Supreme Sword Exalt

Elders Wu and Feng had returned earlier, empty-handed. After much hesitation and pleas from others, Murong Chuan and Chief Steward Li had also set off for the Wild Forest. However, even after two days had passed, there was still no news.

Jiang Feng stood beside Ah Sha, unable to face her. “Miss Ah Sha, don’t worry, Manager Murong is the number one expert in the capital. He will definitely be able to bring Brother Gu and the others back.”

Ah Sha’s eyes brightened slightly, as if giving herself encouragement. “Right, Chief Steward Li and Manager Murong are powerful experts, they will definitely find them!”

Jiang Feng sighed inwardly. The two deputy deans searched for so long without finding them. Even if Manager Murong goes, I’m afraid...

Of course, he wouldn’t dare say such words to Ah Sha. Just as he was about to comfort Ah Sha some more, his eyes lit up. “Hmm? It seems that Chief Steward Li is back!”

A travel-worn figure appeared before the two. His face was pale and his aura was disordered. There was quite a bit of blood stain on his clothes, clearly indicating he had suffered serious injuries.

Ah Sha was full of hope. “Chief Steward Li, d-did you find Young Master?”

Chief Steward Li shook his head. “No. I practically turned that area upside down these past two days, but still couldn’t find them. I originally thought to go deeper, but never expected to encounter a frenzied demonic beast—cough! Your Highness, I’m useless—”

Ah Sha’s gaze dimmed, forcefully holding back tears. “It’s not your fault. Chief Steward Li, you were willing to go look for Young Master for me. I-I am already very, very grateful to you, and you’re so badly injured too...”

Her small hands trembled slightly as she took out a bottle of pills from her storage ring. “This is what Grandpa Xue gave me. Young Master said it’s very effective for healing injuries. Please use it. If it’s not enough, I still have some—”

Before she could finish, she could no longer hold back, tears instantly blurring her vision.

Chief Steward Li rubbed the jade bottle with a somewhat complicated expression. He knew long ago that Divine Physician Xue had given Ah Sha these pills. She usually guarded these things closely, never letting anyone besides Gu Han even glance at them. Yet now, she had become so generous. He realized that Ah Sha truly cared for Gu Han, and that this was her way of expressing heartfelt gratitude toward Chief Steward Li.

He gritted his teeth. “Later. I will go search again!”

Jiang Feng was somewhat worried. “But Chief Steward Li, your injuries...”

Chief Steward Li shook his head. “Your Highness, there’s no need to persuade me further. I said long ago, since he saved your life, my life is his. This time, even if I die there, I must find him and bring him back!”

Ah Sha’s eyes welled up with tears. “Chief Steward Li, I’m sorry, I used to think you were very fierce and very hard to get along with. I-I was wrong. You are a very, very good person.”

Chief Steward Li was somewhat moved. “Little girl, it must be hard for you to say such words. Don’t worry, this time I will definitely return with him. He still owes me a beating!”

He prepared to set off once more, returning to the Wild Forest. Just then, a commotion came from the city wall above.

Amidst the clattering of armor, a large number of city guard soldiers swarmed out, surrounding the three of them. The hard crossbows in their hands glinted coldly, scaring off the crowd.

Chief Steward Li’s face darkened. “What is with the audacity! His Highness is here, yet you dare to act so recklessly? Are you just tired of living?! Who gave you the—”

A stern voice interrupted him. “It was I.”

Chief Steward Li’s heart sank. This voice...

He was all too familiar with it, so much that he felt a chill every time he heard it.

A trace of confusion flashed in Jiang Feng’s eyes, as if he didn’t understand why Jiang Ping would appear here. “Father?”

The city guard soldiers parted to make a path and the three people walked in slowly.

Jiang Ping stared at Jiang Feng with an indifferent expression. “It was my order. What? Do you object?”

Chief Steward Li’s face turned pale. “Your Majesty, why would you—”

Commander Zhou’s expression turned cold. “Scoundrel, this is no place for you to speak!”

Jiang Feng hurriedly bowed in salute. “Father.”

Jiang Ping expressionlessly stared at him. After a long while, he said slowly, full of disappointment, “Old Seventh, over these years, I have been busy with affairs of state and seldom have seen you. I had thought you would have matured considerably. I didn’t expect that you would still be so useless!”

Jiang Feng went pale. “Father... I...”

Jiang Ping narrowed his eyes, a hint of killing intent entering his tone. “Let me ask you. Are you close with Gu Han?”

Jiang Feng nodded. “H-he has shown me great kindness.”

“Great kindness? Great enough for you to collude with him to kill your eldest brother?”

“What?! Eldest Brother is dead?” Jiang Feng had thought Jiang Hong had escaped that day. Jiang Feng was silent for a moment before saying, “Father, aren’t you going to ask what actually happened? Why did he die? If he hadn’t colluded with Yu Hua to ambush Brother Gu, and even wanted to kill me, how could he have—”

Jiang Ping shot back icily, “Presumptuous! Brother Gu? Truly a vile creature! Your eldest brother is your true brother!”

“B-but he wanted to kill me!”

“If he wanted to kill you, then you should have let him!”

Jiang Feng abruptly became ghostly pale. “W-what?”

In Jiang Ping’s eyes, there wasn’t a trace of fatherly affection, only coldness. “If he wants you dead, then you should just die. If it weren’t for you colluding with Gu Han, why would your eldest brother have acted against you! Now that he is dead, you must pay with your life.”

Jiang Feng’s heart ached. “Pay with my life? Father, I am also your son.”

Jiang Ping was expressionless. “Yes, you are my son, but you are not the future of Great Qi!”

Jiang Feng felt as if struck by lightning, standing frozen on the spot.

To the side, the young man looked impatient. “Enough nonsense! He dares to kill his brother today, tomorrow he will dare to kill you! Why keep such a vicious and ungrateful fellow? Now is the perfect chance to capture him. This way, I can report back to my master.”

Jiang Ping waved his hand, his face full of disappointment. “Enough. Had I known this, I shouldn’t have been so soft-hearted back then. I spared you and your mother, and this is how you repay me?”

Jiang Feng stared at him in disbelief. “Father, what do you mean?”

Chief Steward Li’s face was sorrowful. “Your Highness, the one who attacked and injured the consort back then was sent by the eldest prince.”

Jiang Feng lifted his head with difficulty, looking at Jiang Ping. “You knew all along?”

He desperately wanted to hear a word of denial from Jiang Ping’s mouth, but he was destined to be disappointed. Jiang Ping remained silent, clearly acknowledging the matter.

“W-why?”

“Like I said, your eldest brother is the future of Great Qi. Whatever he wants to do, I will support him.”

Silently, a wave of cold qi suddenly erupted from Jiang Feng.

The young man frowned. “Hmm? What is this?”

Chief Steward Li hurriedly explained, “Your Majesty, he has also awakened a special physique, it’s the Extreme Cold Physique. If you just give him some time, he will definitely achieve no less than the eldest prince. He can also become the future of Great Qi!”

Jiang Ping remained silent. Clearly, he was somewhat hesitant.

Sensing the cold qi emanating from Jiang Feng, a trace of wariness flashed in the young man’s eyes. “That’s even better! Since it’s the Extreme Cold Physique, he holds even more weight. As long as I take him back to report to master, your crimes this time can all be pardoned—huh? Who is this little girl?”

Suddenly, he noticed Ah Sha beside Jiang Feng, glaring fiercely at him.

Commander Zhou thought for a moment before saying. “I heard that Gu Han has a little maidservant who follows him like his shadow. It’s probably her.”

A flash of admiration crossed the young man’s eyes. “Maidservant? Gu Han has good taste! Fine, capture her as well. I happen to be lacking someone to serve tea and water by my side.”

Ah Sha said hatefully, “When Young Master returns, he will definitely not let you off!”

The young man sneered. “A stubborn one? I’ll teach you a lesson later! Your Majesty, what are you still standing there for? Do you want me to take action myself?”

Jiang Ping took a deep breath. “Fine. Then—”

Chief Steward Li’s voice was choked with tears. “Your Majesty, could it be that you truly intend to wipe them out completely?!”

Jiang Feng said nothing. However, a sliver of hope still remained in his heart.

“Capture them!”

These two words shattered the last illusions in their hearts completely.