Xue Junliang stared down at the prisoner on the ground and laughed cruelly, âOh? Gu is overconfident? How confident of you to say Gu is overconfident? You must think youâre so modest. Such a ridiculous, lowly guard like you.â
Teng Yun laughed again and closed his eyes so he didnât have to look at Xue Junliang. His expression seemed to be disdainful, as if Xue Junliang wasnât worth looking at.
Eyes still closed, Teng Yun said weakly, âTo die in the hands of an opinionated king like you.. of course Iâm feeling regret.â
âWondeful!â Xue Junliang sneered, âIn this whole world, who else can be like me? Me who, presently, is merely one step away from grasping the entire world!â
âBut this one stepâŚâ Teng Yunâs laugh was cut short as he suddenly coughed blood, âUnfortunately, if you take this one step⌠Youâll destroy all of your reputation! Xue Junliang, think about it, if Marquis Tengnan leads a rebellion from inside the prison⌠Instead of grasping the entire world, youâll be surrounded by enemies left and right. By then, will you be able to protect your land? Will you be able to protect the soldiers and the people who respect you and are willing to risk their lives for you?â
Teng Yun hands clutched his chest as he gasped for breath. Blood was spilling freely from his mouth; soaking into the study roomâs wool rug.
Xue Junliang froze, didnât expect someone like this could say such things. But he was quick to shake away his surprise and said disdainfully, âAnyone can talk big. Youâre just saying this only to make me withdraw my soldiers. If you still dare making insults like this, apparently I havenât tortured you enough!â
Teng Yun felt more blood rose to his throat and he could only struggle to suppress it. His sight had started to dim as he said, âYou are not Teng Zhengxuan⌠You werenât born at his era. You can only bow down to himâŚâ
[T/N : Teng Zhengxuan was the previous Teng Wang, beloved by his people and was respected by other kings. See Teng Yun first mentioned him in Chapter 43.]
By this point, Teng Yunâs breath had gone so weak. Xue Junliang could only hear a faint whisper, âI have never been afraid of youâŚâ
Somewhere in the end of the prisonerâs sentence, Xue Junliang thought he heard the word âarrowsâ but he didnât put much thought of it, because when the prisoner mentioned Teng Zhengxuanâs name, his heart felt like it was crushed under a heavy stone.
Firstly, it reminded him that time the Late Empress told him a lot about Teng Zhengxuan. Secondly, this name was like a reminder that bring to Xue Junliangâs mind the strategies he could do to defeat the oncoming threats.
Xue Junliang looked down and saw the prisoner had fainted. He turned to Jiang Yu and slowly said, âCall the royal physician. If this prisoner died, the entire royal hospital will have to pay for his life.â
Xue Junliangâs tone made Jiang Yu jump with scare. Since Xue Wang started favoring the Empress, he never had to talk using such tone. In fact, Xue Wangâs mannerism had become somewhat warm and humane.
But now, seemed like Xue Wang had gone back to how he used to be: a king who was tyrannical, guarded and full of suspicions. Those characteristics were too commonly found in kings, and Jiang Yu was once again reminded that Xue Wang, unfortunately, was not exempted.
Jiang Yu rushed to the royal hospital without delay, leaving Xue Houyang hesitating at the study room alone. In the end, Xue Houyang called a few palace servants to quickly carry the unconscious prisoner away.
Teng Ying was only a lowly prisoner; one who would soon be executed. It was impossible for him to stay in a kingâs resident. Even though Xue Wang insisted he was to be treated by the royal physician, Xue Wang would not tolarate nor pity him. Therefore, Xue Houyang ordered people take the prisoner back to the prison.
[T/N : Teng Ying was a palace guard, originally from Teng Country, and had played big part on killing the Empress. Currently, Teng Yun was inside Teng Yingâs body. See previous chapter.]
Jiang Yu led the royal physicians to the prison to examine the prisoner.
It became clear that Teng Yunâs injuries were quite severe. If it was scraped skin and open wounds, then it was easily treatable. But in addition to those, Teng Yun also had unseen internal injuries. The prison wards wasnât aware of these internal injuries, they could only see that the prisoner was leaking blood from all over his body.
The royal physicians, of course, knew this person was only a prisoner. Jiang Yu only ordered them not to let him die, which in another word, it was enough as long as the prisoner was breathing. The royal physicians only treated the prisonerâs internal injuries and didnât even attemp to check the external ones.
â\n
Teng Yun felt cold. He knew he must be suffering from a fever. Heâd been fighting in wars for so many years, he knew what happened when one had many untreated injuries and wounds. But because he was now a prisoner, Teng Yun could ony endure it all silently.
Teng Yun closed his eyes and rested his head against the prisonâs damp wall. Before long, he fell asleep.
Teng Yun dreamed that he was back to a few years ago, when he was still fighting with Xue Houyang. Vaguely, he knew he was only dreaming, but could not extricate himself from it.
Everywhere he saw, there were the dead bodies and ruins of citiesâŚ
Teng Yun had a hard time drawing breaths and his lower back was in pain. He was wriggling like a caught fish, struggling to get away from the thing causing him pain, when he woke up from his slumber.
Apparently, the one causing him pain was the prison ward beating him and shouting, âQuit pretending to be dead! Wake up!â
Teng Yun immediately opened his eyes, sighing in relief to be free of the bad dreams. His whole body was aching and drained of strength. He was leaning against the corner of the prison. If it wasnât for the wall supporting him, Teng Yun was sure he would be lying paralyzed on the ground.
The prison ward raised his hand again, ready to beat Teng Yun again, but a voice told him to stop. The voice was so familiar Teng Yun couldnât stop himself glancing up to see the voiceâs owner. A few steps from him, a man stood. It was Xue Houyang.
Xue Houyang frowned with displeasure at the blood on the ground, but he reckoned the prisoner brought this to himself. He turned to the prison ward, âCan he talk?â
The prison ward nodded and bowed at the same time, âOf course, of course. The royal physician had just come and examined him. Heâs as lively as a dragon and as strong as a tiger. Heâs just opened his eyes, so maybe he wasnât fully awake yet.â
Teng Yun sneered inwardly. How more awake should he be so people could deem he was awake enough?
Xue Houyang turned to look at the prisoner, wondering what sort of person this former palace guard was. He had talked so rudely to Xue Wang, yet Xue Wang still didnât kill him and instead ordered the royal physician to examine him.
Teng Yun opened his mouth, barely had enough strength to whisper weakly, âMarquis Wannian, why do you still think so highly of Xue Wang when he is so full of himself?â
Because Teng Yun was so weak, his voice was no louder than a whisper. Xue Houyang could not hear Teng Yun clearly so he asked the prison ward to repeat what the prisoner had said. The prison ward was closer to Teng Yun, he clearly heard what Teng Yunâd said but pretended he didnât, fearing that repeating Teng Yunâs words would get him executed.
This scene only made Teng Yun laugh.
Xue Houyang noticed the prisoner laughing to himself and deduced that if he could still laugh, it meant he was alive and would not die any time soon. Xue Houyang turned back to the prison ward, âCall the royal physician again to check him properly. Donât slack off.â
The prison ward readily promised he would do as ordered. Still bowing and nodding, he sent Marquis Wannian out. After some time, he came back inside the prison and snorted coldly, âWhat bullshit! What does it matter if you die now or die later? Who do you think you are for me to bother keeping you alive!â
Teng Yun closed his eyes again. This wasnât the first time he was treated this way, he was used to it. When his whole army was defeated and captured, Teng Yun was also treated like this. The only difference was, at that time, he was shot with an arrow. If this time he was to be shot with an arrow againâŚ
Living inside the prison, it was hard to differentiate between day and night. Teng Yun didnât know how long or how many days had passed when suddenly the prison ward forced a glass of water into Teng Yun, saying Xue Wang was going to interrogate Teng Yun himself.
Teng Yun still had no strength. He was dragged to a room and pushed to the ground.
A few steps away, Xue Junliang stood with his back to him. Teng Yun knew Xue Junliang was aware that he was here, but the man didnât turn around to look at him, instead saying, âDid the life in prison suit your taste?â
Teng Yun smiled and said, âI have tasted bitter life than this⌠It was nothing.â
Xue Junliang said, âYou still have bones, daring to talk back to Gu.â
âBecause I know thereâs no reason to kill me.â\nâGood for you!â Xue Junliang turned and said, âYou said thereâs no reason to kill you? You think Gu doesnât want to skin you alive, doesnât want to rip off your meat and bones? Gu cannot wait to cut you to pieces, but maybe that kind of death would be too light for you.â
Teng Yun wasnât affected by the threat and said, âYou havenât kill me, isnât it because you want me to tell you how to break the enemy forces?â
âWhat makes you say that?â Xue Junliang stared at the prisoner. Although his body was weak and thin, the prisoner looked right back at Xue Junliang without fear.
âYou think Gu would listen to a fool who had dared burning Yunfeng Palace to the ground?â
Teng Yun laughed, knowing it was useless protesting against the accusation. He said, âXue Wang wants to grasp the entire world, but to tell you the truth, considering the current situation, itâs too ambitious for you want to do that. At the moment, Feng Wang is watching for any slight disagrrement between Xue Country people and seize it to launch an attack. I am very sure you wonât succeed.â
Xue Junliang sneered, âThen do you know ways that will ensure Gu succeed? If you do, let alone sparing you death penalty, Gu can grant you wealth and noble titles.â
Teng Yun laughed over the offers. Xue Junliang said, âYou donât believe it?â
Teng Yun said, âI laughed, not because I donât believe you. I was laughing at your cold-heartedness. Iâve heard rumors that Xue Wang deeply mourned the Empressâ death. Turns out, the Empressâ life was no more important than seizing the whole world. For Xue Wang, the Empressâ life was meaningless.â
Xue Junliang glared at Teng Yun. He angrily swept his hand on the table, throwing all the things on it off. One of the incense burner slammed on the ground, its lid bounced off and hit Teng Yun on the chest.
Xue Junliangâs fist was shaking but his tone was flat as he said, âYouâre so smart. Every body in this whole world is so smart. I am indeed very cold-hearted and indifferent. It was only one Empress died, I still have thousands of other women in my PalaceâŚâ
[T/N : The hell! That is the worst thing you can ever say in front of your Empress.]
For the first time since meeting him, Teng Yun couldnât look at Xue Junliang in the eyes properly. Teng Yun looked away as a strange feeling filled his heart. He could not understand, and didnât dare exploring what the feeling was. Just the thought of it left him uncomfortable.
Teng Yun tried to shift the topic, âI donât care about wealth and noble titles. If I succeeded in solving Xue Wangâs current problem, I will only ask permission to leave the Palace.â
Xue Junliang stood straighter, shifting back into his usual demeanor, and said, âArenât you so sure of yourself?â
âIf I fail, then you will have a new reason to hate me and you can do whatever you want as revenge. Isnât that right?â
Xue Junliang laughed, as if he liked the idea of having a new reason to hate this prisoner. His laugh, however, sounded quite strange.
âFine, Gu will do just as youâve said. Letâs see how much youâll suffer before you can die.â
Teng Yun said, âFeng Wang is planning to send his soldiers, itâs not impossible he will launch a sneak attack tomorrow. Therefore, this lowly servant requests Your Majesty to assign people to help me.â
âJust say it. Who do you want to help you? Do you want Marquis Wannian? There is no one better than him in this country.â
Teng Yun smiled and said, âThis lowly servant doesnât dare taking over Marquis Wannian. I heard there were Cheng Tianâs former subordinates under Your Majesty. I request those three people, plus one thousand soldiers.â
âOh⌠just one thousand soldiers?â
âItâs one thousand and three people.â
Xue Junliang stared at him and said, âGu still cannot understand. Where does your confident come from?â
Teng Yun said, âI only ask for one thousand and three people, I didnât say Iâm going to defeat you enemyâs army. Even if I was so arrogant, I wonât dare leading one thousand and three people to fight with Feng Wang⌠I only plan to use these one thousand and three people to conquer Teng Countryâs army. A country will have more power when the leader and the people have one same goal and mind. Only then, the country can defeat every enemy.â\n\nJiang Yu paused before adding, âYour Majestyâs sincere feelings for the Empress⌠this old servant also knows.â
â
Teng Yun wasnât thrown back into the prison, instead was quickly granted relase and given one thousand plus three soldiers.
Teng Yun was certain Xue Junliang would never let him go. Him allowing Teng Yun to do this task was just delaying the inevitable. When Teng Yun succeeded in forcing the enemy away, Xue Junliang could easily be back hating Teng Yun and eventually executing Teng Yun as a criminal.
But Teng Yun himself could not back down from this. If he didnât do something, by the time Feng Ming launched an attack, both Feng Ming and Xue Junliang would both suffer a great deal.
Teng Yun had once led soldiers. He had seen many soldiersâ corpses covering the ground. He could not sit still knowing a great number of Feng and Xue soldiers would die.
Also, now there was no more a Teng Wang. Teng Wang had become a Marquis Tengnan. Teng Yun thought back to a time when his loyalty had been only for his own father and that it had shifted. Now, he was doing what he could to save Xue Junliangâs lifeâŚ
The soldiers assigned to Teng Yun didnât want to accept Teng Yunâs authority and orders. But Teng Yun wasnât concerned about people respecting or admiring him in this body. Teng Yun knew what sort of person Teng Ying was; he was a boot-licker with no valuable talent. If Teng Yun wanted something, working industriously was the only to achieve it.
Also, it wasnât that Teng Yun wanted these soldiers to go to the battlefield, therefore it didnât matter if the soldiers didnât respect him. Instead, Teng Yun gathered everyone and went to Teng Country to repair a temple.
Hearing the order, the soldiers balked. They were all well-trained and talented soldiers of the capital city, how come they have to repair a temple? This task was simply beneath them and humiliating.
Only because of His Majestyâs decree, these soldiers didnât have other option than obeying Teng Yunâs words.
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That day, when Xue Junliang heard Teng Ying saying, âYou are not Teng Zhengxuan⌠You werenât born at his era. You can only bow down to himâŚâ These speech was like a slap in the face and secretly, Xue Junliang was stunned by this guardâs clever mind. Solely because of these words, Xue Junliang was reminded of a plan he could use to defend against upcoming enemies.
Hearing that Teng Ying wanted his one thousand soldiers to repair a temple, Xue Junliang was even more certain this person was not an idiot.
Teng Ying was right, Xue Junliang was not Teng Zhengxuan. If Xue Junliang wanted Teng Country people to submit to him, he had to defer to Teng Zhengxuan.
Teng Zhengxuan was the most beloved king of Teng, and if Xue Junliang was willing to send people to repair Teng Zhengxuanâs temple, Teng Country popleâs hearts would be moved.
Teng people knew well that Teng Wang was cruel and ruthless. In the past few years, Teng Wang had angered many people and his conduct had passed his peopleâs patience. If at this time, Xue Junliang showed them a virtuous gesture, the people and the soldiers would readily accepted Xue Junliang.
That was exactly what Teng Yun wanted; one thousand well-trained Xue Country soldiers to repair a temple, added with Xue Junliangâs imperial edict. There was no need for the fuss over going to war, no need alarming the commoners. This way, maybe then the people would be grateful and interested in joining the army, therefore expanding and strengthening it.
No wonder Teng Yun was so sure of his success.
Teng Yun didnât waste any time in fear of Feng Wang attacking them any day. Even though Teng Yunâs body was still weak and in pain, he ordered the soldiers to start immediately.
Teng Yun wanted this task to be completed as early as possible so he could hurry get away from here. Teng Yun had had enough of things happening, he was genuinely tired and no longer could tell what was right or wrong.
Xue Junliang wrote an announcement stating that the local officials were required to help repairing the temple, which made it an even bigger and more spectacular event. This way, when Teng Country people saw that Xue Country was repairing the temple for their previous king, they would think that Xue Wang was a king who could still be virtuous and calm even in difficulties and hardship.
After writing the announcement and having people sent it immediately, Xue Junliang heaved a sigh. He still could not wrap his head around this person, Teng Ying.
A person who could plan a war without even moving a single weapon, was also the person who had burned Yunfeng Palace to the ground. Why?
Xue Junliang really could not understand. Even if this person and the Empress somehow had a hatred against each other, why would he listened to Teng Qianyiâs instructions? Why would he kill someone with a fire he lit himself and leave trails that could lead to him being arrested by Xue Houyang?