The young guard, tears in his eyes, nodded emphatically. He understood his elder brother's meaning; if he didn't leave, their entire family would lose their heads.
As for finding a marriage, those willing to bear children could leave behind a legacy before their deaths; many chose this path.
After considering these possibilities, the young guard spoke with resolve, "Elder Brother, come, I have no regrets!"
The older guard, holding the rope, bound his younger brother securely, wishing he could announce it with gongs and drums before Ye Feng. Only by doing so could they prevent the Embroidered Uniform Guard from taking action.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards' faces were grim. This was a direct insult, letting someone escape right under their noses, yet they were powerless. Yu Huatian glared at everyone furiously, cursing, "Useless fools, all of you! You couldn't even catch Liu Dai, and now what do you say we do!"
"Esteemed Commander, why don't we act in advance and deal with him? Then it will be untraceable, and who would suspect us!" one Embroidered Uniform Guard suggested with a murderous glint in his eyes.
"Fine! You go ahead and act, daring to do so in front of the Prince of Chu!" The Embroidered Uniform Guards were unsure of Yu Huatian's intentions, remaining motionless. Yu Huatian snorted, "Since it has come to this, we will await the Prince's judgment. Do not act rashly. If it's possible to recapture Liu Dai, that is our top priority."
"Your servant will depart immediately, Esteemed Commander. Please rest assured!" More than a dozen Embroidered Uniform Guards scrambled out, pursuing the direction Liu Dai had fled.
"You had better be able to bring him back, otherwise, I won't be able to protect you," Yu Huatian warned as he watched their retreating backs, shaking his head. He then approached the elder guard.
"This is your brother, committing such treasonous acts. Do you know the consequences?" Yu Huatian glanced at him and asked in a cold tone, "Do you still dare to face the Prince?"
The elder guard remained silent for a moment, then stated firmly, "I am fully aware. My brother acted out of foolishness. I beg you, Esteemed Commander, please do not implicate my family. I would be eternally grateful!"
"That is naturally so, but!" Yu Huatian narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly, "You have indeed placed the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard in a difficult position. You have quite the capability!"
"Esteemed Commander, if you have any anger, direct it at me. Please do not involve my family," the elder guard said, kneeling on one knee. "Even if I am to be cut into a thousand pieces, I will have no regrets!"
Yu Huatian lightly patted the elder guard's shoulder, his tone sinister, "Have you heard of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's methods? We can make you wish you were dead but unable to die. Even then, would you still be willing?"
"Someone has to pay for the mistakes. If my brother alone is not enough, then there is me!" The elder guard's eyes were firm. "I believe you, Esteemed Commander, are not one to indiscriminately kill the innocent. You would not do such despicable things, would you?"
"Well said. If I were to take action, would it truly be indiscriminate killing!" Yu Huatian secretly applied force to the elder guard's shoulder. The elder guard trembled slightly and was instantly sent flying. The young guard watched tensely, wanting to rush out but unable to do anything!
Suddenly, the young guard's veins bulged. With a surge of strength from both hands, the rope snapped. The young guard grabbed his long saber and charged out, shouting, "Do not harm my brother! If you have something, come at me."
Yu Huatian observed him thoughtfully and said slowly, "You truly have deep brotherly affection. However, after committing such a grave error, neither of you can be saved!"
The Spring Dawn Saber was unsheathed, creating a flash of cold light and a sharp sound. Yu Huatian's expression turned cold, "You brothers are indeed quite capable. The Embroidered Uniform Guard operates with the authority to act first and report later. Seeking death, I shall fulfill your wish!"
The young guard, remembering his promise to Liu Dai to deliver a message to Ye Feng, was unwilling to surrender. He spoke coldly, "Elder Brother, we can be dealt with by the King. We cannot die at his hands. If we don't act, our families may not be safe. Quickly, make your move!"
"Alright!" The elder guard pondered for a long time, then drew a long spear from behind his back and charged at Yu Huatian.
The spear rained down, coupled with the constant harassment from the long saber. Yu Huatian, being an expert of the highest caliber, appeared at ease. "If this is all you brothers are capable of, you will surely die by my hand today. Show me some real skill, and perhaps I can spare your lives."
The two clearly understood the privileges of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and could not hold back. The elder guard clasped his hands and shouted, "In that case, forgive us for offending you. We beg the Esteemed Commander to show mercy and allow us to see the King."
"That depends on your abilities, brothers!" Yu Huatian said coldly, drawing his Spring Dawn Saber and charging directly at them, his expression icy. "You brothers will surely die today!"
"Elder Brother, do not hesitate, act quickly!" The young guard wielded his long saber, slashing left and right, barely fending off Yu Huatian's assault. However, it was clear to anyone with eyes that one person was no match for Yu Huatian.
"Good skill, but this is not enough!" Yu Huatian feigned an attack with his Spring Dawn Saber towards the young guard's face, simultaneously exposing a weakness. The young guard, thinking he saw an opportunity, eagerly attacked. However, the Spring Dawn Saber suddenly changed direction, descending along the path of the long saber.
"Younger Brother, be careful!" the elder guard hastily warned, but it was too late. The long saber could not possibly turn to block. In desperation, the long spear reappeared, forcefully blocking the Spring Dawn Saber!
The elder guard's qi was insufficient, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. Yu Huatian smiled coldly, using a mere three inches of space to exert all his strength. Sweat beaded on the elder guard's forehead.
"Act quickly!"
Seizing the opportunity, the young guard unhesitatingly brought his long saber down along the Spring Dawn Saber. Yu Huatian suddenly released his grip, then swiftly re-grasped the Spring Dawn Saber. It was precisely at this moment that the spear was retracted, flicked lightly, and then shot out like rain towards Yu Huatian's face.
The long saber also weaved and dodged, constantly attacking Yu Huatian's lower body. Even with immense skill, escape was impossible!
Yu Huatian raised an eyebrow, his expression changing. He no longer hesitated, drawing a narrow sword from within his Spring Dawn Saber. "To be forced to act by me, you two are indeed capable!"
The narrow sword rang sharply, both defending and attacking in coordination with the Spring Dawn Saber. The two brothers were no match. The elder guard's expression changed drastically, and he spat out an angry curse, "Damn it!"
The next moment, caught off guard, the Spring Dawn Saber swept down along the spear. In desperation, the elder guard had to let go. The spear was heavily stepped on by Yu Huatian.
"Elder Brother, I'll help you!" The young guard swung his long saber, disregarding form or method, clearly having lost his composure.
"You wish to die? I shall not grant you that wish!" Yu Huatian snorted coldly, the narrow sword pressing closer to the young guard. The young guard, not knowing how to dodge, instead lunged forward. Yu Huatian's expression flickered, and he hesitated, retracting the narrow sword slightly.
"Elder Brother, take this!" The young guard used his legs forcefully to kick the spear back to the elder guard. "Lend me your strength!"
"Interesting!" Yu Huatian charged forward, but without apparent defense. The long saber was about to strike him when the spear gently vibrated. With a "clang," the long saber was firmly blocked. The young guard, not understanding the intent, turned to look at his elder brother.
"Elder Brother, we could have won. Now..." The young guard, pouting, threw his long saber to the ground. The elder guard's expression changed, and after a moment of silence, he cupped his hands towards Yu Huatian, "Thank you, Esteemed Commander, for showing mercy. Otherwise, my brother and I would have perished here long ago!"
"Do you know how many times the Esteemed Commander could have taken your life, yet he showed mercy? And now you act like this? You are not worthy of being an inheritor of our ancestors!" the elder guard said angrily. "If you are going to be so petty, I will not concern myself with this matter today. You can handle it alone!"
Seeing that his elder brother was truly furious, the young guard softened his stance and hastily explained, "Esteemed Commander, I lost my composure for a moment just now. Please forgive me. Do not hold my elder brother accountable. As for me, I shall accept whatever punishment you deem fit!"
"I am not so petty as to hold grudges. You two brothers can rest assured!" Yu Huatian said with a smile. "With good coordination, always leaving room for each other, and considering each other, if you are fortunate enough to survive, the Embroidered Uniform Guard welcomes you both!"
"But the King..." the young guard murmured. Such a grave mistake, in Ye Feng's eyes, was unforgivable. He suddenly deflated, bowed his head in thanks, found a rope, and motioned for the elder guard to tie him up.
The young guard adjusted the knot and carefully tied the rope. Just as he was about to act, he found the rope being held. He frowned, and before he could speak, he heard a smiling voice, "If it weren't for Yu Huatian, I wouldn't have known I had two experts under my command!"
In Liangzhou, who else could refer to himself as "this King" but him? The young guard and his brother immediately knelt. Yu Huatian, who was already inclined to appreciate talent, was about to speak when Ye Feng raised his hand and asked slowly, "Do you know your crime!"
They all knelt in a panic, kowtowing. Ye Feng asked softly, "If it weren't for you, how could Liu Dai have escaped? If one day he harms the people of Liangzhou, what would you do?"
"I..." The young guard was speechless, unable to utter a word. "It is all my fault for being foolish and making such a grave mistake. I should have died, but I promised to deliver two messages to the King, so I dared not act on my own."
"Speak!" Ye Feng commanded coldly. "I am not necessarily unwilling to spare your life. The key is why you let him go."
The young guard did not hesitate, recounting the entire sequence of events clearly, not forgetting the two sentences Liu Dai had instructed him to relay. "I implore the King to punish me. I am willing to accept any penalty!"