Return of the Immortal Emperor Daddy

Wu Tian’s words echoed in everyone’s ears like thunder.

"What does Mr. Wu Tian mean by that?"

"Could he have a grudge against General Ling Tian?"

"It’s possible. In the royal court, we might be friends today and enemies tomorrow. That’s just the way of officialdom."

The physician and the common folk passing by all began to speculate, but their hushed discussions were abruptly cut short.

Hearing the commotion, the mansion guards from the Prince’s Mansion rushed out. They couldn’t believe that here, in the Celestial Capital, someone actually dared to speak ill of the Great General. Was this not a death wish? But when they emerged and saw it was Wu Tian, the guards hesitated in fear. Still, they clenched their teeth and advanced toward him.

"Without General Ling Tian, I would still be a pauper."

"I lost a hand and can no longer serve as a soldier. I didn’t know how I would survive until the Great General took me in and let me become a mansion guard."

"I must repay the Great General for recognizing my worth, even if it costs me my life."

Wu Tian’s reputation was so fearsome it could make children cry. To say these mansion guards weren’t frightened would be a lie. However, they were not ordinary soldiers; they were men personally led by Ling Tian, to whom they were deeply indebted. For someone to speak ill of Ling Tian was tantamount to threatening to defile their mothers right in front of them. They would forget life and death to fight him.

Seeing the situation escalate, the surrounding onlookers quickly backed away. "There’s definitely going to be a big fight now," they muttered, wanting to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

Not long ago, the kings of a hundred nations and the leaders of a hundred sects had perished. A few days later, the Azure Empire had attacked. To the commoners, seeing such internal strife erupt today felt like an omen of the nation’s doom.

"Mr. Wu Tian, we respect what you have done for the Xiuyuan Country," the lead guard said, bowing to Wu Tian before straightening up with a determined look. "But why must you speak so maliciously of General Ling Tian? We are no match for you, but for the General’s honor, we are willing to die fighting you."

"Hehehe..." Wu Tian gave a lazy chuckle. Of course, I have my reasons for saying it’s good to be fat, but there’s no point in explaining it to these guards.

He stretched languidly and smiled again. "Being fat is good. Being fat is good."

His voice, as resonant as a great bell, spread far and wide.

"You..." The mansion guards gritted their teeth, readying themselves to fight Wu Tian to the death.

Ling Tian was a truly good general, and his kindness to them was as heavy as a mountain. Some of these guards were orphans whose parents had died in battle; Ling Tian had immediately brought them in to serve in the mansion. Others were disabled veterans, wounded in service to their country with nowhere else to go; Ling Tian had still taken them in, giving them purpose. He was a true general, revered by his soldiers.

Originally a general of the Heavenly King Country, Ling Tian had despised its foolish government so much that he had considered resigning to live as a recluse in the mountains, far from worldly affairs. Later, when the Xiuyuan Country replaced the Heavenly King Country, he abandoned this plan. He only wished to fight for the common people, not for any particular nation. So, whether it was the Heavenly King Country or the Xiuyuan Country made no difference to him. He only cared about having the chance to serve the people.

For such a man, his soldiers were willing to die. At this moment, the mansion guards charged toward Wu Tian in a frenzy.

"Stop!" A voice roared as a figure with the might of a fierce tiger strode out from the front of the Prince’s Mansion, halting the guards in their tracks.

It was the general who had recently begun to gain weight for some unknown reason—Ling Tian.

He had heard the words "being fat is good" earlier and had wanted to come out himself, but the mansion guards wouldn’t allow it, not wanting their general to overexert himself. Ling Tian hadn’t wanted to hurt their feelings, so he had relented. But then the voice rang out again. Hearing it a second time, Ling Tian found the voice familiar and decided to come out.

Ling Tian stepped forward. In his heart, he was afraid of Wu Tian, yet at the same time, he was not. It was a contradiction. On the battlefield, Ling Tian feared death, yet he was always the first to charge into the fray. He was just such a man—a mortal who, when the time came to be extraordinary, would rise to the occasion.

"Mr. Wu Tian, I’m not sure why you would... say that my being fat is a good thing?"

Now middle-aged and seasoned by more than a dozen battles, Ling Tian had seen much of the world. He knew that a person like Wu Tian wouldn’t cause trouble for someone without reason.

"Won’t you invite me in for a cup of tea so we can discuss it?" Wu Tian asked with a calm, casual smile that felt as refreshing as a spring breeze.

"Please." Ling Tian nodded, unworried that Wu Tian was there to kill him, and gestured magnanimously with his hand.

Wu Tian nodded and stepped into the Prince’s Mansion, with Ling Tian naturally leading the way. The mansion guards hurried to follow, worried that Wu Tian might try to harm their general.

In the main hall, Ling Tian had someone bring Wu Tian a cup of tea.

"Mr. Wu Tian, can you give me an explanation now?" Ling Tian asked, his eyes slightly narrowed. His curiosity was overwhelming. Wu Tian had said being fat was good. What on earth did that mean? Could Wu Tian possibly know how to make this sudden extra fat on his body disappear?

The mansion guards stared intently at Wu Tian, their faces tense as they awaited his reply. It was a classic case of the attendants being more anxious than their master.

"Hehe." Wu Tian took an elegant sip of tea before smiling. "Fat? That’s a good thing."

Silence.

The main hall fell so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The guards were dumbfounded.

Wu Tian’s face was completely serious. They had expected him to say something of substance, but all he offered was that one line. The guards exchanged puzzled looks, the same thoughts racing through their minds. Is that really all he said? Is he serious? Did I mishear him? Wu Tian was formidable, but that didn’t give him the license to be so arrogant.

For Ling Tian, the sudden weight gain was a difficult thing to face. His body had grown clumsy, making it difficult to properly execute his martial arts techniques. He was no longer fit for the battlefield. And yet, Wu Tian had the gall to say being fat was a good thing? It wasn’t just the guards; Ling Tian himself was completely taken aback.

Wu Tian, oh Wu Tian, did you really come here just to mock me?

"Wu Tian, you’re formidable, but I’m not someone to be ridiculed at will. A scholar can be killed, but not insulted," Ling Tian said through clenched teeth, suppressing his rage.

Wu Tian knew exactly what Ling Tian was thinking. If it weren’t for the fact that I can’t beat you, I would have broken all ties with you long ago.

"Being fat is a sign of fortune. Do you disagree?" Wu Tian asked, seemingly unperturbed by Ling Tian’s furious expression.

"Being fat? It might be a fortune for others, but for me, it is a humiliation!" Ling Tian’s gaze burned with a fire that seemed ready to erupt at any moment.

"Alas, this is your supreme opportunity. If you don’t want it, then so be it. I’ll just take it back and, while I’m at it, help you get rid of all that extra fat," Wu Tian said, shaking his head with a hint of regret.

"You... what do you mean? What supreme opportunity?"