Chapter 370: Ants Against a Giant

In Yang Pojun's office, the door was closed from the outside, leaving only Yang Gongming, Yang Pojun, Ning Guangyao, and the elderly woman who always accompanied Yang Gongming. Even Ning Guodong, Ning Guangyao's own son, wasn't permitted to join this conversation.

Yang Gongming sat in Yang Pojun's usual chair, while Yang Pojun and Ning Guangyao sat on wooden chairs on either side. After a moment of contemplation, Yang Gongming spoke, "Premier Ning, today is a family matter of the Yang family. Normally, you shouldn't be involved, but since you've already heard parts of it and given that the Ning family and the Yang family have been friends for generations, I will explain the situation to you."

"Father," Yang Pojun frowned. He hadn't expected Yang Gongming to divulge everything, especially to the current Premier of Huaxia.

Ning Guangyao noticed Yang Pojun's tension and said, "Elder Yang, I wouldn't press for details if you didn't want to share them. But since you wish to explain, I assure you that whatever I hear today will not be disclosed."

"Hehe, I trust you, Premier," Yang Gongming chuckled lightly, then proceeded to recount the events surrounding Yang Chen's past.

After hearing the story, Ning Guangyao looked deeply moved. "In those days, if it weren't for Elder Yang's rise to power, the political scene in Huaxia would have been chaotic. While the public may not fully understand Elder Yang's contributions, we who were guided by you are very aware. That's why, even after my father passed and I succeeded as head of the Ning family, I continued to respect you as a mentor. I had no idea there was such a poignant story behind your rise. Fortunately, Yang Chen has grown into an outstanding young man, which can be seen as a small consolation."

"Arrogant and conceited, what's so outstanding about him?!" Yang Pojun muttered in disapproval.

"Enough, Pojun!" Yang Gongming's face hardened. "You should refrain from provoking Yang Chen. Do you not understand what kind of person he is?"

Yang Pojun gritted his teeth and nodded. Despite his intense resentment, he realized that his son, who had been lost for over twenty years, had indeed grown into someone extraordinary, someone who could even deflect bullets.

Yet, no matter how exceptional Yang Chen was, if he opposed Yang Pojun, he would never see it as commendable.

Yang Pojun was now more concerned about whether today's events would be exposed and affect his upcoming election in two months, ruining all his efforts.

Seeing Yang Pojun's anxiety, Ning Guangyao said, "Pojun, I will support you in the election two months from now."

"Hmm?" Yang Pojun was stunned. He hadn't expected Ning Guangyao to offer such support. Ning Guangyao was known for his incorruptibility and never used his influence to help anyone.

Ning Guangyao continued, "Yang Chen's situation shouldn't hinder your political career. Your efforts over the years are evident to everyone and shouldn't be undermined by this."

Yang Pojun felt a surge of relief. With Ning Guangyao's backing, his chances were much higher. However, even if he ascended to a national leadership position, it would be with Ning Guangyao's push, potentially subjecting him to criticism.

Am I still inferior to him?

Ning Guangyao, with little time to spare, glanced at his watch and stood up to leave. Before departing, he hesitated, then softly said to Yang Pojun, "Pojun, find time to reconcile with Xuehua. She's a pitiful woman; don't let her remain heartbroken."

Yang Pojun lowered his head, giving a noncommittal response. No one could see the strange glimmer in his eyes.

After seeing Ning Guangyao off, Yang Gongming turned to Yang Pojun and said, "You, come with me."

Yang Pojun followed Yang Gongming to a private study within the office complex, where the air felt more intimate yet tense. Yang Gongming sat down and looked at his son with a grave expression.

"Pojun, do you understand the severity of what happened today?"

Yang Pojun nodded slowly. "Yes, Father."

"Then you must also understand that Yang Chen is no ordinary person. His abilities are beyond our comprehension. We cannot afford to treat him as we would anyone else."

Yang Pojun clenched his fists, struggling with his pride and resentment. "Father, he's still my son, and he should respect the family and its traditions."

Yang Gongming shook his head. "Respect is earned, not demanded. You need to think carefully about how you approach this from now on. Our family's future could depend on it."

Yang Pojun remained silent, absorbing his father's words, realizing the precarious position they were in.

Meanwhile, Yang Chen and Guo Xuehua continued their walk away from the military camp, the weight of recent events hanging heavily over them, but a new bond slowly beginning to form between mother and son.

Yang Pojun had many questions on his mind about why his plans were disrupted, why Yang Chen was being favored, and most importantly, what Yang Chen's background was. His father seemed to know much but kept it secret, hinting at hidden truths and the "military secrets" mentioned by Lin Zhiguo.

Following Yang Gongming to the back of the military compound near the foothills, Yang Gongming entered a residence reserved for him. He took out a thick book from a mahogany cabinet, made of fine silk and sheepskin. The book, though ancient, was well-preserved with no signs of damage.

When Yang Pojun saw the large book, his eyes widened in surprise. "The family genealogy?!"

"Yes, this is our Yang family genealogy," Yang Gongming placed the "Yang Family Genealogy" on the stone table in the courtyard, carefully opening it. On the yellowed silk pages were neatly written names of the Yang family ancestors, their birth and death years, and brief life annotations, all in beautiful calligraphy.

From imperial relatives to merchants, the records varied widely.

As he flipped through the pages, Yang Gongming explained, "Our Yang family has maintained this genealogy since the Tang and Song dynasties. Though it has been damaged several times, it was always meticulously restored, preserving most of the details. Our ancestors, despite occasional downfalls, were predominantly elites of their times. The Yang family has played significant roles in nearly every era over hundreds of years.

"Your grandfather, while educating me, said, 'Regardless of their situation, the Yang family members must uphold the family's honor and act accordingly.' I taught you the same when you were young. During your grandfather's time, the Yang family suffered heavily from foreign aggression, losing much of our legacy. Most of our foundation was destroyed.

"But your grandfather, driven by the Yang family's pride and a resolve to uphold our honor, regained great prestige during the resistance against foreign invaders. Thanks to him, our family had the capital to revive. I never considered my achievements remarkable. Compared to my father, your grandfather, I am merely someone who leveraged the family's honor to achieve my position."

Yang Gongming looked at Yang Pojun with a deep, meaningful gaze and said, "Pojun, regardless of the challenges and the outcomes you face, they don't define you. Remember, you are a descendant of the Yang family. Your duty is to uphold our family's honor and act in accordance with our identity. Whether you attain high positions or lead a modest life, never lose your core values. Only then will our names be inscribed in this genealogy, remembered for generations."

Yang Pojun looked at the genealogy on the stone table, filled with the illustrious names of their ancestors. His eyes burned with renewed determination and vigor. "Father, I understand. I will not disgrace our family's honor."

Yang Gongming furrowed his brows, noticing the fervent expression on his son's face, and asked again, "Do you truly understand what the honor of our family means?"

"Yes, I understand," Yang Pojun replied.

With a sigh, Yang Gongming smiled faintly, "If you understand, then go on with your duties. Consider this old man's ramblings as just that, wasting your time."

"Thank you for your guidance, Father!" Yang Pojun bowed and left with determined strides.

Yang Gongming's slightly withered hand gently stroked the golden silk-embroidered characters of "Yang Family Genealogy," and he murmured as if to himself, "Do you really understand?"

The elderly woman, who had been standing silently behind Yang Gongming, offered comfort, "Master, you cannot force everything. Everyone has their own aspirations."

"Hehe, yes, everyone has their own aspirations," Yang Gongming chuckled. Then, as if recalling something, he asked, "San Niang, what do you think of Yang Chen's abilities?"

Seeing Yang Gongming's expectant expression, the elderly woman known as San Niang smiled and replied, "Are you referring to Young Master Chen's martial arts?"

"Indeed, from what I saw earlier, his internal strength must be very advanced," Yang Gongming smiled. "The information from Lin Zhiguo seems to be accurate."

"It is indeed accurate," San Niang's wrinkled face softened with a warm smile. "For Young Master Chen to achieve such profound internal strength at his age, it is astonishing. Such talent surpasses even that of Song Tianxing from back in the day. I estimate that Young Master Chen is already destined to take that crucial step; it's just a matter of when he will reach that threshold on his own."

Yang Gongming's expression turned serious before he broke into a joyful smile. "Really? That boy Yang Chen can reach that threshold?"

"Young Master Chen is practicing the Shu Mountain's supreme art, the 'Wang Nian Yansheng Sutra.' He should have already discovered that the internal strength of the ninth level feels abruptly halted. As his understanding of internal strength deepens, he will uncover a whole new realm," San Niang said with certainty.

"Hahaha," Yang Gongming laughed heartily. "When that time comes, the boy will be greatly humbled."

"Humbled? Why do you say that, Master?" San Niang asked.

Yang Gongming sighed. "He probably believes that achieving the 'Hades' legacy overseas has placed him at the pinnacle of the world. Little does he know that he has always been like an ant in the eyes of others."

"I see," San Niang nodded, her eyes narrowing into slits with her smile as she hunched over slightly.