The Human Emperor (1-200)

C176: Wang Chong is Released! (1)

Wang Chong woke up to the sound of deafening cheerings.

Slowly rousing from sleep, he saw a few silhouettes before him. The deafening cheerings came from distance, beyond the faraway palace walls. The warden of the imperial prison, Zhou Xing, along with several other prison guards, stood carefully before him with clasped hands and bent backs.

One of the guards looked exceptionally worried.

With a glance, Wang Chong recognized him as the guard who knocked him out.

“Wang gongzi, pardon me for my insolence. However, His Majesty’s orders mustn’t be defied so I ask for your understanding!”

Zhou Xing’s body posture was extremely humble and his tone was exceptionally polite. Ever since that eunuch from the emperor’s palace came by, Zhou Xing realized that this young man was not an existence he could trifle with.

“Lord Zhou, you are being too polite.”

Wang Chong chuckled, choosing not to fault him over that matter.

“Right, can I leave now?”

“Of course, feel free!”

Zhou Xing hurriedly moved to the side, opening up a path for Wang Chong.

In truth, he direly wished for the other party to leave. Even though the imperial prison housed all kinds of prisoners, this person definitely did not belong there!

Wang Chong chuckled casually. He walked past the guards and proceeded forward. Not too far away, a carriage was prepared for him.

Zhou Xing had arranged it for him.

Wang Chong walked into the carriage, and it rumbled off into the distance. Traveling through the complicated labyrinth of the palace, Wang Chong could sense many presences assessing him both in the open and in the shadows.

——The regional commanders incident had not only attracted the attention of the academic and military officials on the royal court, even the Imperial Army was alarmed as well. On top of that, Wang Chong possessed immense fame within the palace as the swordsmith for the Wootz steel sword.

As he approached the palace doors, the cheerings crescendoed. Even the air trembled before the frenzied voices.

Finally, the carriage reached the palace gates and stopped.

“Wang Chong!”

“Chong-er!”

As soon as Wang Chong alighted, he heard delighted exclaims. Turning around, at around fifty meters away from the palace gates, he saw two familiar figures walking toward him.

“Marshal Zhao!”

“Uncle!”

Zhao Fengchen was an old acquaintance from the Bluebottle Pavilion whereas Uncle Li Lin was a kin. Wang Chong’s eyes lit up as he saw the duo.

The royal palace was out of bounds to most, and even influential officials and the kings couldn’t enter the royal palace freely. However, Uncle Li Lin and Zhao Fengchen were different.

From the very start, the royal palace was their territory.

“Hahaha, lad, you’re finally out!”

“Chong-er, you sure kept us waiting!”

The duo walked up and hugged Wang Chong tightly.

“Ahhh… Let go, you two are too strong. I’m about to be crushed!”

“Hahaha, what does this little bit of strength count as? I haven’t even gotten serious yet!”

The duo laughed heartily.