Chapter 54

Wang Bo, the sixth young master of the prestigious Wang family, was a man of considerable talent. His mother, the current head of the family, Wang Weiwu’s principal wife, added to his many accolades. His future was bright, and even the position of the family head was not out of reach.

How could such a person possibly think of Lu Buqi, a lowly marsh slave?

“Bo, what has you so angry?” In the hall, decorated with potted plants, an elegant and regal lady, who was entertaining guests, looked at Wang Bo as he entered.

Holding a scroll of silk in his hand, Wang Bo, at eighteen, had grown more heroic than he was two years ago, though he still retained a touch of delicacy. His face was filled with anger: “I’m furious. That damned brat actually became a Wuding of Guojian Town. What does he want? Does he really intend to claim the reward of a hundred cuts?”

“Wuding of Guojian Town? The twelve-year-old marsh slave you and Chu Di met in the forest two years ago?” The lady was about forty, but time had left few marks on her face, and she still exuded a captivating charm.

This was Wang Bo’s mother, Wu Yaoshi, one of the most powerful women in the Wang family. She was deeply loved by Wang Weiwu, who had been inspired by her foresight to support Wang Weiwu’s rise to power.

At the moment, Wu Yaoshi was entertaining the chief stewards of four towns, including Wang Jianglong from Zhutan Town. These four were clearly loyal servants of the main branch of the family.

Wang Bo’s eyes still held a glint of hatred: “Yes, it’s him! Mother, you remember him too?”

Wu Yaoshi smiled calmly: “How could I forget such an interesting child? He could kill a Seventh Rank Warrior without training in any force techniques, and even withstand ten of my Bo’s attacks without dying, and he was only twelve.”

The four chief stewards looked at Wang Bo with surprise and suspicion, but he straightened his face: “No matter how interesting, he is still my defeated opponent. If it weren’t for sparring, I could have killed him with one move.”

“Of course, my Bo is the best!” Wu Yaoshi laughed: “At eighteen, you are already a Third Rank Bone Resonance expert. In a few years, even Wang Chen won’t be your match.”

“The Sixth Young Master is a prodigy!” Wang Jianglong added: “It’s clear that when the master speaks of the young masters, he smiles the most when talking about the Sixth Young Master.”

Who doesn’t have a bit of discernment? The other chief stewards also chimed in: “I often hear the master say that the Sixth Young Master has inherited many of his strengths…”

Flattered by their praise, Wang Bo felt quite pleased: “I must continue to strive, after all, Wang Chen from the third branch is only two years older than me but has already reached the Seventh Rank of Bone Resonance.”

“Bo, I’m truly happy to see you have such resolve!” Wu Yaoshi said affectionately: “But Bo, it seems you are still angry about that little marsh slave.”

Mentioning Lu Buqi, Wang Bo couldn’t help but frown: “How can I not be angry? A lowly marsh slave dares to make me look bad and even sows discord between me and Di. Now my cousin still harbors a grudge against me…”

Wu Yaoshi’s lips curled: “So, what do you plan to do?”

“Hmph!” Wang Bo swung his arm, and the silk scroll fell to the ground: “He must not be allowed to participate in the Wuding selection. I want him to forever remain a marsh slave in the Guojian Forest!”

Picking up the scroll that had fallen to his feet, it listed the names of the Wuding representatives from the thirteen towns. Wang Jianglong immediately saw the name of Buqi from Guojian Town: “Buqi… age fifteen, Ninth Rank Warrior… Sixth Young Master, is this the person you’re talking about?”

“That’s him!” Wang Bo replied with hatred, but Wu Yaoshi raised an eyebrow: “Jianglong, how did you know I was talking about him?”

Wang Jianglong bowed, a flash of malice in his eyes: “Madam, I visited Guojian Town a year and a half ago and met this little marsh slave. At that time, he was already a Ninth Rank Warrior, which was quite surprising. However, he is disrespectful and relies on the old fox Ying Fu, making him a troublesome marsh slave. It’s no wonder he has offended the Sixth Young Master.”

“Oh? A Ninth Rank Warrior a year and a half ago? That means he reached the Ninth Rank in just half a year? That’s quite an achievement!” Wu Yaoshi’s eyes sparkled: “But Jianglong, your evaluation of this little marsh slave doesn’t seem very high. What do you think should be done with him?”

Wang Jianglong felt a surge of joy but didn’t show it, only replying respectfully: “A disrespectful boy like this, if selected to enter the inner fortress, might offend many nobles. I agree with the Sixth Young Master’s idea; he should not be allowed to participate in the Wuding selection. Let him stay in that remote corner, as a punishment for offending the Sixth Young Master.”

Another steward chimed in: “I think the Sixth Young Master is too merciful. In my view, he’s just a little marsh slave. No matter how talented, a Bone Resonance expert could easily crush him. Why let it affect your health? If the Sixth Young Master is uncomfortable, I can help.”

“Mother, see? This little marsh slave deserves to die!” Seeing the two stewards support his idea, Wang Bo felt even more confident, especially the last steward, who had hit the nail on the head: “Why did I only think about my cousin’s opinion? Actually, if someone else kills that boy, there would be no evidence, and my cousin wouldn’t know it was me.”

Wu Yaoshi smiled faintly but remained noncommittal: “I understand. Jianglong, you and the others can leave now.”

Knowing that Wu Yaoshi wanted to educate her son, the four stewards tactfully took their leave.

In front of his mother, Wang Bo was obedient: “Mother, do you have something to say to me that you had to send them away? Aren’t they all on our side?”

“Bo, haven’t I taught you that there are no eternal friends or enemies, only relationships driven by interests?” Wu Yaoshi’s eyes shone with worldly wisdom: “Jianglong and the others are so eager to align with us because they want to bet their future on you. If we lose power in the Wang family, do you think they will still pay tribute to me every year?”

Wang Bo nodded: “I see, some things don’t need their involvement, right?”

Wu Yaoshi nodded: “Bo, don’t just hear half of what I say. There’s another meaning to what I just said. Have you ever thought about turning that little marsh slave into an ally?”

“What? He’s my enemy, and I want to skin him alive. How can I turn him into an ally?” Wang Bo looked puzzled, his eyes questioning, “Are you really my mother?”

“Bo, there are no eternal enemies in this world, a phrase your father often repeats,” Wu Yaoshi said gently: “If you set aside your grudge against the little marsh slave and evaluate him objectively, wouldn’t you think he’s a promising talent?”

“This…” Wang Bo took a deep breath and hesitated but finally nodded heavily: “He… is quite strong. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten that he reached the Ninth Rank in just half a year…”

Wu Yaoshi nodded emphatically: “Exactly. He has the potential to break through to the Bone Resonance realm before he turns eighteen. Moreover, what I value in him is not just his martial talent but his sharpness. A boy who could manipulate you at twelve and make Jianglong hate him so much at thirteen, wouldn’t you want him to be your ally?”

“Mother…” Wang Bo was surprised: “Why do you say Jianglong hates Buqi so much?”

“Do you think Jianglong is a good person? If he hadn’t been humiliated by Ying Fu and the little marsh slave, would he have accused the little marsh slave of being disrespectful?” Wu Yaoshi was confident: “The more he hates the little marsh slave, the more it highlights the little marsh slave’s abilities…”

Pausing, Wu Yaoshi continued: “Bo, your father is fifty-seven. In seven or eight years, he will hand over the power of the Wang family. At that time, there will definitely be a struggle between you and Wang Chen. If you have a sharp and capable person by your side to assist you, I will be much more at ease.”

Wang Bo responded: “But I can’t swallow this humiliation, and besides…”

“Bo!” Wu Yaoshi interrupted sternly: “Great achievements are not bound by small matters. Your father suffered many humiliations in the Lu family, but later he became an ally with Lu Hongshan and gained much support from the Lu family, which led to the Wang family’s current position of power.”

Wang Bo frowned: “But he’s not Lu Hongshan. If he were, I could endure it, but he’s just a lowly marsh slave!”

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