MTLNOVEL Chapter 528
After accepting the assassination order from Jin Cheng, Buyan was about to leave when Jin Cheng suddenly called out, "Wait."
Buyan was overjoyed!
What is it, Young Master? Have you finally had a change of heart? Are you taking back the mission? Am I still the clean and honorable chief guard?
His eyes brimmed with hope.
To his shock, Jin Cheng said, "Come back after taking a bath. The smell of blood is terrifying."
Buyan: "!!!"
The cold-blooded assassin chief left in silent fury.
Once only the two of them remained in the room, Jin Cheng met his uncle Luo Jingfeng's probing gaze with a smile. "Uncle, are you surprised?"
Luo Jingfeng said nothing, but his eyes were deep and unreadable.
Jin Cheng rested his chin on his hand, lounging lazily on the table. "I just don't want to be as paranoid as you, but that doesn't mean I won't kill. Remember this, Uncle—I am my own person. Independent. Free. Not a shadow of any of you."
Luo Jingfeng truly had nothing to say this time.
Should he admit he was surprised that the boy understood everything? Or remark on how a twelve-year-old could be more composed than most adults? Or perhaps praise him for being a better emperor than his father or even Chu Heng?
Deep down, he had already conceded.
The child had grown up. He wanted to spread his own wings, no longer content to hide under the shelter of his elders.
Luo Jingfeng wasn't unreasonable. Everything he did was out of fear—fear that the tragedy of his younger sister would repeat itself. Once he interfered in his nephew's affairs, he couldn't stop himself from meddling further.
He didn't want to become a detestable villain.
But he couldn't bear the thought of losing another loved one, no matter how slim the possibility.
Closing his eyes, Luo Jingfeng muttered, "The inkstone beside the long desk in the study—turn it left half a circle. A hidden compartment will appear."
Jin Cheng froze. "...What?"
Luo Jingfeng's pride stung. He masked it with sarcasm. "Isn't that what you wanted? Take it and stop bothering me."
Then it hit Jin Cheng.
Military authority.
His uncle was handing it over to him.
Something the late emperor had schemed for over a decade to obtain—now falling effortlessly into his hands?
He should have been elated, but he couldn't bring himself to smile.
The young emperor stood silently for a moment, frowning, before lowering his head to resume reviewing memorials—though this time, he didn't read them aloud for Luo Jingfeng.
Luo Jingfeng thought bitterly: Let it end here. All of it—the roles of ruler and subject, uncle and nephew. To hell with it all.
Buyan returned from his mission, freshly bathed, though his face bore the faint aura of death.
Jin Cheng cheerfully interpreted it: "Ah, killing someone really changes a person."
"!!!" Buyan flushed red with indignation.
Young Master, you've gone too far! This is from being tormented by you!
Before he could protest, the little devil assigned him another task—retrieving the tiger tally from the Duke of State Protection's residence.
Buyan asked warily, "In what capacity?"
If it were an official errand, he'd go as the formidable chief imperial guard, a fifth-rank officer and the emperor's personal attendant, commanding respect from even the highest officials.
Without his rank, however, he could be an assassin, a thug, an arsonist—even a robber.
The many identities of Buyan were enough to bring one to tears.
Jin Cheng beamed and bestowed upon him yet another title: "Master thief."
Making a grand spectacle of retrieving something from the Duke's residence would raise suspicions and stir unrest in the court.
Stealth was the best approach.
Buyan: "…………"
Being a fifth-rank official is harder than scaling the heavens.
Luo Jingfeng scoffed from the side. "Do you think my guards are just for show?"
Did Jin Cheng really believe something as crucial as military authority could be stolen so easily? Was he that foolish?
Jin Cheng quickly asked, "Uncle, did you station many guards there?"
"Would I be stupid enough to make it an obvious target?" Luo Jingfeng said coldly. "The entire Duke's residence is impenetrable. Not even a pigeon could fly in undetected."
Jin Cheng scratched his head. "Then what should I do? If I send Buyan to find Cousin Luo Ji, would he agree to take him into the study?"
"Do you think Luo Ji is an idiot?" Luo Jingfeng snapped before adding, "Bring me paper and ink."
"Right away!"
The little devil hurriedly fetched them, watching as his uncle penned an order: Luo Ji is to escort Buyan to retrieve the item. No interference. No disclosure.
By the time he finished writing, Luo Jingfeng was seething.
Handing over military authority, and now I have to solve his problems too?
Infuriating.
He shoved the writing tools aside and growled, "Get lost."
"Heh, I'll be on my way…" Jin Cheng listened carefully—despite the harsh words, his uncle's tone lacked real anger. It was more exasperated… and indulgent.
Uncle still loves me after all.
Armed with Luo Jingfeng's written permission, Buyan smoothly retrieved the military authority with Luo Ji's assistance.
Luo Ji kept the truth to himself, only telling his mother that his father was safe in the palace.
But inwardly, he knew: The tides have turned.
---
The Imperial Palace, the Emperor's Quarters
Jin Cheng toyed with the military tally. "So this is the tiger tally? I always thought it was one solid piece, not two halves."
Luo Jingfeng glared at him. "You got what you wanted. Now release me."
This damned cage.
The moment he was free, he'd dismantle it.
Jin Cheng paused, then grinned. "No."
Luo Jingfeng's temper flared. He stood and roared, "What more do you want? Is this endless? Are you mocking me now?"
Jin Cheng faced him solemnly. "Uncle, if I let you out now, you'll never speak to me again, won't you?"
Luo Jingfeng didn't answer.
That was exactly his intention.
After such treatment, not holding a grudge was already merciful. Reconciliation was out of the question.
There's no going back. Never again.
Jin Cheng smiled. "Then I won't release you. We still have to be good uncle and nephew."
Luo Jingfeng: "!"
Is this some kind of forced transaction?!
The mighty general glared daggers at him.
The little emperor just grinned wider, unshaken.
The infuriating sight made Luo Jingfeng's chest heave with rage. With no outlet, he kicked the cage again.
Clang!
Jin Cheng ignored it, storing the tiger tally safely before returning to his diligent review of memorials.
Then Luo Jingfeng realized in horror: The brat's started his chanting again.
Enough! I surrender!
A man who had spent his life on the battlefield, Luo Jingfeng had never been subjected to such an endless stream of courtly drivel—accusations, reports, sycophantic flattery. It was maddening.
The proud Duke of State Protection lay back, shutting his eyes and ears, refusing to engage.
He felt as if all the patience he'd saved for his remaining years had been drained in one go.
---
One Month Later
Eunuch Huang hurried in, casting a glance at the Duke before bowing. "Your Majesty, the Duchess of State Protection is kneeling outside the palace gates, refusing to leave. She claims to have caught a chill and insists the Duke return home to care for her."