Chapter 97 of 100

Chapter 97

16 min read4,056 words

Zhang Rang watched with a worried face as several household slaves took Zhang Rong away, but the gradually fading screams still pierced his heart.

After Zhang Rong and the others completely disappeared, Zhang Rang came to his senses, looking at Liu Yao and the others with a face full of anger, and said angrily, "Liu Yao, you..."

"Attendant Zhang, I am the eldest prince of the Han Dynasty, the General of the Flying Cavalry, and the Governor of Youzhou. Please be mindful of how you address me," Liu Yao interrupted Zhang Rang before he could finish, speaking from a position of authority.

Although Zhang Rang had considerable power, in the end, he was just an attendant, a minor role. Compared to Liu Yao's status, there was a world of difference. If it weren't for Emperor Ling's favor towards the Ten Attendants, Zhang Rang might not even have a chance to speak. Others feared the power of the Ten Attendants, but Liu Yao didn't care, so he didn't need to give Zhang Rang any face.

"You..." Zhang Rang was furious, his face turning red instantly. Liu Yao had previously embarrassed him over the issue of the headdress, forcing him to kill his subordinates to apologize to Liu Yao. Now, Liu Yao's subordinates had crippled the only heir of the Zhang family, a grudge that would cut off the Zhang lineage. Zhang Rang wanted nothing more than to flay Liu Yao alive, draw his tendons, and drink his blood to vent his anger.

But Zhang Rang, a seasoned official, knew better. Given Liu Yao's status, if he showed disrespect in public, Liu Yao would surely report him. It was uncertain who Emperor Ling would side with, and Zhang Rang didn't dare take that risk.

"Phew." Zhang Rang took a deep breath to calm his anger. He looked at Liu Yao coldly and said, "May I ask, Your Highness, why did you allow your subordinates to beat up my nephew, Zhang Rong?" Zhang Rang deliberately emphasized his name, the threat clear in his tone.

"Liu Yao, your nephew was galloping through the streets of Luoyang. If my subordinates hadn't acted, there might have been a fatal accident. Moreover, your nephew showed no respect for the law and even demanded that I, the prince, serve him. Do you think these reasons are enough?" Liu Yao said coldly.

"Phew." Zhang Rang couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. He didn't care about the charge of galloping through the streets; every aristocratic youth in Luoyang had done it. Even if someone died, it could be settled with money.

What shocked Zhang Rang was that Zhang Rong had dared to ask Liu Yao to serve him. That was a complete insult to Liu Yao. Given Liu Yao's noble status, how could he tolerate such an insult? If this reached Emperor Ling's ears, Zhang Rong would be torn apart by five horses, and Zhang Rang himself might not escape unscathed.

"I apologize on behalf of my nephew, Your Highness." Zhang Rang bowed deeply to Liu Yao. He then pointed at Zhang Fei and said, "May I ask, Your Highness, if you would hand this person over to me?" This time, Zhang Rong was in the wrong, and Zhang Rang couldn't force Liu Yao. But he had to tear Zhang Fei apart to vent his anger.

Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Shi A looked at Liu Yao in unison, though they knew Liu Yao wouldn't hand Zhang Fei over, they still had to ask.

"Ha ha, Attendant Zhang, I, Liu Yao, dare not accept your apology," Liu Yao said with a smile, then his face turned serious. "But to hand over Yi De to you is a dream. You, Zhang Rang, don't have that kind of authority."

Zhang Rang was furious. Liu Yao was giving him no face at all. "Your Highness, are you willing to become my enemy over a mere servant? If you hand him over to me, I, Zhang Rang, will surely befriend you in the future. Otherwise..." Zhang Rang didn't finish, but his tone was full of threats.

To Zhang Rang, Zhang Fei was just a household slave. If it were him, he would definitely agree to trade a slave for the support of a powerful faction.

Moreover, Liu Yao was already at odds with the Yuan family and He Jin. With his help, Liu Yao's chances of winning would be much greater. Conversely, if Zhang Rang also turned against Liu Yao, Liu Yao would be at a loss and would surely lose.

"Yi De is not a servant; he is my brother, and they are all my brothers who have fought with me through life and death," Liu Yao said firmly. He had long considered Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and others as his brothers. If it weren't for his status, he would have formed a brotherhood with them.

Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and others were deeply moved, tears welling up in their eyes. To have a lord who valued and cared for them so much, what more could they ask for? They would do their utmost to fulfill the lord's wishes and restore the Han Dynasty.

Liu Yao then looked at Zhang Rang disdainfully. "Moreover, I hate being threatened. It seems you were threatening me just now."

As he spoke, Liu Yao slowly approached Zhang Rang, slowly drawing the Red Dawn Sword from his waist. "I like to eliminate threats at their inception."

Seeing the Red Dawn Sword in Liu Yao's hand, Zhang Rang panicked, not daring to move. He knew the power of the Red Dawn Sword. The household slaves behind Zhang Rang, seeing their master's fear, dared not act either.

Liu Yao placed the Red Dawn Sword against Zhang Rang's neck and asked casually, "Attendant Zhang, what do you think of my previous proposal?"

"You!! You!! You can't kill me. Executing someone privately violates the laws of the Han Dynasty. Even a prince is subject to the same laws as a commoner," Zhang Rang stammered, his legs trembling.

"No problem. How about we make a bet? I'll bet that if I kill you, my father the emperor won't punish me for a dead man. How about it?" Liu Yao smiled brightly.

But to Zhang Rang, Liu Yao's bright smile was the smile of a demon. He swallowed hard and said hesitantly, "Your Highness, don't joke. I, Zhang Rang, was wrong. Please let me off this time." His voice grew softer, and by the last sentence, it was barely audible.

Joking aside, if Zhang Rang died, even if he won the bet, what good would it do? Emperor Ling would just find someone to replace him and wouldn't punish Liu Yao. Given Liu Yao's bold nature, he would definitely act. To save his life, Zhang Rang had to beg humbly.

Even though Zhang Rang's voice was low, Liu Yao heard it clearly. But he continued to mock him, "Attendant Zhang, I'm sorry. I've been on the battlefield for too long, and my ears aren't very good. Your voice is so soft; how can I hear you? Could you repeat it, please?" He even pretended to clean his ears.

Zhang Rang understood that Liu Yao was humiliating him. He wanted to kill Liu Yao right then and there, but given the situation, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, "I, Zhang Rang, was wrong. Please let me off this time."

"What did you say? Louder," Liu Yao continued to humiliate Zhang Rang.

Zhang Rang was forced to repeat it five or six times. By the last time, he broke down and shouted, "I, Zhang Rang, was wrong. Please let me off this time." His distinctive duck-like voice echoed through the streets of Luoyang. There was no way Zhang Rang could avoid becoming famous now.

"Ah, ah, I heard you. Attendant Zhang, you don't need to shout so loud; you almost deafened me," Liu Yao rubbed his ears, looking smug. He then sheathed the Red Dawn Sword and said casually, "Since you, Attendant Zhang, were wrong, let's consider this incident never happened."

Liu Yao then called to Liu Xin and Guo Jia in the tavern, "Let's go." He left the Luoyang streets without looking back, under the admiring gazes of the crowd. Since his identity was exposed, he didn't want to stay and be gawked at.

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