Film & TV: Public Enemy of Justice

"Is he really not coming with us to find the artifact?"

Hua Qiangu felt some regret, after all, this journey had only just begun, and some companions had already left one after another. For example, Yin Shangpiao's betrayal. In fact, it was something that everyone found hard to accept.

"Qian Gu, don't be so naive! Meng Xuanlang is the second prince, do you know what that means? He can inherit the throne and become the emperor!" Ni Mantian said.

Her background was very similar to Meng Xuanlang's; both came from prominent families and were born with a significant advantage over many others.

She knew in her heart that she was simply not a man; if she were, the position of leader of Penglai would surely be hers. Therefore, she understood that it was only natural for Meng Xuanlang to ultimately choose to stay.

"I think Meng Xuanlang's personality is such that he'll stay with us!"

Qing Shui shook his head. He was not suited to life in the palace. He was a rather simple and straightforward person. Although he was keen on dressing up, he was always a low-key person. He could do whatever he wanted in Changliu, but he could not show his personality in the palace.

"Let's just wait for him to make a decision!" Luo Shiyi sighed.

Meng Xuanlang was, after all, an honest man. But after seeing his brother today, he realized he was no good person. It would be better if he left; if he stayed, how could people possibly see the truth about him?

"Brother Yao Xie, do you think he'll come with us?" Hua Qiangu asked, tugging at Lin Yao Xie's arm affectionately.

Lin Yaoxie smiled noncommittally and did not answer him.

Dongfang, however, spoke up slowly from the side: "He will come with us!"

Meng Xuanlang was honest and somewhat dull, but he possessed great wisdom. If the Empress had only used the Emperor's good health to persuade him to stay, her chances of success would have been very high. Unfortunately, the Empress used a reason he least wanted to be involved in: the struggle for the throne.

His original intention was to cultivate immortality and stay in Changliu. This action was not formally told to him, because if he did not make a decision sooner, wouldn't his younger brother's imperial power and wealth, and his parents' hesitation and indecision all be his responsibility?

The Empress's actions may have stemmed from a mother's deep love for her child, but they were also the actions that made Meng Xuanlang make up his mind!

"Shuofeng, what do you think? You're not saying anything!" Ni Mantian patted Shuofeng with the hilt of her sword.

Shuofeng frowned: "While parents are alive, one should not travel far."

For Shuofeng, family is the most important thing. If you know that you will never see your parents again after you leave, then you should accompany them through their final years.

Everyone has the right to choose; we'll know tomorrow. Let's rest well today and continue our journey tomorrow!

Seeing the gossiping looks on the group of men and women, Lin Yaoxie finally spoke up, telling everyone to stop discussing it and that time would tell them the answers they wanted.

Early in the morning, the servant had already prepared tea cakes. Everyone sat at the inn's table, munching on the tea cakes and staring at each other.

"Brother Yaoxie, why hasn't Meng Xuanlang arrived yet? Could it be that he's not even going to say hello to us and is secretly living as a prince in the palace?"

Hua Qiangu and the others were eagerly waiting.

"Probably not. Meng Xuanlang is a polite person; he wouldn't do that. Even if he doesn't greet us, he'll at least greet Brother Lin!"

Qing Shui shook her head. The later Meng Xuanlang arrived, the more she felt that he was saying goodbye to his father and mother, and that it was more likely that he was going to search for the divine artifact with them!

"What's the rush?" Ni Mantian glanced at the two of them. "He won't be coming with us! He might already be waiting for us by the time we get to the city gate."

Dongfang simply smiled and shook his head, disagreeing.

"Dongfang! You don't believe me?!" Ni Mantian said somewhat arrogantly, seeing Dongfang's attitude. "Let's make a bet!"

Dongfang pulled out a handkerchief from somewhere and wiped the residue from the corner of his mouth.

"Okay, what do you want to bet on?"

Ni Mantian thought for a moment and said, "Let's bet on a meal at Yushui Village! If either of us loses, we'll go eat there again before we leave the capital!"

Dongfang glanced at Lin Yaoxie. After spending some time together, his fear of Lin Yaoxie had lessened considerably, because he realized that this person wasn't as scary as he seemed. He enjoyed good food and seeing new scenery; he wasn't a particularly vicious person!

“Okay, let’s bet on this meal.”

Dongfang smiled and agreed. At most, Meng Xuanlang would break free from his mother's nagging within half an hour.

"Mantian, I think Dongfang has a very good chance!" Qingshui whispered to Ni Mantian. "This time, I actually hope Dongfang can win. After all, Meng Xuanlang is our partner. Wouldn't it be great if we could complete this journey together and collect all the artifacts!"

Hua Qiangu's tone carried a hint of sadness.

All good things must come to an end. Little Bone, don't take parting so seriously! Lin Yaoxie patted Hua Qiangu's head.

"Who's leaving?! What's all this talk about gathering and parting?" A very noisy voice suddenly rang out.

"Meng Xuanlang?! You're back!" Hua Qiangu asked happily.

"Yes, Mother insisted on having breakfast with me this morning. I finished it as quickly as possible. Did you all wait for me for a long time?"

Dongfang looked at Ni Mantian defiantly and said, "Let's go, we want to eat the most expensive thing!"

Although Ni Mantian lost the bet, she looked happy, showing that she secretly hoped Meng Xuanlang would stay. After all, not everyone has the courage to say goodbye to the throne!

"Eat me if you want! Do you think I, the daughter of the dignified leader of Penglai, would be afraid of being eaten by you?!"

Luo Shiyi simply nodded to Meng Xuanlang: "Report Four, shall we go to Yushui Village for a meal first? Or should we continue on our way?"

Lin Yaoxie rolled her eyes at him: "Someone's inviting you to dinner, how can you not go! Do you even have any friends?!"

Luo Shiyi gave an awkward laugh. He had been worried that everyone was delaying the search for the divine artifact, but now it seemed that everyone wanted to enjoy a good meal first.

"Let's go! Xuanlang! A real man should bravely bear the consequences of his own decisions!" The group shouted as they left the house. Dongfang trailed behind, patting Meng Xuanlang on the shoulder.

Chapter Thirty-Two: A Ten-Mile Farewell

"That day when I came to Yushui Village for a meal, I ran into Xuancong and didn't feel like eating the snowmelt from the river. Today, I'm going to have a big feast!" Meng Xuanlang said loudly.

This matter was like a heavy weight on his heart; on one side were his parents and his own brother, and on the other was the throne and power. The choice was agonizing. But now, things had turned out much better!

His father and mother are still his father and mother, and his younger brother is still his younger brother. He doesn't need to worry about the people of the world and can live a carefree life!

"Just because you're paying doesn't mean you have to drink to your heart's content!" Shuofeng rarely joked. Perhaps he also felt that Meng Xuanlang's choice was truly regrettable.

"Eat! Don't be polite with Miss Mantian! She's the daughter of the leader of Penglai!" Dongfang said jokingly.

Others might not know, but he did: this parting with Meng Xuanlang might mean the next time he saw him would be at the hands of his parents' passing. Making this decision was no easy task.

Meng Xuanlang! Don't be sad! Besides your parents and younger brother, you still have us! You also have your demon brother, who dares to bully you! Tell your demon brother! Hua Qiangu, rarely having a moment of peace…

He came to her mouth and comforted her.

"Haha, Meng Xuanlang, even Xiao Gu is going to tease you!" Qing Shui said from the side.

Meng Xuanlang scratched his head: "Yeah, everyone's been really nice to me, we're like family! From now on, I'll stick with the boss!"

"Nonsense! A disciple of Changliu, always spouting nonsense like 'hustler'! People would laugh their heads off if they heard that!"

Luo Shiyi said, pretending to be angry.

"Then, I'll punish myself with a drink, punish myself with a drink!" Meng Xuanlang said, raising his wine glass and drinking it all in one gulp.

"Knock, knock, knock..." A knocking sound? Everyone's home, who's knocking?

"Who is it?!" Meng Xuanlang asked.

"Brother, it's me." A gentle voice sounded from outside the door. Was this the Third Prince?

"Xuan Cong?" Meng Xuanlang opened the door in confusion and saw the Third Prince standing at the door in his magnificent clothes.

"Why are you here! Didn't we just say goodbye this morning?"

"Brother, are you going to stand at the door and talk to me?"

Meng Xuancong glanced inside but didn't answer Meng Xuanlang's question. Instead, he seemed inclined to sit down and have a couple of drinks.

"Come in, come in first."

Hearing him say that, Meng Xuanlang naturally felt embarrassed to let him stand at the door, so he pulled him into the house and arranged for him to sit down next to him.

"I'm so sorry to bother you all. My brother has just returned to the capital and is already leaving again. I really hate to see him go. I said goodbye to my father and mother this morning, and then I heard that my brother was having a drink with his fellow disciples at Yushui Village. That's why I rushed over here, wanting to have one last meal with my brother and see him off one last time!"

After Meng Xuancong finished speaking, everyone chose to remain silent.

"If the Third Prince truly thinks this way, then Senior Brother Meng's pure heart has not been in vain!"

Seeing that everyone was silent, Dongfang reluctantly spoke up.

“Brother Dongfang is absolutely right. He has a pure heart, is upright and capable in governing, and is a good official who helps the people!”

"What's so great about being an official? It's not as carefree as living the life of a wandering knight!"

Shuofeng glanced at Meng Xuanlang. In truth, Meng Xuancong's words were indeed a bit too deliberate! If Meng Xuanlang hadn't left, he certainly wouldn't have been a good official; he'd probably have been a good emperor!

“Yes, Meng Xuanlang chose what suited him best, and that was his path. This only shows that he didn’t have enough opportunities in the secular world and officialdom,” Luo Shiyi added.

"I am not a capable ruler, and I prefer to cultivate in Changliu. Unlike my younger brother, who needs to serve our parents in my place," Meng Xuanlang said. "Now that I've said this, I only hope that my brother can be happy and stop worrying about me. Just serve our parents smoothly and cleanly, and ascend the throne as emperor. That would be enough. Even if I never return in my lifetime, I will know that someone is taking care of our parents for me, and I will be at peace."

“Brother, what are you saying? Your parents are also my parents. It is my duty to be filial to them. No one is replacing another! If you could stay, I would like to stay by your side.”

"Haha! Good! Since your brother has so earnestly advised us, Meng Xuanlang, you can stay here and don't need to come with us!" Lin Yaoxie said.

"Huh?" Everyone was taken aback, even Tang Bao exclaimed, "Daddy Demon, what nonsense are you talking about! How could you let Uncle Xuanlang not come with us?"

The third prince was clearly taken aback by this turn of events and was momentarily stunned, unable to react or respond.

"Report Four, please stop scaring the Third Prince! Lest he naively believe it!" Dongfang glanced at Lin Yaoxie meaningfully. He knew perfectly well that this ancestor was just trying to frighten the Third Prince.

He had repeatedly provoked and driven away Meng Xuanlang precisely because he was afraid of him. Now that these words had been spoken, he truly hoped that Meng Xuanlang could simply laugh it off and not take it seriously. Otherwise, if any further trouble arose, the Third Prince would really not be able to get what he wanted.

"If what Young Master Lin said is true, then Mother will not be so heartbroken over my brother's departure, and Father will be much happier!"

Upon hearing Dongfang's words, the third prince immediately adjusted his mindset.

"I offer this cup of tea in lieu of wine to all my brothers and sisters, hoping you will help my brother in the trials to come. I am deeply grateful!"

The third prince had already taken Meng Xuanlang's teacup and drunk it all in one gulp.

“Little brother…” Meng Xuanlang looked at his younger brother who had grown up, and some words stuck in his throat but he couldn’t say them.

After the meal, Meng Xuancong showed no intention of leaving.

"Go back! We need to get going too!" Meng Xuanlang told him to leave.

"No, I want to see you off for ten miles, brother. I hope you have a smooth journey!" Meng Xuancong took a bag of clothes and money from the servant and handed it to Meng Xuanlang.

"What are you doing?" Meng Xuanlang already had enough money for travel.

"This is a token of my brother's appreciation. Please don't refuse, brother!"

“Brother Meng! Just because you’re not short of money doesn’t mean we are!” Dongfang walked over, took the clothes from Meng Xuanlang, carried them on his back, and handed the money to Luo Shi.

"Brother, let your younger brother accompany you a little longer!"

Meng Xuancong followed behind Meng Xuanlang; the two had very similar facial features and builds.

The atmosphere among the group was also very somber. No one spoke, and even Tang Bao, who was usually bouncing around, was lying quietly in Hua Qiangu's palm, watching everyone walk by lifelessly.

"Brother, even a thousand miles of farewell must come to an end. Go back! Serve your parents and bring blessings to the people!" After saying this, Meng Xuanlang strode away.