The Glory After Rebirth [ɇÇ”Ÿä¹‹Å°Šè£] Chapter 22- 24

Chapter 22: Family Came Back

With the dream as disguise and his uncle believing him, Ling Zhang had no qualms and told what happened in his last life clearly.

Defenseless against his Second Uncle, Ling Zhang tried his best to describe specifically to help Ling Family survive.

So he didn’t know how shocked Ling Zhaowen was.

No one’s dream could be so logical and specific that he even remembered every detail clearly, as if he had experienced these things personally!

No wonder his nephew fell into the illusion just now, Ling Zhaowen thought. Put in his nephew’s shoes, he would also have fallen into it.

Were the children from that clan really as powerful as the legend described?

Despite the countless thoughts in Ling Zhaowen’s mind , he didn’t show it on his face. At the same time, he didn’t miss any details that Ling Zhang said.

At the end, Ling Zhaowen’s face was as cold as irons.

“… All members of our Ling Family died of long exposure to the hot sun.” Ling Zhang choked with sobs as he spit out the last words. He still remembered everyone’s painful groans at that time. The mere thought of the memory would make him feel painful and hard to breathe as if the coldest water was poured into his heart.

Maybe the coldness wasn’t from the winter, but from the hell. So many ghosts, who were wrongly put to death, were gazing at Ling Zhang and asking him to revenge for them.

Ling Zhaowen clenched his fists tight as he pictured the tragic scene in his mind.

“How about you?” Ling Zhaowen didn’t forget his nephew.

How about him? Ling Zhaowen drooped his eyelids and said, “They broke my legs, threw me in to a deep hole in mass graves and smashed my head with a stone.”

Ling Zhaowen’s breath was paused for a moment. He had a lot of pent-up anger to release.

“Tanyang at that time was like a hell for Ling Family. Uncle, Ling Family has been on the brink of danger. I will save Ling Family and destroy the threat completely!” Ling Zhang said coldly.

Ling Zhaowen sneered, “Let’s begin with Jia Family.”

“Jia Zhong, the stupid man, dares to covet my position. I must kill him.”

Ling Zhaowen unleashed his scaring vigor and his eyes showed his intention to kill.

“However, Zhang, you shouldn’t tell other people what you just said to me. Understand?” Ling Zhaowen warned Ling Zhang seriously.

Ling Zhang wasn’t stupid to tell others. He was not sure if people would believe what he said. But he could almost foresee what disaster they would face if he told others.

However, Ling Zhang felt his Uncle seemed to be hiding something behind his serious attitude. He wanted to observe that, but Ling Zhaowen had went to sit down behind the desk.

“What about grandfather?” Ling Zhang asked.

Ling Zhaowen paused for a while and said, “It all depends.”

Ling Zhang nodded. It was good, he thought. Grandfather didn’t need to worry about such things.

“Sit down. Don’t stand there,” Ling Zhaowen said. They had stood for a long time because they had just paid attention to the talking.

Ling Zhang sat down and asked, “Uncle, do you have any plan to deal with Jia Zhong?”

“It’s not hard to deal with Jia Zhong. But Zhang Chong has developed strong and wide connections in Tanyang, just like a huge net. We can’t confront them directly.”

Ling Zhang’s eyes lit up. He said, “I know what you mean. I’ve also thought about how to deal with Zhang Chong before. If he is isolated by his partners, it will be easier to beat him. Now the relationship between Jia Family and Zhang Chong has been broken. We should seize the opportunity to destroy Jia Family to make a breach in Zhang Chong’s net. It will help to tear the whole net apart.”

Ling Zhaowen was gratified to smile, “Yes. Killing Jia Yuanling is the important step to ruin their relationship.”

Although Jia Family’s mine wasn’t large, Zhang Chong could use the output offered by Jia family to do many things. So Zhang Chong would never break up with Jia Family completely. He also had to do something for Jia Family if he wanted Jia Family to support him. Obviously, Jia Family would ask Zhang Chong to save Jia Yuanling. And Zhong Chong must agree.

But if Jia Yuanling died, there would be a huge crack in the relationship between Jia Family and Zhang Chong even if they remained friendly superficially.

“And Lu Family. Uncle, we must comb out the spies in our family,” Ling Zhang said.

Ling Zhaowen nodded, saying with a cold face, “It’s time to find out these pests.”

“I have a plan,” Ling Zhang said.

Ling Zhaowen looked at him, gesturing him to elaborate.

“Can we outwit them with their own trick? Let’s cooperate with Lu Family to kill all the bandits. It will be better if we know who they are working for by interrogating.”

Ling Zhaowen thought about it for a while and said, “This plan needs many people to carry on. Only we and Lu Family can’t find too many hands who can fight with bandits.”

This was really a problem. Ling Zhang thought of Tao Yi who had wanted to make friends with him. He asked, “What about the yamen runners?”

Ling Zhaowen’s eyes lit up before he considered it silently for a moment and asked, “Did your dream show how many bandits were there?”

Ling Zhang knew it roughly. After the entire Lu Family were killed, there was a rumor in Tanyang saying that more than 30 bandits appeared at that night.

“It’s about 30 bandits.”

Ling Zhaowen nodded. But he was shocked again in his heart because Ling Zhang gave a specific number to him.

The dream was way too specific and real.

“It’s not hard to mobilize thirty people from prefecture yamen. But the bandits are so cruel and fierce that yamen runners are no match for them. We need to figure out a way to get them all.” Ling Zhaowen said.

Ling Zhang also knew it. If yamen runners were competent enough, the banditry problem wouldn’t be so serious around Tanyang.

“Leave the matter to me. The top priority for us now is to find the spy in our family,” Ling Zhaowen said.

Ling Zhang’s face turned gloomy immediately at the mere thought that a spy, harboring malice against Ling Family, was lurking somewhere to watch them. He agreed, “Yes, uncle.”

“Second master. First young master!”

A servant ran in from outside and wheezed, “Master comes back! Second madam and second young master also come back!”

Ling Zhang suddenly pressed on his chair’s armrests to stand up. Then he shouted, “Where are they now?”

“They have already entered the city,” The servant standing outside replied.

Ling Zhang instantly went out. He couldn’t wait to see his family, his grandfather, aunt and his younger cousin.

Ling Zhaowen also followed him to go out. But before he left, he glanced at Ling Zhang’s chair in confusion. His glance came to a pause at its armrests before turning to Ling Zhang’s legs.

The first thing came to him was that his nephew’s legs were uncomfortable. Because according to his nephew’s action, it seemed that his legs were weak. But then Ling Zhang was walking fast. Though confused, he decided to put his doubt aside.Ling Zhang directly ran to the gate. The carriages hadn’t come over at that time. So he just stood at the gate and craned his neck to look at the road. It seemed that he really wanted to see his grandfather.

Ling Zhaowen was behind him and when seeing that, Ling Zhaowen’s heart began to ache again for his nephew.

He got the feeling that his nephew had been separated from them for a long time, especially when they hugged each other in the study.

Ling Zhang waited patiently for them for a long time. Then he finally saw several familiar coaches turning the corner and coming toward him.

Quickly running down the steps, Ling Zhang stared at the coaches that were approaching slowly.

Right at this point, the heavy curtain of the second coach was suddenly lifted a little and a downy head poked out. It barked excitedly when seeing Ling Zhang.

Ling Zhang exclaimed in surprise, “Ada!”

Hearing his voice, the curtain was lifted wider and another head poked out. This was a boy who was 7 or 8 years old. His face was chubby but he looked pretty and cute. When seeing Ling Zhang, he shouted with bright eyes, “Elder brother!”

“Maomao!” his eyes turned red. He couldn’t wait for the coach to stop in front of the gate and ran to them immediately. His heart raced excitedly. Standing in front of the coach, he stretched out his hands.

The boy was so happy and went out of the coach to throw himself into Ling Zhang’s arms!

Ling Zhang held his cousin steadily and hugged him tightly.

“Be careful!” A woman’s voice, gentle and familiar, came from the coach with the tone of a little blame.

Ling Zhang just embraced the kid in his arms firmly.

This was his lively and alive younger cousin.

“Elder brother, I miss you so much.” The boy put his arms around Ling Zhang’s neck, buried his head in Ling Zhang’s neck and nuzzled. Then he raised his head to look at Ling Zhang, “I bring you many gifts that were all chosen by me. You must like them!”

“Bark, bark.” A yellow and white dog jumped off the coach. Its four limbs looked quite strong. The dog closed to Ling Zhang, walked around him and rubbed against him. The dog also put its two forelegs on Ling Zhang’s waist from time to time, as if it also wanted him to hug it.

Ling Zhang hugged his cousin for a long time before letting him go. He couldn’t help kissing on his cousin’s cheek and said with red-rimmed eyes, “I miss you, too.”

The kid who was kissed giggled happily. Then he lowered his head and said to the big dog that tried hard to climb onto Ling Zhang, “Ada, don’t try to rob my elder brother.”

As if understanding the words, it barked in a low voice unhappily and stopped putting its forelegs on Ling Zhang’s waist. But the dog still walked around Ling Zhang and wagged its tail.

Ling Zhang freed one of his hands to pat the big dog’s head and touched its fur from head to back. The big dog became quiet and stopped to let him stroke its fur.

Meanwhile, the first coach was almost close to the gate. Ling Zhang held his cousin to walk forward. “Maomao, let’s go to greet grandfather and your mother.”

Hearing Ling Zhang’s words, Ling Maomao looked forward and instantly saw Ling Zhaowen who was staring at him. Ling Maomao quickly embraced Ling Zhang’s neck firmly and said to him anxiously, “Elder brother, I didn’t do anything wrong recently, right? But my father looks so fierce.”

Ling Zhang didn’t stop walking and hugged his cousin more tightly while comforting, “It’s all right. Uncle just wants you to embrace him.”

Ling Maomao didn’t believe his words at all. He said in a low voice, “I won’t hug him. He will scold me for being unmanly.”

Chapter 23: Gone Too Far

Those words instantly brought back a lot of old memories to Ling Zhang’s mind; he remembered the usual way in which his uncle had reprimanded his cousin. Those memories were like currents of warm air, enveloping his frozen heart, thawing it. He couldn’t help holding his cousin tightly in his arms. The first carriage finally came to a halt. Ling Zhang released his cousin and stood before the carriage with reverence as he waited for the passenger inside to step out.

The expectant look on his oldest grandson’s eyes was the first thing Ling Xingzhong saw when he parted the carriage’s curtain to step out. Whenever he thought of the message that had been brought to him by a messenger on a horse, he felt glad at Ling Zhang’s ability to handle the situation so well; at the same time, he was also filled with rage at those who had tried to harm Ling Zhang.

Ling Zhang couldn’t help but feel a sting in his eyes as he stared at the old man on the carriage. “Greetings, grandfather,” Ling Zhang said.

Ling Zhang stepped forward and took his grandfather’s hand in his. While helping his grandfather out of the carriage, Ling Zhang did everything he could to calm his tumultuous emotions. “Did you have a smooth journey, grandfather?” Ling Zhang said in a steady tone. “You must be tired after such a long journey.”

Ling Xingzhong placed his other hand on top of his grandson’s, looked at Ling Zhang and said, “They journey is fine. Quite a smooth one, I’d say. I’ll have you know that I’m still pretty spry at my age. So, no, I’m not tired at all.”

“I already heard about what happened. I received a message on the way back,” Ling Xingzhong continued. “You’ve suffered. But you’ve done very well in handling things. I’m glad you’ve grown up.”

Ling Zhang didn’t expect the news to reach his grandfather’s ears so quickly. “I’m fine now,” Ling Zhang said. “Jia Yuanling tried to set me up. But he’s locked up in jail right now.”

Ling Xingzhong nodded. “You must tell me every single detail about what happened once we get home.”

Ling Zhang nodded as a reply and then turned his attention to the lady who was now getting off the second carriage. The lady was dressed modestly; every single one of her movements carried grace and propriety. Then, there was also her eyes which were filled with warmth.

“Aunt,” Ling Zhang greeted.

Fu Caiwei had stepped out of the carriage just now with the help of Ling Zhaowen. She walked over and stopped in front of Ling Zhang, looking him over with caring eyes.

“How is it going? You’re not hurt, right?”

Ling Zhang shook his head. “I’m alright, aunt. They’re the ones who’re in trouble.”

After a brief pause, Ling Zhang continued, “How did you know about it so soon?”

“We received a note from a messenger your uncle had dispatched before we even entered the city,” Fu Caiwei said. “After that we came back as quickly as we could.” Fu Caiwei heaved a sigh of relief the moment she was certain that Ling Zhang was really unharmed. However, a sharp look formed in her eyes as she pulled a long face. “Jia family has really gone over the line this time. Did they really think that they can bully us, the Ling family, so easily?”

“Please do not get angry, aunt,” Ling Zhang said. “We will get justice eventually.”

“Alright now,” Ling Zhaowen said. “Let’s not stand around at the door, shall we? Head inside and rest. I’ll tell you everything once we’re all inside.”

Ling Zhang picked up his cousin and followed his family back into the house. Ah Da, their pet dog, trotted along with its tail wagging.

The moment he crossed the threshold of his home, Ling Zhang turned his head around and glanced outside.

His entire family was here now. This time, he would never allow history to repeat itself; he would never allow Ling family to fall, ever.

*

“What did you say!” A loud, and furious roar sounded.

“Second Ma- Master, a disaster has befallen the family. The first master and madam are both in a coma. The young master is currently detained in the prefectural penitentiary for adultery and frame-up charges. He’s been exiled for twenty years.” The servant who answered was now kneeling on the floor, feeling like he was walking on pins and needles. Cold sweat kept seeping out on the servant’s forehead.

“What the heck happened! Who! Who dares to declare Yuanling guilty! Isn’t Tao Feng supposed to be a guest of our family today?!” Jia Zhong’s eyes were filled with wrath when he glared at the servant kneeling beneath him. In fact, he was on the verge of losing his temper and kick the servant.

Trembling in fear, the servant recounted everything that had happened. “…Commander Zhang has severed all relations with young master. Right now, Commander Zhang is no longer the young master’s godfather. Madam is also in a coma. We really don’t have the strength to stand up against Tao Feng and Ling family, Master.”

Bang!

The table beside Jia Zhong toppled over because of Jia Zhong’s kick. And the entire tea set shattered into pieces on the floor, creating a mess.

“Ling Zhang! Ling Zhaowen! How dare you offend Jia family! I’ll kill every last one of you!

Chapter 24: Ling Family Is Indomitable

Jia Yin woke up trembling. But later when being informed that his son was sentenced to exile and Zhang Chong also cut off the relationship with his son, he got so angry that he nearly fainted again. His son dared to tease his favorite beauty! It was such a slap on his face!

If Jia Yuanling wasn’t sentenced, Jia Yin would beat the crap out of him!

However, as soon as he was informed that Jia Yuanling would be sentenced to twenty years in exile, Jia Yin felt his heart was scooped out alive, angry and aching.

“Master, that dancer is…awake.” The steward of Jia Family said carefully while wiping the sweat.

Jia Yin’s eyes became cold as he snapped, “Kill that bitch!”

“I have locked her in the store room. Later, I will give her a bowel of poison and let her die in agony.” The steward said cruelly.

“Scratch her face and cut off her hands before she dies!”

Jia Yin struggled to sit up and then leaned heavily on the bed head with a dark face. He looked at the steward, malevolence in his eyes, “Just let her know what is living death!”

“Yes, I will do as you told, my master.” The steward replied him immediately.

“Where is my wife?”

“She just had the herbal concoction the doctor prescribed. And the doctor said she would wake up at dusk.”

Jia Yin didn’t care about his wife at all. On the contrary, he even detested her, “Ling’er was spoiled by this useless woman.”

The steward dared not to answer his words.

“Where is the Second Master? Do you call him back?”

“I have sent someone to pick up the Second Master. It estimates that he will be back by midnight.”

“How about the Mine field. Is it affected?”

“It’s fine and everything goes well. Yamen didn’t take any action to the Mine field.” Looking at Jia Yin, the steward continued, “Commander Zhang didn’t come out after returning to the Prefecture Encampment.”

Jia Yin’s face became darker when Zhang Chong was mentioned. Then he said angrily, “We gave him so much money and treasure, even selling him all the production of Mine field secretly. What’s more, I asked my son to regard him as godfather, why didn’t he save Ling’er?!”

“This……at that time, due to the public outcry, Commander Zhang was also framed to defy the law and revolt by that bastard of Ling Family. Tongpan even began to doubt Commander Zhang. Moreover, young master……admitted his guilt himself.”

Jia Yin tossed the teacup away on the table beside the bed suddenly, smashing it into pieces. Jia Yin fumed, “Useless crap!”

“How about Ling Family?”

“They went back. I heard Ling Xingzhong came back.”

“Just in time, they dared to bully our family. Then they should take the consequences!”

“Master,” the steward said carefully, “I think the priority now is to sound about Commander Zhang’s intention. We can’t lose Commander Zhang’s support.”

Jia Yin kept silent for a while with anger suppressed in his heart. Then he said, “Let the Second Master meet me the moment he comes back.”

“Yes, Master,” the steward replied.

……

As Ling Zhang recounted the whole thing, silence and anger reigned the hall of Ling Family.

Frightened by the depressing atmosphere, Ling Maomao curled himself in Ling Zhang’s arms.

“Bang!” Ling Xingzhong thumped so hard on the table that it caused the cups on the table to vibrate. He was so infuriated, “How dare such a vulgar, filthy thing plant a scheme against Ling Family?”

“Father, now the top priority is to take preventive measures, in case Zhang Chong launches any dirty attacks,” Ling Zhaowen said.

“Our Ling Family is indomitable. We have no guilty either to the king or the ancestry. Will we be afraid of that boor?” Ling Xingzhong thundered.

Ling Zhaowen was rendered a bit speechless. He thought his father had such a bad temper and was not tactful enough compared with his nephew. In the past his nephew was also quick-tempered just like his father. And there was a time when he always worried that his nephew would be bullied for his gaucheness. Fortunately, his nephew had changed, albeit in a painful way.

Ling Zhang didn’t notice Ling Zhaowen’s emotion. He knew his grandfather well. What he thought now was that since his grandfather had come back, should he mention about the thing of breaking off the engagement now?