Chapter 185 (1/2)

Feng Luodi had been confined in the court prison for two days already.

In those two days, Feng Luodi hadn't drunk a drop of water.

The prison guard naturally didn't dare to carelessly subject her to torture or prevent her from eating and drinking. After all, from that supreme person's perspective, it was more useful to keep Feng Luodi rather than dead.

The court prison was indeed dark and damp. Inside the cell that Feng Luodi was staying in, there was only a bed built by laying stones with a thin layer of rice straw on top, and a few hundred feet above it was a small window. The light that was projected into the cell was pathetic.

It was summertime. The damp and sultry prison cell emanated a strange smell and when it a.s.sailed one's nose, it caused them to vomit.

Feng Luodi half leaned against the wall. Her eyes slightly trailed upwards as she gazed at that window that was totally out of her reach, ignoring the voices of the prison guards outside.

The smile that hung on her lips, from when she recalled her past memories, had long stiffened.

She didn't dare to imagine what Situ was doing outside. Being put in such a difficult spot, that person is bound to be extremely distressed.

Feng Luodi had long made up her mind. No matter what Situ chose, she would have no complaints. Regardless of whether he picked his great undertaking or her, she was fine with both. She didn't need Situ to make a dangerous move for her sake. He had never been threatened before, he must be feeling very vexed and his heart must be boiling with anger right now…

”Are you planning to go on a hunger strike and die in order to help that person make a choice?”

A cold voice with no shred of emotion suddenly sounded.

Feng Luodi's gaze s.h.i.+fted slightly. It was Phantom who hadn't appeared for about a year now. He was still clad in black robes and his face was as pale as before. The look in his eyes was the same cold, seemingly not permitting a single ray of light to penetrate them.

Phantom was originally only able to appear in the realm of spirits but he had now appeared before her eyes.

”So it turns out that you can appear in the form of a human.”

Feng Luodi looked past Phantom and saw the prison guard in a deep slumber near them.

”As a Grim Reaper, there are times when it is necessary to turn into a human,” Phantom replied methodically. He slowly walked closer to Feng Luodi and stopped a few metres away from her. He furrowed his eyebrows as he sized up the environment of the prison cell. Then, his gaze landed on Feng Luodi's blanched lips.

”You still haven't answered my question.”

Feng Luodi straightened her body a little and sized up Phantom with interest as a smile blossomed on her face. She didn't look like someone who was subjected to a death sentence at all.

”You indeed have the bearing of a human when you are in this form. If you're willing to dab a little rouge on your face to add a little more colour, you will look even more like one.”

”I don't use those things that you humans use.”

Phantom remained scrupulous and methodical as usual. He seemed to have thought of something and a trace of gentleness flickered across his eyes, which quickly disappeared again.

”Answer my question.”

Feng Luodi was seemingly annoyed as she rubbed the s.p.a.ce between her eyebrows. The smile tugged at her lips hadn't diminished one bit and her tone was gentle, making it hard for one to discern her emotions.

”Don't you already know?” she asked in response. She was seemingly recalling some memories.

”I have always thought that making a decision is very tough. I didn't dare to think about it before. If there comes a day when I have found all the ten zithers, will I choose to return to my parents' side or remain at Situ's side? However, at this moment, I finally don't need to make a decision anymore. Before I have found the ten zithers, for the Feng Residence and Situ's sake, I can no longer stay in this world. Now that I think about it, this is the best option. No matter if it's towards my parents or Situ, I don't need to a.s.sume the responsibility for anything in the end.”

”Did you know? I have never expected that I would be able to live my life once more and meet Situ along the way. Do I even have the right to accompany him by his side? As for him, he should be a free and unrestrained hero who gallops in the prairie, and a hero shouldn't be bound by anything.”

There were no changes in expression on Phantom's cold face, making it hard for her to guess his thoughts. But his thoughts were seemingly contained in his words.

”I can directly tell you where Sonorous is. As long as you are able to leave this prison cell, you will find all the ten zithers and you can make a choice when the time comes.”

Feng Luodi's eyes widened at the mention of this. She was stupefied for a moment before she chuckled and continued, ”Phantom, are you concerned about me? This is really unexpected.”

Phantom's tone remained indifferent as he said, ”No, I'm merely hoping that you can complete the mission in time so that I can report back to the higher-ups.”

”I see.”

Feng Luodi's voice became softer as she murmured, ”In that case, I'm afraid that I'll have to disappoint you. I won't be able to complete the mission anymore.”

Phantom furrowed and there was finally a slight change in his expression. After a moment of silence, he finally said, ”You have to believe in that person. He'll rescue you and take you away from this place.”

”Of course I believe in him.”

Feng Luodi smiled again, but there was a bland look in her eyes.

”He's an omnipotent person but I can't be this selfish. He shouldn't be burdened with infamy. The Situ Family has been loyal officials through generations and they also needn't bear a bad name.”

”It's merely reputation. All those are just gimmicks to show their fealty. He wouldn't mind.”

Phantom was insistent on persuading Feng Luodi to keep on living and not to give up.

”He doesn't mind but I mind.”

Feng Luodi suddenly raised her head and looked straight into Phantom's eyes.

”I have always been making selfish decisions but just this once, I can't be selfish. As long as the Emperor doesn't make things difficult for him this time, Situ can definitely resolve everything before the Emperor executes his next plan. The First Prince will be the new emperor, Situ will be a meritorious subject that has rendered outstanding service and I won't be his burden. Everything will take a turn for the better.”

”This isn't what he wants though.”

Phantom remained persistent. Feng Luodi, on the other hand, was stunned by his persistence. But, at this moment, she didn't think too much into it.

”I'll tell you now where Sonorous is.”

Silence hung over the prison cell. Feng Luodi lowered her head and looked down while she stared into s.p.a.ce. Not far away, the mice that were scuttling around had carelessly b.u.mped into Phantom and were instantly frozen into ice sculptures. The stifling hot prison cell was instantly as cold as a winter day and coldness spread everywhere.

Feng Luodi raised her head in astonishment, but what caught her attention next was the voice of the Head Minister, resounding from outside.