Chapter 45: Cultivating Mystic Skill Consumes the Living
Seeing Feng Xiaonian lower his head in silence, Li Jing sighed and continued, "You originally worked under Gao Jineng, and three years ago, due to a mishap during the escort of provisions to Sanshan Pass, you should have been executed. However, Gao Jineng, considering your abilities, pleaded on your behalf. Thus, you escaped the capital punishment and came under my command at Chentang Pass. Am I right?"
Feng Xiaonian bowed his head to the ground and said, "My lord speaks with absolute accuracy. Although I am a general who slipped up, my lord has treated me no differently than others. The grace of meeting my lord is like being reborn, a favor I dare not forget."
"It’s good that you haven’t forgotten," Li Jing’s expression softened slightly, "Now that I think about it, ever since you arrived at Chentang Pass, there have been numerous reports about people disappearing in the area. Previously when we went to Wild Horse Ridge, on the fifth day, the family of three of the Sun couple at the foot of Wild Horse Ridge also went missing. Were all these your doing?"
Feng Xiaonian suddenly slammed his head on the ground, creating a muffled sound as the thick fallen leaves on the ground shattered.
He gritted his teeth and said, "I have failed the General!"
After speaking, he pulled out a palm-sized, shining short dagger from his waist. Li Jing’s pupils dilated, but he saw Feng Xiaonian turn the blade and press it against his own chest.
A fierce look crossed Feng Xiaonian’s face as he said, "General, rest assured, I am aware of my guilt and will now end my own life, making sure not to implicate you."
As he said this, he closed his eyes and slapped the hand holding the dagger with his other hand, ready to plunge the dagger into his heart. However, he found his right wrist seized, preventing him from following through.
He opened his eyes and saw the towering figure of the General of Chentang Pass, puzzled, he said, "General?"
Li Jing spoke, "It’s good that you admitted. Stand up."