Martial King's Retired Life

“Absolutely.” Yungu’s ever-charming dimple managed to stand out on its own despite her buried cold character. “If that is your wish, I will happily be your mistress.”

“Tsk. If I wasn’t locked in this crap hole, I would actually believe you,” Ming Feizhen responded.

“It seems you are still wary of us. Fret not. This is only designed to keep you from running around. Please do pardon us.” The excited glow on Yungu’s cheeks were authentic rather than what she showed in their first meeting. “I speak nothing but the truth. I would be honoured and blessed to… give you my heart and body.”

“… You’re grossing me out.” Ming Feizhen crossed his legs and dropped his chin onto his hand. “If you’re serious, that’s one hell of a fetish you have. You like teenagers with white hair so much?”

Yungu held her hand over her mouth and giggled. “Is that not what love is?”

“More like creepiness.”

“Sometimes, the line between them is very fine.”

“… You sent your companions away just to tell me this?”

Even though Yungu was the only one left behind, the formation didn’t weaken in the slightest.

“If you’re hoping to work out how my internal system works, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.” Ming Feizhen didn’t bother resisting the formation from the moment he set foot in because he sensed it was capable of reading his true qi flow.

“You are looking too much into it. There is no doubt that your knowledge is valuable. In saying that, Sky Palace does not lack treasures on par with it. Secondly, it is not something that anyone can handle. At least, I cannot.”

“You’re making me cry. In that case, what are you after? Let’s not beat around the bush, shall we? Can’t have any hopes of negotiation if I don’t know what the price is, yeah? If your skin is too thin for you to broach the topic, how about I do you the favour? For instance, eye spy with my little eye, something that begins with ‘Six’?”

Yungu shook her head: “We do not need your Fengpeng.”

Ming Feizhen’s facial muscles shifted for the first time in their conversation.

“We do not need the identity of Mount Daluo’s next patriarch, either, if that is the second possibility you were thinking of.”

“What is it that you want, then?”

“Your bloodline. It is not time to tell you yet, but there is no doubt that your bloodline is perfect. You are the person we have spent generations searching for.”

***

“May this one ask what you are here for?”

Sharing an unexpected cosmic moment, League of Assassins and Divine Moon Cult answered, “Moon gazing!”

Lord Miguo cast his gaze beyond the gaps between the leaves to view the barely-there moon. “… This is a restricted area. You are guests; please do not make things hard for this one.”

Speaking in unison again, they replied, “Since when did the moon belong to you?” then walked off.

“Please wait, Great Guardian Wen.”

Zhuxing Wuchang halted. “Yeah, can I help you, Monk?”

“This one would not dare to bother you. He is currently looking for two criminals whom you supposedly met. Would you be able to point him in the right direction?”

“Who? Never seen them.”

“Would the people behind you happen to be your subordinates?”

“What a question. Would they be yours?”

“Apologies.” Lord Miguo discharged energy, forcing the air around to blow off their hoods. “… This one apologies for his rash actions.”

Lord Miguo was aware of how wayward Zhuxing Wuchang was, so he wouldn’t put it past the latter to help someone he considered a brother. Lord Miguo assumed Zhuxing Wuchang would keep Su Li and Hua Qing by his side given they couldn’t defend themselves because he didn’t know Zhuo Fengru had arrived.

A follower approached Lord Miguo to whisper, “Your Excellency, Apostle Leng has returned.”

Lord Miguo deployed a subtle nod. Ever since he designated Zhuo Fengru as an enemy, Leng Jingliu’s presence among his ranks became a necessity, especially in light of what he had on his plate. “Did he bring Zhuo Fengru’s family?”

“… Apparently not. He said a white-haired teenager rescued them on their way back.”

“White-haired teenager?” Lord Miguo mused for a second, then pretended to enjoy the moon’s beauty, mumbling, “Look how bright and round the moon is.”

As soon as they heard what Lord Miguo muttered, League of Assassins and Divine Moon Cult departed.

“This one shall contact you once he has finished business here.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Zhuxing Wuchang replied. “How about a warm-up now?”

“We will have the opportunity.”

Lord Miguo rushed off to the formation Ming Feizhen was held. Knowing that Ming Feizhen rescued Zhuo Fengru’s family, there was no reason for Zhuo Fengru to follow orders any longer. By extension, Hua Qing had an extra bodyguard, and their goal was clearer than ever.

***

Hua Qing was a very unlucky man. He and Zhuo Fengru stealthily broke off from the group when they saw Lord Miguo show up. His misfortune began when a bird decided to take a dump on his head, yet he was helpless to do anything about it. Livid, he jumped up, only to trip and roll down the slope. Zhuo Fengru didn’t realise Hua Qing had rolled down, so he kept going.

“Brother Feizhen… even though I’m alone now, it’s my turn to save you.” Hua Qing made haste for the formation.

***

Lord Miguo didn’t find a trace, let alone his prey, at the formation as he expected.

Ming Feizhen, lying with his legs crossed, bemoaned, “Oi, it’s a bit late for a night time snack, don’t you think? Don’t you have any common sense?”

***

Hua Qing didn’t stop once to catch his breath, ignoring the risk of ambushes – there really wasn’t anyone lying in ambush. He was gasping for air by the time he arrived at the base of the boulder, but there was only one person in the area – technically, in the formation – so he rushed into the centre of the formation in jubilance. “Bro! I’m here to save you! Get out of here!”

Hua Qing realised too late that the individual inside the formation wasn’t Ming Feizhen. The individual’s physique and bald head certainly stood out, but it was his unbridled-aggressive aura that struck Hua Qing first.

The monk opened his bloodshot eyes, then kipped up to his feet, crushing two big bricks underfoot. “Kill him!”

Hua Qing was a very unlucky man.