No one knew what Qu Yunmie wanted, but Murong Qi actually knew.

Jian Qiao felt shocked and conflicted at the same time. He finally understood the severity of the information leaked. The King remained silent for a long time, it was obvious he had been persuaded by Murong Qi.

This was impossible! The Xianbei Emperor could be spared, but this Xianbei general absolutely could not!

Also, how did Murong Qi know something he didn’t? Could it be he was no longer Xiao Rong’s most trusted general, as well as no longer the King’s most valued subordinate?

…

After Xiao Rong left, Yuan Baifu came to look for Qu Yunmie and the others. After receiving the report and getting the King’s permission, Yuan Baifu entered the room and found there was no one speaking. The atmosphere was heavy and tense. He felt puzzled but couldn’t ask anything, so he just stepped aside to observe.

Qu Yunmie had already said he would no longer act impulsively, so his thoughts now struggled violently. Murong Qi had managed to kidnap the Xianbei Emperor to seek a way to survive. Who knew where his bottom line was—or whether he even had one at all? It wasn’t just Qu Yunmie, even the cunning and ruthless Huang Yanjiu wouldn’t dare use him. Yet he had firmly grasped Qu Yunmie’s lifeline. He really wanted that thing.

Qu Yunmie wasn’t someone who dwelled on decisions for long. To think even briefly, as he did now, was already remarkable. In less than the time of half a teacup, he made his decision. Looking at Murong Qi on the ground, Qu Yunmie slowly spoke. “If you haven’t deceived me, and that thing truly is in your hands, then I—”

Bang!

The door was kicked open. Xiao Rong stormed in angrily. “No!!!”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

The others froze: “…”

The guard at the door, helpless: “…”

Sir Xiao, there is no place in this world the King would forbid you to go. You could just push the door with your hand. Why enter like you are going to rob the place?

…

Actually, Xiao Rong felt embarrassed too.

He had been calm, but as soon as he reached the door, the dizzy sensation returned—and much stronger. Previously, he had been unsure whether it had anything to do with Qu Yunmie personally. Now he was certain. Nothing except Qu Yunmie himself could cause this earthquake-like effect on his body.

Xiao Rong still looked furious, his chest rising and falling. One of his feet was even lifted on the threshold. Before it could land, everyone in the room stared at him—except for that burly man on the floor.

Previously, he had seen him from a distance. Up close, Xiao Rong was shocked—what a huge head! A normal head weighed about ten jin, but this one must weigh at least fifteen!

Xiao Rong’s expression stiffened. He slowly put his foot down, then lifted his hand to touch his own head, which probably weighed only nine jin. To achieve the balance of beauty and intelligence, his head had always carried too much.

…

The others still stared at him. Xiao Rong lowered his hand, adjusted his expression, and walked in with a restrained step.

It was as if the person who had just shouted “No!!!” wasn’t him at all. He approached Qu Yunmie respectfully and pleasantly. “What did the King just say? Does the King intend to make a promise to this Xianbei traitor? Impossible! Absolutely impossible! A treacherous person can never be employed. No matter how capable he is, the King cannot take him for his own.”

Hearing this, Murong Qi naturally defended himself. He has worked so hard, how could he watch everything fail now?

Murong Qi said, “I didn’t betray the Xianbei. It was Murong Yi who used the tunnel to survive, disregarding the lives of the other Xianbei! He betrayed us first. So, if I seize him in exchange for a way to live, what’s wrong with that?”

Xiao Rong looked at him. In fact, he could ask where Murong Qi has been for the past two hours. After Murong Qi escaped, he hadn’t returned to Shengle City. The city gates had remained tightly closed. How could he have known Murong Yi had used a tunnel to escape?

Yet Murong Qi could also refute him: Murong Yi’s escape was a premeditated plan. Murong Qi knew about it and intercepted him in advance.

Without surveillance, this was the problem. Only Murong Qi knew what had happened, and Xiao Rong couldn’t prove he was lying.

So he ignored Murong Qi and continued looking at Qu Yunmie.

As long as Qu Yunmie changed his mind, it didn’t matter what Murong Qi said.

Under Xiao Rong’s gaze, Qu Yunmie stayed silent for a long time. Finally, he said to Xiao Rong, “This matter doesn’t concern you.”

Xiao Rong: “…?”

He looked at Qu Yunmie in disbelief. “It doesn’t concern me?”

Qu Yunmie’s expression remained firm.

He wouldn’t even look at Xiao Rong. Xiao Rong immediately stepped two paces forward, standing directly in front of him, looking up at him from below. “For such a serious matter, you are telling me it doesn’t concern me?!”

Xiao Rong pointed at Murong Qi. “He is the Xianbei General. Do you know what that means?! He is the biggest executioner of countless blood debts over these years!”

Murong Qi kept a stern face, showing no reaction even as Xiao Rong pointed at him.

Next, Xiao Rong pointed at Murong Yi, who hadn’t recovered from the shock, “His father was wicked beyond measure, a demon risen from hell. Murong Qi was a minion by his side!”

Murong Yi stared at Murong Qi in a daze. Murong Qi’s expression became even more embarrassed.

He wasn’t the only one embarrassed. The three onlookers were too.

Jian Qiao and the others: “…”

They wanted to leave, but leaving now would be too conspicuous.

Qu Yunmie said, “Do you think I don’t understand that? Every General has blood debts. Wang Xinyong has also killed Northern soldiers!”

Xiao Rong said, “Wang Xinyong cannot be compared to Murong Qi, Wang—”

He then pointed at the other bystanders but suddenly realized Wang Xinyong wasn’t there.

Xiao Rong paused, unsure where Wang Xinyong had gone. Gongsun Yuan quietly explained, “General Wang realized that the Xianbei Emperor ran away and went after him.”

Xiao Rong paused. “But the Xianbei Emperor is right here, isn’t he?”

Jian Qiao replied, “General Wang doesn’t know that.”

Qu Yunmie said suddenly, “Then why don’t you go tell him?”

Jian Qiao was stunned. “General Wang took troops out alone. We don’t know where he is now.”

Qu Yunmie’s forehead veins bulged. “Then why don’t you go and find him?!?”

“When Shengle City fell, everyone was needed. How are only the three of you idle here watching the King’s ‘western scenery’?! Go! If you don’t bring him back by the afternoon, don’t return!”

The three: “…”

They quickly lowered their heads and left.

Outside, Jian Qiao swallowed nervously to calm himself. Gongsun Yuan was slightly better, but he was still scared.

Once calm, he asked Jian Qiao, “What does ‘western scenery’ mean?”

Jian Qiao replied hesitantly, “Maybe it means a joke. I don’t know either. Sir Xiao says it often, naturally, but when the King says it, it sounds strange.”

Yuan Baifu said, “You heard what the King said. What now? Divide forces into three to find Wang Xinyong?”

Jian Qiao laughed. He didn’t mock Yuan Baifu, but Yuan Baifu felt uncomfortable, as if Jian Qiao looked down on his ignorance. Gongsun Yuan waved his hand. “No need. Just let one person go to make it look official. The King doesn’t really intend for us to bring Wang Xinyong back.”

Jian Qiao agreed. “Yes. The King is angry and embarrassed. It’s fine, he will calm down soon.”

Yuan Baifu asked, puzzled, “How do you know?”

Jian Qiao and Gongsun Yuan answered together, “Because Sir Xiao is here.”

Yuan Baifu said, “Two flatterers.”

…

The three left, but the room’s atmosphere didn’t improve.

Murong Qi and Murong Yi remained, as did the low-profile Dongfang Jin.

Because his presence was low and he stood on the other side, Qu Yunmie didn’t take his anger out on him.

When others’ anger surpassed his own, his anger gradually subsided. Xiao Rong didn’t understand why, but he was indeed less angry than before.

He looked at Qu Yunmie. “Your Majesty, may I speak with you privately?”

Qu Yunmie snorted and pushed the door open.

Xiao Rong followed him and gestured to Dongfang Jin. “Lock them up, supervise them strictly, and remember to keep them in separate places.”

A low, tense voice came from behind him, “But don’t kill them!”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He gritted his teeth, instinctively placing his hand on the Chilong Sword. He thought, If he says one more word, I will act myself!

Fortunately, Qu Yunmie remained silent. The two were temporarily spared.

They didn’t know this palace at all. It was built larger than the Golden Palace, and modeled after the ancient Chang’an. Qu Yunmie wandered without knowing where he was. He pushed open a door and walked in. Xiao Rong quickly followed. Once inside, they stood in silence.

There were hanging cradles on the beams, gilded bathtubs, four rows of animal tails on the walls, and jade ornaments of all sizes on the tables.

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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