CHAPTER 624: CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY, IT’S NOT SERIOUS!

Zhong Tianque stood in front of his father, like a defeated general.

No, more like a deserter in battle.

He had indeed fled.

Because it was not an ordinary battle, it was a life-and-death struggle, a fight to mutual destruction.

He couldn’t understand who harbored such deep hatred towards him.

And which power... would nurture so many Dead Pools?

Zhong Tianque did not want to flee, since he knew what abandoning his comrades meant.

Moreover, it was a critical time for him, and fleeing now would make the Eldest Prince seem unreliable in the eyes of the Royal Family and the entire court.

This was not conducive to his ascension.

However, when the pirate ships aggressively attacked the Fire God with their cannons, he was scared, afraid he might actually die in that vast, lonely Star Sky.

Thus, under the deaths advisements of Qian Taian and the Fire God ship captain Zhong Changming, he was forced to break away from the battle sea...

"Tell me, what exactly happened?" Zhong Daolong had just woken up from a nap and seemed to be in good spirits.

He picked up the bottle of whiskey from the table, poured himself a glass, and swirled it lightly in his hand.

"On our way back, we were attacked; those pirates charged at us recklessly... They weren’t after our money, but our lives. They wanted to kill me, to perish together with us."

Zhong Tianque stood upright, his eyes honest and fearless as he looked at his father, trying to make all his choices appear rational and wise.

"So, you didn’t win?"

"..."

"You abandoned your brothers and ran?"

"..."

"Do you know what that means?"

"..."

Zhong Tianque certainly knew what it meant but dared not speak the answer.

"It means you’re a deserter, it means I could shoot you dead, have your head chopped off..."

Smack!

In his anger, Zhong Daolong smashed the glass he had just filled with whiskey onto Zhong Tianque’s head.

The glass fell onto the thick deer fur carpet and did not break.

However, the golden liquid inside splashed onto Zhong Tianque’s face, his body, and the fluffy carpet.

A gash was opened on Zhong Tianque’s forehead by the rim of the glass, and fresh red blood oozed out.

Yet, Zhong Tianque seemed oblivious, not even using his hand to wipe it.

He just stood there, rigid and blank, allowing the blood to flow freely, turning his usually resolute and dependable square face ugly and fierce.

"King, it was us who took the Prince away... All faults, however many, are ours." Zhong Changming spoke up.

Since he was the captain of the Fire God and also overall responsible for the security of the Prince’s inspection tour, he, too, was brought to the meeting to be "questioned."

Seeing the Eldest Prince, Zhong Tianque, with his head smashed and bleeding, he knew he had to step up and speak now.

A subordinate who doesn’t take the blame for his boss is not a good subordinate...

Indeed, Zhong Daolong’s gaze shifted to Zhong Changming’s face, his expression dark and his eyes fierce, he asked sharply, "Was it you who took him away?"

Zhong Changming felt very anxious, as if targeted by a ferocious beast.

Yet, he knew he must not panic now, forcefully maintaining his composure, he straightened his spine and said through clenched teeth, "Yes, a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall; the Prince’s status is noble, any mishap could be detrimental both to the nation and to the people."

"So, taking the initiative, I forcefully took him away from the battlefield while the Prince insisted on not leaving..."

"The commander abandons his soldiers and runs away first. Do you know what the crime is?" Zhong Daolong asked out loud.

His voice carried no emotion, yet it sent shivers down one’s spine.

"Please, King, punish me." Zhong Changming bowed in apology.

"Someone, strip Zhong Changming of his rank insignia. You will no longer command the Fire God, wait for the Military Committee’s judgment."

"Yes." Zhong Changming saluted with his hand.

Two men in black stepped forward, removed the general’s insignia from Zhong Changming’s shoulders, and then escorted him out of the conference hall.

Seeing Zhong Changming stripped of his rank and position, Zhong Tianque secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

In this military conflict, their side had suffered heavy losses; someone needed to take responsibility.

Now that Zhong Changming had stepped forward to take on all the blame, Prince Zhong Tianque, who was "forced" to leave, was safe.

He didn’t want to go either...

He felt helpless; what wrong had he done?

Anyone who could sit at the conference was cunning.

They naturally understood the deep meaning behind the King’s actions; it was to preserve Zhong Tianque’s reputation and ensure that his rise to power remained undisturbed by any event.

He wanted the citizens of the Phoenix Empire to know that their future King was strong, wise, and had a sense of responsibility and mission.

As Zhong Changming was led out, the tone was set for the event.

Zhong Daolong took the wine cup that Chen Fenglei passed back to him, looked towards the few members of the Military Committee present, and said, "Let’s talk, who did this? What was their purpose? Since when have pirate ships dared to confront the Royal Fleet?"

------

Imperial Maritime Hospital. Senior VIP ward.

"Truly recovered?" Sheng Xinhua looked over Tang Fei’s body, asking worriedly.

"I’m recovered." Tang Fei clenched his fist, saying, "I can now punch a cow to death."

"I still think you look a bit weak," Sheng Xinhua blinked.

"You don’t believe me, nor do you believe in science?" Tang Fei said irritably, "Doctor Qin just gave me a comprehensive physical examination, my functional index is very healthy. Otherwise, Doctor Qin wouldn’t have allowed me to be discharged."

"Alright then." Sheng Xinhua stretched lazily, saying, "You’re fine now, I can report back to Phoenix. I haven’t been to school in days because of looking after you. My students must be missing me."

"Thank you." Tang Fei looked into Sheng Xinhua’s eyes, earnestly saying.

During his time in the hospital, he truly had kept Sheng Xinhua’s mother busy.

She cooked soups and porridges, and occasionally brought fresh things for Tang Fei to nourish his body.

Sheng Xinhua hadn’t attended school these days, staying by Tang Fei’s side, feeding him soup, helping him urinate...

That was just after he was admitted in a very weak condition; later, Tang Fei started to fend for himself.

Tang Fei was truly grateful to Sheng Xinhua and her mother.

"Ooh la la, getting sentimental now?" Sheng Xinhua clearly disliked this atmosphere, jokingly saying.

"If you don’t like to hear it, forget it," Tang Fei said.

"I really don’t like to hear it. Affection isn’t talked about, it’s shown."

"???" Tang Fei felt something was off.

It’s imprudent...

That statement.

With a wave of his hand, Sheng Xinhua said, "Come on, I’ll take you home."

Sheng Xinhua dropped Tang Fei off at the entrance of the small courtyard and then drove off directly.

As Tang Fei closed the yard door and was about to enter the house, his gaze suddenly sharpened, and he called out, "Who?"