Chapter 189 A Tiger Leaving Its Cage

West of Fengxin City, a cavalry detachment was advancing, but not quickly, as the group included a carriage.

From the east, from behind, Pingxi (Pacifying the West) Marquis, riding his pixiu and leading a handful of personal guards, caught up.

"Greetings, Marquis!"

"Greetings, Marquis!"

Zheng Fan drove straight in, unimpeded. Even the Jingnan (Pacifying the South) King's personal guards dutifully cleared the front of the carriage as the Pingxi Marquis approached.

The Pingxi Marquis dismounted and boarded the carriage.

The carriage was reasonably spacious but by no means luxurious.

Pulling back the curtain, Zheng Fan leaned inside.

Tian Wujing was sitting inside, a stack of memorials piled at his feet.

The Jingnan King showed no surprise at Zheng Fan's arrival, simply pointing to a small stove in front of him and saying, "Make tea."

There was already water boiling on the stove, and tea leaves and cups were nearby. Zheng Fan nodded and brewed two cups.

The carriage continued to move, without stopping.

Tian Wujing took a teacup, held it in his hand, and said:

"Jindong (Eastern Jin), is actually a very good place. A land contested from all sides;

A mediocre person occupying it is simply courting death;

But,

The land,

Is still that land,

A fierce tiger standing upon it, can reach out in all directions, its power can be felt, indulging as it pleases."

Zheng Fan nodded.

Tian Wujing looked at Zheng Fan,

And said:

"You, the Pingxi Marquis, are a fierce tiger."

Zheng Fan smiled and shook his head.

"Long ago, I saw it clearly. Born as people, everyone has a cage in front of them, a kind of restraint.

But you…"

"I have no cage?" Zheng Fan asked.

"No, you do."

"Then..."

"But the key to your cage is in your own hands. Other people's cages are real cages, but yours is just a decoration for show.

You are always preparing,

Preparing for when the time is right,

To walk out of the cage yourself."

Zheng Fan shrugged,

And said:

"But Your Highness is blocking the entrance to my cage."

Tian Wujing nodded.

"But I know that Your Highness is helping me to hide it, and then, like now, Your Highness, you've moved aside."

"Right now, you still need time. You are still too weak. Without the support of the Jingnan Army in Jindong, you can't hold up such a stage with your current strength.

The Chu Kingdom doesn't dare to go north, not because of you;

The snow plain barbarians don't dare to go south, not because of you;

The people of Jin don't dare to rebel, perhaps half of that is due to you, after all, you, the Pingxi Marquis, are famous for your skill in battle.

But…"

Tian Wujing paused,

And continued,

"The reason your enemies are coerced and fearful is not of you, the Pingxi Marquis, but of the black dragon banner. When you reach the point that your opponents fear the Zheng character banner even more than the black dragon banner,

Then you can walk out of the cage in all your glory."

"Actually, I don't mind Your Highness standing in front of my cage forever."

"That's what you think now, but you won't think that way in the future. Even the most beautiful scenery becomes tiresome after a while, let alone someone blocking the way?"

"Your Highness has always been my guide."

"But the path I'm walking is a road of no return."

The carriage fell silent.

After a long while,

Tian Wujing took a sip of tea,

And said:

"The tea is warm, now it's drinkable."

Zheng Fan lowered his head and drank his tea.

"Actually, there isn't much I can teach you."

"Originally, when Your Highness hadn't left, I was thinking of asking you to teach me martial arts."

After all, they both walked the path of a martial man.

Among the martial men of the world, there might be those who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Tian Wujing, but they were definitely few and far between.

"Being a sixth-rank martial artist is good enough, actually."

"I still want to pursue further progress on the path of martial arts. I also feel that I still have room for improvement."

"Practicing step by step will indeed be slower, but actually your talent isn't bad at all."

"Can't compare with Your Highness."

Tian Wujing nodded and said:

"Mm."

"..." Zheng Fan.

"Yes, wait for some opportunities," Tian Wujing said, "Opportunity isn't forcing growth, but a kind of catalyst."

Zheng Fan really wanted to say,

That he often saw the Sword Saint encountering "catalysts" all the time;

While he himself seemed to be the one providing them.

"A noble son doesn't sit on the edge of a roof, doesn't get his feet dirty, how can he stand firm?"

"Yes, Your Highness is right to teach me."

"It's not teaching, but you've always cherished your life, and now, your life is even more precious. Many of the Great Yan's meritorious marquises have people who want to take your life.

Zheng Fan, I've always felt that you aren't a martial arts fanatic.

Look at Li Liangting,

Isn't he sitting there receiving the respect and awe of thousands?"

"I…"

Zheng Fan couldn't say this reason directly.

Because he was one leading seven;

A typical case of the emperor not being worried but a bunch of eunuchs being anxious.

"I'm greedy, Your Highness."

"You seem very greedy, but in reality, there are many things you don't really care about. Sometimes, I'm also very interested in what kind of person is hidden beneath your skin.

Most people in the world can't see through things even in their old age;

Those who can truly see through things are few and far between.

You are clearly still young,

Yet you seem to have a sense of having seen through everything long ago."

Having said this,

Tian Wujing put down his teacup,

"Very good."

"Your Highness, are you returning to the capital?"

"Returning to Litian City, I miss her."

Zheng Fan pursed his lips, looking eager to try something.

"No need to ask, I won't say either," Tian Wujing looked at Zheng Fan. "Those who dare to act aren't afraid of you overturning the table, they might even be eager for you to overturn the table.

In this world,

Black and white,

Seem distinct,

But most of them are gray,

Who can be cleaner than whom?

Besides,

Everyone in the world has that qualification, except for me, to raise the banner of avenging my family."

"Your Highness, what do the people of the world matter to you?"

"This King doesn't care about the people of the world."

Zheng Fan was silent, he understood.

"Also, this King is returning to Litian City, but won't be in a hurry to return to the capital."

"Then in the capital…"

Zheng Fan really wanted to directly say something about the Yan Emperor's health, but he didn't know how to say it. However, he knew that Tian Wujing would understand.

"He should suffer a little torment."

Tian Wujing looked at Zheng Fan and said, "After autumn, I will enter the capital again. You will come with this King, enter the capital together."

It was currently winter.

Autumn,

Was when the blind man estimated that the Pingxi Marquis's residence in Jindong would have a stable situation and the army would be built up.

Zheng Fan nodded.

"I originally thought that you would continue to ask me who I prefer."

Zheng Fan smiled and said, "No, I feel there's no need to bother you with such a boring matter."

Tian Wujing pointed at Zheng Fan,

And said:

"You've become sensible."

"You taught me well."

"That's about it, you should go back."

Zheng Fan took a deep breath,

And finally asked the question that he had chased after him to ask:

"Really not going to take a look at him?"

Tian Wujing shook his head.

Zheng Fan gritted his teeth,

"Alright, I'm going back."

Having said that,

Zheng Fan turned around,

And was about to leave the carriage,

When he stopped,

And said:

"Brother, remember what you promised me, when you plan to leave, you have to discuss it with me. My Pingxi Marquis's brother can't leave without face."

"Let's talk about it in the autumn, it's still early. The injuries haven't healed yet, how can you leave with face?"

"Definitely."

Marquis Zheng got off the carriage,

Rode his pixiu,

And watched the carriage, escorted by the Jingnan Army, continue westward.

The battle was over,

He had to go back.

Zheng Fan had once said, if there are no more battles to fight, how tormented would you be?

Now,

He was returning to Litian City, returning to that Marquis's residence, which was also equivalent to enduring that torment.

Zheng Fan, who had gone to Litian City at the beginning of the year, clearly remembered that courtyard, that ancestral hall, and the fallen leaves on the ground.

Before long,

On that threshold,

There would be another figure of a white-haired person.

Old Tian had left,

But Old Tian said,

That he would wait in Litian City, and then enter the capital in the autumn.

He wasn't in Jindong anymore,

But he was in Litian City,

Supporting a shield for the Pingxi Marquis's residence in Jindong.

Waiting for that young meritorious Marquis who dared to call him brother,

When the autumn was high and the horses were fat.

The blind man riding behind Zheng Fan couldn't help but feel a little regret.

He had taught Tiantian many times that the most delicious sachima in the world was the dragon throne, but it seemed that that person would have no chance to hear it.

But,

Have to say,

In his heart,

There was really a sense of emotion.

Even,

When looking at the figure of his master in front,

He felt a little puzzled.

Life is like a play, all depends on acting;

But he preferred to emphasize acting true to oneself;

Seemingly contradictory, but in fact, it was great wisdom.

Just like his master.

One Jingnan King had left,

But there was still a zuo gulihu (Left Wise Prince).

True confidants, true life-or-death friendships, two or three were enough, any more and it would become diluted and unsustainable.

The blind man couldn't help but look back,

There,

Was the foundation of their team,

The real territory,

The real soldiers and horses,

The real power,

The real, start!

Licking his lips,

The blind man shook his head,

Back in that inn in Huto City, he had originally thought that it was the seven of them dragging a burden;

But now looking back at the process and today,

Putting his hand on his heart and asking himself,

Who took advantage of whom more?

At this moment,

Zheng Fan in front of him spurred his pixiu to turn around,

And said:

"What does it matter to steal a glance?"

The blind man laughed;

"Afraid I can't help myself."

There was something the blind man didn't say:

When Si Niang is pregnant, you'll understand.

"Autumn, autumn, blind man, you said, can he hold on until then?"

The blind man shook his head and said:

"Doubtful."

Zheng Fan's eyes narrowed, and his entire temperament began to change:

"Change the gift sent to Little Liu Zi next season to a set of armor, a saber, and a bow."

Hearing this, the blind man asked; "Master, isn't that a little too obvious?"

"Before the new year, prepare a gift for the Fifth Prince in Yingdu as well."

The blind man smiled,

And said:

"Understood."

………

Inside the gently swaying westward-bound carriage,

Tian Wujing took out a piece of sachima that had already turned black from his sleeve.

Once, in Xuehai Pass, there was a child who liked to hide his snacks, keeping them for the person he was waiting for, often keeping them until they turned black and spoiled.

Tian Wujing took a bite,

Closed his eyes,

Slowly chewed,

Slowly enjoyed,

Tian,

Heaven,

Sweet.