No One Else Has the Right to Possess It

In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.

Ian Song's reputation had already spread throughout the Great Qin Empire. Countless people were shocked, skeptical, and found the rumors unbelievable. Some doubted, some scoffed, thinking it was just an exaggeration—how could anyone defeat six thousand men alone?

But quite a few elderly people, upon hearing Ian Song’s name, immediately sent people to Sunvale to investigate.

At the same time, the Great Qin Empire—which had been calm for years—began to stir with hidden currents.

During these ten days, Emperor Aiden Qin drank himself into a stupor every day. In the past, he was debauched but still managed state affairs; now, he was gripped by fear. The image of Ian Song single-handedly crushing six thousand men left too deep an impression. He constantly worried that Ian might one day break into the palace and take his head.

Only when he was drunk could he escape the fear and terror.

Song Family Clinic.

Ian Song lounged on a deck chair in the rear courtyard, sunning himself. These days, his fame had soared, but no one came to seek treatment anymore.

He knew that after everything that had happened, no one dared come for treatment. So he simply dismissed his two medicine-boy apprentices, gifting each two hundred taels of silver before sending them away.

*Knock knock knock.*

There was a knock at the door.

"Excuse me, is Mr. Song at home?"

The voice sounded a little nervous.

Hearing this, Ian Song casually waved his hand, and the two main doors of the clinic swung open with a boom.

"Miss, please come in."

The visitor was Consort Jade, though today she wore no white veil.

"You two wait outside."

Consort Jade said this to the two young eunuchs behind her, then carefully made her way into the clinic and toward the rear courtyard.

"Lena Yu greets Mr. Song."

"Such an honored guest as Consort Jade, I’ve failed to welcome you properly. Please, have a seat." Ian Song remained lying on the lounge chair, not moving, his tone extremely casual.

"In front of you, sir, I dare not take a seat,"

Consort Jade spoke softly. As she did, she couldn't help but steal glances at Ian Song, who was lounging on the chair. He looked no more than forty, not at all like someone in his seventies or eighties. Could he really be the legendary Grand General of the Qi Kingdom from over sixty years ago?

"Well, do as you please,"

Ian Song rolled over and sat up from his lounge chair. He looked at the stunningly beautiful Consort Jade and asked, "Did you come here today to plead on behalf of Emperor Aiden Qin?"

"Sir, you truly see through everything,"

Consort Jade nodded, her expression tinged with sorrow. "His Majesty has been drunk every day lately. I know he's afraid you will take revenge on him. So, I beg you, sir, please let him off this once. Don't hold it against him, all right?"

"He's the emperor—he owns the whole world. Yet he's afraid of my revenge?" Ian Song's lips curled into a playful smile.

To be honest, Ian didn't care who sat on the throne in this world. The only reason he stirred up such a huge commotion was to draw out people like Lily, Autumn, Lila Quinn, Princess Jade Fox, Lyra Hale, and even Vivian Gee. Put simply, he was just using Emperor Aiden Qin to create momentum.

"Of course he's afraid. Sir, you were the Qi Kingdom's peerless Grand General. You invented strong liquor, glass, gunpowder, printing, and paper. In just a few short years, you built an incredibly powerful Qi Kingdom. At the Burial Ground, you utterly defeated the Yan–Zhao coalition. Later, you annexed both Yan and Zhao, and even crushed the Qin Kingdom, forcing them to retreat to Danwan and barely cling to survival!"

The more Consort Jade spoke, the brighter her eyes grew. By the end, she was looking at Ian Song with pure admiration.

Ian Song raised his hand, interrupting her. With a touch of nostalgia, he said, "I never thought, after more than sixty years, someone would still remember those old stories."

Consort Jade continued, "Sir, you may not know this, but when I was a child, I loved listening to stories. My father often told me tales about you. In my eyes, you are the greatest hero in the world. I even wished I had been born decades earlier, just to witness your unmatched glory for myself."

Ian Song chuckled, "You really know how to flatter people, don't you? Fine, I'll do you this favor. Go back and tell Emperor Aiden Qin that as long as he doesn't provoke me again, I won't bother with him anymore."

"Thank you, sir. I am truly grateful." Consort Jade bowed deeply to Ian Song again. "But, sir, I've heard your painting skills are extraordinary. May I make a small request?"

"Go ahead,"

"I would like to ask you to paint my portrait, sir,"

Hearing this, Ian Song couldn't help but recall the times he'd painted three-dimensional portraits for Lily, Autumn, Lyra Hale, Princess Jade Fox, and Lila Quinn. A sweet smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

After a moment, he realized Consort Jade was looking at him expectantly. Curious, he asked, "How did you know about my painting skills?"

"Sir, you may not know, but my father owns one of your paintings. He was the one who told me about your skill with brush and ink."

"Who is your father?"