Book 13: Chapter 16
Book 13: Chapter 16
“Don’t move.” The two words that hit Ming Feizhen’s ears sounded as though it was someone with a rock in his throat enunciating them.
Ming Feizhen opened his eyes to find himself still in the dark, bleak and damp dungeon. His body was still on fire, fractures were still healing, and he still couldn’t utilise internal energy for another month. If it wasn’t for the chilly sword edge at his neck, he’d be celebrating. After all, he had lost track of events in the outside world for quite some time.
Ming Feizhen surmised Emperor Yuansheng was too busy to spare manpower to search for him, especially considering the significance behind Huang Yuzao’s absence. If Hong Jiu wasn’t held up, he wouldn’t have returned to the capital late, and, by the sounds of things, Fiends’ Genesis had to have had a role in it.
Tang Ye and Su Xiao must have their hands full if they’re following my instructions. Boss… must be searching for me…
For an inexplicable reason, Ming Feizhen had a vivid image of Shen Yiren galloping towards his direction to rescue him.
Ming Feizhen day dreamt for a while before looking up at the shaky white-haired man holding him at blade point.
Yan Jiangnan’s white hair appeared as though it was sapped of moisture. Wu Ping’s sword looked as intimidating as thin tin in his shaky hand.
Ming Feizhen flashed a corner of his white pearls. “Have alcohol?”
“Who are you?”
Ming Feizhen sighed. “I forgot you only have a pot of tea here. Could I bother you to pour me a cup of tea?”
“Stop acting smart! Who exactly are you? How do you know my ancestor’s martial arts discipline? Why are you being held here? Wh-why did you kill my brother?!” Yan Jiangnan’s voice was so uncharacteristically shaky that one shake too intense would’ve seen him accidentally slit Ming Feizhen’s throat. He, nevertheless, knew better than anyone that he couldn’t have killed Ming Feizhen so easily if the blade wasn’t so sharp. Yan Jiangnan wasn’t injured in battle, so he could still move around despite having his skills erased.
As the prison Ming Feizhen was held sat at the rear of the eight doors, it had become an isolated chamber. While isolating it protected him from enemies, it didn’t provide just him but also Yan Jiangnan with time to recover. That was how Yan Jiangnan managed to save himself from qi deviation – for now, at the very least. Hence, Yan Jiangnan had the head start if they needed to fight.
“You’re the one who killed your brother. Not me. You. Or maybe you could blame your accumulated hatred, jealousy or whatever else. Alternatively, you could blame all of them. Slice it how you like, it wasn’t me.”
If the fact that Ming Feizhen was speaking the truth and the fact that he still had Wu Ping’s face wasn’t irritating enough, his condescending tone made it irritating enough.
“Had you not sewn discord, I wouldn’t… You’re to blame.”
“You’re the one who crushed his viscera with your own hand. Even if we factor in provocations, why would you need to hit him as if you were trying to kill an immortal? Why would you have delivered a fatal blow if you didn’t hate him?”
“N-n-no, he tried to kill me, too! He tried to kill me, too! It was self-defence! You! You’re the one who killed him! I didn’t hit hard enough to kill him. You stabbed him several more times!”
“I stabbed his corpse. Well, if you insist he was still alive when I stabbed him, feel free. After all, there was still hope of saving him then.”
“What?”
“You have hearing issues? There. Is. A. Way. To. Resurrect. The. Dead.” Seeing Yan Jiangnan’s look of disbelief, Ming Feizhen stressed, “There is. As a matter of fact, there’s more than one way. Innumerable martial artists have researched taboos, such as immortality and eternal youth, for as long as they have considered their possibility. Resurrecting the dead is but one of four of the greatest taboos. You won’t be the first to research it, and you won’t be the last.”
Fearing Ming Feizhen would stop broaching the topic, Yan Jiangnan’s voice trembled even more. “Ar-are you serious…?”
“There are currently four methods to revive the dead. The first method is to seek out the phoenix. If you can find it, you can plant its energy into the corpse to revive the dead. The method, however, is only for those who’ve died within the last twenty-four hours and their head is still attached. It’s still not too late for your brother.”
Yan Jiangnan had heard of the phoenix’s legend, except… how was he supposed to find it within less than twenty-four hours even if it did exist? Moreover, it wasn’t really what he wanted.
“You can’t fool me!”
Ming Feizhen cracked a smile after a long stare. “Sounds like you don’t want to revive your brother.”
“Shut up! What’s the second method?!” Yan Jiangnan thundered, face red.
“Jiang Chen can implement the second method, and he’ll help you, clearly. Feel free to implore him when you have the opportunity. If Miss Yu Lian’s head is still attached, you can seek his help.”
Though that was true, what bargaining chips did Yan Jiangnan, now a defenceless man, have at this point even if he was shameless enough to try?
“What about the third method?”
“Sky Palace knows how to go about it. Those ladies know more secrets about this world than anyone alive, and the third method is in their knowledgebase.”
“Enough with the pointless information. What’s the last method?”
Grinning, Ming Feizhen tapped his dome with a finger. “In here.”