371: After the wooden sword is sharpened, what should I do next?
Imperial Garden.
Within the pavilion, the Xia Emperor was still whittling a peach wood sword.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Xie Weilou stepped forward and bowed.
The Xia Emperor looked at Xie Weilou and said with a smile, "No need for formalities, just sit down over there."
Xie Weilou didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly, looking at the peach wood sword in the Xia Emperor's hand: "How many swords has Your Majesty whittled?"
The Xia Emperor lightly brushed off the wood shavings from his dragon robe, examining the wooden sword in his hand: "This is the ninth, and also the last."
"After whittling the wooden sword, what then?"
Xie Weilou continued to ask.
The Xia Emperor looked into the distance, a nostalgic expression appearing on his face: "I told you before, my dream when I was young was to roam the world with a sword! But as I grew older and gained more experience, that youthful dream has long vanished into thin air. If you ask what my next pursuit is, it would probably be the ethereal Great Dao!"
"The ethereal Great Dao..."
Xie Weilou was stunned for a second; he seemed to know what the Xia Emperor was thinking.
The Xia Emperor did not immediately answer the question, but whispered: "My past was actually a mess! I was born in the cold palace, and among the many princes, I was the most unliked. Perhaps not unliked, but directly ignored. In the scheming royal family, I didn't have many friends. Your father happened to be my only friend."
"My father?"
Xie Weilou was a little surprised; there was no information about this in the original owner's memory.
The Xia Emperor whittled the wooden sword and whispered, "Living in the cold palace, even the nannies and maids inside the palace could bully me. I yearned greatly for the world outside the palace. Later, I escaped the palace and met your father. I stayed in the Zhenxi Marquis Manor for a long time. Your father and the Old Marquis were very kind to me and helped me a lot."
"After that came the struggle for Royal Power. Many people didn't think highly of me, including the Imperial Advisor and the Headmaster, but I still ascended to that throne because Fourth Mr. stepped forward, and with the secret assistance of the Zhenxi Marquis Manor, I swept across all directions and became the Emperor of Great Xia."
"......"
Xie Weilou looked at the Xia Emperor.
He spoke of Fourth Mr.'s help and Zhenxi Marquis Manor's help, but he didn't mention his own achievements.
If his own strength wasn't solid enough, outsiders couldn't have helped him.
A glint flashed in the Xia Emperor's eyes: "My first half of life was spent in power struggles, living for Great Xia, which could be considered mediocre; for the second half of my life, I must live for myself. The dreams of my youth have long vanished into thin air, and the dreams of the future are also out of reach, but as long as I am still alive, I can still pursue them."
"......"
Xie Weilou fell silent.
The Xia Emperor chuckled, "You are more extraordinary than your father. Alone with a sword, you broke through thirteen cities of West Chu, slaughtered Profound Manifestations, and beheaded Dragon Transformations. These achievements are very dazzling, and this is also your secret. I will not pry into it, nor will I investigate it too much! Today, I asked you to come here just to ask you one question."
Xie Weilou cupped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, please ask."
The Xia Emperor gazed at Xie Weilou and asked, "The Zhenxi Army is already under your control. You are about to become the Marquis Zhenxi of Great Xia. One day, will you be able to break free from the mire beneath your feet and the shackles around you?"
"Shackles..."
Xie Weilou showed a thoughtful expression.
The Xia Emperor said in a deep voice, "That's right! It's shackles. The two hundred thousand Zhenxi Army is already under your control, and this is a kind of shackle, a shackle of responsibility. If one day you want to go further, can you let go? If you let go, what will become of them?"
He was asking Xie Weilou this question, but it was also a question he was asking himself.
A heartless person can give up everything, but as a human being, who can truly give up everything?
Xie Weilou stood up and bowed, saying, "The purpose of the Zhenxi Army's existence is to guard the territory of Great Xia and protect its people. They are not anyone's private property. Even without the Zhenxi Marquis Manor, even without me, the Zhenxi Army will still exist. As long as Great Xia exists, they will exist!"
After listening, the Xia Emperor's eyes showed a hint of approval. He smiled and said, "You, young man, see things very clearly!"
At this moment, he also gained a deeper understanding in his heart.
Even without him as the Xia Emperor, Great Xia would still have another Xia Emperor. Even if he was the Xia Emperor, Great Xia was not his private property.
What the future of Great Xia would be like depended on the young people, on the descendants!
"This is just my humble opinion."
Xie Weilou said with a faint smile.
The Xia Emperor shook his head: "Your vision is already very high, but you still have a long way to go. You must cultivate and study well in the Holy Academy. Those teachers are not to be missed; they will surely become important mentors on your life's journey."
"Thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty."
Xie Weilou bowed.
The Xia Emperor pondered for a moment and said, "Do you know why you were imprisoned?"
"......"
Xie Weilou looked at the Xia Emperor.
The Xia Emperor said, "It wasn't because of the Lin family's extermination, nor was it because you saw Yan Ruyu bathing, nor was it because you released a West Chu felon. It was because your third uncle came to see me."
"My third uncle..."
Xie Weilou was stunned for a second.
The Xia Emperor pondered, "Your imprisonment was arranged by your third uncle. He is an extraordinary person; I cannot see through him. As for why he wanted you imprisoned, I also don't know. The Old Marquis and your father did not stop this, perhaps it was to protect you! After all, not long after you were imprisoned, they both passed away one after another."
"I have investigated some matters. Their demise is related to the Nine Heavens Tower. Originally, I planned to tell you about this after you had grown stronger, but now that you have shown your talent, perhaps I can tell you."
"......"
Xie Weilou's face showed a thoughtful expression.
He already knew that the demise of the two was related to the Nine Heavens Tower, but why did the Nine Heavens Tower act? There must be a reason!
Third Uncle was mysterious and unpredictable. Why did he want him imprisoned? Why did he watch the Old Marquis and his father perish?
All of this was a mystery; the more he thought about it, the more perplexing it became.
The Xia Emperor looked at Xie Weilou: "This is your matter, and you need to investigate it yourself. However, I must remind you that the Nine Heavens Tower is not simple; you must be careful."
"Thank you for informing me, Your Majesty. I will be careful."
Xie Weilou said solemnly.
The Xia Emperor chuckled, "Come to the palace again for tomorrow's morning court."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Xie Weilou bowed.
The Xia Emperor waved his hand, "You've worked hard these past two weeks. Go back and rest!"
"I take my leave!"
Xie Weilou bowed and withdrew.
The Xia Emperor seemed to have thought of something and added, "The Qintian Bureau seals something. If one day you cannot break free from your shackles, you can try to contend for that item."
"......"
Xie Weilou didn't ask further and quickly departed.
The Xia Emperor looked at the wooden sword in his hand; it was already whittled.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Wei is still waiting outside."
Eunuch Huang hurried over.
The Xia Emperor gripped the long sword, squinting as he examined it, then said, "I'm a bit tired today. Tell him to go back!"
"......"
Eunuch Huang turned and withdrew.
(PS: The college entrance examination is coming soon. I wish all students taking the exam a triumphant victory and success in their examinations. Your new journey is about to begin. Hold your pens firmly and prepare to gallop across the battlefield and rule the world! Come on!)
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