Warnings
Kind of gross descriptions of wounds/untreated wounds
There was a dripping sound coming from somewhere indiscernible in the dark depths of the dimly lit prison. Light reflected faintly against damp stone. Fei Li’s footsteps resounded, echoing loudly in the eerily quiet walkway. However, the further Fei Li walked, the more faint murmurs and moans of pain became audible, becoming more distinct with each step. And with it, the smell of blood, and something else that Fei Li preferred not to think too long on. At some point, even the soft sounds of someone crying could be heard. It didn’t last long. There was a metallic ringing as someone banged against one of the prison bars and the crying was promptly silenced.
Fei Li remained looking straight ahead, walking with an even pace until he reached the farthest reach of the prison, stopping to stand before the last cell. The figure slumped on the ground inside was nearly hidden in the darkness. Fei Li took a glowing orb from its nearest holder, bringing it closer to get a better look. It seemed the person inside didn’t appreciate the sudden sting of light after having been in the darkness so long, as he raised his hand to cover his eyes, the chains at his wrists rattling as he did so. It seemed excessive to have someone already imprisoned restrained with chains…
“He’s in chains. Explain why.” Fei Li spoke to the silent guards standing at attention behind him without turning his head, his gaze remaining fixed.
The guards startled slightly but one swiftly responded. “Yes sir. When General Lu was last provided with his food, he dumped his meal on me while I had my back turned Sir. As punishment, he has been restrained and his meals have been withheld while he learns a lesson.” The guard looked past the prison bars with displeasure, scowling.
“How long since he was last given a meal?”
The guard looked even more startled at this, looking at his general with obvious confusion. “Uh… Two days maybe?”
Fei Li didn’t look pleased to hear this, well aware of how little prisoners were fed in the first place. But he didn’t bother to ask anything further. “Open it.”
The guard’s confusion didn’t lessen any but he immediately obeyed. He kept his head bowed as he stepped back, not daring to make a sound upon seeing Fei Li’s displeasure.
There was nothing in the cell besides the damp straw that was scattered haphazardly across the ground, and Lu Qinyi slouched against the back wall. He was a mess, his robes torn, both his clothes and his body marred with dirt and dried blood. For a moment, Fei Li froze. He seemed to see someone different before him. But with just a blink of his eyes, that imagery of the past was gone again, leaving only Lu Qinyi. Fei Li took a slow breath, his fingers curling into a fist at his side. He then approached Lu Qinyi, crouching down a short distance from him.
Lu Qinyi finally reacted, letting his hand drop from his face. He opened his eyes. There was still a brightness burning in their depths as he glared at Fei Li, seemingly unafraid and unyielding even in such circumstances. “What the fuck are you here for? You already won. Get lost, let me die in peace.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Fei Li gazed at him, not seeming at all upset about Lu Qinyi’s curses. He eventually responded calmly. “You aren’t going to die. Your sentence was changed from public execution to life in labour.”
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“Why was it changed? It shouldn’t have been changed.”
“A life for a life.” Fei Li answered simply, offering no further explanation.
“…So you begged to have my sentence lightened.” Lu Qinyi concluded, his brows furrowing. In the end, he shifted uncomfortably, adjusting himself to turn away from Fei Li slightly. “If you’re looking for gratitude, you should look somewhere else.”
“I’m not looking for gratitude.”
“What do you want then?”
“You’re injured. Let me look.” He’d noticed how awkward Lu Qinyi’s movements were and despite how numbingly cold it was, sweat dripped down the sides of his face. Fei Li didn’t think the minute trembling of his body was just from the chill that seeped through the stone.
Lu Qinyi scoffed. “Not a chance. Don’t come anywhere near me.”
Fei Li thought for a moment but in the end, he came closer. Lu Qinyi shot him a fierce glare. He pushed himself away with one hand, clutching his other over his abdomen. His brows furrowed further at the pain that his retreating movements caused him. Fei Li immediately stilled. He had forgotten Lu Qinyi’s stubborn pride. It was enough that even injured, weakened, hungry and tired, he would still fight against him. He would have to think of something else…
“I’ll get your lieutenants their freedom back.”
Lu Qinyi’s eyes narrowed. “No need. I have no lieutenants anymore.”
“It was a clever plan. You forged documents to make it seem that Lieutenant Yang Xun and Lieutenant Zhao Mei had been expelled from the army for abandoning their posts before the war had ended. Claiming that they had lost faith in you and run for it is completely within reason, and they wouldn’t be punished as your lieutenants. They can even claim they are no longer loyal to you, nor the South, lessening their punishment further. They didn’t actually run though, did they?”
Lu Qinyi clenched his jaw and said nothing.
“Unfortunately, their contributions to the war were significant. Their capture was ordered and the intention is for them to still be punished regardless.”
“WHAT?” Lu Qinyi sat up abruptly. He winced as he pressed his hand firmly to brace against the pain. “What do you mean they will still be punished? This isn’t their crime to bear, it’s mine!”
“They won’t have it easy and they won’t be able to hold any position again, but I can get them their freedom.”
Fei Li had made his stance clear.
Frustration, displeasure and concern flashed across Lu Qinyi’s face in turn. Finally, he pressed his lips into a line. He slumped back against the stone wall and turning his head away. His hand slowly pulled away from where it guarded his abdomen. “Fine,” he muttered quietly.
He didn’t move away this time when Fei Li came closer, only stewing silently in his displeasure. Fei Li paused again before he reached out to peel open Lu Qinyi’s messy robes. Dried blood, vividly colored bruises, and small superficial cuts were scattered all over his skin. But that was hardly the worst of it. The stab wound Fei Li had inflicted on him that should have long since healed had been torn open. It was much larger than the small entry wound it had been before and it was inflamed. An angry redness spread from the wound and across his abdomen. Despite how careful Fei Li had been, the dried blood had glued the fabric of Lu Qinyi’s clothes onto his gaping wound to the point where moving the fabric had ripped away the scabbing. Fresh blood dimly glinted as a thin river slid slowly down Lu Qinyi’s waist. His trembling was more noticeable now but he didn’t make a sound.
Fei Li remained frozen for a long while. He gazed down at the bloodied wound and the beaten body it belonged to. He closed his eyes to suppress the turmoil that threatened to rise up, keeping down unwanted memories. He wished he had found the time and visited earlier. If Lu Qinyi had received treatment earlier, the infection wouldn’t have gotten so out of control. But it had taken an entire week to stabilize the situation after the South’s downfall. That was without mentioning what it had taken for Fei Li to convince himself to face Lu Qinyi in the first place. He could only sigh at this point and gingerly return Lu Qinyi’s robes back in place.
“One last question. Why would you waste a meal on provoking my men?”
Lu Qinyi finally turned his head back to give Fei Li an icy look. “Do you know how long I had to listen to him insult me? My soldiers? My country? I even tolerated it when he threw my rice on the ground so I had to pick up each grain. My patience has a limit General Fei and your soldiers are bastards. Perhaps if you could actually keep them in line, I wouldn’t have felt the need to.” At this point, he shut his eyes tiredly. “I’ve paid the price anyway, what’s it matter?”
Fei Li stood up, turning to leave. But before he could, the hem of his robe was caught. Lu Qinyi’s reluctance showed clearly in his eyes and it took him a long moment before he could force the words out. Fei Li remained where he was, he didn’t pull his robes free, only patiently waiting. “My family…”
There was a pause then Fei Li replied. “Your parents have vanished without a trace, another of your plans I assume. You sister however… She didn’t make it out of the city. Unfortunately, much of the hate and dissatisfaction with the outcome of the war has been directed toward you and your family. There is demand for her to bear the weight of your crimes along with you, particularly since she had supported your efforts throughout the war.”
Lu Qinyi hung his head, falling silent.
“Help her.” It came out as a strained whisper. He then raised his head. There was a determination held in his eyes as he made the decision to cast aside his pride. His voice was steady this time. “Please. Please help her. If you want to repay me, then save her. What happens to me is what I deserve at this point, but she doesn’t deserve this.”
It wasn’t like that was an easy task given the situation she was now in. What could he possibly do to help protect her from the resentment and blame? His gaze met Lu Qinyi’s. He could almost see the unresolved anger, the self loathing, the disgust, the pain. But what stung more was the desperation and hope, the way he gripped onto the robes of his enemy, lowered himself to beg Fei Li as the only thing he had left.
“I’ll try,” Fei Li promised.
The tension holding up Lu Qinyi’s body ebbed away as relief flooded him. He nodded slightly and released his hold on Fei Li, slumping back against the wall again.
Fei Li left the prison cell and addressed the guards who stood waiting. “Remove the restraints. Provide him with his meals as per the schedule and have the physician see him immediately. His injuries will require daily treatment at this point. You’re no longer permitted to act as you please, seek permission for any action regarding General Lu. Don’t do anything to provoke him again.”
The guards were wide eyed with disbelief, stiff with fear as they both hurriedly saluted him.The guard who answered Fei Li’s line of questioning earlier could have cried from regret seeing the gloomy, cold look his general wore. “Y-yes sir!” The other guard wisely said nothing. He only rapidly nodded his head in acknowledgement and breathed a sigh of relief as Fei Li’s gaze passed over before he followed after Fei Li in obedient silence.
Author’s notes:
Many thanks to my alpha reader Rae who helps me with these chapters!
Also pray for Lu Qinyi. The price of a war is steep, and the price of losing one is steeper.
Should warnings be at the top or the bottom of the page to avoid spoilers?
Poor Qinyi 🙁 sending him a prayer~
I usually see warnings at the top of the page, so maybe… leave them at the top?
Thanks for the chapter this week dear author!
Yeah, he’s not going to have a good time for a while.
Okay, top it is!
Thank you for the comment Miyori!
Thank you for the chapter!
We are finally cought up! Cant wait for next one 🙂
I think warning at the top works best
You’re welcome!
Yeah, the next part of the novel kicks off now~ Thank you! I hope you’ll continue to enjoy.
Okay, thank you for the comment and for letting me know your thoughts on it!
Praying for Qinyi, his plan really seemed good…until it didn’t work! That’s a very bitter pill to swallow, to have to beg for protection from your captors. Hang in there Qinyi!
Thank you for another chapter! I think the warning is most useful at the top, especially when you have to click on it like in this chapter – if anyone’s afraid of being spoiled, they can choose not to click. I hope you have a wonderful week!
Qinyi definitely is very clever and he cares deeply about people. It makes his defeat more devastating, he had all the plans and unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Yeah, Qinyi swallowed his pride to ask for his loved ones to be looked after. Rough deal.
Okay! I’ll keep doing that then! Thank you for your comment 💕 Have a lovely week!
Oh no!!! I caught up (〒﹏〒)…
And poor Qinyi… War is such a wicked thing… And for what? Ó╭╮Ò
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Luckily, today is update day! A new chapter comes out today!
Yeah. That’s exactly what I was hoping to capture actually. That it was brutal, damaging, unfair, and without a real benefit for what it cost.