The leader, Jibai, and the other generals paused for a moment, thinking that the Regent King had asked the wrong person. The current focus should be on how to deal with Li Su, so why bring up General Mu now?
“Hmm?” Feng Autian noticed Jibai’s puzzled expression and emphasized, “This king never asks twice.”
Jibai quickly understood and replied with a lowered head, “Answering the Regent King, General Mu… General Mu Han Yao is currently serving labor duty at the West City quarry.”
“How far is it from the military camp?” Feng Autian thought about the West City quarry. The reason she mentioned Mu Han Yao was solely because she saw his name while perusing the scrolls, and his information came to mind.
Mu Han Yao’s grandfather was the founding general of the Feng nation, known for generations of loyalty and dedication, making them important ministers of the country. In the past, he had achieved great success and was particularly renowned for a battle six years ago. At the age of fourteen, he went alone to the Black Gorge, rescuing the besieged Mu family army and breaking through the death traps set by Qiguo. This victory led to the retreat of the Qiguo forces, bringing peace to the border for two years.
His fame skyrocketed after that battle, and the late Emperor was greatly pleased. He was granted the title of General of the West, and a precious sword from the imperial treasury was bestowed upon him, showcasing the loyalty of the Mu family army.
The Mu family servants were thin in number, and by the time it reached Mu Han Yao’s generation, only his mother and his younger brother Mu Han Jin, who was two years younger, remained in the mansion. When the late Emperor passed away, Feng Autian hastily summoned Mu Han Jin into the harem. Mu Han Jin, unlike his older brother Mu Han Yao, was not known for his military prowess. He was handsome, enjoyed poetry and calligraphy, excelled in refined arts, and was skilled at playing the flute. During a royal banquet, Feng Autian took an interest in him and forcibly claimed him as her own.
Mu Han Yao, stationed at the border, heard of this and was deeply distressed and furious. He led his troops to the capital but was stopped at the city gates by Feng Autian, who threatened Mu Han Jin’s life. Helpless, Mu Han Yao had to retreat with his troops.
Subsequently, the Regent King ordered him stripped of his general’s position on charges of conspiracy. The Mu family army naturally resisted, but given Mu Han Jin’s captivity and Mu Han Yao’s lack of any summons, they had no choice but to march into the capital. Although Mu Han Yao possessed the precious sword granted by the imperial treasury, escaping his life was difficult, and he was specifically sentenced to labor duty at the West City quarry.
Thinking about this, Feng Autian felt regret. Mu Han Yao’s courage and talent were exceptional, and if he could be recruited, the border would face no worries. However, if he couldn’t be used, he would become a lingering threat that needed to be eliminated.
Jibai calculated the time. For the past two years, they had been stationed at the border and dared not visit Mu Han Yao for fear of the Regent King finding out. They were worried that false charges would be fabricated, leading to Mu Han Yao’s demise.
“Fast horses and urgent whips, we’ll arrive within a day,” Jibai truthfully reported. He couldn’t understand why the Regent King suddenly inquired about General Mu. His gaze fell on the scrolls that Feng Autian had just read, and he felt a sense of foreboding. Could it be that the Regent King intended harm to General Mu?
Feng Autian was well aware of their current apprehensions. Anyone she took an interest in had no other fate but death. She sneered inwardly, raising her hand slightly. Her fingers emitted a crisp sound. “Before midnight tonight, make sure to bring Mu Han Yao. If he resists, I want to see him alive or see his corpse.”
Jibai bowed and knelt on the ground. He had lost track of how long he had been kneeling—was it an hour or two? The chill in his heart grew colder. What exactly did the Regent King intend to do?
At this point, Li Su had completely lost his arrogance and vitality. If the Regent King truly opened the city gates wide, he, Li Su, would become a perennial sinner, unable to escape blame. He lowered his head, gazing at the sword that had accompanied him in battles for many years. The Regent King’s words lingered in his mind. Only a coward would choose to commit suicide, and he truly didn’t deserve the sword that had accompanied him for so many years.
As time passed, the green-clad figure outside the tent, who had been kneeling all day, still kept his head lowered and eyes lifeless. The once fair and delicate skin was now sunburned, and occasionally, the footsteps of patrolling soldiers could be heard. He resembled a soulless puppet, showing no reaction, enduring the wind and sun.
Night fell, and a campfire was lit inside the tent, casting a misty haze. The council chamber was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere. They had been kneeling for an entire day, feeling like it had been a lifetime of agony.
Feng Autian sat at the main seat, eyes closed to rest. On this day, she wasn’t at ease or leisure. Images of the topography map she had seen earlier kept replaying in her mind. Now, instead of spending time earning the soldiers’ loyalty to her, it seemed more pragmatic to settle for the next best option—winning the unwavering support of the person with the highest prestige among them. However, taming a stubborn wild horse required great courage, a powerful presence, and skillful handling.
Si Xi had reminded the Regent King several times to have a meal, but his cold and piercing phoenix eyes stopped such attempts. Now, approaching midnight, the Regent King hadn’t eaten anything since the light breakfast in the morning, and there was genuine concern.
A cold wind swept through, and Feng Autian spoke with a deep voice, “Bring the person into the tent.”
Jibai and the others had been kneeling for a whole day. By now, their bodies were stiff and numb, with no sensation left. Since the Regent King’s command earlier in the day, there had been no further words. This day had been extremely unbearable, a pain they feared they would remember for a lifetime.
As Feng Autian’s words fell, there was no immediate response. She furrowed her brow. The souls of the two hidden figures were within her sensing range, so why hadn’t they entered the tent?
“Are they dead?” Feng Autian’s tone grew even more ominous, sending a bone-chilling coldness through the air.
“Alive,” the soul of the two figures emitted a low and hoarse sound, like the muffled voice of something long-buried in dust and soil, a sound that weighed heavily on the senses.
“Why?” Feng Autian couldn’t help but feel puzzled. The soul had always been efficient and knew her intentions. Why, today, did it show hesitation? Did something unexpected happen to Mu Hanyao on the way here?
“Yes.” The soul lowered its head, casting a glance at Mu Hanyao, who had a cold and resolute expression, his face radiating an icy and awe-inspiring aura. He had been acupunctured, and coldness engulfed the tent. He followed the master’s consistent preferences when bringing people. However, the master usually disliked others coveting his prey. Why did he insist on showcasing it publicly today?
The soul conveyed a glance to the spirit. They were bound to obey the master’s command without hesitation. Since the master had changed his preferences today and wanted to appreciate someone publicly, they would follow orders.
A trace of sigh passed through the cold eyes of the soul. Without hesitation, he tossed Mu Hanyao into the tent, and the two figures vanished into the darkness.
Feng Autian was about to reprimand them, thinking that the actions of the soul and spirit tonight were too strange. Suddenly, a white light flashed into the tent. She focused her gaze and slid her arm off the chair, realizing…
Jibai and the others also felt the sudden change. They quickly raised their heads, watching an unidentified object rolling in. Just as they were about to speak, they were left stunned, their eyes wide in shock.
