Edited by Tnyhy

Chapter 142: Forming An Alliance (Part 1)

“Really?”

The male’s low voice rang out in the secret chamber. The voice was very calm and could be said as pleasing to the ears. However at this moment it seemed to have an ability to cause one heart to palpitate, making one absolutely horrified upon hearing it.

Xie Chang Chao was startled and let go of Shen Miao in a flash, before turning around and looking at the oncoming person.

There were horns hung on the walls of the secret chamber and in the horns, there were lit torches. The burning torches were very bright that it separated the secret chamber into two portions. The person standing opposite was in the dark and with a dim light of the fire, one could faintly see his appearance.

He was an extremely tall and straight youth who was wearing a golden rat fur cloak, but it exposed the purple and gold robes underneath, with the deer hide shoes and dark gold belt. Even in such a dark place like this, his air of nobility did not dip the slightest. Moreover half of his face was covered by a silver mask, and it was clearly he has a cold expression, but under the light in the secret chamber, there was some enchanting warmth in it, making one involuntarily attracted to it.

Xie Chang Chao was lifeless for a moment before suddenly shouting, “Your Highness Prince Rui.”

He saw this person during the Ming Qi’s tribute banquet, and also greeted this person during the Crown Prince’s banquet in the Eastern Palace. Other than Prince Rui of the Great Liang, who else could the person wearing the silver mask be? But why would the Great Liang’s Prince Rui suddenly appear in this place? Xie Chang Chao’s heart suddenly dropped as he asked, “How do you know of this place?”

This was a secret chamber of the residence of the Marquis of Lin An. Even if Prince Rui had the ability to sneak into it, it was not possible to discover this secret chamber. Even Xie Ding did not have a clue about this chamber at all, and in the entire residence of the Marquis of Lin An, only Xie Chang Wu and Xie Chang Chao knew of it. Prince Rui of the Great Liang was an outsider so how would he be able to know of this place? Xie Chang Wu would definitely not have spoken about it.

During the moment when Shen Miao saw Xie Jing Xing, she let out a sigh of relief and her heart rejoice a little. Although she could fight with Xie Chang Chao or think of another method to escape, there was always a possibility. A possibility that if anything went wrong, it would be much more dangerous in the future. With Xie Jing Xing’s appearance, even ‘accidents’ were removed.

“Speak. Why do you know that there was a secret chamber here?” A strong unease suddenly burst in Xie Chang Chao’s heart. This uneasiness was not because the other person was the Great Liang’s Prince Rui but was an instinct, a fear that came out from the bottom of his heart. Only he and Xie Chang Wu knew about this secret chamber, and even his subordinates were not aware of it. Today he came alone too, so it was too late to escape now.

“There is no place that I do not know of the residence of the Marquis of Lin An.”

That purple clad youth slowly stepped forward, and walked into the light from the darkness. Under the bright light of the lamp, the silver mask shone with sparkling brilliance. His lips hooked up but one did not know if that smile was sincere or sarcastic, as he slowly reach out towards the mask on his face.

Shen Miao was slightly startled as Xie Chang Chao swallowed his saliva, and stared at the purple clad you without blinking.

The silver mask was taken off.

As the light from the lamp climbed up the youth’s almost perfect face inch by inch, his features were so handsome that the scorching sun would lose its colour (ED: OFFS!). That smile but not a smile expression, stubborn and obstreperous was as usual, and that pair of peach blossom eyes had the precipitation that had seen years passing by. Under the convergence of youthfulness and frivolous, there was some sense of indifference, but like a small boat in the dark starry night when they looked up, it was as usual bright. (Translator: I seriously do not understand what I am translating. LOL)

Compared to two years ago, it was a more handsome, more unflustered, more enigmatic, impossible to predict and an even more dangerous Xie Jing Xing.

He was the Xie Jing Xing whose heart was pierced by thousands of arrows, skin hung up to dry and then he became part of the Ming Qi’s history that made one sigh.

Xie Chang Chao could not believe his own eyes.

He shouted loudly, “Xie Jing Xing. Xie Jing Xing.”

“It is tough for you to still remember my name.” Xie Jing Xing came forward with a smile but the smile did not reach his eyes.

“Trust you have been well, Xie Chang Chao.”

“Are you not dead?” Fear started to raise onto his heart and it appeared on Xie Chang Chao’s face as he said hurriedly, “Did you not die with thousands of arrows piercing through the heart, skinned for everyone to see, and that there were no remains left? Are you human or ghost? Do not come over.” He spoke so quickly and in such a rush, as if this could mask the fear in his heart, as if by constantly speaking about Xie Jing Xing’s death, these words would become a fact.

Xie Jing Xing said, “You say if I am human or ghost?”

Xie Chang Chao was startled.

The youth in front was dressed nobly and with an elegant air. If one were to say the Xie Jing Xing two years ago was like a gorgeous valuable sword, now the the sword was finally out of its scabbard. It had a murderous air that one could not ignore the sharpness of the blade.

Xie Chang Chao’s gaze landed on the silver mask in Xie Jing Xing’s hands and his heart moved.

If Xie Jing Xing was really a ghost then how could he appear with the identity of Prince Rui? Xie Chang Chao remembered it very clearly when the Xie Jing Xing in front wore the mask, he was obviously Prince Rui of the Great Liang. No wonder he and Xie Chang Wu felt that Prince Rui of the Great Liang was very similar to a person they knew, but could not remember who was it. Now thinking about it, it was with no doubt Xie Jing Xing. It is just that the matter of Xie Jing Xing’s death on the battlefield two years ago, was well-known so no one would associate Prince Rui as that death person, but who knew that this person had long perpetrated a fraud.

Thinking about this, Xie Chang Chao suddenly sneered, “So it is like this. So you did not die and ran to the Great Liang to seek asylum. One did not know what means you did to become the Great Liang’s Prince Rui. You betrayed the country and faked your death. You are not fit to be the descendant of the Xie family, when Father know about this matter, he would definitely treat you as a disgrace. Eldest Brother, this Younger Brother really admire you.”

Shen Miao had already backed into a corner and was astonished when she heard those words. One did not think that Xie Chang Chao would consider that Xie Jing Xing became the Ming Qi’s traitor and defected to Great Liang. He did not even think that no matter how well the Great Liang treats talents, the identity of Emperor Yong Le’s blood younger brother, was not something that could be granted to others casually.

Sure enough, Xie Jing Xing chuckled and his gaze became slightly cold, “Do not bring up your dirty bloodline and mix it with me. Xie Chang Chao, you still do not have the qualification to be my brother.”

Xie Chang Chao laughed disdainfully, “Could it be that you think that with the identity of Prince Rui, you are truly Emperor Yong Le of the Great Liang’s blood brother? Xie Jing Xing, you have always think that you are superior than others, but now also learned to daydream.”

Xie Jing Xing did not make a comment.

When Xie Chang Chao saw this, his expression slowly changed, “You. You are really the Great Liang’s Prince Rui?”

“So?” Xie Jing Xing stared at him, “Did I told you before not to touch my things?”

Xie Chang Chao came to a halt. Ever since Xie Chang Wu and him were little, they already hated Xie Jing Xing. All the servants of the Marquis of Lin An were the old staff who followed Princess Yu Qing. When they gathered to chat, Xie Chang Chao would hear that it was Madam Fang who forced Princess Yu Qing to death. The Shu Xie brothers did not know that Princess Yu Qing since she was dead when they were born, but they clearly bore grudges with Xie Jing Xing. The reason was no other than because Xie Jing Xing was doted on unreasonably.

Xie Jing Xing would always possess the best things in the residence of the Marquis of Lin An. Food, clothes and toys, no matter what Xie Jing Xing wanted to do, no one would dared to obstruct. Even if he were to commit a grave mistake, be it beating up Princes or some sons of high ranking officials, Xie Ding would personally extend a formal and polite apology, and Xie Jing Xing would only be reprimanded lightly. One time there was a tiger skin that was gifted and Xie Ding gave it to Xie Jing Xing. That tiger skin was a rarely seen complete piece that did not have any defects. Xie Chang Chao and Xie Chang Wu were young at that time, so they sneaked into Xie Jing Xing room to play with the tiger skin for one entire afternoon.

Later when Xie Jing Xing returned, Xie Chang Chao would remember Xie Jing Xing’s expression forever. Xie Jing Xing took a look at the fur that was crawled all over by the two Xie brothers, and emphasised to the steward to burn it.

He said, “Do not touch my things. Dirty.”

Xie Ding scolded the two Xie brothers harshly but against expectations, did not scold Xie Jing Xing for making a big fuss over a minor issue. From that time onwards, Xie Chang Chao would have an obsession with Xie Jing Xing’s things. It was the same for Shen Miao.

So when he heard Xie Jing Xing’s words, he immediately smiled and took a glance at Shen Miao, who was at a corner, before speaking maliciously, “So what about it, Xie Jing Xing? I touched your woman so will you be like in the past and burn her? I touched her just now, do you find it dirty?”

Shen Miao’s gaze got heavier. Xie Chang Chang really had the ability to make others want to kill him the moment he opened his mouth. Not to mention Xie Jing Xing’s strong position, even with her good temper that she had upheld since her rebirth, at the moment she really wanted to get people to drag Xie Chang Chao out to be beheaded.

“She is different from the tiger skin.” Xie Jing Xing smiled lightly, “That year the tiger skin was not worth a single Wen (modern: cent/penny) in my eyes, so if it was burn then that was it. Now…” His tone was chilly and the words were lukewarm, but there was a biting chill in them.

“I find that you are too dirty so it is better to burn you.”

Xie Chang Chao first laughed scornfully but after a while of laughing, when he saw Xie Jing Xing’s calm and unruffled expression, he suddenly was unable to continue laughing. Xie Chang Chao sat on the floor and retreated a step back, before speaking as he tried to resist the fear in his heart, “What do you want to do?”

“Xie Chang Chao, after so many years there is no progress from you.” Xie Jing Xing seemed to be somewhat disappointed with him and sighed, “You have seen my face so do you think I will let you live?”

Shen Miao actually felt like somewhat laughing.

With Xie Chang Chao kind of level, he was just like a child in front of Xie Jing Xing, so it was no wonder that Xie Jing Xing would feel disappointed. Earlier when Xie Jing Xing took down his mask, Shen Miao knew clearly in her heart, that Xie Chang Chao would not be able to live beyond today.

Fear started to flow out from Xie Chang Chao’s eyes as he spoke, “You do not dare. I am Father’s son and this is the residence of the Marquis of Lin An. If you kill me, not to say that others will investigate your identity, you would not be able to live smoothly.”

“Do not worry.” Xie Jing Xing smiled gently, “Today the Marquis of Lin an and Xie Chang Wu are at a banquet and would only return at night, so no one would discover your disappearance.” He said, “Seeing that you have called me Eldest Brother for so many years, I will take care of you and not let you walk on the route to the Netherworld alone. Xie Chang Wu will go down to accompany you. No need for thanks.”

Xie Chang Chao finally believed that Xie Jing Xing was for real and he stood up to run out, but he was not Xie Jing Xing’s opponent two years ago, so how could he be Xie Jing Xing’s match now? He still did not see in front clearly when he was kicked at his knees, and in a flash his throat was being choked by someone.

Shen Miao was watching but suddenly it turned black as something was in front of her. When she reached out, it was Xie Jing Xing’s cloak.

Xie Jing Xing used his cloak to cover her head, “Do not look.”

These words were warm but at the other side, he was gradually tightening his hand around Xie Chang Chao’s throat ruthlessly. In the silence of the secret room, one could hear the crisp sound of the bone breaking.

With a ‘dong’ sound, Shen Miao pushed aside the cloak around her head. Xie Xing Xing was already using a handkerchief to wipe his hands, as Xie Chang Chao laid on the floor on his back with eyes wide big. He was obviously not breathing.

Xie Jing Xing’s actions were indeed vicious and cruel. It was Shen Miao’s first time seeing him kill someone, but he was calm and there was no trace of any peculiar disturbances, and she could not help but sigh in her heart.

She handed the cloak back to Xie Jing Xing. When Xie Jing Xing saw this, he glanced at her and turned his head, “Keep it for yourself.”