CHAPTER 604: CHAPTER 369: WHO IS THE ONE TO BE KILLED?

Luojia Mountain. Sea of bamboo.

The wind rustled the bamboo, creating the illusion of an old friend approaching.

But it was not an old friend who arrived, it was family.

Shen Boyu sat atop the high platform, listening to the whistling wind beside him while watching Shen Xinglan slowly approach. He asked, "Do you know why I brought you here?"

Clad in a white robe with black cloth shoes,

his sleeves fluttered elegantly in the breeze.

The current Shen Xinglan had changed somewhat from before, previously known as the most handsome man under the Star Sky.

With eyebrows like swords and eyes like stars, his face as beautiful as jade, he was well-liked by young girls and married women alike.

Now, Shen Xinglan was enveloped in a faint halo of light, making him the most dazzling presence even in a crowded mass of people.

And due to his calm and confident demeanor, he was like a breath of spring, making people feel a sense of closeness upon seeing him.

Shen Xinglan looked around and said, "Listening to the wind and appreciating the snow?"

There was no snow in July at Phoenix City, but it was the season when bamboo flowers were in full bloom, covering the mountains and fields like a sea of glistening snow.

"Hahaha, I knew you would understand," Shen Boyu said with a glint in his eye towards Uncle Biao serving at the side. He added, "If it were Lao Chang, it would be like a bull chewing peonies. No matter how beautiful the scenery, he wouldn’t see it."

"How could I compare to the young master?" Uncle Biao caressed his bald head and said self-deprecatingly, "With my looks, if I were to sit here drinking tea and enjoying the view like you... it wouldn’t fit, right?"

"That’s true. Odd shapes make for awkward looks," Shen Boyu nodded in agreement.

"Second Master and young master are refined; I’m a commoner. You refined folk do refined things, while I’ll go handle the common tasks," said Uncle Biao with a cheerful smile.

"Go ahead, I have words to talk over with Xinglan," Shen Boyu gestured.

"Uncle Biao, thank you for your hard work," Shen Xinglan courteously thanked Uncle Biao.

Though Uncle Biao was officially a butler, he interacted with the family like one of their own.

Both the Grandpa and Second Grandpa held him in high esteem, entrusting him with many affairs of the Shen Family.

It was often said the Shen Family led the nine great families, not merely through their own efforts but also with the contributions of countless collateral branches and house servants.

The Shen Family was like a robust trunk, but the roots deeply buried in soil were key to their growth.

"Young master is too polite."

With a call, Uncle Biao promptly exited.

Shen Boyu pointed to a spot opposite him, gesturing for Shen Xinglan to sit and talk.

He poured a cup of hot tea, saying, "Try this new Silver Needle tea and see what you think."

Taking the cup, Shen Xinglan took a sip and smiled, "The tea always tastes the same to me."

"That’s because your heart isn’t in it."

Shen Xinglan did not deny it and looked at Shen Boyu, "You didn’t invite me just to drink tea and enjoy the view, did you?"

"I came to ask about someone."

"Tang Fei?" Shen Xinglan asked.

Shen Boyu burst into laughter, "I haven’t even said who it was, how did you know it was him?"

"If it were anyone else, Second Grandpa would have much more detailed information than I do. Only with him... Second Grandpa knows little, whereas I have spent some time with him."

Shen Boyu said with great satisfaction, "Everyone says our Shen Family has produced a Kirin. It’s truly no exaggeration. With Xing Lan’s intellect and wisdom, he could accomplish great things in any field."

Shen Xinglan smiled silently; such praise held no meaning for him anymore.

After all, he was solely focused on reaching the pinnacle of Martial Arts, paying no heed to other matters.

Whether he could achieve greatness was of even less concern to him.

"You know? That guy has just made a big splash again."

"He captured Qin Jianyi?"

"There’s more," said Shen Boyu with an excited gossip-hungry look, "Qin Jianyi was taken to the Monitoring Bureau, right? Qin Jianyi’s Personal Guard went to the Monitoring Bureau to demand his release. Tang Fei ended up beheading a Deputy Captain on the spot... chopped his entire head off, without any hesitation."

Shen Xinglan looked thoughtful.

Shen Boyu watched Shen Xinglan’s expression and asked, "What are you thinking?"

"Tang Fei isn’t that kind of person."

"What kind of person?"

"The kind that kills people in public, unless there’s a huge benefit driving him."

"Great minds think alike," Shen Boyu clapped in approval, echoing what he had previously said to Uncle Biao.

After a pause, he continued, "What kind of benefit do you think could make him do such a thing? Willing to offend the Qin Family and the Flame-Bathed Legion, to have his hands stained with blood and bear the curse?"

Shen Xinglan lowered his head and fiddled with his tea cup, saying, "First the Lu Family, then the Yu Family, now the Qin Family; the conflicts are getting more intense... the thing you’re worried about might be happening."

"Heh..." Shen Boyu sneered, "It seems it will soon be the Shen Family’s turn."

"I’m afraid they won’t come for the Shen Family."

Shen Boyu sighed deeply, "Yes, I’m afraid they won’t come for the Shen Family."

------

"Loyalty knows no borders, no gender."

"Loving both men and women follows the same principle, making them feel special and unique."

"In my eyes, there’s only the Empire, only the King."

"So what if Tang Shengyan holds a high and powerful position?"

"I don’t know him."

"How does Zhong Daolong feel about that, comfortable or not?"

"Definitely comfortable."

"He truly is the man he chose himself to be, respecting only himself, loyal only to himself."

Zhong Daolong pointed at Tang Fei, looking at Yan Wenli and said, "See? This kid is pushing all the blame onto me. I burden his shoulders, and yet he errs?"

"The King is not wrong; it’s my fault," Tang Fei said. "I should not have troubled the King."

"Ah, now you know you’re troubling me? Did I tell you to kill?"

"The King didn’t tell me to kill, but I am willing to kill for the King." Tang Fei’s expression was serious, and his spine was straight as he spoke about something sincerely. "The Monitoring Bureau is the Empire’s and also the King’s. If we let others forcefully intrude, that harms the dignity of the Empire and the face of the King..."

"I won’t allow such a thing, so, I am willing to kill for the King, to kill all that can be killed."

"Is that so?" Zhong Daolong smiled at Tang Fei, asking, "Are you really willing to kill all that should be killed for me?"

"Of course." Tang Fei responded, "Your Majesty treats me as a gentleman of the state, and I must repay it accordingly."

Zhong Daolong burst into laughter, looking at Yan Wenli saying, "Look at that, look... the fear of youth."

"If I could speak like that when I was young, I wouldn’t have ended up with the reputation of ’Mad Dog,’" Yan Wenli said with a smile.

"That’s a compliment." Tang Fei looked at Yan Wenli with admiration and said, "I’ve also been called ’Wolf Pup,’ ’Executioner,’ ’Grim Reaper’... Because the Director enforces the law impartially, so many people curse you, hate you."

"If the Director were to turn a blind eye, let those who come begging off the hook... not only would no one curse you, but many would praise you."

"But is that what the Director wants?"

"Alright, enough," Yan Wenli waved dismissively, saying, "You reserve that shameless energy for the King, don’t waste it on me."

"I don’t have the thick skin you do, being cursed like that, yet still so proud and pleased with yourself..."

"Hehe, just speaking a few truths," Tang Fei replied with a shy smile.

He wasn’t entirely lying; Yan Wenli as the Director of the Supervision Institute could not be simply described with the words "holds a high and powerful position."

He patrolled on behalf of the heavens, monitored all officials.

Even facing the Imperial Three Ministers, he showed no inferiority, even outshining them.

After all, officials could maintain their integrity in front of the three ministers, but when the Monitoring Bureau’s dark hounds came knocking, all they could do was wet their pants.

Zhong Daolong gestured for Tang Fei to sit down and talk.

Tang Fei refused, saying, "Where do I have the right to sit in front of the King and the Director?"

"Just sit when you are told to, no need for so much talk," Yan Wenli still showed care for Tang Fei, his words harsh but his actions kind.

After all, Tang Fei had been punished by standing ever since his arrival.

Tang Fei finally sat down next to Yan Wenli, perching on the edge of the sofa, his demeanor very humble.

Zhong Daolong looked at Tang Fei, asking, "Do your words count?"

"Although I’m no gentleman, I am definitely not a deceitful person."

Zhong Daolong picked up a bottle of wine and personally poured a cup for Tang Fei, saying, "I indeed have a few people that need to be killed, would you be willing to help me with that?"

Tang Fei’s mind stirred and he said, "At your command."

"Is that a deal?" Zhong Daolong raised his glass to Tang Fei, a very rare gesture.

It seemed he truly regarded Tang Fei as one of his own.

"Deal," Tang Fei held his glass and clinked it with Zhong Daolong’s.

When the King offers a drink, one must drink.

Tang Fei drank all the wine in his glass and looked towards Zhong Daolong, asking, "Who does the King wish me to kill?"

Zhong Daolong sipped his wine a little, mysteriously saying, "It’s not the time yet, let’s wait."

"Yes," Tang Fei responded.

But in his mind, he pondered, who exactly does the King want to kill?

And who is this person he feels he must kill?

Not the time yet... when will it be time?

Tang Fei left Zhonghe Hall and headed straight for the Phoenix Pavilion.

Whenever he entered the palace, he would always visit Phoenix and the Princess that he cherished.

Just as he entered, he saw Phoenix and Sheng Xinhua sitting on the sofa, drinking and chatting.

Upon seeing Tang Fei, Sheng Xinhua sneered, "Oh, isn’t this our imposing Director Tang? What brings you to visit us two insignificant folks?"

"How can you say that?" Tang Fei pretended to be angry. "Phoenix is a Princess, how is she insignificant?"

"..."