Chapter 1014: Beyond Reasonable

Editor: Henyee Translations

The leader landed on the ground and took a few steps back before he could stand steadily, secretly shocked. The young boy in front of him seemed so young, yet his martial arts skills were incredibly high!

He changed his strategy and decided not to confront him head-on. He felt that all of them together were no match for this boy. “Why did you capture the tenth prince?”

Chu Tang smiled faintly, “Right now, you’re the one with a request, not me. So, you should answer my questions first.”

The other man pulled down his mask, revealing a fair and handsome face. Li Yuanliang slightly raised his face, looking up at Chu Tang, “Ask away. As long as you release the tenth prince, you can do whatever you want with me!”

Chu Tang was curious, “What’s your relationship with the tenth prince that you’re willing to risk your life to save him?”

Li Yuanliang’s eyes showed longing, “I’m the tenth prince’s senior brother.”

“Senior brother?” Chu Tang thought this was a bit strange, “Just being senior brothers, is that worth risking your life for? I’ll give you a chance, take your people and leave now, and I can pretend nothing happened.”

He wanted to see what this man would choose.

Li Yuanliang knelt on one knee, “I beg you to release the tenth prince.” The person in front of him showed no intention to kill, and seemed to be a soft-hearted person. Using sincerity might be the best approach.

Chu Tang felt something was off. Even the closest senior brothers wouldn’t have the courage to sacrifice their lives for each other. “This is your last chance. Tell me the real relationship between you two, or as long as I’m around, you won’t see the tenth prince again.”

Li Yuanliang slowly lowered his head, staying silent for a long time before speaking again, “The tenth prince and I are in love, we are secret lovers.”

Chu Tang was slightly taken aback—this was unexpected. The tenth prince always had an ascetic look, and it was hard to imagine he liked men. “I’ll release him under one condition.”

Relieved to hear there was room for negotiation, Li Yuanliang said, “Name it.”

Chu Tang spoke slowly, “Help me investigate the true identity of Lord Yun in the Xiasang Kingdom.”

Li Yuanliang immediately raised his head to look at Chu Tang, “I can’t fulfill that condition.”

Chu Tang asked, “Why not?”

Li Yuanliang replied solemnly, “Anyone who has tried to investigate Lord Yun has met a violent end, without exception.”

Chu Tang was surprised, “Is his power that great?”

Li Yuanliang nodded heavily, “Greater than we can imagine.”

Chu Tang was silent for a moment, “From what you said, many people have tried to investigate him?”

Li Yuanliang nodded, “Yes, everyone is very curious about Lord Yun’s identity. If they could get a hold of Lord Yun’s weaknesses, the benefits would be unimaginable.”

“That’s true,” Chu Tang agreed. “But didn’t you just say you were willing to die for the tenth prince?”

“I said I was willing to die if it would result in his release. But I can’t investigate Lord Yun’s identity, so you wouldn’t release the tenth prince, and my death would be in vain,” Li Yuanliang calculated clearly.

“Alright then. Considering you came all this way, I’ll let you two meet, but don’t try to escape, or I can’t guarantee what will happen.” Chu Tang said calmly.

“Thank you,” Li Yuanliang said gratefully.

Following Chu Tang’s arrangement, Li Yuanliang met the Tenth Prince by the lake in the Tao residence after one incense stick’s worth of time.

The Tenth Prince was extremely surprised when he saw Li Yuanliang, thinking it was an illusion.

“Yun Cheng!” Li Yuanliang instinctively hugged the Tenth Prince, he missed him so much.

“Yuanliang, why are you here?” the Tenth Prince couldn’t care about anything else, he hugged Li Yuanliang back tightly. They hadn’t seen each other for nearly two years, and he didn’t expect to meet in a foreign land.

The two spoke of their mutual longing.

In the distance, Chu Tang and Hong Feiyu were watching.

Hong Feiyu couldn’t understand, “Master, how can two men be together?”

Chu Tang, with a tolerant heart, said, “People should be with whoever they want to be with. Heaven hasn’t set rules about who should be with whom.”

Hong Feiyu found it a bit confusing, “Master, are you planning to release the Tenth Prince?”

Chu Tang replied, “How could I? Such a useful pawn can’t be easily let go. He fell into my hands on his own.”

Releasing him would only be possible after extracting every bit of his utility.

Hong Feiyu glanced at Chu Tang. Though he looked like a gentle and simple young master, he was quite cunning.

Chu Tang instructed Hong Feiyu, “Go remind them their time is up.”

They had only been together for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, such a short time, Hong Feiyu sighed, but said, “Yes.”

Hong Feiyu approached, “Master says your time is up.”

Li Yuanliang looked towards Chu Tang’s direction, only seeing his back, “Yun Cheng, I will definitely rescue you.”

the Tenth Prince quickly said, “Don’t underestimate Chu Tang, he’s unfathomable.”

“I know, don’t worry about me. Take care of yourself,” Li Yuanliang said, then hurriedly caught up with Chu Tang.

In the flower hall, Chu Tang sat drinking tea, waiting for Li Yuanliang.

Li Yuanliang cupped his fists, “What do you want me to do, just tell me.”

“Find a hundred Xiasang Kingdom people in the eastern border. For every ten you find, I’ll let you see the Tenth Prince once.” Chu Tang wanted to uproot Lord Yun’s influence in the eastern border.

Li Yuanliang agreed, “Alright.”

Chu Tang added, “By the way, the quality of your work will directly affect the Tenth Prince’s diet. If you want him to eat well, you better work hard.”

Li Yuanliang was completely convinced, “Don’t worry, I’ll do my best.”

Chu Tang waved him off, “Go on, don’t waste time.” A pawn delivered to his door, he wondered how useful it would be.

It turned out to be quite useful. In three days, Li Yuanliang found ten Xiasang Kingdom people.

These ten included royal guards, stewards of wealthy households, and husbands of wealthy daughters, with varied identities.

Chu Tang looked at the ten people tied up like dumplings, “Not bad, finding so many people in just three days.”

“About what you promised?” Li Yuanliang was eager to see the Tenth Prince.

Chu Tang called Hong Feiyu over, “Feiyu, take him.”

“Yes,” Hong Feiyu led Li Yuanliang away.

Chu Tang called Tang Jinghong’s men to take the ten people away. These people would be more useful in Tang Jinghong’s hands, so he didn’t need to worry about them.

…

A few days later, Mu Xiao had news about Wen Baoyu’s investigation. “I didn’t find anything on Wen Baoyu, so I looked into the Wen family. Unexpectedly, I did find something.”

Chu Tang gestured for Mu Xiao to continue.

Mu Xiao said, “The Wen family is the richest in Mu City, but their grain supply doesn’t add up. They haven’t been buying grain, their farmlands are limited, yet they have a constant supply of grain, far beyond reason.”