Chapter 24: Preparations Before Departure (Part 1)

  "I was playing just now when I saw your uncle, your father's brothers and you all hastily went to the main hall. I was curious so I followed and hid outside the door to eavesdrop, so I know everything."

  As he spoke, a determined look appeared on Xiao Wang's young face. He patted his chest and said, "Brother, let me go with you to pick up Father too! I've been practicing the family martial arts you taught me." After finishing speaking, he clenched his small fist and waved it at Wang Xu.

  Wang Xu was quite surprised at Xiao Wang Xiong's performance, he really didn't think that the little kid who usually followed him around would be so different from others. However, he forgot that he himself was also just a teenager under 14 years old.

  Zhuang Tou and Wang Fei exchanged a glance, instantly communicating with each other through their eyes. Unfortunately, both of them shook their heads in unison.

  He nodded in agreement, and Wang Xu turned his head to face his adorable younger brother, speaking softly: "Wang Xiong, you're only eight years old. Although I know you're already very capable, it's really difficult to go pick up Father, and we brothers can't take care of you either, so you can't go. Just stay home and study well, practice your martial arts. When you grow up, I'll take you out!"

  "Brother! I..." Seeing Wang Xiong wanting to say more, Wang Xu immediately pretended to be angry and turned his face away.

  As soon as he saw his brother's face, Wang Xiong knew that his brother had made up his mind. For this brother of his, Wang Xiong was extremely respectful. With a weaker tone, he hung his head and muttered: "Okay! But you must come back safely!"

  "Alright! Don't worry! My second brother and I will definitely bring Father back safely." Rubbing Wang Xiong's little head, Wang Xu was increasingly fond of his younger brother. He couldn't help but smile as he reminded him: "You must practice your martial arts diligently at home and read more books. Otherwise, when I come back and find out you're not taking it seriously, I'll never take you out with me again!"

  "Yes! I will work very hard, I want to be as powerful as my brother!" After finishing speaking, Wang Xiong looked at Wang Xu with a face full of admiration.

  With a faint smile, Wang Xu said happily: "Alright, I and Second Brother still have some things to discuss, you go play first! But don't run too far away, it's not very safe outside now."

  "Ah! I know. But I won't play, I'm going to practice!" Wang Xiong nodded understandingly and then ran off.

  Watching Wang Xiong disappear into the distance, Wang Fei couldn't help but laugh and say: "Third brother, that kid Wang Xiong really listens to you! Normally he doesn't take anyone seriously, so why is he so afraid of you? But to be honest, among all the brothers and sisters, only you have real authority."

  "Hehe! Maybe it's because I've been teaching him all sorts of things since he was little, so he's especially close to me. Don't mention WeChat or not WeChat again, if big brother hears it, he'll definitely be unhappy again." Up to this point, Wang Xu couldn't help but let out a faint sigh: "Ah! With big brother, sometimes I don't even know how to interact with him properly."

  This matter made Wang Xu feel somewhat depressed, because Wang Kai was extremely wary of him and even privately disliked people mentioning Wang Xu in front of him. The relationship between the two had been deteriorating over the past few years.

  But it's not Wang Kai's fault, because Wang Xu's popularity was too high, at a young age he had already gained everyone's recognition. His brothers and sisters also listened to him and followed his lead, taking him as their role model. Meanwhile, Wang Kai, who should have been the eldest brother, was forced to fade into the background over the years, every day hearing about how great the other person was, which severely hurt his self-esteem as the eldest brother.

  Especially, he who buried his head in reading was not like Wang Fei who had been practicing martial arts with Wang Xu since childhood and often communicated with each other, so they were very familiar with each other. So, the two people became more and more estranged due to this alienation.

  But to be honest, Wang Kai is actually a very good older brother in Wang Xu's heart. Because he can see that Wang Kai is still very concerned about his siblings behind the scenes, including him! No matter what good things there are, he will always send someone to deliver a share to Wang Xu, but the two of them have never been able to communicate intimately, and most of the time they are polite like they're just going through the motions.

  Seeing Wang Xu's emotions were somewhat low, Wang Fei patted his shoulder and comforted him: "Actually, this matter, Wang Yue and I have both told him, but some things are always hard to communicate. We can't be too direct either. He can't get past that hurdle in his mind, I think it's mainly because you and your brother don't interact much! In the future, when everyone grows up a bit more and has more contact, it will slowly get better!"

  Wang Xu smiled bitterly and shook his head, not wanting to discuss the matter further. He walked silently all the way to the door of the study room.

  "As soon as I heard the footsteps, I knew it was you two." Xu Shu suddenly rushed out of the study and saw the two of them, immediately asking anxiously: "How's your discussion going?"

  "Alright, I've made up my mind, let's talk about it in the study!"

  Wang Xu quickly walked over to the desk in the study and sat down, temporarily putting aside trivial matters, his mind already filled with thoughts of going into battle.

  "Oh no!"

  "What's wrong?" Xu Shu and Wang Fei asked in unison, looking at Wang Xu with puzzled expressions.

  Wang Xu was so annoyed that he slapped his forehead, just about to say something. But seeing Wang Fei also there at the moment, he forcibly stopped himself. Because this kind of thing couldn't be let him know, so he immediately waved his hand and said: "Nothing, just some trivial matters. Alright, let's talk business first!"

  Xu Shu saw that Wang Xu had something very important to say, but their mutual understanding also made her not ask more questions. She looked at Wang Xu and sat down. "How's the situation you're discussing?"

  Upon hearing this, Wang Fei, who had just sat down, immediately replied: "Everything has already been discussed and settled. The family matters will be handled by my uncle and father. Tomorrow morning, I'll set out with my third brother to escort the second uncle and Xu Bo back home."

  Hearing that a decision had already been made, Xu Shu also said with joy: "That's great, so what route will we take?"

  "Second Uncle's business route we have already understood clearly, the related situation also knows a general idea, I think this trip three brothers should have a plan in mind!" As he spoke, Wang Fei looked at Wang Xu.

  "Ah, I already have a clear route in mind for this trip." Wang Xu nodded and continued: "However, I also have another plan in my heart."

  "What? Does Third Brother have another way to find Second Uncle?"

  Facing Wang Fei's puzzled gaze, Wang Xu smiled and shook his head: "Of course not, to rescue Father we can only search along the way. With Father's cleverness, there should be no major problems. Moreover, the Yellow Turbans have just risen, as long as we act quickly, rescuing Father is not difficult! What I mean is that after rescuing Father..."

  Wang Fei became even more confused, furrowing his brow in puzzlement and asking: "I don't know what Third Brother means?"

  Seeing Wang Fei somewhat anxious, Wang Xu also stopped being mysterious and immediately explained with a serious tone. "Second brother, now that the Yellow Turbans have risen, the world is in great chaos. It won't be long before the imperial court dispatches a large army to suppress them. This is exactly the time for us to lead our troops to assist the imperial court in quelling the rebellion, establish merit, and revive the prestige of our Wang family! You and I are both military men, at this time we still don't take action, what are we waiting for?"