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Chapter Seventy-Five: Lin Feng's Apology
After learning about last night's events, Lin Feng decided to visit the General's Office. Firstly, such a significant mess needed an apology to Tang Jiner. Secondly, he wanted to ask her how to deal with the War Maniac.
Upon arriving at the General's Office, Ke Kuo Tong announced his presence and led Lin Feng to the study to wait.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Tang Jiner walked in. After a few days apart, she was dressed in the uniform of a General of the Border Troops, exuding a heroic aura that showcased her strength and determination.
Seeing Tang Jiner enter, Lin Feng immediately bowed and greeted her, "I pay my respects, my lord."
"Get down on your knees," Tang Jiner commanded coldly as soon as they met.
Lin Feng had never seen Tang Jiner so furious before; he wisely knelt down and said, "I have come today to apologize."
"What crime are you apologizing for?" Tang Jiner asked deliberately, then took a seat and quietly stared at Lin Feng.
"Well, the matter is..."
As Lin Feng began to explain while rising, Tang Jiner shot him a stern glance and said, "Did I tell you to get up? Kneel down; you are becoming more and more disrespectful."
"This girl is really angry," Lin Feng sighed inwardly.
Seeing Lin Feng still kneeling obediently, Tang Jiner continued, "My subordinates are indeed exceptionally brave. They went to a lively place and ended up fighting with the Border Troops from other counties over a woman from the mortal realm."
"Go outside and listen for yourself. The entire border is buzzing with rumors that my General Tang's troops are fighting over a woman like jealous lovers. You truly are my capable aide, bringing me such infamy."
Tang Jiner stood up, erupting like a volcano in a torrent of curses. Lin Feng dared not utter a word, keeping his head bowed as he endured the scolding.
The more Tang Jiner fumed, the more she couldn't help but kick Lin Feng lightly, continuing, "You, Lin Feng, really know how to stir things up. When I first met you, I thought you were just a simple scholar. Who knew you had such a devious mind? Not only that, but you even got into a fight over a woman of ill repute. Are you inherently this bad, or did someone lead you astray?"
"I'm asking you, don't just keep your head down and stay silent."
Lin Feng felt a cold sweat break out; he hadn't expected her to be so relentless in her anger, and even fiercer than before. He could only admit, "It's my fault for causing trouble for you."
"You made me lose sleep all night! I had to rush with the Imperial Guard Headquarters' Armored Soldiers to Dongping County and confront Zhu Chui's Storm Cloud Camp. Otherwise, Zhu Chui would have charged in long ago. You nearly caused a rift among the Border Troops; what punishment do you think you deserve for that?"
Hearing Tang Jiner's words, Lin Feng realized the situation was even more complicated than he thought. Zhu Chui's Storm Cloud Camp was not located in Dongping County; he hadn't anticipated that in trying to save War Maniac, they had gotten involved.
Suddenly, Lin Feng thought of something and said, "With someone as powerful as Miss Mo backing us in Dongping County, why go through all this trouble?"
"Are you daring to talk back?"
Tang Jiner raised her foot again as if to kick Lin Feng. He quickly leaned back in fear. Tang Jiner lowered her leg and said, "Mo Mo Sister is under my father's command; she will only act on his orders. Do you think anyone from Cloudridge Immortal Trace can be commanded at will? I'm surprised she acted without receiving my command."
"However, at least you used your brain. You made that lunatic confess right away and sign the documents. We can claim legitimacy that way. Otherwise, if we took matters into our own hands against a high-ranking official and incited discord among the Border Troops, I might not even be able to bear such a heavy responsibility."
Finally getting to the crux of the matter, Lin Feng tentatively asked, "My lady, War Maniac has already signed the documents. This time, he's surely doomed, right?"
"Killing War Maniac out here on the frontier is not that simple." As she thought of War Maniac, Tang Jiner's expression turned to one of disgust.
"Isn't the evidence conclusive enough to warrant a death sentence?" Lin Feng said, confused and indignant.
"Did you torture him?"
Tang Jiner's words left Lin Feng speechless. A chill ran down his spine as he realized, "Does this mean that War Maniac might still be released?"
"There is no possibility of that. With Jiang Wannian backing him here in the borderlands, who can kill him? Unless we bring War Maniac and his confession to the imperial city, we won't have any assurance of executing him," Tang Jiner analyzed carefully.
"What should we do?"
Lin Feng thought to himself. If War Maniac were not killed, he would surely find a way to eliminate Lin Feng. With that in mind, Lin Feng couldn't help but say, "My lord, War Maniac is ambitious and ruthless. If he is not dealt with, he will surely become a great threat in the future."
"The court has its rules; you can't just kill someone because you want to. You should get up now. Capture War Maniac and make him confess to plotting against Teacher Qiu; that will give me some satisfaction," Tang Jiner said as she sat back down.
Lin Feng did not rise; he remained kneeling and looked determined as he said, "My lord, I have one request. I hope you will grant it."
"Go ahead. But I must warn you not to go too far. I haven't absolved you of your own crimes yet," Tang Jiner cautioned.
"My lord, please allow me to handle War Maniac myself. I am willing to bear all consequences," Lin Feng declared with righteous fervor. He could not leave War Maniac alive. After killing him, he could simply pack his things and flee; it was about time for him to return to Solitary Moon City anyway.
"You are so determined to kill him, even at the cost of your own future. Do you have a personal vendetta against him?"
"To be honest, my lord, one of my subordinates named Li Daye was killed by that scoundrel War Maniac. Li Daye lost his life because of my words; if I do not avenge this grudge, I will find it hard to eat or sleep."
"What... Hahaha... There's really someone called 'Master'... Hahaha... I'm dying of laughter..." Tang Jiner couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably, recalling how Lin Feng had joked about it when she was present that day. What a coincidence.
Lin Feng, looking embarrassed, said, "I was just joking at the time; I didn't expect there to actually be someone with such a strange name."
"Li Daye, establishing a career, it's a pretty good name, what's so strange about it?" Tang Jiner chuckled.
"My lord, we must respect the deceased. We shouldn't make light of this," Lin Feng said seriously.
"Yes, right," Tang Jiner nodded, suppressing her laughter. She didn't expect Lin Feng to have such a strong sense of responsibility.
Lin Feng looked at Tang Jiner and continued, "My lord, my desire to eliminate War Maniac is not just for this reason. We have him in our grasp now; if we don't eliminate him, he will definitely find a way to get rid of us."
"This matter is serious; I need to think it over carefully."
"My lord, War Maniac is bloodthirsty; he must die."
"Shut up; your words annoy me."
"My lord, I assure you I will take full responsibility and will not involve you."
"Did you not hear me telling you to shut your mouth?"
"My lord, War Maniac must die today. General Qiu holds his leverage and has been harmed. He even dared to kill Qiu Zongbi; he has the audacity to threaten you."
"Master, this matter arose because of me. I put you under a precarious situation, and unless I deal with this person, I cannot find peace."
"Get lost, shut up! I told you to be quiet..."
Tang Jiner, exasperated, couldn't help but kick Lin Feng.
Afterward, both fell into silence, each calming down. It was unclear how much time passed before Tang Jiner finally spoke calmly, "I will handle the situation with the War Maniac. Come with me to see him."
"Yes, Master."
The two stepped outside, where heavy snow began to fall. Tang Jiner's expression was cold as she donned a snow-white mink coat, exuding an air of noble chill.
Upon seeing Tang Jiner, everyone in the General's Office bowed respectfully, revealing both reverence and fear.
Before long, they arrived at the Black Prison and found the War Maniac.
The War Maniac lay on the straw-covered floor of the Black Prison, still shackled by chains that pierced through his body. After enduring torturous trials of life and death, he appeared ragged and haggard, his previous ferocity significantly diminished.
Seeing Lin Feng again filled the War Maniac with deep-seated hatred mixed with fear. He seemed unwilling to face Lin Feng and turned his head away.
Tang Jiner looked at the fallen War Maniac and quietly said, "Lord Wu, your wrongful deeds will lead to your own demise. The retribution you face today is well-deserved."
The War Maniac remained silent for a moment, his gaze flickering uncertainly. Suddenly, he stood up and knelt before Tang Jiner, saying, "Master, I am wronged! He tortured me in secret and forced me to confess. All the crimes are fabricated by Lin Feng. I had no choice but to comply under duress. I implore you and the Governor to reconsider this case and clear my name."
Tang Jiner did not respond but instead looked at Lin Feng. Lin Feng also turned to Tang Jiner, fully understanding the meaning in Tang Jiner's eyes. He never expected the officialdom to be so complicated; despite having signed and sealed everything, it still did not guarantee the final outcome.
In this world, officials protect one another, relying on connections and power.
Tang Jiner took out a bag, turned it upside down, and emptied its contents. A pile of tokens spilled out, each engraved with a cloud design.
War Maniac looked at these tokens with familiarity and couldn't help but exclaim, "My Breaking Cloud Camp has been completely wiped out?"
"Breaking Cloud Camp has betrayed us and was entirely subdued last night. The leader has already lost his head. Don't think Zhu Chui will come to your rescue. He specifically came by today to sever ties with you. The murder of General Qiu has had significant repercussions, and the Emperor is particularly concerned about this matter. No one will come to save you."
Listening to all this, Lin Feng secretly admired Tang Jiner's clever tactics. First, he displayed a pile of tokens to inform War Maniac that Breaking Cloud Camp had been annihilated, shattering War Maniac's spirit. Then he mentioned Zhu Chui distancing himself from him, revealing that even allies had discarded him like a worn-out shoe. Finally, he invoked the Emperor's authority, emphasizing that even the Emperor was aware of this situation and regarded it seriously. Others would certainly not risk their necks to save him.
Seeing War Maniac stunned with fear yet still harboring a hint of doubt in his eyes, Tang Jiner paid him no mind and continued, "Lord Wu is a general at the border. He is about to be executed publicly; Lord Lin, why don't you share a drink with him?"
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