Rebirth As a Fatuous and Self-indulgent Ruler
chapter-312

Translator: Storm in a Teacup

“I want to fight for a century-long peaceful future for our son. When he grows older, I will abdicate and travel around the world with you. How does it sound? I still remember what you have said before: with both the sword and the wine in your hands, you’d like to travel around the world. I’d like to think that you prefer me than Lian Qingyang to be the one who is beside you by then, right? Wait for me, I’ll be back, alive. Don’t you worry about me. How could I leave you and our son lonely in this world?”

“However, please have faith in me. Before I make the plan work, don’t act only if necessary. Trust me, Qingzhou. All I want is your trust. Wait for me to come back, will you? And when I’m back, shall we let the past be past?”

“Qingzhou, if you don’t respond, I will take it as you are consenting to my proposal.”

“Wait for me, Qingzhou, wait for me to come back.”

After reading this thick letter, Shi had his face changed several times, and finally… his eyes were slightly moist.

Shi had never regretted anything he had done. Ever since his childhood, his decisions rarely changed.

But this time, he vaguely felt regret.

If they didn’t have the dispute this time…

Then, wouldn’t that person leave him to Eastern Darkness…

Just like how he left Long first and came to the army alone.

He told Long he was here to make preparations first. But even if he could fool others, could he fool himself?

He just wanted to avoid Long…

And now, he just got exactly what he had wanted.

Long even avoided further afield, so now… was he happy with the result?

No, he was not happy, but felt depressed.

His mind was full of worries, sadness and anxiety that he was breathless…

Was this the retribution for his departure first?

Long didn’t know how bad Shi felt right now, but he seemed to sense him, even feeling his heart pumping.

He often experienced such pain in his previous life.

At that time, his heart attack was much more serious than how he felt now!

However, Long was 100% percent sure that his present body did not have any heart disease.

And his current situation didn’t look like that way.

If it had to be described as a disease, maybe it was called… lovesickness?

“Love starts before you can realize it, and the moment you know a little about it, you would find yourself deep in love…”

Long always believed that it was hypocritical to say so, but when it really happened to him… he didn’t feel that way at all. On the contrary, it felt bitter…

Sitting in the carriage, Long sighed.

He was now on his way to Eastern Darkness.

And this carriage was not for passengers, but for goods.

So he was actually sitting in the driving position.

There were two coachmen, so Long didn’t need to pay attention to anything other than let himself in a daze.

Also, it was Yingfeng who was driving the carriage, so Long could rest assured.

There were a lot of people in the caravan this time, a total of more than 20 people. Therefore, Long and two of his men didn’t draw any attention even when they were among them.

Moreover, the caravan was heading directly for Qiuhua City of Eastern Darkness.

It was not far from the imperial city of Eastern Darkness.

Following this caravan would make them least suspicious.

Over the years, Eastern Darkness and Tianlong Dynasty also shared trade routes.

However, there were two types of trade routes: the smuggling one and the official one.

The official one was equipped with all the available customs clearance documents, which was considered to be tacitly approved by Tianlong Dynasty and Eastern Darkness.

They each had three caravans only.

And they were time-limited as well. For example, when the two countries were at war, they were not allowed to trade.

Although the tensions did rise on the border, it was not a large-scale war between the two countries yet, but more like they were testing each other.

Therefore, the bilateral trade had not been forbidden.

The caravan that Long hid himself was one of the official ones.

The Shadow Guardian who was responsible for intelligence dealt with the issues so that they could join the caravan. At the same time, Tianji Sect sent them a message.

According to the message, the leader of the caravan was actually a member of it.

That was indeed good news for Long!

However, even under such circumstance, the leader only knew that Long and his men were related to the royal family of Tianlong Dynasty, but had no idea that the emperor himself was here!

With his special treatment, Long enjoyed a better life on his way to Eastern Darkness.

Otherwise, there was no chance that he could be the coachman, but the one running behind the carriage.

If that were the case, it was estimated that both his legs would be broken when he got there!

“Be alert, all of you! The Black Wind Forest is ahead. Bandits hang out in this forest. Despite our boss has agreement with them, it’s possible that some of them don’t take it seriously and still block our way. Bear this in your mind and keep your eyes open!” The leader Zhang Cheng roared.

“Yes, leader Zhang!” Everyone roared in unison.

After passing through this forest, they would formally enter the boundary of Eastern Darkness.

However, this Black Wind Forest was not that easy to get through.

Given its wide area, some desperadoes took advantage of the topography here to build their robber positions and rob the business travelers from the two countries.

The bandits here were suppressed by both sides before, but they failed to erase them.

Since the terrain of this place was very special, it was impossible to kill them all if the two countries didn’t send out a large number of soldiers.

However, with too many troops dispatched, wouldn’t either side unprepared and be alert? Would they like to see such a scene?

Therefore, people of the Black Wind Forest had survived in this somewhat weird balance, but they did not dare to cross the line as well.

For example, the bandits of the Black Wind Forest would rob, but they dared not kill people!

Moreover, they only took one-third of the belongings of the caravans, not all of them.

As time passed, some large caravans did not want to be harassed for no reason, so their leaders even had made “agreements” with the Black Wind Forest.

For example, if they were here to pass, people of the Black Wind Forest should not block their way. In return, they would pay a little “toll fee.”

After leader Zhang’s roar, Long asked Yingfeng about the history of the Black Wind Forest in surprise.

Yingfeng told him the reason immediately, and then lowered his voice before continued. “Master, the reason why Eastern Darkness and we compromised is because each of the four masters of the Black Wind Forest is both a master of martial arts and desperado. If they hide for a sneak attack, even if the troops sent here are capable of killing them, a large price of lives is doomed to be paid. So, as long as they don’t go too far… people of both countries prefer to turn a blind eye to them.”

Long couldn’t help feeling a little bit stunned after hearing it.

There were such arrogant bandits!

However, if Yingfeng admitted that they were capable masters, they must be impressive ones!

Suddenly, Long thought of an idea…

If he could use these people to…

Just as he had this idea in mind, something happened ahead.