Published: March 7, 2025
Chapter 123: The Heart of a Strongman
"There is another way..." One of the shadows hesitated and murmured, "But it's somewhat... inhumane... it's an insult, but it might still work..."
"Since it's inhumane and may not be effective, why insult such a good man?" Chu Yang coldly snorted and interrupted.
"Stop talking!" Tie Butian also frowned and decisively said, almost speaking in unison with Chu Yang.
The two shadows, expressionless, took a step back.
"Ugh..." Tie Butian looked at the tragic scene in the room and dry-heaved, waving his hand, "What Chu Imperial Seat said is correct, let's give him a quick end. We have plenty of ways to deal with Diwu Qingrou. Torturing him is unnecessary; why must we insult a good man?"
"Kill him? What a pity!" Chu Yang disagreed slightly. Even as bait, he would still be a significant asset.
"Just kill him." Tie Butian sighed heavily, "Such a man, how can we bear to humiliate him? Some things can still be done after his death. It all depends on how we act; there’s no need to torture a hero!"
"Since his royal highness the crown prince has decided, let's give him a quick end." Chu Yang nodded, drawing out a dagger and slowly walking to Tang Xingsheng’s front. Deep down, he also wanted to give Tang Xingsheng a quick end. However, considering the bigger picture, he felt it necessary to keep him alive. Now that Tie Butian had said this, Chu Yang chose not to insist any longer.
Looking at Tang Xingsheng, Chu Yang softly asked, "Why don't you kill yourself?"
Tang Xingsheng could not speak, but his eyes revealed a proud glint.
He didn't need to say anything; Chu Yang understood. Such pride, such a proud person, such an unbendable spirit would rather be tormented to death by the enemy than take his own life. His life would never end by his own hand!
Chu Yang nodded, exerted force with his wrist, aimed for the heart, and cleanly stabbed in, softly saying, "Have a good journey! In the next life, let’s be enemies again!"
A flash of gratitude crossed Tang Xingsheng's eyes, followed by a faint smile. In his dying moment, he had a moment of clarity before death, miraculously managing to utter, "Diwu... has an opponent... alas... I won't... see..."
With a tilt of his head, he passed away. The lifeless body ceased convulsing, slowly lying flat on the ground. The originally contorted face surprisingly returned to tranquility, faintly carrying the elegance and warmth from before...
Chu Yang sighed, a hero should not be humiliated, yet killing Tang Xingsheng like this, he truly did not know if it was right or wrong... His value while alive was far greater than being dead...
"A good man, Master Tang, I should not have bet against you!" Tie Butian gazed at Tang Xingsheng's corpse, solemnly saying, "If you have a next life, I hope to serve as your lord properly!"
Chu Yang's heart trembled, and he raised his head. He could tell that Tie Butian's words came truly from the heart!
Such a good man deserves everyone's respect; however, Tie Butian saying this is extraordinary. Just this one sentence showed that Tie Butian was a level above Diwu Qingrou.
He was, after all, not a heroic overlord who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals! First, he gave Tang Xingsheng a quick end, and now he expressed regret... Killing is indeed cruel, but for Tang Xingsheng now, it was a good deed. Desiring talent is good, but desiring talent from enemies is digging one’s own grave!
This mindset is beneficial for dealing with others, but for a king in a weak position amidst a war between two nations, it may not be a good thing.
"Rest assured, those who oppose us, even if they are great heroes, must be dealt with." Tie Butian smiled slightly, seeing through Chu Yang's thoughts, and explained, "I will not harbor mercy, but I must also show enough respect to worthy enemies!"
Chu Yang smiled and said, "Indeed. I thought his royal highness would try to back out." He mused that perhaps this is where Tie Butian's charisma lies; after all, he and Diwu Qingrou are fundamentally different people.