Tan Hua - Chapter 86: Prince Xiao

Chapter 86: Prince Xiao

“What nonsense are you talking?” Jun Qiyu reprimanded, “You offered your eyes, how could anyone still perform this surgery?”

Qi Miao replied, “I… can ask my master to come out of seclusion! I’ll beg him, and he will definitely agree.”

“Enough, this is my debt to Li Qing, you don’t need to interfere.”

Once Jun Qiyu made up his mind, it was difficult to change.

“Hahaha…”

Pei Xingxu suddenly burst into laughter and clapped three times, as if applauding from the side of a stage.

“Good, good plan, the two of you, as ruler and subject, are playing a duet. Who are you acting for? Li Qing? It’s a pity he won’t appreciate your gesture. Well then, I’ll just watch and see if you can bring yourself to give your eyes to Li Qing. Don’t disappoint me again.”

Pei Xingxu grabbed Song Liqing’s shoulder.

Song Liqing trembled slightly.

“He…” Song Liqing said hoarsely, “Xingxu, don’t say such things… please stop him, I don’t want to owe him any favor.”

Pei Xingxu sneered, “Don’t worry, Li Qing. This selfish person wouldn’t dare.”

Jun Qiyu gave Pei Xingxu a cold glance without saying more.

“Proceed,” Jun Qiyu said to Qi Miao.

“No… don’t! Jun Qiyu!”

Song Liqing shouted, suddenly pulling away from Pei Xingxu’s grip and charging forward, but he stepped wrong and fell forward. Jun Qiyu reacted quickly, reaching out to catch him, pulling him into his arms.

“Jun Qiyu, you’re… such an idiot!”

Song Liqing gasped and cursed, raising his fist to strike, but Jun Qiyu’s broad chest was unaffected, and it did not hurt him at all.

“Are you concerned about me, Li Qing?”

Jun Qiyu smiled instead.

“Who would care about you!” Song Liqing screamed hysterically, “You’re just a fool who doesn’t know how to consider things! You always act without thinking! What does it matter that I’m blind? I won’t be moved by your self-righteous sacrifice! I despise you, bastard!”

Song Liqing, pushed to his limit, continued to strike, scratch, and claw at Jun Qiyu, but Jun Qiyu remained motionless. Unable to move him, Song Liqing bit down hard on Jun Qiyu’s forearm.

His bite was strong, drawing blood, but Jun Qiyu didn’t even flinch, letting him leave a row of teeth marks.

Song Liqing panted in rage. He had no idea how to stop Jun Qiyu from his madness. If he had a stick, he would have beaten him to knock some sense into him.

“Is this your mark on me?” Jun Qiyu chuckled lightly, “Then let us each have one, you’re mine, and I’m yours.”

“What mine and yours, ugh…”

Song Liqing wanted to continue scolding him awake but his eyelids fluttered and his body went limp.

Jun Qiyu pressed a pressure point on the back of his neck, and Song Liqing briefly lost consciousness. Jun Qiyu then gently cradled him in his arms, rubbing his chin against Song Liqing’s forehead.

“Li Qing, I’ve wronged you by making you follow me. It won’t happen again in the future.”

…

In a rear corridor of the Loulan royal palace, Su Zhao lowered his head, walking quickly toward a secluded room, then turned into a dark, unlit room.

“Prince Xiao… Prince Xiao?”

Su Zhao called softly twice.

A figure appeared silently behind him. Su Zhao turned around, startled.

The person was wearing a five-clawed golden dragon robe, but the style was old-fashioned. Upon closer inspection, it was from the previous dynasty, more detailed and luxurious than the simpler current dragon robes.

He wore a jewel crown, and his hairstyle was also from a bygone era.

This person had narrow eyes level with his eyebrows, a long and straight nose, and thin lips that gave him a sharp look. Perhaps because he had spent years in the shadows, his skin was unnaturally pale, resembling a bloodless corpse.

“Didn’t I tell you, if there’s no major progress, don’t come to find me to avoid suspicion?” Prince Xiao’s cold voice sounded.

“I came because I have something important to report to Prince Xiao,” Su Zhao said, bowing and flattering.

Prince Xiao arrogantly said, “Speak.”

“As you instructed, I used soul-controlling techniques to manipulate Song Liqing and sow discord between the Loulan king and the Crown Prince of Jingguo. They’re now at odds, fighting each other over Song Liqing…”

“Just being at odds isn’t enough.”

Prince Xiao was not satisfied.

“What I want is for them to turn against each other, preferably leading to war. If the world falls into chaos, people will remember how peaceful and prosperous things were under the Xiao family’s reign.”

“Yes…” Su Zhao’s eyes flickered as he continued, “There’s another matter… Jun Qiyu is determined to give his eyes to Song Liqing. If he goes blind, his martial arts and strength will be greatly reduced. He’ll become a tiger with no teeth!”

“Really?! He would do that?” Prince Xiao became immediately excited. “Without his eyes, trapped in Loulan, with no Jing army or bodyguards, his combat ability will be significantly reduced. This is exactly the opportunity I’ve been waiting for! Hahahaha…”

Prince Xiao laughed loudly, not caring about the danger of exposing his identity.

“Hmph.” Prince Xiao sneered, “My brother, after so many years of recognizing thieves as his father, has enjoyed wealth and luxury, unlike me, his older brother, who for the sake of the grand cause, endured humiliation and hardship, scheming in this desolate place, living in constant fear of being in the open. He’s had it easy. Jun Qiyu, knowing he has the Xiao family’s blood, is still willing to sacrifice himself…”

Su Zhao flattered, “Congratulations, Prince Xiao… oh no, Your Majesty, congratulations on achieving your goals and restoring your great cause.”

Prince Xiao listened to the flattery but didn’t look very happy.

“I’m not the emperor yet. A prince is a prince, and an emperor is an emperor. It must not be confused! True royalty is not like the Jun family, with those traitors lacking loyalty and righteousness. They have no regard for the Three Bonds and Five Constants, where a man can take the throne… It’s the most absurd thing ever! It’s causing chaos in the world, with everyone following their degenerate ways! I’m deeply saddened by it!”

“Someone!”

Prince Xiao called out, and two people in black appeared behind him.

“I’ve raised you for so many years. Today is the day you repay me. Go and make the arrangements.”

After issuing the command, Prince Xiao couldn’t suppress his maniacal laughter.

“I no longer need to hide in this dark place! I will walk proudly into the sunlight and tell the world that their true emperor is back! I will have the false emperor abdicate and restore the rightful rule! Hahaha!”

Su Zhao smiled obsequiously.

“Your Highness, once your great cause is accomplished, what about my brothers… can they be released?”

Prince Xiao glanced at him.

“Why are you in such a hurry?” He said casually. “They live comfortably under my care. As long as you do your job, I won’t treat them badly. If you dare to have other intentions, I’ll kill them one by one.”

Su Zhao lowered his head, hatred flashing in his eyes, but his tone remained submissive.

“Prince Xiao, you’re right. We already have a common enemy, Jun Qiyu. He killed my brother, even if you didn’t say it, I want to kill him too.”

“Hahaha, I’m glad you understand.”

Prince Xiao embraced Su Zhao, pinching his chin and lifting it.

“Don’t forget about the Emperor of Jingguo and the Jing court. They are the ones who caused our family’s downfall. Understand?”

As he spoke, Prince Xiao leaned closer, kissing Su Zhao’s lips aggressively.

Su Zhao frowned and struggled slightly, but Prince Xiao grabbed his hair, forcing him to tilt his head in response.

After a long time, Prince Xiao released him.

“Prince Xiao… you’re of royal blood, aren’t you the one who hates such decadent behavior between men?”

Prince Xiao wiped his lips, his expression full of disgust.

“Why are you brothers both born with such feminine looks? You were clearly born to please men. I’m nothing like them. Once I ascend the throne, don’t even think about getting a position as a consort, much less becoming a concubine.”