Chapter 469 - Chapter 469: Chapter 476: Death and Rebirth for the Young Guys (1/2)

Chapter 469: Chapter 476: Death and Rebirth for the Young Guys

Liu Xiu, though he had studied at the Imperial College for many years, was not the fragile scholar one might assume; he also possessed some martial arts skills. Moreover, having led troops in battle over the past few years, he was not frightened when Liu Kuan suddenly drew his sword. He simply placed his hand on the hilt of his own sword, preparing to draw it, when Han Yu had already outpaced him and stepped forward without hesitation.

Seeing Han Yu guarding him so resolutely warmed Liu Xiu’s heart and moved him considerably. In the past, he had been too suspicious, always doubting Han Yu’s intentions. However, Han Yu’s actions over these days had time and again proven his loyalty. Otherwise, the position of My Lord would not have fallen to him. Although he still did not understand why Han Yu would do this, after all, everyone has desires and ambitions—who would willingly choose to follow another when they could lead?

Liu Xiu’s thoughts began to drift, but soon enough, he had no more time to contemplate, as he saw Liu Kuan thrusting his sword towards himself.

“My Lord, although I am weak and suspected, I do not regret following you. Now that things have come to this pass, and I am of no use to you, I might as well die to prove my innocence and be of some last use. As long as you do not fall for the enemy’s schemes, I will die without regrets.”

Liu Kuan was ruthless; to achieve his goal, he was hard on others and even harsher on himself. As he spoke, without any hesitation, he aimed the tip of his sword at his own heart and thrust it in. People hardly had time to stop him.

“Brother Liu, don’t!” Several people who believed in Liu Kuan’s innocence shouted in unison, hoping he would not do something foolish. There was no need for such drastic measures—why joke with one’s life?

Before one could say it was too late, a minor officer next to Liu Kuan saw what was happening and quickly reached out to pull him back, trying to prevent Liu Kuan’s attempt at suicide. However, since Liu Kuan was resolute in his intentions, he couldn’t be stopped, only managing to slightly alter the force of Liu Kuan’s thrust, causing the blade to veer slightly off course.

Yin Shi, standing by, was somewhat surprised by Liu Kuan’s actions, but he wasn’t moved at all. He only thought Liu Kuan was terribly cunning, trying to use such a method to regain Liu Xiu’s trust. He even wished the blade would take Liu Kuan’s life for good, thinking Liu Kuan’s death wouldn’t erase the suspicion of being a traitor. Even if Liu Kuan wasn’t the traitor, a person like him was too dangerous to have around. Yin Shi found him more terrifying than Han Yu. Although Han Yu was competent, he disdained such pretense and ingratiating behavior, while Liu Kuan could strike a deadly blow if given the chance.

Unfortunately, upon seeing the blade’s trajectory change, Yin Shi knew Liu Kuan wouldn’t die from this wound. Whatever his intentions might have been, Liu Xiu couldn’t allow Liu Kuan to die unjustly before everyone. However, that was probably exactly what Liu Kuan was banking on.

If someone else were in the situation, they might believe Liu Kuan was innocent and therefore sought to prove his innocence through death. But Yin Shi was a paranoid man, and once he made up his mind, he wouldn’t change it. His gut told him Liu Kuan was a dangerous man, extremely so.

As expected, Yin Shi wasn’t wrong. The moment Liu Kuan stabbed himself, Liu Xiu immediately called out, “Quick, hold him, and summon the doctor right away! We must not let him be harmed!”