Chapter 24: How Can Cicadas Be Silent
Not all milk tastes good, and not everyone is silenced into trembling like autumn cicadas by a single sentence from Zhou Tong. For instance, some young people in this world are not.
If it were Gou Hanshi, upon hearing Zhou Tong’s words dripping with murderous intent, he would likely say gently, “Sir, you misunderstand. I only wish to help you resolve the issue.” If it were Qiushan Jun hearing Zhou Tong’s words, he would probably smile and say, “Yes, sir, you do not misunderstand. I am indeed threatening you.” If it were the usual Tang Thirty-Six facing this problem, he might say, “Idiot, so what if I threaten you? What can you do about it?”
Somewhat regrettably, or perhaps fortunately, Zhou Tong’s words were directed at Chen Changsheng, not Tang Thirty-Six.
Chen Changsheng’s reaction was very much in line with his nature. He stood still on the spot, looking into Zhou Tong’s eyes, neither adding fuel to the fire nor showing any intention of backing down.
The chill beneath the crabapple tree gradually faded. Zhou Tong looked at Chen Changsheng and said, “If I’m not mistaken, from the moment you entered the Northern Military Command, you’ve been very tense.”
Chen Changsheng thought about it. This was not shameful, nor was there any need to hide it. He said, “Yes.”
Zhou Tong said, “But you still came.”
Chen Changsheng said, “Yes.”
Zhou Tong said, “Then you must have prepared yourself mentally for the possibility that I wouldn’t release the person.”
Chen Changsheng said, “Yes.”
Zhou Tong raised an eyebrow slightly, intrigued, and said, “I’m very curious to know how you prepared.”
Chen Changsheng was silent for a long time before finally making a decision. He looked at Zhou Tong seriously and said, “If you, sir, refuse to release the person, then I am prepared to take them by force.”
The small courtyard fell silent once more.
Remnants of crabapple blossoms drifted slowly down.
Tang Thirty-Six and Xuan Yuan Po looked at Chen Changsheng, their thoughts unknown, and whether stormy waves were churning in their hearts at that moment, at least their faces showed nothing.
Zhou Tong also looked at Chen Changsheng, this time with great seriousness.
Chen Changsheng’s eyes were clear and calm, so it was easy to see his thoughts, even the deepest ones.
Zhou Tong looked carefully, so he easily saw—Chen Changsheng was serious.
What he said was no joke.
If Zhe Xiu could not leave Zhou Prison today, he would truly take action to seize him.
The problem was, that itself was a joke.
Zhou Tong laughed, then shook his head.
This was Zhou Manor, Zhou Garden, Zhou Prison.
This was the most heavily guarded place in the Great Zhou Dynasty, second only to the Imperial Palace.
Around this beautiful estate, countless experts were hidden, and in the streets before and after, heavy government troops stood guard.
Even Tian Liang Wang Po could not seize someone here, let alone them.
Yes, these three young men were all gifted cultivation prodigies, but they were still young. At least for now, they did not have the strength to defy this world.
They didn’t even need the government experts hidden in the shadows to step forward. Zhou Tong alone, with just a flick of his finger, could prevent Chen Changsheng and the other two from leaving this small courtyard.
Zhou Tong paid them no further heed. With his hands behind his back, he walked toward the northern wing of the courtyard.
His bright red official robe stood out strikingly, even dazzlingly, amidst the gently falling petals.
In Chen Changsheng’s eyes, there was only this red official robe, like the sea of blood that had filled heaven and earth earlier.
Zhou Tong turned his back to him. This disregard might have humiliated many, but it only made Chen Changsheng calmer.
Clearly, Zhou Tong didn’t care whether he acted or not, and didn’t even believe he would act.
Tang Thirty-Six and Xuan Yuan Po looked at him, waiting for his decision.
From start to finish, from the National Academy to the Qingli Department, they had exchanged no words, yet there had never been any hesitation or wavering.
Chen Changsheng wanted to come to the Qingli Department, so they followed. Chen Changsheng wanted to see Zhou Tong, so they followed.
If Chen Changsheng now said they should act, they would naturally follow.
“Sir, please wait.”
Chen Changsheng’s voice finally rang out.
At the same time, his hand gripped the hilt of his sword.
The sword was named Wugou, spotless, just like its master.
Tang Thirty-Six took a deep breath, circulated his true essence, and gripped the hilt of the Wenshui Sword with his right hand, while his left hand grasped a magical artifact hidden in his sleeve.
Xuan Yuan Po turned his head, searching for a suitable weapon, and finally fixed his gaze on the crabapple tree to his left. He thought it was a bit thin, but it would do for now.
Zhou Tong stopped in his tracks but did not turn around.
His bright red official robe fluttered gently in the wind, and the sea of blood, reeking of gore, instantly flooded the entire courtyard, terrifying and sinister.
Rumble!
Thunder sounded.
It wasn’t someone in the courtyard making a move, but the distant thunder of hooves from outside, causing even the ground to tremble slightly.
Then, the somewhat tense shouts of Qingli Department officials rang out everywhere.
What was coming… was the National Religion Cavalry!
“You cannot mobilize the National Religion Cavalry.”
Zhou Tong turned around, looking at Chen Changsheng thoughtfully.
In all of the capital, not much could escape his eyes. From the moment he confirmed that the National Academy’s carriage might be heading to Northern Military Command Lane, countless pieces of related intelligence had been delivered here. He knew very well that Chen Changsheng had arranged no backup. He had simply relied on the momentum and sword intent from defeating Zhou Ziheng to charge straight here.
“It has nothing to do with me.”
Indeed, Chen Changsheng could not mobilize the National Religion Cavalry.
These cavalry were directly under the command of the Li Palace and possessed formidable combat power.
Zhou Tong suddenly recalled a day last year when the entire capital besieged the National Academy, and the area before the Teaching Pivot Hall was packed with people.
Then, the National Religion Cavalry arrived, sweeping through like autumn wind clearing fallen leaves, completing the clearance with extreme force and coldness.
Many died that day.
It was only after that day that many realized the bishop of the Teaching Pivot Hall, who always seemed on the verge of falling asleep, actually held such high prestige within the National Religion and possessed such hidden strength.
Thus, these newly arrived National Religion Cavalry were likely part of the legacy left for Chen Changsheng by that recently deceased old man.
Zhou Tong looked at Chen Changsheng expressionlessly and said, “Do you know what will happen if you draw your sword against me?”
Chen Changsheng said, “I will die.”
Zhou Tong said, “Before me, you won’t find it so easy to die.”
Chen Changsheng said, “No, I naturally have a way to die.”
Zhou Tong, for some reason, suddenly grew irritated and said, “Then why don’t you go die already?”
Chen Changsheng said, “You, sir, have refrained from acting all this time, presumably because you’re afraid we might truly die.”
Zhou Tong sneered, “What do I have to fear?”
“Earlier, you said I was threatening you, so you should understand that threatening you leaves me with only this one method.”
Chen Changsheng said, “I stake my life, and then we see whether, in the eyes of those great figures, my life is more important, or yours, sir.”
It was early summer, the sun climbing to its zenith. The quiet little courtyard grew somewhat stuffy.
From somewhere distant, the sound of cicadas came, grating on the nerves.
Much like Zhou Tong’s mood at that moment.
When he learned that Prince Chenliu had arrived and Mao Qiuyu was also outside the lane, this irritation reached its peak.
(Went to see a stage play…)