Volume 1: Regent's Stormy Weather 006 When alive, one must see people; when dead, one must see a corpse.
Led by Ji Bo, the generals' eyes paused for a moment, thinking that the Regent King had asked the wrong person. Shouldn't the focus now be on how to deal with Li Su? Why bring up General Mu again?
"Hmm?" Feng Ao Tian's tone became heavier as he saw Ji Bai's puzzled expression, "I never ask a second time."
Ji Bai hastily reacted and replied with his head bowed, "Reporting to the Regent King, Mu Jiang...Mu Han Yao is currently doing hard labor at the quarry in Western City."
"How far is the military camp?" Feng Ao Tian thought of the Western City Quarry, and she mentioned Mu Han Yao because she had just flipped through the volume and saw his name, and immediately the information about him appeared in her mind.
Mù Hán Yáo, his ancestors were the founding marshals of Feng Guo, and for generations, they had been loyal and dedicated, all being high-ranking officials of the country. In his youth, he followed his father to battle and won many victories. The most perilous campaign was six years ago when, at just 14 years old, he single-handedly went to Hei Xia Gou, rescued the besieged Mu Jia Jun from within the valley, and broke through the death trap set by Zuo Guo, defeating Hei Xia Gou and severely injuring Zuo Guo's vitality. As a result, they retreated, and the border wars subsided for two years.
He was even more famous in the war, and the former emperor was greatly pleased. He specially appointed Mu Han as the General of Pingxi, and bestowed upon him the precious sword, to show the loyalty of the Mu family army.
The Mu family was declining, and by the time of Mu Han Yao's generation, only his mother and younger brother Mu Han Jin were left in the household. After the death of the previous emperor, Feng Ao Tian hastily summoned Mu Han Jin to the palace, not because he had the same literary and military talents as Mu Han Yao, but because he was a young man with a beautiful appearance who loved poetry and music, and was good at playing the flute. He caught Feng Ao Tian's eye at a banquet and was taken by force.
Mu Han was stationed in the distant border town, when he heard of this matter, his heart ached and his head spun with anger, his indignation hard to calm. He led his troops to the capital without permission, but at the foot of the city gate, Feng Ao Tian threatened him with Mu Han's life, forcing him to lead his troops back in defeat.
The Regent immediately issued an edict, stripping him of his general position for the crime of plotting a rebellion. The Mu family army naturally refused to obey, but since Mu Hanjin was now in Feng Ao Tian's hands and Mu Han Yao had not been summoned, he led his troops into the capital. Although he held the Imperial Sword, he could avoid death penalty, but not punishment. He was specially sent to the Western City Quarry for labor reform.
Feng Ao Tian thought of this and felt a pity, this person's courage and wisdom were beyond ordinary people, indeed a talent for being a general, if she could use him, then there would be no worries on this side, but if this person couldn't be used by her, then it would be endless trouble, definitely needing to get rid of him as soon as possible.
Ji Bai calculated that during this time, for the past two years, they had been stationed at the border and did not dare to visit Mu Han in secret, fearing that the Regent King would find out and frame Mu Han with a false charge, putting him to death.
"Ride fast and whip, arrive in one day." Ji Bo replied truthfully, wondering why the Regent King suddenly asked about Mu Jiangjun. He cast his gaze on the scroll that Feng Ao Tian had just flipped through, and silently thought it was not good, could it be that the Regent King wanted to harm Mu Jiangjun?
Feng Ao Tian naturally knew their current fearful thoughts, but whoever she set her eyes on, except for death, there was no other possibility. A cold smile spread across her face as she slightly raised her hand, and a crisp sound came from her fingers. "Before midnight tonight, you must bring Mu Han Yao to me. If he wants to resist, I will see him alive or dead."
Ji Bai hung her head and knelt on the ground, she couldn't remember how long she had been kneeling, was it one incense stick or two? The chill in her heart grew colder, what did the Regent King want to do after all?
Li Su at this moment had not a single bit of pride and anger, if the Regent King really opened the city gate, then he, Li Su, would be a sinner for all eternity, unable to escape blame. He lowered his head, gazing at the sword that had followed him through many battles, the words of the Regent King still echoing in his mind. Truly, only a coward would choose to take his own life; he was not worthy of this sword that had accompanied him for so long.
Time slipped away quietly, and now the green-clad man who had been kneeling outside the camp for a whole day still hung his head low, his eyes dull and lifeless, no longer holding any hope or expectation. His once fair and delicate skin was now sunburned from the scorching sun, and occasionally the sound of patrolling soldiers' footsteps could be heard around him, but he remained as still as a wooden puppet that had lost its soul, unmoving in the face of wind and sun.
Night falls, the campfire is piled up inside the tent, and the mist outside is filled with fog. The conference hall is heavily shrouded in haze. They have been kneeling for a whole day, but feel like they have lived a lifetime, all of which are torture.
Phoenix proudly sat in the main seat, closed her eyes to cultivate her spirit. This day, she was not at ease and leisurely, her mind kept replaying the topographic map she had just seen. Now, rather than spending time making these soldiers loyal to her, it would be better to retreat and let the person with the highest prestige in their hearts be sincerely obedient to her. However, wanting to conquer a strong and stubborn horse also requires great courage and a strong enough aura and wrist.
Si Xi had reminded the Regent several times to eat, but was stopped by his cold and stern gaze. Now, as it approached midnight, the Regent had only eaten a little breakfast that morning and hadn't eaten anything since. Si Xi was getting worried.
A gust of cold wind blew by, and Feng Ao Tian said in a low voice, "Bring him into the tent."
Jie Bai and the others had been kneeling for a whole day, their bodies now numb and stiff, devoid of any sensation. Since the Regent's order early in the morning, there had not been a single word spoken inside the camp. This day was extremely unbearable, and it was likely that they would never forget this heart-wrenching pain for the rest of their lives.
Feng Ao Tian's voice fell, but she didn't see any movement. Her eyes dimmed, and the two souls were still sensing her breath. Now that they were outside, why didn't they enter?
"Dead?" Feng Ao Tian's tone became even more gloomy and chilling to the bone.
"It's alive." One of the two souls let out a low, muffled sound, like a voice that had been buried in dust and earth for many years. The sound was oppressive.
"What's wrong?" Feng Ao Tian couldn't help but feel puzzled, her soul had always been decisive and efficient in doing things, and she was even more aware of her own thoughts. Why did she appear hesitant today? Had something unexpected happened to Mu Han Yao on the way back?
"Yes." Soul lowered his head, glanced at the person whose acupoints had been sealed, and a chill emanated from Mu Han Yao's cold, stern face. He was absolutely following his master's usual preferences in bringing people here. However, there was more than one person in this camp, and his master never liked others to covet his prey. Why did he want to appreciate it in public today?
The servants exchanged a look, their master's orders were to be followed without hesitation. Since their master had changed his mind and wanted someone to appreciate him, they would only obey.
A glimmer of sorrow flashed in the icy gaze, and with a swift motion, Mu Han Yao was tossed into the camp tent, the two disappearing into the darkness in an instant.
Phoenix was about to scold, thinking that these two souls were too strange tonight, suddenly, a white light flashed into the tent, she looked closely and saw that the arm on the chair had slipped...
Ji Bai and the others were also caught off guard, hastily raising their eyes to look at a mysterious object that had rolled in. Just as they were about to speak, they were suddenly tongue-tied, frightened out of their wits.
