Chapter 117: The Death of the Prince of Pingyi

The night was as dark as ink. Wang Chang Geng raised his hand and lightly patted Zhao Xiyan’s shoulder, signaling her to stop first.

All around were members of the Penglai Pavilion, with no sign of anyone else, confirming that only Feng Ye Wu and Lu Jue had come.

Wang Chang Geng couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Feng Ye Wu was still too young. His eyes were sharp and cold, but a faint smile curved his lips as he spoke.

“Since you have already arrived, I see no need to keep hiding anything.”

Feng Ye Wu returned his gaze coolly, her eyes deepening slightly before she cast a cold smile and replied,

“Is the King of Pingyi going to give me an explanation?”

“An explanation?”

Hearing Feng Ye Wu’s words, Wang Chang Geng threw back his head and laughed loudly, his arrogant demeanor suddenly turning fierce.

“His Majesty has been in the palace too long and knows nothing of the dangers of the martial world.”

Lu Jue caught the threatening tone in Wang Chang Geng’s words and immediately snapped,

“King of Pingyi, your crimes are as solid as iron. Are you still so stubborn in your delusion?”

“Crimes? What crimes?” Wang Chang Geng’s eyes glinted harshly as he turned to Lu Jue and scoffed.

“You colluded with rebels, rebuilt the Langya Pavilion against orders, and allied with the Penglai Pavilion. These alone are capital offenses.”

Lu Jue frowned as he spoke.

Wang Chang Geng listened disdainfully, then turned and sat back in the seat of honor, pouring himself a cup of tea before retorting.

“Colluded with rebels? Where do you get this ‘rebels’ nonsense? I merely see the Penglai Pavilion as a righteous brotherhood. It is you, girl, who have won the hearts of the people and yet harmed the loyal.”

Wang Chang Geng’s gaze shifted to Feng Ye Wu as he criticized her.

Feng Ye Wu’s dark eyes flickered with complexity. Quietly, she asked,

“King of Pingyi, do you mean to depose me and claim the throne for yourself?”

It was because of such words from the King of Pingyi that she had once been thrust into the eye of the storm — isolated and helpless against treacherous ministers.

This time, the words were the same, only the setting had changed.

“Let them come in. Everything will soon be settled.”

Wang Chang Geng did not answer Feng Ye Wu’s question. Instead, he turned, hands behind his back, and gave an order to Zhao Xiyan.

Tonight, Feng Ye Wu was doomed to die. Even though Lu Jue was a master, facing the combined elite forces of the Penglai Pavilion, he too would fall here.

Hearing this, Zhao Xiyan bowed her head slightly, then stepped into the courtyard. Standing beneath the moonlight, she drew a signal arrow from her sleeve.

*Whizz! Bang!*

The silent night was pierced by the sharp sound of the signal arrow, echoing throughout Langya City, circling the stars.

Moments later, footsteps and flickering torches appeared outside the Pingyi Palace.

“What is going on?” Wang Chang Geng asked coldly, frowning at the lack of response.

The plan was clear: the signal arrow would summon the forces inside the courtyard. Yet Feng Ye Wu still stood unharmed, and besides the quiet night, no one else was in sight.

Zhao Xiyan was also uneasy. Before entering, she had confirmed that all Penglai Pavilion members were present. Why was there now such silence?

“No need to trouble them, Your Grace. Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Wei Nanxi approached through the main gate of the palace, followed closely by three others: Sun Changxi, Zheng Tianlan, and Xiao Han, whose shoulder was bandaged.

The three knelt behind Wei Nanxi and saluted Feng Ye Wu.

“Rise,” Feng Ye Wu smiled faintly, allowing them to stand.

Wang Chang Geng’s eyes flickered with surprise upon seeing the wounded Xiao Han, though he knew well that the men of Langya Pavilion under his command were unlikely to return.

The night was cool as water. Wang Chang Geng sighed deeply, pulling his robe tighter around himself, falling into silence.

“Father!”

Suddenly, a voice came from behind Wei Nanxi’s group. Wang Chang Geng saw Wang Jia, accompanied by Chen Pingwu, rushing forward in tears.

“You...”

The once resolute expression on Wang Chang Geng’s face faltered, revealing sorrow and helplessness.

“Jia’er, are you hurt?”

Seeing Wang Jia’s pale lips and bandaged body, Wang Chang Geng grew anxious.

“I’m fine, Father. Please don’t do anything foolish!” Wang Jia shook her head slightly, her eyes flickering nervously as she pleaded.

Wang Chang Geng embraced her tightly, a deep sigh escaping him. Though he had long resolved to die, now he hesitated.

“Foolish girl, this world is harsh. If you don’t force others, they will harm you.”

“Your Grace, for the sake of your beloved daughter, I can spare your life. Surely you would not want her to remain alone in this cold world.”

In truth, Feng Ye Wu had long since decided back in Yanwu County that sparing Wang Chang Geng’s life was mercy enough. His crimes deserved death, but she would let him live—imprisoned for the rest of his days.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life!”

Hearing Feng Ye Wu’s words, Wang Jia hurriedly poked her head out from Wang Chang Geng’s embrace, sobbing and choking on her gratitude as she knelt down.

Wang Chang Geng grabbed her hand and pulled her up, his eyes filled once more with a dark and ruthless gleam.

“No need. Since ancient times, the winner claims the throne and the loser is cast aside. I shall settle this myself.”

With that, his gaze shifted to Chen Pingwu standing behind the group. Taking Wang Jia’s hand, he stepped over to him and whispered,

“From now on, I entrust you, the heir, to look after Jia’er.”

Before Chen Pingwu could respond, Wang Chang Geng tossed Wang Jia toward him and drew a long sword from his waist.

“Protect the prince!” Sun Changxi shouted as Wang Chang Geng suddenly drew his sword.

Soldiers outside rushed into the courtyard, encircling Wang Chang Geng.

Despite the tense atmosphere, Wang Chang Geng smiled brightly, eyes hollow. He pushed aside the stunned Chen Pingwu and Wang Jia, raised his head to the sky, and shouted loudly,

“If Heaven wills it, all schemes in the world will fail. Hearts betray, fate betrays me! I have lost this game, but I lose unwillingly, I lose with defiance!”

Before finishing, Wang Chang Geng raised his sword and took his own life.

“Father! No, Father!”

Wang Jia screamed in despair, rushing forward. Chen Pingwu stood frozen, staring at the fallen body, shocked.

A once great vassal king, now ended so abruptly.

Wang Chang Geng lay on the ground, eyes wide open, staring at Chen Pingwu with deep resentment, unable to rest in death.

Recovering, Chen Pingwu stepped forward and gently lifted the grieving Wang Jia.

In his heart, he vowed, “Your Grace, rest assured—I will treat Jia’er as my own sister.”

“Your Majesty, what shall we do now?” Wei Nanxi turned to Feng Ye Wu and bowed after Wang Chang Geng’s death.

Outside the city, the Divine Strategy Camp’s soldiers were clearing the battlefield, collecting the corpses of the Wolf Fang soldiers.

The war was over.