"A guest is a guest," Ye Feng lightly sipped his tea, but found no one outside for a long time, so he couldn't help but shout, "Do you think you're getting away with this? Get out here!"
After about three crow calls, the only sound outside was the wind blowing through two blades of wild grass.
Ye Feng, throwing caution to the wind, raised the Overlord Spear and hurled it with immense force. The whistling sound as it cut through the air was so sharp it made his ears ache.
"King Chu indeed has a fiery temper!" Zuo Ci emerged with a smile, though his constantly twitching leg betrayed his fear.
Ignoring Zuo Ci's seemingly nonchalant expression, Ye Feng threw his teacup. "Where's the tea? Pour it yourself!" he said coldly.
Zuo Ci, who was known as the Southern Star Immortal, had never suffered such humiliation.
But seeing the axe-wielding guards on either side, he touched his ear and suppressed his displeasure, forcing a smile. "To tell King Chu the truth, I have important matters to discuss."
Zuo Ci found a seat, swallowed his pride, and sat down to pour himself a drink.
"You know who I am and still dare to come? You've got some nerve!" Ye Feng said to himself.
Zuo Ci almost stumbled to his knees. He steadied himself and, after much thought, said, "I've often heard that King Chu is diligent and loves his people, never imposing extra taxes, and even offering rewards. That's why I've mustered the courage to come."
Ye Feng took out a dagger and threw it onto the table. He then shifted his body and smiled coldly, "Has anyone told you that countless people have died by my hand?"
"Which hero has never taken a life? To kill to stop killing. Moreover, the sages say," Zuo Ci tried to decipher Ye Feng's words, managing to utter a few phrases.
Ye Feng stared intently at Zuo Ci. He knew this man too well.
Ever since he became King Chu, he had received countless letters from this dung beetle.
He had not agreed, and Zuo Ci had then gone to Zhang Bao. A fickle fellow, he dared not entrust him with important matters.
"What is the purpose of your visit today?"
Ye Feng pondered for a moment, deliberately leaving his intentions unclear, and observed Zuo Ci's changing expression.
To put it bluntly, he had seen many such people. He idly played with the dagger.
Zuo Ci frowned, feeling as if many words were stuck in his throat, unable to be spoken. He could only drink cup after cup of wine in frustration.
Ye Feng, already aware of Zuo Ci's intentions through the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was merely toying with him at this point and had no intention of speaking first.
"Hasn't King Chu ever thought of taking things a step further?" Zuo Ci inquired after observing him for a while, finally unable to hold back.
"What 'further'? This king doesn't understand. Besides, this king only knows loyalty to the emperor and love for the country, and has no such ulterior motives," Ye Feng responded listlessly.
Before the great chaos of the world, Zuo Ci was a recluse Taoist. How could he understand Ye Feng's sarcasm? His heart rejoiced, and he thought to himself, "This old man is about to be tricked by me. Deceiving people, no, it's still up to me, the Southern Star Immortal."
"Since King Chu has a heart for the emperor," Zuo Ci stood up and knelt before Ye Feng, "I implore King Chu to raise an army, eradicate the noble clans, and restore a clear and bright world to the Han Dynasty."
"If King Chu agrees, this old Daoist is willing to die here!"
Before his words even fell, tears had already streamed down someone's face. However, Ye Feng glanced up, and the commotion had vanished without a trace.
"Since you wish to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country, have you prepared anything to lecture me here?"
Ye Feng spread his hands, feigning helplessness.
It was early winter, and the gentle dripping of water made Zuo Ci feel even colder. Ye Feng's words struck him deeply. If King Chu, who had donated a hundred thousand troops, was nothing, then what was he?
"Whatever His Majesty desires, I can provide, without question," Zuo Ci gritted his teeth and made a resolute decision.
"Even if it means your life?" Ye Feng asked softly. "Do you dare to die for His Majesty?"
"I dare. As long as King Chu agrees to eradicate the noble clans, what is one life to this old Daoist?" Zuo Ci rushed forward, grabbed the gleaming dagger, and without hesitation, plunged it towards his own throat.
Ye Feng was startled. Regardless, this was happening within his tent. If Zuo Ci were to die here, how would the common people view him? This was absolutely unacceptable.
However, he maintained his composure and stared coldly at Zuo Ci.
"Clatter!" A drop of blood hit the ground heavily. Ye Feng was truly in a bind, his expression growing more grim.
"Your Majesty, your subject has been loyal!" The dagger sank inch by inch into his flesh, and Zuo Ci's face instantly turned pale.
"Oh, what is this? My lord, you've frightened me to death!" A crisp voice rang out in everyone's ears. Diao Chan, without any hesitation, sat down in Ye Feng's lap.
"My lord, I cannot bear to see such things. Make him throw away the dagger quickly and send him away with some silver!" Diao Chan said coquettishly, shaking Ye Feng's sleeve.
"Hahaha, what is the beauty saying? This is the renowned scholar, the Southern Star Immortal Zuo Ci. How can he be treated like a street performer by a beauty?"
Watching Zuo Ci's face turn the color of liver, Ye Feng felt a surge of wicked delight. When it came to sarcasm, Diao Chan was the best.
Zuo Ci swayed precariously, yet Diao Chan paid him no mind. She even threw a few copper coins at him, "A reward."
Seeing Zuo Ci's immobility, Ye Feng seized the opportunity to feign anger. "You, Zuo Ci! This beauty is me, your lord! How dare you disrespect her? Guards, throw him out!"
Zuo Ci, who had become as limp as tofu, was perhaps best dealt with in this manner.
Zuo Ci hurriedly stood up and declared indignantly, "A scholar can be killed, but not insulted! Since King Chu refuses my request, I will go now and speak well of how despicable a villain King Chu is to the people!"
"Does this mean only if I agree to your request will it work? Do you know that this king also has his difficulties?" Ye Feng sighed heavily and sprawled on the couch.
Diao Chan understood Ye Feng's meaning and quickly wiped away a tear. "My lord, I understand everything in my heart. Why bother telling this swindler?"
"No, beauty, you don't understand." Ye Feng coughed a few times and finally stood up. "Since he wants to spread word, why not let him speak clearly today?"
"Think back to when this king defended the people alone, and now he is king. Do you know the hardships I've endured? If not for His Majesty's secret support, I would have died countless times. Even so, it took many years."
Not many, perhaps a year or so.
"Moreover, they are all my brothers! Am I supposed to watch them die? Why are you, old Daoist, so malicious!"
Zuo Ci couldn't help but grumble inwardly. Who didn't know how quickly Ye Feng had gathered his forces? How could he have the audacity to say such things?
"Since none of you believe me, why don't I lay down my armor and return to seclusion, living a simple life with my beauty, farming and weaving? Wouldn't that be delightful?"
To outsiders, Ye Feng's words sounded reasonable. Zuo Ci, however, knew the inside story and said coldly, "Since King Chu has received such great favor from His Majesty, he should wholeheartedly depose the corrupt officials and achieve an unprecedented accomplishment!"
"If not, this old Daoist will not force the issue." Zuo Ci turned to leave, adding coldly, "This old Daoist has nothing else, but my disciples and grand-disciples are obedient. I will surely spread these words!"
Ye Feng's scalp tingled. This old Daoist was playing a dangerous game. He was in a dilemma, unable to agree or refuse. He could only pretend to be hospitable and ask Zuo Ci to stay longer.
"I don't think it's necessary. If you don't agree, no matter how much I say, it will be useless," Zuo Ci then turned and smiled, "I know King Chu has his difficulties, but if these things get out, King Chu's reputation, tsk tsk tsk!"
Ye Feng clenched his fists, utterly at a loss for what to do with this Daoist. He lowered his head, stared at Diao Chan, and said in a muffled voice, "Fine, this king agrees!"
"Since King Chu agrees, in three days' time, we will set an ambush for the noble clans on Peach Blossom Mountain." Zuo Ci's face lit up with joy. He hurriedly took three steps at a time, placing down the token of authority, awaiting the signing of the seal by both parties to make it official.
"Report to my lord. His Majesty's imperial rewards have arrived. Most have been accepted, but there is one item that this servant must present to my lord."
A sharp voice shattered Zuo Ci's reverie. Startled, Zuo Ci quickly urged, "What is King Chu waiting for? Do you intend to go back on your word, or deceive the world!"
This grand accusation made Ye Feng sigh. Unwilling to be so thoroughly humiliated, he retorted, "Why are you in such a hurry? Does this king go back on his promises? Or do you have something to hide!"
With these words, Zuo Ci could only let Ye Feng read the imperial decree.
"Zuo Ci, do you still stand by your words of loyalty to His Majesty? Or were you deceiving the world?"
Ye Feng felt an urge to jump onto the table and ask Zuo Ci this question directly. Zuo Ci, though suspicious, could only nod his head, agreeing dejectedly.
"Good. Now, His Majesty commands you to die. Immediately! Right now!" Ye Feng said excitedly. This was a big catch, and perhaps the system would even give him a reward!
"You're lying! How is that possible!"
Zuo Ci stood frozen, as if struck by lightning. His mission was about to be completed; how could he lose his life? Absolutely not.
"Do you think this king would lie to you?" Ye Feng smiled coldly and handed a letter to Zuo Ci through someone.
What else could the imperial decree and the letter say? It was nothing more than Emperor Ling agreeing to share the empire with Ye Feng. In such a situation, killing an insignificant Daoist like Zuo Ci was a trivial matter.
"Your Majesty, how could you agree to such a thing? You have wronged me, wronged me!" Zuo Ci laughed wildly a few times, collapsing onto the ground. His coronet fell, and his hair was disheveled. "I, Zuo Ci, am unlucky. Come!"
Zuo Ci threw his neck back, listening to Yu Huatian's footsteps approach. His face was relaxed, and he gave a bitter smile. "I, Zuo Ci, was originally a mountain hermit. I should never have gotten involved in this chaotic world. You have wronged me, wronged me!"
With a few more sighs, as if accepting his fate, Zuo Ci slowly closed his eyes. "Enough talk, strike!"
"This king will allow you to speak your last words. Perhaps I will help you fulfill them," Ye Feng said languidly, embracing Diao Chan and teasingly. "Strike once he is finished speaking."
"Yes, my lord!"
Yu Huatian pressed his dagger closer. Zuo Ci showed no fear and shouted to the sky, "It is my greatest regret that I, Zuo Ci, could not persuade you, Ye Feng, to join forces with the Yellow Turban Army to slaughter the noble clans! I go now!"
Zuo Ci threw himself towards the dagger without regard for his own safety. At the same moment, a loud shout echoed through the tent: "Hold the blade!"