The other end of the line fell into silence, and Song Gengzhao montarily lost his ability to speak. After pondering for a long ti, he finally let out a long sigh to break the silence:
"Sigh, why co back? I didn't receive this call today, and you shouldn't co back either. Go... go!"
He had truly wished to see Song Que, but when the words reached his lips, the only thing he could utter was this sentence that seed forced. Song Gengzhao never thought he would see such a day.
However, it was after hearing these words that Song Que finally felt at ease.
If his father had inquired about his whereabouts, he might have still been on guard, but his father's urging him to leave ant that there were no more ill feelings between them.
Song Que felt his nose sting with emotion,
"Dad, I've already reached the first fortress and am currently in the lower levels. Although my disguise keeps from being discovered by the citizens, the current defenses are strict, with many Judgnt Knights mixed in, and I can't get to the higher levels. I need your help."
"Can't you understand what I'm saying? Go, my child! The Song Family is no longer the Song Family you rember."
"I am no longer the person I used to be."
Song Gengzhao's tone was firm, and Song Que's was even more resolute.
"I have inquired about it, and the Song Family is currently in a state of disarray, beset with external and internal troubles, all because of . You are the head of the Song Family, and I am the son of the head. These problems should reasonably be resolved by the son on your behalf."
"Resolve? How can you resolve anything? You can't even show your face in public now."
"Though I can't show my face, there are benefits to remaining hidden in the shadows. It's just that I need to reach the level where you are."
Song Gengzhao wavered inside. He was eager to see Song Que, but his son's coming to the first fortress was undoubtedly more perilous than auspicious. Yet, as the old saying goes, what's done is done…
"I will personally co to get you."
…
…
The first fortress, the sixth level.
The Song Family's sixth brother, Song Wei, lived up to his na, hidden yet uncompromising, protective without retreating. Over the years, the sixth brother has always been that most likable relative, simply because Song Wei seed uninterested in the Song Family's business—or at least that's how it appeared to everyone.
Song Wei was also in his study, planning future affairs. Since it was inconvenient for him to show up, he could only offer strategies from within his study.
Song Wei's study was almost identical in layout to Song Gengzhao's, with an antique incense box on the desk and a frad calligraphy behind him. The rest of the decorations were extrely sparse, with just a few books on the shelf—not the typical success, literature, philosophy classics, or business manuals.
He didn't care for these books. Even if he did, he wouldn't display them in his study, but rather kept various dossiers and reports on the company's personnel and financial statents.
At that mont, the butler knocked on the door, not entering but reporting from outside the door:
"Sir, the lord has gone to the lower levels."
"What did he do?"
"He took a few guards. It looks like those were Sir Song Que's forr subordinates."
Song Wei frowned slightly.
"Does Big Brother still have the will to fight?"
Actually, in terms of strategizing, Song Wei was not as good as Song Gengzhao, but he was adept at analyzing a person's state of mind. The way Song Gengzhao had stayed indoors for many days was clearly different from Li Wanye's.
While the latter was lying low, the forr seed sowhat dispirited. A little more provocation to stir up public sentint, and Big Brother's abdication would co naturally.
Thus, Song Gengzhao's current move to et with Song Que's forr subordinates made Song Wei uneasy.
"Continue having soone keep watch."
"Yes."
After the butler left, Song Wei pondered for a while and then mumbled to himself:
"Even if Song Gengzhao is trying to win people's hearts at this mont and attract Song Que's old subordinates, it seems to hold little significance. Only mbers of the Song Family can contest for the lordship, and within the Song Family, nobody can compare with Song Zhuo. Heh, let's see what else you can pull off."
At this mont, Song Zhuo was on the third level, discussing business with soone.
Song Zhuo enjoyed conducting business in tea houses.
His na included the character for 'clumsy', and he looked even more naive than Song Que. Years of restraint seed to have beco a habit, and even when dealing with his inferiors, Song Zhuo always showed utmost courtesy.
This made many who did business with Song Zhuo sigh and remark that he was like a second Song Que.
Even though Song Zhuo always acted humbly, as if he was inferior to his brother Song Que, every ti he heard those words, he felt a deep disdain originating from within his bones.
But he couldn't show it, because Song Que was indeed a mountain in his heart.
"Since Song Que is already the Chosen One with the Ten Gifts, you don't need to be one." His father Song Wei's words still frequently echoed in his ears.
"Why not? Dad, how am I inferior to him? He has the Ten Gifts, and so do I. Maybe my performance in the Chosen Trials will be even better than his."
"From now on, I don't allow you to be better than him. Rember, in my Song Wei's family, we don't flaunt our talents. A wild dog sharpens its teeth, but to no avail; you must not easily reveal your fangs, or everyone will beco wary of you."
"Do I have to pretend to be a waste for the rest of my life?"
"He is Song Que; you are Song Zhuo. If he is a genius, then you are the waste."
"And what if he becos a waste?"
Song Zhuo still rembered the expression on his father Song Wei's face after he said that.
That expression was profound, with a certain longing in his eyes that was quickly suppressed.
"Such assumptions are not to be made. If such a day really cos, you'll naturally know what to do. But until that day arrives, you must rember that you are always just a child from Song Wei's family with average talent and diocre aptitude."
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