Chapter 24: Lin Feng’s Uncle

“What I’m about to say concerns the predicament of the Marquis of Champion’s household. I suspect you’ve come to Desolate City because something major has happened. Is that so?” Yu Houwen’s voice was low and mysterious.

Yang Tian regarded him intently, unsure whether he was simply being enigmatic.

Yu Houwen brushed aside his loose hair, locking eyes with Yang Tian. “There’s no need to look at me like that. It’s just a guess. Normally, you should have joined the army and advanced down the path of a military officer. But you have an elder brother above you, so perhaps you chose another path. Yet, with the status of the Marquis of Champion, you would never have come to a place like Desolate City. Although the position of city lord seems prestigious, it’s not where you belong.”

Yang Tian did not evade the truth. “Very well, there’s nothing I can’t say. My father and brother died in battle. Rumors accused my father of colluding with enemy states and deliberately losing a key border fortress. The title of Marquis of Champion has been revoked. I volunteered to come to Desolate City to escape the turmoil.”

Yu Houwen’s expression shifted, muttering to himself, “Just as I thought.”

After a moment, he frowned, sensing something amiss. Yang Tian was still alive—not only that, but he’d become city lord. “Wait, in this situation, how could you possibly become the lord of Desolate City?”

“I was lucky. I spoke with the sovereign, volunteered for Desolate City, and was personally granted the position,” Yang Tian replied, omitting the details. Indeed, luck played a significant role.

Had the sovereign not regained clarity, he would likely have been imprisoned or even executed in the marketplace.

The ruler was not entirely heartless.

A pity.

Yu Houwen gave Yang Tian a long look, understanding the process could not have been easy. He’d overheard Yang Tian’s declaration to the citizens earlier, which was what prompted him to seek an audience.

“Is the sovereign’s illness still the same as before?” Yu Houwen inquired.

“I’m not sure. The news is that he remains unconscious, waking less and less frequently,” Yang Tian replied, not willing to give a hasty answer.

Yu Houwen bowed his head, lapsing into silence, his thoughts unknown.

Yang Tian was patient, not pressing further. It was Yu Houwen who had asked to meet; whatever he wanted to say would come eventually. Should he choose to withhold it, no amount of prodding would help.

“The Marquis of Champion was surely framed. Do you know who the culprit is?” Yu Houwen looked up, his eyes bloodshot and brimming with deep-seated resentment.

Yang Tian shook his head, withholding his suspicions. “I don’t know. Did you ask to see me because you know who the culprit is?”

After leaving the capital, he’d encountered shadowy assassins, and the last of them—Qingyi King Qifeng—seemed to point toward the Second Prince, Qin Ke.

Still, Yang Tian regarded Qin Ke as a prime suspect, but wasn’t certain he was the mastermind. It was difficult to distinguish the truly guilty from the merely suspicious. He couldn’t conclude that Qin Ke was behind it all just because Qifeng was once his retainer.

In the struggle for the throne of the state of Qin, nothing was off-limits. Was Qifeng truly one of Qin Ke’s men?

“I cannot say with certainty that it’s her, but it’s highly probable. Do you want to hear what I know?” Yu Houwen’s tone was cautious, hedging his words.

“What’s your price?” Yang Tian immediately realized Yu Houwen wouldn’t offer this information for free. Otherwise, he would have spoken outright.

“Smart—no wonder you chose Desolate City and even became its lord,” Yu Houwen praised, then named his condition. “That’s right. My terms are: release me, and promise to do everything in your power to avenge my family.”

It wasn’t unexpected, just a bit odd.

“Letting you go isn’t difficult, but surely you must understand my situation. I can barely protect myself—how could I help you seek vengeance?”

For whatever reason, the court hadn’t ordered Yu Houwen’s return, nor had they executed him. Now that Yu Houwen was here, Yang Tian had plenty of ways to get him out of prison.

“I’m not asking you to act now—only after you rise in power,” Yu Houwen replied with a wry expression.

Yang Tian understood at once. Yu Houwen didn’t actually trust him; he was simply hedging his bets. If Yang Tian failed to rise, Yu Houwen lost nothing. If Yang Tian gained power, Yu Houwen would have a strong ally.

Setting aside the condition, Yang Tian voiced his own doubts, “Why did you come to Desolate City? And how did you end up in this situation?”

He knew little about Yu Houwen. Releasing him would be easy, but whether he should was a different matter.

“Do you accept my terms?” Yu Houwen pressed, redirecting the conversation.

Yang Tian met his gaze directly. “I need to see your sincerity before I decide.”

“Think it over. I’m in no rush to know the mastermind. Once you’ve decided, have the warden inform me.”

Seeing Yu Houwen deep in thought, Yang Tian left him with those words and departed, instructing the guards to return Yu Houwen to his cell.

As for the true culprit, Yang Tian was in no hurry. In time, the truth would reveal itself. Even if he knew now, he lacked the strength to act. Besides, could he truly trust what Yu Houwen said?

Thus, he kept his composure. Matters must be prioritized; what could be set aside, must be set aside.

…

While Yang Tian was in the prison meeting with Yu Houwen—

Lin Feng, brimming with anger, led his cavalry back to the barracks of Zhen’an City.

As a commander of a thousand in the Heavenly Wolf Cavalry, his first duty upon return was to report to his superior.

The Heavenly Wolf Cavalry was a force of ten thousand, led by a deputy general. Beneath him were two commanders, each commanding five thousand riders. Below them were the thousand-man commanders, each leading a thousand troops.

Lin Feng reported to his superior, summarizing the situation: the new lord of Desolate City was unfriendly, and he was unclear about the details of the battle.

Afterward, he proceeded to the grand tent of the highest commander of Zhen’an’s army—General Lin Xiaoyuan, his own uncle.

Inside the spacious tent, Lin Xiaoyuan sat behind his desk, clad in a black robe. His eyes glinted with a chilling light, his solemn face betraying no emotion, his entire presence oppressive and commanding.

Lin Feng dared not meet his uncle’s gaze; he had always both feared and idolized him.

“General,” Lin Feng greeted nervously.

In the camp, Lin Xiaoyuan forbade him from addressing him as uncle.

“Weren’t you meant to reinforce Desolate City? Why are you back so soon?” Lin Xiaoyuan’s voice was stern.

“General, that’s precisely what I came to report. The new city lord of Desolate City, Yang Tian—the Marquis’s younger son—used some mysterious means to slaughter hundreds of savage beasts. Alongside Wu Yong, the city’s former captain…” Lin Feng detailed the events, withholding nothing.

When he finished, he glanced at his uncle, awaiting his response.

Lin Xiaoyuan’s expression remained unchanged, betraying nothing.

“Lin Feng, let this matter rest. Do not act against that young man.”

Lin Feng was stunned, never expecting his uncle to warn him off Yang Tian. Discontented, he pressed, “Why? Our Lin family has a feud with the Yangs. This is the perfect chance to finish him off and end the Yang line once and for all…”

A single look from Lin Xiaoyuan silenced him.

“He still has his uses. Let’s see if he rises to prominence. In time, you’ll understand. Remember my words—no underhanded moves. You’re dismissed.”

Lin Feng left the tent, unwilling and frustrated. He could not fathom his uncle’s reasoning, nor why Yang Tian should be spared. His anger had nowhere to go, and he felt stifled. He had expected his uncle’s support, only to be left even more aggrieved.