Hearing Shi Ting’s name, Yan Qing’s heart leaped with joy, though her face betrayed nothing.

Shi Guang said: “Yan Qing, stay right here and don’t make any rash moves — otherwise don’t blame me for being impolite.”

“Impolite to whom?” An angry shout suddenly rang out from outside.

Hearing this voice, Luo Huaimeng rose to her feet in agitation. Through the crowds of armed soldiers, she caught sight of a familiar figure.

Though she had little feeling for the Commander in Chief, seeing him safe and unharmed still brought a wave of relief to Luo Huaimeng.

Shi Guang looked at the Commander in Chief, imposing and regal, surrounded by an entourage of people. Although his face still bore signs of illness, his spirit was vigorous and full of life.

Standing beside the Commander in Chief were Liu Qingnian and others — men who should not have been in Shun Cheng, yet here they all were, assembled without a single one missing.

“Shi Guang, you unfilial wretch,” the Commander in Chief said. Though his injuries were not yet healed, his voice still rang out with strong, full resonance. “You have committed the grave offense of rebellion — attempted patricide and fratricide, instigated civil war, and invited foreign enemies across the border. You are unworthy to bear the name of my Shi family.”

Shi Guang listened and showed not the slightest sign of being moved, replying instead: “Ruthless and without feeling, placing self-interest at the center of everything? You taught me that from the time I was small. Now that I have learned it well enough to imitate you, why do you turn around and condemn me? Commander in Chief, you never gave me any fatherly love or guidance. You have no right to admonish me now. You did not fulfill the obligation to teach me, so you need not exercise the authority to discipline me.”

The Commander in Chief frowned: “The blood that flows through your veins is the same as your mother’s — don’t lay that failing at my feet. Perhaps I did not fulfill my duty as a father, but I never taught you to betray your family and stand shoulder to shoulder with the enemy.”

Shi Guang let out a contemptuous laugh, retreating two steps as he spoke: “Commander in Chief, there is nothing more to say at this point. I only want to know one thing — why did you feign death?”

The Commander in Chief looked at him with cold eyes and said in a heavy, measured voice: “If I had not feigned death, how could I have drawn out the wolf’s ambitions lurking within you? How could I have forced the forces you had concealed in the shadows into the open? Once, I believed Vice Minister Sun was my most capable subordinate — yet it turns out he had long since pledged himself to you. And Secretary-General Chen, General Li — these men I had always regarded as my most trusted confidants were in reality already your henchmen. As for the hidden troops, the various organizations — with your rebellion, they have all been exposed beneath the open sky. I had long wanted an opportunity to root out these rats lurking in the shadows. It was you who gave me that opportunity.”

“So that is how it was.” Shi Guang suddenly burst into loud laughter: “So you staged this entire play in order to uproot my forces from the ground up and wipe them out utterly. When it comes to ruthlessness, I am no match for you, Commander in Chief.”

“Shi Guang, I carry great regret — regret that when you and Qian Lan conspired to harm me, I showed you mercy and let you live,” the Commander in Chief said with feeling. “Had I been able to harden my heart at that moment, none of what has come to pass would have happened.”

“Yes — who told you to be merciful? When I was abducted as a child, you could leave me without a second thought. How did you suddenly become kind toward me? That one merciful impulse has led to the situation we face now. You can only blame yourself for not being ruthless enough.”

“However it may be, you are still my son. Even though your crimes place you beyond forgiveness, I am still willing to let you die with your body intact.” The Commander in Chief’s gaze was cold and clear. “Have your men surrender. Do not add to the senseless loss of lives — they are all people of Bei Di.”

“Those who stand with me share life and death together. They will die fighting — they will not surrender.” Even as he spoke, Shi Guang retreated another step. “And the Commander in Chief should not assume the upper hand has already been secured. Even if you have surrounded this place, even if you believe victory is already in your grasp — I still have my own card to play for survival.”

Even as he spoke, Shi Guang’s figure shifted and he was suddenly standing before Yan Qing. Before she had time to react, Shi Guang was already behind her, a dagger pressed against her throat.

“Commander in Chief, I want to speak with Shi Ting,” Shi Guang called toward the direction of the gate. “I know he is here. Have him come out.”

The Commander in Chief frowned: “Release Yan Qing.”

“The Commander in Chief is quite mistaken. This is my card for staying alive — how could I possibly put it down? Am I to hand myself over to be executed?” Shi Guang swept his gaze over the courtyard packed with men. “If Shi Ting wants to save them, he will have to break through layer upon layer of obstacles. If he dares make any reckless move, I cannot guarantee that he will still find living people waiting for him.”

Shi Guang gave the dagger a slight turn, and Yan Qing could not help but draw her neck back to avoid the razor-sharp blade.

“Allow me to inform the Commander in Chief — Yan Qing is currently carrying his child,” Shi Guang said coldly. “Even if he cares nothing for a wife, surely he must care about this child?”

“What did you say?” The Commander in Chief was startled. “Yan Qing is pregnant?”

“This is beyond doubt. Er Yitai can also confirm it clearly.”

The Commander in Chief looked toward Luo Huaimeng, who stood not far away with an expression of urgent anxiety. Luo Huaimeng gave him an affirmative nod, while imploring him with her eyes to protect Yan Qing and not allow Shi Guang to succeed.

“Commander in Chief, have Shi Ting come out. Stop all this hiding and concealment. My patience is limited. And I will only negotiate with him.”

“Whatever conditions you have, state them here,” the Commander in Chief said, his tone easing. “Yan Qing is carrying a child of the Shi family blood — Shi Ting’s child. It is impossible for me to disregard her.”

“The Commander in Chief’s word I will not trust. After all, you were perfectly capable of disregarding your own flesh and blood.”

“Shi Guang, don’t overreach. State your conditions,” the Commander in Chief said sternly. “You want nothing more than your life — that much is clear.”

“No — I don’t merely want my life. I want Shi Ting to gouge out both his eyes himself.” Shi Guang said through gritted teeth. “I will not take his life — I want him to never see the light of day again for the rest of his life.”

“Shi Guang!” Yan Qing said furiously. “You are going too far.”

“Unfortunately, I do have the leverage to go too far.” Shi Guang gave a sinister smile. “Yan Qing, that man would give up even his life for you — how much more a pair of eyes? I’m trading his two eyes for my freedom. A fair deal, isn’t it?”

“Your defeat is already certain. That the Commander in Chief is willing to spare your life is already more than enough for you to be grateful for. Shi Guang, do not cross another person’s line.”

“Line? Is Shi Ting’s line not you? As long as you are in my hands, he will do my every bidding like a dog. A line like that — why would I not cross it?” Shi Guang looked toward the Commander in Chief. “My patience is limited. Have Shi Ting come out now.”

“Shi Guang, take me as your hostage instead,” Luo Huaimeng said urgently. “Let Yan Qing go. I promise I will not resist.”

“Second Concubine, save your breath. You two will behave yourselves and not cause any complications — that is all I require.” Shi Guang said coldly. “I am counting to three. If Shi Ting has still not come out, do not blame me for being merciless.”

As he spoke, the dagger pressed even closer to Yan Qing’s throat. “Enough talk. Have Shi Ting come out.”

“Haven’t I been here all along?”

The voice that came from behind him made every hair on Shi Guang’s body stand instantly on end. He had not even had a chance to react when a steel ball struck him precisely in the web of his hand, and the dagger he gripped fell to the ground. In the moment he reached out to seize Yan Qing, Yan Qing had already been pulled into a firm embrace.

Shi Guang moved to step forward, and a shadow suddenly shot out from the side — the speed of that person’s hands drew gasps from all who witnessed it.

Only at this point did Shi Guang’s men finally react, swiftly raising their weapons and aiming them toward this side.

But in what seemed like a single blink, the one held hostage had changed from Yan Qing to Shi Guang. An eagle-claw-like hand had locked tight around his throat.

Shi Guang could not have imagined he would be seized in such a short span of time. He had not even clearly seen how the other person had moved.

His own martial skill was not weak — in a direct struggle against Shi Ting, he would not be at a disadvantage so quickly. Therefore, the person who had moved against him was not Shi Ting.

Shi Guang tilted his head slightly but could not make out the man’s appearance. Yet the cold air radiating from that body sent a shiver through him.

This person’s killing intent was overwhelming. Even unarmed, he still possessed an extraordinarily lethal force.

Such a bearing made him think of one person — Mu Bai.

Only someone as frightfully skilled as Mu Bai could be capable of subduing him in a single instant.

Shi Guang’s gaze swept over the scene, and he found a familiar figure. Shi Ting, who had not appeared at the Commander in Chief’s side throughout, was now standing not far from him — and Yan Qing was held tightly in his arms, entirely unharmed.

“How did you get in?” Shi Guang could not make sense of it. The outside of the room was ringed with guards — it should have been impossible for anyone to move freely in or out without disturbing someone.

“I have been here all along,” Shi Ting said. “Before you came in, I was already here.”

“That’s impossible,” Shi Guang repeated loudly: “That is impossible.”

Yan Qing’s voice was calm as she said: “Nothing is impossible. The two guards at the door just now — I bribed them. One went out to gather information, and when he returned he was already no longer the same person. You can see that everyone here is wearing a hat and a military overcoat. As long as the collar is turned up, only two eyes are visible — it is very difficult to identify anyone.”

Shi Guang said: “Since he had come so early, why did he not take you out first?”

“I trust in Shi Ting.” Yan Qing’s gaze turned incomparably tender. “Only this way could all your forces be drawn together and caught in a single net. And with him and Mu Bai here, I was never in any real danger.”

Besides, she was not the only one here. If they had recklessly taken everyone and fled, the soldiers outside were no easy foes either — without Shi Guang present, no one could guarantee those men would not open fire.

“So you knew all along, and the performance just now was also an act?” A dangerous glint formed in Shi Guang’s eyes. “You were toying with me, watching my final thrashing. What I believed was my trump card was in fact already in your hands. Very well — you have truly schemed your way down to the bone.”

Shi Guang’s agitation left his emotions somewhat out of control, and the hand locked around his throat tightened by a fraction — a warning.

Shi Guang had not the slightest doubt that if that grip pressed just a little harder, his neck could be snapped with ease.

Even so, he soon laughed again: “You trust him that much — yet he very nearly cost you your child. If it had not been for that tiger, if the Shi Mansion had not been suddenly surrounded—”