35.

Friendship never remains in the world in anyone's heart without being worn out, Time wears it out, and anger destroys it. The poor cannot be the friend of the rich, the unlearned cannot be the friend of the learned, and the coward cannot be the friend of the brave. Nobody is nobody's friend, nobody is nobody's well-wisher, persons become friends or enemies only from motives of interest.

At this moment, both Yang Ze and Yang Che were sitting on the first floor of the tavern. In front of them was a table full of dishes and accompanying them was the cold breeze through the window on the right side of them. Contrary to Yang Ze's expectations, the tavern was well-maintained and clean. Since the day he came here, he had never eaten such a luxurious meal. Though he had money, he didn't bother to go out and eat. Instead, he just relied on others to provide him with meals.

The dishes in front of him were simple, yet flavorful. In this world that is free from pollution and chemicals, this is one of the few things that he is able to enjoy as a modern man.

"Here, try this wine. I especially brought it from the Western Swamps." Picking up a gourd from the table. Yang Che was about to pour it into Yang Ze's glass before he was suddenly stopped by him.

"I don't drink." Shaking his head, Yang Ze picked up another dish before eating it.

"What kind of man doesn't drink." There was a sneer on Yang Che's face as if he had heard the biggest joke. In this era, even a teenager drinks. Since time memorials it has been associated with wise and powerful men. This was his first time seeing someone who doesn't drink wine.

"Mmm." Yang Ze didn't speak, just shook his head slightly. The last time he drank, things didn't go quite as planned.

"So. What are your plans? When are you going to the family?" With food still in his mouth, Yang Ze looked at Yang Che before asking in a muffled tone.

"Three days later." Sliding back on his chair, Yang Che tried to avoid the bits and pieces that might fall from his mouth before speaking. "The Martial Academy will arrive there in seven days. If we leave the day after tomorrow, we can reach two days before the admission test. In that time, we can familiarize ourselves with other young heroes from different places."

"I thought Yuyang City was the only one eligible to take part in the admission test?" With a frown, Yang Ze looked at him.

"NO. It's just that the admissions are being held in Yuyang City this time around. People from other places are also going to participate."

"I see." Nodding, Yang Ze went silent.

"Wanna join me? It's not like you have something else to do here."

Pretending to think for a moment, Yang Ze nodded his head. He was already looking for an excuse to visit the family in hopes of getting the last volume and the movement technique. Instead of going alone, it was better to travel with this guy. He won't have to worry about some small problems in this way.

"Okay then, it is decided." Patting his thigh Yang Che exclaimed. "We will leave three days later. Just pack your clothes. I will take care of other things."

After deciding on matters, both of them left the tavern.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. While Yang Ze was packing his clothes, Yang Che sat in his manor with his mother. Compared to the last time, he was now sitting beside her on the bed, slowly massaging her smooth back which didn't have any cloth on it.

Every time he caressed her, a jolt of electricity would run through him. For him, it was perhaps the greatest pleasure that he was able to experience.

"I will surely join the Martial Academy this time Mother." With heavy breathing, his voice was firm like a mountain and his eyes were filled with determination. It was a natural instinct of a man to boast in front of the woman he likes. Though he couldn't say explicitly, his eyes were enough to show his love for the woman.

"I believe you." A low hazy voice sounded in his ears. "Take care of yourself. Even if you fail, you have me."

"Mother." Lifting his head up, he saw the beautiful face of the woman in front of them. Four eyes locked, and it was as if time had stopped for Yang Che. Before he could have said anything, he suddenly felt a soft sensation on his lips.

Looking at the woman in front of him, whose lips were touching his, Yang Che's eyes went wide. Excitement, confusion, fear, love, every single emotion was visible in his eyes. By the time, he came to his senses, the woman in front of him was already lying on the bed.

If not for the wet sensation on his lips, he would have guessed that he was dreaming.

"Mother." With a beating heart, Yang Che was confused. At that moment, he didn't know what to do. Feelings of happiness and shame overtook him completely. On one hand, he was wild with joy after being kissed by the woman he loves, and on the other hand, ashamed of these actions toward the wife of his father.

The battle of morals and greed lasted for a short while before the greed overtook him. He wanted to hold this woman in his arms, he wanted to make her his. With his head filled with these thoughts, he finally couldn't control himself before slowly moving his hands towards those twin jades.

"Enough. Che'er." With a flustered voice, the woman stood up before turning her back on him. "We can't do this. It is wrong."

Looking at her trembling figure, Yang Che felt like his heart had been trampled a thousand times. He could feel her sorrow and helplessness.

Without saying anything, he slowly walked behind her and pulled his arms around her before taking her in his embrace.

"Don't." Even though she protested in a weak voice, she didn't move away from his embrace.

Both of them stood in the same position for a long time.

"Your father will never agree." A few words, but enough to describe their hardships.

"Don't worry. Once I enter the Martial Academy, I will take you with me." Resting his chin on her shoulder, he sniffed the unique fragrance on her.

"Mmm." Nodding her head, the woman didn't say anything else. Slowly raising her hand, she tucked it in his hair before caressing his head.

In the dimly lit room that was about to welcome the first rays of the sun, the figure of a young man was embracing the figure of a beautiful woman. The scene was beautiful yet tragic. Though there wasn't any distance between their bodies, a wide gulf lay between their hearts.

"Che'er. Are you there." At this moment, the sound of Steward Li was echoing throughout the entire mansion.

"I have to go now. Take care." With these words, he leaned forward and planted his lips on hers before taking his leave.

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"Che'er where were you?" Steward Li who was standing in the garden looked at Yang Che with a frown.

"Just preparing for the journey."

Walking slowly towards his father, Yang Che stopped in front of him. Both of them looked at the sunrise silently.

At this time they each had different thoughts in their minds. Steward Yang Li was worried about the future of his son. He knew how hard it was to join the martial academy. He was worried his son might be aiming too high and wouldn't be able to take the result of his failure.

While on the other hand, Yang Che was still immersed in the feeling of embracing that beautiful figure in his arms. If it were possible, he would have taken her far away from this manor with him.

Both of them had different goals and agendas, yet both stood there silently, just looking at the sunrise.

"Sigh." Steward Li was the first one to break the silence. "My son. Your father might not be the most talented cultivator or even a martial artist, yet he was able to make a place for himself in this city. Do you know why?"

After a brief silence, he continued.

"When I first took over the industry here, there was nothing. No profits, no workers, no trades, this place was what you call a shithole."

"Over the years, I made it what it is today. Only I know how much I sacrificed. In the end, it is now a prosperous industry. Even though it is nowhere near the other industries that the Yang Family controls, for us, it is more than enough."

Looking at the confused look on his son's face, he sighed before speaking again.

"Do you know why I am telling you this?"

"I am afraid I don't understand father." Shaking his head, Yang Che looked at his father.

"My son, men experience happiness and misery by turn. No man ever enjoys unmixed happiness. A wise man, possessing high wisdom, knowing that life has its ups and downs, is neither filled with joy nor with grief. When happiness comes, one should enjoy it, and when misery comes one should bear it."

With a long silence, he looked at his son with eyes that were full of love.

"You are my greatest pride, so, even if you fail in getting into the academy, you shouldn't be discouraged. We have this industry, and we can certainly get better resources for you."

Hearing these words, Yang Che clenched his fists. Though he appeared calm on the surface, there was turmoil going on in his heart. For a sixteen-year-old boy like him, this was perhaps the most difficult decision of his life. Keep chasing the wife of his father or forget everything that happened between them and keep a distance.

Alas, no matter how difficult the situation was, for a youth like him without any life experiences, staying together with her was the life he had been dreaming of.

Suppressing the guilt in his heart, he bowed to his father before making his way toward the carriage. No one knows what the future holds for him, so it is a waste of time to think about it. Instead, he should focus on the sight before him; the Xuanwu Martial Academy.