Chapter 1038: First Volume_Chapter 1038: The Secret of Darkness

First Volume_Chapter 1038: The Secret of Darkness

Under Li Yu's puzzled gaze, Li Zhang made a polite gesture, inviting him to move aside.

On the way to meet Qin Feng, Li Yu's mind raced swiftly.

He understood perfectly: Li Zhang's current "courtesy" was purely an attempt to win public favor, since Li Yu had surrendered voluntarily, and every move Li Zhang made would be watched by countless eyes in Wang Du.

If Li Zhang killed the donkey after grinding, the whole Heaven would know Qin Feng was not a man to surrender to—so in any future conflict, anyone opposing Qin Feng would fight to the bitter end.

But the problem was, Li Zhang was too courteous.

And clearly, every action Li Zhang took had been instructed by Qin Feng; Li Yu felt bewildered, unable to fathom what Qin Feng was truly up to.

Li Zhang ordered Ning Hu and Xu Mo to stay behind and take over the imperial palace, while he himself led Li Yu to meet Qin Feng.

Upon seeing Li Yu, Qin Feng rose immediately, smiling broadly, and bowed with both hands: "Lord Li, we meet again."

Though deeply suspicious, Li Yu reasoned that since he had come, there was no point in resisting—no matter what Qin Feng did, he would simply endure it.

After all, given his current situation, he had no choice.

Li Yu returned the bow with equal pretense: "Marquis Qin, I never imagined we'd meet again under these circumstances."

At these words, Qin Feng's hearty laughter echoed throughout the front hall.

"Ha! Lord Li, you're being too formal—given your wit, how could you not have foreseen today?"

"Lord Li is a wise man; speaking with a wise man requires no circumlocution."

"I have two matters to ask of you, Lord Li—please guide me."

With absolute power over life and death, Qin Feng had no need for games—he cut straight to the point.

"The first matter is naturally about Night Owl. Given your deep knowledge of Night Owl, you surely know far more than I do—besides those in Wang Du, are there any remaining remnants elsewhere?"

Li Yu couldn't help but smile inwardly.

He finally understood why Qin Feng and Li Zhang were so courteous—they still had use for him.

Given Qin Feng's nature, he would thoroughly purge Night Owl inside and out before feeling safe; and now that Li Yu, the former Commander of Night Owl, was his prisoner, he naturally had to be interrogated.

But since Li Yu had only just surrendered, Qin Feng could not use force, so he resorted to such courtesy.

"Marquis Qin, even if I tell you, will you believe me?"

Without hesitation, Qin Feng replied: "How can you know I won't believe you, if you don't speak?"

With no other option, Li Yu revealed everything he knew—after all, taking these secrets to the coffin would serve no purpose.

"When Night Owl fractured internally, nearly seventy percent of its core members were implicated; the remaining thirty percent scattered across the land."

"So many died that even I could no longer contact the surviving remnants."

Qin Feng nodded thoughtfully, concluding that Li Yu's words were largely true.

After so many upper and middle leaders perished, communication channels had collapsed—Li Yu, as Commander, could not directly reach the lower-tier Night Owls.

But this confirmed Qin Feng's suspicion: there were indeed many remnants among the Folk.

And these people were very likely to seek refuge with Jing Peng and Chen Si.

The Ten-Year Night Owl Extermination Plan was a long-term strategy, but now, decisive force was needed to further cripple the remnants.

Qin Feng gave a single glance; without a word, Liu Ming understood and immediately turned to leave.

Li Yu knew clearly: Qin Feng would not rest until the last Night Owl was dead.

As for the scattered remnants, lacking leadership and clear objectives, they could not withstand the Jin Yi Wei's crackdown for long.

Li Yu could already see the inevitable end of Night Owl.

With matters thus settled, he no longer hesitated and asked: "What's the second matter?"

Qin Feng did not answer immediately—he gave Li Zhang a glance. Li Zhang understood, and immediately dismissed everyone present, then shut all doors and windows.

Only when the front hall was left with Qin Feng, Li Zhang, and Li Yu alone did Qin Feng lower his voice and speak slowly.

"If all the Prince of Northern Di's descendants were sent to Shedynasty, it would be problematic."

"Though Shedynasty's situation has stabilized, the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing still hold deep roots in the key centers of Authority—should they exploit the Prince of Northern Di's descendants, Shedynasty would only invite fire upon itself."

"But if we leave them in Northern Di, I am too far to intervene—if trouble arises later, what then?"

This old fox, Li Yu, instantly grasped Qin Feng's true intent.

Publicly, Qin Feng had loudly proclaimed that if the palace surrendered, the Northern Di royal line would be guaranteed safety.

But all rulers, as a rule, say one thing and do another.

This was not to blame Qin Feng—such matters demanded extreme caution, or they could trigger a catastrophe that left the people destitute.

To manage both reputation and action—this was not treachery, but pragmatism.

Li Yu sighed lightly and followed Qin Feng's lead: "Marquis Qin, instead of worrying about public perception, you should first consider the First Princess's stance."

Qin Feng nodded: "I've already considered this."

"Jing Qianying's nature would never permit Cutting Grass and Eliminating Roots—in truth, I don't wish to do it either. But a true man must be ruthless; if I hesitate when I must act, and chaos erupts later, all of Heaven and Earth will suffer—and I will become a true eternal criminal."

"Therefore, this matter must be kept secret from Jing Qianying—only the three of us know."

Everyone has secrets they dare not show; until now, Qin Feng had always walked upright—but for Jing Qianying, he was willing to bury dark things within his own heart.

Seeing Qin Feng's firm resolve, Li Yu ceased resisting and sighed helplessly: "The Prince of Northern Di had seventeen Princes and six Princesses."

"And the First Princess is Jing Ci."

Li Yu specifically mentioned "Jing Ci," hoping Qin Feng might spare her out of regard for her.

Unfortunately, Qin Feng's expression did not change.

"Some may live; others must die."

"Help me sort it out, Lord Li—who must die, and who may live?"

Facing Qin Feng's probe, Li Yu felt like needles pricked his back, inwardly sighing—this man was far too dangerous.