Zhao Zeng saw that the Shadow Guards were no longer pursuing him and finally let out a sigh of relief. He had not expected Yan Feng to give chase.
When he spotted the red Forehead Band on Yan Feng’s forehead, disgust and wariness flashed through his eyes.
“Yan People again!”
“Kill for This King!”
He did not recognize Yan Feng. After all, when Yan Feng had previously attempted to assassinate him, his figure had been slender, not this tall or robust.
Rage and hatred fueled his strength. In a life-or-death duel, the most fearsome opponents were those who did not fear death. The Yan People’s techniques and fighting style were already reckless, and Yan Feng was even more so.
Zhao Zeng and Yan Feng became entangled in combat, to the point that even Zhao Zeng’s guards could not intervene.
Moments later, a chilling scream rang out.
—
Chu Yunge saw the Shadow Guards return. Although they brought no news of killing or castrating Zhao Zeng, she was not surprised.
If Zhao Zeng were that easy to kill, he could not have committed so many evils and remained free until now.
Zhao Zeng had come for a second round; who knew if he might attempt a third? If he tried another diversion tactic to lure the tiger away from the mountain, it would be troublesome. It was quite good that they had returned on their own initiative.
“Hurry back to the Princess Mansion.”
It was too dangerous outside.
“Yes.” The Shadow Guards were even more anxious than Chu Yunge.
As for Yan Feng, Chu Yunge only glanced at him once before looking away.
The greatest goal of the Yan People was revenge. She was not surprised that Yan Feng had abandoned his duties here to pursue and kill Zhao Zeng.
That was their life’s pursuit; there was nothing more to say. Their employment had simply come to an end.
The carriage roof was gone, and the carriage raced along urgently, with the wind whistling in.
Perhaps because it was an overcast day, it was also somewhat cold.
Chu Yunge hugged her arms, wondering if she should wrap herself in a tablecloth, when a sudden warmth enveloped her. She looked up and saw Yan Feng.
Yan Feng wrapped her in the tablecloth she had just thought of using.
In the darkness of night, she could not make out his expression, but as he drew near, she smelled the bloody scent on him.
Chu Yunge was stunned for a moment. “Why did you come back? Are you injured?”
This had been his best chance to kill Zhao Zeng.
Yan Feng shook his head, his voice hoarse. “It’s not my blood.”
He had not expected Chu Yunge’s first reaction to be concern for his injury.
Chu Yunge widened her eyes. “You already killed Zhao Zeng?”
Yan Feng paused. “No.”
“Then why did you come back?” Chu Yunge asked curiously.
Yan Feng paused again. Yes, why had he come back just like that?
After wounding Zhao Zeng, he should have pressed the advantage and finished him off completely, but in the end, he had chosen to turn back.
“I… am still your personal bodyguard. I have received much silver from you, and today I already failed to protect you properly. I cannot let anything happen to you again.”
“The Yan People spend their lives pursuing revenge, but we Yan People also value our credibility. I said I would protect you.”
He had not formally resigned yet. As long as he had not resigned, he was still her personal bodyguard, responsible for her safety.
He had feared it was a diversion tactic to lure the tiger away from the mountain, so after a moment’s hesitation, he had returned.
He decided to stay by her side and guard her, ensuring nothing happened to her.
Chu Yunge looked at Yan Feng and could not help but smile.
She would not have been disappointed if Yan Feng had left, but she was very happy that he had returned.
“You saved me again today. This Princess must reward you with silver—plenty of silver. No, This Princess will reward you with gold, gold ingots!”
Yan Feng said in a muffled voice, “No need. This is simply this subordinate’s duty.”
He had already received his monthly pay; this was his responsibility.
He had merely done what he was supposed to do. “Your Highness, to disregard the employer’s safety and even endanger the employer is not the way of the Yan People.”
“My master once said that the Yan People’s fate is of our own making. We should not vent our anger on others or impose the Yan People’s suffering on them, using the destruction of our families as an excuse. Your Highness, just treat this subordinate as an ordinary person.”
Chu Yunge now understood why a great power like the Zhao State rejected the Yan People, yet so many still employed them.
“Your master was a remarkable person. You Yan People… are all quite remarkable.”
They did not play the “I am weak, so I am right” or “I am pitiful, so I am right” games.
Yan Feng had given up on killing Zhao Zeng, and it had not sat well with him. Only now, upon hearing Chu Yunge’s words, did the regret in his heart dissipate somewhat.
The corners of his mouth twitched upward.
Chu Yunge inexplicably sensed his improved mood and was about to speak when her hair was blown into her mouth.
Yan Feng glanced at the carriage roof, thought for a moment, then removed his black tight-fitting robe and draped it over Chu Yunge. He held the tablecloth himself and leaped up to the roof.
Soon, the tablecloth covered the roof. Yan Feng lifted the carriage curtain and entered, relighting the lamp that had been blown over.
Perhaps because the night was so dark, the lamplight seemed especially bright, and even the person who lit it carried a warmth.
Chu Yunge felt as if she had returned from hell to the human world in an instant.
With Yan Feng by her side, she felt completely safe and relaxed entirely.
Though he had a bit of baby fat, it did not detract from his martial prowess or the sense of security he provided.
Seeing that Chu Yunge had not draped the robe properly, Yan Feng helped adjust it.
When he saw Xie Wangze’s robe, especially the torn fabric peeking out from the wide sleeves, Yan Feng closed his eyes briefly, a flash of pain in his gaze.
“Your Highness, this subordinate failed to kill Zhao Zeng or castrate him to avenge you. I only managed to cut off half— this subordinate is incompetent.”
Chu Yunge paused for a moment before reacting. “What did you say? You cut off half of Zhao Zeng? Which half?”
Yan Feng hated his own incompetence. “His evil root. He dodged it.”
Chu Yunge was overjoyed. “You really cut off half? Yan Feng, how are you so amazing? You are truly too incredible!”
It was an unexpected delight.
“I said before that even cutting off half would earn you a reward of a hundred taels of gold. This Princess will send it to you later!”
The roof no longer let in wind, so it was actually not cold anymore. Chu Yunge draped the robe over Yan Feng. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? You must be tired, and cold too. Hurry and put it on.”
Yan Feng was somewhat at a loss from Chu Yunge’s reaction. “Your Highness, this subordinate is incompetent, yet you praise me. You were even…”
“Wait.” Chu Yunge realized. “Did you misunderstand and think Zhao Zeng bullied me? He didn’t.”
Yan Feng could not believe that.
Chu Yunge said, “…Well, it could be considered bullying, since he tore my clothes. But it was just tearing the clothes—nothing else. This time, you have truly avenged This Princess.”
Yan Feng’s hands clenched with a creak. Tearing her clothes—how was that not bullying? He had dared to tear Her Highness’s clothes!
“Your Highness, to the ends of the earth, this subordinate will find him afterward and avenge the Yan People and you. This subordinate will completely sever his evil root.”
The Yan People hated the Zhao State royalty, and hated Zhao Zeng the most, for he had humiliated and killed far too many Yan People. Those women who died after such torment were an eternal pain in the hearts of the Yan People.
Now, Zhao Zeng had added another crime to his tally.
Chu Yunge said, “Good, very good. Rest assured, This Princess will never treat you unfairly.”
“Yan Feng, you live up to your name. You are a real man!”
In her excitement, she grabbed Yan Feng’s hand, only regretting that she had not seen it or taken revenge with her own hands.
Die, you pervert—let’s see you pervert around anymore!
Let’s see if he still dared!