Chapter 1: Awakening

The Zhou Dynasty, possessing the central land of the divine continent, faced formidable enemies from neighboring regions such as the barbaric lands, the wilds, the Di tribes, the Yi tribes, and the overseas realms. It can be said that strong adversaries were numerous. Established for over 1,600 years, the dynasty maintained continuous military preparedness, with a standing army of over 16 million. The strength of its military power is evident.

The blade swept across the neck, and Fang Yun's head flew high into the air. He saw a column of blood gushing forth from his still-standing neck, followed by an endless darkness

Sir Yang, how is the child doing?

At the age of fourteen, he fell ill. To be precise, it was due to being jointly beaten by the children of the Pingding Marquis and the Zhenguo Marquis. The reason was that the young Pingding Marquis and the young Zhenguo Marquis cursed the children of the Four Directions Marquis as being of lowly birth, claiming that Fang Yun, being the child of the Four Directions Marquis, was a baseborn.

Fang Yun's consciousness drifted aimlessly in the darkness, and he did not know how long it had been before it finally came to a standstill. A faint glow of fire burned in the darkness, warming his soul and gradually restoring a semblance of awareness.

This incident occurred shortly after Fang Yun began his martial arts training. It was precisely because of this event that the fourteen-year-old Fang Yun developed a deep aversion to conflict and martial arts, leading him to distance himself from martial arts and turn to literature instead

Fang Yunzhen nestled on his mother's shoulder, whispering repeatedly. The familiar sights before him stirred a deep impulse to weep

Literature governs the nation, while military power ensures peace in the realm

At the age of twenty-four, Fang Yun's elder brother, Fang Lin, engaged in battle against the Northern Di. He ventured deep into the Di wilderness and was ultimately surrounded by the Di army. Although he managed to escape with his life, he lost a leg to a skilled warrior of the Di and was rendered powerless. After being brought back to the capital, he became melancholic and reclusive. One day, when a servant went to clean the room, they discovered that Fang Lin had taken his own life in the room.

In the soft glow of light, a beautiful woman appeared before Fang Yun and the *picture* book. She sat at the edge of the bed, her brow slightly furrowed, looking at herself with a face full of worry and self-reproach. The woman appeared to be in her thirties or forties, with a jade hairpin inserted in her hair. On her long eyelashes, there were still glistening teardrops, as if she had just been crying.

Fang Yun has never been interested in martial arts since childhood. With his elder brother Fang Lin around, their father’s martial legacy seemed secure, which diminished Fang Yun's motivation to practice martial arts. After several attempts to persuade him, the family recognized Fang Yun's firm resolve and ceased to press him further.

Fang Yun said nothing, but tightly embraced his mother, Madam Huayang. A sense of happiness regained surged through his soul, and tears finally poured out like a breached dam. Along with the tears flowed memories long sealed away, filled with pain and guilt.

Fang Yun widened her eyes, looking at her mother in disbelief. Her mother's appearance was much younger than she remembered

... ...

The news arrived that Fang Yun's mother, Madam Huayang, had taken her own life in the residence, demonstrating her loyalty to her husband.

Seemingly sensing his intense will, the warm glow in the darkness suddenly erupted, and a portal appeared in the darkness, revealing boundless light

This year, Fang Yun is fourteen years old. He has ten more years to change his family's fate

The authentic sense of touch, the genuine sense of smell, the true sense of sight—everything is reminding Fang Yun that all that is before him is not an illusion at the moment of death

Child, it is your mother, it is your mother...

Mother, is it really you

Pain, illness, imperial physician, mother... After awakening, the events that occurred in that brief moment surged through my mind, gradually aligning with a scene from my memory

In the span of a single day, Fang Yun lost his father and mother, and his family was plundered and his clan exterminated

Familiar with the sounds of https://www.hetushu.com, familiar conversations, a strong impulse fills my chest

To this day, the Zhou Dynasty has countless scholars, millions of acres of cultivated land, and numerous workshops. Even the merchants and porters can wear silk long gowns and tread upon brocade, making it a truly prosperous nation and a civilized state

At the same time, the imperial guards stormed into the Fang residence. The three hundred inhabitants of the Fang household were executed by beheading outside the Chongyang Gate on the same day, without undergoing trial by the Ministry of Justice.

Fang Yun's reaction caught the woman's attention, and her relaxed brows furrowed once more. It seemed she recalled something, and a trace of worry reappeared on her face as she embraced Fang Yun.

Who are they? Why do they seem so familiar?

In fact, Fang Yun chose a path that was completely opposite to that of his elder brother, Fang Lin, and turned to literature

All of this came rushing in like a surging tide. Fang Yun could only witness everything happening before his eyes, powerless to intervene. Regret, pain, and self-blame filled his heart. For the first time, Fang Yun felt regret over his decision to abandon martial arts for literature. But it was too late for regret

The establishment of the Great Zhou Dynasty has lasted for over 1,600 years. Throughout the Middle Kingdom's divine land, it has experienced the turmoil of war and the changes of dynasties during the medieval period. At this point, it has finally ushered in a long period of peaceful development.

Fang Yun's consciousness suddenly surged into that expanse of light, and in the next moment, Fang Yun finally opened his eyes

Only Fang Yun knew in his heart that all of this was real; he had been granted a second chance in life. Although he did not understand how all of this had happened, Fang Yun was certain that he would not let this opportunity to change his fate slip away from his grasp

What on earth is going on? Shouldn't I be dead?" Fang Yun's consciousness floated aimlessly in the darkness, pondering in a daze.

The Duke of the Four Directions has held dominion in the south for eight years, and the barbaric and foreign tribes do not dare to venture a single step into the Central Land of the Divine Continent. The extent of his formidable power is evident.

Gazing at his two thin arms, Fang Yun finally confirmed one thing. This was not a memory, but rather something happening right before his eyes. At this moment, he was fourteen years old, standing at the crossroads of his life's destiny

"Yun'er, what is wrong with you?"

Whose voice is this? Why do I feel such familiarity, such longing?

Dressed in fine garments, feasting on delicacies, and accompanied by a retinue of servants, such a life could have continued for Fang Yun until the end of his days. However, a calamity descended from the heavens.

Feeling the warmth emanating from her mother, Fang Yun gradually calmed down, only then realizing a tearing pain throughout her body

Fang Yun stared blankly at the beautiful woman, almost murmuring this name. An overwhelming longing erupted at the center, and Fang Yun wanted to rush forward and embrace her. But he was also afraid, afraid that this was a dream. He feared that at the moment he held her in his arms, she would shatter like a bubble.

Fang Yun's father, Fang Yin, was conferred the title of Marquis of the Four Directions due to his illustrious military achievements

The Marquis of the Four Directions, Fang Yin, commands an army of one million, stationed at the southern border of Jingzhou, suppressing the vast barbarian tribes in the wild jungles. For eight years, the Marquis has held his ground in the wilderness, with his troops having slain nearly ten million barbarian foes, resulting in mountains of corpses and rivers of blood. Whenever the barbarian tribes mention the name of the Marquis of the Four Directions, they do so with fear and trepidation.

Fang Yun recalled something

In the more than one thousand years of warfare and conflict, the Great Zhou Dynasty has given rise to countless prominent families and noble lords

Mother, Mother...

The familiar warmth, the familiar fragrance, Fang Yun finally believed that everything before him was not an illusion born from excessive longing. He suddenly sat up in bed and tightly embraced his mother with both hands

"Good child, don't cry. You are a man of the Fang family, and men of the Fang family must not shed tears." Madam Huayang couldn't help but feel a moment of surprise; in her memory, this child was crying for the first time in front of her

Hearing this call, the woman finally came to her senses. Her long willow-like eyebrows finally relaxed, and a look of overwhelming joy mixed with tears appeared on her face

As the three hundred and twenty blades of light swept through the darkness beneath Chongyang Gate, Fang Yun finally let out a roar of regret and unwillingness.

Fang Yun, in a daze, thought that he had not yet found the answer when he heard another aged voice coming from the darkness. The voice carried a sense of humility and respect, responding: "Madam, the young prince has suffered a blunt force to the head, which is why he has fainted. He will be fine after resting for a while"

"Mother, no matter what the cost this time, I will not allow you to leave my side again," Fang Yun solemnly told himself. ... Not just his mother, but also his elder brother and father ... Fang Yun had lost once and was determined not to lose a second time

Three years after the death of my elder brother Fang Lin, our father, the Marquis Fang Yin of the Fang family, engaged in treasonous activities and colluded with the enemy, with irrefutable evidence of his crimes. This matter alarmed the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, who personally intervened and ventured into a foreign land to eliminate him.

When he woke up again, Fang Yun appeared here

Furrowing her brows slightly and pondering for a moment, Lady Huayang seemed to understand something. Gently patting Fang Yun's back, she spoke softly: "Alright, Yun'er. From now on, Mother will not force you to go to the palace with the sons of the Pingding Marquis and the Zhenguo Marquis."

Fang Yun rested his head on his mother's shoulder and nodded vigorously. He resembled a gambler who had lost everything, suddenly being returned all his stakes, gaining a second chance in life

Yun'er, you have finally awakened

Everything, including images and books, feels like a dream

A series of footsteps echoed in the darkness, gradually fading away until they were silent. The flames continued to burn in the dark, constantly warming Fang Yun, making his consciousness increasingly clear and stronger

Fang Yun could not endure any longer and retorted, resulting in a brutal beating from two individuals. This was not the first time such a situation had occurred, but this time it was particularly severe. Fang Yun fell ill for three days, and his mother, Madam Huayang, even invited the imperial physician from the capital to treat him

Mother

A voice filled with anxiety emerged from the darkness, sounding both distant and near

... ...

Fang Yin has two sons, the elder son Fang Lin, who possesses exceptional talent. By the age of twenty, he had already reached the realm of "Formation Level" and achieved remarkable military exploits in the war against the northern Di tribe alongside the loyal and trustworthy Marquis. He rightfully holds the title of the foremost among the young nobles of the capital.

The woman paused for a moment and spoke softly. She could sense the unusual emotions of Fang Yun. Her soft, fair hand gently patted Fang Yun's back, soothing him.

At this moment, Fang Yun saw her own arm, very pale, but much more slender than she remembered

... ...

This matter can be said to be the source that changed Fang Yun's destiny

The fortunes of the Fang family have since taken a sharp downturn.

This child has been strong-willed since a young age; it is the first time that Madam Huayang has seen Fang Yun express such intense emotions after all this time

With such two prominent figures as her father and elder brother, Fang Yun hardly needs to exert much effort to have a bright future ahead

A profound pain and boundless longing ignited within his soul, and Fang Yun suddenly felt a strong impulse to see the owner of that voice. He wanted to leap up, he wanted to open his eyes

Well, as long as everything is fine. Lord Yang, I appreciate your trouble. Uncle Liang, please go to the treasury and withdraw some money for Lord Yang

Only after experiencing loss can one truly appreciate the invaluable nature of the present