Seeing this, Chu Feng's father sighed and finally nodded.
He understood very well why the royal family had done this. The struggle for imperial power was inherently cruel, especially within a powerful family like the royal house, where it was even more perilous and unpredictable.
The Chu family was weak. If they could not eliminate Chu Feng, he would become a threat to the royal family, posing a significant hidden danger to Yuwen Xuan.
Therefore, even at the cost of sacrificing many innocent lives, he had to get rid of Chu Feng.
"Feng'er, your father will go first. Remember, never return to the capital. Absolutely never," Chu Feng's father exhorted him earnestly. He knew very well.
Since the royal family had sent people to capture them, they would not give up. If Chu Feng returned to the capital, even if he escaped this time, he would inevitably face assassination.
Moreover, Chu Feng's talent was extraordinary, and his future achievements were limitless. How could the royal family easily let him go?
"Father, you don't need to say more. I have my own plans," Chu Feng shook his head resolutely, disagreeing with his father's suggestion.
"Alas, your stubbornness is so much like your mother's," Chu Feng's father sighed.
He then gave Chu Feng a few more instructions before walking away and leaving the area.
Watching his father's retreating figure, Chu Feng's eyes flickered, his fists clenched, and a deep hatred surged in his gaze.
But he did not act rashly. Instead, he quietly followed.
He had to get to the bottom of this matter. Who had instigated the royal family, and what did they want to do to him?
"Whoosh!" Just then, several figures flew from all directions. They were all dressed in black, tall and slender.
They exuded a sharp aura, clearly the experts under Yuwen Xuan.
"Sir, we've caught them. Should we take them back to the palace directly?" one of the commanders asked respectfully, approaching two other commanders.
"Hmph, take them back to the palace? What do you take us for?" one of the commanders snapped.
"Sir, you are right. What should we do now?" the commander asked, lowering his head.
"Kill." Hearing this, the other commander's expression changed drastically, and he couldn't help but swallow.
He stammered, "L-Lord, this is an imperial decree personally bestowed by His Majesty. We... we... cannot kill them."
"An imperial decree? I had forgotten about that," the commander said, suddenly realizing. However, he then smiled sinisterly and said,
"Then it's simple. We'll kill these two culprits here. We'll still be acting according to the imperial command, and no one can do anything to us."
"Sir is truly wise. Your subordinate is impressed," the commanders all gave thumbs up, praising him.
"Then hurry up, lest there be more complications," the commander snorted.
Just then, Zhang Zhiyuan led his troops to interrupt them, blocking Chu Feng and saying, "Hold your blades! His Majesty has decreed that the true culprit behind the general's murder has been found.
Lord Chu is to resume his original post and immediately proceed to the palace."
"This..." Hearing Zhang Zhiyuan's words, the commanders present were stunned. They clearly had not expected such an outcome.
"General Zhang, you are lying," the commander frowned and rebuked, "Chu Feng killed hundreds of my comrades. You expect me to let him go? Aren't you shielding him?"
"I am not shielding him. His Majesty has decreed that Chu Feng and his father are to resume their original posts," Zhang Zhiyuan explained.
"Hmph, has His Majesty lost his mind? How could he issue such a decree? Chu Feng killed our dynasty's soldiers, that is a foregone conclusion. Are we to cover it up?" the commander said angrily.
"His Majesty has decreed that Chu Feng killed people only because he killed those who deserved to die, not innocent people," Zhang Zhiyuan stated.
"Hahaha, do you think that kind of nonsense will fool a three-year-old child?" the commander laughed heartily.
"All of us saw it with our own eyes. Chu Feng killed hundreds of people. This is irrefutable evidence. You tell me he killed those who deserved to die?"
"If I say they deserved to die, then they deserved to die. Don't you believe me? Then come with me to the palace and ask His Majesty directly. His Majesty will give you an answer," Zhang Zhiyuan said coldly.
"Bah! Don't tell me you don't dare to go. Even if you dare, it doesn't mean Chu Feng can escape punishment."
The commander cursed angrily, "His Majesty long ago ordered that as soon as Chu Feng's whereabouts are discovered, report it immediately. If you disobey His Majesty's order, you are defying the imperial decree and will face confiscation of property and extermination of your clan!"
"Then let's see who can confiscate the Chu family's property," Zhang Zhiyuan said coldly, then turned his head.
He said to Chu Feng, "Lord Chu, you should return to the palace first. His Majesty is looking for you. Leave the rest to me."
"En." Chu Feng nodded. He also knew that this matter was not trivial and involved too much, even implicating the royal family.
If he didn't go back, he would undoubtedly be accused of defying the imperial decree, and then things would truly become troublesome.
After Chu Feng and his father left, the surrounding commanders were all dumbfounded. This time, they truly did not know how to handle the situation, as it was too significant.
"Commander, what should we do? Should we report this to His Majesty?" one commander asked the other.
"It's best to report this to His Majesty first, as these are His Majesty's orders, and we are merely acting on them," another commander said.
"Alright, that's what we'll do. I'll go report to His Majesty. The rest of you will seal off this area and allow no unauthorized personnel within half a step. Those who disobey will be killed without mercy!" the commander ordered.
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison, and then quickly disappeared into the night sky. The village instantly fell silent.
Meanwhile, inside the imperial palace.
Yuwen Xuan was sitting in the Imperial Garden, sipping tea. Beside him stood a man clad in golden armor, handsome and elegant, with a dignified bearing.
However, his face was currently cold, and his eyes contained boundless rage. He asked word by word, "Father, why did you issue such a decree, restoring Chu Feng to his original post?"
This man was Yuwen Hao.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Do I need your permission to do things?" Yuwen Xuan glanced at Yuwen Hao indifferently, appearing somewhat displeased.
"I just feel that Father has made the wrong decision," Yuwen Hao gritted his teeth. Although he usually obeyed his father's every command,
he always felt that his father had made an extremely foolish decision.
"It is not your place to dictate my actions. If you wish to resist, then resist," Yuwen Xuan said dismissively, glancing at Yuwen Hao.
He then waved his hand, signaling him to withdraw, unwilling to continue the discussion.
Seeing this, Yuwen Hao took a deep breath, suppressing the rage in his chest, and then clasped his hands in a salute. "Your son takes his leave."
With that, he turned and left, but his gait was stiff. His heart ached. The father he most admired
had done such a thing, which was truly unbelievable to him.