Chương 26: I, Cang Lian, from this day forward, will be free as the sky and the sea.

Around noon, Canglian was strolling in the courtyard, absorbing the essence of the sun.

A servant came over and succinctly informed him that the master of the house had invited him.

Cang Lian felt a chill run down his spine, thinking that the Cang family had finally lost their patience and was about to resort to some new methods.

But the man led him through corridors and courtyards, and finally stopped at a meeting room that was usually only accessible to core family members.

He pushed open the door and entered, and an invisible pressure immediately rushed towards him.

At this moment, sitting in the head seat was none other than Cang Hong.

He was dressed in a Zhongshan suit, with a steaming cup of tea beside him, and his gaze calmly swept across the ground below.

On his left and right sides sat two men and two women, all of whom were Cang family members of similar age to him.

"Father."

When Cang Lian saw Cang Hong, her throat went dry, but she still greeted him respectfully.

This was the first time he had looked into the eyes of the head of the Cang family at such close range.

In that instant, he felt as if he were being stared at by a sleeping male tiger.

That wasn't the murderous intent of anger, but an absolute suppression originating from the level of life itself.

The oppressive feeling from those in power is truly terrifying.

So frightening was that he instinctively lowered his eyes, leaned forward slightly, and adopted the most submissive posture.

This is the instinct of this body, and even the soul, towards this terrifying existence—self-protection and fear.

"A-Lian is here, please sit down." Cang Hong's voice was calm and even, revealing no emotion.

Cang Lian sat down in the empty seat at the end as instructed.

"Let me briefly explain," Cang Hong said, picking up his teacup and blowing on it gently without drinking.

"Chu Zhaoxue of the new army wants to form a personal guard battalion and has specifically requested five members from our Cang family. This is both an opportunity and a test."

His gaze slowly swept over the crowd: "Go there and learn well. Learn their ideology, their discipline, their skills, and how they use force to their advantage. When you return, I will give you an important place!"

His words were powerful and full of expectation.

A man in his early twenties sat at the head of the table on the left, his posture upright like a pine tree, his hands calmly folded on the table.

He maintained a detached indifference throughout, as if the decision Cang Hong made was merely announcing something he had already anticipated.

His name is Cang Ye. He was born to the second concubine and is a recognized martial arts genius in the family.

When Cang Hong's gaze swept over him, he merely nodded slightly. In his deep eyes, there was not a ripple, only a calm confidence.

He had already learned of the family's deeper meaning from his mother before going there, and he volunteered to go.

But in his view, this was not about paving the way for the family, nor was it about seizing some vague opportunity.

This is the stage he deserves.

New Army?

In his eyes, it was nothing more than a stepping stone to a higher place.

He was born a prodigy of the Cang family, enjoying the best resources and possessing the highest talent. Therefore, the future of the family should rightfully be in his hands.

What is Cang Xiong?

It's just that they took advantage of their age to seize the initiative.

And Cang Ye, he wanted to prove himself more qualified than anyone else to stand at the center of power in the Cang family in the shortest amount of time.

His expression, from beginning to end, was one of composure as if he had everything under control, and a sense of pride that he had everything in his grasp.

As for the other man beside him, his name was Cang Zan.

He was the one who was "sacrificed" after the family weighed the pros and cons.

His talent was among the lowest of the family men, and he was destined not to be able to control many core interests in the future.

But this time the family offered very generous terms—as long as he was willing to go, he could directly take over some of the family's businesses upon his return.

This opportunity was like a meteoric rise for him.

Therefore, although he was forced into it, his brows revealed a resolute determination to burn his bridges.

The two girls named Cang Xin and Cang Rong came at the behest of their respective aunts and families.

From a young age, they were taught that "as daughters of the Cang family, we should strive for the benefit of our family."

Despite their deep reluctance, the family's command was their destiny.

They simply sat quietly, their expressions serene, displaying the composure of members of prominent families who remained unmoved in the face of honor and disgrace.

"You've all probably heard about this matter. Do you have any objections?" Cang Hong put down his teacup. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

"No!" the four answered in unison, their voices firm.

Cang Hong's gaze finally swept over everyone and landed on Cang Lian, his tone seemingly softening slightly: "This matter may be a bit rushed for A-Lian. Do you have any objections?"

All eyes instantly focused on Cang Lian.

Cang Lian had no objections whatsoever!

Upon hearing this news, he was already extremely excited!

Finally, I can escape this cage!

He was too excited to even think about it!

"The new army, the Royal Guard?"

But the performance still needs to be fully staged.

He raised his head, his face revealing just the right amount of trepidation and bewilderment that a young man experiencing such a momentous event for the first time.

"Yes." Cang Hong's tone seemed to soften slightly, but his authority remained.

"This is the family's arrangement, and also an opportunity for you to gain experience. As a member of the Cang family, you must shoulder responsibilities in the future; you can't stay at home forever!"

Cang Lian lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting on the table, hesitating, as if she were struggling with a difficult inner conflict.

Cang Xin and Cang Rong, who were sitting opposite him, glanced at him, and a hint of disdain flashed in their eyes.

Amidst the varied gazes of the crowd, Cang Lian seemed to have finally made up her mind.

He raised his head, his eyes still carrying a hint of timidity, but with an added air of resigned determination.

"Father... I'll go."

"Good!" A satisfied smile finally appeared on Cang Hong's face.

"As expected of a member of the Cang family! You have a sense of responsibility!"

He stood up and gave his final order: "Make yourselves ready tonight. Military vehicles will come to pick you up early tomorrow morning. You will proceed directly to the Zhongjie military camp!"

After the meeting ended, everyone stood up to take their leave.

Cang Lian followed at the back of the crowd, head down, concealing the barely suppressed, cold smile on her lips.

……

That evening, Cang Lian received five hundred silver dollars at the accounting office.

He gave Old Huang fifty silver dollars.

The next morning, while it was still barely light, a bright green military truck, with the low growl of its engine, shattered the tranquility of the Cang Mansion.

The car door opened, releasing a cold smell of engine oil mixed with gunpowder smoke.

Cang Lian and the other three boarded the car one by one.

The carriage was empty and hard, with only two cold iron benches.

Cang Lian chose a corner at the back to sit down, leaning against the cold carriage wall, her gaze calmly fixed on the outside of the carriage.

There was no farewell, no lingering affection.

With a sudden jolt, the truck slowly drove out of the mansion's two heavy iron gates.

He watched the magnificent mansion grow smaller and smaller in his field of vision, eventually shrinking into an exquisite model before disappearing completely at the end of the street corner.

At that moment, he felt no ecstasy, no excitement, only a sense of relief and calm.

It was as if the invisible shackles that had been binding me had finally broken off piece by piece.

The cage was already behind him.

Ahead lies a vast wilderness filled with unknowns and dangers, yet also brimming with infinite possibilities.

Cang Lian slowly exhaled a long breath of white air and turned her head.

At this moment, the sky is truly vast and the sea is wide!

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