Chapter 816: Long reached a common understanding (1/2)

The courtyard was silent, the guards all on their knees. Xu Donglin was hidden within the crowd while Chu Xifeng knelt at the head of all the men. Long Feiye should have reached here tonight at the earliest, but he had forced himself to arrive an entire day ahead of schedule. Dust covered his body and his face was marked with exhaustion. There were even signs of stubble on his chin. Unfortunately, it did nothing to cover up his towering rage. He rarely showed his emotions, but this time his fury was written all over his face without restraint.

He stared fixedly at the door in silence. His heart was a mess and even carried a tiny smidgen of hope, wishing that the woman he was looking for was waiting for him right inside. After their parting at Celestial Mountain, he’d been hoping to see her day after day, night after night, just so he could hold her tight.

No one knew how much he’d grown used to having her by his side, or how unaccustomed he was to having her gone.

He was already afraid from having lost her once before!

Moreover, she was in serious danger this time. Now that her identity had been exposed, how many people in the East Qin camp would want her life? How many others in the West Qin camp would want to use her as their puppet? He didn’t even have the judgement now to determine which side had kidnapped her, East or West.

“Chu Xifeng, you better have found her already,” Long Feiye finally spoke, his voice as frosty as the water inside a frozen mountain lake. Its chill pierced to the bones.

Chu Xifeng was filled with resentment and indignation, but all of that changed to fear and awe in the face of his master. Even his heart began to quaver. “To...to reply Your Highness, this subordinate...this subordinate has yet to find esteemed wangfei.”

With the last of his hope extinguished, Long Feiye’s gaze was left with nothing but flames of rage. He walked step after step towards Chu Xifeng before stopping right in front of him. The tips of his boots were inches away from Chu Xifeng’s fingers. He subconsciously withdrew them, uncertain as to why he suddenly felt afraid.

“Were you the one who told her that your lordship long knew of her identity?” Long Feiye’s voice was exceptionally calm and devoid of emotions.

Chu Xifeng understood his master all too well. The calmer he seemed, the angrier he felt inside. He had read Xu Donglin’s message to His Highness Duke of Qin, which explained everything that had happened. He had said how Chu Xifeng had taken matters into his own hands and defied authority by placing esteemed wangfei under house arrest.

“Yes,” he admitted. He was about to look up when the Duke of Qin simply raised his foot and stepping on his chin, sending him tumbling backwards. With a whump, Chu Xifeng’s body crashed through the door and into the rooms. All of the shadow guards grew afraid and lowered their heads. Even Xu Donglin hid away the purple muslin robe, afraid to make a peep. This article of clothing was the only thing he hadn’t mentioned in his letter.

No one dared to look behind them, but all of them opened up a pathway for Long Feiye to step inside. Once again, he ended up in front of Chu Xifeng. The man was sprawled on the ground, blood trickling from his lips. He still crawled determinedly to his feet to kneel respectfully in front of Long Feiye. But he’d hardly gotten into position when Long Feiye kicked him on the chin again, sending him flying!

“Who told you that your lordship long knew of her identity?”

Chu Xifeng crashed into the tea table behind him, which broke into pieces. More blood poured from his mouth, flowing nonstop. Long Feiye’s icy tone was terrifying, but his silent mien was akin to the most heartless god in the world. He stared coldly at the severely injured Chu Xifeng biting his jaw and trying to crawl to his feet again. This time, Long Feiye didn’t even give him the chance. He simply grabbed him by the collar and hauled him up. With rage dancing in his eyes, he glared at Chu Xifeng, but the man actually averted his gaze in fear.

“Answer your lordship!” Long Feiye demanded.

Before he could tighten his grip, Xu Donglin rushed out of the shadow guards to beg for mercy. “Master, please be lenient! Please give Head Commander Chu a chance to work in service for his crimes!”

At his words, everyone kowtowed their heads against the ground. But Long Feiye turned a deaf ear to their pleas in his fury. He had gone to bitter ends to hide this truth, to the extent of lying to Han Yunxi herself. Thanks to a single assertion from Chu Xifeng, everything was ruined!

He couldn’t begin to imagine how Han Yunxi would only think he was using her after hearing Chu Xifeng’s claim right after Gu Beiyue’s murder! He could bear the loathing of an entire world, but not her hatred!

When Chu Xifeng was about to be choked to death, Xu Donglin finally had enough and ran out to clutch his master’s hands. “Your Highness, we’re all in the fault for losing esteemed wangfei! If you’re going to kill the head commander, then kill the rest of us too, alright?”

Long Feiye laughed out loud. “Are you threatening your lordship?”

“This subordinate doesn’t dare!” Xu Donglin was terrified.

“Alright, then wait for your lordship to kill him before I deal with the rest of you!” Long Feiye said coldly.

Hearing this, Chu Xifeng finally couldn’t take it anymore. He looked up to meet Long Feiye’s cold eyes just as the man violently tossed him aside. “What, do you know to admit your wrongs now?”

He had stuck around from so long and kicked Chu Xifeng so many times, but the man had yet to own up to his mistakes. He wasn’t even begging for mercy. That was simply adding oil to the fire and seeking death!

“Your Highness, you can kill or torture me all you like. This subordinate won’t fault or resent you! May Your Highness please not cause difficulties for the rest of the brothers, they’re innocent!” Chu Xifeng said obstinately.

“You won’t admit your wrongs even if you’re dead?” Long Feiye demanded

“This subordinate handled things unfavorably and didn’t keep a good eye on the West Qin dregs. This subordinate deserves to die ten thousand deaths!” Chu Xifeng admitted in a low tone.