Chapter 57

Chapter 57

I froze instantly.

At that moment, Yuan Heng finally couldn’t resist coming inside, asking softly, “What kind of secrets are you two whispering that I’m not allowed to hear?”

Yun Sheng straightened up and smiled, beckoning him over with a finger.

Yuan Heng approached, completely off his guard.

In that split second, Yun Sheng pulled a dagger from his robes and lunged straight at Yuan Heng.

Startled, Yuan Heng twisted his body to dodge, but because he was dressed in thin layers, the blade still sliced his arm.

Faster than the eye could follow, Cheng Wei burst in. He used his scabbard to knock the dagger from Yun Sheng’s hand and deftly pinned him down.

“Have you lost your mind?” Cheng Wei barked coldly. “You’ve truly been spoiled beyond reason!”

Yuan Heng clutched his wound, his brow furrowing slightly as he reprimanded Cheng Wei. “Let him go. He’s in poor health.”

Cheng Wei shook his head in frustration and shoved Yun Sheng away.

Yun Sheng collapsed to the ground, rubbing his arm and gasping for breath.

There wasn’t a hint of blame on Yuan Heng’s face. Instead, his eyes were full of heartache as he hurried to help him. “Get up. The floor is cold.”

Yun Sheng flailed his arms to slap Yuan Heng’s hand away. He let out a loud laugh and pointed at Cheng Wei. “You just stood there and watched while a piece of filth like him touched me?”

Yuan Heng said helplessly, “Then what do you want me to do?”

Yun Sheng gritted his teeth. “Chop off his filthy hands!”

Cheng Wei glared at him. “Don’t push it.”

Yuan Heng pressed a hand to his forehead. “Ah Yun, I know you hate Second Brother, but this is a bit much…”

“Second Brother?” Yun Sheng laughed hysterically, then covered his mouth as he fell into a fit of weak coughing. He shook his head feebly. “You call a man like this your brother? I told you long ago to stay away from him. He will only pull you deeper into your cycle of slaughter. Li Yuanheng, I am so disappointed in you.”

Yuan Heng looked down and took a deep breath. He turned to Cheng Wei. “Second Brother, why don’t you just cut off a few fingers for him? He can’t handle being upset in his condition.”

Cheng Wei looked at him as if he’d heard a ridiculous joke, utterly speechless.

Yuan Heng’s face darkened. “What is it, Cheng Wei? Do you no longer listen to what I say?”

I watched this startling turn of events unfold.

To be honest, my mind was a tangled mess right now.

Quickly assessing the situation, I tried to intervene with a smile. “Oh, why the sudden talk of killing? Cutting off fingers… that’s far too frightening.”

Yuan Heng shot me a cold glance, seemingly annoyed that I was speaking out of turn.

Yun Sheng, however, gave me a deep, lingering look. He struggled to his feet. “Fine. Since Ye Family Younger Sister is scared, I’ll let that beast go for now.”

Yuan Heng breathed a sigh of relief and moved to support him. “Let’s go. I’ll have Huaiqing check your pulse.”

To his surprise, Yun Sheng took two steps back and asked again, “Li Yuanheng, do you know what day it is today?”

Yuan Heng sighed. “I’m sorry, I really don’t.”

“Today is the anniversary of Song Yulan’s death,” Yun Sheng said, enunciating every word.

I stole a glance at Yuan Heng.

His expression turned grim. “That’s all in the past. Why bring her up?”

Yun Sheng shook his head. “How can it be in the past? So many lives were lost!”

Yuan Heng was starting to get angry too. “Then what do you want!”

Then, in the calmest tone imaginable, Yun Sheng spoke the most chilling words: “I want to stab you to death.”

Cheng Wei cursed, “He’s damn well lost it again. Ah Heng, move aside. I’ll knock him out and carry him away.”

Yuan Heng raised a hand to stop Cheng Wei. He leaned down, picked up the dagger, and walked over to thrust it into Yun Sheng’s hand.

“Then stab me.”

Yuan Heng pulled open his collar and pointed at his own chest. “Stab me right here. Then all that bullshit repentance and those old grudges will be settled. Go on.”

Yun Sheng’s hand trembled as he raised the blade, pressing the tip against Yuan Heng’s heart.

I was incredibly tense.

The two men stood there, locked in a silent confrontation.

Yuan Heng stepped forward. “Do it.”

Yun Sheng stepped back, his hand dropping weakly as if he had admitted defeat.

The corners of Yuan Heng’s lips curled up. “Ah Yun, we…”

Yun Sheng suddenly flashed a brilliant smile. “Do you know, Li Yuanheng? The most interesting thing in my life was meeting you. But the thing I regret most, my greatest misfortune, was also meeting you. Goodbye.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he suddenly raised the dagger and plunged it into his own neck.

I watched in horror as blood sprayed from Yun Sheng’s throat and he collapsed limply to the ground.

Immediately after, I heard Yuan Heng’s heart-wrenching, soul-shattering cry…

I turned to look at Cheng Wei.

He looked shocked as well, but a faint smile played at the corners of his lips.