Above the Galaxy
Chapter 70 - 70 56 The Phoenix Doesn't Fall into the Hen's Nest!

70: Chapter 56: The Phoenix Doesn’t Fall into the Hen’s Nest!

70: Chapter 56: The Phoenix Doesn’t Fall into the Hen’s Nest!

Phoenix had left, and Zhong Daolong walked to the desk to relight the cigar that Phoenix had just snuffed out.

Zhong Daolong took a deep puff, looked at Chen Fenglei, and asked, “How’s the investigation going?”

“The situation is getting more complicated,” Chen Fenglei stepped forward and reported in a low voice, “According to the messages from the Old Land, not only the exploration teams from the Phoenix Empire are heading to Shennongjia to search for tombs, but the Aus Empire and Kaman Federation have also dispatched people there…

Clearly, someone intentionally revealed the map to muddy the waters as much as possible…

The pursuit of the murderer in the Old Land is now a dead end.”

“The assassin from Wuyou Palace that General Bai Qi brought back, he also died in the great prison, silently…

That clue is cut off.

To reconnect it, I’m afraid it will take some more time…”

Zhong Daolong’s face darkened and he said, “Even the craftiest fox shows its tail.

Over these years, the most successful thing I’ve done is learn to be patient.”

Chen Fenglei dared not speak and kept silent in response.

Zhong Daolong took a drag of his cigar, exhaling a large puff of smoke, and asked, “You heard everything Princess Xiu Xue said, what do you make of it?”

“Do you mean the King’s idea of inviting her friends from the Old Land to New Star?” Chen Fenglei asked with a smile.

“You’re an old fox, too…

What else could it be?” With a puzzled look, Zhong Daolong looked at Chen Fenglei and added, “Why?

Is there something in this that causes you concerns?”

“I’m just a servant, how could I presume to gossip about my master’s family affairs?” Chen Fenglei deflected the question.

“No, it’s not that simple,” Zhong Daolong waved his hand and continued, “With your caution, you’re surely worried about getting entangled in the future, otherwise, you wouldn’t beat around the bush on this matter…”

“So?

Do you believe General Bai Qi’s report?

Do you also think…

Princess Xiu Xue might have romantic complications with that boy called Tang Fei?”

“I don’t really believe that.

Princess Xiu Xue’s taste is top-notch.

With so many outstanding young men in Phoenix City vying for her attention, I haven’t seen her show special interest in anyone….

To say that after just a few days in the Old Land, she took a liking to a refugee there…”

“Sorry, old habits die hard…

To say that she would easily be interested in a boy from the Old Land, wouldn’t that embarrass those self-proclaimed geniuses of Phoenix City?”

“I think, when Princess Xiu Xue found herself in peril, it was the first time in her life she faced such a challenge, and during her moment of despair and helplessness, that boy just happened to show up…”

“As they spent time together later on, some trust and reliance were naturally formed.

It’s quite normal.

When I was a child, I went to my grandmother’s house and picked fruits in the orchard with my friends for a few days.

When it was time to part, we were all crying and reluctant to leave.”

“Once Princess Xiu Xue returns to her familiar environment, second to none, surrounded by flowers and feasts, with friends greeting her wherever she goes, how could she remember those friends from the Old Land?

What could they bring to Princess Xiu Xue?

How could a Phoenix soaring in the sky settle in a wild chicken’s nest?”

Zhong Daolong nodded, saying, “That’s what I also think.

So General Bai Qi…

What was the deeper meaning of his remark?”

Chen Fenglei smiled and said, “He is fulfilling his duty.

He reports to the King whathe sees.”

“This matter, I’ll entrust it to you,” Zhong Daolong finally made up his mind and declared.

“The person will also be handed over to you.”

“Handed over to me?”

“Yes.” Zhong Daolong looked at Chen Fenglei, confirming, “Although I don’t believe that my daughter, Zhong Daolong’s daughter, would take a fancy to a wild man from the Old Land, it’s always good to be prepared…

If he’s under our watch, what trouble can he possibly cause?”

“Understood.” Chen Fenglei nodded with a smile, then added, “What if, I mean just if…

some spark were to emerge?”

Zhong Daolong gave Chen Fenglei a sidelong glance and said, “I can allow my daughter to be heartbroken for a while, but I won’t let her suffer for a lifetime.”

“Understood.” Chen Fenglei’s expression turned serious as he spoke sternly, “Your subordinate will ensure that this matter is handled beautifully.”

“Mhm.” Zhong Daolong nodded in approval, “I have always been confident in your work.”

——-

Above the Old Land, the night was as deep as ink.

The old man was sound asleep when he heard faint strains of flute music.

The old man’s face changed slightly as he immediately climbed out of bed.

He tiptoed to the courtyard and listened carefully for a while.

The breathing of Tang Fei and Little Fatty were very steady; it seemed both were sleeping soundly.

With that, he stretched his form and leaped over the wall, vanishing into the darkness.

Deep within Mount Hate, atop an outcropping boulder, stood a middle-aged man dressed in traditional Tang attire.

Holding a long flute, he was quietly waiting for something.

“Muted longing, with an elegant and fresh appeal.

After so many years, the tune ‘Memory of Old Friends’ has truly become more refined,” the old man’s figure appeared atop the boulder, as he addressed the man before him.

“That ‘Memory of Old Friends’ was taught to me by Big Brother, and I use this song to express my longing for him, so how could I not put forth my utmost effort?” The middle-aged man gazed at the old man and responded.

The old man waved his hand, urging, “Let’s talk about the important matter.

How did you find me?”

“I was with the Undying Army when we came to pick up Princess Xiu Xue to return to the capital,” The middle-aged man began, “A quick glance from the sky, and I spotted Big Brother’s figure.

When I wanted to seize a moment to reminisce, I discovered that Big Brother had vanished without a trace.”

The old man looked at the middle-aged man with surprise and said, “I’ve become such a wretched sight that I’m not even human-like, and you still recognized me?”

“Because when I saw Big Brother, he was standing on stage performing in the opera,” The man declared in a grave voice.

“For a time, Big Brother enjoyed drinking while performing.

Sip a drink, chant a verse…

I can’t remember the lyrics, but that singing style and the facial expressions whilst drinking have been deeply etched in my memory.”

“So, upon first sight of Big Brother, I recognized him…

Others might not, but I could.”

“What’s the use of recognizing me?” The old man gave a bitter smile and shook his head, saying, “I am no longer who I was, and you are no longer who you were.

Go back, pretend you never saw me.”

“Big brother…”

The old man waved his hand, saying, “For my sake, and for yours…

go back, as if you never saw me.”

“Big brother, I must insist on taking you back with me this time,” the man said with determination.

“How so?” the old man scoffed, “If I don’t go back, are you going to drag me back by force?

Oh, I almost forgot you’re now serving in the Undying Army…

Is the dog food tasty?”

Crack!

The man broke the superior-quality flute in his hands into two pieces and shouted angrily, “Big brother, how can you think so badly of me?”

“You can’t judge a book by its cover.

So many years have passed, who knows what you’ve become?

You used to say you’d die for the Marshal…

and now aren’t you thriving in the Undying Army?”

“You…” The man was left speechless.

The two stared each other down, neither willing to yield.

After a long while.

The old man sighed softly and urged, “Zhiyong, go back.

I know myself, and you know me.

There’s no need for these harsh words that hurt our brotherly bond, let’s leave some memories behind…

I’ve already become like this, and that’s all that’s left.”

“Big brother, even if you don’t consider for yourself, you should think about those two kids.”

As soon as Lu Zhiyong finished speaking, he felt his skin tighten and his hair stand on end.

The air around him seemed to freeze, and cold piercing sensations attacked the vital parts of his body.

He knew that he had been targeted by a fierce qi.

The old man’s eyes flashed with murderous intent and he asked in a deep voice, “What do you mean?”

Glimmers of azure light flickered on his hands, and if Lu Zhiyong’s answer was not satisfactory, he was ready to strike with a palm.

He couldn’t take the risk.

This was an absolute no-risk situation.

If this huge secret was revealed, his life would be worthless, and neither Tang Fei nor Little Fatty would survive…

Thump!

Lu Zhiyong knelt on the ground and said, “Big brother, to my knowledge, Princess Xiu Xue has already petitioned Zhong Daolong, wanting to repay her life-saving benefactor and to bring the three of you back to New Star…

If the welcoming team really comes, what will you do?

Will you go back or not?”

“Oh?” The old man was quite surprised and asked, “Is that girl really so kind-hearted?”

“Yes, it’s absolutely true.” Lu Zhiyong felt his body relax, and the qi locking onto him vanished without a trace.

“If that’s the case…” the old man pondered the implications carefully, saying, “I am indeed not suited to go back with them…”

“Yes.

By that time, they will surely investigate your identities thoroughly…

The two of them are okay, as nobody in New Star knows them.

Claiming them as orphans from the Old Land can explain everything.

But what about you?

If those with ulterior motives find out you’re together…

what will happen to them?”

“I understand.” The old man nodded and said, “If your information is true, I will leave before the people from the Phoenix Empire arrive…

I’m already a dead man; there’s no need for me to appear before others again.”

“So, as soon as I got this news, I rushed here to take you back…” Lu Zhiyong said.

The old man looked at Lu Zhiyong and asked, “Does the Family Head know I’m here?”

“Not yet.” Lu Zhiyong shook his head and said, “Ever since you disappeared, the Family Head often laments, saying you were the most extraordinary talent of the Lu Family…

If you could return, the Family Head would be overjoyed.”

“He’s not going to trade my head for drinking money, is he?” the old man said sarcastically.

“Big brother…” Lu Zhiyong was getting anxious and said angrily, “How have you become like this?

Distrusting everyone?

If we wanted to harm you, it wouldn’t be just me here, but a whole group…”

“If you were in this place for a few years, you’d probably not even trust yourself…” the old man said.

“There’s no better choice at this point; I’ll go back with you…

But before that, I have some things to deal with.”

“Alright, I came specifically to take you back.” Lu Zhiyong said, “After you’ve settled things here, we’ll go back together.”

He paused, then asked, “Big brother, those two kids…

what’s their story?”

The old man stared at Lu Zhiyong with a smile and asked, “What do you mean?”

“I know your nature, and I know at that time you were utterly disheartened.

If not for some special reason…

how did you end up here and adopt two children?”

“What could I do?” the old man said in annoyance, “I just wanted to live out my remaining years unnoticed in a place where no one knows me, but unexpectedly I stumbled upon those two brats…

Was I supposed to toss them to the rats?

I thought I’d just raise them, and before I knew it, they’d grown up…

and even saved your Phoenix’s Little Princess…

Isn’t that ridiculous?”

“That’s fate,” Lu Zhiyong said, “Big brother, let’s go back, we’re all waiting for you.”

“We?”

“Yes, we.” Lu Zhiyong looked directly into the old man’s scrutinizing gaze, with flames burning in his pupils, and said with a firm voice, “Waiting for you to take charge.”

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