"Your feelings?"
Sikong Hun frowned, suddenly remembering that rainy night at the border.
That day, he charged into the enemy camp, fell into a trap, and it was Xia Feng who led a hundred cavalry, descending from the heavens to rescue him.
At that moment, to be honest, Sikong Hun was moved.
Especially the countless scars on Xia Feng's body made him secretly swear that no matter how he changed in the future, he would… follow him unto death!
Not to protect the dragon, not for fame or merit, but for that bloody battle tonight.
Probably, boys of that age were all hot-blooded,, filled with great righteousness.
Even though his father repeatedly warned him that imperial families held no true sincerity.
In his heart, Sikong Hun still held a sense of gratitude towards Xia Feng.
But!!
He never dreamed that Xia Feng summoning him to the palace today was actually for…
"My entire life has been fraught with hardship and difficulty. My words and actions are never my own. Cautious and humble, planning each step carefully—for what?"
Xia Feng smiled bitterly, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"I lost my mother at ten, endured in silence and worked hard. In the palace, I was targeted everywhere. Even Father is wary and guarded against me!!!"
The more Xia Feng spoke, the more agitated he became. "Do you think I can act recklessly and follow my heart like you?"
"If I don't gain the world, my only end is death! But you, with the Sikong family backing you, will never be driven to a dead end!!"
"Sikong Hun, do you think I don't want to give Shuang'er happiness? I… can't!"
"How many people in this capital wish for my death? If I show too much care for Shuang'er, she will ultimately become a pawn in others' eyes!!"
"Enough! Rather than three people suffering, let me bear it alone! You are my brother, she is my love. Entrusting her to you puts my mind at ease. This way, I can also focus wholeheartedly, single-mindedly… contending for the throne!"
Boom!
Spiritual radiance suddenly shot up from around Xia Feng. The temperature in the entire hall dropped inexplicably by several degrees.
Sikong Hun stared dumbfounded at the young man before him, his lips trembling slightly, unable to speak for a long time.
"B… Big Brother!!"
So that was it!!!
Big Brother's heart was actually so complex and bitter!!
So what if he was a demon?
Who said all demons were heartless and cruel?
I think Big Brother is quite good!
For Shuang'er's happiness, bearing his own pain, he was actually willing to… entrust her to me!
Such a person became a demon only to… become stronger, so he could protect those he loved.
For the first time in his life, Sikong Hun felt that demons were different from what he had imagined.
"Brother Hun, do you understand now?"
Xia Feng sighed softly, but a strange gloom flickered deep in his eyes.
Sikong Hun, one day, I will uproot the entire Sikong family.
"Big Brother!! I understand! Don't worry, from now on, I will definitely muster the full strength of the Sikong clan to help you ascend the throne!!"
Sikong Hun took a deep breath, his gaze towards Xia Feng filled with gratitude.
Everything made sense now, it all made sense!
Xia Feng turning to demonic cultivation was probably for strength. He deliberately acted cold towards Shuang'er, but it was actually to protect her!
But… why did he kill the Great Zhou primary eldest princess and seize that Imperial Vein Spirit Jin?
Could it be Big Brother's body… has a problem?
Yes! That must be it!
Demonic cultivators' realms improve quickly, but their mental states are often unstable.
This is what people often say about demons being self-indulgent; it's truly because they find it hard to control their innate hearts!
And this Spirit Jin is a Great Zhou heavy treasure, said to be able to warm the heart meridian, calm the spirit, and focus the mind…
"Big Brother! You…"
"Terrible news, terrible news!!"
Just as Sikong Hun, with a pained expression, was about to ask Xia Feng, a panicked voice suddenly came from outside the hall.
"Huh?"
Xia Feng frowned slightly. Turning, he saw a panicked imperial guard rushing in, who visibly froze for a moment upon seeing Sikong Hun.
"What's the matter? Why the panic?"
"Eldest Prince…"
"Speak freely. General Sikong is no outsider."
"Yes! Eldest Prince… Miss Qiao Shuang… is dead!"
"What!!!"
Instantly, the expressions of both Xia Feng and Sikong Hun froze, then transformed into intense shock and fury.
Holy crap?
I finally managed to trick Sikong Hun into serving me, ready to launch the final assault and ascend the throne, and now… the bargaining chip is gone?
And!!
For some reason, a faint unease arose in Xia Feng's heart.
I thought I was on the tenth level, but why do I feel someone is on the eleventh level now?!
"What exactly happened!!!"
Sikong Hun grabbed the guard's armor, shouting hoarsely.
"I don't know, but I heard the Grand Tutor has left seclusion. The Qiao family is now in mourning."
Whoosh!
Sikong Hun gritted his teeth fiercely, completely ignoring Xia Feng behind him, and instantly dashed towards the palace exterior.
How was this possible?
He had just imagined their wedding scene, and now Qiao Shuang was dead?
When they parted yesterday, although she looked haggard, she was clearly happy!!
Who was it!!
Who killed my Shuang'er!!
From beginning to end, Xia Feng didn't speak again. He just watched Sikong Hun disappear into the distance with a grave expression, pondering deeply.
What exactly happened?
Qiao Shuang clearly liked Sikong Hun; otherwise, she wouldn't have come to the Pear Fragrance Pavilion to find him last night.
But why did she die in just one night?
The Grand Tutor's residence was heavily guarded, with the Grand Tutor Qiao Yunli, a sixth-grade Divine Emperor, presiding.
Forget ordinary people, even a Divine Emperor expert couldn't easily enter the residence and kill Qiao Shuang.
Unless it was…
Xia Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, a figure appearing in his mind.
But it made no sense. Why would that Lord need to kill Qiao Shuang?
If he wanted, he could obliterate the entire Great Xia in the snap of a finger.
Was it the Empress? Or the Second Prince and his faction?
Finally, Xia Feng took out two spirit talismans from his Qiankun Bag, held them in his hand, and stepped out of the hall.
Currently, Qiao Shuang was nominally still his fiancée.
If he didn't show up after her death, it would likely attract more criticism.
Those two spirit talismans were ones he had found in an ancient site.
One could teleport through space, the other could withstand a single strike from a Divine Emperor.
No matter who killed Qiao Shuang, someone was definitely targeting him now!!
---
Grand Tutor's Residence, a divine might surged towards the sky.
All the guards and maids knelt on the ground in terror.
In the center of the main hall, Qiao Shuang's body lay on a jade couch.
Before her stood a black-robed old man with graying hair.
A vast, imposing aura gathered like a sudden storm before a mountain, ready to pour down.
Boom!
"Shuang'er!!!"
Only when Sikong Hun rushed in from outside the hall was the oppressive, silent atmosphere broken.
Qiao Yunli frowned slightly, looking at the young man who had thrown himself to his knees before Qiao Shuang's spirit coffin. Deep, profound thoughts swirled in his aged eyes, as if stars were evolving within them.
"You are… the Sikong family's boy?"
"Grandfather Qiao!! How… how did Shuang'er die?!"
Sikong Hun's tear-filled eyes were bloodshot, the ferocity on his face startling even Qiao Yunli.
He hadn't expected the first to arrive today would be this young master of the Sikong family.
"Shuang'er!!!"
Immediately after, another cry of grief came from outside the hall. Xia Feng's figure descended from the sky, his black python robe gleaming, his face also wearing an expression of shock and sorrow.
But inexplicably, a sharp, cold killing intent suddenly flashed in the eyes of the two guards standing in the hall.