"You talk too much!" Qi Rong's eyes were gloomy as he grabbed the man by the throat with one hand, his expression extremely cold.
With his neck in a tight grip, the man opened his mouth wide, his face instantly flushing red. He tried to speak, but Qi Rong suddenly stuffed a handful of nails into his mouth.
The slightest movement would pierce his tongue into a bloody mess.
Qi Rong watched indifferently as the man's face showed terror and he gasped for breath with difficulty. The malevolence in his eyes made him tighten his grip even more.
Yun Xi watched the scene with a pounding heart. She tried to speak several times but couldn't find her voice in the end.
Seeing the man's eyes gradually losing focus, Yun Xi grew anxious. She steeled herself and walked up to Qi Rong. Her small hand trembled as she placed it on Qi Rong's large palm.
Her voice was like broken shards as she said word by word, "Can you let him go?"
She knew her request was presumptuous, but no matter how despicable this man was, she couldn't bear to watch him die.
Moreover, subconsciously, she didn't want to see Qi Rong take another life because she believed in karma.
Qi Rong was like a man trapped in the abyss of hatred, unable to extricate himself. His heart and body were wrapped in coldness, almost numb with it. Only violence could satisfy his hatred.
However, Yun Xi's approach was like a ray of spring sunshine, bringing a warm breath that gradually dispelled his cold.
The sudden warmth spread from Yun Xi's palm to the back of his hand and straight to his heart.
Qi Rong loosened his hand and suppressed his hostility. His eyes were fixed on Yun Xi as he asked, "Are you afraid of me?"
In response to Qi Rong's sudden question, Yun Xi glanced at her still trembling hand and honestly nodded, "Yes."
But just as Qi Rong's black eyes were about to turn dull, Yun Xi continued, "But I know you have your reasons."
She believed that his cold - blooded and cruel actions were not out of pleasure in hurting others but for survival.
Because no one knew how hard he had lived in those ten years, and it was not something others could easily persuade him to let go of.
Those who had never truly experienced purgatory had no right to persuade others to be magnanimous.
Qi Rong's eyes suddenly brightened as he stared deeply at Yun Xi. "So you want me to let him go?"
As long as she said yes, he would immediately set the man free and never take his life again.
The man spat out the blood - stained nails in his mouth. As soon as he caught his breath and heard their conversation, he immediately looked at Yun Xi with hope in his eyes.
When the King of Xian had entered with a woman just now, he was quite surprised because according to the information they had, the King of Xian never got close to women.
From the King of Xian's eyes and a few words, it was obvious that this woman was special to the King of Xian! If used properly, she might become a pawn to influence the King of Xian!
"Miss, saving a life is better than building a seven - story pagoda. You can't just watch me die!" the man said eagerly. But as soon as he finished his sentence, Qi Rong punched him. He immediately saw stars, and two of his front teeth were knocked out.
Watching Qi Rong's violent action while his eyes were gentle when looking at her, as if he were a enlightened saint, Yun Xi couldn't help but lick her still intact front teeth. She shook her head and bravely said, "No, I just don't want to see you kill someone."
Hearing Yun Xi's words, Qi Rong's lips suddenly twitched into a smile. "Okay, I'll listen to you."
It was not "this king" but "I".
Yun Xi was confused, not understanding why Qi Rong was suddenly in a good mood.
Qi Rong then ordered Zhan Feng in a deep voice, "Tell someone to beat him severely, strip him naked, and hang him upside down on the tree in front of the palace as a public display. If anyone else claims to come from the border, deal with them in the same way!"
Zhan Feng frowned. Although he had doubts in his heart, he still nodded heavily, "Yes, my lord!"
"My lord, you can't do this!" the man shouted desperately. But Qi Rong shot a cold look at Zhan Feng, "If I hear another useless word, I'll cut out your tongue too!"
As soon as Qi Rong said this, the man immediately fell silent. He didn't even dare to look at Qi Rong, afraid that his carelessness would anger Qi Rong and get his tongue cut out.
Zhan Feng's face turned pale. Knowing that his lord meant what he said, he didn't dare to delay. He quickly stepped forward to gag the man just in case.
Qi Rong snorted, picked up Yun Xi, and walked straight out.
Yun Xi obediently nestled in his arms, thinking that it was better than being pierced by hidden weapons!
As soon as they got out of the cell, Yun Xi couldn't help but sneeze. Qi Rong tightened the fox fur cloak on her and even carefully adjusted her hat.
Just as Yun Xi was feeling awkward, she saw Zhan Feng leading the man out. Then, two guards came and took the man outside the mansion.
Thinking that in such cold weather, the man would be stripped naked and hung upside down on a tree, she knew that only Qi Rong could come up with such a cruel punishment so easily!
However, just as she had said in the cell, she believed that Qi Rong wouldn't hurt people without reason.
So, was there a reason she didn't know for his hatred towards her father?
Now that the old Duke Luo was dead, Qi Rong had even fewer relatives in this world.
She knew that Qi Rong was not the kind of person who was greedy for life and afraid of death or indifferent as the man had said. At this moment, he should be the most painful one.
Thinking of this, Yun Xi bit her lip and reached out to grab Qi Rong's sleeve. Qi Rong stopped and looked down at her.
"Please... grieve with restraint," she said. The words of comfort circled in her mouth, but in the end, only these three words came out.
Qi Rong was slightly stunned. His eyes instantly softened. He leaned forward, cupped Yun Xi's face with both hands, and gently wiped away the glistening tears from the corners of her eyes with his slender fingers. His voice was hoarse and gentle. "Why are you crying?"
Yun Xi sniffed and shook her head, choking with sobs, "I don't know either."
But for some unknown reason, the twinges in her heart were so real that even she felt confused.
Qi Rong's lips curled up slightly as he instantly pulled her into his arms. He looked up at the night sky with moist eyes. The smile on his face was extremely content, as if the ice and snow had melted and spring had returned to the earth.
The feeling of having something lost and then regained made his heart surge. He made a vow:
One day, he would dominate the world and become king! He would be so powerful that no one could shake him!
Because only in this way could he have broad wings to protect the one he loved in this life!
"My lord, the King of Huai and Lin Hai are leading people here!"
Watching the two embracing from afar, Zhan Feng was shocked on his face but quickly reported the matter.
Hearing the voice, Yun Xi suddenly woke up. Embarrassed, she pushed Qi Rong away and turned around, covering her face with her large hat. Her face was so hot that it was almost burning.
Qi Rong smiled and then turned to Zhan Feng, coldly ordering, "Take her to my courtyard first. Don't say any unnecessary words."
Hearing this, Yun Xi thought that Zhan Feng didn't like her, so she quickly waved her hand and refused, "No need, no need. I remember the way. I can go back by myself."
After saying that, she trotted all the way to Qi Rong's courtyard.