Chapter 62: The Keeper of Insects

Feng Yao guards the northwest border and has clashed with Chahetai several times. Each time he sets out on expeditions, the Five Spirit Guards are an indispensable presence by his side. As a proficient dark guard from the Shadow Guard Battalion, Red Flame understands that martial prowess alone doesn't suffice. Much knowledge needs to be acquired, especially regarding various languages from different nations. After all, their missions are not confined to Dalang alone; sometimes, they need to operate in other countries as well. Consequently, they are well-versed in numerous languages. However, Su Yuxin finds herself completely baffled. Witnessing everyone's grave countenances, she can only suppress her curiosity for the moment and inquire later. Nonetheless, Feng Yao does not conceal the conversation from Su Yuxin, swiftly translating it for her.

The middle-aged man with a square face is none other than Li Gui, mentioned by Lv Shiyán. The young man, distinctively attired, is Chahetai's General's younger son, named Jiliye. Their heated argument revolves around Li Gui selling Golden Thread Ants to Lv Shiyán. Li Gui believes that poisoning the General's wife by Lv Shiyán's hand would not only strike a blow to the General but could also be used as leverage to intimidate the Minister of Personnel, achieving dual objectives. However, Jiliye argues that such an action would alert the authorities, proving disadvantageous for future endeavors. Upon hearing this, Su Yuxin stifles a sigh. Indeed, their presence in Shengjing signifies a grand conspiracy. It explains the General's fierce countenance and the solemn expressions of Jin Ling and the others. What Su Yuxin remains unaware of is that Feng Yao's fury primarily stems from Li Gui's intent to poison her.

Upon their return to the General's mansion, it is already the wee hours. Feng Yao escorts Su Yuxin to the Yimei Garden, tucking her into bed personally. "Tired, aren't you? Have a good night's rest." Su Yuxin catches hold of Feng Yao's sleeve, questioning, "General, won't you rest for a while?" After all, now that the individual has been captured, couldn't they interrogate him tomorrow? "This matter is of utmost importance; we cannot delay," Feng Yao responds, leaning in to plant a kiss on Su Yuxin's forehead. "You should sleep obediently for now."

"Ah," Su Yuxin nods, suddenly extending her hand to hook around Feng Yao's neck, lightly brushing his lips like a dragonfly's touch, then promptly withdrawing under the covers, her voice muffled, "General, please go now." Staring at Su Yuxin wrapped in the covers, Feng Yao restrains himself with great difficulty before finally leaving. She truly is a vexing little sprite. 

Li Gui and Jiliye are not detained together. Feng Yao first goes to where Li Gui is confined. This individual blends into a crowd, unremarkable and easily lost in the midst of people. Yet, his misty eyes make it challenging to gauge the depths of his thoughts. Li Gui is currently restrained by iron chains upon a cross. As Feng Yao enters, Li Gui looks up, his misty gaze still present, and a slight smile tugs at the corners of his lips. He appears devoid of any nervousness or fear, exhibiting more composure than during the heated argument with Jiliye. It seems as though that dispute was intentionally staged by him.

Feng Yao takes a seat opposite Li Gui. His deep and enigmatic eyes resemble whirlpools in the depths of the sea, just as difficult to fathom. Not only impenetrable, but they seem to have the ability to draw away one's soul. After exchanging gazes for a moment, Li Gui averts his eyes and smiles faintly. "General is indeed formidable."

"This General isn't here to listen to trivialities," Feng Yao's tone is indifferent and icy.

"I am Li Gui, descendant of the Qu family, generations of insect keepers. It has been passed down to me, now the seventh generation," Li Gui speaks.

"This General has no interest in your lineage," Feng Yao squints and states.

"But I must explain to the General, or else the General won't understand," Li Gui smiles, continuing, "Insect keepers inevitably have to venture into wilderness, deserts, deep mountains, and old forests. Once, due to my carelessness, I fell off a cliff and was saved by a Chahetai woman. She cared for me diligently, day and night, and soon, we were married."

"So, you betrayed Dalang," Jin Ling says coldly.

"Rather than say it's betrayal, it's more like I was coerced. My life with my wife was happy and fulfilling, and we even had children. But unexpectedly, the Chahetai king learned of my ability to control insects and used the lives of my wife and children to threaten me, forcing me to come to Dalang. They wanted to silently assassinate all the pillars of the Dalang court," Li Gui explains, "I am of Dalang origin, inheriting the bloodline of Dalang. Naturally, I was unwilling to do such a thing for Chahetai, but I couldn't watch my wife and children die. So, I devised this method to inform the General."

"The Golden Thread Ants possess immense toxicity because they live in colonies. If their numbers were halved, their toxicity would diminish. The General's wife holds a noble status and could surely request the imperial physician's aid. By then, the General would naturally learn of the existence of the 'Golden Thread Ants' from the physician, leading to the discovery of this place. General's intelligence and valor led him swiftly to this location, thwarting a great catastrophe in the Shengjing court, allowing me to evade becoming a perennial criminal of Dalang," Li Gui breathes out, continuing his explanation.

"Have you ever thought that my General's wife might die?" Feng Yao's gaze becomes even colder.

"The General is the Grand General of the world; he should consider the world," Li Gui looks up at Feng Yao, expressing, "Sacrificing one person can save many, and it can prevent a major disaster..."

Smack! Before Li Gui finishes his words, he receives a solid blow to his chest, causing him to cough up blood, and his internal organs burn in searing pain.

"I did all this for Dalang," Li Gui pants, assuming a righteous stance.

"If indeed for Dalang, you should have ended your own life long ago," Feng Yao snorts, "Without you, this insect keeper, the Chahetai people would never have brought the Golden Thread Ants alive to Shengjing."

"I don't care about my life. But if I disagree, my wife and children will die," Li Gui says, pursing his lips.

"So, you schemed against my General's wife?" Feng Yao's tone turns cold.

"Just a worthless and arrogant nuisance in Shengjing, not worth a pity in death," Li Gui stares at Feng Yao with red eyes.

Before he finishes speaking, a strong hand grips his neck, the sound of bones misaligning audible.

Wasn't it said that if the General and his wife didn't get along, they would soon divorce? Wasn't this

 just helping him? Why resort to such brutality?

Li Gui's face turns crimson, his eyes bulging.

Feng Yao's face looms before him.

His eyes are crimson, his expression as icy as ever, his gaze as though observing a dead person.

Li Gui's pupils immediately contract. He involuntarily feels a wave of fear because he senses a terrible murderous intent.

"The General's wife is not to be insulted by anyone," Feng Yao's words are sharp, piercing Li Gui's body like ice picks.

As if it could freeze all his blood.

"I, I could have silently helped Chahetai kill those ministers of the court. But I didn't. I was in danger and was only thinking about how to get the message out to the General to prevent this disaster. It was all for Dalang," Li Gui says with difficulty.

"That's because you know you couldn't kill those ministers at all, after all, the number of Golden Thread Ants in your possession is limited. You are simply finding an escape for yourself, to get rid of Chahetai while making yourself a hero for Dalang. Your schemes are truly clever," Feng Yao remarks, increasing the strength in his hand, turning Li Gui's face purple, gradually robbing him of breath.

Such a vile and cunning person adept at calculations is bound to remain a menace if left alive.