Chapter 618: Chapter 376: Blood for Blood!_2

“Yes, Princess and Tang Fei are close friends, concerned about Tang Fei’s safety… so she went to see him,” Yan Wenli said aloud, providing an explanation.

“So, you handed Tang Fei over to her? In front of so many people?”

“…”

Yan Wenli had no words to respond.

He could have refused, and he should have refused.

But when he was faced with Phoenix’s angry expression and questioning eyes, he felt a guilty conscience as if he were a thief.

He did not know how to utter those words of refusal.

So, he handed Tang Fei over to Phoenix.

“You’ve put the Royal Family in a very passive position,” Zhong Daolong adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, speaking with some dissatisfaction, “Children can act on impulse, but we, as their elders, cannot.”

“It was mishandled on my part,” Yan Wenli bowed as he apologized.

Zhong Daolong waved his hand, signaling Yan Wenli to sit down and speak.

He picked up the bottle of Whiskey from the table, pouring a glass for Yan Wenli first, and then poured into his own glass.

“My daughter’s temperament is much like her mother’s; once she sets her mind on something, not even nine oxen can pull her back…”

He raised his glass to Yan Wenli and said, “That’s also why I tend to indulge her a little extra.”

“Yes, the King’s affection for Princess Xiu Xue is known to all,” Yan Wenli replied, clinking his glass and then downing the Whiskey in one gulp.

He was not feeling good about how things had developed.

“Having only this cherished daughter, naturally, I hope she can be happy for her entire life,” Zhong Daolong said with a loving expression, “Any rain she might catch or wind she might face, I hope to shield her from it with my old bones.”

“Pity the hearts of parents throughout the world.”

“Yes, pity the hearts of parents throughout the world,” Zhong Daolong echoed with a sigh.

He looked up at Yan Wenli, who was sitting opposite, and asked, “How’s Tang Fei’s injury?”

“Not good,” Yan Wenli said with a serious face, “Tang Shengyan is old but vigorous, his punch technique is divine, and he sent Tang Fei flying out with a punch, causing him to vomit blood non-stop.”

Zhong Daolong’s expression darkened slightly, and he reached for the bottle to top up their drinks.

When he looked up again, his face had returned to normal. Turning to Yan Wenli, he asked, “He’s not in mortal danger, is he?”

“I’ve checked his breath; though his internal energy is in disorder, there’s a source and no sign of extinction. His lungs are also severely injured, but with timely medical treatment and rest, he should recover without major issues.”

“That’s good,” Zhong Daolong nodded and said, “He needs to stay alive. The play can continue only if he lives.”

“Somebody has to step forward to strike a match and light the fire, don’t they?”

“Yes, I understand.”

Zhong Daolong scrutinized Yan Wenli carefully, then, all of a sudden, squinted his eyes and smiled, asking, “What? Have you developed a fondness for talent?”

“All talents are talents of the King,” Yan Wenli was startled and replied.

“Hahaha, Lao Yan, now you’re starting to talk in riddles with me.”

Zhong Daolong lightly tapped Yan Wenli with his finger, “Those who boast of their loneliness are truly pitiable. Lao Yan, I hope to remain your drinking buddy for a lifetime.”

As he spoke, he once again raised his glass to Yan Wenli.

Yan Wenli’s eyes moistened, and he bowed saying, “That would be the greatest honor of my life.”

——

Light Pavilion.

“Tang Fei is dead?”

“He’s not dead.

“Not dead?” Zhong Tianque fell silent for a while, then said, “If he were dead, that would be one thing. But now that he’s not… it leaves us with a mess to clean up.”

“What? Does he dare take revenge on the Princess?”

“A person who bears a grudge against you will always find an opportunity to bite. Even if they can’t bite you, they’ll spit at your shadow.”

“So we…” Qian Taian made a throat-slitting gesture.

“There’s no need,” Zhong Tianque waved his hand and said, “I didn’t speak up for him, and that’s probably made my sister hold a grudge. Now, when things are so critical, we shouldn’t create unnecessary complications.”

He paused, then asked, “Which hospital was Tang Fei taken to?”

“Imperial Maritime Hospital. The Princess personally took him there.”

“Hm, you go visit on my behalf… never mind, I’ll go myself.”

“Your Highness…”

“He is dead, Tang Shengyan owes us a favor. As long as he was alive, he would be someone who could risk his life for me.”

“I understand.”

“Hmm, get ready,” Zhong Tianque said.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

——

Luojia Mountain.

Bamboo Sea Courtyard.

Shen Xinglan’s sword swept out, the calm sea surface glittered with silver light, as if thousands of fireworks were bursting forth simultaneously.

His figure lightly landed in the courtyard, where a bald man came to greet him, laughing, “Young Master’s swordsmanship has improved again.”

“Uncle Biao flatters me.” He took the tea that Uncle Biao handed him and asked, “Uncle Biao, what brings you to my small courtyard?”

“Whenever Young Master summons, I will be here,” Uncle Biao replied with a hearty laugh.

Although no one spoke openly of it, everyone knew that Shen Xinglan was undoubtedly going to be the leader of the next generation of the Shen Family.

Fostering a relationship with this important figure early on was also beneficial for the rise of the next generation of the Chang Family.

This was why the Second Elder often sent him to meet with Shen Xinglan, effectively elevating his status.

Shen Xinglan made a welcoming gesture, “Please have a seat, Uncle Biao.”

“In front of the Young Master, how could I presume to sit?” Uncle Biao didn’t sit, showing Shen Xinglan the same respect as he would the Second Elder. “The Second Elder sent me here to tell the Young Master something.”

“Oh? What is it?” Shen Xinglan asked curiously.

He knew that unless there was a special circumstance, his grandfather would not disturb him.

And it was even less likely for the chief steward, Uncle Biao, to come just to exchange a few idle words…

“Tang Shengyan went to the Monitoring Bureau, saying that if Tang Fei could withstand a single punch from him, then both sides’ grievances would be wiped clean.”

“I didn’t expect that Tang Fei wouldn’t withstand it, and he was seriously injured; now his life and death are uncertain.”

“Life and death uncertain?” Shen Xinglan asked with a puzzled expression.

Now it was Uncle Biao’s turn to be surprised, “Tang Shengyan has been renowned for a long time, a famous Grandmaster beneath the Star Sky… How could Tang Fei, who has only practiced martial arts for a few years, possibly withstand a punch from Tang Shengyan?”

“But from what I see… do you think Tang Fei shouldn’t have been defeated?”

Shen Xinglan shook his head, “With the vast difference in their strength, it’s only natural that Tang Fei would be defeated… It’s just that you don’t understand Tang Fei.”

“He’s someone who cannot be measured by common sense… and he’s an extremely cautious man… If he thought he would be seriously injured, he wouldn’t have forcibly withstood that punch from Tang Shengyan…”

“He did and was injured… That’s what makes me feel odd; it doesn’t match his style of doing things.”

“I heard that he was forced by Tang Shengyan and had to withstand it…” Uncle Biao tried to explain.

Shen Xinglan waved his hand, “Whatever he does, he does willingly. If he doesn’t want to, no one can force him.”

“He could fake illness, or even feign death… If he hid in White Crane Academy, would Tang Shengyan be able to demand him from White Crane Mountain?”

“He chose the most foolish way to respond… That’s why I feel… things are not so simple.”

“I see,” Uncle Biao said thoughtfully, “Tang Fei is currently being treated at the Marine Hospital… I’ve already sent someone there, and I will pass on any news as soon as it arrives…”

Shen Xinglan looked up at the lonely expanse of the sea in front of him, holding his teacup deep in thought.

Uncle Biao bowed and left quietly.

——

Lu Ban Mountain.

Atop Lu Ban Mountain.

A withered old man stood there, his thin clothes fluttering in the night wind, as if they might leave their master behind at any moment.

The old man looked towards the brilliantly lit Phoenix City with an expression contorted with viciousness, his eyes filled with a hate so intense it seemed unable to dissipate.

“They owe you, and they will certainly pay.”

“Whoever it is, must pay.”

“An eye for an eye, blood… for blood.”

(P.S. Thank you to those friends who still love me.

I love you too.)