Many people probably don’t remember who Hu Shuanzi is. Even Jiang Wang might not recall the name immediately.

Most ordinary people in this world have such a weak presence.

When Hu Laogen was still around, some people might have remembered Hu Shuanzi as an honest young man. But after Hu Laogen died, he became even more silent.

As the saying goes, “When one achieves enlightenment, even the chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.” Hu Laogen, the former pavilion chief, had no children, so he got Hu Shuanzi, a distant relative, a job in the town hall as a favor.

In fact, Hu Shuanzi had done a lot of things during this time. Maintaining order, transporting supplies, publicizing plague prevention strategies… He did everything he could.

He even asked the mine guards (now incorporated into the Qingyang Town Hall) to teach him martial arts, practicing diligently every day.

Although Jiang Wang gave Duguxiao power, she needed to earn it through her own efforts.

Hu Shuanzi was the most determined executor of any order from Duguxiao. Initially, it was under his leadership that others gradually began to recognize Duguxiao’s command.

But that was it. He wanted to do more, but his strength was limited.

He naturally noticed Duguxiao’s change in mood immediately.

He deliberately wandered in front of Duguxiao several times before finally summoning the courage to say, “Xiaoxiao, are you happy today?”

Duguxiao looked up and smiled at him, “Yes, Brother Shuanzi.”

And that was it. She didn’t explain why she was happy, nor did she intend to share her joy with him.

Of course, she knew Shuanzi’s feelings, but what needed to be said had already been said clearly.

In a world dominated by extraordinary power, ordinary people have no future.

She used to think she was one without a future too.

So she tried desperately to keep up with Jiang Wang’s pace, doing her best to show her value, all because of a lack of security, all out of anxiety about an uncertain future.

She was afraid that if she was a little slow, she would be unceremoniously abandoned, falling back into that gray world.

But now, with Jiang Wang’s promise, she was even overly anticipating the future.

In that perhaps colorful world, there was naturally no place for Hu Shuanzi.

She was willing to be a little closer to Hu Shuanzi, simply out of gratitude for his feelings, and to use this attitude to make others respect Hu Shuanzi more. This, in her view, was an equal return.

No more, no less.

Seeing that Duguxiao didn’t mean to say more, Hu Shuanzi chuckled twice, “Then you get busy.”

For him, that smile was enough.

In fact, Duguxiao rarely smiled. Most of the time, she kept a cold face, which made her look more mature.

Others might not know, or might not care.

But he knew, and he cared.

He walked out of the town hall, across the courtyard, and past Xiang Qian, who was sunbathing on a lounge chair. His hard work during the previous period seemed to be a final burst of energy before death. After the plague was brought under control, he quickly reverted to his old ways. If he could sit, he would never stand; if he could lie down, he would never sit.

“It’s useless.” As Hu Shuanzi walked past, Xiang Qian suddenly said.

Hu Shuanzi dared not neglect him. He stopped, turned around, and respectfully asked, “Master Xiang, were you talking to me?”

Xiang Qian didn’t even lift his eyelids, but obviously there was no one else there, “Give up. You are not in the same world. You can’t reach it even if you stand on tiptoe. It was like this before, and it will be even more so in the future.”

Hu Shuanzi roughly understood, but he didn’t say anything.

“The road is long and arduous…” Xiang Qian sighed, “Shuanzi, why not just give up?”

“I don’t know anything about the road being long or people being far away, Master Xiang.” Shuanzi said with his characteristic seriousness, “I just like to look at her, that’s good enough.”

The sunlight was really good, making the world feel bright.

“Since you’ve made up your mind, then work hard, I mean really work hard, not just running around like a headless fly like you are now.”

Xiang Qian lay back, opened his eyes, and looked at the cloudless sky. He had a vague illusion that the entire sky was about to collapse. “When you’ve really worked hard, you’ll understand… that hard work is useless.”

“Okay, Master Xiang.”

Hu Shuanzi left, seemingly understanding, but actually confused.

Everyone sees a different world.

Xiang Qian could leisurely sunbathe, but Hu Shuanzi only felt… that it was really hot.

Hengyang Prefecture is the leader of the three prefectures of the Yang Kingdom, and the capital is naturally located in this prefecture.

The capital of the Yang Kingdom is named “Zhaoheng” – its original name was “Tianxiong,” but it was changed to “Zhaoheng” after submitting to the Qi Kingdom, which was many years ago.

At this time, in the palace in Zhaoheng City, an ordinary-looking young man was sitting in a side hall waiting.

Not only did he look ordinary, but his temperament was also unremarkable. Even though he was wearing luxurious clothes at the moment, he looked somewhat out of place. In short, he didn’t exude any noble aura.

If Jiang Wang were here, he would recognize him as Ace, the self-proclaimed number one assassin in the Eastern Region, whom he met in Cangfeng City’s Underworld Tower.

Being able to hang the signboard of an assassin organization openly in a big city, making it even more lively than an ordinary restaurant, the Underworld Tower was naturally not simple. At least it had some official connections locally.

But Jiang Wang probably wouldn’t have imagined that this Ace could be so simple that he could enter and leave the palace at will.

He was actually the fifth son of the current King of Yang, and also the youngest son. His surname was Yang, and his name was Xuance.

It is said that “the royal family loves the eldest son, and the common people love the youngest son.”

It’s not known if there’s any truth to that, but in any case, Yang Xuance was extremely unloved.

The Yang Kingdom was only so big. By the time he was born, everything that should have been divided and occupied had been taken by his older brothers. He couldn’t even get scraps, so he simply gave up the idea of ​​court life.

It would have been fine to be a carefree prince, but he had to go and create some kind of assassin organization, calling himself the number one assassin in the Eastern Region, spending money to hire a bunch of idlers to hang out in the organization all day, pretending to be doing good business – but in reality, he was constantly losing money.

Such a little prince, unlikable in his actions, unlikable in his appearance, and even more unlikable in his background.

His mother was just a humble palace maid. His birth was just a whim of the great King.

That poor palace maid died inexplicably after giving birth to Yang Xuance. There’s still no explanation to this day.

Some say it was because the Empress Dowager, who was still alive at the time, didn’t like him, others say it was the Queen… It’s unclear and incomprehensible.

In short, it’s a mess.

He opened the letter that Jiang Wang left behind without hesitation. After all, the Underworld Tower wasn’t a place known for keeping its word.

He originally just thought of it as an interesting matter, but after reading it, he came to Zhaoheng City at the first opportunity.

Even if he was scolded for being ignorant, he could understand how terrible the plague that was raging in the Yang Kingdom was. If the White Bone Dao had any follow-up actions, the Yang Kingdom couldn’t be too vigilant.

He didn’t like Zhaoheng City. He didn’t like it at all. Whether it was the streets or the air here, there was a kind of indifference that suffocated him. So he preferred to hide in Cangfeng City, running his unsuccessful assassin business.

But no matter what, his home was still here. He was born here and raised here.

He just didn’t expect that after finally returning to the palace, he had been drinking tea for several hours, refilling it again and again, until it was cold, but he hadn’t even been able to see his father.

His Majesty the King was really busy! Yang Xuance thought listlessly.

The Crown Prince could see the King at any time. He was also a son, but if he wanted to see the King, he had to report it three times and five times.

He was tempted to leave, but when he thought of the letter…

“How long do I have to wait?” He couldn’t help tapping his teacup.

The little eunuch serving him said with downcast eyes, “This servant… this servant really doesn’t know…”

“Then what do you know?”

“This servant is guilty, this servant deserves to die.” The little eunuch panicked and only knew to kneel and beg for mercy.

“It’s always the same sentence.” Yang Xuance was indeed a little angry, but he restrained himself, “I won’t make things difficult for you. Go and ask Eunuch Liu, how much longer will my father be busy? I have something important to discuss with him!”

The little eunuch hurriedly knelt on the ground, “This servant will go and ask.”

Once he left, he never returned.

Tea, tea, tea, the person hasn’t left, but the tea has already gone cold.

He was a member of the royal family! Was he some poor relative trying to latch onto someone important?

Even though Yang Xuance had long been accustomed to being ignored, being ignored to this extent, being ignored so thoroughly, was still unbearable.

Not fighting, not snatching. But that doesn’t mean that even the most basic respect can be dispensed with!

He simply got up, ignoring the prohibitions and the obstruction of the palace maids, and went straight out of the side hall, his sleeves fluttering, heading directly to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where the King of Yang handled state affairs.

See who dares to stop me! He sneered inwardly.

Just outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a kind-looking, beardless old man appeared silently in front of him.

“What brings Your Highness here?”

This person was Liu Huai, the chief eunuch, who was usually most trusted by the King and often served by his side.

Even the Crown Prince of the Yang Kingdom did not dare to neglect this person.

Seeing that it was him, Yang Xuance could only suppress his anger for the time being, “I’ve come to see my father.”

After saying that, he added with a sense of humiliation, “I have something important!”

“Is that so…” Liu Huai said with an ingratiating smile, as if he had just learned about this, “Your Highness has worked hard.”

“For the sake of the country, what is hard work?” Yang Xuance replied with a polite phrase and reminded, “Is my father in the hall at this time?”

“Ah, His Majesty is here.”

“Then please trouble Eunuch to report it.” Yang Xuance said.

“This is a time when the country is facing many difficulties, and His Majesty is working day and night. After he finishes this period, I will definitely pass it on to Your Highness.”

Liu Huai said respectfully, “The sun is scorching, Your Highness might as well go and have another cup of tea.”

Tea… more tea.

More waiting.

This full face of respect, full of contempt.

“Smash!”

Yang Xuance finally couldn’t help but tear off the jade pendant from his waist and smash it in front of this person.

He shouted sternly, “Liu Huai! Are you trying to prevent a meeting between the father and son of the royal family, and isolate the Yang family’s human relations?”