chapter 39

Xuean crossed his arms across his chest and scornfully asked, “And if I don’t release her?”

“Then we’ll have to take her back by force,” Luo Ying chuckled. “Such a beautiful woman who is standing at my brother’s side, just thinking about stealing her gets me all excited.”

Luo Ying’s smile was so malicious, Fengguang couldn’t help but tug on Xuean’s clothes as she hid behind him.

Xuean’s lips lightly curved upwards. “Luo Ying, be more polite. You’re scaring the lovely Miss Xia.”

From the perspective of Xiao Ruo and Bai Rong, this was a normal sentence coming from a person who always liked to speak half-truths to confuse others. He wasn’t someone who cared about others. However, Luo Ying instantly hid away his teasing expression and stopped staring brazenly at Fengguang.

Xiao Ruo, who had remained silent, finally spoke up. “If you release Xia Fengguang, then maybe we can come to a deal.”

A guard came out from the side, dragging along an injured man. He weakly looked up and his face was covered with blood stains and dirt. “Master, you don’t need to worry about this subordinate…”

It seemed as though he was using the last of his strength to say that aloud. Fengguang also remembered his identity. He was Seven.

“This kid is loyal.” Luo Ying rarely praised others but Seven was one of the few he admired. “They tortured him for three days and three nights. He hasn’t said a word. Today is the first time he’s spoken at all.”

“He’s one of mine so naturally, he’s extraordinary.” Xuean never looked at Seven for even a moment but he seemed to be proud. Except his pride was only for his own capability.

Bai Rong frowned. “Because he was in Guanghe City, we deduced that you would eventually come. If you still have any conscience in you, you will trade Miss Xia for him.”

“Conscience? Strategist, you must be joking, right? Besides people who have value, I have never cared about the lives of anyone else.” He slowly and gracefully took his mask off and revealed his mutilated face to everyone in the crowd. He laughed and he seemed as gorgeous as he was before. “Everyone here are old acquaintances so why don’t we stop the disguises and be more generous?”

Bai Rong widened her eyes. “Your face…”

“Back then, the strategist came to my encampment as a guest. The arsenal had suddenly caught on fire and as the flames reached the skies, even Strategist, you too were caught in the fire. As a precious guest, how could I let you die in there?”

“It’s because of… me?” Bai Rong trembled. Her eyes were filled with disbelief and then tears started to fall. Xiao Ruo tried to call out to her but received no response.

She had started the fire and because of that fire, Guangliu had suffered heavy losses. Especially because Dawei forces had organized a surprise attack causing Guangliu’s army’s loss and retreat. She had originally prepared to die in the fire for Xiao Ruo but amidst the confusion and thick smog, she had felt herself being carried out and could only watch as she was returned to Dawei’s army encampment. When she opened her eyes, the first person she saw was Xiao Ruo… The fact that she could return alive from the fire, how could she have not noticed this issue? Even though he was clearly, so clearly a prideful individual. She had once sighed over how women couldn’t compare to his beauty. But now…

Luo Ying’s gaze was heavy and after a long pause, he sighed, “You brat, that’s enough.”

The only one here who wasn’t surprised was Fengguang.

She tugged on Xuean’s sleeve. Xuean lowered his head towards her, the mutilated side of his face was the one facing her. She pulled closer and spoke. Her warm breath blew against his ear and neck causing him to feel numb and tingly.

She had quietly said, “The sandstorm is coming.”