Be Passive In The High Martial World

Chapter 10: Seven More Days of Life

The tent curtain was in disarray due to the recent gust of wind, still fluttering from the residual impact, making a rustling sound.

A small patch of sunlight spilled in from outside, and tiny specks of dust floated silently in the air, soaring with the wind due to their lightness and powerlessness.

After a while.

"Bang!"

Li Hongling stood up straight, slowly smashing the giant halberd on the ground, dispersing all the dust.

She calmly spoke, "I remember, you were captured in the Jinghe Hall."

Chen Kuang relaxed his shoulders, immediately pretending to be exhausted, supporting himself with both hands on the ground, in a kneeling position.

His acting was terrible, better to avoid unnecessary movements and only show fear and reverence, concealing facial expressions and other reactions.

He subconsciously compared the pressure he felt when facing Li Hongling's giant halberd just now with the feeling of Huo Hengxuan's actual killing intent earlier.

Obviously, the latter brought him much more instinctive fear, after all, it was almost equivalent to experiencing death.

However, Li Hongling was at most intimidating, while Huo Hengxuan at that time had no way out, so it was highly likely that he really wanted to kill him.

One cannot determine strength based on this.

Chen Kuang lowered his head.

"Yes, I was summoned into the palace by the late emperor to deliver the elixir to him."

Li Hongling sneered.

"I thought Su Yu was really stupid, not afraid of death and still wanting to continue playing music and dancing. It turns out he really is that stupid."

No... in fact, he really is that stupid.

Chen Kuang silently complained in his heart, then hesitated.

Su Yu... this last emperor of the Great Liang Dynasty, could he really be that stupid?

Or rather, he might be stupid, but a person with high status and power must also be cowardly and greedy.

With the army pressing in, facing life and death, could Su Yu really have the mood to gather musicians and sing and dance in the main hall until death?

Why... didn't he run?

Could that missing memory have something to do with Su Yu?

Suddenly, a strange and extremely uncomfortable chill passed through Chen Kuang's heart, as if poisonous snakes were coiling and entangling around it.

Li Hongling scrutinized the young man in front of her, mistaking his slight trembling for fear.

She continued coldly, "So, Mr. Musician, may I ask what elixir you were going to bring to His Majesty Su Yu?"

Since he had been a captive for five days, Chen Kuang must have been searched more than once, but obviously nothing was found.

Chen Kuang calmly replied, "At that time, General Li led the Black Armor Army to attack the city, and I was suddenly summoned to the Jinghe Hall. I knew that the situation was dire."

"The emperor wanted to take it with him even at the brink of death. Such an important thing definitely didn't need to be known by anyone else."

"Once I handed it over, I would undoubtedly die."

"So... you chose to gamble on your own life, and from the beginning, you didn't bring the elixir with you."

Li Hongling narrowed her eyes.

"Heh... so you, a helpless and easily manipulated little person, when it came to the critical moment of repaying a favor, betrayed Su Yu's painstaking cultivation."

Chen Kuang remained silent, choosing to remain silent.

Li Hongling said, "Now that you deliberately exposed yourself, what is your purpose?"

Chen Kuang replied, "The reason why the elixir was not brought to the Jinghe Hall is the same reason as now."

Li Hongling nodded, "For survival."

Very reasonable, without any loopholes.

If it were before, Chen Kuang really didn't need to deliberately expose his secret, because he had no status. Even if he became a slave after the war, he still had a glimmer of hope.

But now, because of that bowl of beheading rice, he had to take the initiative to come forward to save his life.

As for why he didn't directly call for help, that can also be easily explained.

Because Huo Hengxuan was next door, this old man seemed carefree, but he was extremely loyal to the Great Liang.

If Chen Kuang spoke in front of him, he would probably be shot through the brain in an instant!

If he knew that his closely guarded secret had been grasped by a small person who betrayed the Great Liang without hesitation, how desperate would he be?

Li Hongling sneered in her heart.

She looked at Chen Kuang, her crimson eyes flickering.

"Alright, as long as you tell me the whereabouts of the elixir, I will spare your life."

The blind musician shook his head.

"General Li, do you remember what I just said? For something so important, there is no need for a second person to know of its existence."

Chen Kuang raised his head, blood stains still fresh on his face with closed eyes, his expression incredibly calm.

"At this moment, I am the only one who knows the whereabouts of the elixir in the world."

"General Li."

Li Hongling fell silent for a moment, her eyes filled with a fierce light, like a tiger ready to pounce on its prey.

"Are you... threatening me?"

"Do you know that there is a Three Tribulations Sect Immortal Master sitting in the Eastern Corner Tower at this moment? Even if you don't want to say it, you won't have a choice."

"I dare not."

Chen Kuang said, "If I dare to do so, I have already put my life and death aside. It's not that I don't want to tell General Li the whereabouts of the elixir, but I think even if I survive, I will still have to struggle for a living in the future, which is unbearable."

He sighed.

"I am contemptible. I have experienced the luxury of court life once, and if I were to live like an ant again, I would rather die."

"General Li, there is no need to trouble the Immortal Master like this. As long as you fulfill one of my wishes, I will tell you everything."

He truly was a despicable person.

While others suffer from the destruction of their country and family, he cries over the loss of wealth and glory.

Li Hongling's tone suddenly softened.

"You can speak, what is your wish?"

"I want to live for another seven days, living like an emperor for seven days."

Ha...

Li Hongling almost burst out laughing. At this moment, she looked like she was watching a clown.

"Like an emperor? Everyone in the imperial city is already a prisoner. Do you want to live in the Jinghe Palace and have me personally serve you?"

Thanks, but I'd rather have Chu Wenruo serve me...

Chen Kuang thought to himself, then shook his head.

"The most delicious dishes in the world, the best wine, and that Long Yin."

Li Hongling looked down at him, Chen Kuang's tone was flattering and pleasing.

She thought to herself that he truly was a vulgar and lowly person, actually saying something like the emperor's golden hoe.

In his eyes, perhaps the emperor's life was just like this...

"Long Yin" was a precious ancient qin hidden in the palace of Emperor Liang, worth a fortune.

For a musician, owning such a qin was probably the best life in the world.

Li Hongling's crimson eyes curved slightly, seemingly with a hint of a smile, but upon closer inspection, they were completely cold.

"So simple, Mr. Musician, you should have said it earlier."

"But unfortunately, you threatened me just now, which made me feel uncomfortable."

Li Hongling walked to Chen Kuang's side, with that cold smile, suddenly lifted her foot and casually stepped on his shins.

"Crack!"

Chen Kuang curled up on the ground in an instant, his back instantly soaked in cold sweat.

Bloodstains seeped through his clothes.

Li Hongling moved her foot away, coldly looking at him, clapping her hands.

"Qingcuo, take him back. Starting today, send him Three Lakes delicacies and Xinfeng fine wine every day."

"Oh... and also, send that Long Yin ancient qin to his prison cell."

"This dungeon will be your palace for the next seven days. Enjoy it."

"After seven days, whether you like it or not, I will know the whereabouts of the elixir."

After saying that, she turned and lifted the curtain, leaving the tent with two black-armored guards.

The black-armored guard named Qingcuo entered silently.

He looked at the blind man with both legs crushed on the ground, hesitated for a moment, seeming a bit at a loss.

After a few seconds, he walked forward, crouched down slightly, and passed his hands through Chen Kuang's back and legs.

He lifted him up... in a princess carry.

Chen Kuang, who endured the pain of his broken legs, almost couldn't help but widen his eyes.

(End of this chapter)