HPDBC Chapter 249 Clash of Kings
Chapter 249 Clash of Kings
Into the night, Ye Feng did not sleep, and Zhu Guangbo in the Northern Border Camp also remained awake.
Before the desk, Zhu Guangbo sat up straight, his eyes shining brightly. Suddenly, he smiled, flicked his fingers, and the ink brush on the inkstone came to him. Then he nourished his qi and concentrated his spirit, quickly dipped the brush in ink, and when he began to write, his movements were as smooth as a cloud flowing through water, done in one go.
On the desk lay two pieces of rice paper. On the left a couplet: The dragon is not a dragon, the phoenix not a phoenix, heaven commands me to go where all eyes turn; on the right a couplet: I am myself, not what I am, who dares to contend in the Vast Sea and behave carelessly.
The scroll reads: Life itself is hard to bear.
Unable to see the life ahead, as complex as a game of chess, looking at the couplet, Zhu Guangbo could not help but feel more sentimental, and he brought the flame from the front to burn the freshly copied couplet to ashes.
"What are you writing? Not willing to let me have a look?"
About ten minutes later, a figure wearing a black robe and a black Evil Ghost Mask walked in.
The voice was not old, clear and resonant. The person removed the mask, revealing an exceedingly clean face, to which people often say, "In this world, people are like jade, and the young master is unparalleled." This face belonged to that very young master.
If Ye Feng were here, he would certainly be very familiar with this face.
"Mere trivial words, not worthy to be shown before the young master."
Zhu Guangbo stood up and bowed to the newcomer, then gestured for him to take the seat of honor.
"No need to be modest."
"In the Northeast, those who know Zhu Guangbo as a great calligrapher are not few."
The man glanced over the ashes, his expression clearly one of disdain.
"I am ashamed!"@@@@
"May I be so bold as to ask the young master, how does my calligraphy compare to Ye Feng's?"
Zhu Guangbo feigned ignorance as he asked.
"In his presence, you could barely pass as an entry-level student, while he is a teacher who has nurtured countless others."
Obviously, this young man had more than a passing knowledge of Ye Feng and spoke with affirmation of him.
"Then I am even more ashamed."
Although he spoke of shame, Zhu Guangbo's face showed no genuine concern.
"The letter?"
The man's tone turned cold, filled with authority.
"Please, young master, have a look!"
Zhu Guangbo seemed accustomed to this, smiling as he handed over the letter written by Ye Feng, another Battle Challenge Letter.
On Chuwu of the following month, sixty li to the east, I sincerely invite the Northeast Tiger to a life-and-death competition. Taking the Gesang River as the boundary, each will choose one main peak and eight hills as strategic points to arrange troops. Limited to seven days, whoever captures the opponent's main peak will be the victor.
Condition: excluding the soldiers from the main camp, all else as you please.
Sealed by: Ye Feng.
The man read the short Battle Challenge Letter over and over, each time with extreme care, causing Zhu Guangbo to wonder whether the man was just putting on an act of seriousness.
"I used to think he was an ambitious hero, but now it seems I misunderstood him. Do you think people in this world, once they have something they care about, become sentimental and indecisive?"
Finally, after about five minutes, the man who had read the letter countless times put it down and began to ask casually.
"Man is the most intelligent creature because humans understand the word 'emotion' best. I believe there is truly no one in this world able to erase all feelings."
"After all, you are not Ye Feng's man, how could you truly understand him?"
In the presence of this man, Zhu Guangbo maintained a respectful tone, yet he did not mince his words, because this is what the man had requested.
"This is the path Ye Feng has chosen for himself; he wants to declare to the world that the Northern Border King has returned powerfully."
The man withdrew his gaze.
Having said so much, in fact, he didn't care at all; he just thought Ye Feng was bold and confident enough.
"What now?"
Zhu Guangbo quickly bowed his head to ask for instruction. Feeling somewhat panicked at the heart, he'd heard that the Snow Wolf Riders from Mingbei were certain to come.
Who wouldn't be moved?
"You have seven days. Gather your people from the Zhu Family; I have an agreement with the imperial capital, and the strength I can mobilize is ultimately limited."
"As for the Snow Wolf Riders, you needn't worry about them."
The man kept a thought to himself: if Ye Feng were defeated, he would still crush the Snow Wolf Riders, as a gift to his deceased close friend.
Of course, it was also to prove he could do better than Ye Feng.
In this world, despite the rivalry, just as Zhu Guangbo said he was competing with Ye Feng for the title of Northern Border King, neither would forget the enemies to the far north.
While the man competed with Ye Feng too, it was a contest between the powers behind them, but regarding external enemies, their stance remained united.
"I'll get to it right away."
Zhu Guangbo sought affirmation with his eyes, and the man nodded in agreement.
Once Zhu Guangbo had left, a robed figure appeared in the camp, as if from nowhere. The man seemed unsurprised by the robed figure's presence and asked:
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"What did Zhu Guangbo write?"
"Dragon or not, Phoenix or none, destiny beckons to the crowd's wish; I am me, not someone else, in Vast Sea's contest, who dares to play games."
"The horizontal inscription is 'Hard to tolerate life.'"
The robed figure's voice was cold yet full of awe.
"Seems our acting Northern Border King has some thoughts of his own," the man chuckled upon hearing this.
"Young Master, if he's disobedient, should we?"
Icy killing intent filled the eyes behind the mask.
"He does have some smarts."
"Clever people are useful. No wonder he's the chess piece recommended by those people. Let him be. I don't know why, but I always feel that whatever he does is in vain."
"Am I too into my role these years? Are the death guards ready? It's time to send a 'gift' to my good friend."
For a moment, the man reverted to his graceful, gentlemanly demeanor.
"They're all ready."
"If you're worried, Young Master, why don't I take people to finish off Ye Feng right now?"
The robed figure bowed deeply, aware that the Young Master with this demeanor was the most formidable one.
"Didn't you hear what I just said?"
"The Battle Challenge Letter has been sent out; if we dare touch Ye Feng now, those from the imperial capital would not turn a blind eye. Your task is only to protect me. Don't speak of killing in front of me ever again."
As a dog, all you need to do is obey; don't bark unnecessarily.
The man left with a flick of his sleeve. Big or small, everyone had their place in this contest, even the kings behind the scenes.