Chapter 825: Isll tell you two secrets (2/2)

She had no idea what was going on in the world outside while cooped up here. Had Ning Cheng’s movements been exposed? Did Long Feiye and Tang Li forget her because they were off chasing him instead? Thinking up to here, Ning Jing knitted her brows and grew anxious. But she quickly recovered her calm. There were too many things she couldn’t control, so she might as well go with the flow. The only thing she could control now was herself. If she could let Tang Li forget her until she died peacefully here, that was good, too.

She had no idea that Long Feiye was long gone, or that he’d left the search and rescue team work at Medical City to Tang Li in his place. Yet instead of hunting for Han Yunxi, Tang Li had spent all his time sitting right outside while spacing out. While Ning Jing had been sipping water over the past two days, he hadn’t had a drop to drink. His wan and sallow form filled with grief left looking nothing like an immortal, but more like a crestfallen lover about to turn into ashes from his bitterness.

Abruptly, Tang Li stood up and pushed open the door as he entered resentfully. Ning Jing was startled by his appearance, but hid it well. Her heart didn’t start beating fast until she spotted the familiar silhouette by the door.

“Heheh, I was so busy the past two days that I didn’t have time to care about you. Count yourself lucky!” Tang Li declared as he remained by the door. “You should give me an answer now, right?”

Ning Jing only looked at him in silence. This forced Tang Li to come closer until he was standing right in front of her. “Answer me!”

“Kill or cut me to pieces, whatever you want!” Ning Jing said coldly.

“Someone, come!” Tang Li didn’t hesitate. The guards immediately rushed in as he personally took down the chains hanging from the rafters and handed it to them. “Hang her up by the south city gates. Don’t let her die, but torment her slowly.”

Ning Jing had no reaction and simply followed the guards outside.

“Jing Jing, you don’t need to be afraid. Your good big brother will definitely save you,” Tang Li smiled icily. Heaven knows whether he was trying to comfort himself, or probe Ning Jing.

Finally, Ning Jing stopped. “Tang Li, I’ll tell you a piece of information if you spare me, how’s that?”

“What information?” Tang Li asked without a thought as he dismissed the guards.

“Something very beneficial to the Tang Clan, as equally important as Han Yunxi’s whereabouts,” Ning Jing spoke like a merchant negotiating a sales pitch, wearing a very respectful smile.

“Spare you? To what extent?” Tang Li asked instead. He could never let Ning Jing go.

“To the extent of giving me a good death,” Ning Jing got straight to the point.

In a flash, Tang Li’s eyes turned sinister and stormy, enough to make one fear the sight. Unfortunately, Ning Jing was standing by the door and didn’t see. It was just like when Tang Li had stood by the entrance and missed the flash of joy that had flashed across Ning Jing’s face upon recognition.

“Alright, speak,” Tang Li finally agreed.

“Ning Cheng still doesn’t know the relationship between you and Long Feiye. Only I do,” Ning Jing admitted.

Tang Li was stunned, but he quickly grew suspicious. “Who are you trying to fool?!”

“I lured you to the Apricot Woods only to sound you out. As expected, you brought Long Feiye with you.” Right now, Ning Jing matched her namesake perfectly--calm and serene. She had her suspicions as early as the Apricot Woods Conference, when Tang Li had supported Han Yunxi. Later on, their cold war was only a pretence for her. She had met with Ning Cheng multiple times, but never voiced her suspicions to him. She needed to confirm the facts, so she snared Tang Li to the Apricot Woods after Ning Cheng left. She had dearly hoped that it was Tang Li who had followed her there, but unfortunately, the man turned out to be Long Feiye.

Without a doubt, Tang Li had led Long Feiye to her.

“You were sounding me out...Ning Cheng doesn’t know the relationship between m and Long Feiye…” Tang Li muttered to himself before he finally understood. “In other words, Ning Cheng’s long left Medical City! He didn’t know you lured me to the Apricot Woods!”

If Ning Cheng was still at the medical academy, he would be observing Ning Jing’s movements in secret the whole time. However, he wasn’t, and Ning Jing hadn’t gotten the chance to report her findings to him.

Ning Jing smiled. She had never thought Tang Li to be as intelligent as he was now. “Tang Li, now I’ve told you wo secrets. Kill me with one blade.”

Tang Li gave a start, but he quickly dashed out of the door. “Xu Donglin! Xu Donglin, dismiss all of the defenses. Tell your master that Han Yunxi’s at Tianning!”

He didn’t go back after rushing out of the building. He ordered people to loosen Ning Jing’s bonds and keep her locked up inside without killing or seeing her.

Once Long Feiye received Tang Li’s news, he prepared to deploy a rescue party when Baili Yuanlong’s secret missive reached him with a mention of Gu Beiyue…