Chapter 544: I Want Your Eyes
Visually, the third broken peak was already near the summit. For East Shu to have chosen such a location, it couldn’t have been a spur-of-the-moment decision. They must have started planning this a long time ago.
’If the Beili Emperor knew the truth about Sang Zhi’s eyes, he would have discovered Sang Zhi was missing from the palace long ago. It wouldn’t be difficult to find out he’d left the city, and the emperor would surely dispatch a massive search party.’
’East Shu had long been prepared; they must have many experts hiding in the shadows. As long as I can get Sang Zhi out of Four-direction Mountain, reinforcements should arrive quickly.’
Around one in the morning, Ye Qianning reached the third broken peak. After walking about a kilometer to the left, she peered down from the edge. It was pitch black.
’Straight down the cliff?’
She didn’t dare to act rashly. After scanning the area for a moment, she suddenly heard a noise and dove into the bushes, concealing her presence.
About ten minutes later, two figures holding torches appeared. In the darkness, the two men—each holding a torch aloft—were carrying a wild boar between them.
The two men walked right past Ye Qianning, never spotting her.
After walking another ten meters or so, the two men leaped off the edge of the cliff. Ye Qianning strained her ears, listening for the sound of their landing to judge the distance.
Once the two had landed, she moved to the same spot and jumped down as well.
More than twenty meters below, there was a ledge. In the darkness, she couldn’t tell if it was natural or man-made. Beside the ledge was a cave opening about the size of a person.
She twitched her ears slightly and could hear faint sounds coming from deep within the cave.
Ye Qianning stepped into the cave. The opening, large enough for a full-grown adult, was quite spacious for her. She moved quickly, and before long, she saw the red glow of a fire ahead, accompanied by the aroma of roasting meat.
Reaching the cavern’s entrance, she quietly peeked inside. A scan of the area revealed Princess East Shu, Chu Yue, and her consort, Qin Huai, in the far corner.
To their left sat Sang Zhi.
Sang Zhi’s hands were bound and his hair was slightly disheveled, but he seemed to be in decent spirits otherwise. He sat on a rock, his beautiful eyes smoldering with anger as he glared at Chu Yue.
"Stop glaring. It’s not going to get you anywhere. Here, have something to eat." Chu Yue picked up a piece of flatbread and offered it to him.
Sang Zhi snorted coldly and turned his head away.
"I’ve already told you, as long as you do as you’re told, we won’t harm Miss Xiang. But if you’re disobedient... well, I can’t make any promises," Chu Yue said coolly.
Sang Zhi whipped his head back at her words. "If you dare harm her, I will make you pay, even from beyond the grave."
"Her well-being is entirely up to you. As long as you’re obedient, she will remain safe and sound." As she said this, she seemed to recall that his hands were still bound, and she gestured for Qin Huai to untie him.
Qin Huai stepped forward and untied his ropes.
Sang Zhi’s eyes darkened. "You want me to return to East Shu with you?" he asked in a cold voice.
"Mmm... not exactly."
"Then what is it you want?"
"I want your eyes," Chu Yue said, not beating around the bush.
Sang Zhi frowned, his expression puzzled.
"Give me your eyes, and I will have Miss Xiang released. It’s fine if you refuse... but I’m afraid you’ll never see her again." Chu Yue’s red lips curved into a smile, and her delicate, sweet voice was almost pleasant to the ear.
Sang Zhi was silent for a moment, then he looked up and said coldly, "You haven’t let me see her this entire time. Why should I believe you?"
Chu Yue’s smile didn’t waver. She stood and gave a slight wave to one of the men in black.
The man in black approached, took out a box, and handed it to Sang Zhi.
Sang Zhi didn’t move.
"Don’t you want to see Miss Xiang? Open it. You’ll find out where she is," Chu Yue said with a smile.