Knock, knock, knock.
A knock on the door was heard.
Han Zhaofeng snapped back into focus. "Come in."
Wu Zhenhai entered with Mu Qingran.
Yan Zhen and Luo Heng immediately got up and saluted at Mu Qingran.
"Greetings, Princess."
They also saluted Wu Zhenhai. "Captain."
Han Zhaofeng bowed slightly to Mu Qingran. "Princess."
Mu Qingran ran to Han Zhaofeng, tears in her eyes. "Shengzun! Are you okay?"
When she saw Han Zhaofeng sitting in a wheelchair, she began crying.
"So it was true. You're… you're…" She was sobbing.
Han Zhaofeng patted her. "I'm the one who's crippled. Why is Princess the one crying?"
"Shengzun – sob – of course – sob – I'm crying." Mu Qingran couldn't hold her grief anymore. Seeing a teacher that she regarded highly fall into such a state, she was devastated.
"There, there." Han Zhaofeng gently patted Mu Qingran, trying to calm her.
Another series of knocks were heard.
Luo Heng jumped and ran to open the door. He was feeling really awkward. He thought when Wu Zhenhai and Mu Qingran came, the atmosphere would return to normal—or at least, be less awkward—but he was wrong.
So, at the first opportunity, he grabbed it.
The door opened, revealing Lin Qian and Jing Xue.
Xuan Tian nodded, signalling them to come in.
Luo Heng closed the door and took his seat.
Everybody was now seated. Only Mu Qingran was still crouching down, hugging Han Zhaofeng's knees and sobbing.
Han Zhaofeng patted Mu Qingran. "Princess, everybody is here. We're going to have a meeting regarding ICEB's future. You are welcome to stay, but you need to pull yourself together."
He waited a bit before adding firmly, "Otherwise, you can leave and continue to cry outside."
Mu Qingran's breath hitched. She tried to stop crying at once. Her wailing turned into smaller sobs. She was still sniffling and crying, but she wasn't as loud. She got up and found an empty chair to sit. During all of this, not once did she glance Xuan Tian's way.
When Mu Qingran was seated, Han Zhaofeng started the meeting. "Greetings everyone. We'll start immediately. First of all, let me apologise again. I promise, this will be the last time I'm apologising for my behavior."
Han Zhaofeng bowed deeply and saluted.
Then he straightened up and continued, "As we all know, ICEB Enforcers' numbers are dwindling. Captain Feng and Captain Bai are the only ones we had left."
He sighed. "We've lost Captain Feng. That makes Captain Bai the only one left."
He looked around the room. "We will not lose Captain Bai. We're going to rescue her."
The atmosphere was changing. The three Enforcers visibly lit up.
Wu Zhenhai spoke first. "Han Shengzun, I'm ready. I'll do it."
Yan Zhen and Luo Heng spoke simultaneously. "I'll do it!"
Han Zhaofeng smiled. "It's great that you three have the confidence. But unfortunately, none of you can do it. Captain Wu is still injured. Yan Zhen and Luo Heng, you're not strong enough. If you go, it will be suicide. What we want is to rescue people, not lose more."
The three Enforcers deflated. They couldn't argue back, because Han Zhaofeng was right.
Wu Zhenhai looked at Xuan Tian. "Then who…"
Han Zhaofeng spoke again. "As you can see, we have honored guests."
"I'll introduce our guests properly."
Han Zhaofeng gestured toward Lin Qian. "This is Doctor Lin Qian. She helped with my injuries, Captain Wu's, and Princess Shenxing's. Sincere thank you, Doctor." Han Zhaofeng bowed.
Lin Qian returned the bow.
"She will also help with Captain Bai's injuries later. We all know how well the Imperial prison treats its prisoners." Han Zhaofeng clenched his jaw.
"And this…" He gestured at Xuan Tian. "Is Xuan Tian Shengzun. I'm sure you all have seen how powerful he is. He will be the one rescuing Captain Bai."
Only then did Mu Qingran take notice of Xuan Tian. She gasped loudly. She remembered him. Of course she did! Her mind had been full of him for the past five years. She couldn't let him go. She tried to find him, but it was as if he had never existed in the Wusheng Empire.
And now, he was right in front of her. The same face, the same demeanor, stronger presence and aura.
Mu Qingran blushed. He is very good looking! Just like I remembered. I'll go ask Imperial Father to bestow marriage for us.
As if Xuan Tian could hear Mu Qingran's thought, he turned and locked eyes with her for a beat before looking at someone else.
Mu Qingran's face got even redder. Ah! He really likes me!
Both Lin Qian and Jing Xue noticed this. Lin Qian just smiled politely, thinking, It's good to be young.
But Jing Xue—Jing Xue grinned like a big bad wolf—Aiya, another foolish woman got hit with my Ge's cold charm! I'll use this to tease him later.
If Xuan Tian heard this, he would strangle Jing Xue.
Xuan Tian wasn't looking at Mu Qingran deliberately. He had been scanning the room, observing each person there. Analyzing who was useful—and who was useless—for his plan, and the plans to come.
Han Zhaofeng continued, "Xuan Tian Shengzun has agreed to help us with the rescue mission. For that, ICEB is forever indebted. I hope you all show the proper respect Xuan Tian Shengzun deserves. Seeing him is like seeing me. His orders are my orders."
The three Enforcers were startled. They knew Xuan Tian was powerful and had saved them a few times. But Han Zhaofeng's orders felt like handing ICEB over on a silver platter. The orders were extreme—so extreme that if they hadn't heard them from Han Zhaofeng himself, they wouldn't have believed it.
Han Zhaofeng also knew how extreme his orders were. It was very unlike him to trust a complete stranger just because he was powerful. Many powerful cultivators had been blacklisted by Han Zhaofeng in the past.
But there was something about Xuan Tian that made him not only trust the man—but made him want to serve him. Which was absurd. Han Zhaofeng had been loyal to the Wusheng Royal Family since he was twenty years old. It had been more than two centuries of unwavering service. To suddenly have the urge to serve another... Han Zhaofeng dismissed it as the result of him being bitter about the current Emperor.
Once again, Han Zhaofeng had to admit, Xuan Tian was dangerous. To be able to inspire him into submission—this was not a skill; it was innate. That was what made Xuan Tian dangerous. He wasn't doing it consciously. At least that was Han Zhaofeng's observation. Xuan Tian never did anything that screamed, "Follow me or die!" In fact, Xuan Tian had been doing the opposite. From Bai Xunli's reports and what he had seen with his own eyes, Xuan Tian never ordered others to do anything dangerous. He would put himself up first.
Han Zhaofeng's voice was filled with threat. "Have I made myself clear?"
All three Enforcers replied in unison, "Yes, Shengzun!"
Han Zhaofeng nodded. "Good. Spread the word."
"Oh, one last thing. Whatever happens in ICEB, stays in ICEB. And if you find any Enforcer blabbing outside, the three of you are authorized to kill on the spot."
Han Zhaofeng's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with venom. "And if any of you are found guilty of treason by Xuan Tian Shengzun, he is more than welcome to kill you on the spot."
"Yes, Shengzun!"