CHAPTER 277: END OF TALE!

"Ha...ha..." Shang Jiao fell on the couch, breathing heavily as if he had run a mile.

Ashen looked at him and asked doubtingly, "Did he really get kicked out of the clan?"

Till now, Shang Wu’s image in Ashen’s mind was of a strong person with strength and qualities destined for greatness; however, this type of ending was a bit unbelievable.

Shang Jiao, hearing his question, smirked as he answered, "Of course. How long do you think your grandfather would’ve tolerated his debaucherous behavior? He was bringing shame to our clan, and letting him spend the fortune of our clan on his degrading habits would’ve damaged our clan greatly."

With a reminiscing gaze, Shang Jiao said, "It was when Shang Wu just advanced to the intermediate stage of the Emperor realm. His habits had diminished the reputation of our clan to a laughingstock.

His Majesty, your father, summoned the heads of the four sacred clans for a meeting. It was during that gathering that your grandfather was forced to listen as the other clan heads ridiculed both our clan and Shang Wu, albeit as a joke.

However, your grandfather didn’t think of it as a joke. The moment he returned, he officially kicked Shang Wu out of the clan, stopping all the support he received from the Shang clan. Even his mansion was snatched from him.

Your grandfather had cautioned him repeatedly to mend his ways, but he refused to change. The mockery from the other clan heads that day was the final blow—one that struck the iron while it was burning hot.

But that wasn’t the end of Shang Wu’s misery. Even when he was kicked out of the clan, he was given enough fortune to live luxuriously for a few centuries.

However, he spent half of them on expensive liquor and brothels, and the other half was conned out of him by a woman who is said to be one of the heavenly beauties. She seduced him and took his money before leaving him broke.

Now, without any money, he found a cave in the mountains to the west of Shang Clan, hunted spirit beasts to earn black money, and with that money, he bought cheap liquor and cultivation herbs."

Since one needed an authority seal of the empire to hunt and trade spirit beasts, Shang Wu could only sell spirit beasts for a cheap price in the black market.

Shang Jiao shook his head in pity as he continued:

"Even now he might be cultivating in that cave. The last time I heard about him was twenty years ago, around the time you were born. He had advanced to the late stage of the Emperor realm at that time, his strength estimated to be just below your grandfather, who is at the upper stage of the Emperor realm."

The emperor realm was divided into four stages, unlike the ones below it.

The four stages were early, intermediate, late, and upper.

Most of the Emperor realm cultivators could only reach the late stage in their whole lifetimes. Even in the Primordial Dragon Empire, there were only six upper-stage emperor realm experts!

"Hmm," Ashen rubbed his chin in thought before asking, "Uncle, if he is an emperor realm expert, why does he live in a cave? Being that strong would fetch him respect and wealth wherever he goes."

"Yes, you are correct..." Shang Jiao nodded in agreement with Ashen’s reasoning. "However..." He leaned forward, his tone serious.

"Shang Wu won’t do something like that.

For him, his pride is one of his pleasures, like gambling.

He won’t work under anyone, nor would he accept others’ money.

Heck, he wouldn’t even cultivate if it wasn’t something that gave him joy.

He is just a weird man."

"I understand." Ashen gave a nod of understanding before asking another question. "The beauty that conned him out of his money—why doesn’t he use his strength to take it back? I don’t think she would be stronger than him."

"Yeah, she isn’t strong." Shang Jiao replied. "You can even say she is weak like a flower when compared to that brute." He smiled as he continued. "However, Shang Wu doesn’t hurt the weak no matter what!"

"There is another famous quote of his, one he often repeated whenever someone asked why he never struck the weak—

’Only cowards bully the weak. True strength lies in crushing the strong—and I am the strongest!’

"He’s really an anomaly." Shang Jiao commented with a smile. "His contradictory nature earned him reverence and admiration from countless people—but just as many ridiculed him behind his back."

"There are even teachings that instructors give to their students from his life—

’Follow your principles like the Man Of Shang—Shang Wu! But also, do not let indulgence consume you, as it did the Man of Shang—Shang Wu!’

Ashen understood what the quote meant.

Shang Wu, being an emperor realm cultivator, could misuse his strength; however, he didn’t due to his principles.

He could’ve forced himself on women who rejected him.

He could’ve refused to pay the amount he lost in gambling.

He could’ve robbed the liquor with his strength; however, he didn’t do that.

Even with the Shang Clan backing him, he stayed on the righteous path.

Many people admired him for it.

At the same time, he had multiple bad habits that he couldn’t control despite being the proud cultivator that he was.

Of course, Ashen didn’t judge him. He didn’t care about his behavior that much.

What he cared about was his strength.

The strength that made him the second strongest!

He wanted that strength.

He wanted Shang Wu by his side.

He had made up his mind. He wanted him.

He looked at Shang Jiao and cupped his hands before requesting to see Shang Wu!

"Uncle, I have decided! I’d like to visit Uncle Shang Wu to meet him and possibly get him to protect me as my guard!" Ashen said firmly. "Please guide me to him."

"Sigh..." Shang Jiao sighed helplessly. "Even though I had a guess when you asked me to tell you about him, I still hoped you’d change your mind after hearing about him. However, it seems my words had an opposite effect on you from what I intended."

"Alright." Shang Jiao nodded in agreement. "I’ll guide you to him myself. It’s not like he will harm you. Since it’s not dangerous, it shouldn’t do any harm to at least try to talk to him. I’ll also get to see my elder brother after a long time."

He smiled as he looked at Ashen. "Alright. Follow me."

Ashen gave a nod of understanding before following after him.

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(A/N - Thanks for reading. ^..^)