Chapter 593: First Volume, Chapter 593: The Second Father

First Volume, Chapter 593: The Second Father

Under the guard's guidance, Qin Feng arrived at the deepest part of the prison.

According to protocol, the closer a prisoner was to execution, the deeper their cell.

Xie Bi was to be beheaded in five days, so naturally he was placed in the innermost "Guibin Shi."

At first, Qin Feng assumed that condemned prisoners, just before execution, would be given comfortable quarters and better food.

After all, the old saying of "last meal before the chop" existed for a reason.

But reality was cruel.

In an era that still practiced the "death by a thousand cuts" torture, how could criminals possibly be treated well?

This innermost cell was built with extreme precision, shaped like a horizontal cylinder.

The walls on both sides were perfectly smooth, making it impossible for the prisoner to gain any leverage.

The cell was only four feet high, so the prisoner could not stand upright, and his neck was chained to the ceiling.

This forced the prisoner into a constant, agonizing half-standing, half-squatting posture.

Even at the very moment of execution, the prisoner would suffer more than death!

Xie Bi, once a Duke of the State, received no special treatment—he crouched in the cell.

Although Xie Bi was one of the Four Great Experts of the Capital, possessing formidable martial skill.

Yet after days of torment, he was nearly collapsed, his face deathly pale, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

Xie Bi was not surprised by Qin Feng's arrival; a look of relief crossed his face.

"Feng'er, I was just wondering when you'd come."

Though Xie Bi tried to sound casual, Qin Feng couldn't help feeling heartbroken seeing him this way.

The former Duke of Ning had once been so glorious—now reduced to this.

And ultimately, everything was tied to him.

Qin Feng did not respond to Xie Bi; instead, he spun around and glared fiercely at the guard beside him.

Though he said nothing, his icy gaze made the guard involuntarily step back, his spine chilling.

Seeing this, Xie Bi let out a bitter laugh.

"Feng'er, don't trouble the guard—they're just following orders."

Even so, given Xie Bi's former noble status, even as a prisoner he should have received special treatment.

Yet now, Xie Bi was no different from an ordinary death row inmate.

Here in this prison, "Equal Before the Law" was truly enforced—how ironic!

Qin Feng ignored Xie Bi's plea and glared at the guard: "Immediately move my Uncle Xie to another cell."

The guard looked distressed and opened his mouth to refuse.

Before he could speak, Ning Hu seized the back of his collar.

With a slight squeeze, the guard's feet lifted off the ground, like a helpless chick.

Ning Hu's eyes bulged: "Think carefully before you speak!"

The guard knew he could not possibly offend these two men.

Besides, allowing them into the prison was ordered by the warden himself—if questioned, it had nothing to do with him.

Realizing this, the guard no longer hesitated—he quickly unlocked the dead man's cell and unfastened the chain around Xie Bi's neck.

"Duke Ning, please."

The guard hastily gestured for him to leave.

But Xie Bi did not rise—he sat down on the floor and waved his hand.

"No need. I'll stay right here. I'm going nowhere."

Hearing this, the guard exhaled in relief, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Qin Feng understood: Xie Bi was worried the guard would suffer for it.

If that was the case, Qin Feng would not press further—he fixed his gaze on the guard and gave two instructions.

"When no outsiders are present, remove Uncle Xie's chains so he can stretch his limbs."

"If Li Qian's allies come to inspect, you can rechain him then."

As he spoke, Qin Feng seized the guard's collar, his tone turning razor-sharp.

"If you dare mistreat my Uncle Xie, and I find out, I'll hand you over to the Tianji Camp Guards."

"Let you see how gentle your prison tortures are compared to how my Tianji Camp extracts secrets from enemies!"

The guard shrank back, nodding frantically like a pounding pestle.

Qin Feng released him, tossed him a Silver Note, and dismissed him with a wave.

Watching Xie Bi sit on the ground, breathing heavily, as if aged ten years in an instant,

Qin Feng's eyes filled with bitterness: "Uncle, it's all my fault."

"If not for me, you wouldn't be in this state today."

Xie Bi shook his head, smiling gently: "I'm already a condemned man—you still call me 'Uncle.' That alone brings me comfort."

"You needn't dwell on this."

"In Jingdu, no one wins forever. Once you enter officialdom, you accept this risk."

"But… the only thing I can't let go of is Yun'er."

"Knowing that girl as I do, she'll take action."

As he spoke, Xie Bi slowly raised his head to look at Qin Feng, his gaze unwavering.

"Feng'er, I entrust Yun'er to you."

Qin Feng did not hesitate, nodding firmly.

"Uncle, rest assured—as long as I, Qin Feng, still draw breath, I will never let Yun'er suffer."

"Anyone who dares to harm Yun'er must first step over my corpse."

Hearing Qin Feng's resolute vow, Xie Bi's long-tense heart finally settled.

In this world, Xie Bi trusted only the Qin Family.

Even if the marriage pact between the Xie and Qin families ended in nothing, Xie Bi still believed the Qin Family would protect his daughter without reservation.

"Feng'er, five days from now, on the Execution Ground, I do not wish to see you."

At these words, Qin Feng's heart seized with sharp pain.

Xie Bi intended to sacrifice himself, trading his own life for the prosperity of the Qin Family and Xie Yun'er.

Thud!

Qin Feng dropped straight to his knees and bowed three heavy headstrikes to Xie Bi.

This sudden gesture startled Xie Bi greatly.

Kneeling on the ground, Qin Feng straightened up, fixing his gaze on Xie Bi, speaking slowly and clearly.

"Uncle, I will marry Xie Yun'er—you will surely be my father-in-law!"

"From now on, I will honor you as my own father."

These words struck straight into Xie Bi's heart—now, he too had a son…

Xie Bi felt his eyes grow damp; he quickly turned his head and smiled as he nodded. "Good, good, good—I've remembered."

Qin Feng rose to his feet and bowed once more to Xie Bi, his gaze unwavering.

"Uncle, believe me—you will not die!"

"I will never let Yun'er become an orphan!"

With these words, Qin Feng turned and walked away without hesitation.

Xie Bi secretly wiped his tears with his sleeve, watching Qin Feng's retreating back with boundless comfort—his suffering had been worth it.

The jailer had been guarding the Door, and upon seeing Qin Feng emerge, hurried over.

"Lord Qin, how so soon? It hasn't even been a quarter-hour."

Qin Feng offered no explanation, only fixed the jailer with a stern gaze. "Treat my uncle well."

"If you dare show the slightest neglect, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Feeling the boundless killing intent in Qin Feng's eyes, the jailer's heart jolted—he dared not delay, nodding frantically.