Chapter 51: The One You Should Never Have Crossed

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Upon hearing this, Zhao Ang lowered his gaze to the teacup, then looked up at the moon in the sky. He then spoke lazily, “There’s a poor soul who crossed the wrong people and ended up bitten to the point of losing all his teeth. Tch tch, in this world, any dog can climb to the high branches, yet no one bothers to keep them in check.”

Zhao Rong’s gaze grew colder and sharper as he stared intently at Zhao Ang, as if trying to detect some flaw in his expression.

“Who are you talking about?”

Zhao Ang’s smile did not fade. He reached out, pinched a piece of pastry from the table, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed slowly before saying innocently, “Old master, why do you always like to dig so deep? What is most important to the Zhao family? To be cautious with words and actions. Talking too much only causes trouble—that’s what you taught me. Tonight, let’s pretend I said nothing. Let’s just drink tea and admire the moon, how peaceful.”

Zhao Rong’s expression shifted slightly at these words.

He fixed his gaze on Zhao Ang’s nonchalant demeanor, and the suspicion in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by deep contemplation.

After a moment, he lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said in a low voice, “You’re a rascal in appearance, but you understand things very well.”

Hearing this, Zhao Ang couldn’t help but laugh, feigning casualness as he replied, “Old master, you say that, but I am the heir of the Zhao family; I could never disappoint you.”

Zhao Rong snorted coldly, slamming the teacup back onto the table. Then, fixing his gaze on Zhao Ang’s face, he suddenly said, “Ang’er, you have grown up now. There are many things I no longer want to shield you from. You are the heir of the Zhao family, and one day, you will have to shoulder the burden of our house.”

Zhao Ang’s smile faltered momentarily but soon returned to its carefree state.

“Old master, those words are terrifying. I’m a lazy person; I’ll muddle through day by day. The burden is something better left to you, the elder.”

Zhao Rong’s eyes darkened, but he did not respond to the joke. Instead, he spoke slowly, “Although I have personally commanded the Black Tiger Army these past few years, the pressure from the court grows heavier by the day. Emperor Jing will not stop targeting the Zhao family. Since the Black Tiger Army is the root of our family, it cannot always be so openly displayed. What I must do is hand it over to the safest hands before the court makes its move.”

Zhao Ang raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on his lips as he looked at Zhao Rong.

“Old master, you mean to hand the Black Tiger Army over to me?”

Zhao Rong looked at Zhao Ang without answering immediately. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, “Do you think I would dare?”

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This question caused a slight tremor in Zhao Ang’s heart, but the indifferent smile remained on his face.

He spread his hands in a relaxed manner and said lightly, “Of course you would dare. I am of the Zhao family; who else could it be? Besides, I’m such a rule-abiding person—the Black Tiger Army in my hands is the safest place for it.”

Zhao Rong’s gaze was deep as he stared at Zhao Ang for a long time, finally sighing softly.

“You always act like this—carefree on the surface, but you understand better than anyone. Ang’er, I can entrust you with the Black Tiger Army, but you must remember: no matter how much you fool around, the Black Tiger Army is the root of the Zhao family, defended through the blood and sweat of generations. You must never let it fall into trouble.”

The smile on Zhao Ang’s face gradually faded, replaced by a rare seriousness.

He slowly stood, bowed slightly to Zhao Rong, and said in a low voice, “Rest assured, the Black Tiger Army will never come to harm under my watch.”

Zhao Rong looked at him, a slight easing in his expression, but his voice remained cold.

“You speak lightly, but the Black Tiger Army is no trifling matter. Emperor Jing watches us closely, with wolves and tigers lurking all around. If you continue your usual recklessness, the Zhao family will be ruined by you sooner or later.”

Zhao Ang lowered his head, his voice tinged with meaning.

“Outsiders see me as reckless because I want them to see it. But you know me—I never make a losing bargain.”

A complex expression flickered in Zhao Rong’s eyes.

He was silent for a moment before nodding slowly, “Very well, I will trust you once more.”

When Zhao Ang stepped out of his grandfather’s courtyard, the night was deep.

He looked up at the moon, a rare weight settling in his heart.

The Black Tiger Army, the elite troops earned through generations of Zhao family sweat and blood, was finally to be entrusted to him.

“Old master, old master, you’re really placing the lifeblood of the Zhao family on my shoulders.”

Zhao Ang muttered to himself, a complicated smile curling at the corner of his mouth. “Looks like it’s time to rein myself in a bit.”

At that moment, Yang Mu approached quietly and asked in a low voice, “Young master, what did the Duke of the Nation say to you?”

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Zhao Ang smiled and turned to Yang Mu, a hint of playfulness in his tone. “Uncle Yang, the Black Tiger Army is mine now. You’ll have to work harder to help me keep an eye on it.”

Yang Mu was slightly taken aback but quickly clasped his fists respectfully. “Understood, sir.”

Zhao Ang patted his shoulder, a glint flashing in his eyes. “We have plenty of chances to watch the show unfold. Uncle Yang, tell the brothers to keep their blades sharp and be ready at all times.”

Yang Mu lowered his voice, “Young master, rest assured, the brothers of the Black Tiger Army always stand ready to follow your command.”

Standing in the courtyard, Zhao Ang looked up at the bright moon. A gentle breeze tousled his hair.

A faint, enigmatic smile played on his lips as his fingers tapped lightly on the jade ornament at his waist, as if pondering something.

Nearby, Yang Mu and Fu Gui stood respectfully, waiting for Zhao Ang to speak.

“Young master, now that the Duke of the Nation has handed the Black Tiger Army to you, allow me to congratulate you in advance.”

Fu Gui scratched his head and smiled honestly, “The Black Tiger Army is the lifeblood of our Zhao family. With it in your hands, no matter how wary Emperor Jing becomes, he won’t be able to harm us.”

Zhao Ang smiled and glanced back at him, his tone carefree. “Fu Gui, you see right through it. The Black Tiger Army in my hands can indeed temporarily silence the biting teeth of Emperor Jing. But…”

He paused, his gaze leisurely drifting to the distance. “Emperor Jing is not one to accept defeat lightly. If he truly wants to betray us after the favor is done, he won’t only be watching the Black Tiger Army in my hands.”

Yang Mu took a step forward, lowering his voice to ask, “Young master, what do you mean?”

A cold gleam flashed in Zhao Ang’s eyes as his tone grew serious.

“The old master didn’t hand the Black Tiger Army to me just for me to be a figurehead. Since Emperor Jing dares to set his sights on the Zhao family, I will make him understand that crossing us is not so simple.”

Having said that, he looked at Yang Mu and Fu Gui, his usual rakish smile returning, though his voice carried an undeniable sharpness.

“Starting tomorrow, Uncle Yang, you’ll be responsible for keeping a close watch on the brothers in the Black Tiger Army and stabilizing their morale. Fu Gui, recruit some capable fighters for me—remember, I want those willing to risk their lives.”

The next day, Zhao Ang broke from his usual habit and rose early.

Typically carefree, he now stood in the training ground of the courtyard, dressed in light training clothes, his gaze focused and sharp.

“Fu Gui, keep a close watch; this time, I’m going to reopen my meridians and rebuild the foundation I laid down when I was young.”