"It is indeed your subordinate," Feng Jiu said, his clasped hands trembling slightly with excitement.
He had regretted it deeply when he heard the Emperor had fallen from the city walls. He had rushed back to save His Majesty, but someone had sent him a message, informing him that the Emperor's death was suspicious. For years, he had been investigating the cause of the Emperor's death, solely for the purpose of avenging His Majesty one day.
However, not long ago, after eight years, he received a message from the same person who had first contacted him, telling him that His Majesty had been resurrected and providing the location. Otherwise, he would not have been able to rescue His Majesty so quickly and accurately.
Although His Majesty's appearance had changed, the feeling he gave was unmistakable. His Majesty had returned.
"You... you saved me?" Xue Xingyue was also very excited. She hadn't expected to see the Feng Guards who had once been by her side in her lifetime, and now, it seemed only he remained.
Feng Jiu shook his head. "Your subordinate also received a message from someone, saying that His Majesty would be near Xifeng Pass. Your subordinate came to try his luck, and unexpectedly encountered His Majesty."
"A message?" Xue Xingyue frowned and looked at Feng Jiu.
Feng Jiu nodded, explaining why he had been in Qi all these years and had not returned.
Xue Xingyue was astonished. She couldn't believe that someone in this world understood her so well. But who could that person be? Lin Zifeng?
Soon, she shook her head and denied it. It couldn't be. This person harbored no ill will towards her; instead, they were always helping her. Otherwise, if Feng Jiu had returned, he might have met a terrible end.
"Feng Qing, do you have any news?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Feng Jiu paused for a moment, but she still caught his meaning. "Your Majesty, it's best to forget him from now on."
"But you must also tell me where he is?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Feng Jiu replied, "Feng Qing has been exiled to Xifeng Pass."
Xue Xingyue's body stiffened. "Could he be the senior disciple that Hong Cha mentioned?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Jiu nodded sadly, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Can you tell me what happened?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Feng Jiu said, "Back then, Feng Qing and I were on a mission. Later, we heard that His Majesty had fallen from the city walls. Feng Qing and I didn't believe it. We felt that His Majesty would never be so careless. We wanted to rush back, but halfway, we received a letter. The letter said there was a trap back home and that His Majesty's death was suspicious.
So, for all these years, Feng Qing and I have been investigating the cause of His Majesty's death. Feng Qing has no parents since childhood; he is an orphan. The person who raised him was a Taoist priest. Later, the priest saved a man, but that man turned out to be a wanted criminal. The priest was arrested and imprisoned. To repay the kindness of his upbringing, Feng Qing took all the blame by himself. The criminal was beheaded, and Feng Qing was exiled here."
"Did Feng Qing not consider escaping?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Feng Jiu replied, "Feng Qing suffered internal injuries while on a mission in his early years, and he has never recovered. During his years in prison, he endured much torture, and his health has always been poor. Even if it were just your subordinate, there is still Master and Hong Cha. Your subordinate must consider all aspects."
"How is Wu Hen's injury?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Feng Jiu paused, about to answer, when he heard footsteps. Wu Hen walked in, looking at Feng Jiu with moist eyes.
"Wu Hen," Feng Jiu glanced at Wu Hen and then lowered his head.
"You..." Wu Hen bit his lower lip, remaining silent.
"Feng Jiu, quickly have Wu Hen sit down," Xue Xingyue said.
Feng Jiu hurried to support Wu Hen. Wu Hen's eyes were moist. "You're back too. That's great."
Feng Jiu's body stiffened, and then he nodded. "Yes, I'm back."
Xue Xingyue knew that Wu Hen, Feng Jiu, and Feng Qing had a good relationship. The three of them had joined the Feng Guards together, trained together, and eaten together. They had long since developed a bond like that of family.
"Wu Hen, how is your injury?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Wu Hen shook his head. "Your Majesty, your subordinate's injuries are no longer a problem."
Xue Xingyue nodded. "Wu Hen, I presume you heard outside that Feng Qing has been exiled here. I think..."
"Your Majesty, Wu Hen is fine. I can do it," Wu Hen tried to stand up, forcing himself.
Xue Xingyue gestured for Wu Hen to sit down. Wu Hen could only comply.
"I have decided. Wu Hen, you will stay to look after Hong Cha and the old man. Feng Qing will be rescued by myself and Feng Jiu."
Wu Hen and Feng Jiu simultaneously exclaimed in unison, "No, Your Majesty, absolutely not."
Xue Xingyue looked at Wu Hen and Feng Jiu and said, "My mind is made up."
Seeing this, Feng Jiu knelt. "Your Majesty, absolutely not. How about this: you stay here, and your subordinate and Wu Hen will go rescue Feng Qing together."
Wu Hen nodded. "Your Majesty, your subordinate agrees with Feng Jiu's idea."
"But I do not agree," Xue Xingyue said.
"Your Majesty," Wu Hen bit his lower lip.
"Feng Jiu, Feng Qing is your companion since childhood. He is also my companion, my family. Even when I lost my title, you willingly stayed by my side. You are already my family. What is wrong with me going to rescue my own family?" Xue Xingyue said word by word to Wu Hen and Feng Jiu.
Wu Hen and Feng Jiu froze.
"Your Majesty..." Wu Hen bit his lower lip tightly, preventing the already moist corners of his eyes from shedding another tear.
"My mind is made up. Further persuasion is pointless," Xue Xingyue said, looking at Wu Hen and Feng Jiu's hesitant expressions.
"Since that is the case, may this old man lend Your Majesty a hand?" As the voice rang out, Xue Xingyue slightly froze and looked towards the doorway.
She saw the old man who had left earlier reappearing there.
Feng Jiu stepped forward first. "Master, you..."
The old man stopped Feng Jiu from continuing his words, came to Xue Xingyue's bedside, and bowed. "This old man pays his respects to Your Majesty."