Chapter 82: Furious Rage
The Crown Prince knew that the journey to Wangyao Mountain on behalf of Guli required someone both capable and devoted; apart from himself, Lie Chang'an was the most suitable candidate, for no one else would risk so much for her. Yet his father had decreed that he must not go to Wangyao Mountain without permission, leaving him no choice but to wait here for Lie Chang'an.
But now, seeing Lie Chang'an, the Crown Prince's resolve wavered entirely.
He thought, unless one’s body was made of iron, how could mere flesh withstand a hundred lashes?
He stared at Lie Chang'an's pale face, saw blood seeping through his inner garments and staining the outer robe, the man kneeling, wavering on the brink of collapse. In fury, he snatched a memorial from the table and threw it at him. “You are so stubborn! You’re gambling with your life, do you realize that?!”
Lie Chang'an paid no heed; when the memorial struck him, he made no attempt to dodge, maintaining his posture of supplication and repeating his plea, “I humbly request permission to go to Wangyao Mountain, Your Highness.”
“Enough. Go back,” the Crown Prince dismissed him, unwilling to spare another glance.
“Your Highness…”
“Look at yourself—half dead already! How can you possibly reach Wangyao Mountain? You’ll die before you even get there!”
The Crown Prince slammed the table, rising in anger.
Lie Chang'an lifted his head; though his face was drenched in cold sweat, his expression was unwavering, resolute. He bit down hard and said, “Please, Your Highness, instruct me on how to recognize the ‘Ten-Blood Flower’ and grant me leave to go to Wangyao Mountain.”
“You—” The Crown Prince clenched his fists, barely restraining himself from striking him. He knew Lie Chang'an was stubborn beyond persuasion; words were futile.
Resigned, the Crown Prince sighed deeply, closed his eyes, and after a long silence, recounted the details of the antidote’s discovery.
When he finished, he opened his eyes and asked, “Are you certain you still wish to go?”
Lie Chang'an raised his head, eyes steely with resolve. He clenched his fists and vowed, “I swear, I will bring back the ‘Ten-Blood Flower’ within ten days!”
The Crown Prince looked at the bloodstains on him and said, “Very well. I’ll send someone with you. I hear Vice General Qi Zhengfeng is about your age, equally skilled in martial arts and loyal. He’s fit for such a task; let him accompany you.”
The road to Wangyao Mountain was long and perilous; beyond the deadly cliffs where the flower grew, the ascent itself was fraught with danger. Without exceptional skill and unyielding resolve, one might perish before even reaching the mountain.
If Lie Chang'an were uninjured, the Crown Prince would have been reassured to let him go alone—but now...
Lie Chang'an shook his head. “Your Highness, Qi Zhengfeng is the army’s vice general. If he leaves with me, no one will be left to command. Moreover, I ask Your Highness to trust me: I have given my word, and I will return with the ‘Ten-Blood Flower’ alive, at any cost, to save the Princess!”
The Crown Prince rubbed his temples, exhaustion evident, and waved his hand.
“Fine, fine, have it your way.”
Guli’s fate weighed on too many hearts. At present, Lie Chang'an was the only one the Crown Prince dared trust; the enemy’s reach was too great. If he sent someone else, there was no guarantee that person wouldn’t be in league with their adversary. The Crown Prince could not place his hope in another.
Lie Chang'an’s wounds might serve as the perfect disguise; the enemy likely believed that, with such grave injuries and the long journey, survival was impossible. The odds of returning with the flower, and saving Guli, were slim indeed, so they would not send anyone to ambush him.
The Crown Prince had no other choice; the current situation left him no second path.
He could only gamble.
He gambled that Lie Chang'an would bring back the ‘Ten-Blood Flower’ alive, and that his feelings for Guli would drive him to risk everything, surpassing even the fear of death, just to save her.