Chapter 35: The Execution Order

After Cai Zhang left, Lu Chengfeng remained in the teahouse for quite some time, lost in thought. The sect was far from peaceful these days. Zhao Changzhen's death had uncovered numerous hidden secrets, and even his new master's intentions seemed suspicious.

To outsiders, Lu Chengfeng's sudden rise made him appear as a prodigious talent, quickly accepted as a personal disciple of an elder with a promising future.

But only he knew the treacherous situation he was actually in.

"This is the best opportunity. Only by marrying that woman will I have the foundation to turn the tide amid the upcoming storms and chaos."

Lu Chengfeng silently downed his tea, left payment on the table, and turned to leave.

When he reached the base of Bixiao Peak, he spotted a disciple from the Execution Hall dressed in black armor, with a sword on his back, striding quickly towards him. The disciple's eyes lit up upon seeing him.

"Are you Lu Chengfeng, a disciple from Yuxian Peak?"

Lu Chengfeng stopped, his expression solemn. "Yes, that's me."

"Lu Chengfeng, listen to your orders." The Execution Hall disciple took out an iron token engraved with the words "Execution Order" and announced loudly, "From this moment, you are under the command of the Execution Hall and must participate in the beast tide extermination. You are forbidden from leaving the sect without permission. Violation will result in death!"

Lu Chengfeng's heart tightened, and he quickly replied, "Lu Chengfeng accepts the order."

With that, the Execution Hall disciple handed the iron token to him, saying, "Brother Lu, meet me tomorrow morning at Dragon Break Stone at the entrance to the Bewildering Marsh. I still have others to notify. Farewell!"

In a flash, the disciple departed, vanishing into the distance like a shadow.

Holding the cold iron token in his hand, Lu Chengfeng felt the weight of an impending storm. The beast tide—he had only experienced it once five years ago.

Back then, he was young, with limited skills, and wasn't called upon by the sect. However, Zhao Changzhen had participated in that beast tide extermination, sustaining severe injuries that took him over six months to recover from.

For an elder of the outer peak who had mastered his inner strength, such injuries must have been incredibly severe.

Stowing away the iron token, Lu Chengfeng resumed his climb up the mountain. As a true disciple of the sect, he couldn't avoid this duty; it wasn't possible to enjoy the sect's benefits without bearing its responsibilities.

"Li Mo and Su Wanning might also be summoned by the sect. Even if they don't directly face the beast tide, they'll probably have other tasks."

"I'll ask them and see if we can coordinate our efforts."

With that thought, Lu Chengfeng quickened his pace, hurrying back.

Upon reaching his courtyard, he saw Luo Suyi standing outside the gate, anxiously peering into the distance. Spotting him, she quickly ran over.

"Husband, something has happened…"

Seeing her fair face filled with worry, Lu Chengfeng's heart sank, but her safety reassured him. He spoke gently, "Don't worry, whatever it is, just tell me slowly. I'm here now, and nothing will harm you."

Luo Suyi clutched his sleeve tightly. "Wanning has been taken away by her family."

Lu Chengfeng froze for a moment, then remembered the group he had seen on his way down the mountain. Realization dawned on him; they were likely from the Su family, no wonder they dressed so differently from the sect disciples.

On second thought, with the beast tide approaching, it might actually be better for Su Wanning to return to her family, as death was inevitable during such times, and he could hardly guarantee her safety.

Seeing his indifferent reaction, Luo Suyi felt a mix of emotions. She had not yet had the chance to discuss her plans with Su Wanning.

This man was oblivious to Su Wanning's feelings for him and didn't know they had agreed she would join his household as a concubine. Although Su Wanning hadn't given an explicit answer, her attitude had clearly shown her consent. This twist of fate was truly disheartening.

Especially now that Su Wanning would be arranged in a marriage alliance upon returning to her family. She would undoubtedly be devastated.

Remembering how Su Wanning had looked back repeatedly as she left, Luo Suyi felt a pang in her heart.

She reached into her sleeve and produced a handkerchief embroidered with mandarin ducks. "Husband, Wanning left this for you before she departed."

Lu Chengfeng took the handkerchief, puzzled. "What's this?"

Luo Suyi then explained their previous arrangement. "Wanning couldn't defy her family's orders. As an illegitimate daughter, with a mother of low status, disobeying would endanger her mother. She had no choice but to leave."

"But before leaving, she gave me this handkerchief to pass on to you, with a message."

"'If my lord does not abandon me, I will remain pure, and even as a concubine, I will have no regrets. This handkerchief symbolizes my vow to you, a promise for life.'"

Lu Chengfeng was utterly stunned. He had no idea about any of this and only managed to respond after a long pause, laughing wryly. "You… why did you go to such lengths?"

"Most first wives are known to be possessive, yet here you are arranging a concubine for me. Do you not feel any sadness?"

Seeing that his first question was about her, Luo Suyi's heart filled with warmth. Though worried for Su Wanning, she couldn't help but smile radiantly.

"Husband, I know myself well. I am flawed and will never be able to bear children, will never know motherhood. That is my deepest regret."

"You married me with true affection. I cannot be selfish and think only of myself. Tradition says that a woman without children is one of the seven grounds for dismissal. By all rights, I don't even deserve to be your main wife."

"But I couldn't bear to let you go to someone else. That's why I wanted Wanning, a woman of noble birth, to marry you as a concubine."

"We both know her character. She would never cause any trouble between us. And wouldn't it be ideal if she bore you sons and daughters?"

Lu Chengfeng sighed softly, gently pulling her into his arms. "To have a wife like you, what more could I ask for?"

"As for Wanning, it seems that fate has other plans."

Luo Suyi looked up in surprise, asking, "What do you mean, Husband? Are you truly going to abandon Wanning? Will you just watch her marry another?"

Lu Chengfeng replied bitterly, "It's not that I don't want to—it's that I can't. There's something you don't know. The sect has ordered a beast tide extermination. I received the Execution Order just now at the foot of the mountain, summoning me to join the Execution Hall in the beast tide extermination. From now on, I am forbidden to leave the sect."

Hearing the name "Execution Hall," Luo Suyi shivered. The Yuncang Sword Sect commanded the northern lands, with its sword might dominating Qingzhou, yet they were not without enemies. The Execution Hall handled all threats against the sect.

In the north, the reputation of the Execution Hall was enough to stop children's cries. Known for their ruthless and decisive methods, they were feared wherever they went.

Even sect disciples had few who weren't afraid of them.

"This… truly is the work of fate!" Luo Suyi sighed, her gaze dimming. The orders of the Execution Hall were absolute; no disciple dared to defy them, or death awaited them.

Lu Chengfeng held her close, saying, "We'll have to wait until the beast tide ends. No matter what, I will go to see her, to settle things between us, so we don't part with regrets."

"Mm." Luo Suyi nodded silently, but her hands clung tightly to his waist as she murmured, "Husband, I'm so worried about you."

Lu Chengfeng remained silent, his mind flashing to his plans to take a concubine, suddenly uncertain how to broach the subject.