Chapter 62
Shangguan Ye narrowed his eyes, grinding his teeth with fury. His deep gaze locked onto the ever-smiling Yun Feiyang, and he could barely restrain himself from storming over and snapping his neck.
He had to admit that when it came to understanding Murong Qiufeng, he was indeed a step behind Yun Feiyang. After all, everything he knew about Murong Qiufeng had been gathered bit by bit over the past two months—far from comprehensive.
Now he finally understood why he had been unable to uncover any information about Murong Qiufeng before.
With Yun Feiyang guarding the secrets, it was no wonder that as long as he kept silent, no one else could find a trace.
The Master of Mufeng Tower, renowned for controlling the most detailed intelligence in the world—if not for their current circumstances, Shangguan Ye wouldn’t have wanted to go head-to-head with him.
But conflict was inevitable. The name “Mufeng” (“Murong Feng”) itself was a blatant clue, something Murong Qiufeng clearly hadn’t noticed. Thinking about this made Shangguan Ye both frustrated and smug.
Even so, he found some relief in the fact that Yun Feiyang’s slow and steady approach had given him the chance to get closer to Murong Qiufeng first.
Reflecting on all this, his anger dissipated somewhat. Years of knowing Murong Qiufeng couldn’t compare to his two months of action. In the end, Murong Qiufeng was his.
Yun Feiyang, initially entertained by Shangguan Ye’s seething frustration, grew uneasy when he saw the prince regain his composure and even look at him with a mixture of pity and disdain. Yun Feiyang’s peach-blossom eyes narrowed dangerously.
The two days Yun Feiyang had disappeared weren’t because he’d fallen for one of Shangguan Ye’s schemes. Rather, he’d been investigating Murong Qiufeng’s activities since arriving in Lu City. Now, he understood everything.
When he’d gotten hold of the critical evidence, he destroyed it immediately, reducing it to ash. No one knew better than he did what it revealed. Shangguan Ye had hidden his secrets well, but tracing the threads back through the Tian Sha Guild exposed the connection. Shangguan Ye and the Tian Sha Guild Master—they were the same person.
The Tian Sha Guild Master’s reputation as a ruthless man with a penchant for young men was well-known in the martial world. The wedding’s true purpose was now glaringly obvious.
Yun Feiyang hadn’t exposed him yet because he wanted to see what game Shangguan Ye was playing. He doubted Shangguan Ye truly cared for Murong Qiufeng; if there was attraction, it was likely a fleeting infatuation.
The Tian Sha Guild Master, infamous for his cold heart, had no shortage of talented and beautiful young men in his personal quarters, all of whom were discarded after a few days.
As long as Murong Qiufeng didn’t open his heart, Yun Feiyang was willing to bide his time and play along.
However, witnessing the interaction between Murong Qiufeng and Shangguan Ye today, coupled with the unusual look in Murong Qiufeng’s eyes, sparked a sense of urgency in Yun Feiyang’s heart.
“Senior Brother, do you have any plans? Since you’re here, why not stay in Lu City for a while?” Murong Qiufeng’s clear, elegant voice interrupted the silent battle of wits between the two men.
Yun Feiyang’s lips curved into a casual smile. “Of course. I haven’t visited Lu City in quite some time. I’d love to see what’s changed. Since you’ve been here for a while, why don’t you show me around?”
“Well, I—”
“Qiufeng has official duties and important responsibilities now. Leisurely tours aren’t appropriate. If Brother Yun doesn’t mind, this prince can arrange someone to guide you around the city, someone even more knowledgeable than Qiufeng. What do you think?” Shangguan Ye cut in coldly, his tone carrying the commanding presence of royalty.
Murong Qiufeng paused, realizing Shangguan Ye was right. He did have pressing matters to attend to. Still, he hesitated, glancing between Yun Feiyang and Shangguan Ye. It wasn’t easy for his Senior Brother to visit, especially for his sake. He couldn’t just leave him to fend for himself. But his obligations also weighed heavily on him.
Yun Feiyang’s usual calm eyes turned cold, like icy waters flowing quietly, yet the atmosphere grew stifling, as if a storm were brewing.
Murong Qiufeng’s expression shifted. He knew Yun Feiyang well enough to recognize his anger. Panicking, he turned to Shangguan Ye. “Ye, my Senior Brother has come a long way. I know it’s unreasonable, but could I request a few days of leave—just a few days?”
Shangguan Ye’s face darkened instantly. He turned his piercing black eyes on Murong Qiufeng, and the faint crack of a teacup shattering in his grip echoed through the room.
Startled, Murong Qiufeng froze. He had come to understand Shangguan Ye’s unpredictable temper over these past weeks. Though generally composed, his moods could shift in an instant. And while Yun Feiyang seemed easygoing, his temper, when provoked, was equally frightening.
Caught between the two, Murong Qiufeng’s heart sank.
With a cold snort, Shangguan Ye rose to his feet and flung his sleeve dramatically. “Do as you please,” he spat, striding out the door.
Murong Qiufeng watched the door swing open and shut, his mouth slightly open. For some reason, an inexplicable sense of loss filled his heart.
Yun Feiyang, however, found no satisfaction in Murong Qiufeng standing up to Shangguan Ye on his behalf. Instead, his mood grew heavier.
Murong Qiufeng might not yet understand his own feelings, but Yun Feiyang, as an outsider, could see the sadness, unease, and faint worry in his eyes.
Clenching his fists tightly, Yun Feiyang felt a storm brewing within him. The thing he feared most had finally come to pass.
Murong Qiufeng was too captivating, drawing others to him without even realizing it. That was why Yun Feiyang had gone to such lengths to keep him close—from first discovering him at the Prime Minister’s manor to bringing him to the Immortal Sword Sect, to spoiling him and nurturing his talents. He even gave him the position of Vice Master at Mufeng Tower, all to keep him isolated from the outside world.
Yet, despite all his careful planning, Shangguan Ye had still managed to wedge himself into the picture within just two short months.
Shangguan Ye…
Unaware of Yun Feiyang’s growing murderous intent, Shangguan Ye would have welcomed it. After all, it gave him a legitimate excuse to eliminate his rival.
As Shangguan Ye made his way back to the royal residence, his cold, murderous aura frightened everyone in his path. Though he did nothing outwardly aggressive, the oppressive air he carried—paired with his icy battlefield gaze—was enough to make onlookers tremble. Street vendors closed up shop, and the streets fell eerily silent, as if a ghost had passed through.
Back at the residence, the first thought on everyone’s mind was: They must have fought again. Their second was to brace themselves for what was to come.
