Chapter Thirty-Two: The Execution of Yuan Shu and His Son Yao

"Feng, actually I…"
"Father, now's not the time for heart-to-heart talks. Come, let's leave here first. Look, there are gold and jewels over there—let's take them all with us!"
Chu Feng interrupted once more.
"Feng, I am your father," Yuan Shu said anxiously.
"Uh, Father, have you lost your mind from fright? If you're not my father, are you his?"
Chu Feng looked utterly baffled, curling his lip.
But Yuan Shu nodded.
"Feng, I am Yuan Shu! Your mother died when you were born, and you were afflicted with madness from an early age. Fearing the mockery of the world, I placed you outside the manor!"
"Twenty years have passed in a blink, and as your father—"
"Wait, you're Yuan Shu?" Chu Feng narrowed his eyes, interrupting, and pointed at the kneeling Yuan Yao. "He's your son, my younger brother?"
Yuan Shu nodded, then tried to explain, "Feng, actually I…"
"Silence," Chu Feng shouted angrily.
He truly hadn't expected that this convenient father of his was Yuan Shu all along. No wonder he could call in so many weapons and provisions, even bring in so many craftsmen!
No wonder Yuan Yao reacted so quickly, sparing no effort to have him killed.
So that's how it was!
How naive he had been!
But a younger brother wanting to kill his elder brother—"the elder is as a father"—such rebellion was a grave offense!
He must be punished!
With a metallic ring, Chu Feng drew his sword, making Yuan Shu's heart tremble with fear. From Chu Feng's eyes, he saw wrath—an uncontrollable rage. Fearing Chu Feng would kill him with a single stroke, Yuan Shu hurriedly said,
"Feng, I've decided. Tomorrow I'll announce to the world the restoration of your status as prince, and appoint you as Governor of Lujiang, to conquer the realm for me!"
"Heh," Chu Feng sneered coldly,
He turned, sword in hand, and strode toward Yuan Yao.
Tearing the cloth from Yuan Yao's mouth, his voice was icy: "Yuan Yao, I once thought you acted only to secure the capital, but I didn't expect you sought to murder your own kin!"
"You deserve to die!"
"Father, save me!"
"Feng, no, don't!"
A spray of blood, a gurgling sound—

With a single stroke, the head rolled aside, blood splattering over Chu Feng, making him appear fearsome.
Yuan Shu collapsed to the ground.
Yao'er—Yao'er is dead? Killed by Feng? Why, why did it come to this?
"Feng, why, why did it have to be this way? Why must brothers turn on each other?" Yuan Shu's heart ached, and he seemed to age several years in an instant.
"As the elder brother, I am as a father. Yuan Yao first sent assassins against me, then mustered heavy troops to attack me, defying all order and seeking my death. If not for my own strength, I would already be a corpse beneath his blade!"
"Such a heartless, unbrotherly beast, who brings ruin to his own house—what use is there in sparing him?" Chu Feng declared with authority, sheathing his sword with a metallic ring.
He then turned to Yuan Shu, his expression freezing cold. If he had once felt a trace of guilt toward this convenient father, now, knowing his true identity, that guilt faded.
"Zhao Fan, my father has traveled far and is exhausted. Take him to rest and see that his luggage is prepared," Chu Feng said coldly.
"As you command!" Zhao Fan nodded.
"Feng, do you intend to commit patricide and usurp the throne?" Yuan Shu looked nervously at Chu Feng, anxious.
"Take him away and watch him closely!"
In the end, Yuan Shu, desolate, was escorted into the inner residence.
Lu Su glanced at Chu Feng, his feelings complicated, yet he couldn't help but admire him. To kill Yuan Yao with a single stroke, without hesitation, even before Yuan Shu—such decisiveness! Few would dare.
After all, if Yuan Shu were enraged, the army outside could easily crush them to pieces.
"My lord, what are your plans next?"
Lu Su sheathed his sword, his brow furrowed with worry. After all, Yuan Shu had usurped the imperial title, becoming an enemy of the world. If Chu Feng inherited his legacy, there would surely be trouble…
Chu Feng closed his eyes, sinking into thought.
Soon, Zhao Fan strode in, presenting an object. "My lord, this is Lord Yuan's seal."
Chu Feng's eyes flashed. He had an idea. Accepting the seal, he seized Yuan Yao's head and strode toward the front courtyard, with Zhao Fan, Lu Su, and the others hastening after him.
The mansion gates opened once more.
Instantly, generals such as Qiao Rui and Ji Ling froze in astonishment.
In Chu Feng's hand was—Yuan Yao's head? He actually killed Yuan Yao? And judging by the fresh blood, it had just happened!
"General Ji, it seems the sky is about to change," someone muttered.
"It's just a struggle between legitimate and illegitimate sons—such things have long happened in history. Nothing to worry about," Ji Ling replied indifferently.
"I'm afraid it's more than that," Qiao Rui said gravely.
"What do you mean? Do you think he dares commit patricide and usurp the throne?" Ji Ling narrowed his eyes, hand on his sword, killing intent flashing.

"That he won't, but let’s wait and see."

"Yuan Shu, self-styled Emperor of Great Cheng, and his son Yao have both been beheaded by the loyalist Chu Feng. You, as Han generals, why have you not surrendered?"

Chu Feng's voice rang out, powerful and resolute.

At these words, countless soldiers stared in disbelief, whispering among themselves, faces filled with fear and confusion. In an instant, their morale collapsed; they didn't know what to do.

"What did you say? You killed His Majesty?"

Ji Ling drew his sword at once, eyes blazing with fury.

"Yuan Shu ruled with violence and cruelty, oppressing the people. Worse, he dared claim the imperial title in arrogance, making himself the enemy of all. Such a man deserves death!"

Chu Feng's words were clear and forceful.

"Bastard! Today I’ll kill you myself—" Ji Ling's shout was cut short as Qiao Rui, seeing Chu Feng's signal, quickly restrained him and whispered,

"Ji Ling, don't be rash. The young lord is breaking the deadlock."

"Breaking the deadlock? To hell with that! His Majesty saved my life—his son now commits patricide and usurpation. I must avenge His Majesty and restore justice!"

Ji Ling glared at Qiao Rui.

"So, he's your son-in-law, and that's why you plead for him? Hmph! I'll settle accounts with you later. Today, I’ll kill this traitor first!"

"Ji Ling, calm yourself. Tonight, Chu Feng will give us an explanation. If it's unsatisfactory, you can lead the troops in justice then," Qiao Rui reproved.

At last, Ji Ling sheathed his sword in anger.

The other officers merely watched and waited. With both Ji Ling and Qiao Rui silent, none dared act rashly—especially now that Yuan Shu was dead.

"Gentlemen, whether His Majesty is truly dead or not, General Ji Ling and I will investigate. For now, it's late—please lead your troops back to camp," Qiao Rui announced, stepping forward.

The officers exchanged glances, then led their men away, for there was little loyalty left among Yuan Shu’s ranks. Had there been, they wouldn't be so quick to consider surrendering to Sun Ce upon his death.

Lei Bo, Chen Lan, and the others also looked at one another, each with his own plans. Since Yuan Shu's usurpation, things had grown worse and worse—this was their chance to take their men to the hills.

It didn't take long for all the generals to depart.

"General Qiao, a moment," Lu Su said with a slight smile, stepping forward to hand him the seal. "General Qiao, please use this to summon all the generals to the mansion tonight at the hour of the Boar."

"His Majesty isn’t dead, is he?" Qiao Rui asked.

"My lord has lived honorably all his life—he would never commit patricide," Lu Su replied with a gentle laugh. He could already see Chu Feng’s intent: to seize the initiative.

"Rest assured, tonight every officer in the city will attend the council." Qiao Rui was confident; his position among Yuan’s forces was second only to Zhang Xun.

"Many thanks."