Han Rui blinked slightly, his tear-streaked eyes looking up at Xuan Feng, helpless and pitiful.
A rare hint of gentleness touched Xuan Feng’s stern face.
Xuan Feng raised his large palm and gently pressed it onto Han Rui’s tousled hair. Han Rui had grown up in the jungle, wild and strong, but this gesture was surprisingly tender.
Han Rui’s misty eyes trembled slightly. “You…”
Before he could finish, Xuan Feng stood up.
The next second, his gaze suddenly turned sharp.
He stepped forward, his movements as swift as a leopard’s, his form agile. He quickly retrieved the anesthetic needle from Han Rui’s backpack, then with a few leaps, swiftly caught up to Xue Yi.
Xue Yi screamed loudly at the sight, running even faster. “Please, spare me, let me go. This has nothing to do with you. If you let me go, I can give you money, a lot of money, even… I’ll give you all my money!”
Xuan Feng, indifferent, paid him no mind and simply raised his hand. Decisively, he plunged the anesthetic needle entirely into Xue Yi’s brow.
At first glance, it looked as if a small nail, only half the length of a fingernail, was embedded in his forehead.
Xue Yi had been running, and with the anesthetic needle piercing his brow, perhaps due to the speed, he managed to take one more step forward before collapsing to the ground, silent.
Xuan Feng returned, looking at Han Rui and said, “It’s over. I’ve avenged you.”
Han Rui looked at Xuan Feng, his beautiful phoenix eyes filled with an unexplainable emotion.
Xuan Feng then turned to Bai Xi, clasped his hands together, and bowed with fists held to his chest. “Xuan Feng acted on his own accord. I request the Eldest Miss to punish me.”
In the Dark Department, status was a symbol of power. With higher-ranking leaders, one was bound to obey their commands unconditionally. The Dark Department’s orders were like military decrees, heavy as mountains, and could not be easily altered.
Killing Xue Yi this time was his own decision, not Bai Xi’s order, and thus, it was a violation of superior orders.
Bai Xi raised her eyebrows slightly. “Do you know what punishment your actions today warrant?”
Xuan Feng stated calmly, “Thirty Dark Whips. However, considering Xuan Feng’s status and his long service by the Eldest Miss’s side, the punishment should be increased, at least fifty Dark Whips!”
Hearing this, Han Rui immediately wiped away his tears and stepped forward. “Miss Bai, Xuan Feng did this to help me. Can you please not punish him!”
From their conversation, Han Rui realized this was indeed the rule of the Dark Department. Although he had intended to deceive Bai Xi earlier, it was when he thought he wouldn’t be exposed. He knew better than anyone after his recent investigations what the Dark Department was like – full of rules, strict discipline, and inviolable dignity.
However, was Xuan Feng not using his brain? Thirty would have been enough. Why did he have to mention the rest and add twenty? Was he foolish!
Bai Xi raised her eyebrows, looking calmly at Han Rui. “According to the Dark Department’s rules, those who plead for another may accept the punishment on their behalf.”
Han Rui was slightly stunned, then gritted his teeth. “Then I will bear some of it for him. Fifty whips… I… I should be able to withstand thirty whips!”
Xuan Feng turned his head to look at Han Rui, his sharp eagle eyes filled with profound calmness. He finally uttered a detached sentence, “Fifty Dark Whips doesn't mean being whipped fifty times, but rather breaking fifty strands of the special rattan woven by the Dark Department. Your physique… you wouldn’t even endure one Dark Whip.”
Han Rui’s eyes widened, looking at Xuan Feng in disbelief.
Breaking the whip? And fifty strands?
This was not punishment, but murder.
Xuan Feng said faintly, “Don’t worry, it’s just fifty Dark Whips. I’ll be fine.”
During his two years of punishment in the Dark Department, he had become accustomed to it. Initially, due to his status, position, and the nature of his punishment, he had endured much scorn and provocation. The Dark Whip was the most common form of punishment. If Bai Xi hadn’t taken him under her wing later, he would have endured much more, perhaps even ending up as a corpse.
Han Rui looked into Xuan Feng’s eyes and paused slightly.
His inner thoughts were completely consistent with his spoken words, a rare occurrence.
Those eagle eyes were cold, yet exceptionally clean.
Finally, he remained silent, but a thought appeared beside his eyes, only three words: Don’t worry.
But how could he not worry!
“Miss Bai, I am willing to accept these fifty Dark Whips. Even if I can’t bear them all at once, can I bear them in installments? One whip a year? Or one whip every six months? This matter arose because of me, so I should be the one to bear the responsibility!”
Xuan Feng stepped forward, blocking Han Rui completely.
Han Rui was not short at 178 cm, but standing behind the 189 cm Xuan Feng, whose build was considerably more robust, he felt as if he had vanished.
Xuan Feng calmly said to Bai Xi, “This entire matter is my subordinate’s fault. Han Rui is not a member of the Dark Department, and punishing him with Dark Department’s penalties is against the rules.”
Han Rui intended to argue, but before he could speak, Bai Xi interjected, “You are correct.”
Han Rui could only watch the tall man in front of him frown slightly, unconsciously biting his vibrant lip.
This fool!
Who cared about genuinely taking the punishment for him? He just knew Bai Xi wasn’t that cold-hearted, so he wanted to help. Perhaps after one Dark Whip, the rest could be waived? Even if not waived, fewer whips meant less suffering, right?
Hmph, he was tall and had good stamina, but he was a stubborn fool!
Bai Xi said calmly, “Xuan Feng, since you know you were wrong, accept your punishment.”
Xuan Feng bowed again, “Yes.”
Bai Xi then added, “I know the Dark Whip is not much of a punishment for you, so I plan to punish you with something else.”
At these words, Han Rui’s eyes widened, and he moved forward again. “No, Eldest Miss, what else do you intend…”
Before he could finish, he was forced back by Xuan Feng’s stern gaze.
Han Rui inexplicably felt a surge of grievance, but he didn’t know why he felt that way. He could only grit his teeth and ignore Xuan Feng before him.
He clearly wanted to help him, and yet he was making himself angry. Hmph, serves him right.
Bai Xi stated calmly, “I sentence you to temporarily not follow me for the time being, but to remain in Shangyang and help the Han family rebuild its reputation.”
This trip to the cemetery had incurred great losses for the Han family. While she was not the direct cause, she bore some responsibility.
Coupled with the previous fake medicine incident that had greatly impacted the Han family, the Han family genuinely wished to treat the people of China and was a responsible medical enterprise, not to mention their considerable technical expertise. She had promised Han Rui earlier that she would help the Han family restore its reputation. Now, it seemed, someone more suitable was here to assist the Han family.
Furthermore, she seemed to understand Xuan Feng’s intentions.
As a punished member, he had already sacrificed much for the Dark Department. Later, by her side, he had risked his life to protect her. This time, she had intended for him to enjoy a simple, ordinary life by her side, but now… he seemed to have found a better way to enjoy life.