CHAPTER 280: REGRET!

Shang Wu was quiet throughout, listening intently while expressing his reactions through silent expressions.

It was only after Shang Jiao finished that he opened his mouth.

"It seems a lot has happened since you were born, my nephew." Shang Wu muttered, fixing his gaze on Ashen with a proud smile. "At such a young age you are going through so much..."

His deep voice carried a sense of compassion for his young nephew.

For a moment, the cave remained silent, without anyone speaking.

The ongoing silence was broken by the sudden laughter of Shang Wu.

It appeared he had accepted all the shocking information without any problem.

"Hahaha, as expected of my nephew and the son of Celine." Shang Wu proudly clapped for his nephew before praising, "You’ve made a name for yourself at an age where cultivators only begin to grasp the concept of cultivation. Even I, the great Shang Wu, was only at the Body Transformation realm at your age. I applaud you, Ashen..."

His voice then turned solemn as he muttered, "I feel less regret now."

"It wasn’t your fault, Brother Shang Wu!" Shang Jiao consoled and instantly got a scolding.

"Didn’t I tell you not to call me your brother!" Shang Wu glared.

Shang Jiao lowered his head again, not daring to protest.

Ashen, on the other hand, wondered about what they were talking about.

"What regret?" Ashen calmly asked. "Can you tell me about it, Uncle Shang Wu?"

Shang Wu looked at Ashen as his expression melted; his eyes had welled up with tears.

"Ashen..." He said. "My regret is not saving your mother."

"Huh?" Ashen was confused. "What do you mean?"

Shang Wu understood Ashen’s confusion as he explained clearly: "Your mother didn’t want to marry the emperor; however, due to the long tradition, she had to do it."

It was the tradition that the princess of each sacred clan would marry the new emperor to keep the empire united.

He then continued with a solemn and soft voice: "I was the only one who protested against her marriage; however, your grandfather stopped me. I had a battle with him; however, I was defeated."

"It was after that defeat that I felt helpless and began to focus fully on my cultivation."

"And as you know, I advanced to the late stage of the Emperor realm in the same year when you were born. However, not saving my only sister became my one and only regret."

He had his fists clenched in frustration as he finished his regretful tale.

Then, his gaze turned to Ashen as a soft smile appeared on his face.

"But now, my regret doesn’t seem to hurt me that badly. Maybe her marriage was necessary for me to get such a talented and handsome nephew..."

Ashen didn’t know what to say to that, so he simply gave a silent nod in response.

"Hah. Let’s stop talking about the past." Shang Wu said, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes.

Shang Wu fixed his gaze on Ashen and spoke seriously:

"I understand your situation, Ashen. Since you have revealed your talent to the world, you will undoubtedly be targeted by your siblings and their backers."

Ashen nodded in agreement. He then spoke firmly:

"It is due to that reason I need Uncle to protect me. I cannot trust anyone, as they might turn out to be a spy; however, you are different. I can trust you with eyes closed."

"Hahaha," Shang Wu laughed, pleased by Ashen’s words. He then leaned forward and asked after raising his eyebrows, "But what if I’m also a spy? Don’t you know what others call me? — ’The Bastard of the Lei Clan!’"

"Don’t jest, Uncle." Ashen smiled awkwardly. "Nobody believes that ridiculous rumor."

"Hahaha," Shang Wu nodded in agreement. "Yes, you are correct! How can there be such a rumor, right?"

"I agree." Ashen answered, raising his cupped hands.

"Hmm, then..." Shang Wu’s gaze turned serious as he leaned forward to ask. "You can have two guards according to Shang Jiao. If I agree to be one, whom are you thinking of choosing as the second one?"

Ashen instantly answered, knowing that this was a test: "I won’t have another guard. You are enough!" His gaze was firm as he spoke. "Why would I need another guard when I have the strongest person by my side?"

Shang Wu’s pupils widened slightly before he leaned back on the couch and laughed loudly: "Hahaha! What a wonderful answer! Yes! This is the correct answer!"

Till now, Ashen had been understanding Shang Wu’s personality.

Analyzing him from the stories he heard from Shang Jiao to how he acted in person.

Ashen came to the conclusion that someone as arrogant, prideful, and narcissistic as Shang Wu would like to be the only one in charge of his protection.

If Ashen had answered his question any differently, he might’ve refused to come to Ashen’s side to protect him.

"Then..." Ashen, with an expectant gaze, asked, "Do you agree to become my guardian?"

"Yes, I agree..." Shang Wu nodded before mentioning, "But... not right away."

"Then when?" Ashen asked impatiently.

Getting someone as strong as Shang Wu as your guard wasn’t a small deal.

Anyone would be impatient if they were in Ashen’s place.

"Let me see..." He mumbled under his breath before rubbing his chin to ponder.

Only after a minute did he answer, "A month... give me a month, and I’ll come to your side afterwards."

Ashen didn’t need to think much about this, as he instantly agreed. "Done!"

"Hahaha," Seeing his nephew’s enthusiastic response, Shang Wu laughed pleasantly. "Even I would be excited if Shang Wu agreed to be by my side." He praised himself in the third person.

They then discussed some more in the cave, talking about unimportant things.

~

The day Ashen met Han Wuji in the forest of beasts,

After Ashen had entered Gang Zhao’s lair after returning from the Beast King Sect, he turned to the five king realm tigers and ordered, "You all wait here. I’ll be back in an hour!"

Saying that, he flew away, disappearing from their sight.

A few minutes later, he descended to the ground.

"I greet your highness!"

He was greeted by a man in dark robes covering his face, kneeling in front of him.

He was Han Wuji—the early-stage emperor realm cultivator who lost his grandson, Han Yujin, to Ashen’s schemes.

Having been fed the Scarlet Mind Schine, he couldn’t even think of betraying Ashen.

-----------------------------------

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