As Wang Zhi Yi gathered himself up, he decided to stroll around the streets of Zhou Yü City, but this time with the people awake. As he walked down each stall, he noticed, even though from afar Zhou Yü City looked like they were suffering a lot, but from up close, it looks like there wasn't a worry in their thoughts !
Children were running up and down, cheering and screaming while playing. Adults were chatting with one another, laughing and eating. Everyone looked like they were comfortable, they looked even more relax than the other cities ! Soon enough, Wang Zhi Yi too had started to adjust towards the lifestyle of Zhou Yü City.
As months past, Wang Zhi Yi had helped Zhou Yü City with various conflicts, he also had took the responsibility to support Zhou Yü City in terms of food, accommodation, funds and more. Zhou Yü City started to feel like a second home towards Wang Zhi Yi.
On one fruitful day, while Wang Zhi Yi was taking his usual stroll along the streets of Zhou Yü City, he was suddenly stopped along the road by a young gentlemen, who seem to be the same age as him.
"I suppose you're Lord Wang Zhi Yi, the God of Harmony and Peace ?" asked the young gentlemen.
"Yes, yes I am. And who might you be?" said Wang Zhi Yi.
"My name is Li Zhou Yü (李周瑜), the same as Zhou Yü City. My grandfather was the previous leader of this town, and my father had named me after it, as honour to my grandfather. Shall we have a small talk." As he cleared his throat and pulled out his arm offering a handshake.
"Sure..." Wang Zhi Yi replied, as he held Zhou Yü's hand tightly, giving a firm handshake. Wang Zhi Yi then followed Zhou Yü to his residence, not to his surprise, despite being the grandchild of the previous leader, his residence was no different than a commoner in Zhou Yü City.
"How should I put this together..." said Zhou Yü, as he scratched his head. He thought for a while before continuing, "Currently, Zhou Yü City does not have a leader. My grandfather was the last leader, as my father did not think that he was righteous enough to be the next leader, after what my grandfather had done." As he shifted his whole body towards Wang Zhi Yi, before getting on his knees and bowed before him.
"Lord Wang Zhi Yi, God of Harmony and Peace. Please accept my proposal of being in charge of Zhou Yü City. I, myself, do not think that I am ready to become a leader, though I have lived my entire life in here, I simply do not believe I can handle such duties." Zhou Yü proposed.
Wang Zhi Yi astonished by this, he didn't know how to respond ! Before answering anything, he pleaded Zhou Yü, "Zhou Yü, please get up at once, there is no need to get on your knees !" Wang Zhi Yi tried to pull Zhou Yü up with all his might, but to his dismay, no matter how hard he pleaded and pulled, Zhou Yü had refused.
"Please, Lord Wang Zhi Yi ! I beg you, for months I have been observing you, you're exactly the leader we need. You always know to calm down any conflicts, and you're currently supporting all of our needs ! You're basically in charge. I, Li Zhou Yü, will not get up, until you agree to this proposal !" Zhou Yü stubbornly said.
Wang Zhi Yi sighed deeply, he thought to himself, 'Why bother proposing something, if you don't even give me a choice...' In the end, Wang Zhi Yi reluctantly agreed to the proposal, but without another agreement...
"Well then, I'll accept this proposal." Wang Zhi Yi said. As Zhou Yü's eyes lit up like a lantern in the middle of the dark night ! "But, under one condition..." Wang Zhi Yi mysteriously said, Zhou Yü tilt his head, wondering what could it be.
"You have to be my advisor, as you've known the city for practically your whole life. I can't be a good leader without the experience of knowing the people of the city." Wang Zhi Yi sternly said.
"You've got yourself a deal !" Zhou Yü shouted as he sprung up like a little rabbit, jumping up and down like a lunatic. He then grabbed Wang Zhi Yi's hands, and held them together, "Thank you so much, Lord Wang Zhi Yi ! I'm very grateful for you !" Zhou Yü exclaimed, unable to hide his happiness. Lord Wang Zhi Yi couldn't help but turn red, he felt embarrassed, how could someone be this happy over a small matter. But once again, this was in the Fan Ren Shi Jie, for a god, this was as important as a small fly, but to humans, this role could impact their whole lives...
On the coronation day of Wang Zhi Yi becoming the leader of Zhou Yü City, he was surprised with a majestical residence, that was carved with high grade wood, and covered with gold lining, it seems to cost more that the whole city combined ! Wang Zhi Yi felt guilty, how could he accept such a noble gift ! But before he could say anything, Zhou Yü closed his mouth with his warm palms.
"Lord Wang Zhi Yi, please accept this gift, it is an offering of gratitude for becoming our leader. You've brought spark to our city after many centuries." Zhou Yü said, ending with a smile that brought warmth to Wang Zhi Yi.
Wang Zhi Yi reluctantly nodded, Zhou Yü felt even happier by the acceptance of Wang Zhi Yi...
~ B A C K T O T H E P R E S E N T ~
Lord Wang Zhi Yi was telling the story with a wide smile on his face, unable to control his feelings of warmth.
"Well, if it's not personal. Could I ask what happened to Mr. Zhou Yü ? Perhaps is he still alive or... has he gone ?" Yi Rong asked with nervousness, he was definitely interested in the story. Chi Meng immediately turned his head towards Yi Rong, he looked like he was about to smack Yi Rong ! But Lord Wang Zhi Yi broke the tension...
"Oh, it's been a while since we've talk... about a few decades after I had become Zhou Yü City's leader, Zhou Yü had started to become adventures and started to travel around a lot, at first it was only cities, but soon, he moved on to countries. Since Zhou Yü City started to have lesser problems, we had lesser worries to figure out. Since then, he rarely visited Zhou Yü City. However, one sunny day, without a worry in a thought, one of my men had reported to me, that Zhou Yü had passed... due to old age. I was torn apart, it brought me back to the days when my guoshi had passed too. I was guilty, and wasn't ready to visit his grave, I didn't think I was worthy enough, I felt guilty that I hadn't visited him in the past few years... As for a god, several decades are like minutes to us, but several decades for a human, is precious... Soon I got my courage and visited his grave... But it turned out that he was yet to be buried, as before he passed, he wished to see me before he was buried. Since then, no one had touched his body. I was furious as no one had reported this to me... but who was I to be mad of, I couldn't even bring myself together for several months to visit him. In the end, I had brought his back in my own arms... and buried him here in my estate... inside the room where he used to crash here on the nights when we had longer meetings..." Lord Wang Zhi Yi shared as he tried to keep his voice steady, he was on the verge of breaking down...
"I apologise, this isn't the right timing but uhmm, could I ask another few questions..." Yi Rong said, building up the courage, he slided further a bit, as he knew Chi Meng was about to attack him.
"Go ahead." Lord Wang Zhi Yi said, while wiping away his little tears.
"Well uhh... if you're the current leader, and already brought stability to Zhou Yü City, why were still sent down here..." Yi Rong nervously asked.
Hearing this, Lord Wang Zhi Yi couldn't help himself but break into laughter, 'Had he gone mad ? ' Chi Meng and Yi Rong thought. "The Heavenly Emperor didn't send you down to 'save' the city, but to experience the suffering of a city. Hoping that you will bond with the people, gain sympathy, and turn away from your old ways." Lord Wang Zhi Yi says, while still trying to catch his breath. Yi Rong immediately turned red, Chi Meng too couldn't hold his laughter ! Yi Rong immediately turned to him, looks like Chi Meng is going to be the one getting attacked instead !
"Well, what was your other question." Lord Wang Zhi Yi, trying to break the tension once again. Yi Rong immediately changed his posture, and turned serious.
"Ahem... What happened to the old man that had comforted you ?" Yi Rong asked.
"Well, I too have yet to discover where he had gone. Since that night, I haven't seen him, even a glance for a spilt second." Lord Wang Zhi Yi said with a sorrowful tone. As it started to turn awkward, someone had knocked on the door...
Turns out it was one of Lord Wang Zhi Yi's guard, "I apologise to interrupt the meeting between Lord Wang Zhi Yi and these two gentlemen. But the court is in need of you my lord." "Ah, I see..." Lord Wang Zhi Yi looks at Chi Meng and Yi Rong, "Well then, it would be a pleasure for the both of you to join this court case. As you're my witnesses..." Chi Meng and Yi Rong could only change confused looks.
"Lord Wang Zhi Yi, what do you mean by that?" Chi Meng said.
But before Lord Wang Zhi Yi could answer, Yi Rong had gotten it. "The court case is about the old man and the young maiden from earlier, shouldn't a highly educated person like you have caught on before a commoner like me ?" Yi Rong said, clearly mocking Chi Meng's intelligent.
Rage filled Chi Meng's eyes, he was ready to pounce and jump Yi Rong, but before he could, Lord Wang Zhi Yi stepped in between them. "You 2 are like cats and dogs." he sighed, "Quit fighting and start moving, time is precious." He said with seriousness, before immediately walking towards the courtroom. Chi Meng and Yi Rong immediately changed their attitude, and quickly tailed behind Lord Wang Zhi Yi...