s small world did he come to know her appearance and demeanor.

Now, moved by Lady Li’s concern, Wu Hong silently vowed never to let this caring woman worry for him again.

“Third Aunt, could you tell me about my mother’s past?” Wu Hong asked with anticipation.

Lady Li, hearing his request, fell into deep reminiscence. “Lady Zhou was a gifted woman, born with dignity and grace. Her martial prowess was not inferior to the prince’s. As for her past, I only know that she was a noble from the Northern Kingdom—the Great Jin Dynasty.”

“What? Third Aunt, my mother was a noble of the Great Jin Dynasty?” Wu Hong was astonished by the revelation, for the Great Jin Dynasty was the greatest enemy of the current Great Qian Dynasty.

It was one of four great nations on the Tianxing Continent that rivaled the Great Qian Dynasty. The northern lands were cold and its people fierce, ruling over vast territories, a country ancient beyond measure, existing for ten thousand years.

No one knew when the Great Jin Kingdom was founded; it seemed to have existed as long as the continent’s history itself.

The Northern Kingdom was shrouded in mystery. Though it stood equal to the Great Qian Dynasty, its ten-thousand-year legacy was exceptional.

The Great Qian Dynasty, meanwhile, had undergone three royal changes over generations.

To suddenly learn his mother was a noble from the Great Jin Kingdom—Wu Hong could not help but be surprised.

There were four great nations on the Tianxing Continent—the Great Jin, Great Ming, Great Han, and Great Tang Dynasties.

The Great Qian Dynasty sat at the center of these ancient kingdoms. Despite shifts in rulers and dynasties, its foundation in the central plains remained robust and extraordinary.

Though the dynasty changed, its overall strength was undiminished.

The five dynasties formed a delicate balance of power—an undercurrent always ready to erupt.

Each country guarded against alliances between the others. Great Jin and Great Tang were long-time allies, while Great Ming allied with Great Qian.

The Great Han Dynasty stood isolated; any sign of its support for another would instantly trigger war.

Thus, among the five ancient kingdoms and the hundreds of smaller states, peace was only surface deep; any spark could ignite conflict.

The Great Qian Dynasty had rules regarding marriage: when a woman married into a noble family, she lost her original name, retaining only her surname.

Wu Hong knew little of his mother’s past—partly because Prince Wei of Wu and Lady Zhou rarely spoke of it, and partly because her origins were highly sensitive.

After all, Great Qian and Great Jin were bitter enemies.

“Lady Zhou’s background was very mysterious—I only know her status was exalted. When Prince Wei of Wu and Emperor Yang Guang vied for the throne, Lady Zhou played a significant role. Beyond that, I know very little.”

Wu Hong now had an idea: after resolving matters with Prince Wei of Wu, he would journey to the Great Jin Kingdom in the north.

“Third Aunt, tonight I’m going to the palace to find Lady Zhao and learn the truth of these matters!” Wu Hong was especially anxious. During his daytime outing, he had wanted to go directly to Lady Zhao and demand answers—who had truly harmed Prince Wei of Wu?

“With your achievements today, Hong, I shouldn’t worry about you venturing into the palace alone, but be cautious in all things. Don’t act rashly or underestimate others. And, Hong, if you learn an answer you don’t wish to hear, I hope for the sake of past kindness, you can forgive your Second Aunt.”

Lady Li’s words showed that she and Lady Zhao once shared a good relationship.

Wu Hong’s heart was troubled, for even now he could not rule out Lady Zhao as the culprit behind Prince Wei of Wu’s misfortune. The disfigured servant seemed to have vanished from the world.

He had considered that the impostor in the martial world—someone committing evil in his name—might be involved, but the differences were too great. Unless the culprit had used disguise or some other means to pose as him, the matter deepened further.

What began as a simple struggle for the throne had become entangled in the stability of imperial power. The chief suspect, Emperor Yang Guang, had already ascended to the innate realm and was beyond reach; thus, the only path forward was to seek answers from the current emperor, Yang Wei.

“Report—” Just as Wu Hong was preparing to depart, a servant entered to announce something, surprising everyone—it was the middle of the night, and servants rarely disturbed at this hour.

Even for important matters, they would normally wait until morning.

Lady Li, dignified and stern, frowned slightly. “What is it? Ah Liang, can’t you see I am reminiscing with Hong?”

Ah Liang was Lady Li’s longtime, loyal servant; he would never interrupt unless the matter was urgent or the visitor important.

“Lady Li, a man outside the residence claims to be the young master’s friend. His name is Li Yunda, a renowned merchant in the Great Qian Dynasty, and he wishes to report something urgent to the young master.”

Wu Hong was startled. He had thought Li Yunda was merely a common merchant from Yunluo Town, but it turned out he was famous throughout Great Qian.

“Third Aunt, he truly is my friend. If he’s come so late, it must be important.” Seeing Lady Li’s frown, Wu Hong hurried to explain.

“Very well. Bring Mr. Li directly in,” Lady Li instructed. Ah Liang soon returned, leading a plump man before them.

The fat man, seeing Lady Li seated in the main position, rushed forward, his body quivering with every step yet remarkably light on his feet.

He knelt suddenly before Lady Li. “Help, help, help—” he knocked his head to the ground three times.

Lady Li was startled. “Mr. Li, what is the meaning of this?”

Wu Hong and Wu Songran were also amazed; though Lady Li’s status was high, Li Yunda was not a servant of the Prince Wei of Wu’s residence—why such a grand salute?

Li Yunda, hearing her question, replied respectfully, “Third Aunt, my father was a distant cousin of Prince Wei of Wu; by seniority, I am your junior of the same clan. Such ceremony is not excessive!”

“What? Fatty, surely you’re joking—how have I never heard my father had a distant cousin?” Wu Songran, who knew Li Yunda, exclaimed in surprise.

“Songran, mind your manners,” Lady Li rebuked.

Wu Songran stuck out her tongue mischievously and fell silent, standing beside Lady Li.

Yet Lady Li, Wu Hong, and the others remained bewildered.