“Send troops,” Liu Zhenqing said directly. “Now that we have determined where the rebels are, there is no need to consider future issues. Since Zhao Haicheng told the governor that the evacuation deadline is in five days, regardless of whether or not there is a trap, the sooner we send troops, the better it is for us.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Huo Fenglie and Song Xingmu asked at the same time: “How many people are on the island?”

He Lan said: “There are less than five hundred people with combat effectiveness.”

Song Xingmu glanced at Liu Zhenqing and Huo Fenglie, saying: “I can mobilize a thousand people here. They are my trusted subordinates.”

“You can go to sea in the name of purging pirates. As for the reason……Yi Chuan was injured and the Sea King is furious.” Liu Zhenqing cooperated tacitly.

Song Xingmu and Liu Zhenqing exchanged glances with a smile.

“The remaining troops on shore…..” Song Xingmu looked at Huo Fenglie.

Huo Fenglie said: “I will go to nearby prefectures to mobilize troops. The fastest round-trip is three days. I will muster fifty thousand troops, enough to surround the entire city.”

Liu Zhenqing nodded and said: “Fenglie will go mobilize troops, and Brother Qin and Brother He will accompany Captain Song to prepare to go to sea. How about we start moving at noon today?”

Huo Fenglie and Song Xingmu nodded in tacit agreement. Qin Yu and He Lan were also about to nod, when they suddenly realized it was Liu Zhenqing giving orders, ah. Never mind Huo Fenglie, but why would Captain Song, who was senior to them, obey orders, ah? Although their hearts were full of surprise, Liu Zhenqing’s analysis and arrangements were good, so they could only listen.

When the discussion was over, Qin Yu grabbed Huo Fenglie with a serious expression.

Huo Fenglie stayed.

Unresigned, He Lan said: “What do you need to talk about again? Can’t I listen?”

He Lan stared closely at Qin Yu when he said this. Looking for Huo Fenglie as soon as they returned, he feared he had forgotten which man was with him last night!

But Qin Yu still said coldly: “No.”

“Yundu, you go out first.” Huo Fenglie cooperated.

“You! You guys!” He Lan took a deep breath and was about to get angry, when he heard Liu Zhenqing say: “Brother Qin hasn’t eaten anything up to now. Brother He, why don’t you go to the kitchen with me and find some food to bring him?”

Liu Zhenqing stepped forward to pull him away, but He Lan would only go down two steps.

After coming out, He Lan couldn’t help but complain: “He and I have been through thick and thin together, what can’t he tell me, ah? He’s so…..so heartless!”

Seeing how angry He Lan was, Liu Zhenqing smiled and said: “You and they are brothers, so at least believe what they are talking about is serious.”

“Even though I know it’s serious business……”

“Don’t be jealous at this critical moment.”

He Lan immediately denied it: “I’m not, don’t talk nonsense.”

When they arrived at the kitchen, Liu Zhenqing watched as He Lan carefully selected something for Qin Yu, who was currently feeling unwell. He found it amusing, and couldn’t help but tease: “Speaking of which, the relationship between your Jinyiwei and the Dongchang is very bad. If you became brothers with Fenglie as a bridge between you, that would be fine, but if you were together, the bosses on both sides would certainly have something to say about it.”

He Lan said without hesitation, “Hmph, even if they are the bosses, no one can control who I want to be with!” 

Liu Zhenqing gave a treacherous smile, and even He Lan was embarrassed when he realized.

The two of them walked back, and Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but ask more about the island.

He heard He Lan say that the people on the islands, whether rebels or islanders, hated Liu Zhenqing very much. Even He Lan found this very strange. It was natural for the traitors to hate him, after all, it was Liu Zhenqing who had pushed them to this point. But what did the islanders have against Liu Zhenqing, ah? According to what Liu Zhenqing had done here, they should be grateful.

But it was very difficult to say. Weren’t there still people who said that Liu Zhenqing colluded with pirates for profit? Perhaps those who hated pirates were angry toward Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing constantly felt a strange uneasiness in his heart while listening to He Lan.

As for the martial arts master who knocked them out and sent them away, then went to the Huo Family courtyard to report the news, he was really not simple. There was a traitor among the rebels, or someone who was unwilling to join the conspiracy. Liu Zhenqing was biased toward someone really lending a hand. In any case, a smart rebel would think of a better way to use these two people than sending them out.

But how did that person know He Lan and Qin Yu? Not only must he know about them to arrange such a move, but also their relationship with Huo Fenglie. With such high martial arts skills, Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but think of one person. But he wouldn’t hang around with rebels. Could it be…..because of that mission?

Liu Zhenqing didn’t allow himself to think too much. The more he thought, the more anxious he became.

“Done talking?” He Lan raised an eyebrow.

“En. You should rest as soon as possible. There are still three hours before noon.” When he finished speaking, Huo Fenglie pulled Liu Zhenqing over and walked out.

He Lan walked in with the food and saw Qin Yu sitting at the table with a solemn look on his face.

“Is there a problem that’s difficult to solve? I can help, ah. Don’t you believe in my capabilities?” He Lan handed over the food as he spoke.

Qin Yu raised his head and glanced at He Lan. He took the food and gave his thanks, and it was unknown if he was thanking him for the food or He Lan’s thoughts.

He lan was endlessly angry, and refused to stop asking insinuating questions, but Qin Yu turned a deaf ear, immersed in his own thoughts.

When he was done eating, Qin Yu raised his head at last and said impatiently: “I’m very tired, and my whole body hurts. We’re leaving at noon, so I need to rest now.”

These words stifled He Lan. After all, it was he who had caused Qin Yu’s fatigue.

He Lan coughed. “Then let me use my internal strength to massage you. The ointment used by the miracle doctor works very well. You can’t go to sleep until the massage is done, don’t delay business.”

As he spoke, He Lan took out the ointment he had hidden. 

Qin Yu turned a gloomy look toward him, then looked at the ointment in his hand.

He Lan reacted instantly with a cough. Not long ago, he had used this ointment to help Qin Yu…..

“Don’t think blindly, ah. I still know what’s right when it comes to serious matters. This is indeed for a massage.”

Qin Yu withdrew his gaze and walked directly to the bed in the inner room, acquiescing to He Lan’s proposal.

But when He Lan adjusted his mood and walked in with the ointment, he suddenly stopped breathing.

Qin Yu could be seen standing beside the bed and taking off all of his clothing, revealing his lean white back.

And there were various marks left by He Lan on that back, including the handprints on both sides of his slim waist.

He Lan’s eyes instantly reddened with desire. “You…..”

“Aren’t you going to massage me? Come on.”

Upon saying this, Qin Yu lay right down on the bed. He didn’t seem to care at all about the man behind him who had pressed him to the bed all night.

He Lan finally felt what it meant to drop a rock on his own foot, and adjusted his breathing several times before stepping forward.

He had originally planned to sit sideways on the edge of the bed, but his hands would be really weak like that. “Then let me get on top and massage. It will be more convenient.” He Lan was truly sincere when he said this.

Qin Yu hesitated for a moment, but still nodded.

He Lan jumped onto the bed and half-knelt over Qin Yu, not daring to sit down. But when he reached out to massage, he felt that the muscles under his hands were tight.

He Lan’s eyes flashed. As expected, Qin Yu was putting on a show of not caring. Now it was finally his turn to calm down.

As soon as He Lan was relaxed and proud, he became shameless and no longer held himself back. The movements of the massage became firmer and firmer, testing Qin Yu’s bottom line little by little and teasing him to the end.

At last, Qin Yu couldn’t bear it anymore: “He Yundu! If you can’t control that thing, I’ll help castrate you!”

He Lan’s lips rose: “There’s no way, it seems to get a little out of control when I’m facing you. In this posture, the residual memories compel me. When you asked me to come up, you should have expected this result. Or did you do it on purpose?”

Qin Yu said coldly: “I didn’t expect that you would still be a beast at this time. If you don’t want to massage me, then scram.”

“Don’t worry, I haven’t even taken off my pants yet, so I can’t be considered a beast. Besides, we have to leave at noon. No matter how shameless I am, I wouldn’t add any more to your burden.” He Lan continued to massage as he spoke.

Qin Yu found it laughable. He said it himself that he was shameless, yet thought himself infallible. 

“So you also know that you’re shameless?”

“It is you who makes me shameless.”

Qin Yu couldn’t be bothered to waste his words on him, and pretended that he couldn’t feel anything. In any case, this sort of fraternization appeared in various instances on the island. In his opinion, He Lan was just a stallion who couldn’t control himself, and he had long become accustomed to it.

“How about you tell me your little secret with Zhanyuan, and I’ll quit being shameless.”

Qin Yu scoffed coldly.

He Lan was at his wits end. He knew what Qin Yu was like, and if he refused to tell anyone, even torture to extract a confession would be useless.

He Lan couldn’t help but gripe: “If I had known, I would have asked last night when you were cooperating with everything. Torture might be useless, but that kind of forced confession might work.” When He Lan finished speaking, he shifted intentionally.

In a flash, Qin Yu looked back wrathfully at He Lan and shoved him away. “Get out of here, I don’t need you!”

He Lan hid back, watching Qin Yu’s red lips opening and closing. Although he was scolding him, it was still very seductive. He suddenly said: “You have such a hard mouth, so why is it so soft when you kiss? Could it be that I felt wrong?”

Qin Yu was stunned when He Lan suddenly rushed over, embraced him, and kissed him until he nearly suffocated. Only then did he realize that he had been pulled to lay on top of He Lan while He Lan’s hands continued to massage him, as if this posture was more beneficial.

Qin Yu tried to get up, but was restrained by He Lan.

“If you move again, I won’t hold back.” He Lan shifted threateningly.

Qin Yu’s face changed colors, and he really didn’t move for a while.

“Let me kiss you again to calm the fire.” He Lan raised an eyebrow and pressed forward.

Qin Yu’s eyes widened. He couldn’t believe that he had given in so much and made this person so shameless.

As a result, one of He Lan’s hands continued to massage while the other held the back of Qin Yu’s head. After a period of resistance, He Lan finally got his wish. Qin Yu struggled but finally closed his eyes.

After the massage, He Lan really did stop acting like a scoundrel. Holding Qin Yu in his arms, they both fell into a deep sleep, conserving their energy for serious matters.

On the other side, Huo Fenglie told Liu Zhenqing the truth.

“He saw his adoptive father’s confidants coming and going on the island.”

Liu Zhenqing’s expression changed slightly. “Who is the Dongchang loyal to now?”

Originally, the Dongchang and Jinyiwei should be entirely loyal to the emperor.

Huo Fenglie remained silent, because he didn’t know the answer. If they were loyal to the emperor, then what was happening with the current situation? If they weren’t loyal to the emperor, then what on earth was the Dongchang doing? Could the eunuchs be involved in politics or be loyal to someone else?

Liu Zhenqing suddenly opened his mouth: “No matter what the situation is or what the Dongchang is involved in, just pretend you don’t know. Do not tell Yuan Jue.” 

Huo Fenglie was a little surprised: “Why?”

Liu Zhenqing looked at Huo Fenglie for a moment and then reached out to touch his firm and persistent face.

Huo Fenglie could only freeze, a bit lost as he looked at Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes were somewhat dazed. He was worried. Even if there was a one in ten thousand chance, he was worried for the person most involved in all this, Huo Fenglie. He worried that Yuan Jue would want to do away with him. Wouldn’t both sides suffer?!

Perhaps his thoughts were too dark. And logically speaking, Yuan Jue had no reason to do away with the Huo family, which helped him protect the country. But Liu Zhenqing was still worried. He could not tolerate even the slight possibility. His Er-gou could not be harmed by others.

But in the face of the Huo family’s nature, Liu Zhenqing still couldn’t speak directly. He could only say: “Just don’t say anything for now. In any case, your brother is also involved, so let’s investigate slowly. Okay?”

Huo Fenglie regarded Liu Zhenqing for a moment, then nodded obediently and said: “Qin Yu also intends to rush back to the capital to investigate after the matter here is over.”

“He plans to deal with his adoptive father?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

“He wants to make sure that his adoptive father was kept in the dark, and also wants to persuade him. I think this move is very dangerous, and I don’t agree with it, but Qin Yu has made up his mind.”

Liu Zhenqing looked at Huo Fenglie and said: “Rather than saying that he is loyal to Great Zhou, I think that he truly regards you as a brother and has his own set of right and wrong in his heart.”

Huo Fenglie said: “Me, He Lan, and Bai Su are all his brothers. If he is with the Dongchang, he will become our enemy. He has made his choice. He just asked me for one more thing.”

“If the Dongchang matter fails, does he want you to spare his adoptive father’s life?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

Huo Fenglie nodded. “He said he would disappear with his adoptive father.”

Liu Zhenqing was momentarily stunned, thinking that if he left, what would He Lan do?

But if it really got to that point, it would be very difficult for the two, considering their identities.

After talking about Qin Yu’s affairs, he mentioned the arrangements for troop deployment.

“Qing-ge, travel will be difficult all the way. Let me prepare a riding outfit for you.”

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback: “Who said I intended to go with you?”

Huo Fenglie stared blankly for a moment, then said with a frown: “You’re not coming with me? Do you want to go to sea with Captain Song and the others?”

Smiling, Liu Zhenqing said: “You’re in a rush, and they need to go out to sea and wait for an opportunity. There may be a dangerous battle later, so why should I, a weak scholar, hold everyone back, ah? This matter isn’t complicated, and doesn’t require any further effort from me.”

“But you’ll be here alone,” Huo Fenglie said at once.

“Yi Chuan is still here recovering. Song Xingmu must have arranged guards, and the assassins still don’t know that we’re here. I’m not their main target, and it’s safe to stay in the other courtyard,” Liu Zhenqing said.

Huo Fenglie could not refute, but he would feel uneasy without Liu Zhenqing in front of him.

Looking at Huo Fenglie’s serious expression that carried a subtle hint of grievance, Liu Zhenqing’s heart melted. He couldn’t help but tease: “Can’t bear to leave me? You wish for me to be at your side at all times?”

Huo Fenglie froze. The words were so ambiguous that he didn’t dare answer.

Suddenly, Liu Zhenqing grabbed Huo Fenglie and led him inside.

Before he could react, he had already been pulled to the bed.

Huo Fenglie was pushed onto the bed by Liu Zhenqing. Seeing that Liu Zhenqing was about to reach out and untie his outer garment, Huo Fenglie was dumbfounded by the other’s unpredictable behavior.

“Qing-ge!” Huo Fenglie grabbed Liu Zhenqing’s hands in shock.

Liu Zhenqing said, deadpan: “What are you doing?”

Huo Fenglie: Wasn’t that what he should be asking?

Seeing Huo Fenglie’s look of alarm, Liu Zhenqing smiled and said: “What’s wrong? Aren’t you leaving for three days?”

Huo Fenglie: So…..so what?

Liu Zhenqing raised an eyebrow and said: “No more acupuncture? A medicinal bath can be delayed, but acupuncture is still indispensable. I’ll give you an acupuncture point map when the time comes, so remember to find a doctor for acupuncture along the way. It can’t be skipped, understand?”

Without him as a burden, Huo Fenglie’s calculated time should be shorter. This extra time would help him in finding a doctor for acupuncture.

Upon hearing this, Huo Fenglie regained his composure and obediently took off his clothes so that Liu Zhenqing could begin the acupuncture. 

But after the acupuncture was finished, Liu Zhenqing did not go to rest, nor did he let him get dressed.

Huo Fenglie grabbed his clothes and looked at Liu Zhenqing. Although he still had a straight face, he looked pitiful.

Liu Zhenqing lay down and patted the bed next to him, saying: “Lie down and sleep for a while, you didn’t even get any rest last night. Build up your strength.”

“I…..”

“Sleep with me for a while. Be good.” After speaking, Liu Zhenqing closed his eyes. Sure enough, Huo Fenglie lay down after a moment in just his inner clothes.

Huo Fenglie had just calmed his breathing when Liu Zhenqing turned around and poked Huo Fenglie’s side. He turned to look.

Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “Er-gou, although business is important, I must still remind you that your body is more important. Don’t mess around and make me angry.”

“I understand,” Huo Fenglie said.

“That’s the spirit. If you don’t obey, I will…..punish you.” Liu Zhenqing slowly drew closer with an indescribable sense of oppression. The distance continued to shrink until their noses touched. Liu Zhenqing could feeling Huo Fenglie’s breathing stop, and his pupils quivered slightly.

“I…..I understand.”

Liu Zhenqing’s lips rose slightly. His gaze slowly swept from Huo Fenglie’s nervous eyes to his lips, and Huo Fenglie noticed all of this. It caused his heart to beat like a drum. This highly suggestive act was too deceptive. Huo Fenglie clenched his fists nervously, lying on the bed like a wooden plank and not daring to move at all. 

Suddenly, Liu Zhenqing gave an “Ah,” as if the arm he was supporting himself with had slipped.

Huo Fenglie felt his lips being pressed softly, neither hard nor light. It was the same touch as the night before. It struck Huo Fenglie’s heart and soul like an overwhelming toxin, and at that moment, his fists clenched with a snapping sound.

“Aiyaya, so sorry, my arms are very sore.” As he spoke, Liu Zhenqing lay back and pretended nothing was wrong, as if he hadn’t kissed him just now. Like it was just a bump, and no one was taken advantage of at all.

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth rose as he lay quietly with the lingering memory. It was time to say goodbye. If he didn’t kiss him, when would he get the chance? Since Er-gou wouldn’t take the initiative, he had to find a way.

But Huo Fenglie to the side didn’t dare turn his head to look, fearing that just one glance would make him lose control.

Was it intentional…..or unintentional? It should be…..unintentional.

Huo Fenglie truly felt as if his brain had been burned out, and didn’t dare think too much about it.

In the end, Liu Zhenqing was the only one who fell asleep without a care. After falling asleep, he still used Huo Fenglie as a pillow, clinging to him tightly. Huo Fenglie couldn’t rest at all, and could only let Liu Zhenqing hug him while watching silently. When he couldn’t help himself, he only dared to press a kiss to Qing-ge’s hair.

On the other side, Song Xingmu stayed quietly with Yi Chuan for a while until the time was up. When he stood and was about to leave, there was a tug on the hem of his clothes.

Song Xingmu turned and saw that Yi Chuan looked as if he intended to get up: “I want to go too.”

“What foolishness is this?” Amused, Song Xingmu pushed him back down.

Yi Chuan frowned. “I can still fight.”

“I’ve put notices up asking the entire city to find talented doctors to treat you. If you showed up on the boat with me, wouldn’t you be exposing me?” 

Song Xingmu had said that only with great fanfare would they believe that Song Xingmu was so angry that he went off in a rage to kill pirates.

“But you…..”

Song Xingmu raised his hand and said: “Even though one hand is disabled, my martial arts skills are still intact, and there will be others around. I’ll just be giving orders. You should recuperate well and wait for me to return victorious.”

Seeing that Yi Chuan wanted to say more, Song Xingmu suddenly laughed. Touching his chin, he examined Yi Chuan and said: “Yi Chuan, ah, you’re so worried, ah. I understand. Although you usually call me a pervert, you actually like me, right? Are you afraid that I will fall in love with someone else when I join other outstanding people?”

Yi Chuan expression immediately distorted. He grabbed the short sword to the side and launched it at Song Xingmu’s face.

Song Xingmu caught it with one hand. Yi Chuan was stunned when he saw this beautiful sword-dancing movement, just like when Song Xingmu would dance with a sword in the past.

Song Xingmu put the short sword on his waist and gave him a wink. “I’m leaving. Recuperate well. If your injuries have gotten worse when I return, see if I don’t spank you.”

At a quarter to noon, everyone gathered. 

Liu Zhenqing patted the horse Chen Jiangyue’s nose, whispering next to its ear: “Remember, bring Er-gou back to me safely.”

Chen Jiangyue huffed disdainfully, and its owner patted it. 

The other three people left one after another. Huo Fenglie sat on the horse and looked at Liu Zhenqing. His eyes were filled with tenderness and affection, which finally turned into the sentence: “Wait for me.”

Liu Zhenqing nodded with a smile and watched him leave.

After that, Liu Zhenqing stayed in Yi Chuan’s courtyard, waiting for news. He soon heard that Song Xingmu had left by boat. The plan was officially launched. Midway, he also received the painting from Lao Ding. Liu Zhenqing couldn’t be bothered to open it, and wanted to burn it on the spot.

But he thought about this five thousand taels of gold, ah, and the painting was bought by Huo Fenglie. It would be no good to destroy it directly. But Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help feeling sour when he thought of Huo Fenglie’s eyes gazing at the painting.

Okay, it was decided. He would wait for Huo Fenglie to come back before destroying it. If he dared to bare his teeth, then just wait and see.

Two days later, Yi Chuan was basically able to get out of bed, but still moved with difficulty. Liu Zhenqing stayed with him for a while, and when he prepared to go back, Yi Chuan suddenly grabbed him. His expression changed slightly as he pulled him toward the back room.

“There is killing intent. It’s the enemy,” Yi Chuan said succinctly, and stuffed him into the closet.

Liu Zhenqing looked at Yi Chuan, who was unsteady on his feet. How could he allow him to take risks? He pulled him into the closet as well. “We should hide together and take a look at the situation first.”

Soon after, a group of people rushed in and began rummaging through the house.

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Chapter Eighty-Nine << Table of Contents >> Chapter Ninety-One