Blaze and Rina walked away, ready to carry out their leader’s orders but Jade remained rooted to her spot, staring at the path Sheng Fei had followed.
Sheng Fei chasing after the Ivory Warlord... just what was going on? Even if he was important, Sheng Fei wasn’t the kind of person to pursue someone. Unless...
She shook her head. It was impossible. There was no way the Ivory Warlord was Sheng Fei’s mate for they were both Alphas. She sighed. What was she thinking? There had to be another reason Sheng Fei pursued the Ivory Warlord. Deciding that she’d ask him later, she turned and quickly joined the others.
Hua Ren landed gracefully in his courtyard, concealing his presence from the guards patrolling nearby. He slipped inside through his window then reached to close it but paused and after some seconds of thinking, left it ajar, letting the cool night breeze drift in.
He moved into the room, shrugging off his blood-soaked outer robes and standing in just his blood-soaked white shirt and clean trousers. A gentle shift of air behind him made his heart skip a beat, the familiar scent of sage drifting to his senses and a faint smile tugged at his lips.
"I thought I told you goodbye," he murmured without turning.
Sheng Fei’s warm chuckle filled the space as he closed the window, sealing them in. "Well, you left the window open," he said, a sly smile in his voice. "I thought that was a clear sign."
Hua Ren finally turned, his strikingly pale eyes meeting Sheng Fei’s with a guarded gaze, yet unable to hide something else, something softer.
Sheng Fei reached up, removing his mask in one fluid motion. In the soft light of the room, Sheng Fei’s golden eyes seemed to glow, his handsome features more vivid than ever.
Hua Ren’s breath caught, and for a fleeting moment, he could only stare, his heart racing in ways he hadn’t allowed himself to feel. "You’re... audacious," he said softly, averting his gaze.
Sheng Fei took a step closer. "It’s called persistence," he replied, a playful edge to his words as he gently lifted his hand, brushing a stray strand of hair from Hua Ren’s beautiful face. His eyes softened as he took in Hua Ren’s pale face, the obvious signs of exhaustion, and the still bleeding shoulder.
“Let me help you,” he murmured, his hand slipping to Hua Ren’s chin, lifting his face so their eyes met.
But Hua Ren flinched slightly and pulled away, a frown tightening his features. “I don’t deserve your help. I don’t deserve anyone’s help.” His voice was low, almost a whisper, as he took a step back. He didn’t deserve any from of help for he was a monster.
Sheng Fei’s face fell, and he sighed, shaking his head slowly. “I had a feeling you’d say that. Why punish yourself ?”
“Do you even realize what I’ve done?” Hua Ren’s voice cracked, his shoulders trembling. “My hands are stained with innocent blood.” His gaze drifted to his hands as he held them up, almost as if he could see them marked by blood. “I killed innocent people with these hands... all in the name of the Emperor. I’m a murderer, Sheng Fei. A murderer.”
“Don’t say that.” Sheng Fei’s voice softened, and he took a cautious step closer, but Hua Ren moved back, creating a fragile distance between them. Sheng Fei paused, the faintest hint of pain in his eyes. “You had no idea what was really going on.”
“But I could have found out,” Hua Ren retorted, his voice laced with bitterness and regret. “I saw things... suspected things, and questioned some missions, but I blindly trusted the Emperor so I said nothing. I thought he could harm no one, do no evil so I obeyed without hesitation, and now—” His voice broke as tears shimmered in his eyes, pooling until they spilled down his cheeks. “I either killed innocent people or condemned them to a life of suffering. All this time, I despised you rebels, wondering how you could go against our Emperor, not knowing that you were all fighting for a just cause. Now... I don’t even know what to do with myself. I feel so guilty and ashamed."
He scoffed, shaking his head. "I am so so stupid. To think I walked the streets of this Kingdom proudly. The people must hate me. I’m the tyrant in this case, Sheng Fei. I deserve to die. No, dying a thousand times over wouldn’t be enough to cleanse my hands of this blood.”
“Then let me tend to your wound,” Sheng Fei said softly, his voice gentle but firm.
Hua Ren blinked at him, incredulous. “Did you not hear a word I said? I deserve this. I deserve the pain.”
Sheng Fei’s gaze held steady as he stepped forward, slowly enough that Hua Ren didn’t move back this time. Lifting his hands, he cupped Hua Ren’s tear-streaked face, thumbs brushing his cheeks in a soothing motion. “Listen to me, General. I know that tonight was a huge blow and you possibly loathe yourself right now but this wound is serious. I have to stop the bleeding otherwise, you’d bleed to death."
"Then let it happen." Hua Ren sniffled. "I deserve it anyway."
Sheng Fei cursed under his breath. Like hell he would let his mate die. "Why do you want to torment yourself when you could live and help those still trapped in this misery?” he said earnestly. “You said it yourself. Even if you died a thousand times, it wouldn’t be enough so why take this way out? I know it is hard and you feel guilty but you have to live with it and overcome it. The truth stands that you didn’t know what was truly going on so you cannot be blamed. My advice to you now, General, is that you let me tend to your wound and you should start a new life by freeing the ones who need you. Join the resistance. Help us take down this corrupt Emperor.”
Hua Ren’s lips parted, but he said nothing, only staring up at Sheng Fei, struggling with the ache in his chest. He knew Sheng Fei was right. Yet, he could not just turn his back to the Emperor. Although he was filled with anger and regret, there was also a sliver of hope. Hope that he could change the Emperor. Make him see the error of his ways.
But he couldn’t let Sheng Fei know of his plan for he certainly wouldn’t allow it.
"I cannot join the resistance." He said. "My loyalty is to the Kingdom."
"The Kingdom is not the Emperor, General." Sheng Fei urged. "The Kingdom is it’s people. Be loyal to the people. Do what is best for them, not the Emperor."
Due to the excessive blood loss, Hua Ren began to feel dizzy and fell forward into Sheng Fei’s arms.
Sheng Fei supported him, gently guiding him toward a sturdy wooden chair by the corner of the room. "You know what, let’s talk about this some other time. You need treatment. Where do you keep your medicinal supplies?" he asked.
"In the top shelf of that cabinet," Hua Ren murmured, gesturing to a cabinet on his left with his good arm.
Sheng Fei moved away briefly, retrieving a lacquered wooden box. He brought it over, along with a bowl of water and fresh bandages he found nearby.