Chapter 817: His world has collapsed (1/2)

That’s right!

Xu Donglin had selfish motives at heart! He was the one who insisted on writing the letter that told His Highness Duke of Qin everything. This was the greatest obligation of a subordinate to his master. But Boss Chu had taken care of him since his youth, so he couldn’t steel his heart to see the man die at the foot of His Highness Duke of Qin’s rage. Boss Chu carried the burdens of his ancestors’ hatred on his shoulders, so his mistakes could be excused to some extent.

If His Highness Duke of Qin had found out that esteemed wangfei was not only kidnapped, but assaulted, then Boss Chu might had died an extremely nasty death. Thus, Xu Donglin only waited until Chu Xifeng was brought away before falteringly presenting the torn robe in his hands.

“Your Highness, this is…”

Before he could finish, Long Feiye had already grabbed the robes. Han Yunxi didn’t have many articles of clothings, but there were a few she frequently wore. He could recognize this one on sight, especially since it was in his favorite shade of purple. But once he saw the outer robes torn into pieces, he couldn’t began to imagine what had happened. Had it been torn after she took it off? Or was it done while she was still wearing it?

It was impossible to tell how much its owner had suffered.

Long Feiye’s exhausted face instantly paled to ashen white. His hands shook, even his lips shook. “What...what’s the meaning of this?”

Xu Donglin stood frozen, unable to say a word.

He had followed His Highness Duke of Qin for ages, but he had never seen him like this. He thought the man would rage to the skies, or stomp him like he stomped Boss Chu, or even punish all of the shadow guards. But he never thought His Highness Duke of Qin would be...afraid!

Even if all of Cloud Realm fell into chaos or the sky broke apart, the earth split, and something monumental happened, His Highness Duke of Qin would never show fear! Yet now, his entire body was shaking. Even his breathing had turned labored as he heaved for air.

“Just what happened?!” Long Feiye roared.

Xu Donglin jumped to his feet in fright. “Your Highness...Your Highness… ...esteemed wangfei, she...she…” He was too scared to string his words straight.

“Just what happened? Speak!” Long Feiye’s rage resounded throughout the entire courtyard. If not for the fact that the place had been labeled off-limits, he would have attracted a crowd by now. For the sake of East Qin’s factions and her safety, he could suppress his rage and force himself to be coolheaded while dealing with Chu Xifeng. Handling things well would not only mislead the public and make the Tang Clan and Baili military question what they heard, but also halt their efforts to move against Han Yunxi. Moreover, it’d cast suspicion on the person who spread the rumors and make the public doubt their veracity while letting Han Yunxi know that he wasn’t as Chu Xifeng described, someone who long knew her identity. Although it was a small lie, it’d at least stop her from hating and misunderstanding him for the present.

In addition to this, he understood Chu Xifeng’s hatred towards West Qin well enough. Because of that, he’d destroyed his martial arts and sent him back to Celestial Mountain instead of killing him. This not only served as a warning to the rest of the East Qin adherents, but also prevented him from getting a bad reputation amongst his subordinates as someone who was merciless. This was already the sum of his greatest efforts to preserve his own sanity.

And yet, this single purple muslin robe had shattered the last traces of his rationality.

Yes, if he had seen this robe any earlier, Chu Xifeng would have died beneath his rage!

The skies were intact, the earth hadn’t split--even all of Cloud Realm Continent was alive and well. Yet his world had already collapsed.

Han Yunxi, what happened to you? Just what have you gone through? Where are you?

Han Yunxi, are you afraid?

Han Yunxi, do you know? Your lordship is scared!

Xu Donglin finally sensed something amiss with His Highness Duke of Qin and regretted what he’d done. He shouldn’t have taken out the robe. If His Highness Duke of Qin lost all self-control, who would oversee the big picture in the end?

“Your Highness, esteemed wangfei is perfectly fine!” Xu Donglin shouted with eyes squeezed shut. “Your Highness, calm your senses, esteemed wangfei is perfectly well and waiting for you!”

Perhaps this could count as something forced to set the mind at ease. When Xu Donglin heard no response from His Highness Duke of Qin, he carefully opened his eyes. But when he saw the man’s bloodshot, persistent gaze, his heart gave a lurch and filled with pain.

Is this still His Highness Duke of Qin?

Here he was, stubbornly waiting for a final sign of hope, vague and uncertain as it was. Xu Donglin had followed His Highness Duke of Qin since his youth. In his eyes, his master was forever high and lofty, a man who planned strategies from within a command tent and faced death fearlessly. He never thought a day would come when this godly figure became so frail and weak. Xu Donglin wished he could find an excuse to save His Highness Duke of Qin, but when he opened his mouth to speak, he found no words to explain or coax to the man.

Even he himself didn’t believe that esteemed wangfei was perfectly fine, so how was he supposed to convince His Highness Duke of Qin?

When a woman was kidnapped with her outer robes torn like this, it was clear the kidnapper was a bad seed. Wouldn’t they go further after tearing off her outer robes? Even if they didn’t, then what would they do after taking her away…

Actually, His Highness Duke of Qin should have realized this too, so there was no reason for the man to be tricked by his words. Looking at him now, Xu Donglin only grew more terrified. He found himself at a loss and almost on the verge of tears. At this moment, a figure landed from the skies in front of Long Feiye.

“Big bro, you’re finally here!” It was Tang Li.

He had dropped by multiple times and knew what had happened, but couldn’t decide on what to do. Nor did he have the right to decide for Long Feiye. This was no small matter, but the biggest incident they’d ever faced. If Long Feiye didn’t deal with it properly, then the East Qin factions would fall into pieces. Leaving aside everyone else, just the senior members of the Tang Clan would be traveling and working nonstop to interrogate Long Feiye on his intentions.