The Human Emperor Chapter 5: Number One Expert of the Wang Clan

Within the verdant expanse of the rear courtyard's flower garden, Wang Chong found himself perched atop a craggy, man-made mountain, lost in profound contemplation.

An extensive period had elapsed since his introspection began.

A rendezvous was scheduled between his father and Yao Guang Yi at a location known as the Vast Crane Pavilion.

That cunning strategist, Yao Guang Yi, had made meticulous preparations for this encounter. He had already issued a decree to clear the Vast Crane Pavilion of all patrons.

Consequently, at this very moment, entry was restricted solely to Yao Guang Yi and the subordinates loyal to King Qi. Yet, to any observer from the outside, the Vast Crane Pavilion would appear bustling with activity, indistinguishable from its usual state.

It was precisely this deceptive facade that had ensnared his father in the past, compelling him to acquiesce to Yao Guang Yi’s machinations.

Wang Chong understood with absolute clarity that without gaining access, averting this impending calamity would prove an insurmountable task. However, the Vast Crane Pavilion was fortified by a cadre of experts vetted by Yao Guang Yi, rendering any attempt at forceful entry futile. Thus, a strategy relying on cunning was his only recourse.

“I’ve got it!”

A sudden illumination flashed in Wang Chong’s eyes as a particular individual sprang to his mind. How could he have overlooked that particular associate? With this person accompanying him, infiltration of the Vast Crane Pavilion would undoubtedly become feasible. However, this alone would be insufficient to dismantle Yao Guang Yi’s intricate scheme.

“No. The Vast Crane Pavilion is teeming with formidable experts; my own capabilities are inadequate for this endeavor alone. I require the assistance of a truly powerful individual!”

The thought caused Wang Chong’s brow to furrow once more.

His self-awareness was complete. In his previous existence, such elaborate maneuvering would have been entirely unnecessary. Regardless of the number of experts Yao Guang Yi may have deployed, his own world-shattering level of Cultivation would have enabled him to charge in unhindered and decisively defeat Yao Guang Yi.

Yet, in this current life, he was merely a fifteen-year-old youth. With the meager strength at his disposal, how could he possibly contend with those seasoned and imposing martial artists?

His present power level would render any attempt at a direct assault utterly pointless. Yao Guang Yi could easily dispatch a single subordinate to expel him from the premises without breaking a sweat.

At this juncture, Wang Chong's frown deepened, the fleeting elation he had experienced moments before evaporating like mist in the wind.

Where could he possibly procure such a powerful ally on such short notice?

Just as frustration began to consume him, Wang Chong detected the approaching cadence of footsteps. Instinctively, he raised his gaze, observing his younger sister playfully moving about the courtyard, attended by a retinue of guards.

Though he had witnessed this exact tableau countless times before, for some inexplicable reason, this particular instance stirred a vastly different emotional resonance within Wang Chong.

“Ah, indeed, I am such a fool!”

Wang Chong struck his forehead with a chuckle. He had been searching for a light, only to discover it was already within his grasp! With his elder and second brothers absent, who could be more perfectly suited to aid his plan than his own youngest sister?

To think he had overlooked such a potent asset right before his eyes!

A genuine, delighted chuckle escaped Wang Chong at this realization.

Within the esteemed Wang Family, his youngest sister, Wang Xiao Yao, was nothing short of a veritable ‘legend’.

Despite her tender age of ten years, her extraordinary innate talent had bestowed upon her boundless physical prowess. It was whispered that she had managed to lift a sizable cauldron when she was merely three.

While Wang Chong had not personally witnessed this feat, having heard it recounted by his mother, he held no doubt as to its veracity.

Wang Chong felt confident enough to wager that across the entire capital, including his own elder and second brothers, none possessed a talent that could eclipse hers.

This was even more profoundly true concerning her latent potential!

On this particular aspect, Wang Chong possessed irrefutable, firsthand knowledge from his previous life, leaving him with absolute certainty. He was acutely aware of the terrifying heights his younger sister's strength would eventually achieve.

The fundamental reason behind his younger sister’s formidable capabilities was remarkably straightforward: she was born with perfectly unhindered meridians.

“To channel one’s breath with supreme smoothness, akin to that of an infant,” this is a profound verse drawn from the ancient text, 《Inscriptions of Enlightenment》. As universally understood, all individuals are born with completely open meridians while within their mother’s womb. But upon entering this world and drawing breath from the earth’s tainted atmosphere, their physical bodies begin to decline, leading to the blockage of their meridians. From this point, they descend from a state of celestial grace to that of mere mortals.

This transformation occurs instantaneously with one's inaugural cry upon birth.

However, his younger sister represented a remarkable deviation from this norm. Possessing a constitution utterly unique, her meridians remained unobstructed even after her first breath and cry into the world. Such a physiological condition occurs in less than one in a million individuals.

Consequently, irrespective of the particular martial art she endeavors to learn, her aptitude for mastery is astonishingly swift, far surpassing that of any other.

The hallmark of her exceptional talent lies in her overwhelming physical strength.

It was truly regrettable that his younger sister, still a child with an innocent heart, was rather playful. She frequently neglected her training. Despite this, her combat prowess remained formidable, allowing her to effortlessly contend with individuals a decade her senior.

Within the Wang Clan, his younger sister was undeniably the foremost expert. Would it not be utter foolishness to leave this ‘number one expert’ confined at home while seeking external assistance that might prove fruitless?

Moreover, even though she possessed a vindictive streak and detested being deceived, her trust in him was absolute. She would undoubtedly comply with his wishes.

At this juncture, Wang Chong descended from the artificial summit.

“Little sister, come here!”

With a cunning smile, Wang Chong beckoned her from a distance:

“Brother will take you somewhere exciting!”

...

“Third Brother, where are you taking me?”

From within the carriage, the little sister’s head emerged from the window. Her gaze was fixed on the vibrant city outside, her mind brimming with curiosity. Her earlier anger had completely dissipated, replaced solely by intrigue.

After all, she was merely a ten-year-old girl. Her movements were typically quite restricted, and she wasn't permitted to roam the streets at will. Sneaking out with her elder brother, undetected by their mother, had required considerable effort, filling her with immense excitement.

“Hehe, don’t get anxious. You’ll find out soon enough.”

Wang Chong chuckled:

“Remember the promise we made. Without my consent, you are forbidden from attacking anyone. If you disobey, I won’t bring you out again.”

“Okay.”

The little sister nodded obediently, agreeing without hesitation. Her faith in her elder brother was unwavering. However, a thought suddenly occurred to her, and she raised her tiny fists, wagging them menacingly:

“Brother, don’t you dare deceive me. If you do, you’ll be in trouble! Hmph!”

“Of course not! How could I possibly dare to deceive you!”

Wang Chong’s heart pounded with apprehension as he recalled his little sister’s terrifying strength. A mere casual squeeze from her could inflict agonizing pain. If she were to truly lose control, wouldn’t he be pushed to the brink of death?

“Oh! Isn’t that Young Master Chong?”

Amidst their conversation, a clear voice called out.

“We have arrived!”

Wang Chong disembarked from the carriage, a subtle smile gracing the corners of his lips. This was a pavilion he frequented often. Ma Zhou and his companions were likely here.

Escorting his younger sister from the carriage, Wang Chong observed a group of unkempt individuals, carrying birdcages and idly fanning themselves, standing in the distance.

This group appeared to have anticipated his arrival, having waited for him.

“Finally! It feels like ages since I last saw you, Young Master Chong!”

The young man who seemed to lead the group held a bamboo fan behind him. He possessed the demeanor of a privileged heir, and the dark mole beneath his right eye was strikingly noticeable. Upon spotting Wang Chong, he eagerly strode forward to greet him with enthusiasm.

This individual was none other than Ma Zhou!

“Young Master Chong, we heard you were grounded by your family and confined to your residence. We brothers wished to visit you, but the gates of the Wang Clan barred our entry. Our attempts to visit were rebuffed on several occasions, forcing us to abandon the idea. Young Master Chong, are you well?”

Ma Zhou immediately clasped Wang Chong’s hands, feigning concern. An outsider might even mistake their interaction for one of deep camaraderie. However, the hint of disdain and mockery playing on Ma Zhou’s lips was impossible to conceal.

“Hmph, I never noticed it before, but this fellow certainly knows how to act.”

Wang Chong scoffed inwardly.

‘Appearances are shaped by perception, and one’s perception shifts with their state of mind.’ In the past, he had perceived Ma Zhou’s smile as ‘genuine.’ Now, seeing it again, he found it utterly arrogant.

Deep down, Ma Zhou undoubtedly regarded him as a complete fool. It was laughable how naive he had been in his previous life. He had always believed that genuine sincerity would be reciprocated with sincerity, thus he never bothered to guard himself against such scoundrels.

Ma Zhou’s words were a load of rubbish. Wang Chong had inquired with the guards before departing, and not a single soul had approached the Wang Clan’s gates in recent weeks, let alone Ma Zhou and his cronies.

“You have been waiting for me here?”

Wang Chong inquired impassively.

Ma Zhou appeared taken aback. Something seemed different about Young Master Chong today. In the past, he had always been exceedingly warm towards him. Why was he so distant now?

However, he dismissed it as his own imagination and paid it little mind.

“Young Master Chong, it is precisely because we heard you were emerging from seclusion that we specifically waited here to welcome you back to society! Brothers, don’t you all agree?”

With his statement, he gestured behind him, and the assembled crowd responded with fervent shouts. Following this, they erupted into laughter, as if they were watching a monkey perform for their amusement.

“What do you say, Young Master Chong? Shall we go?”

Ma Zhou turned to cast a brilliant smile at Wang Chong. Within his gaze, disdain and mockery deepened.

Wang Chong was indeed far too gullible; he had fallen for their tricks with mere words. Furthermore, this young man believed in brotherhood and was entirely oblivious to the fact that everyone had been treating him as a fool, conspiring to swindle his money, and then dumping all their troubles onto him to bear.

Where else could they find such a convenient moneybag and shield?

As for welcoming him back to society, though it was being done for Wang Chong’s sake, Ma Zhou had no intention of footing the bill. Ever since he began associating with Wang Chong, Ma Zhou had never paid a single cent.

To be frank, his few brothers had felt somewhat constrained during the days Wang Chong was confined, and they were starting to miss him.

Without this young master around, who would help clean up their messes and settle their outstanding debts?

Mulling over this, Ma Zhou felt an even greater sense of glee.

Slap!

Suddenly, a resounding slap landed on the gleeful Ma Zhou. He staggered backward, a burning sensation spreading across his face. Half of his face swelled up, and the imprint of a palm was clearly visible.

In that instant, the entire street fell into an unnerving silence.

Everyone present was left dumbfounded by the slap!

What was going on? How could Ma Zhou have been slapped?

“You slapped me?”

Ma Zhou clutched his burning cheek, staring at Wang Chong in utter astonishment. His head was reeling, and for a moment, he couldn't seem to comprehend the situation.

He was completely unable to grasp what had transpired. Wang Chong had actually struck him? How could such a thing be possible?

If even the recipient of the slap was in such a state of disbelief, there was no need to even mention the others. The other young scions’ eyes widened in shock, their mouths agape as if an egg could fit inside.

Wang Chong had taken a swing at Ma Zhou?

In this world, anyone else might have dared to slap Ma Zhou, but certainly not Wang Chong. One had to understand that Ma Zhou was considered Wang Chong’s closest confidant.

Otherwise, Ma Zhou would never have dared to deceive him in such a manner.

Yet, at this very moment, Wang Chong had just slapped Ma Zhou right in the middle of the street! The occurrence left everyone in a state of profound shock. No one understood what was unfolding.

“I did slap you.”

Wang Chong met Ma Zhou’s gaze with a placid smile. He was the only one who seemed unfazed by the entire affair:

“Ma Zhou, I considered you a brother in the past, yet you took me for a fool. Don’t tell me you actually believe I’m unaware of what’s been happening?”

Whoosh!

Another wave of astonishment washed over the crowd. Their mouths opened even wider. Was this truly the simple-minded and easily-fooled Wang Chong they all knew?

Was this really the foolish Wang Chong who proclaimed everyone his brother and willingly let them take advantage of him?

No matter how one looked at it, it seemed impossible that such words could come from his lips. Wasn’t this change far too drastic?

Everyone was stunned by Wang Chong’s transformation. Even more so, a prickle of guilt touched their consciences, as if their scheme had been uncovered. Could it be that this Wang Chong had been feigning ignorance all along?

“What?! Ma Zhou, that’s Ma Zhou?”

Just as apprehension began to grip everyone else regarding Wang Chong’s apparent shift, a peculiar voice pierced the air. The younger sister of the Wang Family frowned, her round eyes widening. One could distinctly sense the rage radiating from her.

Initially, she hadn’t realized that this individual was the ‘culprit’ who had wronged her brother. Now, with everything laid bare, how could she possibly tolerate it:

“You scoundrel! How dare you bully my brother, I’ll beat you to death!”

“Controlling one’s breath to extreme smoothness, to the point of an infant’s”, this is a phrase from the 《Inscriptions of Enlightenment》

Firstly, all books from this novel come from a true source. The true name (as accepted by Wikipedia and in printed press) of Inscriptions of Enlightenment is ‘Tao Te Ching’. It is written by Laozi, the founder of Taoism.

I don’t know how accurate my interpretation of the phrase is, but I based it off from here. I would first like to emphasize that ancient texts are normally interpreted in numerous ways. Secondly, the reason why he compares the former to that of an infant was because an infant’s breathing tends to be very quiet. Except for their cries, they are mainly silent most of the time.

Some of the other interpretations (other the one I have stated are),

Once you reached a certain level of mastery, regardless of how old you are, your body can become as flexible as that of an infant.

Just clarifying.

The Origin Energy reached Tier 9, a significant leap from the previous Tier 1.