Death… and me

"I thought that he regretted what he had done, but it was only after that I realised I had been mistaken." Tie Bu Tian said in a low voice, "At that time, I questioned myself. If he was indeed the one who killed both my mother and my sisters, why would he cry? Does he regret his actions? Is he miserable? He deserves to be miserable after everything that he has done!"

"Even now, I still resent him! However, after a number of years, I began to understand his position and found it harder to hate him." Tie Bu Tian continued as he clasped his hands behind his back. Tears ran down his cheeks and his eyes revealed his emotions he felt, along with deep conflict that was waging within him.

"It wasn't until these past few years that I finally realised that my father's heart was filled with agony. Being a father, he had to bear different sufferings and as a man, he had his responsibilities. However, most of all, as an emperor the burdens that he had to shoulder were exceedingly heavy."

Tie Bu Tian took a deep breath and said, "As for me… I was constantly under Second Uncle's pressure to learn everything. There were countless times that I had to learn so much that I just broke down and cried. I continued to cry until Second Uncle picked up the whip and whip me to my senses… This was a vicious cycle and it continued relentlessly. However, as the days went by, not only had I learned philosophy but also tactics, martial arts, ruling strategies all of which fortifying my mental strength. Second Uncle carved those words my father said to me on the table and hung them on my bedroom walls as well as the places which I frequented. I was forced to recite those words as a mantra before every meal…"

"Second Uncle fought valiantly in the battlefields and planned countless strategies; he was the determining factor of each battle. At the same time, he controlled and ruled over the entire nation. At that time, he was always so fatigued from all the burdens and responsibilities which he had taken on that he could barely open his eyes. Moreover, he did not even have time to talk to me. However, he always found time to talk to my teachers about what I had learnt and afterwards give me a thorough beating, as if he would never be satisfied with me…"

"As a result, I never dared to skive any longer because of his constant punishments…" There was a gulping sound which came from Tie Bu Tian's throat as though he had swallowed something. He then continued, "I hated Father. But I hated Second Uncle even more… However, there was one day that I saw Second Uncle use the Dark Flower Juice to dye his hair. He was only thirty-two years of age at that point in time and was renowned for his courage and good looks in Iron Cloud. However, ever since Father had become stricken with illness, his hair began to turn white until there seemed to be more white than black. This resulted in Second Uncle dying his hair frequently to conceal this fact."

"At that point in time, I looked down on Second Uncle. What sort of man worried about his looks and dyed his hair? Only later was it then that I realised. It was because Father was ill and I was too young that Second Uncle had to bare the weight of ruling many roles to rule over Iron Cloud Nation. His health was one of Iron Cloud Nation's greatest hope at that time. If people had realised that his head was full of white hair, it would have come as a shock to everyone, especially people within the military!

"Each day, Second Uncle was either fighting on the battlefield or training soldiers. He looked powerful and extremely ferocious. All he needed to do was yell and the hearts of hundreds of soldiers would tremble. However, when he reached home, every night, he could barely even lift his legs. He had trouble speaking and his hands were shaking as he ate. Moreover, he was a Revered Martial Artist! But each day he was constantly being drained, almost to the point of collapse."

"After understanding Father's and Second Uncle's suffering, I began to focus all my efforts on my education and learnt as much as I could. Each time he came home from a skirmish against Diwu Qing Rou, he would go over them with me a few dozen times! It was about three years ago that I finally began to grasp everything and then began my life as a true prince. That was when I had discovered that all of the decisions that were made by Second Uncle were done in my name. All of the Iron Cloud Nation and perhaps even the entire world believed that there was a heaven-born ruler in Iron Cloud! Iron Cloud Nation was now filled with hope!"

"However, none of them knew how such a ruler had come into existence. How could there be such a thing as a heaven-born ruler? People are ignorant of what kind of resolve and training goes into forging and making such an individual. That a path as such is filled with cruelty!" Tie Bu Tian's voice was cynical and sorrowful.

"When I first took control, nothing was done well. Fortunately, there was Second Uncle who stood by me every single day when the royal court convened. Anyone who had dared disrespect or questioned my authority would have been thrown out and beheaded. Second Uncle ruled with an iron fist, worse than perhaps even some tyrants. However, it was because of his help that I had a firm grip on Iron Cloud and soon after, Second Uncle no longer got involved in the affairs of the royal courts."

"I heard that he had continued watching over me for three months before he went home and said to Second Aunt, "I am relieved." Soon after, Second Uncle slept for three full days straight, giving everyone at home a big fright."

Tie Bu Tian sighed and continued, "The military and politics of Iron Cloud were finally back on the right track. It was then that I founded the Bu Tian Pavilion to gather heroes. I have always hoped to find someone to share this burden which I bear."

"For the stability of Iron Cloud and the livelihood of six hundred million people, the pain that we have paid is unimaginable!"

"I am too tired! Second Uncle is too tired!" Tie Bu Tian said lightly. His tone was really casual, but Chu Yang could hear the fatigue hidden in it.

"Second Uncle recommended you to me." Tie Bu Tian still did not turn around but his voice was firm, "I trust in my uncle's judgments, so I will trust you! If you require Bu Tian Pavilion, I will comply. However, I will only grant you the position of Adjunct Minister. I cannot directly give you a higher position than this. I am sure you understand."

"It is only when you have earned the respect of everyone that I can give you complete access to the Bu Tian Pavilion. If there is mistrust, there we will no longer work together. However, since we are working together, I will trust you!" Tie Bu Tian finished and walked out without turning back. He glided across the water like a cloud in the wind, touching the surface of the water a few times creating little ripples before disappearing.

He did not turn around because he did not want Chu Yang to see the tears that covered his face…

…

Chu Yang sat down slowly and remained silent for a long time, taking in what Tie Bu Tian had said. The experience he had shared was sincere and from his heart.

Chu Yang believed that Tie Bu Tian's motive in telling him about these things was to win his loyalty so much so that he would be willing to lay down his life for Tie Bu Tian! However, Chu Yang was someone who had more than a lifetime of experience. In his previous life, Chu Yang had unintentionally learnt the Deep Spirit Principle when he was in Upper Three Heavens. This was the perfect time to use it and evaluate everything that Tie Bu Tian had said.

The Deep Spirit Principle was a strange technique. Although it did not have any power, it could detect all forms of trickery or falsehood! This technique was part of a legacy from the Heavenly Three Star Clan. It ensured that the person with this technique would not be able to be deceived by anyone.

However, after employing the Deep Spirit Principle, Chu Yang discovered that everything Tie Bu Tian had said was true!

However, there were many things gaps in explanation and things that could not be explained which was strange. Anyone would have seen have seen these gaps in what Tie Bu Tian had said but his words were still completely true!

For example, why did the emperor of Iron Cloud kill his wife after he sustained such a serious injury? Why had he killed his six daughters and their families? Why did he order a blood purge throughout the royal court?

All these things had no clear explanations! But they were the truth!

Chu Yang also had no idea what had happened even after reviewing the events which had occurred throughout his previous life. In any case, Tie Bu Tian died too early in his previous life, before Chu Yang had a chance to help.

The entire situation was covered in mystery! Chu Yang felt that there was a hidden secret which would be able to explain everything perfectly but he did not know what it was.

Chu Yang sat there and thought about it for a long time but was unable to gain any new insight. Hence, in the end, he gave up on it.

The royal family is really far too complicated. If I want to figure out the mind and thoughts of an emperor, it is no doubt even more difficult. Well, I tried guessing but there really don't seem to be any clues. I guess there's nothing much I can do.

Chu Yang only needed to know that Tie Bu Tian met his conditions for collaboration.

During that process, Tie Bu Tian did not even bother to haggle. Of course, this was because Tie Bu Tian was an open-minded person. In addition, Chu Yang was useful to Tie Bu Tian and that certainly helped him to be magnanimous and accede to his demands. Other than that, Tie Bu Tian had the mind to take a gamble on this collaboration.

However, there was a very important factor that Chu Yang understood fully well. It was Icy Heart Jade Bone Saintly Technique. This type of technique and Deep Spirit Principle were slightly different but had similar results. Even though Icy Heart Jade Bone Saintly Technique was not capable of discovering lies, it helped see through people's hearts. This gave Tie Bu Tian an incredible intuition!