Upon hearing the clapping sounds, Chi Feng immediately recognized them as commands from his uncle Tetsuban.
These sounds were ingrained in his memory, as they were the same commands he had heard during his one-on-one training sessions at Shibeibu Institute Of Combat. Now clad in dark and crimson Shibeibu armor, he instinctively approached the massive doors of King Monarch Zengis's Entertainment Arena Room. As he neared, the twin sentinels, equally adorned in dark and red armor, opened the doors, paving the way for him to enter.
Inside, he saw the King seated in his throne, surrounded by his dark-robed and red-masked handmaidens. Commanders, including his uncle Tetsuban, were also present alongside a random assortment of arena spectators. The scene was familiar yet awe-inspiring, a stark reminder of the power and authority that permeated the room.
What struck him the most, however, was the sight of a familiar-looking blue raven-haired young man in white clothing, with a blue tunic and boots, standing right before him. Despite the familiarity, he struggled to recall the man's identity, no matter how hard he tried. The man's presence stirred something deep within him, but his memory remained frustratingly blank.
Still before the King, he bowed deeply to pay his respects and asked, "My King, what instructions do you have for me?"
Pointing to the blue-haired young man, the King said, "This man before you says he is your friend. Do you know him?"
He looked at the young man and then glanced at his uncle Tetsuban, who nodded silently. As he remembered when he fought with the man, the night in his chamber when the sentry guards were knocked unconscious and a masked assassin appeared before him, proclaiming to be.
Narrowing his gaze at the young man, he then turned to the King and replied, "Yes, I know him."
"Oh? Really?" The King asked again to verify.
"He is the assassin who attacked you in the woods, knocked down the guards outside my room, and attempted to take my life." He replied.
"Chi Feng!" The young man called out his name frantically, but he still struggled to make sense of it.
Instead, what he now saw - upon his uncle's nod gesture again - was another Dai enemy and intruding assassin who must be dealt with accordingly. Instinctively, he extracted the beam saber handle from his armor stealth and activated the shimmering dark crimson blade before launching an attack on the Dai he knew he must eliminate to avenge his parents, restore justice for them and the Empire he now served.
Upon his uncle's further command, Chi Feng led a small squadron of twenty Shibeibu soldiers on a mission to buy all the necessary wedding gifts and have them packed into ten golden treasure chests from the Capital.
As someone trained and nurtured in the ways of the Empire's military and culture, he was perceived to be ready to take command as a squadron leader, despite still wearing the same black and red armor and not yet donning the standard twin-horned helmet mask with a red visor.
His uncle had assured him that once he successfully led the squadron to victory against their Dai enemies in his first official battle, he would be officially promoted. For now, due to the upcoming wedding of the Second Highness and the soon-to-be Imperial Crown Prince Li Neng Yuan, he had to be patient and bide his time. Right now, ensuring the smooth progression of their wedding was his immediate priority.
Having returned from the Capital, he and his squadron approached the castle gates. As they were granted entry by the sentries, he suddenly heard someone shouting one of the three names that confused and plagued him.
"Chi Feng!"
He turned around to see a young man with long green hair in white clothing and a green tunic being blocked by the sentries, trying to get his attention.
"Chi Feng, it's me Kai Seven!" The young man cried out. "Don't you recognize me?"
Unable to recall who the young man was or when and where he might have encountered him, Chi Feng decided to ignore his plea and followed his soldiers into the castle.
Having received specific instructions and orders from his uncle, he set out for the cliff cavern well ahead of his uncle, Li Neng Yuan, and the forty Shibeibu soldiers.
Unlike the main contingent, he opted for a different route that relied more on his speed and stealth. To further distinguish himself and avoid detection, he donned his original white outfit with a red tunic, a custom-made replica crafted by the castle maids, instead of the standard black attire.
Aware that the cave entrance was heavily guarded and sealed off by the unexpected assailant who had kidnapped the Second Highness, he decided to take an unconventional approach. He planned to infiltrate from above. Utilizing his razor-sharp hearing - a gift from his teacher whose name he could not recall and further honed under his uncle's guidance, he pinpointed the exact location of his target and the opportune moment to strike.
As he perched above the cavern, he observed his uncle below, seemingly giving instructions to the guards before stepping aside to allow Neng Yuan to enter. This was the moment he had been waiting for. With precision and silence, he set his Honglong Mojian beam saber handle to silent vibration mode before activating its deadly crimson blade. In a crawling position, he carefully cut a hole before him, ensuring his movements were undetected.
The atmosphere was tense as he prepared to descend; his mind focused on the mission at hand. His objective was clear: eliminate the threat and rescue the Second Highness without alerting the captor. Each motion was calculated, every breath measured, as he positioned himself for the critical strike that would determine the success of his covert operation.
When the hole was big enough for him to see, he could hear Li Neng Yuan negotiating with long green-haired companion. Recognizing him from their previous encounters, Chi Feng struggled to recall if he knew the other young man.
"Kai, you don't have to do this. Please let her go, and we will strategize what to do next." Neng Yuan's voice was filled with desperation as he pleaded.
Kai? That name sounded vaguely familiar, though he could not recall exactly where or when he had heard it before.
"Since you can't bear to lose her, I eliminate her first before doing the same to myself!" Kai threatened, his glowing emerald blade poised at Second Highness's throat.
"Kai, please don't be rash!" Neng Yuan now appeared both desperate and helpless. "Let her go, and we can talk calmly about Princess Dai Yu."
"With a couple like you and her, there is nothing to talk about!" Kai shouted in frustration.
At this moment, his uncle looked up at him and nodded.
Without hesitation, he loosened more of the earth that made up the ceiling, creating a larger hole before leaping down toward his target. While in mid-air, he unsheathed his beam saber handle and activated its red blade. As he descended, he heard the green-haired young man call out to him by name.
"Chi Feng!"
But it was too late to stop. For he had already executed the jump with his beam saber poised to strike. He was still wondering why the green-haired man called him Chi Feng even as he leapt and stabbed the latter in the chest.
"Kai!" The next moment, Chi Feng saw Neng Yuan rushing to the fallen captor. Before he could react further, Neng Yuan kicked the beam saber out of his hand with a swift and determined motion.
Instinctively, Chi Feng asked: "What are you doing? Are you crazy?"
With embittered look, Neng Yuan cried out: "Chi Feng, you are really ruthless! I get even with you!"
With that declaration, Neng Yuan stood up, withdrew, and activated his blue beam saber blade. Despite being disarmed momentarily, Chi Feng quickly recovered his composure. He retrieved his crimson saber with practiced ease, ready to defend and deflect Neng Yuan's strikes.
In the conference chamber upon their return to the castle, his uncle addressed him with a proud smile.
"You did well, Nezhi. For your role in subduing the assassin and rescuing the Second Highness, I now officially appoint you as the second lieutenant of castle security forces, with the King's approval."
He stood tall, receiving the compliment and promotion with a mix of pride and humility before expressing sincerely: "Thank you, Uncle, for your praise and trust in me. I am just doing my part to rescue and protect the Second Highness from harm."
His uncle continued, outlining the specifics of his new status. "Instead of wearing the black and red armor as most soldiers, you shall don black and blue armor and attire instead, along with a helmet mask as your reward. These colors will now be part of your official attire."
He bowed his head slightly in gratitude. "Thank you, Uncle, for trusting me. I won't let you or my parents down."
His uncle handed him a black box with a blue cushion inside, holding a five-star gold medal atop the new armor and helmet mask. "Now that you are in charge of leading the castle security, I hope you will keep up the good work and continue to do your part for our Shibeibu Empire. Even if your parents are no longer around, I am sure they will be happy and proud of you in the other realms."
Touched by his uncle's words, he nodded, accepting the box with reverence. "Thank you, Uncle. I will strive to live up to this honour and the expectations placed upon me."
His uncle declared: "You are now Second Lieutenant Nezhi. You will be assisting and reporting directly to Lieutenant Nekeilang starting tomorrow. For now, I want you to rest early."
With a final nod of acknowledgment and a sense of accomplishment, Chi Feng prepared to embrace his new responsibilities, determined to uphold the honour and duty entrusted to him.
Opening the door, he saw soon-to-be Imperial Crown Prince Li Neng Yuan.
The latter stood there with a furious expression, clearly seething with anger and ready to confront him for what he did to Kai Seven.
"Chi Feng!" Neng Yuan cried out in cold and sharp tone, cutting through the air like a blade. "What do you think you're doing?"
Chi Feng, still riding the high of his recent promotion, felt the weight of Neng Yuan's words and the tension that now crackled between them. "Young Master Li, I was following orders and fulfilling my duty to save the Second Highness."
"Save the Second Highness?" Neng Yuan repeated, his tone incredulous. "You killed Kai Seven!"
He narrowed his eyes slightly but maintained his composure in responding: "Kai was a threat, and I acted to neutralize him to protect her.:"
Neng Yuan stepped closer, his face flushed with anger. "Neutralize him? Kai was my friend, and he did not deserve to die like that. You had no right to take his life!"
Chi Feng met Neng Yuan's gaze, his own expression hardening. "Look, he was your friend, not mine! With all due respect, Young Master Li, in the heat of the moment, there wasn't time to weigh all the consequences. My priority was the safety of the Second Highness, and I acted accordingly as Shibeibu soldier."
The tension between them was palpable, and it was clear that neither was willing to back down. Neng Yuan's fists clenched at his sides, his emotions boiling over. "No! Chi Feng, you are a Dai, but you choose to collaborate with our enemies and betray us! I will hold you accountable for Kai's death!"
Just as the confrontation threatened to escalate further, his uncle came over, sensing the hostility in the air.
"What's going on here?" He demanded, looking between his nephew and the soon-to-be Imperial Crown Prince.
Neng Yuan took a step back, his eyes still locked on Chi Feng. "Your nephew murdered my friend, General. I will not stand for this."
His uncle turned to him and said: "Nezhi, go to your room and rest. I will handle this."
Reluctantly, Chi Feng nodded and stepped away, casting one last glance at Neng Yuan before disappearing down the corridor.
Turning back to Neng Yuan, Tetsuban spoke softly but firmly. "Young Master Li, I understand your pain and anger. But right now, we need to keep our focus on the safety and stability of the Empire. There will be time to address this properly."
Neng Yuan's eyes burned with unresolved fury, but he nodded curtly. "Tetsuban, don't think I don't know what you did behind our backs! You must have done and said something to turn Chi Feng into a traitor! I will investigate and get to the bottom of this!"
With that, he turned and walked away.
Now alone, General Tetsuban smiled jubilantly, a sinister satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
For this was exactly what he had wanted and meticulously planned all along all this while. The Grand Chancellor might have failed to dispose of them upon their entry into the Shibeibu Empire through the Chong An Mountains. But he had taken a different yet more insidious approach.
Sowing discord within their ranks by conditioning one of them into his loyal ally, then turning that ally against his comrades, was a masterstroke. The tension between Chi Feng and Li Neng Yuan, along with the tragic death of Kai Seven, were not mere coincidences. They were the results of his careful manipulation and strategic foresight in short space of time.
As he stood in the corridor, basking in the quiet triumph of his scheme, he thought about the next steps. This was only the beginning. With Chi Feng now firmly in his grasp and Neng Yuan distracted by grief and anger, his position within the Shibeibu grew even stronger.
On his way back to his room chamber, Chi Feng suddenly heard buzzing sounds coming from the courtyard and garden pond not far from his location.
The sounds were intriguing, as this courtyard and garden pond were unique in their placement, situated not outside but within the castle itself. The garden pond was partly artificial in its design, featuring meticulously planned settings. However, it also boasted a natural element, with various plants and flowers growing below the ledge that linked his chamber floor to the courtyard.
Curious to discover the source of the noises and their origin, he decided to investigate. He made his way toward the courtyard, his curiosity driving him to uncover the source of the disturbance.
Upon arrival, Chi Feng saw six men chopping and cutting logs with axes and chainsaws. The men worked diligently under the watchful supervision of guards. The scene was bustling with activity, a stark contrast to the usual tranquillity of the garden pond.
The men looked like dungeon prisoners, their worn-out and tattered attire indicating a harsh existence. Observing them, memories began flooding back into his mind, triggered by the familiar sights and sounds of the courtyard.
He recalled the exact kind of work he was doing, as a punishment by Madam Jiang, his legal guardian and General Xue Lei's mother. This lighter punishment was carried out outside her residence because he had defended Er Fen but, in his sense of justice, had also beaten and nearly killed her rapist.
He remembered when his late master visited him during that punishment, not just to check on his well-being but also to inform him about General Xue Lei being set up, and to invite him to join in the rescue mission. His mind also drifted to when he and his late master paid a late-night visit to Li Residence, which led to a closer friendship with the late Chief Advisor Li Teng Yuan and his son, Li Neng Yuan.
He thought about the time he met his beloved Er Fen again in the rooftop garden of Dai En Brothel. However, their relationship could not progress due to his pragmatic master and until his master's passing. As well as recurring nightmares of Er Fen being raped and murdered, which haunted him before he embarked on his mission.
The vivid memory of finding his master killed and crying over his body in Dai Capital City resurfaced. This was followed by memories of being comforted and trained by Lady Li Shi, who had developed feelings for his master and had given him Dai Ming Bi double-bladed saber spear.
His attempted vengeance against Grand Chancellor Premier Hu and his men for his master's death came back to him. This mission failed and led to his capture. It was also during this period that he first encountered Kai Seven, though they did not know each other well at that time.
He also remembered his eventual release by the Grand Chancellor, which had been requested and approved by both Neng Yuan and the Dai Majesty. This event marked the beginning of a close friendship and brotherhood between him, Neng Yuan, and Kai Seven, despite their brief time together. He had always looked up to Neng Yuan as an older brother due to his experience, knowledge, and leadership qualities inherited from his father.
For reasons he could not fully comprehend, these memories now converged, making perfect sense to him. He also recalled the so-called and self-proclaimed Uncle Tetsuban, who turned out to be the ruthless and vicious Shibeibu commander he and his master had confronted at Neng Yuan's father's funeral.
During that confrontation, Neng Yuan was seriously injured but eventually healed by his master. Tetsuban was also the same man who had impersonated General Xue Lei and grievously wounded his master in the dungeon during their failed rescue attempt with Lady Li Shi.
"Chi Feng, from young, I have always taught you to be in control of your thoughts, emotions, and actions, regardless of who you meet and how others treat you," Echoed the words of his late master, now haunting his mind.
In this moment of clarity, Chi Feng remembered who he truly was and what he stood for. But it was too late. Under his so-called uncle's training, manipulation, and conditioning, he had collaborated with the Shibeibu Empire, fought with Neng Yuan and even killed his other friend Kai Seven. Nevertheless, he rushed to the guest chamber where Kai was being treated, hoping to see him one last time before the unofficial funeral.
But Kai Seven had long been gone, even though his body still lay physically in the chamber bed.
Seeing his pale, sunken face and blue lips, Chi Feng was reminded of the moment he held his late master in his arms. Though this situation was arguably worse, the lifelessness was hauntingly similar. Regardless of how he felt or what he wanted to say, including an apology for what he had done, Kai was no longer there to listen. The weight of his actions pressed heavily on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
At that moment, Li Neng Yuan entered the chamber.
Upon seeing him, he immediately accused him, his voice filled with anger and grief: "Chi Feng, you cold-blooded murderer! You killed him and won't even leave his body in peace!"
In his equal sorrow, he no longer wanted to argue. For the reality of what he had done could not be undone, no matter how many times he even apologized or tried to atone for his grievous error. The truth was unchangeable, and the damage irreversible.
Under this circumstance, there was only one thing left to do.
Facing Neng Yuan and falling to his knees, he said, "Big Brother, I let you and Kai down. If you want to avenge Kai, please kill me."
With that, he withdrew and activated the red glowing Honglong Mojian beam saber, the very weapon his fake uncle had given him, and he stabbed Kai with. He then passed the weapon, its blade now seeming evil in his eyes, by the handle to Neng Yuan.
"Chi Feng…" Neng Yuan addressed him, his voice trailing off, unable to say more, likely due to the sudden and drastic change in Chi Feng's demeanour.
"I now remember everything." Chi Feng said, tears welling up and streaming down his cheeks. "It is all returning to my mind. But it is all too late now. Take this red saber and kill me to appease your anger and avenge Kai."
"Chi Feng, what are you doing?" Neng Yuan asked with puzzled look.
The key difference was that Chi Feng was back to being himself and not the manipulated Nezhi his uncle had conditioned him to be.
"If you don't, I kill myself!" He declared.
Before he could silt his throat with the malevolent-looking blade, Neng Yuan swiftly snatched the handle, deactivated the glowing red blade and hurled it to the far corner of the chamber.
"Chi Feng, while I am glad that you regained your memory, I won't allow you to kill yourself!" Neng Yuan reprimanded his friend firmly. "It won't bring Kai back! While the fact is that you killed him, I no longer blame you since you lost your memory and allowed yourself to be manipulated by General Tetsuban and King Monarch Zengis."
"General Tetsuban, you used my amnesia to do your dirty work and murder my friend. I will make you pay!" Chi Feng seethed with fury.
Just as he was about to get up and leave, Neng Yuan held him back.
"Chi Feng, please calm down!" Neng Yuan grabbed hold of his shoulders, speaking with urgency. "Listen to me!"
Narrowing his eyes in equal anger but also with renewed determination and focus, Neng Yuan continued, "Haven't you forgotten why we came here in the first place? We are here to rescue and bring back the Majesty's older brother so that he can reclaim the throne and right the wrongs in our kingdom. There will always be opportunities to get back at those culprits. When we have accomplished our task, we will confront General Tetsuban together!"
Listening to Neng Yuan's words, Chi Feng took one more and final look at Kai Seven, his heart heavy with sorrow and regret.
The simple and informal funeral for Kai Seven took place in the very cave where he held Princess Sumeijian hostage.
It was a solemn and quiet affair, attended only by Chi Feng and Li Neng Yuan, as King Monarch Zengis had denied an official ceremony due to Kai's acts.
The cave, bathed in the dim light of a few scattered torches, carried a heavy atmosphere of sorrow and regret. Kai's body, wrapped in a plain white shroud, was laid upon a pyre of dry wood and branches, hastily constructed but respectful in its simplicity. The flickering flames cast long shadows on the rocky walls, creating a hauntingly serene setting for the farewell.
Neng Yuan, with a heavy heart, lit the pyre, and both men stood in silence as the flames consumed their friend. The sound of crackling wood echoed through the cave, mingling with the whispers of the past and the weight of unspoken words. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood and the deep sense of loss shared by the two men.
Chi Feng, his face illuminated by the growing flames, watched the pyre with a mix of sorrow and determination. His thoughts were a tumult of memories and regrets, each flame a reminder of his actions and their consequences. Neng Yuan stood beside him, his expression a mirror of grief and resolution.
When the last embers began to die down, he, now in his white clothing with red tunic, stepped forward. With a voice steady yet filled with emotion, he addressed the spirit of his friend: "Kai Seven, please rest in peace. I will atone for my mistake and avenge your death once I and my big brother accomplished our mission."