Reign of the Phoenix

Murong Zhining was secretly amazed by the extended knowledge Gao Chenghao showed regarding this sheet music. At the same time, she was worried. She couldn’t dare to imagine the consequences if the treasure really fell into the hands of someone like him. She quietly pondered for a way to deal with Gao Chenghao.

…

Gao Chenghao had the guards open the door to the underground prison.

As soon as he stepped inside, Chiyun Yuexuan glared at him. “Fourth Prince has used some really shady means and even imprisoned me here. Just what is your purpose behind all this?”

Gao Chenghao viciously kicked the iron bars. “Shady means? And the poison needle you used on me isn’t shady? You’re not any better. You, a grand general, had to rely on some despicable method to take Princess away from me. If it wasn’t for your despicable anesthetic, she should have been my beloved concubine right now.”

Chiyun Yuexuan burst out laughing. “I can understand your pain of yearning for something you just can’t get. But my method always changes to match the target. How about this, you let me out of here and I’ll have a one-on-one fight with you. You can choose whatever weapon you want. As for me, I only need a dagger to skin you. You believe it?”

Gao Chenghao roared, “You think you can provoke me into releasing you so easily? Don’t be so naïve. I originally planned to have your damn life right away, but that would be too convenient a death for you. Stay here and behave. After the poison effect wears off, I’ll let you watch Murong Zhining cry for mercy under me. And after you get to watch the whole show, that’s when I’ll take your life.”

Chiyun Yuexuan grabbed the iron bars. “I’m afraid that your body won’t be able to carry out your evil thoughts anytime soon. However, if you dare hurt Princess, not only I’ll make you regret ever being born, I shall also make Wuli pay a heavy price.”

Gao Chenghao ferociously spat, “Say that after you escape this prison. So, Princess and General are mutually in love, huh? Princess even lied to me that she was only your hostage. But if this is the case, then the show will be even better. Not only will I use her to acquire the Murongs’ treasure, but I’ll also torture her heart, and I will torture her for the rest of this life.”

Chiyun Yuexuan laughed. “Don’t blame me for not warning you then, the stronger your lust, the longer it’ll take to recover from the poison. If you’re too anxious, you might never be a man again. Hahahaha! How about I make a deal with you?”

Gao Chenghao gave him a disdainful glance, “What advantage can you possibly have to even dare to mention making a deal with me?”

Chiyun Yuexuan’s lips curved up. “I also hold a clue to the Murongs’ treasure. Release Princess and I’ll tell you.”

Gao Chenghao sneered, “You don’t have the right to make a deal with me. Just obediently stay here. Maybe I’ll come find you when I feel interested.”

Chiyun Yuexuan growled, “When you feel interested, I will not be anymore!”

…

Bringing along a dozen or so armed manservants, Tuoba Zhi and Lian Kun were galloping their horses like mad on the main road.

Two days ago, the spy who Tuoba Zhi sent to monitor Gao Chenghao reported that the subject was bringing his troops towards the main road leading to Huayan. Tuoba Zhi naturally knew Gao Chenghao’s purpose. Worried about Murong Zhining, he decided to take people and check up on her.

Lian Kun, who received a letter from his little concubine and was about to return to Xingzhou for her, decided to join Tuoba Zhi on the road when learning of his plan.

Lian Kun slowed his horse a little. “Brother Tuoba, slow down. The horse will die of exhaustion if you keep running like that. You’re really crazy about Princess, aren’t you? You know she has eloped with Chiyun Yuexuan and you still think of saving her!”

Tuoba Zhi sighed. “Princess was forced by Chiyun Yuexuan, she wasn’t willing. Even if she’s willing, I can’t sit around and do nothing when knowing she’s in danger. While her life isn’t in danger for the time being, I only fear that beast Gao Chenghao would desecrate her.”

Lian Kun said, “This humble me is no one ambitious. But I consider you my good brother. I will absolutely won’t sit idly when you or Princess is in danger.”

Tuoba Zhi offered him a grateful glance. “Thank you, good brother, I really made a wise decision to be friends with you.”

…

Mrong Zhining had been on tenterhooks for the past several days. She was well aware that Gao Chenghao was a crazy, restless beast deep in his bones; he wouldn’t let her off so easily just because of the treasure.

When the sound of the door being unlocked rang out, Murong Zhining’s palms were all sweaty from her nervousness. She had prepared herself to deal with Gao Chenghao’s possible crazy actions at any time.

The people Gao Chenghao sent brought her to him. “Since I’m in a good mood today, I’ll take you to climb the mountain and enjoy the scenery.”

Not knowing what kind of scheme he had lie in store, Murong Zhining was extremely uneasy. “How come Fourth Prince suddenly have a mood for such refined interest today? And… aren’t you afraid that I’ll run?”

Gao Chenghao laughed heartily. “I don’t think you can bear to run away when your sweetheart is still in my underground prison.”

Murong Zhining feigned rage. “I don’t want anything to do with him, he kidnapped me to be a hostage. If it wasn’t for you, who knew when I could return to Shangxia.”

Gao Chenghao sneered. “If you really don’t like him, I’ll have people kill him immediately and help you vent your anger.”

Murong Zhining acted like she didn’t care. “I would like that, but I’m afraid if he dies in Shangxia, Huayan and Shangxia will raise weapons at each other. I would have taken his life long ago had I not been having scruples about this matter.”

Gao Chenghao’s response was a gloomy smile.

Murong Zhining sat quietly in the carriage being led out of Xingzhou City by Gao Chenghao. Inwardly, she was very afraid; for herself and at the same time, for Chiyun Yuexuan. However, she knew that the more she showed concern for him, the more danger it would bring him, so she didn’t once inquire about his situation. This actually made Gao Chenghao somewhat believe that she had been just a hostage taken by Chiyun Yuexuan.

The horse carriage didn’t travel too far of a distance before it stopped at a mountain base. Murong Zhining was startled to find out that this was the dragon-head-shaped mountain that Tuoba Lan talked about when they left Xingzhou.

Leading all the way up to the top of the mountain were continuous stone stairs. For someone to go to such lengths to construct such a decent road, this mountain must have really beautiful scenery.

Gao Chenghao led at the front with Murong Zhining right behind him, followed by several guards armed with blades at the rear.

Murong Zhining was puzzled. Gao Chenghao had been uncharacteristic for the last two days, always treating her with courtesy and without the frivolous manner in the past. Since she was unaware of his body condition, she only thought he was acting nice because of the treasure clue.

Gao Chenghao led Murong Zhining to the pavilion at a mid-hill pavilion for a rest. He pointed toward the mountain top. “Yesterday, I studied your sheet music and discovered that the Murongs’ treasure is very likely to be hidden somewhere in this mountain. Chiyun Yuexuan said he had a clue to the treasure and even wanted to exchange it for your freedom. Such an infatuated fool he is, don’t you think? And yet, you said he kidnapped you. Do you treat all men so heartlessly, Princess?”

Murong Zhining’s palms were all sweaty. If Biwu fell into Gao Chenghao’s hands, both her and Chiyun Yuexuan’s life would be in serious danger. “That Chiyun Yuexuan is good at blabbering nonsense, he once used the same reason to curry favor with me. However, I saw right through his lie. I don’t believe that he holds any clue whatsoever. And even if he did, how could he easily take it out? You shouldn’t fall for his trick.”

Smiling coldly, Gao Chenghao lifted her chin. “I truly adore this character of yours, Princess. If you really have no feelings for Chiyun Yuexuan, I might just spare his life.”

Murong Zhining snorted. “Even if I choose a husband, I’ll pick someone who’s worthy of my identity and not some petty general.”

Gao Chenghao finally revealed a satisfied smile. If it weren’t for the fact that he still had to worry about the poison, he really wanted to defile her right here and now.

When they reached the mountain top, Murong Zhining felt like she was drained of all strength. There was a two-story viewing pavilion here. Gao Chenghao carried her into the pavilion and placed her there to rest, while he himself climbed to the top floor and took in a high view.

Carefully observing the structure of the mountain, Gao Chenghao looked for any area that could be a treasure hiding place. When he discovered that there was a cliff in the north side, he nodded thoughtfully. Meanwhile, Murong Zhining gazed into the distance, also trying to look for the smallest clues.

Per Gao Chenghao’s order, a guard, with a rope tied to his waist, began to climb down the cliff. Gao Chenghao was anxious as he waited for the result.

Murong Zhining approached him, seemingly pondering. “I don’t think the treasure would be hidden in the cliff. First of all, it’s not easy to transport things there. Moreover, if I were the one hiding the treasure, I’d surely look for somewhere that seems most insecure. As they say, the most dangerous place is precisely the safest.”

Gao Chenghao turned around with a laugh. “Princess really thinks different from normal people. Indeed, what you say makes sense, but as long as a place looks suspicious to me, I won’t leave it unchecked.”

After about half an incense stick of time, the guard climbed back up and reported he found several caves down the cliff. Gao Chenghao was visibly delighted by this news.

Early the next morning, Gao Chenghao brought a dozen men out the door, only leaving four guards to watch the house. Knowing that he had led people to find the treasure, Murong Zhining brainstormed for an escape plan.

Murong Zhining asked the man guarding her to take her to see Chiyun Yuexuan in the underground prison, but the guard refused. She instantly put on a domineering act, “You must know that I’m about to become Fourth Prince’s royal consort. Have you thought about the consequences for offending me? You can secretly take me to see him, it’s not like I have the ability to release him anyway. If you agree to this request, I’ll owe you a favor. And I’m a grateful person who always return favors.”

In the end, the persuaded man lured the prison guard away and took Murong Zhining into the underground prison. “Make it quick. If Fourth Prince finds out, he’ll kill me.”

Chiyun Yuexuan was lying leisurely on the hay. Hearing footsteps, he yelled, “Gao Chenghao you cowardly turtle. Since you don’t even have the guts to fight me one-on-one, what do you even come here for? Are you afraid that I’ll escape and skin you alive? Hahaha…”

Murong Zhining patted the iron bars. Thinking it was Gao Chenghao, Chiyun Yuexuan flipped up and leaped at the bars, reaching out to catch her.

Seeing him all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, Murong Zhining knew that Gao Chenghao didn’t make it difficult for him. She inwardly heaved a sigh of relief.

“It seems you are doing very well. You can just stay here for a little longer then.”

Pleasantly surprised, Chiyun Yuexuan grasped her small hands. “I couldn’t care less about anything, except for you. I haven’t got to see you for days, I miss you like crazy.” He then glanced at the distant guard and lowered his voice, “You think this tattered prison can restrain me? I know that if I escape, he’ll make it hard on you, so until I come up with a way to take you out of here, I won’t escape.”

Murong Zhining said in a whisper, “Gao Chenghao might have discovered some traces to the treasure. He has been leading people to search for the last few days. If he really finds it, not only the world will be plunged into chaos, even we will be hard-pressed to keep our lives.”

Chiyun Yuexuan smiled. “Well, I’m his nemesis. Alright, I’ll take you to escape this place on the morrow.”