Martial King’s Retired Life

Book 15: Chapter 117

Ming Feizhen had envisioned the scene, but it was still a bitter pill to swallow when he finally faced it. Just because he was an emperor, Emperor Yuansheng did not respond any more gracefully than a commoner when faced with the tragedy of losing his son. If anything, Emperor Yuansheng had it worse since he could not talk about it to anyone or even express his sorrow, let alone seek revenge. And now, he was ridden with guilt.

“I… I failed in my duties. I got him killed. I always felt I failed him, so I wanted to provide him with a good teacher… My personal desire brought him back to the capital. He didn’t need to be in the capital. He didn’t need to die. His deeds at the barrack infuriated me. I didn’t want to see him when I was already so busy, so I left him to his own devices. I couldn’t believe he colluded with criminals to target you, so I ignored him even more. I wanted you to teach him a lesson so that he’d realise that not everything in life would work out in his favour.

“I was aware of the risks… I knew that someone would try to use him, but I believed that you would be able to save him. I told myself that you wouldn’t dare to turn a blind eye after all I’d done, so I brushed my hands off it… My arrogance cost him his life. Had it not been for my stubbornness, he might still be alive somewhere… not lying in a chest silently. You’re right. It’s my fault.”

“You summoned your subject multiple times to personally for him. You did a lot.”

His Majesty did not need to jump through so many hoops if he wanted to instate Ming Feizhen as a tutor, let alone emphasise that the chosen Prince did not need to be inducted as a Mount Daluo disciple. What could Ming Feizhen have done if he was given an imperial edict? He only jumped through so many hoops because of Orange Prince’s circumstances. He turned a blind eye to the other Princes pressuring Ming Feizhen so that Ming Feizhen would realise that Orange Prince was the Prince he needed to support, even going as far as spreading news of it to corner Ming Feizhen. Never did he expect that, even after making a trip out of the imperial palace, he still could not protect his son.

Ming Feizhen maintained his smile. “Actually, your mistake was not stubbornness. Your mistake was threatening me.”

“Wh-… What was that?”

Even though he was still smiling, Ming Feizhen’s aura changed. “Your Majesty, you did not make any mistakes, including your decision to exile Orange Prince. Had you requested my help earnestly, I would still not have assented, but I would have done my best to devise an idea for you. What you should not have done was to pass down a decree, set me up to make me the tutor to a Prince and blackmailed me. I hope you remember that I am not someone who can be threatened. If Orange Prince’s case can be a valuable lesson for you, I do not mind spectating.”

As furious as he was about Ming Feizhen’s insolence, Emperor Yuansheng stopped himself when he remembered Ming Feizhen’s warning about making enemies. In saying that, no matter how he analysed Ming Feizhen’s words, the only conclusion he could draw was that Ming Feizhen was being insolent.

“Of course.”

His Majesty went red in the face as veins almost burst. “You watched me lose a son… just to run your mouth?!”

Ming Feizhen walked up to His Majesty’s table to check out the head. “Listen closely, Your Majesty: there are several things I need you to comprehend today.”

Ming Feizhen waved his hand in a quick motion, sealing His Majesty’s mouth before the latter could call for guards. He subsequently peeled off the severed head’s mask, revealing a different face. “Evil Spirits’ Gui Wa has joined Liu Shan Men. Her ability to make disguises is almost unmatched. I asked for her help in this strategy.”

Emperor Yuansheng’s heart beats were clearly audible. “Y-you’re saying…”

The two of them could virtually view what happened on Orange Prince’s last night alive. Orange Prince, face as white as a sheet, found the will to run for dear life. Using his hands and feet, he sped across the ground despite not being sure if he would actually escape. Had he not jumped through the window, not even Mountain Monster could have saved him even if she wanted to. She was no match for Gan Fengchi nor Wansi Leiting, let alone rescue Orange Prince stealthily. However, pulling him into some shrubs, stripping him and swapping places with him was within her boundaries. Orange Prince’s body double was prepared in advanced. The double disappeared in the mountains, then resurfaced as Gui Wa’s creation.

Teng was in charge of pulling Orange Prince out of danger and escorting the latter away from danger using his string manipulation skills. Yuan Kou was tasked with rescuing Gui Wa, who posed as a servant, before the body she hid in was burnt. She invested in a real human head and a body that resembled Orange Prince’s in order to make a convincing disguise. The team of unorthodox members successfully pulled the wool over many experienced eyes.

“Orange Prince is no more. Li Chengzhi is still alive. If you understand, it would be in your best interest to keep your voice down.”

His Majesty immediately stopped himself from speaking notwithstanding the joy that bloomed on his face. On the other hand, Ming Feizhen looked sterner as he added, “I have not finished.”

“Please go ahead, Duke Ming.”

“What I want to tell you is, firstly, people are not necessarily useless. To the contrary, they can contribute meaningfully. It does not matter what their affiliation may be. The imperial court may not have any use for them, but I do. Irrespective of your motivation behind allowing Song Ou to form his own group, I believe you permitted it for Miss Shen’s sake. I am forming my own group for her sake, as well, not for my personal ends. If there is a personal goal, then it is the same as your personal goal.

“Secondly, I did happen to rescue Demon Sect’s holy maiden by coincidence, but as you are aware, Demon Sect is divided into two factions. She is the holy maiden of the Western Region’s headquarters and is young. She was unlikely able to even hold a sword when Ximen Chuideng was active, so she does not deserve to be held accountable for her predecessors’ actions. Unless you intend to wage war on the Western Region’s seven states, it will be best for you to leave her be. As it was my hands that she ended up in, and you are unwilling to issue an order, it will be easier to sort out.

“Third, it is time for Orange Prince to depart. Li Chengzhi can stay in this world, but Orange Prince cannot. He is your son. If it were not for your apprehensions, he would be the Crown Prince. Even if he is exiled to the life of a commoner, a Crown Prince still holds a lot of value. The event at the barrack outside the capital is just the first of many if people with certain ambitions get control of him.

“In exchange for all the requests I have made, I shall take up the task. However, let us make it clear that, from now on, he is just Li Chengzhi. The rebellious Prince died the night before, and his head is in the chest right here. I am only taking on Li Chengzhi is a student. Please forgive me, but I do not have the fortune of taking on any other Prince as a pupil.”

Although His Majesty wanted Ming Feizhen to take Orange Prince under his wing, he never imagined the process would include so many twists and turns. Nevertheless, the fact that his wish was realised in the end was worth rejoicing, so he disregarded Ming Feizhen’s insolence.

“Do not celebrate too soon. I am only accepting and correcting him; I will not pass on any skills. Do not complain when I strictly enforce disciplinary action on him.”

“That is only fair. That is very fair. Since the beginning of time, there has never been a mentor who doesn’t discipline his pupil. As long as he is alive, you may discipline him in any way you see fit.”

Ming Feizhen smiled. “Lastly, there is myself.”

Despite not applying any internal energy, Ming Feizhen’s frigid gaze could be felt.

“Mount Daluo can be threatened. The legend Ming Shiyue and my shifu can be negotiated with or plotted against since they will never receive the short end of the stick. I, in contrast, am a fool. Threaten me, and this will be the outcome. To be candid, I indeed have my personal motivation for joining Liu Shan Men, but I will not bring any harm to you or the imperial court. During my tenure, I can assist you, but do not threaten me. Please remember this warning and think before you act. Do not let the reason for today’s tears become a reality.”

His Majesty spent a long time mulling before reacting as though he just got to know Ming Feizhen with a smile. “You have hidden your talent for a long time, Duke Ming.”

“You flatter me. You know I do not excel at martial arts, so my only choice is to be cautious.”

“Hahahaha, I knew I was right about you. You are most definitely dependable. In saying that, you have just fooled me successfully, so how can I trust you?”

“It is said that, when Baima prepared to leave the capital, you asked him how you could trust him if he was to be absent from the capital for a prolonged period. He answered, ‘If you treat me as a loyal subject, I shall reciprocate in kind.’ He has since marvellously defended the northern border. Since you are posing the same question now, I shall bear the shame of copying the wise and give the same response: ‘If you treat me as a loyal subject, I shall reciprocate in kind.’ A man is as good as his word.”

“I shall take your word for it! Should I rescind on my promise to not threaten you, let my death be miserable.”

Ming Feizhen smiled. “Thank you for pardoning your subject’s insolent language. He shall remember your oath.”

“I, too, commit your words today to memory.”

Ming Feizhen was dismissed after the two continued conversing for a while longer. Before Ming Feizhen stepped out, though, Emperor Yuansheng queried, “Cheng… Where is Li Chengzhi now? Where will he be going? Have you made arrangements?”

“He is at a location your subject organised and will be accompanying your subject soon. The bodyguard you assigned will also be coming along.”

His Majesty nodded a few times, then froze. “Bodyguard? What?”

Ming Feizhen flapped his eyelids. “Long Zaitian. Did you not assign him to bodyguard duty? He insists he is the best bodyguard for Li Chengzhi.”

“No. What bodyguard? I dispatched him to oversee the barrack at the outskirts. I assigned him to gate guard duty because he caused me a huge headache. What is he doing now?”

One confused man stared at another confused man. Since it was not important, nonetheless, Ming Feizhen bid farewell.

While watching Ming Feizhen shrink into the distance, His Majesty instructed for the chest to be buried in an auspicious location. He was able to finally smile once silence was restored.

Ming Feizhen must have a will of steel. Did he just threaten me?

Ming Feizhen did not have a safety net back there. His Majesty could very well have ignored anything he had to say and kicked him out. It was coincidental actions and choices of words that changed the outcome into his favour.

In spite of how long it had been, His Majesty still dreamt of his old friend smiling brightly after listening to his complaints in Patriarch Shen’s study. Every time he recalled their time together, he felt he reversed to his younger days.

“Your Majesty, do not let it get to you. It is easy to make unwanted enemies while you are mad.”

“You are a monarch. A monarch should not look so defeated.”

“Let me help you. I should handle this.”

His Majesty opened his eyes slowly and muttered, “Second Brother… Yiren has exceptional judgement.”