Chapter 1358: What Should I Do?

“What happened?” Papersmith asked.

Ye Qing did not answer immediately. Instead, he ordered, “Can I please trouble you to bring my friends to me, Old Zhang? I’ll explain everything once everyone is present.”

“As you command, young master.” Papersmith turned away and left without further prodding.

A short while later, Papersmith arrived with Fang Xiaoman and the others. When they noticed the serious look on Ye Qing’s face, they couldn’t help but ask, “What happened, Joyless?”

“It’s like this...” Ye Qing did not try to hide the truth. He told them everything—that Fang Zhiyong had kidnapped his fellow Strangers and their families in order to threaten him.

“What did you say? Fang Zhiyong captured our families to threaten you?”

Gu Suitang was stunned when Ye Qing finally finished his explanation. “I don’t understand. He should capture us if he wants to threaten you! The fuck did he capture our families for?”

“Actually, I think Fang Zhiyong has already attacked us.”

Fang Xiaoman figured out the truth real quick. “The Yin Horse Carriage incident is the death trap Fang Zhiyong set up for Joyless using us.”

“That is exactly right,” Ye Qing answered. “He was hoping that the Yin Horse Carriage would lead us all to our demise, but he failed. That is why he came with this strategy.”

Lin Yuhuai exploded with anger, “Fang Zhiyong calls himself a paragon of virtue and the model of all scholars, and he dares to perform such shameless and despicable acts? He is the stain upon the honor of all scholars and Chu!”

“I’ve always known that old bastard is a fucker. Just look at how Fang Muyun turned out. No way the master of that bastard could be a good person.”

Chu Nianjiu stomped the limestone floor under his feet into pieces. “Let’s head to the imperial capital right now and seek an audience with the grand chief and the emperor. I’m sure they will uphold justice for us.”

Lin Yuhuai echoed in agreement, “That’s right. Fang Zhiyong is openly breaking the law and acting as he pleases. We should head to the imperial capital and demand justice!”

“It’s not so simple.” But Gu Suitang shook his head firmly. “Fang Zhiyong, the old fuck, is usually a cautious man who schemes before he acts. There is no way he would give us the opportunity to lodge an official complaint in front of the imperial court!”

“Indeed.” A bitter smile spread across Ye Qing’s lips. “Have you forgotten my identity? I’m a wanted criminal of Chu!”

“You are imperial officials of Chu, but you were cooperating with me, a wanted criminal. Logically speaking, you are the ones who disobeyed the emperor’s will and broke the law first. That is why he can openly capture your families, and there is nothing that can be done even if you were to bring this matter before the emperor.”

“Wanted criminal?! Fang Muyun and Chu Wangsun tried to kill you. It is perfectly reasonable for you to retaliate against them! You are the innocent one in this matter! The entire world knows that you are innocent!” Chu Nianjiu grumbled.

“I know. As you said, the entire world knows.”

Ye Qing sighed helplessly. “But so what? In the eyes of Chu, the imperial court, and even the common people, I am still a wanted criminal and a villain who murdered the geniuses of Chu. Just by standing with me is the same as breaking Chu’s law and disobeying the emperor’s will.”

“That old fox! He plotted everything!” Even Fang Xiaoman, a guy who tried to find goodness in everyone, could not help but swear out loud.

Fang Zhiyong had used them to bait Ye Qing.

If Ye Qing failed to save them, then hurray. It would be the perfect ending for him.

If they survived, that was still fine. Fang Zhiyong could simply accuse them as traitors who collaborated with a wanted criminal of Chu and disobeyed the emperor’s will.

This allowed him to keep plotting against Ye Qing and be immune to all the consequences that might arise from it.

It was scheme after scheme, death trap after death trap. It was troublesome to say the least.

“What could we do then?” Chu Nianjiu burned with frustration. “You’re not going to tell me to leave my parents for dead, are you?”

“Relax. This matter started with me. Naturally, I will rescue your families.”

Ye Qing gave Chu Nianjiu a pat on the shoulder and met his friends’ eyes one by one. “You have my word that I will rescue them no matter what.”

“This is not your fault. It’s that old bastard’s.”

Gu Suitang declared, “Right now, our first priority is to rescue the hostages.”

Ye Qing said, “I know. And I already have a plan.”

“What plan?” Fang Xiaoman realized almost immediately after he asked the question. “Did you agree to something, Joyless?”

Ye Qing did not hide his promise with Fang Zhiyong. “I promised Fang Zhiyong that I will go to the capital. In exchange, he will release my family and yours.”

“You’re going to the imperial capital? Have you gone mad?” Gu Suitang frowned deeply. “It is plain suicide to enter the imperial capital on Fang Zhiyong’s invitation.”

“He’s right.” Fang Xiaoman said, “We must save our families, but we must do it with proper planning. To act recklessly will only cost both us and our families’ lives. Do not allow impulsiveness to get to you, Joyless.”

“Don’t worry, chief. I hadn’t agreed to Fang Zhiyong’s condition without my own considerations.” Ye Qing shot him a reassuring smile. “I won’t play with my own life.”

“Chief Fang, Chief Gu, Nianjiu, Yuhuai, I’m no longer who I was before, nor am I the kid that requires your protection anymore. I am the Mad Lord, remember? I am the maniac who came up with the Battle of East Radiance that defeated all heroes under the heavens and even brought upon the death of not one, but multiple Sages.”

“Compared to that, the imperial capital or Fang Zhiyong are nothing.”

Ye Qing’s voice was calm and confident, determined and unyielding. Like the tall mountain or the vast earth, he put people at ease without having to try.

Originally, his friends were frustrated, irritated, worried, and angry. But as they listened to his words, they slowly but surely regained their cool.

“Are you truly confident, Joyless?” Gu Suitang was still worried. “You’re not lying to us, are you?”

“You should know me, Chief Gu.” Ye Qing gave him a smile. “There’s no one who cherishes my life more than me. I will never gamble my life away.”

“Alright, you all just left the Void Stomach City, and I’m sure you can use some rest. Please do that while I prepare to rescue the hostages.”

“How can we rest after hearing

that

? Share your plan with us, Joyless. We can—” Chu Nianjiu started.

Fang Xiaoman cut him off before he could finish, “Listen to Joyless and rest, Nianjiu. We still have time.”

The chief then looked at Ye Qing and said, “Do whatever you want to do and use us however you like to achieve your goals, Joyless. Just remember not to take unnecessary risks... and don’t die.”

“If you die, then it’s over not just for our families, but all of us. We survive only if you survive, so you must never treat your life lightly, understand?”

Fang Xiaoman was feeling no less worried and anxious than Chu Nianjiu, but he knew better than to give into his emotions right now. He also knew that they were far too weak to help Ye Qing as they were. That was why he chose to place all his hopes on Ye Qing and keep himself and the others out of his way as much as possible. That was the only real help they could provide him.

“I know. Thank you for your guidance.” Ye Qing saluted him deeply.

“Alright then. We’ll take our leave now. If you need anything, do not hesitate to call us.” Fang Xiaoman and Gu Suitang nodded at him before leading Chu Nianjiu and Lin Yuhuai away.

After the group of four were gone, Ye Qing ordered Papersmith, “Please protect them, Old Zhang.”

“Are you worried that Fang Zhiyong would wish harm upon them, young master?” Papersmith asked.

“It’s a possibility!” Ye Qing rubbed his forehead wearily.

“As you command, young master.”

Papersmith did not say anything. He obediently turned around and took his leave.

At Ye Qing’s current strength, he could go without sleep for months and not feel tired. The reason he looked weary could only be because of Fang Zhiyong.

Papersmith could tell that Ye Qing was extremely troubled and anxious right now. The best thing he, a servant, could do for his master was to give him time to calm down and collect himself.

That was why Papesmith left without a word.