PFC Chapter 218 Things change and people change
Chapter 218 Things change and people change
A bolt of lightning suddenly struck down, as if it were about to tear the sky apart.
The once calm sea suddenly changed color, with waves surging and spray churning, and thick dark clouds piling up in the sky in an instant.
The ship owner's last words were spoken before the thunder and lightning, and the subsequent lightning illuminated everyone's astonished faces, turning them deathly pale.
"How can this be?!"
"How could it be him?!"
After several loud "booms", large raindrops fell mercilessly, pounding on the deck with a continuous sound.
Unlike the astonished reactions of the others, Chu Ling's gaze was deep, as if he had expected this, and he sighed softly.
"It really is him."
Xuanfeng finally recovered from his shock. Looking at Chu Ling's calm profile, he couldn't help but stammer a few times, "Your Highness, what he said... could it be a lie?"
His questioning grew quieter, clearly indicating that he felt his doubts lacked any real basis.
Although there were many people like him who couldn't believe it, they all knew in their hearts that ignoring Wuya's Gu wouldn't be wrong. There were very few people who could control everything, and after eliminating Chu Ling, the answer was obvious.
Chu Ling did not answer, but silently raised his head and gazed at the sky, which was covered by dark clouds.
After a moment, he turned his head and said in a deep voice, "Whether it's true or false, someone will investigate and find out."
"Bring me paper and pen, I need to write a letter to my elder brother."
This storm came quickly and went quickly.
In less than 15 minutes, the wind and rain on the sea had stopped, the dark clouds had all dissipated, and the sky had returned to clear.
The deck was still covered in mud from the rain, and everyone was gathered at the bow, but no one was in the mood to clean it up; instead, they were busy moving things around.
Chu Ling and his group's destination remained the same, but they switched from a perilous ship to a safer one.
As for the original ship that harbored deep sins, it is now only used for escorting criminals.
Knowing their deaths were imminent, the criminals on the ship were all lifeless, sitting numbly on the deck.
Xie Yan placed her hand on Chu Ling's outstretched palm and jumped off the wooden plank connecting the two boats.
A loud cry pierced the sky. Hearing the gyrfalcon flapping its wings and taking flight, Meng Lan, who had almost jumped into the sea, changed her worried expression and couldn't help but sigh to the heavens.
"Fortunately, the Prince is here. After eliminating the hidden dangers in the court and eradicating the Holy Sun Cult, the world will surely return to peace."
"Young man, you are too naive."
Chu Ling remained silent, but Xie Yan's voice drifted over with the sound of the waves.
"Life is unpredictable, and peace is hard to come by. No matter what dynasty or what kind of rule, as long as there is profit to be made, the greed in people's hearts will never end and will never be satisfied."
"Evil never disappears; the only difference is whether it is done in the open or in the shadows."
A gentle breeze blew by, and Xie Yan's voice slowly faded into the sea and sky.
Half a month later, at the palace—
As night deepened, the palace was brightly lit by candlelight. Thick stacks of memorials were piled on the imperial table, and a motionless figure was visible behind the bright yellow curtains.
The curtain was lifted, and Eunuch Xiao, who had been serving the emperor closely, approached and placed a bowl of ginseng soup on the table. After considering it for a moment, he softly advised, "Your Majesty, it is late. If you continue watching, it may harm your health. You should rest early."
However, the person on the throne seemed to be deep in thought, one hand pressing down on a secret letter on the table, without even lifting his eyelids.
Seeing that he did not move, Eunuch Xiao dared not persuade him any further and could only silently replace the nearly burnt-out candle flame with a brand new wick.
As he moved, the palace lantern stretched his shadow long, making it appear as thin and gaunt as a withered tree.
"Uncle Xiao".
Suddenly, the person who had been silent on the throne all night spoke up.
This long-unheard address sent a storm through Eunuch Xiao's heart. In a moment of carelessness, his hand trembled and he was burned by the candlelight.
He quickly turned around, and before he could even see Chu Heng's expression clearly, he knelt down and prostrated himself, his voice trembling with fear, "Oh dear, Your Majesty, please don't address me like that, it's too much for this old servant!"
However, Chu Heng showed no intention of changing his mind. Instead, he sighed and stared intently at the shadow on the ground.
"Uncle Xiao, there's no need to be so alarmed. I just suddenly remembered the days in the General's Mansion and wanted to find someone to catch up with."
Chu Heng's voice was flat and emotionless, but unusually, he did not ask the devoted old servant to get up.
Unable to fathom his thoughts, Eunuch Xiao could only respectfully agree.
"I remember that when you were a child, when the Chu family was still living in the General's Mansion, you were already serving the Chu family."
"Yes."
Eunuch Xiao's eyes twitched. "It has been nearly forty years since I entered the General's Mansion."
As the candlelight flickered, Chu Heng let out another soft sigh.
"My father was away fighting battles all year round, and my mother was in poor health. At that time, it was you who took care of everything in the general's mansion."
"You could say that you watched both of us brothers grow up."
"Even some of the guards who are currently by A-Ling's side were brought back to the manor by you."
Eunuch Xiao's eyes flickered slightly, as if he too was recalling the past. His expression softened slowly. "It is my blessing to be able to serve the Chu family and His Majesty."
"Xiao Bo has made great contributions."
Chu Heng stood up, walked around the desk, and went to Eunuch Xiao's side, looking down at him.
“When I was repeatedly assassinated and on the verge of death, it was you who always stood in front of me and protected me with your life. You also risked your life several times because of this.”
His voice pressed heavily on Eunuch Xiao's head, like dark clouds looming overhead, making it hard to breathe.
Eunuch Xiao keenly sensed something was amiss, and his heart skipped a beat, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"...Your Majesty is too kind. This is all I should do."
As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment, with only the crackling sound of the palace lanterns burning echoing in the background.
After a long while, Chu Heng finally spoke again.
"So I don't understand, all these years of friendship were just a lie?"
The tone of those words was neither too light nor too heavy, yet they were deafening, making Eunuch Xiao tremble all over.
His face was filled with mixed emotions as he looked down. He opened his mouth several times in the silence, but could not say anything.
After a few breaths, Eunuch Xiao slowly raised his head and met Chu Heng's eyes.
A huge weight was lifted from his heart, and he admitted it readily and decisively, without any hesitation.
"Yes, from the very beginning, I have been obeying others."
Chu Ling let out a deep breath and looked at him with a complicated expression. "Who is it?"
After a moment of silence, Eunuch Xiao lowered his head again.
But he did not remain silent. Instead, he gave an irrelevant answer, saying, "...a life-saving grace must be repaid."
The next moment, a splash of blood suddenly stained the hem of Chu Heng's clothes.