Stranger Danger

Chapter 990: The Mad Lord

“Mad Lord? What did I do to earn such a moniker?”

The Northern Sea, the Wave Watching Pavilion. Ye Qing was shaking his head with a bitter smile as he eavesdropped on the conversation happening below him. His face was as white as a sheet.

The Wave Watching Pavilion was one of the most famous restaurants in the North Duke City. Situated next to the ocean, a customer could look out of the windows the ferocious waves and boundless sea. It was quite the relaxing and moving experience.

As the name implied, the North Duke City was the capital and fiefdom of the North Duke Office. The reason Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou were here was simple. Sometimes, the most dangerous place was also the safest. This was something they had discussed before they carried out their plan.

Two days ago, after Ye Qing had fallen unconscious from his injuries, Feng Qingyou had saved him and brought him to the North Duke City. After two days of rest and recuperation, his physical injuries were more or less healed, though his mind was a different story. Although his foundation was unharmed, it would take some time before he fully recovers.

That was why Ye Qing was looking as white as a sheet. An outsider would think that his pallid complexion was a result of long term illness.

While he was recuperating, his killing of Chu Wangsun and Fang Muyun had spread throughout the entire world. As a result, he became world famous in a single night and earned the moniker, “Mad Lord”.

Of course, Chu was unwilling to let the matter slide and argued vehemently on three points: one, Chu Wangsun was killed by heretics. Two, Ye Qing was the murderer of the Harmony King’s son and had been executed a long time ago. Three, these so-called truths were just malicious slander spread by people harboring ulterior motives.

Not only that, Chu thunderously annihilated many organizations and sects who were spreading the “false” rumors. They aimed to eliminate the news at the source and cow the people into submission.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work. In fact, their actions only served to fuel the flames.

Long story short, Chu had “given away a bride and lost an army on top of it” so to speak. It was a double loss.

“You killed two of Chu’s greatest geniuses despite knowing that your actions would be interpreted as an open challenge against one of the most powerful nations in the world. Your actions are as fearless as they are mad. Is it really such a wonder that the people are calling you the Mad Lord?”

Feng Qingyou responded with a small smirk on her face. “Even if that isn’t the case, I don’t see what you have to complain about. It’s a pretty good-sounding moniker, isn’t it?”

“Says the one who caused everything.” Ye Qing rolled his eyes at the lounging woman before voicing his doubt. “Seriously though, what on earth are you doing this for?”

“To clear your name and claim justice on your behalf, of course. If I do not do this, you will forever be a murderer in the public’s eyes; a heretic who deserves to be slain for his crimes,” Feng Qingyou replied.

“Sure, but is that all?” Ye Qing raised his eyebrows. He believed that Feng Qingyou was being sincere, but he also believed that cleaning his name wasn’t her only motive.

That’s right. The person who spread his killing of Chu Wangsun and Fang Muyun before Chu was none other than Feng Qingyou. He had no idea about this until he woke up and discovered that everyone and their mothers were already talking about it.

Technically, Feng Qingyou had made a decision regarding him without consulting him beforehand, but he didn’t resent her for it. In fact, he was quite pleased with the results.

If he had time, if he hadn't had such serious injuries that he fell unconscious, he would have done the same.

After all, taking revenge without clearing one’s name was like wearing your best outfit during a night stroll.

He didn’t care if his actions would anger Chu. He and Chu were destined to become enemies from the moment he resolved to kill Chu Wangsun and Fang Muyun.

Even if Feng Qingyou hadn’t done this, Chu would still hunt him to the ends of the earth. With that in mind, why should he hold back? He only had praises to offer his companion.

That said, just because Feng Qingyou had done a wonderful job did not mean that he didn’t suspect her of ulterior motives. No matter how he looked at it, Feng Qingyou was using this opportunity to humiliate Chu and damage their reputation.

“You already figured out the answer, didn’t you? It is exactly what you think.” Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Feng Qingyou’s smile resembled the water of autumn, clear and comely.

“But why though?” Ye Qing asked. He was asking not because he was dissatisfied with Feng Qingyou’s actions. He was simply curious.

“Are you sure you want to know?” Feng Qingyou returned smilingly.

“Er... you know what? Forget it.” Ye Qing shrugged. He had a sudden feeling that trouble would find him if he learned the truth, so like the honest man he was, he immediately chickened out and buried his head in the sand.

Seriously though, he was in enough trouble as it was. He did not need more trouble.

“In any case, thank you!”

“You’re welcome, but you don’t need to thank me. We are just scratching each other’s backs is all.”

Feng Qingyou asked, “So, what are you planning to do next?”

“For now, I’d like to hide in a safe place and recover,” Ye Qing answered. There was no way he could deal with what came next without being fully recovered, so that was what he was going to do.

“And where would this safe place be?” Feng Qingyou asked.

“What do you think of the Four Seas?” Ye Qing asked.

“Come now. Tricks like these only work the first, and if you’re really lucky, the second time.” Feng Qingyou chuckled. “Do you really think that Chu Xunxian and his men are the same as the brainless fools downstairs? They just do not have the time and energy to deal with you right now.”

“What? That makes no sense. They... wait. Do you know something, Qingyou?” Ye Qing asked curiously.

“You’ll find out very soon.” Feng Qingyou did not give him a straight answer.

“Fine.” Ye Qing chose not to prod and asked, “Where do you suggest I hide then?”

“A virtuous man does not stand next to a wall about to collapse,” answered Feng Qingyou vaguely.

“True, true. It’s just asking for trouble to remain in the limelight.” Ye Qing nodded in agreement. He wasn’t really serious when he suggested the Four Seas earlier. “Let’s return to Bei You then.”

Although the Annon Sutra prevented anyone from divining his location, and he possessed the ability to alter his physical form and even energies, this was a strange world overflowing with strange people and even stranger powers. For example, Chu Wangsun was able to guess who he was just by observing the fluctuations of his energies, habits and characteristics, and now elites from all walks of life were flooding into the Four Seas, not to mention Chu. If he was discovered, then he would be in grave danger. That was why he needed to leave as soon as possible.

In his opinion, Bei You was his best option because it counted as his territory so to speak. If anything happened, he could at least ask for help or summon reinforcements. He wouldn’t need to deal with it all by himself.

To his surprise, Feng Qingyou said, “Bei You? It’s not the worst option, but I personally do not suggest you go there.”

“Why’s that?” Ye Qing asked.

“You don’t actually think that everyone is Chu is a fool, do you?”

Feng Qingyou explained, “There were only a handful of places you could have gone to back when you faked your death and slipped away. The only reason Chu didn’t invest too much effort into searching for you is because they thought you were dead. But now that they know that you are alive, the investigation effort would be much more vigorous than before, and they would surely find out that you have escaped to Bei You back then. If you really choose to go there, chances are you would be walking right into a death trap.”

“Seriously? It’s been a long time since I escaped from Chu. Surely the trail had gone cold already?” Ye Qing frowned.

“Never underestimate the power of a nation,” Feng Qingyou replied simply.

Ye Qing’s frown deepened as he voiced his worries, “Does that mean Yi Pin and Longxiang are in danger? And would they find out our arrangements at Mount Qi?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already arranged everything.” Feng Qingyou assured him. “They will be safe.”

“Phew... I’m glad to hear that.”

Ye Qing breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness you’re here, Qingyou. I was careless.”

If Feng Qingyou wasn’t here to warn him, there was a high chance he would have walked right into a death trap and died. It would seem that he was subconsciously looking down on Chu because his plans had all ended in success, his vengeance was fulfilled, and Chu was deeply humiliated by recent events. In short, he had become arrogant.

Arrogance was the death of men. He must not repeat this mistake again.

“It sounds like you already have a place in mind, Qingyou. Where do you think I should go?” Ye Qing asked.

“Nanjiang!” Feng Qingyou answered succinctly.

“Nanjiang?” Ye Qing frowned. “Why Nanjiang?”