Chapter 48: A Group of Sorcerers
“Your Majesty!”
After the phoenix’s wings had swung him out, Chong Xi and Feng Ju Qianli immediately came forward to see if he was injured.
“Where’s Little Carp?”
The two of them looked around, and only then did they realize that Li Jianyu’s figure was no longer at the side. They didn’t know where he had gone.
Zhao Zhanqi had someone put out the fire and clean up the mess. Zhao Linxu’s arm had been scratched by the wolf’s claws, so Chong Xi pulled him to bandage it.
Zhao Linxu frowned slightly and turned his head to see that the phoenix was gone. But it hadn’t flown away uncontrollably like last time; it had just slowly disappeared into the firelight.
Just as Zhao Linxu was about to go and look for him, he saw Li Jianyu and Zhao Zhanqi coming over together.
Zhao Zhanqi’s expression was subtle.
After the phoenix had disappeared, Zhao Zhanqi had found Li Jianyu in the ruins. How could it not be subtle?
“Little Carp!”
Zhao Linxu saw that Li Jianyu’s clothes and cheeks were covered in black patches, like a little calico cat. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and went forward to wipe his face with his sleeve. But he hadn’t expected that he had also come out of the fire, and this wipe only made it worse.
The scene before them was a mess. Zhao Zhanqi had a headache. “We have to think of another way.”
He had truly not expected this Thousand-Li Wolf’s fighting strength to be even greater than that of the Taotie and goblins. Even someone as crazy as Zhao Linxu couldn’t do anything to it.
“In any case, we can search all the ancient cities here,” Feng Ju Qianli said comfortingly. “As for the rest, after Your Majesty and the City Lord have washed up, we can discuss how to deal with it.”
Zhao Linxu held Li Jianyu’s hand. The two of them were about to leave when they saw one of Zhao Zhanqi’s deputy generals rush over.
“General! Th-this is bad!”
“What is it?”
“The prisoners who were locked up… have escaped…”
Zhao Zhanqi was stunned.
“What prisoners!”
“It’s the Taotie and the two goblins that His Majesty brought back that day… Those few had been planning for many days. Today, they took advantage of the slightly relaxed guard and escaped…”
“Bastard!” Zhao Zhanqi was furious and said in a low voice, “Have you sent people to pursue them?”
“We have!”
“All the guards, come to my main tent to receive your punishment!”
After Zhao Zhanqi and the deputy general left, Zhao Linxu and Li Jianyu looked at each other.
Well, this was great. Not to mention the Thousand-Li Wolf, even the people who were supposed to help the Thousand-Li Wolf find the enemy’s camp by scent were gone. This plan could be said to have been completely ruined.
Even if they had subdued the Thousand-Li Wolf, without those few captives, it was useless. Zhao Linxu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, only feeling that misfortunes never come singly.
Looking at Zhao Linxu’s sorry state and subtle expression, Li Jianyu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He felt both heartache and a little schadenfreude.
“When we get back to the tent, continue with those nine kisses to comfort me.”
“Alright, alright, alright.”
After the two had bathed and changed, they snuggled in the quilt and talked, planning to take a short nap before discussing countermeasures with Zhao Zhanqi and the others.
“Little Carp, have you given the little bun a name?” Zhao Linxu gently stroked Li Jianyu’s bulging belly. Li Jianyu’s belly was getting bigger day by day, and it was now clearly visible.
Li Jianyu shook his head.
“Then it’s perfect to use mine,” Zhao Linxu said with a grin. “I’ve thought of many.”
“Let’s hear them.”
“One of them is, if Little Carp gives birth to a daughter, her nickname will be Shang Yu. Above fine jade, a treasure of the world.”
Li Jianyu nodded. “It sounds nice.”
…
A moment later.
“Zhao Linxu!”
Li Jianyu came back to his senses. He suddenly understood the meaning of the characters and punched Zhao Linxu in the stomach.
“I was wrong, I was wrong.” Zhao Linxu laughed as he smoothed Li Jianyu’s hair.
Seeing Li Jianyu being held in his arms, Zhao Linxu lowered his head and kissed him, his hand reaching into Li Jianyu’s inner shirt to feel his warm body temperature.
Li Jianyu closed his eyes and whimpered.
“Ah—!!”
Zhao Linxu’s hand was just at Li Jianyu’s waist, and he hadn’t planned to move down yet, but a scream from outside startled him so much he almost lost his erection.
“What’s going on?”
Li Jianyu was also stiff and pushed Zhao Linxu away.
The maid outside seemed to have been frightened by something. The water basin in her hand had also fallen, making a “clang, clang” sound. Then came the sound of neat footsteps and a clamor. It seemed they had been surrounded. Something must have happened.
Zhao Linxu subconsciously shielded Li Jianyu behind him and took the iron whip that had been thrown to the side.
The tent flap was slowly lifted.
A huge wolf stepped into the tent with small steps, without making a sound.
Zhao Linxu’s eyes widened.
Isn’t this…
There were still bloodstains around the wolf’s mouth. Zhao Linxu and Li Jianyu looked back and saw three bodies with large and small wounds lying by the door, unable to move due to their serious injuries.
Outside the tent, Zhao Zhanqi led his men to surround the wolf, guarding against a sudden attack.
“It’s back,” Li Jianyu said with a smile. “And it’s brought back a gift.”
His man had succeeded.
Zhao Linxu took a deep breath and slowly approached the ferocious beast with the soft, glossy fur.
The big wolf did not retreat, nor did it make any warning sounds.
Zhao Linxu finally stood in front of the big wolf, only half an arm’s length away from it.
Li Jianyu looked at Zhao Linxu, his palms sweating. Although he had a feeling it would be alright, seeing Zhao Linxu standing unarmed in front of such a beast, if the big wolf suddenly attacked, Zhao Linxu wouldn’t have time to dodge. He couldn’t help but worry.
Zhao Linxu, however, was not afraid. He reached out and placed his hand on the big wolf’s head.
Everyone outside the tent stared with wide eyes.
Li Jianyu held his breath, not daring to move, for fear of provoking the beast.
“Awooo—”
The big wolf let out a long howl, then lay down and rested at the entrance of the main tent.
Zhao Linxu also felt relieved. He squatted down and rubbed the big wolf’s fur, scratching its chin as if he were teasing a cat, and smiled. “You all can stand down.”
Zhao Zhanqi frowned slightly. “No need to send people to guard? The City Lord is also inside.”
Zhao Linxu smiled. “No need.”
Setting aside what was going on with this beast, even if something happened, he was not afraid of this wolf. And now, his wife was more formidable than him. He might even have to hope for his wife to save him.
If he acted like a coward and had people guard him, how could he convince the ancestor before him?
Seeing Zhao Linxu stroking the big wolf, Li Jianyu also felt a sense of fondness and novelty. So he went forward and started petting the wolf with Zhao Linxu.
The people outside all withdrew, and also dragged away the three fugitives.
The big wolf had been squinting its eyes contentedly, but after feeling Li Jianyu, its two emerald-like eyes stared straight at him.
Li Jianyu was puzzled.
Then, the big wolf licked the back of Li Jianyu’s hand and let out a pleased purr.
Zhao Linxu gasped, his beard and eyebrows bristling.
“This is so unfair. I fought with him all night, but now he’s so submissive and fond of you at first sight?”
Li Jianyu blinked.
Who let him be a phoenix, the king of all beasts?
XXXXXX
At night, the ancient city, like the Great Gong’s army camp, did not quiet down. The sound of training could be heard everywhere.
“Your Highness, that person has arrived.”
In the main tent, Feng Juheng sat at his desk, his arms crossed, his eyebrows raised as he looked at the three or four men who had passed through the tent flap and were walking towards him.
These men were dressed very strangely, wrapped in long black robes, their faces as pale as paper, their eyes blood-red. In broad daylight, they looked a little creepy.
But Feng Juheng knew that these people were not to be trifled with.
The man in the lead was named Qing Luo. He was Red Snake’s master and also the only sorcerer of the previous generation who had survived after Feng Ju Qianli had burned down the Secret Art Pavilion. If it weren’t for Qing Luo’s anonymity, how could Red Snake have become the most talented sorcerer in a hundred years?
Everyone who knew Qing Luo knew that this person’s secret art was already beyond what mortals could achieve.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Qing Luo’s voice was hoarse.
Feng Juheng nodded and smiled. “You must have also received Red Snake’s letter. I need your help.”
“Please speak, Your Highness.”
“The scouts have reported that Zhao Linxu has successfully subdued the Thousand-Li Wolf. I’m afraid our camp’s location can no longer be hidden. I need you to find a way to cover it up.”
Qing Luo suddenly smiled.
The originally expressionless white face suddenly smiled, and the others who saw it felt a chill run down their spines.
“Your Highness, instead of hiding all the time, why not strike first and attack?”
“No need for the Cult Leader to remind me. We naturally understand. Hiding our location just gives us an advantage.” The reason Feng Juheng called Qing Luo “Cult Leader” was because Qing Luo had established a demonic cult in the jianghu after his escape and had gathered his own forces.
“No, no,” Qing Luo said unhurriedly. “Everyone has a weakness. Just like how the Emperor was constrained by you and could only submit. If we can step on the weakness of the enemy’s leader, that is the real advantage. If Your Highness can’t kill Zhao Linxu and Feng Ju Qianli for the time being, then it’s better to change the method.”
Feng Juheng sneered. “Easier said than done. But capturing Li Jianyu and Chong Xi is more difficult than killing the enemy’s leader.”
“Your Highness, what if I say I can bring Li Jianyu to you?”
Feng Juheng was stunned and looked at Qing Luo with some suspicion.
“How?”
“I have my ways, as long as Your Highness agrees to one thing.”
Feng Juheng waved his hand, signaling Qing Luo to speak.
“Your Highness, do not kill Li Jianyu. After Your Highness is done with him, remember to hand him over to my cult,” Qing Luo said with a strange smile.
“Granted.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, for your blessing.” Qing Luo smiled and took a small bottle from his robes, presenting it to Feng Juheng with both hands. “This is a rare medicine refined by my cult. Just one drop is guaranteed to be soul-devouring, leaving no reason. Consider it a meeting gift from my cult to Your Highness.”
He really knew how to please people.
Feng Juheng had a subordinate take it.
After Qing Luo and his men left, Feng Juheng took the bottle and went around the screen.
Feng Juhua was leaning against the soft couch, sitting motionlessly, waiting for Feng Juheng.
“Imperial Brother.” Feng Juheng sat down beside Feng Juhua, hugged him affectionately, and smiled. “Is Imperial Brother hungry? I’ve had someone prepare Imperial Brother’s favorite snacks from the past. You can eat with me later.”
Feng Juhua’s eyes were empty and lifeless, his expression dazed. “Yes.”
Feng Juheng glanced at the handcuffs on Feng Juhua’s hands. “Imperial Brother, if you promise me not to do anything foolish again, not to seek death, I will unlock the handcuffs, okay?”
“Alright.”
“Really? Imperial Brother really scared me that day.” Feng Juheng rested his head on Feng Juhua’s shoulder and smiled. “Do you know you were wrong?”
“I know I was wrong.”
Looking at Feng Juhua’s expressionless face and his flat voice, Feng Juheng felt a sourness in his heart. His eyes darkened, and he took out the bottle.
“Drink it all.”
After he drank it, he would see how Feng Juhua could still be so indifferent.
Feng Juhua obediently took it and drank it mouthful by mouthful. Feng Juheng held him and said in a muffled voice, “Imperial Brother, I really like you… so much, so much.”
That night, Feng Juhua was destined not to sleep well.
Neither was Li Jianyu.
“Awooo—!”
Li Jianyu was woken by the howl of a wolf.
Li Jianyu propped himself up on the bed and looked at the sky. It was not yet dawn.
The side of the bed was empty. Zhao Linxu had told him beforehand that he seemed to have to talk to Zhao Zhanqi in the middle of the night about what to do next. Now that they had the Thousand-Li Wolf, the enemy’s location could be determined. And what to do after that? How to attack? When to attack?
It seemed that Zhao Linxu and Zhao Zhanqi planned to talk about it beforehand, and then discuss it with Feng Ju Qianli and the others tomorrow.
At this moment, in the empty tent, the big wolf was by his bed, on alert, letting out a low sound.
Li Jianyu looked around in confusion.
What was wrong?
“Hiss—”
The candles in the tent were suddenly extinguished, and his vision was plunged into darkness.
Li Jianyu was startled, and a cluster of fire emerged from his palm, flickering.
Who was it…
“I have long heard of the City Lord’s beauty. Seeing it today, it has truly opened my eyes.”
In the empty tent, another man’s hoarse voice suddenly sounded.
Li Jianyu’s hair stood on end. He suddenly turned around and saw a man in a black robe standing behind him, his overly pale face looking particularly terrifying in the darkness.
“Who are you!”
“I am the sorcerer who summoned your soul here, Qing Luo.”
