Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

"Indeed, it was you who brought us here," Chen Xiong said teasingly, "and now you want to leave us behind and go off alone."

Lu Xun looked at the faces of the two, saw the resolve and determination in their eyes, and with a happy smile said, "Well then, it's agreed. No backing out later on."

"Whoever backs out is a puppy!"

And so, the three who had originally come to Mountain Luoxia set out together once again, this time no longer as the trembling youths merely seeking to survive in this chaotic world, but as ones armed with a chance and the courage to change it.

As Lu Xun descended the mountain with the Chen siblings, the banner of Great Chu began to flutter in the northeast, drawing curious glances from countless people, who discussed who these mysterious individuals could be.

In the military tent of the Liu Family's army, Wang Tao frowned as he listened to the report from below, the candlelight flickering orange beside him, casting light throughout the tent.

"So, you're saying that the leader of this mysterious army is a young man?"

"Reporting to the superior, it is absolutely true, he appears to be in his twenties."

"In his twenties, huh? That is rather interesting. There are no renowned Noble Families in the northeast territory. Where did this group come from? After you go down, make sure to investigate further. Is there anyone noteworthy in their ranks?"

"In this army, there's a fierce warrior named Chen Xiong who possesses unparalleled bravery, breaking through enemy lines with ease. And he's not old either, also in his twenties."

"Hmm, that does seem like a talent. It's a pity we are so far from the northeast; having such a fine gem under my command would be a great joy in life," Wang Tao sighed and said.

He waved his hand, dismissing the person below, and Wang Tao fell into deep thought within the tent. Just then, a voice came from within the shadows, "It seems that the superior is quite interested in this force?"

"After all, they raised the banner of Great Chu; one cannot help but pay attention," Wang Tao took a deep breath and said. Although Great Chu had perished several years ago, it was a Dynasty that had unified the land for over a hundred years, and there were still countless common folk who hoped it could return, especially now with the world in chaos, the commoners longed even more for the prosperous and peaceful times of Great Chu.

"The superior must not confuse the means with the end. Great Chu has been gone for so many years; yearning for its restoration is mere wishful thinking. The Noble Families would definitely not want to see Great Chu restored, after all, they were the ones who truly severed its roots," the person in the shadow said.

"Mr. Wu, born into one of those Noble Families, why do you speak of them with such disdain?" Wang Tao said with a smile.

The man in the shadows stepped forward, the dim candlelight illuminating his scarred face—a face crisscrossed with scars, yet beneath them one could still make out the handsome features. His hair was already graying at the temples, although he wasn't old; it was unclear why he had aged prematurely.

"It is precisely because I was born into a Noble Family that I know their ruthlessness and venom. They will never allow Great Chu to be restored. It's just that the northeast is beyond their reach, and each Noble Family has its own ulterior motives, which is why they have not taken further action," Mr. Wu said softly.

He gently touched the scars on his face, then continued, "The truth is that it is you who are in a difficult position now. Without the Rebel Army, those old men of the Liu Family will probably turn their attention to you. These people can only share misfortune, not wealth. If you trust them easily, my fate will serve as a warning."

Wang Tao turned his head and looked at Mr. Wu, whose scarred face appeared ghastly and fierce in the candlelight. He thought about his past and deeply sighed, "The coldness of Noble Families is evident."

These words stirred Mr. Wu's gaze slightly, and memories of the past couldn't help but flash through his mind.

He had been a child of a noble family, intelligent since childhood, skilled in both reading and painting. He thought that life would always continue in this way, but unexpectedly, an upheaval that swept across the world began. Their family was only a minor one, facing such a storm like a lone boat on the waves, they could only drift along helplessly.

Who would have thought that his own in-laws would seize this opportunity to plot against him, leading to the downfall of his family, with loved ones dying one after another? Later, he found out that it was his fiancée's family who had conspired with the Liu Family, all for the sake of his family's land.

He blamed himself for failing to see their true nature, still thinking that noble families would support each other. He went to them for help, only to be trapped in a dungeon and subjected to suffering; if not for the chaos, he would have long since perished in that place.

From then on, he was destitute and wandering until he met Wang Tao, who gave him a chance to turn his fortunes around.

Remembering these past events, a sorrowful expression appeared on his fierce face, but he quickly regained control of his emotions, and whispered to Wang Tao, "We have already sent letters to them, so we can test their intentions. I guess the results will come back soon."

Indeed, as he predicted, it didn't take long for Wang Tao to receive a reply from the Liu Family. After reading it carefully, he handed the letter to Mr. Wu, chuckling, "It's still the same tone, pacifying us, asking us to stay calm, so earnest in their words yet unwilling to spare even a grain more of their food."

"It's just as expected, after all, we are outsiders. With the temperaments of those old folks in the Liu Family, if it wasn't for the lack of capable people within the Liu Family, why would they deal with us like this? In the end, we still have to see what the family head thinks."

A sneer appeared on Wang Tao's face as he said, "That old fox, he's deceiving deeply, bring the man up!"

At the order, a soldier was brought in by the trusted aides, appearing rather young, with a scar at the corner of his eye. At that moment, he was glaring fiercely at Wang Tao.

"You still won't kneel upon seeing the General?" the two trusted aides said with contempt.

"Just a dog from our Liu Family, and you want me to kneel? Dream on!" The soldier seemed arrogant, and his words showed little respect for Wang Tao.

Upon hearing this, the two trusted aides were immediately furious. Their General, who had saved their lives, was being insulted, and in a fit of rage, one of them kicked the soldier's knee, forcing him to kneel involuntarily.

Wang Tao's face didn't show anger, instead, he sat up leisurely, looked down at the rebellious young man, and asked with a smile, "Liu Xiang, I know you dislike me, but this is a military camp and I am the commanding General. Do you know your crime for humiliating me in such a way?"

The young man held his neck stiffly and shouted loudly, "General, we of the Liu Family gave you your status; without us, you'd be nothing. You've eaten our food, lived in our house, and now you dare try to climb over us? Bah!"

Enraged by these words, a trusted aide punched him in the face. Liu Xiang fell to the ground, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. However, this only fueled his fury, and he shouted as if mad, "How dare you hit me, a bunch of filthy curs! Do you know how noble I am? I will have you all flayed and dissected if you don't wait to see!"

To this, Wang Tao, sitting above, suddenly burst out laughing, and said to Mr. Wu beside him, "Look at this, Mr. Wu, this is the attitude of the children of the Liu Family, so arrogant, always thinking that whatever I have today is thanks to their charity. Little do they know, if it weren't for my bloodshed on the battlefield, how could they enjoy their lives of pleasure, bullying men and women."

Mr. Wu shook his head slightly upon hearing this, "Such descendants, and yet the people of the Liu Family remain ignorant, deluding themselves with dreams of seizing power. Truly delusional."

Liu Xiang, hearing their talk, suddenly sensed something amiss. He had a high status at home and Wang Tao had always treated him with courtesy. Why did he seem like a different person today?