After an unknown stretch of time, Zhuo Chengyin gradually recovered from his doubts about whether he was still in one piece.
But the instant his eyes cleared, he saw Chen Jing send Xu Jie flying like a cannonball with a single slash.
Then Chen Jing slowly turned his gaze toward him.
His eyes seemed to say:
Oh, you're awake?
Zhuo Chengyin wished he had simply been cleaved in two.
With a rush of air, Chen Jing appeared before him and brought the edge of his palm straight down onto Zhuo Chengyin's neck.
His eyes rolled back, and he passed out again.
Chen Jing sheathed Cold Moon.
He picked up Zhuo Chengyin in one hand and Xu Jie in the other.
Time to relocate.
It was a precaution.
Who knew whether Zhuo Chengyin had made any contingency arrangements before coming to meet Xu Jie?
Chen Jing found another secluded spot.
Then he woke the two men one after the other.
After waking each man, he first treated him to a duet of ice and fire, then questioned him at length.
Cross-checking their accounts, Chen Jing gradually pieced together the whole story.
As far as his background went, Zhuo Chengyin was the personal disciple of Mr. Guanshan, Feng Mengsong. He had begun studying under Feng Mengsong at a very young age.
Early on, he had planted a dream in his heart of aiding a future emperor and governing the realm.
In these troubled times, Zhuo Chengyin had long harbored thoughts of rebellion, and he had gradually discovered that his ideals did not align with Feng Mengsong's.
So he had simply faked his death to break free.
He had struck out alone to pursue his grand ambitions.
Xu Jie, meanwhile, was Wei Cen's deputy general in the Jingrong Pass garrison.
Gifted and intelligent,