After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine Chapter 107
Ji Hongcheng's heart was somewhat heavy, but when the decree landed on his head, he naturally had to see the person, dead or alive. Even if Jingwang died, his corpse must be retrieved.
But, against all odds...
Jingwang's life was surprisingly blessed.
He led his men to search from dusk until late at night, and actually found Jingwang sitting in the forest by a stream.
Jingwang sprained his foot and sat there unable to move. When he spotted them coming, he raged and asked them why they arrived so late.
Ji Hongcheng was left astounded.
Jingwang... is His Highness only slightly injured?
He looked Jingwang up and down a bit and sat on his horse foolishly, staring straight at him.
Jiang Suizhou was somewhat speechless.
He was quite nervous just now, but when he saw Ji Hongcheng, he put his mind at ease.
This man wasn't part of Pang's party. Even if Ji Hongcheng hated him, he would never kill him on the spot or leave his corpse out in the wilderness.
It was thus clear that the Hou Zhu and Pang Shao firmly believed that he would die in the forest today.
However, although Ji Hongcheng was favorable, he was truly stupid. He stared blankly at Jiang Suizhou, unable to restrain his duplicitous act.
The man was stunned. 'How come you're not dead?' was almost written on his black and ugly face like the portrait of Zhongkui (a deity supposed to chase off demons).
Jiang Suizhou sighed inwardly.
"Lord Ji." He looked at Ji Hongcheng coldly and reminded him, "Are you disappointed that this Prince didn't die?"
Only then did Ji Hongcheng snap back to his senses.
He didn't admit it, but he didn't deny it either. After all, although he didn't want Jiang Suizhou to die, he really did not like him all that much either.
"Your Highness must be joking." He bowed in obeisance with his hand cupped in the other before his chest on his horse, but his expression proud as hell. "I have been ordered to invite Your Highness back to camp. Come on, someone, why aren't you helping Jingwang get on a horse?"
Jiang Suizhou was then supported by the surrounding guards. He sat on a horse, and was slowly brought all the way back.
At this time, the palace in the mountain was brimming with joy and excitement.
The ignorant Ji Hongcheng was sent to collect Jingwang's corpse. As such, His Majesty won first place. No one mentioned a word about Ji Hongcheng, as if there was no such person. Presently, delicacies covered the tables, while wine cups went gaily around, celebrating His Majesty's harvest today.
However, the Hou Zhu, Pang Shao and those who were in the know, were aware that this celebration meant something else.
The thorn in the Emperor's side was finally removed.
Hence, the Hou Zhu was ecstatic. Even Pang Shao was happy, and they couldn't help but toast a few more cups. Wined and dined to satiety, the Hou Zhu leaned in the arms of a beauty, looked drunkendly at the night outside the hall, and smirked.
His father adored that vixen concubine so much, so he sent that concubine six feet under to accompany him; their family couldn't do away with a reunion, so today, he sent their favored child under to accompany them.
The Hou Zhu smiled and drowsily downed another cup.
But at that moment, he spotted a crowd that gradually came into view in the dark.
Little by little, the lively hall quieted down.
Everyone looked out the door.
They saw Jingwang limping, supported by the servants beside him, slowly climbing up the long step. Ji Hongcheng, who was following behind him, sported a dark joyful face, waiting to receive his reward.
The crowd watched Jingwang enter. His coat and outer robe were torn and stained with dust. He looked very disheveled, but brimming with vigor.
He stopped in the hall and bowed to the Hou Zhu.
"This younger brother is late, please forgive me, Imperial Brother," he apologized.
Pang Shao's complexion changed dramatically, while the golden cup in the Hou Zhu's hand crashed to the ground with a clang.
Pang Shao couldn't care less about anything else, and after saying that he was going to change his clothes, he got up and left the main hall.
Outside the hall, the subordinates in his entourage stood tremblingly in the shadows, waiting for him to come and ask questions.
"How could this be!" Pang Shao muttered under his breath. He shot a furious stare and asked violently.
One of the men responded without delay, "Master, this servant doesn't know! Jingwang did go in that direction. I sent a few more people just to be sure, including Tang Gui! But..."
"But what?" Pang Shao gritted his teeth. "But Jingwang came back unscathed?"
The man shivered and spoke almost in a whisper, "And... the people we sent, even Tang Gui... did not return."
An eerie silence settled.
"Tang Gui also did not return?" Pang Shao's voice gradually calmed down, but it became more and more creepy.
The man didn't dare to respond.
Over the years, his master had eliminated dissidents. There were some operations that couldn't be done openly, so his master spent many years of energy, spending money like water, only to cultivate these assassins.
Among them, Tang Gui was the most outstanding, his master's most powerful one.
But now, even Tang Gui...
"Good." He heard Pang Shao's voice between gnashed teeth.
The man instinctively looked up and saw his master standing in the shadow outside the hall with his face heavy enough to drip water.
"It's him, Jiang Suizhou, who's capable," Pang Shao commented.
"Send someone quickly and immediately. Send one batch to the forest and be sure to find traces and bodies. As for the other batch..."
Pang Shao raised his eyes and looked into the hall.
The light inside was bright and warm, as golden and resplendent as a divine palace. Jingwang was standing upright there. His back was slender, and although dressed in a wretched state, his figure glowed like that of a deity.
Pang Shao scoffed.
"While he's here, immediately send someone to follow me to his courtyard. Today, I must find out the reason from his place."
