Chapter 957: Unaware of the Times

Editor: Henyee Translations

Hong Feiyun was inwardly screaming for someone to rescue him.

It seemed the heavens heard Hong Feiyun’s cries, as Chu Tang’s door opened. He glanced over the two, “Sorry to disturb.”

Mu Xiao saw Chu Tang as a rival and his face soured at the sight, “You know you’re interrupting, why don’t you leave?”

Far from leaving, Chu Tang stepped out of his room, bathed in sunlight that turned his skin a pale golden hue, a glow about him, “I believe this is a public place, correct?”

Hong Feiyun’s eyes pleaded with Chu Tang to drive this maniac away.

Mu Xiao pulled Hong Feiyun closer, “Chu Tang, don’t think just because you look pretty, everyone likes you. Know your place!”

Chu Tang’s gaze was clear, “I am quite aware, thank you. It seems you are the one who is confused?”

Mu Xiao, filled with righteous indignation, “You’re causing trouble! Ever since you arrived, you’ve bewitched Feiyun. What tricks have you used on her?”

Hong Feiyun, “…”

“What tricks?” Chu Tang feigned thought, smiling, “Would you like to try them?”

Mu Xiao, grinding his teeth in hatred, “So you admit it?”

Chu Tang almost admired Mu Xiao’s capacity for misunderstanding, “What have I admitted exactly? Mu Xiao, if the Left Emissary knew of your targeting me, he might not be pleased.”

“Don’t threaten me.” Having had enough, Mu Xiao laid it all out, “Chu Tang, you came to treat our young master with ulterior motives, didn’t you?”

Chu Tang openly admitted, “Brother, I’m no saint. Isn’t it normal to have ulterior motives?”

“You…” Mu Xiao, overwhelmed, decided to leave. He turned back to Hong Feiyun, “Who do you choose?”

Hong Feiyun, intending to point at Chu Tang, found Mu Xiao hijacking the gesture, pulling her away.

Hong Feiyun struggled, finding herself surprisingly weaker than Mu Xiao, “Let go of me! Chu Tang, help!”

Chu Tang flicked a stone, hitting a nerve on Mu Xiao’s arm, forcing him to release his grip. Hong Feiyun seized the chance to escape.

Mu Xiao, seeing Hong Feiyun’s pitiful state, added, “Mu Xiao, a forced melon isn’t sweet. Look elsewhere.”

Mu Xiao turned back, glaring at Chu Tang, “What right do you have over Feiyun?”

Chu Tang replied casually, “She’s my friend. As long as I’m here today, you can’t take her away.”

“We’ll see about that.” Mu Xiao huffed and stormed off.

Hong Feiyun, shaken by Mu Xiao’s persistence, approached Chu Tang like a victim of a bully, “I didn’t expect Mu Xiao to be so obstinate.”

Chu Tang looked at Hong Feiyun, “I heard Mu Xiao mention using the location of the second batch of military supplies to coerce you into being with him?”

Hong Feiyun stiffened, then nodded.

Chu Tang quickly followed Mu Xiao to his room, blocking him, “I can step back and even persuade Hong Feiyun to be with you. Tell me the location of the military supplies.”

Mu Xiao turned back with a scoff, “You think I’d tell you.”

Chu Tang smiled faintly, his fingers forming a seal as a spark entered Mu Xiao’s body, “Speak!”

Against his will, Mu Xiao blurted, “I was lying to Feiyun, I know nothing.”

Frustrated, Chu Tang struck Mu Xiao’s chest, sending him flying back, spitting blood.

Mu Xiao had not anticipated Chu Tang’s attack, his eyes burning with rage, “If the Left Emissary hears of today’s events, you’ll regret it.”

“I’m not afraid of the Left Emissary. Do what you will.” Chu Tang, fearless, left the scene.

Mu Xiao was not yet worth killing, so Chu Tang spared him for now.

After Chu Tang left, Mu Xiao, filled with rage, punched the ground. What was Chu Tang’s background?

Chu Tang returned to his room, finding Hong Feiyun still waiting outside. He mentioned, “Mu Xiao was deceiving you.”

Hong Feiyun, “…”

Ignoring Hong Feiyun’s reaction, Chu Tang went back inside to continue his medicine making.

Suddenly, Chu Tang reappeared at the door, spotting Jiang Zhanglin being escorted by two black-clothed figures at the camp entrance, his eyes blindfolded.

Chu Tang furrowed his brows, “What’s going on?”

Jiang Zhanglin offered no resistance, clearly unable to, as he was led to the Left Emissary’s room.

Hong Feiyun, noticing Chu Tang’s attention on Jiang Zhanglin, turned to watch too. “What does this mean?”

Chu Tang followed Jiang’s progress with his eyes, “The Left Emissary has captured Jiang Zhanglin, but for what purpose, that remains unclear.”

Hong Feiyun suggested, “Should we follow and see?”

“No need to follow.” Chu Tang sat down, channeled his spiritual power into his ears, and began to eavesdrop openly.

In the room…

The Left Emissary closed the letter he had been reading and placed it on the table, then looked up at Jiang Zhanglin, “Do you know why I’ve invited you here, Mr. Jiang?”

With the blindfold removed, Jiang Zhanglin stood in the center of the room, his demeanor calm, “I do not.”

The Left Emissary’s expression remained unchanged, “I have only one request, that you join us and provide information from Tang Jinghong’s camp. You need not do anything else.”

Jiang Zhanglin gave a slight smile, “The Left Emissary plays a good hand. But what’s in it for me?”

Without hesitation, the Left Emissary responded, “We guarantee your success in the imperial exams and a smooth career path…”

Jiang Zhanglin interrupted with a dismissive smile, “I will achieve those on my own, no need for your assurances. Offer me something I don’t have.”

The Left Emissary grew somewhat appreciative of Jiang’s ambition, “What do you want then?”

A corner of Jiang’s mouth lifted, “How about the identity of Lord Yun?”

The Left Emissary’s face turned cold, “Do you realize what you’re asking? Do you know the consequences?”

Jiang Zhanglin smiled lightly, “Aren’t we here to negotiate? You seem unable to handle my offer.”

The Left Emissary shouted, “Jiang Zhanglin, you have nothing right now, and I am already being very generous by negotiating with you.”

Jiang Zhanglin responded calmly, “You don’t need to bother on my account.”

Enraged, the Left Emissary struck towards Jiang Zhanglin’s chest. Jiang Zhanglin stumbled backward, dropping to one knee, clutching his chest as blood spurted out.

The Left Emissary stood over him, looking down, “Will you talk now?”

Jiang Zhanglin stared at the ground, quickly formulating a response.

Seeing Jiang Zhanglin’s reluctance, the Left Emissary knew he was not willing to cooperate, “Jiang Zhanglin, opportunities are like life; you only get one. If you continue to resist, you might as well forget about your exams.”

Jiang Zhanglin looked up, “If I fall into your hands, I have no chance of survival anyway. Do what you will, kill or mutilate, it’s your choice.”

The Left Emissary sighed regretfully, “Such spirit, but alas, it’s wasted. You do not know how to seize the moment.”