No wonder they say that alcohol can open people's hearts.
After three rounds of drinks, the conversation box just opens up by itself.
Si Nan, a little tipsy, wrapped an arm around Shi Sheng's shoulder and spoke earnestly.
"Shi Sheng, don't blame your brother here for being blunt, but you're not gonna make it in the Embroidered Uniform Guard like this. No backers, no connections, don't know how to adapt—there's just no way."
Shi Sheng, being a First-class Martial Artist, could definitely outdrink Si Nan.
At first, Shi Sheng wanted to brush Si Nan off, but hearing this, and recalling those old days of being sidelined in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he couldn't help but down a glass in one go.
"I just want to do my job properly, make sure every evildoer faces justice, that's all."
"That kind of thinking is exactly why it won't work. Just look at me."
Si Nan patted his own chest as he spoke, sounding pretty pleased with himself.
"Ever since I started following the Lord, even as a Third-class Martial Artist, I became a Commander. And you? You worked all these years just to get here, and you still don't get it?"
"…"
Shi Sheng had nothing to say to that.
He may have looked down on those who relied on connections, but looking around, barely anyone had made it just on pure skill.
When corruption becomes the norm, being straightforward and honest turns into a crime instead.
"To tell you the truth."
Shi Sheng's tone suddenly turned much heavier.
"I'm not from the Imperial City. My hometown was nothing but a small village. My parents were just ordinary folk who farmed from dawn till dusk. But that day, bandits raided the village—everyone died. I was the only one left alive."
At this, Shi Sheng clenched a fist tightly.
"That's why I joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I never wanted to be a big official; as long as I could catch every evil person, that was enough for me."
This was Shi Sheng's pursuit.
And maybe, it was precisely because of this childlike heart that Shi Sheng became such a unique figure in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
"…"
The mood suddenly turned rather heavy.
Ye Liuyun nursed a cup in his hands, drinking on his own, not saying a word, his eyes lost in thought.
He'd once been a law-abiding citizen before crossing over; not long after arriving here, he killed his so-called "older brother," twice. Only people can adapt to an era—the era itself will never adapt to you.
"Hey hey hey! Don't go making it sound like you're the only one with a story."
Si Nan was well and truly drunk by now—he slammed his cup down on the table, shattering the oppressive mood.
"You think I was born a toady? Listen, I watched with my own eyes as my grandfather was beaten to death by a nobleman's son!"
Even Ye Liuyun looked over in surprise at that.
Si Nan's mood suddenly slumped.
"My granddad was just a regular merchant. That brat didn't like how his food tasted, so he simply beat him to death. Ridiculous, isn't it?"
"When the family went to the authorities, only my mother came back—and she'd lost her mind. Within two years she poisoned herself to death. I don't know everything that happened in between, but I can guess."
At this, Si Nan suddenly laughed—a self-mocking laugh.
"That's why I joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I wanted revenge. Only, after joining, I realized: revenge? That's nothing but a commoner's fantasy. If I hadn't met the Lord, I'd probably still be someone's damn lapdog."
The higher you stand, the more clearly you can see things for what they are.
Si Nan realized he'd never get revenge the moment he learned there was a Grandmaster backing that noble's family.
Watching Si Nan like this, Shi Sheng fell silent.
...
In the private room next door—
At first Yan Shuzhu was just curious about the talk in the next room, but after hearing all this, she too fell into silence.
"Your Highness, you don't have to take this upon yourself. It's not your fault."
Lv Lan continued pouring wine for Yan Shuzhu, trying to comfort her.
Yan Shuzhu was the emperor, but had only just ascended the throne a couple years ago. Everyone in the palace knew her rule was just for show—a puppet propped up for everyone to see.
No one really took Yan Shuzhu seriously.
But Yan Shuzhu didn't want things to stay that way, hence her constant search for a way out.
"Sir, what's your ambition?"
At that moment, a question from next door caught Yan Shuzhu's attention, and she listened carefully.
...
Seeing Si Nan and Shi Sheng both looking at him, Ye Liuyun picked up his cup and hesitated for a moment.
"Ambition? Something far-off, almost impossible to achieve—that's what deserves to be called ambition."
Ye Liuyun thought of the late Ye Liufeng.
"Not long ago, I learned one thing—the world won't spare you if you don't look out for yourself."
"If villains are ruthless, then you become worse than they are. If your enemies are strong, then you get stronger than they are. When you're stronger than everyone, then all your problems stop being problems."
Ye Liuyun wasn't one for beating around the bush.
If you can't solve a problem, then just deal with the source of it.
Neither Shi Sheng nor Si Nan expected Ye Liuyun to be so downright frank.
"But there's always someone out there who's even stronger."
Above Innate there's Grandmaster, above Grandmaster is the Grandmaster, and above that—the legendary Land Immortal.
"Then you just keep getting stronger—until you're stronger than anyone. Aren't legends meant to be surpassed?"
Ye Liuyun's ambition was simple: keep getting stronger, until there's no one left above.
Let's see then who dares act all high and mighty in front of me.
"Well said!"
Si Nan and Shi Sheng said nothing, but next door, Yan Shuzhu couldn't help praising out loud.
Legends are there to be surpassed—those words struck right at Yan Shuzhu's heart.
But as soon as those words were out, Ye Liuyun's side fell quiet.
"Looks like the Imperial Music Bureau's got someone who likes eavesdropping." Ye Liuyun joked with a laugh.
Yan Shuzhu also understood that if she kept hiding, it'd be pretty rude—so she stood up with Lv Lan and walked over.
"Brother Ye, please don't misunderstand, I just happened to overhear some of your words. I got a bit emotional, couldn't help myself."
Seriously, is there ever such a coincidence? Just happened to overhear.
And you, dressed as a guy, come to the Imperial Music Bureau—no way you're really here for the girls and wine, right?
"Since we've run into each other, why not have a drink together?"
Ye Liuyun didn't bother to call her out—no point in it anyway.
"Gladly!"
Yan Shuzhu wasn't one for shyness; she immediately sat down with Lv Lan.
Noticing Shi Sheng's gaze, she even cupped her hands in a pretty humble greeting.
"About what happened before, it was all a misunderstanding. I really didn't mean to skip out on the bill—just in a rush since it was my first time out of the palace. Don't worry, I've already sent someone to pay the shopkeeper."
Now that she understood Shi Sheng's past, she realized he wasn't intentionally picking on her that day.
He didn't say anything, just raised his glass to Yan Shuzhu and took a drink—considering the whole matter settled.
...