Chapter 68: Did You Come Looking for Me?

Chapter 68: Did You Come Looking for Me?

The Old Prime Minister gave his instructions, still uneasy, without disclosing Sang Yu's identity, but repeatedly stressed how much the emperor valued Sang Yu, and that he absolutely had to bring the man back safe and sound.

If he could stop the war from breaking out, even better.

Li Zhiming didn't get why the emperor had set it up this way—and how did the emperor even know Sang Yu was the one stirring up the civil unrest? What if it was the King of Nanxun who wanted Sang Yu dead instead?

Then how was he, an outsider, supposed to talk them down?

It was just plain ridiculous.

Li Zhiming and Su Yi got the imperial decree, prepped for a few days, and then hit the road, along with a few military officers, heading to Nanxun.

*

After more than ten days on the road, they finally reached Nanxun's capital.

Devastation was everywhere.

Li Zhiming took in the refugees scattered everywhere and the half-destroyed houses and streets, and his heart jolted.

This was the first time he'd ever seen real refugees up close.

People huddled in small clusters—barely any young folks around, just the old and kids in grimy clothes, cowering in corners.

Their eyes, curious and scared, fixed on them, bodies shaking.

This bunch of outsiders stuck out like a sore thumb in this place.

"Brother Li."

Su Yi called out, his voice a little shaky.

Li Zhiming scanned the area—dead and bleak, with a faint whiff of gunpowder still hanging in the air, proof of how badly this place had been wrecked not long ago.

So this was what "devastation and human misery" in the history books looked like?

"Big bro, I'm so hungry. Got anything to eat?"

A kid ran out with that blunt innocence kids have, and before Li Zhiming could answer, a scrawny woman dashed out, scooped him up, and kept apologizing like crazy to Li Zhiming.

It made his heart ache.

"Su Yi, do we still have any rations or food left? Let's hand it all out."

They'd already made it to their destination, so no point keeping the rations.

Su Yi thought the same and nodded right away, digging out all the food they had and waving everyone over to grab some.

There wasn't much—each person only got a little—but even that small kindness was enough to earn their thanks and awe.

They'd probably need to scrounge up more food later. He wondered if they could even help these folks get back on their feet.

Just as he was mulling that over—

"Young Master."

A familiar voice came from behind him.

Every hair on Li Zhiming's body stood up. For some reason, right then, he wanted to bolt. He regretted coming—he should've run.

How the hell had he been so possessed, so out of his mind, that he'd come here?!

Everyone turned. Sang Yu stood a few yards off, a big crowd behind him, all watching them in force.

Sang Yu's face was the same as ever, but now he was in black battle gear with a sword at his hip, a cloak over his shoulders, standing in the wind, smiling at Li Zhiming from afar.

"Young Master, I'm so touched you chased me all the way here."

He shrugged off his cloak, tossed it to a lackey nearby, and strode fast toward the stunned Li Zhiming, his mouth curling up with pure joy.

His youthful swagger had never been more obvious.

Inching closer and closer.

Li Zhiming saw the joy in his eyes, thought of everything that had gone down before, and instinctively stepped back to dodge him.

That little step, just like the first time they met, was a step that cut deep.

To Sang Yu, it was pure, blatant rejection.

In a flash, his expression changed. The smile froze, the corners of his mouth dropped fast, and a cold frost settled in his eyes as he glared at Li Zhiming, like he wanted to eat him alive.

Su Yi, standing next to Li Zhiming, got caught in the crossfire too.

He glanced at Sang Yu, then at Li Zhiming, feeling the weird tension. The crushing pressure hit him, and his legs almost buckled.

"Su Yi greets Young Master Yu."

Su Yi gave a slight bow, but Sang Yu didn't even glance at him, walking straight past to Li Zhiming.

He stared into Li Zhiming's eyes, brow furrowed: "If the Young Master came for me, why bring outsiders?"

"..."

A military officer behind them, clueless about the situation, figured Sang Yu had gotten the wrong idea and quickly stepped up to explain: "Young Master Yu, please don't be upset. Our emperor sent us as envoys to Nanxun, hoping you'll end the civil war and submit to our court."

"..."

"..."

This was bad.

Li Zhiming's face went white. Before he could explain, his chin was grabbed, and he was yanked forward, slamming into Sang Yu's chest.

Like some god looking down from above, Sang Yu coldly stared at him, his eyes icing over bit by bit: "So the Young Master didn't come for me after all. How disappointing."

Sang Yu's gaze slid down, landing on his lips, his eyes going dark.

That look was way too familiar.

Li Zhiming shook his head, trying to back away, but a hand locked onto the back of his neck, freezing him in place. Then a rough, brutal kiss slammed down, leaving his head spinning.

Su Yi stood there, frozen solid, like he'd turned to stone.

The seven or eight officers behind him were rooted to the spot too, eyes bulging like saucers.

And the refugees as well.

Li Zhiming struggled in panic, flailing his arms and legs to shove him off, fighting with everything he had. In one wild move, he slapped Sang Yu right across the face.

The sharp crack of the slap made everyone jump in fright.

Sang Yu tilted his head slightly, licked his moist lips, and ran his thumb over the corner of his mouth, revealing a twisted smile.

"Looks like the eldest young master's temper has gotten worse. Perfect timing—today you'll scratch my itch."

The moment the words left his mouth, Sang Yu reached for his belt, sending it flying into the air before it fluttered to the ground.

"No! Don't!"

Li Zhiming, panicking, clutched at his clothes like a proper lady cornered by a pervert, stumbling as he turned to run, knocking over junk on the street.

"Stop him."

At Sang Yu's order, a squad of soldiers immediately jumped out to block his way.

"You can't do this to big bro!" The young boy from earlier ran out, his frail frame shielding Li Zhiming, glaring stubbornly at Sang Yu. "You're a bad person, a murderer."

The kid's eyes were full of pure hatred and disgust, with no attempt to hide it.

Sang Yu squinted. "What'd you say?"

The boy raised his chin even higher. "You're—"

"Shut up!" His mother quickly covered his mouth, frantically pressing him to kneel and kowtow. "Mercy, Prince! The kid's just ignorant, talking nonsense. Please, mercy!"

Sang Yu smirked. "Kill."

"Wait." Li Zhiming rushed in front of the mother and son, staring at him firmly. "Don't kill innocent people. I'm already here—you really think I'd run?"

Sang Yu said nothing.

Li Zhiming hurried the mother and son along, and Sang Yu didn't stop them, letting them go.

"The eldest young master's so kind. I let them go. Now, isn't it time you paid up?"

Sang Yu gestured at him. "Come."