Once, I Was a Legend | Chapter 31 | The Father's Debt | Novela.app

The change occurred in a heartbeat. The woman, who moments ago had been calling him "Zhao’er" with tearful eyes, suddenly moved with the speed of a lightning bolt. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a flying dagger whistling straight toward Ye Zhao’s face. "Holy crap!" Ye Zhao couldn't react in time; he stood frozen like a wooden stake. Fortunately, a long blade flew through the air from outside the hall, intercepting the dagger mid-flight and pinning it firmly into the wooden wall behind the Minister of Justice. Having escaped death, Ye Zhao turned to look at the saving blade. It looked... a bit familiar? The Minister of Justice stiffly turned his neck, his face twitching unnaturally for a moment. "..." Ye Zhao’s father grabbed both Ye Zhao and his mother, pulling them back and shielding them behind his body. It was too perilous! Who could have expected this? The crowd erupted into a commotion as guards swarmed forward, surrounding the woman. Wei Feng strode into the room with a commanding presence, his aura formidable. Knowing she could no longer escape, Madam Qi looked toward Ye Zhao. Her face was a mask of madness as she laughed hysterically. "The son pays the father's debts! You won't escape, Ye Zhao!" Before she could finish, Wei Feng realized what was happening and lunged forward to seize her jaw, but he was too late. She bit down on a poison capsule hidden in her mouth, committing suicide. As toxic blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, Wei Feng’s expression turned hideous. Before the blood could touch his hand, he let go and threw her body to the ground. It was already clear that today’s performance was another plot targeting Ye Zhao. Once the ruse was exposed, the culprit had been driven to desperation. "That scared me to death. Son, are you alright?" Ye Zhao’s father glanced at the corpse on the floor, his heart still pounding with lingering fear. If Ye Zhao had been just a bit closer to her, she would have struck him directly. Ye Zhao’s mother remained silent at first, but her first words were: "Why on earth were you born with such a face?! You’re a walking disaster magnet, aren't you?" Ye Zhao: "..." "This... I can't help it. Didn't you and Dad make me look like this?" His mother huffed in anger and turned her face away in disdain. "Don't you dare! We can't take credit for this! Your father is Master Tianshu, after all." She lifted her chin and dropped a final line: "Go collect your mother's corpse then!" With that, she held her head high and swept out of the room, sleeves fluttering. They finally understood what the people outside were misunderstanding. After all this time, not a single person believed her son was actually hers. "No, Mom, listen to my explanation..." Ye Zhao had just taken a step to chase after her when someone grabbed his arm. "Ye Zhao, you really are Master Tianshu's son! Even if that woman had ulterior motives, this fact is definitely set in stone!" Set in stone my foot! Hearing Jiang Ziqi’s strangely excited voice, Ye Zhao’s face darkened. "What nonsense are you talking about? Can't you see my mother left in a rage?" Jiang Ziqi replied, "I'm not talking nonsense. Didn't you admit it yourself?" Ye Zhao snapped, "I was just bluffing to trick her, okay?" "But you knew so many things about Master Tianshu! You even matched the secret codes!" Ye Zhao didn't want to argue with him and said directly, "I was just making things up! You actually took it seriously?" "..." The onlookers who turned to look at him—they really had taken it seriously. After saying his piece, Ye Zhao made his escape. His father tried to leave as well but was pulled back by his direct superior. Minister Qian smiled at him and said, "Lord Ye, do you have a moment? Shall we have a little chat?" *No!* Ye Zhao’s father wanted to say, but the other man gave him no chance to refuse. ... The events of that day thoroughly solidified Ye Zhao’s identity as the son of Tianshu. Rumors flooded the Heavenly Capital. Ye Zhao’s mother, who had finally been coaxed into a better mood, refused to speak to him for another two days out of sheer pique. Every time Ye Zhao’s father returned from the imperial court, he was exhausted. He had become a celebrity among the officials. "Son, tell me, why do you have to look like Master Tianshu?" This was the depressed Father Ye. Ye Zhao replied, "You should ask yourself and Mom that." "Then tell me, why do you like rummaging through things for no reason?" To this day, the "great treasure" Ye Zhao had scavenged was still tucked into his waist, looking quite eyesore-inducing. Ye Zhao said bitterly, "Because I'm poor." At this, Father Ye recalled what his wife had said in the courtroom. His expression turned subtle, and he left without another word. As for the identity of that person from that day—Wei Feng strode into the room with a commanding presence, his aura formidable. Knowing she could no longer escape, Madam Qi looked toward Ye Zhao. Her face was a mask of madness as she laughed hysterically. "The son pays the father's debts! You won't escape, Ye Zhao!" Before she could finish, Wei Feng realized what was happening and lunged forward to seize her jaw, but he was too late. She bit down on a poison capsule hidden in her mouth, committing suicide. As toxic blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, Wei Feng’s expression turned hideous. Before the blood could touch his hand, he let go and threw her body to the ground. It was already clear that today’s performance was another plot targeting Ye Zhao. Once the ruse was exposed, the culprit had been driven to desperation. "That scared me to death. Son, are you alright?" Ye Zhao’s father glanced at the corpse on the floor, his heart still pounding with lingering fear. If Ye Zhao had been just a bit closer to her, she would have struck him directly. Ye Zhao’s mother remained silent at first, but her first words were: "Why on earth were you born with such a face?! You’re a walking disaster magnet, aren't you?" Ye Zhao: "..." "This... I can't help it. Didn't you and Dad make me look like this?" His mother huffed in anger and turned her face away in disdain. "Don't you dare! We can't take credit for this! Your father is Master Tianshu, after all." She lifted her chin and dropped a final line: "Go collect your mother's corpse then!" With that, she held her head high and swept out of the room, sleeves fluttering. They finally understood what the people outside were misunderstanding. After all this time, not a single person believed her son was actually hers. "No, Mom, listen to my explanation..." Ye Zhao had just taken a step to chase after her when someone grabbed his arm. "Ye Zhao, you really are Master Tianshu's son! Even if that woman had ulterior motives, this fact is definitely set in stone!" Set in stone my foot! Hearing Jiang Ziqi’s strangely excited voice, Ye Zhao’s face darkened. "What nonsense are you talking about? Can't you see my mother left in a rage?" Jiang Ziqi replied, "I'm not talking nonsense. Didn't you admit it yourself?" Ye Zhao snapped, "I was just bluffing to trick her, okay?" "But you knew so many things about Master Tianshu! You even matched the secret codes!" Ye Zhao didn't want to argue with him and said directly, "I was just making things up! You actually took it seriously?" "..." The onlookers who turned to look at him—they really had taken it seriously. After saying his piece, Ye Zhao made his escape. His father tried to leave as well but was pulled back by his direct superior. Minister Qian smiled at him and said, "Lord Ye, do you have a moment? Shall we have a little chat? *No!* Ye Zhao’s father wanted to say, but the other man gave him no chance to refuse. ... The events of that day thoroughly solidified Ye Zhao’s identity as the son of Tianshu. Rumors flooded the Heavenly Capital. Ye Zhao’s mother, who had finally been coaxed into a better mood, refused to speak to him for another two days out of sheer pique. Every time Ye Zhao’s father returned from the imperial court, he was exhausted. He had become a celebrity among the officials. "Son, tell me, why do you have to look like Master Tianshu?" This was the depressed Father Ye. Ye Zhao replied, "You should ask yourself and Mom that." "Then tell me, why do you like rummaging through things for no reason?" To this day, the "great treasure" Ye Zhao had scavenged was still tucked into his waist, looking quite eyesore-inducing. Ye Zhao said bitterly, "Because I'm poor." At this, Father Ye recalled what his wife had said in the courtroom. His expression turned subtle, and he left without another word. As for the identity of that person from that day, Wei Feng had shared his suspicions with Ye Zhao. He believed it was definitely the work of the group secretly watching Ye Zhao. Unfortunately, since the culprit had died, there was no further progress. However, up until now, no one had asked Ye Zhao a crucial question: "Where did he learn about those strange questions he asked that day?" It was as if everyone had deliberately forgotten it. But those with doubts kept them in their hearts, and those who already had an answer simply accepted it as the truth. Ye Zhao was truly in a situation where he couldn't clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River. He stayed home for several days, refusing guests, until he was finally dragged out by an official summons. Once again, it was Wei Feng who escorted Ye Zhao into the palace. Given that the man had saved him once more not long ago, and he hadn't had the chance to thank him, Ye Zhao offered a friendly greeting upon meeting: "Commander Wei, long time no see. Happy New Year." The other man looked at him expressionlessly for a moment. "You encountered a bloody calamity on the very first day of the New Year. I also wish you a safe and happy year." "..." *Can we not mention that?* Ye Zhao suspected the man was mocking him. "Commander Wei, I am wishing you well with all sincerity." "Coincidentally, so am I." *Are you? I don't feel it at all!* Ye Zhao’s eyes went dead. The warm smile on his face faded, and he couldn't be bothered to talk to him anymore. After a while, he turned his head again and asked with genuine curiosity, "Commander Wei, do you really hate me?" Asked this, the coldness on Commander Wei’s face didn't change in the slightest. He gave Ye Zhao a sidelong glance. "What do you think?" *What a versatile four-word answer that can be interpreted any way!* A black line formed on Ye Zhao’s forehead. He tried again, "Does Commander Wei have any friends?" Wei Feng glanced at him, seemingly too lazy to speak, and didn't offer a single word in response. Ye Zhao: *Fine, I get it. Experts don't need friends.* His teeth felt a bit sore from the awkwardness for a while, so he stopped trying to close the distance and spoke thoughtfully, "Commander Wei, I’ve been thinking carefully about what happened that day." He stopped halfway and looked at Wei Feng. Wei Feng gave him a fleeting look that seemed to say, *If you have something to say, spit it out.* Ye Zhao mused, "That Madam Qi... no, let's call her 'Madam Qi' for now." Since it was hard to say if the woman who tried to kill him was actually named that, Ye Zhao corrected his phrasing mid-sentence. "She clearly came prepared and was well-equipped. First, the letter from Master Tianshu. Shi'an saw that letter; if he said the handwriting was correct, then it must be. But the letter was definitely a fake. To reach such a level of forgery, it means she—at the very least—had seen Master Tianshu's actual handwriting." "Second, she knew quite a lot about Master Tianshu. Judging by how she could answer so many of my questions, she must have had significant interaction with him. The answers to those questions could only have come from Master Tianshu's own mouth. The people who know them must be those close to him, or at least someone who spent a considerable amount of time with him." Ye Zhao had thought it through clearly. With this analysis, the scope of suspects was already narrowing down. He asked, "Did Master Tianshu have close ties with any women in his early years? Or perhaps he made enemies with one?" Wei Feng looked at him with a strange expression and named one person. "There was a woman. The Princess Royal." But the Princess Royal was dead, and by all accounts, their relationship couldn't have been one of enmity. Thus, Ye Zhao asked, "Anyone else?" "How should I know!" Wei Feng finally lost his patience and snapped. Ye Zhao: "..." *It's my fault for picking the wrong person to discuss this with...* Indeed, Wei Feng hadn't seen Tianshu with his own eyes, so how could he know so much about the events of those years? However, having served as the Commander of the Yulin Guards for so long, he still knew quite a bit. Then he heard Wei Feng say, "Master Tianshu didn't have many women around him, but he dealt with many men." Ye Zhao paused. "Roughly who were they?" Wei Feng spoke without much interest. "Some of the old lords who held office thirty years ago. Some are retired at home enjoying their old age, while others are still in court. Most of them had professional dealings with Master Tianshu." "Those with closer ties, aside from the deceased former Minister of Justice and the retired former Minister of Personnel, include State Uncle Yin. Others still in court include Minister Song of the Ministry of Works, Minister Qian of the Ministry of Revenue, Minister Li of the Ministry of Rites, and Duke Mingde, Lord Xie. Then there's Eunuch Babao and His Majesty." "If you're talking about his best friends, that would be the Duke of An and the Duke of Zhen." After finishing, Wei Feng felt his throat was a bit dry. He added, "But as for enemies, I really can't think of any off the top of my head." Ye Zhao was stunned. *Was the Great Boss's social standing that good?!* As if seeing the surprise and doubt on Ye Zhao’s face, Wei Feng explained, "Because any enemies were all dealt with by Master Tianshu back then. How could they have been allowed to live until now?" As he spoke, he poured himself a cup of tea. *Uh... okay. A boss is truly a boss!* Ye Zhao still held a sliver of hope and disbelief. "Not a single one escaped?" Wei Feng took a sip of tea and looked at him through narrowed eyes. "As far as I know, no." Ye Zhao fell silent. *I'm impressed, truly impressed...* But after a moment, he suddenly realized something. "Then what's the deal with the person trying to kill me now?" Exactly. If all the enemies were finished, why was there someone who wanted to kill him the moment they saw his face? Not to mention, that woman had even left him with those parting threats! Ye Zhao, who had suddenly inherited a debt, was utterly bewildered. This was a massive injustice! Unfortunately, he couldn't shake off this burden no matter what. He was truly pitiful! This question indeed gave Wei Feng pause. He set down his cup, thought for a moment, and said, "I used to think there were none. Now I know there are." "..." Ye Zhao choked. *Since when did you start telling dry jokes?* Then, Wei Feng’s next sentence made Ye Zhao feel even more endangered. He said, "Of course, what I just said does not include people from the other three nations." *Surrounded on all sides!* Ye Zhao poured himself a cup of tea to calm down. "Commander Wei, no wonder you don't have any friends." "Hmm?" The sound from the other side carried an ambiguous nasal tone, and coupled with that dangerous expression, it successfully helped Ye Zhao find his lost common sense. He sat up straight and behaved. "I didn't say anything!" The other man let out a faint, mocking smirk, then closed his eyes and leaned against the carriage wall, remaining still as if resting. Ye Zhao quietly pondered his own thoughts without disturbing him. He recalled the people Wei Feng had mentioned. So Eunuch Babao also had dealings with Master Tianshu back then? Thinking about it now, the reason the man’s attitude was so kind and his favorability rose so quickly was likely due to this face. Of course, that "misunderstanding" was definitely the primary reason. This included the various people who had recently appeared around him; it was likely all because of this. Ye Zhao wore a face of deep sorrow and sighed gloomily. Little did he know, the other person in the carriage opened his eyes for a split second. Seeing Ye Zhao’s expression, he closed them again, his mood seemingly improving by a fraction. While Ye Zhao was lost in thought, Wei Feng was also contemplating what Ye Zhao had said earlier. He had to admit that Ye Zhao was right; he now had a general scope of people to investigate regarding the mastermind behind the scenes.