The tent's curtains swayed messily from the scattering winds just a moment ago, still fluttering from the lingering gusts, making a rustling sound.
A small patch of sunlight spilled inside, with tiny specks of dust dancing quietly in the air, only able to soar by borrowing the strength of the wind due to their own lightness and fragility.
For a long time.
"Bang!"
Li Hongling stood up straight, slowly smashed the giant halberd onto the ground beside her, scattering all the dust away.
She spoke indifferently:
"I remember you were captured in Jinghe Hall."
Chen Kuang's shoulders slumped as he immediately feigned exhaustion, supporting himself on the ground with both hands, assuming a kneeling position.
His acting skills were poor, it was better to avoid unnecessary actions, merely using fear and awe to mask facial expressions and other reactions.
He instinctively compared the pressure he felt just now facing Li Hongling's giant halberd to the tangible murderous intent he experienced before facing Huo Hengxuan.
It was evident that the latter induced far more primal fear in him, as it almost felt like he had died once.
However, Li Hongling was at most threatening, while at that time, Huo Hengxuan had no retreat, likely genuinely intending to kill him.
Strength could not be determined by this alone.
Chen Kuang bowed his head:
"Yes, at that time, I was summoned into the palace by the late emperor to hand over the Elixir."
Li Hongling mocked:
"I thought Su Yu truly was hopelessly stupid, unafraid of death yet continuing to play music and dance, but this makes sense now."
No... he really was just that stupid.
Chen Kuang ridiculed internally, then paused for a moment.
Su Yu... Could this last emperor of Da Liang really have been that stupid?
Or perhaps, he was indeed stupid, but a foolish person of high rank and power must also be cowardly and greedy.
With the army pressing in, at the brink of life and death, could Su Yu really have the make to summon musicians and indulge in song and dance in the main hall while waiting for death?
Why... didn't he flee?
Could that missing segment of memory be related to Su Yu?
A strange, unsettling cold slithered through Chen Kuang's heart, like a venomous snake coiling around his heart.
Li Hongling examined the trembling young man before her, attributing it to fear.
She continued to speak coldly:
"So, Mr. Musician, may I ask, where is the Elixir you intended to deliver to Su Yu Your Majesty?"
Having been a captive for five days, Chen Kuang was surely searched thoroughly multiple times, yet evidently nothing was found.
Chen Kuang spoke calmly:
"At that time General led the Black Armor Army to siege the city, I was suddenly summoned to Jinghe Hall, knowing it was a dire situation."
"The emperor would take something so crucial to his grave, there's absolutely no need to let a second person know of its existence."
"Once I hand it over, I would certainly die."
"So... you decided to bet on your survival and never brought that Elixir from the start."
Li Hongling squinted her eyes:
"Heh... So, when the moment came, you, a helpless, completely manipulated nobody, chose to betray the earnest nurturing by Su Yu."
Chen Kuang didn't speak, opting instead to acquiesce.
Li Hongling questioned: "Why have you now purposely exposed yourself?"
Chen Kuang replied: "Why I didn't bring the Elixir to Jinghe Hall, the reason is the same now."
Li Hongling nodded: "To live."
Very reasonable, without flaws.
Previously, Chen Kuang had no reason to expose his secret intentionally, as he had no status; even if enslaved after the war, there was at least a slim chance of survival.
But now, due to that execution meal, he had no choice but to stand out and save himself.
As for why not just call for help, that too is easily explained.
Because next door was Huo Hengxuan, who might seem nonchalant but was utterly loyal to Da Liang.
If Chen Kuang spoke out in his presence, he would probably be killed in an instant!
If he knew the secret he guarded to death was in the hands of a treacherous villain, and had betrayed Da Liang, how despairing would he be?
Li Hongling sneered in her heart.
She looked at Chen Kuang with blood-red eyes flickering:
"Fine, as long as you reveal the Elixir's whereabouts, I will guarantee your life."
The blind musician shook his head:
"General Li, do you remember what I said moments ago — such an important thing, there's absolutely no need to let a second person know of its existence."
Chen Kuang raised his head, dried blood trickling down his tightly closed face, his expression profoundly serene:
"At this moment, the only person in the world who knows the Elixir's whereabouts is me."
"General Li."
Li Hongling fell silent for a moment, her eyes flaring with ferocity, like a tiger about to devour its prey:
"You're... threatening me?"
"Do you know there's an Immortal Master from the Three Tribulations Sect stationed in the East Corner Pavilion at the moment, even if you don't wish to speak, it's beyond your control."
"This humble one dares not."
Chen Kuang said: "Daring to do so, I have already put life and death aside, it's not that I'm unwilling to tell you the Elixir's whereabouts, but just thinking that even if I survive, I'd still be struggling for livelihood leads to unbearable distress."
He sighed:
"As a despicable person, having experienced the opulent court life once, living like an ant afterward is worse than death."
"General doesn't need to trouble the Immortal Master making such a fuss. Just fulfill one wish of mine, and I will tell all I know."
Truly a complete scoundrel.
While others lament the fall of their country, he weeps over losing glory and riches.
Li Hongling's tone suddenly softened:
"Go ahead, what wish do you have?"
Chen Kuang said: "I wish to live another seven days, like an emperor, for another seven days."
Ha...
Li Hongling nearly burst into laughter, at this moment she regarded him like a clown, saying:
"Like an emperor? Everyone in the Imperial City is already a prisoner, do you want to move into that Jinghe Hall, and have me personally serve you?"
Thanks, but I'd rather have Chu Wen Ruo serve me...
Chen Kuang mocked internally, then shook his head:
"The finest delicacies of the land, the best wine, and that Dragon's Gums."
Li Hongling gazed down at him, while Chen Kuang's tone was fawning and flattering.
She thought, truly a base and lowly person, to literally say things like the emperor's golden hoe.
In his eyes, perhaps that's what an emperor's life amounted to—
"Dragon's Gums" was a precious ancient zither coveted by Emperor Liang, worth an immense fortune.
To a musician, possessing such an instrument would probably be the best life imaginable.
Li Hongling's blood-red eyes bent slightly, seemingly with a trace of a smile, but upon closer look, entirely cold.
"So simple, Mr. Musician should have said earlier—"
"But unfortunately, your threat just now left me a bit uncomfortable."
Li Hongling moved beside Chen Kuang, with that cold smile, she suddenly lifted her foot and casually stepped on his two shin bones.
"Crack!"
Chen Kuang curled up on the ground instantly, cold sweat soaking through his back.
Bloodstains appeared on the robe beneath him.
Li Hongling withdrew her foot, gazed coldly, and dusted her hands:
"Qingcuo, take him back, starting today, send him Three Lakes Delicacies and Xinfeng Fine Wine every day."
"Oh... and by the way, send him that Dragon Gum Ancient Zither into the prison."
"This Celestial Prison will be your palace for seven days, enjoy it well."
"Seven days later, whether you're willing or not, I'll know the Elixir's whereabouts."
Saying that, she turned and lifted the curtain, leaving the tent with two Black Armor Guards.
That Black Armor Guard named Qingcuo entered quietly.
He looked at the blind man on the ground with both legs crushed, hesitated as if at a loss.
A few seconds later, he stepped forward, crouched slightly, and slid his hands beneath Chen Kuang's back and knees.
Lifting the latter... in a princess carry.
Even Chen Kuang, who endured the pain of broken legs, almost didn't hold back and nearly opened his eyes wide.