Martial Ascent to Divinity-Chapter 574 - 557: Red Sun

Outside the outskirts of the capital, in front of the Zhao Palace.

Zhao Cong got out of the car and glanced at the golden door nails on the vermilion gate, aligned in nine rows both vertically and horizontally.

Above the gate, a large plaque with a red-gold dragon on a blue background, inscribed with the words Zhao Palace.

Zhao Cong entered the gate and saw the main hall.

In front of the main hall, on both the left and right sides, stood a pair of ebony couplet boards.

On one side it read: Pearls and gems on the seat shine like the sun and moon.

On the other side it read: The brocade on the hall dazzles like smoke and clouds.

On the door of the main hall, a similar large plaque with a red-gold dragon on a blue background.

Inscribed: Fairness and Harmony.

Looking through the main door inside, the floor was paved with gold bricks, red columns embraced by dragons.

In the grand hall, seven chairs made of rosewood on each side, totaling fourteen. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

At the deepest part of the main hall, behind the dragon-carved large seat, hung a massive painting covering the entire wall.

On the massive painting, a blue sky and red sun, nine dragons emerging from the sea, a grand and magnificent scene.

The red sun hanging high, its light illuminating brightly, its flames blazing fiercely, searing the eyes, burning the heart.

Zhao Cong seemed to be scorched by the red sun; as his peripheral vision caught it, he turned his head away, not daring to look again.

He navigated through the winding gallery, entering the second courtyard.

The second courtyard featured nine mountains and nine waters, converging at one point; the water flowed with the shape of the land, the mountains gathered with the charm of water, elegant yet grand, refined yet bold.

A simple courtyard, as if the world’s mountains and rivers were held in one’s grasp.

Zhao Cong continued inward, twisting and turning, arriving outside the study of Patriarch Zhao Hao.

He knocked on the door three times, not too hurried nor too slow, and said, "Father, I’m back."

Zhao Cong held a high position, a martial arts Grandmaster, surrounded by admirers and splendor outside, but in front of this door, he was like a student or vassal, respectful and deferential.

He pushed the door open and entered.

Inside the study, it was divided into an inner and outer room.

The inner room was lined with bookshelves, the outer room was a reception area.

A middle-aged man with slightly graying temples sat on a burgundy leather sofa, his pants rolled up, his feet soaking in a basin of water.

A young beautiful woman knelt on the red carpet, her head lowered, gently washing Zhao Hao’s left foot.

She wore a knee-length short skirt, her legs wrapped in black stockings, her feet in high heels.

The beautiful woman raised her head to look at Zhao Cong, her face soft and charming, she smiled and said, "Big brother, you’re back."

"Tianfeng is here too." Zhao Cong smiled and nodded, his gaze passing over her low-cut outfit.

Gao Tianfeng immediately lowered her head and pulled up the zipper of her dress.

Zhao Hao looked at Gao Tianfeng affectionately and said to Zhao Cong, "This child Tianfeng has been dutiful since she was young. You all aren’t home often, but she comes by every few days to keep this old man company."

Gao Tianfeng smiled and said, "Uncle, you are in the prime of life, hardly an old man. If you and I stand outside, you’d look more like my brother. Next time we go out, if someone asks who you are, I’ll say you’re my brother."

Zhao Hao couldn’t help but chuckle, pointing at Gao Tianfeng, and said to Zhao Cong, "You see her mouth, after all these years, she still dares to say anything."

Zhao Cong laughed and said, "Cousin has always been eloquent, no one but Nan Di can out-talk her. Luckily she can come around more often, otherwise, with us so busy, the house would surely lack company."

"You all are so accomplished, I haven’t mastered martial arts nor literature, so when I’m not busy, it’s only right I come by more often," Gao Tianfeng said, lowering her head, her black shiny hair cascading down like a waterfall, covering her face as she gently massaged Zhao Hao’s foot.

The three chatted casually like family, occasionally mentioning current affairs, but not delving deeply.

Before long, Gao Tianfeng took a towel from the side and carefully dried Zhao Hao’s foot, then carried the basin of water out.

"I’m heading to the kitchen to prepare a late-night snack," Gao Tianfeng said.

After Gao Tianfeng left, Zhao Cong waved his hand, a gentle breeze passed by, closing the door.

Zhao Hao’s kind smile faded from his face, and he said, "What about the matter with the second son, any progress?"

Zhao Cong sighed deeply and said, "That Rao Mingxian from the Rao family followed the second son all the way, but later remained behind and only saw the second son leave with the Celestial Calamity Envoy and others. In the end, only the Celestial Calamity Envoy, the Desecration Demon Scripture, and the Deep Dark Fury returned."

"The strange thing is, according to the report from Zhang Xinglie, at that time the Celestial Calamity Envoy, the Deep Dark Fury, the Desecration Demon Scripture, and the second son were all alive."

"You and I both know the second son’s character, he would never take risks. According to the speculations of Rao Mingxian and other Demon Worship Sect members, the second son wanted the White Lake Mother Fruit, but the Celestial Calamity Envoy would not permit it. With the temperament of the Celestial Calamity Envoy, if the second son persisted..."

Zhao Cong did not continue, only showing a look of helplessness.

Zhao Hao’s face, once radiant, now turned ashen, lines of wrinkles appearing, as if in a matter of minutes, he had aged ten years.

"The third son was harmed, and now the second son..."

Zhao Hao stopped halfway through his sentence.

The study fell into a long silence.

After a long time, Zhao Cong said, "Perhaps Second Brother still has a chance, Xu Ming saw He Pengfei in Celestial Bone City."

"He’s not dead?" Zhao Hao said.

Zhao Cong said, "Unable to return to Blue Star, it’s no different from being dead."

"He didn’t mention anything about you, did he?"

"No."

Zhao Hao pondered for a long time and said, "Forget it, when a general succeeds, ten thousand bones decay. Second Brother didn’t have that fortune; you can’t blame others. Could it be the doing of the Huang Meng Sect?"

Zhao Cong said, "I personally asked Rao Mingxian and the others. Second Brother’s methods and strength were not weak, he counter-killed all the Huang Meng Sect members, they couldn’t do anything to Second Brother."

"That’s true... Regarding that matter with the Throne of the Corpse King, you have to be prepared and not repeat the mistakes of Second and Third." Zhao Hao said.

"Yes, Father."

Zhao Hao glanced at the door and asked, "What are those sixteen families stirring up?"

Zhao Cong said, "The trouble left behind by Ma Xingkong. His nephew is called Zhou Leng, originally monitored secretly by the sixteen families. Later, for some reason, he became promising to be a Grandmaster and entered the Great Battlefield, making the sixteen families uneasy, so they wanted to resolve it. They then found a girl, used a loan to threaten her, and a research guarantee as a lure to falsely accuse Zhou Leng of assault."

Zhao Hao thought for a while and said, "Ma Xingkong... I vaguely remember, a small matter led to the downfall of the Lou Family, I said a few words to protect the Lou Family. These sixteen families have regressed, how could they not even spare someone else’s nephew, and use such despicable means?"

Zhao Cong said, "Small families always love to fight for petty profits, they’re not presentable. Zhou Leng is very famous in the Divine Text Realm, some kind of master, I haven’t paid much attention, but his civilian rank is very high."

"What’s his civilian rank now?"

"Recently promoted to Yangtze River Scholar, in his twenties, and that’s quite intimidating in the civil arena, surpassing Nan Di by far."

"A pillar of the nation!" Zhao Hao praised.

"Yes, it is said that the people from the Divine Literature General Hospital reported to the Supreme Court, making the sixteen families temporarily lie low."

"Temporarily?"

"Once an arrow is shot, there’s no turning back. They dare not act openly, but will continue using public opinion as a weapon."

Zhao Hao shook his head and said, "On one hand, they make a fuss over trivial matters, and on the other, they use high banners to act with impunity. Forget the Yangtze River Scholar, even a Candidate Academician, the Supreme Court wouldn’t care about these things. Is Celestial Phoenix involved in this matter?"

Zhao Cong said, "Celestial Phoenix has a media company, doesn’t she? She’s involved too. She must have been misled, thinking that girl was truly assaulted by Zhou Leng, thus feeling indignant. You know her, she’s had a somewhat chivalrous spirit since she was young."

Zhao Cong understood his father well. People at their level only cared about significant events and couldn’t possibly mind someone like Zhou Leng. In their eyes, their own children could do no wrong; the blame was always on others. Even if he claimed Gao Tianfeng was no saint, his father wouldn’t believe it.

Zhao Hao nodded and said, "I trust Celestial Phoenix. It’s just those who don’t understand, like Tianlong going to Rucheng?"

Zhao Cong said helplessly, "Originally, it was Second and Third Brother’s turn, but since there was no one at home, he had to go."

"Tianlong acts recklessly; you should have someone keep an eye on him."

"Yes." Zhao Cong thought it was already too late; Gao Tianlong had already killed a large number of people in Rucheng.

Zhao Hao pondered for a moment and said, "Now that Second and Third Brother are gone, our Zhao Family’s numbers are dwindling. Among the ones left, besides Nan Di and Celestial Phoenix, none are reliable. Others aside, Celestial Phoenix and Nan Di are good kids. I’m often too busy to care; you should lend them a hand when you can. Don’t let them touch things they shouldn’t."

Zhao Cong said, "Rest assured, Father. I grew up with your teachings, I can’t ignore it if my siblings are in trouble."

"That’s good." Zhao Hao glanced at the packaging bag next to the tea table and said, "These are local specialties that Celestial Phoenix brought from her hometown. Take a bag with you."

"Yes."

Much later, Gao Tianfeng brought out the midnight snack, and after the three of them finished eating, Zhao Cong and Gao Tianfeng left.

Zhao Cong took the bag and got into the car, Gao Tianfeng followed him in, opened the divider and turned off the soundproofing in the car.

Gao Tianfeng smiled sweetly, "Big Brother, what have you been busy with lately?"

Zhao Cong, seeing her persistent demeanor, wanted to put on a stern face but couldn’t help but shake his head and say, "You don’t need to probe for information from me. Lately, there have been major events one after another, and no one cares about these small things. However, you are usually smart, how come you are acting foolishly now? Just because the sixteen families cheered you on, you personally stepped in? Don’t you understand the principle of catching a thief with stolen goods and catching an adulterer in the act?"

Gao Tianfeng looked innocent and said, "In the past, for such matters, we didn’t need any evidence; just accusing was enough. No need to grease the wheels; they would actively make it an ironclad case. Once they did, they were stuck and could only bite hard, never an exception. Who knew this time, he was just done for, his martial arts gone, yet the Divine Literature General Hospital still protected him. It’s just a minor accident. Brother, if it were you, what would you do?"

Zhao Cong pondered for a moment and said, "In major events, stay calm; don’t personally step in."

Gao Tianfeng’s eyes twinkled, body softened, leaned over, and placed a hand over Zhao Cong’s ear, whispering, "Zhou Leng is on the Demon Purgatory’s hit list."

Zhao Cong’s face turned cold, eyes dark and grim, he scolded, "Why bring this up!"

Gao Tianfeng froze for a moment, then looked aggrieved and said, "I’m just trying to ease some pressure off you and Uncle."

After saying that, she lowered her head, tears brimming in her eyes.

Zhao Cong suddenly felt a headache. His father had just reminded him to help out with family, and now Gao Tianfeng was starting to act spoiled and unreasonable. Since childhood, he couldn’t handle this younger cousin.

Zhao Cong thought for a long time and said, "Tell those sixteen families, for the sake of appearances, give the Divine Literature General Hospital some face, come to a middle ground, and don’t go overboard. If they really annoy those old guys, they will dare to report to the Supreme Court. As for how to handle it, consider for yourselves, our Zhao Family will not get involved in such trivial matters."

"With your words, I’m relieved." Gao Tianfeng’s voice was coy, leaning in close to Zhao Cong and sitting properly.