Stranger Danger

Chapter 452: A Blood Debt Can Only Be Repaid With Blood

No time like the present.

After blowing away the crossbow bolts, Ye Qing bulldozed through the wall beside him and out of Food Is Heaven like a dragon-elephant.

Loose!

A loud cry pierced through the air, and even more crossbow bolts sailed toward Ye Qing from every direction. It was like the worlds biggest and deadliest downpour.

Thanks to the Nine Impetus of Tai Chi, none of the crossbow bolts managed to hit him. They missed him by mere inches almost as if the soldiers had intentionally missed their shots.

Not only that, he knew exactly how the troops were positioned thanks to his demonic thought. That was why he chose to escape through a narrow gap set between two platoons. When they fired their crossbows, they inevitably shot their own men.

Bloodcurdling screams filled the air in an instant. At least a dozen soldiers were turned into pincushions, and the rest of the troops fell into disarray.

Ye Qing immediately seized the opportunity to charge toward a different platoon. His heavy footsteps shook the ground like an earthquake, and the soldiers were knocked off their feet long before he even got close.

As for the rest of the platoons, they had learned from their lesson. No one dared to fire their crossbows willy-nilly anymore.

Using the soldiers themselves as cover, Ye Qing was able to slip through their ranks like a phantom. Before they knew it, he was almost out of the encirclement.

Right before he would break out of the encirclement, a dazzling saber force flashed from above and flew straight toward Ye Qings head.

Instead of slowing down, Ye Qing waited until the saber force was almost directly on top of him. Then, he raised his left hand, crushed the attack with his bare hand, and moved his clenched fist upward by another inch.

Bang! A soldier was sent flying into an incoming squad. They immediately bowled over like bowling pins.

That moment of distraction was all Ye Qing needed to break out of the encirclement. He was gone in just the blink of an eye.

Dammit! The garrison commandment that Ye Qing sent flying just now swore when he saw that his target had escaped. While clutching his sunken chest, he spat out a mouthful of blood before ordering, Notify all patrolling units that Ye Qing had killed Chu Qingli, prince and son of the Harmony King! Not only that, he resisted arrest and injured a good number of our people! They are to kill him on sight!

Also, I want men on every route leading to the Pacification Bureau! He must not be allowed to escape back to his hideout!

At once! Someone answered. A flare was soon shot into the sky.

Not far away, Ye Qing also saw the flare. Despite knowing what it meant, he remained calm and took a moment to manipulate his body and aura until he looked like a completely different person. Then, he resumed his great escape.

He didnt try escaping toward the Pacification Bureau because he was certain that the routes were guarded and booby-trapped to the max. To escape in that direction was to deliver himself to the slaughter. Even if that wasnt the case, he didnt think that the Pacification Bureau would be able to defend him this time. This was nothing like the time where Gu Suitang had pushed back against all opposition in Luo Shui. In fact, there was a distinct possibility that the Pacification Bureau might cave to external pressure and surrender him to his killers. He couldnt and wouldnt take that chance.

This meant that there was only one way he might survive this.

He must escape from Tian Yong.

What, my son died?

At his residence, the Harmony King was fishing beside a pond. It was his favorite activity of the day. Every noon after he finished his lunch, he would go to his pond to feed his fishes or fish them.

The Harmony King let out a careless chuckle and shifted to a more comfortable position after listening to the shadow guard leaders report. He said lazily, Thats great news! Its about time the heavens strike him in the ass and teach him a lesson in life!

So? What did he do this time? Did he lose a bet and beat up his debtors? Did he kidnap a young woman that caught his fancy? Or did he rob a house like the bandit he is?

Im not joking, Your Highness. The prince really is dead. He was murdered.

The shadow guard leader was wearing a golden mask, so it was impossible to see his expression. Even so, his voice was clearly marked with gravity and austerity. I just received word that the prince was caught up in an argument with Ye Qing of the Pacification Bureau at Food Is Heaven. That argument ended up with Ye Qing killing him in a fit of rage.

... Are you serious? Youre not playing me, are you? The Harmony King slowly rose to his feet when he realized that his shadow guard leader wasnt joking. My son is dead?

Im sorry, Your Highness, but its true. He died on the spot after Ye Qing disemboweled him, the shadow guard leader replied.

The Harmony King stumbled and nearly collapsed on the ground. His maids caught him in time and asked worriedly, Are you alright, Your Highness?

My son is dead? My son is dead? The Harmony King muttered in distraught as the blood slowly drained away from his face.

Whats wrong, father? It was at this moment Chu Qingge walked up to her disfather and asked, What happened?

Chu Qingges voice injected some life back into his shaking body. The Harmony King staggered toward her, grabbed her arms and burst into tears. Qingge Qingge! Your brother is dead! He was murdered!

My brothers dead? How is that possible? Chu Qingge too wobbled on her feet, though she recovered much faster than her father had. The gleam in her eyes turned murderous as she asked, Who killed my brother?

Right. Right! Who killed my son? Who killed Qingli?! The Harmony King suddenly looked up and glared at the shadow guard leader with crazed, bloodshot eyes. I will rip them to pieces! I will scatter their ashes across the world! I will make it so that they will never be reborn!!!

Its Ye Qing, sir. Ye Qing of the Pacification Bureau, the shadow guard leader repeated.

Joyless? That caught Chu Qingge completely off guard. Impossible! There has to be a misunderstanding!

The shadow guard leader shook his head. Its him. Everyone in Food Is Heaven saw it when it happened.

The prince was going to Food Is Heaven for lunch when he saw Ye Qing. He decided to provoke the man because of what happened to Wine Are Songs Boat. As a result, Ye Qing lost his head and killed him.

Ye Qing killed Qingli over such a petty matter?! The Harmony King screamed. T-The shadow guards! What were the shadow guards doing when Ye Qing killed my son? Why didnt they do anything?!

It happened all too suddenly, Your Highness. The prince was dead before they could react, the shadow guard leader reported.

Useless! Useless! They will die for this failure! The Harmony King roared. What about Ye Qing? Have they caught him yet?

The shadow guard leader shook his head. No, Your Highness. The shadow guards protecting the prince was no match for him. But do not worry. The Hengshan Army happened to be patrolling the area at the time. They will surely apprehend him.

Meanwhile, Chu Qingge was shaking her head. Joyless is not an impulsive man. I cannot believe that he would kill my brother over a petty conflict. There has to be some sort of misunderstanding.

I dont care! The Harmony King uttered through gritted teeth. He killed Qingli, so he must die! Thats all there is to it!

Chu Hao, you have my permission to mobilize every shadow guard and keeper in my court. I dont care what you do, but you will bring Ye Qing before me no matter the cost, dead or alive!

At once. The shadow guard leader saluted the Harmony King and prepared to leave, but Chu Qingli stopped him.

Wait. Father, please allow me to go with uncle.

Very well. Qingge, promise me you will catch Ye Qing? Promise me you will take revenge for your brother? The Harmony King asked with lightless, reddened eyes. He looked like he had aged a decade in an instant, and he was clutching Chu Qingges hands with a death grip. He would probably never let go if Chu Qingge didnt agree to his request.

Dont worry, father. I will find the true murderer and take revenge for big brother, Chu Qingge replied solemnly.

Good girl. Good girl. The Harmony King finally let go of Chu Qingges hand, and in that moment, it was like all life had left his body. His eyes were dim and unfocused, and he shambled away like a dying man with one foot on his grave.

Pain and sorrow gripped Chu Qingges heart like death itself as she stared at her fathers back. The Harmony King might not be a good person, but he was definitely a good father. He gave them everything he had from the moment they were born, and he loved them more than he cherished his own life.

Her older brother was also the best brother she could ask for. To others, Chu Qingli was a spoiled, unambitious brat who did far more harm than he ever did good. But to her, he was a dear brother who cherished her deeply and was protective of her almost as much as their father. He would sooner see the world die than let her suffer even the slightest bit of grievances.

But now, one of the two most important people in her life was dead, and the other was crushed by grief. To make things worse, the killer was none other than her own friend. To say that Chu Qingge was currently gripped by a kaleidoscope of emotions would be an understatement. She desperately needed an outlet for her sorrow, guilt, regret, anger and other emotions.

I will give you and brother the justice you deserve, father.

Determination flickered in her eyes as Chu Qingge glanced at the azure sky above her head.

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