As Liu Zhenqing narrated, the expressions of the two listeners gradually changed.

“He’s the fake?” Dai Tingyu asked in surprise.

Tang Mu spoke with a frown: “He should be genuine, but the inside story he told the emperor must be false. His identity should have been known to others before, and they supported him well, waiting for the right time to release him and cause trouble. And he himself is knowingly a participant, so he should have his own purpose.”

“What purpose? Making Great Zhou go to war with Western Shu? What good will that do him?” Dai Tingyu couldn’t help but say: “Could it be that he doesn’t have the ability to be king, so he used the fake king to help him rise to power, but secretly hid for fear of death? As a result, the fake king had other intentions and betrayed him, so he was forced to come out and seek help from the emperor.”

Tang Mu said: “But would a normal person risk being replaced by making such a dangerous decision? He was careless and got completely replaced. Even if Great Zhou helped him, the sacrifice in exchange would be huge. What if the emperor didn’t believe him or was unwilling to help him? Wouldn’t that be making wedding clothes for others? It’s honestly unreasonable.”

“Then why?” Dai Tingyu asked restlessly.

Tang Mu also shook his head in annoyance. He felt that none of this was right, and could only look toward Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing said: “I think the most unreasonable thing is that Qiao An was able to come to Great Zhou alive.

The two of them were stupefied for a moment.

Liu Zhenqing said softly: “You also met the fake king last time. Such a wolf cub was able to ruthlessly attack the entire upper class of Western Shu in order to gain the upper hand, and there is a martial arts master guarding him. No matter how he came to be, there is absolutely no reason to allow such a prince, such a person who endangered his existence, to slip away from his hands. Even if he escaped, he would be pursued for thousands of li. How could Qiao An have escaped at this level? Anyone who could make such a mistake would have never become the king of Western Shu. Therefore, the possibility of Qiao An reaching Great Zhou unharmed is very low……I’m partial to the belief that they’re on the same team.”

When Liu Zhenqing spoke such a bold guess, Tang Mu and Dai Tingyu felt chills run down their spines.

“They’re working together?” Tang Mu said in astonishment: “How is that possible?!”

“If they’re together, then why are they…..I understand. They joined forces to deal with Brother Huo, right? They want to make Brother Huo fight and take the opportunity to kill him.” Dai Tingyu was immediately filled with indignation.

Tang Mu also looked at Dai Tingyu with some fear, as if he had the same suspicion.

But Liu Zhenqing still shook his head.

“Even if they’re really working together, how could a small nation like Western Shu trap Huo Fenglie? He and his cavalry are capable of utterly defeating Western Shu, so this isn’t the case. Unless they’re both insane.” Liu Zhenqing added: “This is just an analysis of the trends, and in fact, the possibility is very low. If they’re really working together, things will become troublesome. It would prove that there is someone behind the scenes with complete control over the real and fake kings, making them act together. The purpose of this is still unknown.”

As Liu Zhenqing said this, he saw the spooked looks on the faces of the other two and stopped talking.

There was one thing, the most important thing, which he couldn’t say to anyone else.

Yuan Jue…..had instructed him.

In this world, there were few people who could beat him when it came to strategy. He was trained as a qualified emperor. What Liu Zhenqing could easily discover, how could Yuan Jue not discover the same things after living in the palace for a few days in close contact with Qiao An?

So the question was, Yuan Jue knew Qiao An was lying, so…..why did he go on to cooperate with him?

What were his intentions?

It was so complex. Like a blind man walking through a dense forest, even if he groped around carefully, he couldn’t tell which direction the wind was blowing. He only knew that there were dangers everywhere.

His Er-gou…..was either a knife in someone’s hand or someone’s target.

In short, he was the most important piece in this game of chess.

Liu Zhenqing’s face darkened slightly. If his Er-gou was hurt, be careful of him overturning the chess board! 

The general trend was that they could only sail downstream with the current. Leaving the challenge to Tang Mu and Dai Tingyu, he continued to tell fairy tales under the window sill for Huo Fenglie.

Huo Fenglie’s voice was hoarse, but he still called out a soft “Qing-ge.”

Two days later, the door opened. Liu Zhenqing rushed in like a breeze to see Huo Fenglie lying silently in bed. He had lost weight all over, his face had no color to it at all, and his lips were covered in freshly scabbed-over wounds. The blue veins on his forehead, neck, and arms had bulged for so long and could only heal very slowly.

Seeing Huo Fenglie like this, Liu Zhenqing truly felt distressed.

Walking over, he leaned down and kissed Huo Fenglie’s forehead. “Er-gou, you’ve worked hard.”

“Cough, cough, cough.” His master was displeased.

Liu Zhenqing hastily knelt down and kowtowed to his master.

The master quickly signaled for Han Ye to help him up, saying with displeasure: “What are you doing?”

He wanted to make Liu Zhenqing thank him for his hard work, not kowtow to publicly express his gratitude.

“Thank you, Master and Xiao Ye. Thank you.” It was rare for Liu Zhenqing to express his sincere thanks, and the two people felt uncomfortable. “Please tell me if there is anything I should pay attention to.”

“Tell you? It’s impossible for you to do it well, so we’ll be the ones keeping an eye on him,” Han Ye showed no mercy.

Liu Zhenqing shook his head and said: “That won’t work, there will be war soon. The situation is unpredictable. The location of Medical Valley is inaccessible to normal people, and it’s the safest place. You should leave as soon as possible.”

The two of them were bewildered. They had only been in seclusion for five days, so why was there suddenly a war?

The two inquired, and Liu Zhenqing gave them a brief explanation. Then he said: “Once the matter is over, I will go with Fenglie to visit you.”

Seeing that his master was silent, Han Ye could only say: “Now that there’s war, why are you joining in? Even before, you were still a civil servant. In any case, Huo Fenglie is fine now, so how about you return to Medical Valley with us to wait for him?”

The master regarded Liu Zhenqing with a sullen face. He seemed to have the same intention.

Liu Zhenqing shook his head. Looking at Huo Fenglie on the bed, he said: “I promised to never leave him alone again.”

Han Ye wanted to say more, that it would only be a temporary farewell. But the master sighed and seemed to give up on persuading him. Although Han Ye was angry, he could only roll his eyes and glare resentfully.

They originally intended to rest for the day before leaving, but Dai Tingyu brought news. Although the Western Shu Kingdom had not responded as of yet, they had already mobilized their troops, obviously planning to fight to the death.

It could be seen that Dai Tingyu was rather excited and not afraid at all. Liu Zhenqing was relieved. After seeing off his master and apprentice, he concentrated on staying by Huo Fenglie’s side and looking after his health.

Perhaps they had moved around too much, because Qiao An couldn’t help but sneak out to peek at them and was caught by Liu Zhenqing.

Qiao An just asked, all high and mighty: “Is General Huo back?”

Liu Zhenqing looked at Qiao An and wondered, was the smell of rouge on him heavier these days?

He smiled and said: “Not yet.”

Qiao An said: “I see that Commander Dai is dispatching troops. Is the person pretending to be me unwilling to compromise and preparing for war?”

“Your Highness, did you think the other party would compromise?” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile.

Qiao An was taken aback and didn’t know how to answer.

“His Highness should know that person quite well.”

Qiao An immediately felt like a cat whose tail had been stepped on: “How could I know him, ah! What are you talking about?”

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes flashed. He smiled: “Didn’t Your Highness say it yourself? He kidnapped you and got so much information from you. You must have been together for a long time, so you would naturally understand him.”

Qiao An’s face colored at once. He feigned calmness and said: “I was coerced. I naturally could never understand such an evil person. Stop talking nonsense. You still haven’t answered the question I asked you.”

“No matter what, everything we do is for you, Your Highness,” Liu Zhenqing said. “I want to continue working on your behalf, so I won’t accompany you.”

Qiao An wanted to say something else, but Liu Zhenqing had already left.

Qiao An hurried to follow him, but was stopped by a guard outside the courtyard gate.

Without the master and Han Ye, Dai Tingyu had arranged for trusted guards to stand watch in the courtyard. Other than Liu Zhenqing, Tang Mu, and Dai Tingyu, no one else was allowed to enter or exit without permission.

Even when Qiao An made a fuss outside, it was all in vain. The guards were unyielding, and wouldn’t let this person through.

Liu Zhenqing glanced back a few times when he heard the commotion. He touched his chin and couldn’t help but think that they might as well tie him up and torture him severely. He looked like he wouldn’t be able to bear it, and they could ask him a lot. 

But after some thought, if his guess was wrong, he was the King of Western Shu. If Liu Zhenqing really tried to block him from taking the throne due to political reasons, he would be doomed. Forget it, he would put such dangerous ideas aside for now.

Just as he was thinking, there was movement in the room.

Pleasant surprise immediately filled Liu Zhenqing’s face. After all, Huo Fenglie had been unconscious all day.

Liu Zhenqing rushed in and saw Huo Fenglie holding the Chunjun Sword, trying to push himself out of bed. His eyes were empty, he was covered in sweat, and every muscle in his face was tense. His mind seemed to be greatly strained, and his face was full of uneasiness and a touch of unconcealable fear.

Liu Zhenqing’s heart constricted slightly. He stepped forward, but the person on the bed didn’t respond. 

Then Liu Zhenqing sat on the bed, and the bed board shook a little. Huo Fenglie jolted as if he had been startled, but still maintained his composure on the surface. His muscles only tensed as he tightened his grip on the Chunjun Sword, and it seemed he would take action if the situation was unfavorable.

Liu Zhenqing stretched out a finger and tapped the back of his sword-wielding hand.

Huo Fenglie froze, then immediately moved his fingers.

Liu Zhenqing poked him again and again, and Huo Fenglie abruptly grabbed Liu Zhenqing’s hand.

Liu Zhenqing chuckled, but Huo Fenglie still didn’t respond.

Taking Huo Fenglie’s hand, Liu Zhenqing pressed it to his face. Huo Fenglie’s stiff movements finally changed as he began to slowly touch Liu Zhenqing’s face. When he touched his lips, Liu Zhenqing deliberately turned his head to kiss his palm.

Such behavior couldn’t be more familiar.

The Chunjun Sword was released. Huo Fenglie grabbed onto Liu Zhenqing with both hands, a look of unprotected vulnerability on his face. Liu Zhenqing wrote on his palm: Don’t be afraid. I’m here.

Huo Fenglie’s face finally showed hints of relaxing.

Using this method, Liu Zhenqing slowly explained the situation.

In fact, this was just a short-term side effect after being cured.

During the treatment, Huo Fenglie’s five senses had gradually faded away. His body had reached its limit and was now recovering.

So Huo Fenglie currently couldn’t see, hear, smell, or even make a sound, and had minimal strength.

Just now, it was as if he existed in a complete void, sensing nothing. Even the God of War would be uneasy and frightened. Fortunately, there was still touch.

Huo Fenglie got it after a while, and at last fully relaxed. He took hold of Liu Zhenqing’s hand and wrote: Don’t worry. I understand.

The solemn look on Huo Fenglie’s face really amused Liu Zhenqing.

Just as he was about to tell Huo Fenglie about the outside world, Huo Fenglie suddenly revealed a hint of embarrassment and wrote on Liu Zhenqing’s hand: I need to relieve myself. Qing-ge, will you step out for a moment?

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes suddenly brightened. He couldn’t hold it any longer? Otherwise, with Huo Fenglie’s character, he would never mention it.

“If you only need to urinate and you can’t go to the cleanroom, I can get you a pot?”

Huo Fenglie truly didn’t have the strength to get out of bed and walk around, so he could only agree to this proposal with embarrassment. He’d drunk so much soup and medicine that he really couldn’t hold it.

Liu Zhenqing handed over the pot. Huo Fenglie took it and wrote on the back of Liu Zhenqing’s hand: Go out.

Liu Zhenqing gave him an okay.

Huo Fenglie felt movement at the bedside. It seemed Liu Zhenqing had gotten up and left, but he couldn’t hear the footsteps, breathing, or the door closing and was unable to judge. He could only believe that Qing-ge wouldn’t deceive him to this extent.

But according to Qing-ge’s character…..Huo Fenglie thought for a moment, then reached up with difficulty to lower the bed curtains and block the view. 

Then he commenced relieving himself with some discomfort. When he was done, he tidied up and was about to put the pot on the bed when another hand blocked his and took the pot.

Huo Fenglie felt the bed board move, and his face instantly went red. Qing-ge was on the bed…..he had never left!

Liu Zhenqing quickly took care of it and returned with medicine and hot towels. 

It was a bit funny seeing Er-gou sitting on the bed with his head lowered, sulking.

He stepped forward to touch Huo Fenglie’s hand, but Huo Fenglie evaded it.

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows. It seemed he had gone too far and made Er-gou angry.

He smiled helplessly. Fine, he could admit that he’d played with him a bit too much. He hadn’t meant to bully the other person at all, and was just worried that Huo Fenglie would have trouble because he couldn’t sense anything by himself.

Liu Zhenqing reached out again to grab Huo Fenglie’s hand.

This time, there was no avoiding it.

He had energy, but not much.

With a sweet feeling in his heart, Liu Zhenqing gave Huo Fenglie the medicine to drink.

Huo Fenglie finished drinking the medicine as he sulked. As soon as he handed back the bowl, he felt someone tugging at his belt.

Huo Fenglie panicked and swiftly grabbed Liu Zhenqing’s hand. Although he couldn’t see him, he still faced Liu Zhenqing with a shocked expression.

Liu Zhenqing: “You’ve been asleep all day and you’re sweating. It’s inconvenient for you to bathe, so you need to be wiped down and given a change of clothes. You don’t have much strength, so I’ll do it.”

Huo Fenglie still didn’t release his grip: I’ll do it.

Liu Zhenqing saw that he did seem to have regained some strength, so he didn’t force the issue.

After fumbling for the water basin and handkerchief, he paused and seemed to be looking in Liu Zhenqing’s direction.

Liu Zhenqing felt that he still intended to drive him away.

The thing was, he might not be obedient.

In the end, Huo Fenglie paused for just a moment. With a frown of considerable annoyance, he wrung out the handkerchief and began to take off his clothes, as if giving up.

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes lit up. Er-gou was enlightened, ah. Since there was no way to tell if he was there or not, he simply smashed the cracked pot.

So Liu Zhenqing watched the close-range performance of a handsome man wiping down his body. Holding the snow-white handkerchief in his big palm, he wiped it across his wheat-colored skin, following the lines of texture. Everywhere it touched, a layer of light steam rose. The beautiful scenery was the pinnacle of attractiveness, especially with that shy look still on his face. The contrast was so cute that Liu Zhenqing’s body heated up and he was almost dizzy.

Although he was greedy for Huo Fenglie’s body, he wasn’t that greedy, ah.

Was Er-gou really not trying to seduce him? He wanted to pounce on him.

When he put on his fresh clothes, Huo Fenglie’s expression looked numb, likely because he was so embarrassed. 

After all, when he was unable to sense anything, his imagination would expand infinitely.

Huo Fenglie cleaned up. He thought Liu Zhenqing would show up to startle and tease him again, but he didn’t. Huo Fenglie couldn’t help but wonder, had Qing-ge left earlier? He turned around uneasily and knocked on the bed board. After waiting for a while, nobody came to touch his hand.

He knocked again. Still nothing.

In fact, when he couldn’t sense anything, it was extremely frightening not to be able to touch Liu Zhenqing.

Huo Fenglie experienced a moment of slight panic. He didn’t know where Liu Zhenqing had gone. If he had known……if he had known earlier, he would have taken the initiative to ask Qing-ge to stay. He could do whatever he wanted, just as long as he was here…..

Just as the flustered Huo Fenglie tried to get out of bed with difficulty, he suddenly felt an approaching breath. Before he could react, his lips were already being kissed.

Huo Fenglie was stunned. His heart that had fallen away into the distance drifted back up again.

Huo Fenglie’s eyelashes trembled slightly. If it were normal times, he might stop him or evade it, but now he was afraid. What if he evaded and couldn’t touch Qing-ge again?

So Huo Fenglie chose not to move and allowed Liu Zhenqing to push him back incrementally. When the lengthy kiss ended, the two of them were already cuddled together in bed. Huo Fenglie seemed to be able to smell the fragrance of Liu Zhenqing’s body. The fragrance was reassuring, like the past few days of agony were just a dream.

It seemed that only then could he feel happiness in the aftermath of disaster. He, Huo Fenglie, was truly cured. There was no need to worry about not having enough time to spend with the person in his arms for the rest of his life.

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Chapter One Hundred Eight << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Ten