Ren Hongchang sat up, her face flushed with shyness and anticipation. She slowly undressed, revealing her smooth shoulders, undershirt, and delicate feet. The room was suddenly filled with an intimate, spring-like atmosphere.
"Master, you've been using much energy with your spells recently. I thought you might need to practice some Yin-Yang balancing techniques..."
Wang Yan: ...
Yin-Yang balancing?
So considerate?
It might not be balanced, but some practice wouldn't hurt.
Just as Wang Yan was about to act, Zhou Cang's voice called out from the courtyard.
"Master, the Governor has arrived."
Wang Yan was startled, feeling a sudden headache.
Perfect timing.
His strict father, Governor Wang Fen, had finally decided to come and bring him home personally.
Recalling the memories from before, Wang Yan knew that Governor Wang Fen was incredibly strict, the epitome of a stern father. He would scold Wang Yan for the slightest misstep and often resorted to physical punishment.
In this era, where filial piety was paramount, Wang Yan couldn't openly defy his father. Yet, he still had to continue recruiting troops and fighting Zhang Jiao.
How could he convince his father to leave peacefully?
Bluff him?
Before Wang Yan could think of a plan, Wang Fen had already stormed into the room impatiently.
"Ungrateful child, when will you come home?"
Ren Hongchang was hastily dressed and rushed out of the room in a panic.
Seeing this, Wang Yan knew he was in trouble.
He would indeed be accused of indulging in sensual pleasures.
What an injustice.
Sure enough, Wang Fen's ordinarily stern face twisted with anger, his brows furrowing into a deep frown that gripped Wang Yan's heart.
Wang Yan's first impression of his father was even more intimidating than expected.
It felt like a kind of bloodline suppression.
Facing his father, Wang Yan felt a bit scared and greeted him respectfully.
"Father, what urgent matter brings you here from such a distance to bring me home?"
Seeing Wang Yan unharmed, Wang Fen felt a bit relieved. But hearing his son's carefree words, his face darkened with displeasure. "You still remember you have a home and a father?"
"Calm down, Father. I've been under your guidance for years, and now I want to do something meaningful."
Wang Fen said, "Want to do something meaningful? Then come home!"
"I've already paved your path to becoming an official. You don't need to mess around like this."
Wang Yan, maintaining a calm expression, replied, "Father, don't worry about me. I've already become a disciple of General Lu Zhi. Once I defeat Zhang Jiao, I'll earn military merits and become an official."
Upon hearing this, Wang Fen was infuriated. "Arrogant fool!"
"Do you know that Lu Zhi has been arrested and is being taken to Luoyang for punishment?"
"What use is there in being his disciple?"
"The Yellow Turban rebels are not so easily defeated. Even Dong Zhuo has been driven back to Quyang by Zhang Jiao."
Wang Yan was taken aback. Lu Zhi had already been arrested?
And Dong Zhuo's defeat came so swiftly?
Amidst his surprise, he sensed an opportunity.
Seeing Wang Yan's silence, Wang Fen grew even more frustrated.
"Stop messing around. This rebellion isn't something you can handle right now."
These words made Wang Yan want to confront his father's arrogance directly.
How could he plan to overthrow the Emperor if he didn't let his son quell the rebellion?
It was time to push back and see how his father would respond.
"Zuo Feng framed Father, General Lu. He will be forgiven in Luoyang. You should support him in court, paving the way for greater things."
Greater things?
Wang Fen detected a deeper meaning in Wang Yan's words, and his expression turned serious, staring intently at his son.
"You once sent a message suggesting I compare myself to Yi Yin and Huo Guang. What did you mean?"
Looking directly into Wang Fen's eyes, Wang Yan saw a hint of evasion.
Family shouldn't hide things from each other.
Wang Yan went straight to the point. "Liu Hong may be a foolish ruler, but he's not easily overthrown."
"Father, abandon this idea."
This statement hit Wang Fen like a thunderbolt, making him feel a surge of anxiety.
He quickly got up to close the doors and windows, then stared intensely at Wang Yan.
"Tell me, how did you know?"
Wang Yan replied calmly, "As the revered Immortal Master, I can foresee things. This is a small matter, easily deduced."
Wang Fen felt his authoritative image crumble before his son tonight.
Angrily, he drew his ruler and shouted, "You dare deceive even your father?"
Seeing this, Wang Yan ran away.
A stern approach indeed, carrying a ruler at all times?
As he ran, he shouted, "Father plans to control the court while I command troops outside. Together, we'll change the world. What's left for the Liu family?"
Wang Fen was stunned, fearing someone might hear these treasonous words.
Watching his son's retreating figure, he felt a mix of disbelief and resignation.
What kind of son had he raised?
Even with his grand ambitions, Wang Fen had only dared to contemplate a change of rulers, but his son aimed to overthrow the entire dynasty!
Regaining his composure, Wang Fen shouted, "Ungrateful child, where are you going?"
Wang Yan, without looking back, replied, "To kill Zhang Jiao."
Hearing this, Wang Fen felt utterly defeated.
"Madness, sheer madness."
"Zhang Jiao, with tens of thousands of followers and both magical and martial prowess, is not someone you can just decide to kill."
Wang Fen regretted coming here, feeling his son's resolve had only grown more reckless.
Wang Yan, ignoring his father, gathered his men quickly.
"Zhao Yun, Zhou Cang, we march to Quyang at once. We kill Zhang Jiao tomorrow."
"Yes, Master."
Based on his father's intelligence, Zhang Jiao had left Guangzong and was likely engaged in a final battle with Dong Zhuo in Quyang.
In chaos lies opportunity.
With his formidable army of eight thousand believers, including three thousand dedicated warriors and the unmatched Zhao Yun, Wang Yan was confident they could strike unexpectedly and defeat Zhang Jiao.
Wang Yan, Zhao Yun, and Zhou Cang led their troops through the night.
At dawn, they arrived at Quyang.
From a distance, Wang Yan saw a defeated army embroiled in internal strife. Among them was a man with a leopard head and round eyes, wielding a long spear and shouting angrily, "We risked our lives to save him, yet he treats us with such disrespect! If we don't kill him, I won't be at peace!"
Zhang Fei?
Are you meeting the Peach Garden Brothers again?
He also spotted a tall, imposing figure on horseback, injured his left arm, yet remained arrogantly defiant towards Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
Wang Yan smiled, recognizing Dong Zhuo.