Chapter 364: Gu Beiyue’s worries (1/2)

Chapter 364: Gu Beiyue’s worries

While Han Yunxi was keeping vigil, Chu Xifeng, Tang Li and Gu Beiyue were doing the same outside the door. None of them rested for an entire day and night. The irascible Tang Li had long cooled down. He sat on the steps with his head bowed, completely listless. He had never doubted Long Feiye’s choices before, but he had to re-examine his thoughts now. Was it right for Long Feiye to keep that person locked up in the secret chamber?

If not for Han Yunxi, he wouldn’t have needed to go to such pains to imprison that person, much less attract trouble like last night. While Tang Li was mired in his thoughts, Gu Beiyue spoke up.

“Imperial Bodyguard Chu, there’s one thing this one still doesn’t understand. I don’t know whether I can consult you on the matter?”

Chu Xifeng was leaning faintly against the wall as he murmured, “I dare not be a consultant. If Imperial Physician Gu has anything to say, just ask as you will.”

“As this one understands, His Highness’s martial arts skills are formidable. How could he have gotten injured in such a fatal spot?” Gu Beiyue naturally understood Chu Xifeng’s suspicions towards him. He hadn’t wanted to ask before, but he still hadn’t found an answer after pondering over it for a day and a night. Long Feiye’s skills and naturally cautious nature meant he’d be at most poisoned unawares. How could he have gotten such a severe injury?

The area by the heart was one of the human body’s weakest spots. A single dagger stabbed deep into the flesh there would topple even the world’s number one expert, the sect head of Celestial Mountain Sword Sect! As Gu Beiyue saw it, anyone who could injure Long Feiye there had to be 1) someone he trusted, or 2) someone with far better martial arts skills.

Of the latter, the only possible candidates were people from the Celestial Mountain Sword Sect or mercenaries from Carefree City or the City of Daughters. But the first would never hurt Long Feiye, while the latter two only had two or three possible candidates who were better than him in combat. Still, they wouldn’t have any reason to hurt him! Those old elders had already retired from the mercenary life to live in seclusion for years.

Chu Xifeng had been thinking over the same question as Gu Beiyue, but similarly without answers. His Highness Duke of Qin had performed a sneak attack on that black-robed man by stabbing his chest. He might not have seen the whole thing clearly since he was standing behind Long Feiye, but he wouldn’t have seen wrongly. He was certain that Long Feiye’s sword had found its mark and struck deep. His Highness Duke of Qin had never missed with his weapon, so his strike with the sword would’ve been even deeper than the man’s counterattack with his dagger.

Logically speaking, the black-robed man would’ve died in the time it took to brew a cup of tea. Moreover, he had acted like he was on the verge of death. Otherwise, His Highness Duke of Qin would’ve never drawn so close, much less attempt to unmask him. But unexpectedly, their heavily wounded victim had actually struck back with a strong dagger strike! After that, he had the strength to push Long Feiye aside and even flee the scene. What kind of human possessed such strength after a stab near the heart?

It was completely illogical.

Chu Xifeng thought it over multiple times before concluding that His Highness Duke of Qin’s sword must have missed its mark somehow. Moreover, it was a big miss. But that didn’t make any sense. His Highness Duke of Qin certainly would’ve noticed if he made such an error. The more he thought, the wilder his thoughts grew. In the end, his worries for Long Feiye outweighed his theories and he stopped thinking altogether. No matter what had happened, everything would be fine as long as His Highness Duke of Qin pulled through!

Gu Beiyue saw that Chu Xifeng didn’t answer, so he spoke up again. “Imperial Bodyguard Chu, if it’s inconvenient to answer, then just pretend this one didn’t say anything.”

Chu Xifeng was more wary than Tang Li of Gu Beiyue. He didn’t want to say anything, but he was certain that esteemed wangfei would ask him the same thing in the future. Gu Beiyue would get his answer sooner or later. If he told him about the uncanny man who’d attacked Long Feiye, perhaps he could explain what was the matter. Of course, Chu Xifeng wouldn’t mention a thing about the prisoner in the secret chamber.

“Imperial Physician Gu, it’s a strange story. That night, His Highness ran into an assassin. The assassin’s skills were average at best and far inferior to His Highness. His Highness stabbed him in the chest, just a little short of his heart. Originally, we assumed the assassin would die, which is why His Highness approached him. But it gave the killer a chance to stab His Highness instead.”

Chu Xifeng’s words couldn’t count as the truth, but it wasn’t a lie, either. Tang Li glanced over at the words. He too, had been unable to figure it out.

Gu Beiyue was an intelligent man, but he feigned ignorance to asked, “Are we certain His Highness’s sword stabbed him in the chest?”

“Absolutely! His Highness was certain that assassin was a dead man. That’s why he didn’t put up any kind of guard,” Chu Xifeng was adamant. Gu Beiyue grew apprehensive. Though he kept his feelings in check, his pale face grew even paler.