Those who enjoyed boundless wealth and honor because of me were as numerous as carp crossing a river

Night fell.

At the residence where the Cao father and son were staying.

Inside a side hall.

Spiritual energy wreathed the room, and jewels glittered dazzlingly.

Dozens of exquisite brocade boxes lay piled together.

They formed a small mountain, their exotic fragrances filling the air.

Looking at these things,

Cao Wenzhao's eyes grew perfectly round.

He swallowed.

His voice trembled. "Father... just the gifts we received today are worth more than a dozen Cao Families' entire fortunes."

Cao Zhengxiong sat upright in a grand armchair.

He appeared to be resting with his eyes closed.

But his hands, trembling incessantly as they gripped the armrests, betrayed what lay within.

Seasoned as he was,

even he felt as though he were dreaming.

After a long while,

he let out a long breath.

Then he said slowly, "All of this... is out of respect for His Highness the King of Chu."

"You must remember: without His Highness the King of Chu, we are nothing in anyone else's eyes."

Hearing this, Cao Wenzhao nodded.

"Father, don't worry. I have my head on straight."

"Good, good. If you lose your head, you could bring utter ruin upon our Cao Family."

Cao Zhengxiong leaned heavily back against the chair and closed his eyes again.

Cao Wenzhao watched his aged father.

Suddenly, something seemed to occur to him.

He said, "Father, I just remembered something."

"What is it?"

Cao Zhengxiong asked.

A look of reminiscence appeared on Cao Wenzhao's face.

"Three years ago, when disaster threatened our Cao Family, I came to Yang Province alone to seek help."

"But Yang Province was so vast. After reaching Ascending Dragon Prefecture, I had no idea where to begin. I could only blunder about like a headless fly."

"Fortunately, I met an old gentleman surnamed Zhou."

"With that old gentleman's