Chapter 181: Empire
"Because I saw in your eyes hatred and determination," Chen Tian said, his smile widening.
"Eh?!" Gong Shun's expression changed from confusion to surprise.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Chen Tian's voice was filled with intensity. "I saw the fire burning within you, Gong Shun. The fire that fuels your desire for revenge is something that I'm familiar with." Chen Tian said, his words echoing in the quiet room.
"Maybe you could hide it from that dog, but you can't hide it from me," Chen Tian continued, his gaze piercing through Gong Shun's facade.
"I know what it's like to carry the weight of vengeance, to let it consume you and drive you forward." Gong Shun stared at Chen Tian, his walls crumbling.
"Sigh..." A heavy sigh escaped Gong Shun's lips as he finally allowed himself to let go of the facade he had been hiding behind for so long.
"You truly know how to see through people," Gong Shun admitted, his voice filled with a mix of relief and vulnerability.
"I've been carrying this burden alone, believing that no one could see how I felt. But you have seen me throw my mask with just one look, something Yi Guo couldn't do." Gong Shun had to admit that Chen Tian had a depth of understanding that surpassed everyone he had ever known.
The burden of revenge had weighed heavily on him, but at that moment, the moment Chen Tian had dealt with Yi Guo, he felt a strange sense of relief, knowing that bastard had finally gotten what he deserved.
It was as if a weight had been lifted off Gong Shun's shoulders, and for the first time, he could see a glimmer of hope for a future free from the chains of vengeance.
"Do you mind hearing my story, master?" Gong Shun asked, his voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and determination.
Chen Tian couldn't help but notice the way Gong Shun had changed the way he addressed him. Instead of calling him "sir," Gong Shun now referred to him as "master," a term of respect that carried a deeper meaning.
"Sure," Chen Tian replied with a smirk forming inside his mind.
With Chen Tian's approval, Gong Shun started explaining his story and how he ended up serving Yi Guo.
"I had a beautiful family once," Gong Shun began, his voice tinged with sadness.
"We lived peacefully in a small village, until one day a group of men attacked. They raped and then killed my wife and daughter, and I barely escaped with my life.
Devastated and seeking revenge, I wandered aimlessly, then worked as a servant for several years in wealthy families to gather information about the group of men that attacked my home.
Only for the sake of revenge did I continue to endure the pain and suffering from serving others.
Every day, my heart burned with anger, and my mind was obsessed with finding those responsible for destroying my family.
Finally, fate led me to Yi Guo, a powerful warlord rumored to have connections to the very group I sought.
With determination and a burning desire for revenge, I pledged my loyalty to him, knowing that it was the only way he would let me enter his inner circle and get closer to my ultimate goal.
He took me under his wing, and for the past few years I served the Yi family by refusing any orders.
It was only a few years ago that I got my hands on a crucial piece of information, I discovered that Yi Guo had been the one who orchestrated the downfall of my family.
Yes, that Bastard was the cause of my wife and daughter's deaths!
The joke is that it was all by pure coincidence that our paths crossed.
His group of men were on a mission and wanted to make a rest stop in a small village. Unbeknownst to them, I happened to be living in that very village with my family at the time.
Little did I know that this chance encounter would ultimately lead to the tragedy that unfolded.
As fate would have it, Yi Guo and his men stumbled upon our humble abode, and seeing my wife and daughter's beauty, they couldn't resist."
As Gong Shun spoke, Chen Tian felt a surge of empathy towards him.
The old man had shed a tear as he opened up about a painful memory.
Chen Tian could only imagine the anguish and helplessness Gong Shun must have felt witnessing his family being taken away.
The tragedy that unfolded in that small village would forever haunt the lives of its inhabitants, leaving scars that time could never heal.
"That is why I was planning on how to take revenge against Yi Guo and the men that took away my family from me, but that bastard Yi Guo was a caution man, which is why I had to make myself even more confident that I was loyal to him." Gong Shun continued to explain the elaborate plan he had devised to bring justice to his family.
He had spent countless sleepless nights strategizing and gathering information.
Gong Shun knew that revenge would not bring back his loved ones, but it was the only way he could find solace and closure in this cruel world.
Lucky for him Chen Tian appeared and did what he had always dreamed of doing.
Killing that bastard!!
"I can help you take revenge on the men that were responsible for your family's tragedy," Chen Tian said firmly, his eyes filled with determination.
Gong Shun's heart skipped a beat as he listened to Chen Tian's words.
Finally, he felt a glimmer of hope and a surge of gratitude.
"I-If you can do this, then I will forever be in your debt," Gong Shun stuttered, his voice filled with both desperation and gratitude.
"What I want is a good life for my family," Chen Tian interrupted, his voice filled with determination.
"I don't seek glory or recognition. I only wish to ensure that my family can be safe even if I'm not around," he continued.
"And the best way for me to achieve that is by creating my empire," Chen Tian concluded.
"Empire!" Gong Shun repeated, his eyes widening in awe.
The word resonated deep within him.
"Yes, if I had an empire, and men at the beck of my command I would have the power and resources to protect and provide for my loved ones," Chen Tian said, a newfound determination igniting within him.
The idea of building an empire seemed daunting yet exhilarating, and he couldn't help but imagine the possibilities that lay ahead.
"And if I want to create such things, I will need loyal and trusted allies," Chen Tian continued, his mind already racing with thoughts of how he could build a team that could protect his family.
"I will need individuals who can be trusted to share my vision and work towards our common goals," he mused.
Chen Tian knew that finding such individuals would not be easy, but lucky for him, he found just one such individual in this old man.
Gong Shun was stunned upon hearing Chen Tian's proposal, and he couldn't help but feel skeptical.
Chen Tian's idea was bold and ambitious, but Gong Shun couldn't deny that there was a genuine determination in his eyes.
"Join me!" Chen Tian exclaimed, extending his hand towards Gong Shun.
"I want you to help me build it; if you agree to help me, I will let you have the revenge you always wanted. Even if Yi Guo is now dead-fucked, there were still his men that were there at that time," Chen Tian said earnestly. Gong Shun hesitated for a moment, contemplating the offer.
"I accept!" Gong Shun exclaimed, finally extending his own hand to shake Chen Tian's.
He knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get his revenge.
"Good," Chen Tian smiled, satisfied with Gong Shun's answer.
In all this conversation, Chen Tian was still rubbing the cute head of Yuan Ning, who in turn had fallen asleep on his lap.
"I guess she's had enough excitement for one day," Chen Tian chuckled, gently stroking Yuan Ning's hair.
Gong Shun nodded in agreement.
Chen Tian gently picked up Yuan Ning and asked Gong Shun for a room where they could lay her down to rest.
Gong Shun quickly led them to a nearby room, making sure it was quiet and comfortable for the sleeping girl.
As Chen Tian laid Yuan Ning down on the soft bed, he couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness.
She really looked innocent in this world.
When Chen Tian wanted to leave, Yuan Ning subconsciously reached out and grabbed his hand.
"Mm~"
Chen Tian's heart melted at the innocent and vulnerable gesture.
His heart swelled with warmth, and he couldn't bear to leave her side.
He decided to stay with her until she woke up.
'Well the girls can probably wait for a little longer,' he thought to himself.
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