The next morning.

Once the view outside the Dongjing military camp became clear, the soldiers guarding the tent entrance were the first to see a person standing outside.

The man was dressed in a simple gray robe, his hair casually flowing back, making it impossible to discern his identity.

"This is the Dongjing Army camp. Who goes there?" the soldiers shouted.

"Wang Ren".

"Wang Ren? Which Wang Ren?"

The gray-robed man laughed loudly, "I come from Xijing, so who else is Wang Ren?"

The soldier next to the one questioning him paused for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, "You're General Wang Ren?!"

"Your young marshal wants to see me, you can go and inform him."

The soldiers asked no more questions and hurried back to their camp.

The man in the gray robe was not lying; he was indeed Wang Ren, who had come alone as agreed.

They were not wearing armor, and didn't even have a sword.

He was simply dressed in a plain gray robe.

A while later, Zhao Cheng led Zhao Hu out of the camp and laughed loudly, "No wonder the soldiers said that someone outside the camp was impersonating General Wang Ren. With the general's attire, even I didn't recognize him at first glance!"

"How rude of me!" Zhao Cheng bowed to Wang Ren.

Wang Ren said calmly, "I am not here to rescue my subordinates, but simply to bring my son back as a father."

"General, your magnanimity alone is unmatched in Xijing!"

Zhao Cheng was referring to Xijing, not Dajing, clearly implying that people like Wen Tai and Wen Hu were inferior to Wang Ren.

This is both praising Wang Ren and belittling Wen Tai and his nephew, and even has the suspicion of sowing discord.

Zhao Cheng controlled the situation and didn't continue speaking. He then took Wang Ren's hand and walked into the military camp.

"General, let's go inside and talk."

Wang Ren paused at the doorway, not shaking off Zhao Cheng's hand, but turning back to look at the rising sun, sighing, "Let me take one more look. Once I go in this time, I'm afraid I won't be able to come out."

Zhao Cheng said, "General, what are you saying! I called you here simply to catch up!"

Wang Ren did not refute, paused for a few breaths, and then strode into the military camp.

Zhao Cheng gave the order, and a table was set up in the open air for a meal, where he sat opposite Wang Ren.

Wang Ren looked around and asked, "Where is Luan'er?"

Zhao Cheng said, "He's in my tent, he probably hasn't gotten up yet."

Wang Ren asked again, "You don't intend to let me see him?"

Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "Because of Sister Yu Cen, you know I won't kill him, so there's no need to worry about his safety."

"Speak your terms."

"The general arrived before dawn, so he must not have had breakfast. Let him eat something first."

Zhao Cheng made a gesture and continued, "Speaking of dietary habits, our Zhao family and the Wang family are quite similar. We used to live in Yanchuan, and later went to Changsui. The food in Yongliang is rather rustic, and these foods are all brought from Changsui. I hope they will bring back some memories for the General."

Wang Ren squinted and said, "Young Marshal seems to have forgotten that I also spent two years in the three counties of New Taipei City."

The three counties of New Taipei City are located north of Yongliang, not far apart, and their cuisine is almost identical.

Zhao Cheng had indeed forgotten about that.

But despite saying that, Wang Ren still started eating.

Do you have any wine?

"I have heard that the general does not drink alcohol when he is on campaign."

"Today I am just a father."

Zhao Cheng slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Bring me the wine!"

After the two had drunk together, Wang Ren said, "Now you can tell me your conditions, right?"

Zhao Cheng refilled Wang Ren's cup and said, "General, if you abandon darkness and embrace light, then father and son will be reunited. Whether you continue to serve the court or live the life of a wealthy man is your choice."

Wang Ren picked up the bowl of wine and drank it down, saying as he drank, "I am already a defeated opponent of your Zhao family father and son, why bother to waste your time on me?"

That's not how you say it.

Zhao Cheng stood up, put his hands behind his back, and said slowly, "The name Wang Ren was once the heart of the army in Da Jing, and now it is the soul of the army in Xi Jing."

"The undying spirit of the army increases the difficulty of achieving results in war. As the difficulty increases, more soldiers and their families will suffer."

“General, you once destroyed the Night Dan and guarded the northern border for the Great Jing. In terms of your contributions to the Great Jing, you are no less than the Champion King and my father. While the Great Jing is still divided and the people still remember your kindness, you can continue your mission if you wish.”

Wang Ren sat upright, placed his hands on his knees, and gently looked up at Zhao Cheng, saying, "I have a mission and a responsibility. The mission is public, and the responsibility is private."

Zhao Cheng asked, "Someone of your status, do you attend a public university or a private university?"

Wang Ren said, "The division of the Great Jing Dynasty is a fact. Whether it's public duty or mission, it's all become a joke. So now, all I feel is responsibility."

Zhao Cheng then asked, "What do you mean by responsibility?"

"My reinstatement, the opportunity to travel from Yanchuan to Changsui, the merit of destroying Yedan, and the appointment as the Grand General of Dajing are all due to the promotion of Minister Wen."

Zhao Cheng already understood Wang Ren's attitude, but still said, "It's all just manipulation."

"You can think that way, but I can't."

Wang Ren said earnestly, "I may not have the power to influence the affairs of the world, but I can uphold my conscience. I may die, but I cannot betray Prime Minister Wen."

Zhao Cheng sighed deeply and said, "I admire the General's character, but if the General insists on doing this, then death is truly the only path left for him."

"I had already thought of that."

Wang Ren smiled slightly, stood up, looked at the increasingly bright sky, and said, "It's a beautiful day today."

Zhao Cheng said, "General, have you ever thought that even if Wang Yuluan returns to Xijing after you traded your life for his, Wen Tai might not treat him the same way he treated you?"

“That’s his path from now on.” Wang Ren said with a melancholy tone, “I’m tired.”

Yesterday at sunset, Wang Ren told Zhang Dalian that he was tired.

Today, under the morning sun, Wang Ren also told Zhao Cheng that he was tired.

It seems he was truly exhausted, so exhausted that he no longer wanted to see the evening sunset.

Zhao Cheng said, "I cannot kill you."

"I see."

Wang Ren placed his hand on his heart and said, "Although I am not a martial arts expert, I still have the ability to kill myself with a single palm strike. But before I leave, I want to see Yu Luan. Although I, as his father, will no longer be able to accompany him, I should still give him some advice."

“That’s perfectly reasonable.” Zhao Cheng refilled Wang Ren’s glass, picked up the cup, and said, “Please rest assured, Sister Yu Cen, the Zhao family will not let her down.”

"I'm reassured, so I didn't ask."

Wang Ren also raised his wine glass and said, "I have another favor to ask. I know my wife hates you to the bone, but after I fall, she will no longer be able to threaten you. She is Yu Cen's mother, so please let her go."

She is no longer in my heart.

"grateful."

Zhao Cheng gripped the wine bowl tightly.

"May you rest in peace."

Wang Ren simply smiled slightly and drank the wine in one gulp.