The Rebellious Son Becomes a God

[He's back quite early.]

Jiang Zhen Ting—Jiang Li's father, the master of the Duke's Mansion, a cabinet minister, and a favorite of Emperor Xuan Yuan.

Three months ago, he was ordered to represent the Da Han Dynasty and went on a mission to Lan Yi Country.

A hundred years ago, the Da Han Dynasty was just a medium-sized country. Later, for some unknown reason, the Xuan Yuan royal family produced many capable people, and the country's national strength became more and more prosperous.

Until thirty years ago, when the current emperor Xuan Yuan Tian ascended to the throne, he joined forces with the Mohist school to create various strange and wonderful things, which became best-selling products throughout the Xuan Yong Continent, driving the economic development of the Da Han Dynasty and making it the most powerful country on this continent.

Therefore, the Da Han Dynasty would occasionally send people to neighboring countries on missions, either to show the emperor's grace or to suppress and intimidate.

I thought he wouldn't be back until next spring, but he finished the job in a month.

It seems that this mission was very successful.

It's also good that I came back a day earlier, otherwise, if I was found absent, the queen would definitely use this as an excuse to make things difficult for me.

However, when his father comes back, he will first report to the emperor, and he will be back at night, so he has plenty of time.

He is now a cultivator and should also get a sword.

After breakfast, he left the mansion and went straight to the blacksmith shop in the West Market, where there are finished swords for sale, and they are cheaper than those sold in weapon shops. He only needs to practice swordsmanship, and it's okay to use it in normal times.

The Da Han Dynasty only strictly controls the cultivation techniques, but the overall folk customs are martial. In addition to the cultivators who are dedicated to the great way, there are also many wandering knights and righteous people in the rivers and lakes.

The government's control over ordinary iron smelting and manufacturing is relatively loose.

He arrived at the West Market and found a blacksmith shop called "Li Niu Iron Shop" in the northwest corner. The name is quite down-to-earth.

From time to time, there are a few "clang clang" sounds of forging, and waves of heat surge out of the door.

Jiang Li walked straight in, and a nine-foot-tall, muscular, bare-chested man was holding a piece of red iron with his left hand and hammering it down with his right hand, splashing sparks. He suddenly spoke with his back to Jiang Li, and a rough voice sounded:"If you want to customize, you need to pay extra."

Jiang Li was momentarily stunned. His movements hadn't been very conspicuous, yet the blacksmith had sensed him from afar. He could tell the man was no ordinary person. With a respectful tone, the blacksmith said,"Boss, I came to buy a sword. I don't have many requirements, just something to practice with."

The burly man continued hammering the iron, not turning around, and casually responded,"The fourth rack on the right side by the door. All the swords are there. Pick one yourself."

"Thank you!" Jiang Li replied.

Following the direction the blacksmith had given, Jiang Li quickly found the shelf. Sure enough, it was lined with a large number of iron swords, no fewer than thirty. After scanning through the array, he picked out a long sword that was entirely black. It didn't appear very different at first glance, except for its darker hue, which made it shine more with a sharper reflection.

Once he had made his selection, Jiang Li approached the burly man again, politely asking,"Boss, how much for this sword?"

"Five taels of silver. I'll also give you a scabbard. The scabbard is by the door, on the left. Take the one with the black pattern on it." The blacksmith still didn't turn around, continuing to hammer away at the iron.

"Thank you. Goodbye!" Jiang Li placed the silver on the table beside him, picked up the scabbard, and left the shop.

After Jiang Li left, the burly blacksmith finally stopped hammering, muttering to himself,"Jiang Zhen Ting's fifth son, huh… well, so be it." He then resumed his work.

Walking out the door, Jiang Li couldn't help but feel a pang in his chest. It was just a practice sword, yet it cost so much silver. He only had six taels in total, and now they were gone before he could even warm them up. He glanced at the sword in his hand, still somewhat satisfied. Well, if he was going to spend that silver, it'd be worth it— the more he practiced, the more valuable the sword would become.

As he walked out of the street in the west market, he noticed the area was packed with people. What's going on?

He approached a man standing nearby and asked,"Brother, what's happening here?"

The man turned around and smiled,"Oh, it's Jiang Guogong returning from his mission to the Lanyi Kingdom. Word has it that he's brought back a princess and is presenting her to His Majesty as a consort. They say she's the most beautiful woman in Lanyi—like the Heavenly Maiden descending to the mortal realm. Everyone's just waiting for Jiang Guogong's procession to pass by so they can get a glimpse of the princess and see if she's truly as stunning as the rumors say!" The man finished with a lewd grin.

Jiang Li nodded thoughtfully. Speaking of beautiful women, the woman in black who had chased him that night was also stunning. It was a pity though—her behavior was a little too erratic, not like that of an ordinary person!

Just as Jiang Li had come out, he thought he might as well take a look at his father's grandeur.

He found a teahouse and planned to watch from the second-floor window, but the place was packed with people, and he couldn't squeeze in.

With no other choice, he settled for sitting at a location on a flying eaves, looking down at the bustling crowd below.

There were quite a few people on rooftops like him, so it didn't seem out of place at all.

Suddenly, someone shouted,"The Duke is here!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and shouts.

From his spot on the flying eaves, Jiang Li had already spotted the procession coming from the distance.

With that shout, the atmosphere on the street was immediately ignited. The sound of the crowd's cheers and shouts echoed through the air, rising and falling in waves. Sitting on the eaves, Jiang Li peered through the bustling crowd, his gaze fixed on the slowly approaching procession.

At the forefront of the procession was a squadron of cavalrymen dressed in shining silver armor. Their postures were straight, holding long spears, with the tips glinting in the sunlight, reflecting the military might of the Da Han Dynasty.

The expressions of the cavalrymen were solemn and steadfast, their eyes unwavering, resembling statues brought to life.

Following them was a splendidly decorated carriage. The carriage was intricately carved with elegant patterns, and golden tassels swayed in the wind, jingling with a pleasant bell-like sound.

The carriage was drawn by four magnificent white horses, their steps steady and their hooves crisp. These were no ordinary horses but high-quality spirit steeds, specially provided by the Emperor himself.

[This Emperor certainly pampers my father enough.]

Jiang Li's gaze fell upon the carriage, and a complex wave of emotions surged within him. The person sitting inside that carriage was none other than his father—Jiang Zhen Ting.

Jiang Zhen Ting was dressed in a deep purple robe, embroidered with golden thread along the edges, and a golden jade belt wrapped around his waist, giving him an air of great dignity.

His face was handsome, with an imposing aura of authority that seemed to emanate from his very presence, even without him uttering a word. Though in his fifties, his appearance suggested he was barely in his thirties, a result of his years of cultivation. His skin was fair, his hair and beard black as night, and his whole being exuded an undeniable aura of respect that made one feel as if they could not look him in the eye.

As the carriage drew nearer, Jiang Zhen Ting's eyes scanned the surroundings, sharp and hawk-like, as though he could pierce through any facade or deceit. Every movement he made radiated a quiet yet immense confidence. His every slight gesture seemed to highlight his status as a Duke and the immense power and dignity that came with it.

Jiang Li felt an invisible pressure emanating from his father. The air around him seemed to thicken, and he couldn't help but stand straighter, unconsciously straightening his back as if compelled by his father's presence.

On either side of the procession stood a group of maids and guards dressed in colorful clothes, holding baskets filled not with flowers but with copper coins. These coins were scattered along the procession's path, creating a "money road" for the caravan to pass through.

The common people scrambled to pick up the coins, eager to seize any opportunity to touch a bit of royal wealth, hoping that by doing so, they could absorb a small fraction of the imperial fortune.

As the procession moved forward, the streets on either side were filled with cheering citizens. They waved colorful ribbons and flags, loudly chanting "Duke is mighty!" and "Long live the Great Han!"

Children were perched on their fathers' shoulders, excitedly waving their small hands, while women cast envious glances, and men displayed expressions of admiration.

The princess's ornate carriage followed closely behind. Unlike the carriage of Jiang Zhen Ting, her carriage was surrounded by drapes. It was hard to see clearly through the veils, but from the faint silhouette, one could tell she had a graceful figure and was adorned in beautiful makeup.

As the procession passed, a gust of wind blew the corner of the princess's curtain, offering a fleeting glimpse of her delicate features.

Though her face was partially veiled with a thin, translucent cloth, Jiang Li could still make out her brows and eyes. His brow furrowed slightly.

"Is it just my imagination?" he thought."Why does she look so familiar? That can't be right..."

For some unknown reason, the princess suddenly turned her head and looked in Jiang Li's direction, locking eyes with him.

Jiang Li made no attempt to avoid her gaze, and to his surprise, the princess's eyes curled upward in a smile as she winked at him.

Jiang Li was stunned. He immediately recognized that this princess of the Lan Yi Kingdom was the same black-clad woman who had tried to capture him that night.

"How could a princess be out in the wilderness that night?" he thought, puzzled."By that time, their caravan should have been still far away, hundreds of miles from here. Something's off."

Before he could piece together the strange situation, the procession had already moved far away.

The caravan continued to advance slowly, with Jiang Zhen Ting's figure standing out in the crowd. Every wave of his hand drew louder cheers from the onlookers.

The people's enthusiasm surged like a tide, undying and continuous.

Meanwhile, Jiang Li, still perched on the eaves, kept his gaze fixed firmly on the princess's carriage. He didn't look away for even a moment.

This princess from the Lan Yi Kingdom was definitely not someone ordinary!