Your Majesty, Please Stop!

Chapter 63: Xin Zhuo's Memorial Speech

The meat was stewed until it was tender and falling apart, with two braised eggs added inside. From a distance, one could smell the rich aroma of the meat.

Xin Zhuo changed back into his linen robe that was pierced with holes by Su Miaojin. He rolled up the sleeves of his robe, holding a dagger in his left hand and chopsticks in his right. He cut a piece of meat, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly and methodically. The oil flowed down the corners of his mouth and then sucked back in.

He threw the bones on the ground, and Little Huang caught them accurately. Neither the man nor the dog wasted anything.

He was in a good mood, even though he was still the bandit leader who was hated by everyone and whose life was uncertain. But at least he had completed his current goal, and now it was time to enjoy the fruits of his labor and strengthen his power.

There was nothing more addictive and joyful in the world than this.

However, he needed to be cautious about how to handle things smoothly.

He listened attentively to the conversation of the people in front of him. He suddenly felt that he had been a bit high-profile recently, especially when he threatened the one thousand constables and took turns inviting Chen Jing and the others to fight with their martial arts. It was too suspicious.

If his reputation spread, he would become a guinea pig.

Especially with Shuiyue Temple and Qiugong Pavilion, he knew nothing about their strength. These past few days, he always had the feeling of being watched.

But then again, he really had no choice. The existence of the Lunar Serenity Well forced him to cause trouble. Without the ability to cause trouble and improve his strength, as a mere bandit, where could he run? Wouldn't he just let others control him?

"Smack..."

The sound of chewing and the aroma of meat filled the entire cave.

Chen Guiyan, Murong Lei, Yuan Yourong, Song Dongxi, and Sun Wu's moods were very bad.

Not only because they were imprisoned, but also because they hadn't had a proper meal for several days. Xin Zhuo's appearance made it hard for people not to look, and looking made it hard not to feel hungry.

"High-quality ingredients often only require the simplest cooking methods. This beef tendon has green onions, ginger, star anise, soybean paste, and salt added to it. It has been stewed for two hours, and it is fatty but not greasy, soft and delicious. After eating a piece, the aftertaste is endless. I have never had it before when I was in Fulong Village..."

Xin Zhuo explained the delicacy in a meticulous and tasteful manner.

"Shut up!"

Yuan Yourong couldn't bear it anymore. "Are you trying to humiliate us? Just some food, it's too ridiculous. Do you really think we haven't eaten before?"

"Gurgle..."

They talked tough, but their stomachs were honest.

Soon, it triggered a chain reaction, and the sound of rumbling stomachs filled the entire cave.

"Ah, it smells so good!"

Xin Zhuo picked up a piece of meat and walked to Yuan Yourong. He looked at her dusty and pale face and placed the meat near her mouth. "Try it!"

"Hmph! Get away." Yuan Yourong resisted the tempting aroma and stubbornly turned her head.

Xin Zhuo whispered, "The meat is clean. Why bother having a grudge against your own stomach? A wise person knows the current situation and can adapt. Be obedient and eat it."

Yuan Yourong frowned slightly, as if she found it reasonable. She fiercely took a bite, but ended up biting into thin air, hitting her teeth and almost knocking out a cavity.

Xin Zhuo had already taken the piece of meat away and turned around. "Hypocrite!"

"You..." Yuan Yourong gritted her teeth. "Xin Zhuo, you wicked thief, I won't let you go even if I become a ghost."

"Is it the kind with disheveled hair, wearing red clothes, and good in bed? I can accept that kind." Xin Zhuo sat down and continued eating the meat.

"Woof..." Little Huang barked fiercely, as if understanding the word "dog." It felt like someone had scolded its owner and itself together.

"You..." Yuan Yourong wanted to curse again, but she couldn't find the words to say.

"Xin Zhuo! Where is my son?"

At this moment, Chen Guiyan couldn't hold back any longer and shouted in a hoarse voice.

"And Little Pear Blossom!" Murong Lei also glared angrily.

Xin Zhuo snapped his fingers, and trembling and no longer in his usual confident demeanor, Little Pear Blossom and the naive little boy walked in on their own. They pitifully threw themselves at Murong Lei and Chen Guiyan, crying with grievances.

For a moment, the four of them embraced each other and wept, as if it were a farewell before death, filled with sorrow and misery.

Xin Zhuo watched with interest as he ate meat, which became even more delicious.

Song Dongxi had been observing coldly all along. He couldn't quite understand Xin Zhuo's intentions and asked coldly, "You captured us instead of killing us immediately. What exactly are you planning to do?"

The others also looked over together. Yes, understanding Xin Zhuo's motives was particularly important.

Finally, they heard this sentence. It was so difficult.

Let the performance begin!

Xin Zhuo sighed, put down the meat plate, and sincerely said, "What bad intentions could I have? I just wanted you to understand me better. I have no intention of killing you, and I even want to release you immediately."

Chen Guiyan and the others looked at him indifferently. You are cunning like a fox, who would believe you?

Xin Zhuo sighed again, "You only see the bandit side of me, but you overlook my true nature. I'm only sixteen years old, still a child. I have no choice but to be a bandit. What can I do if my grandfather is a bandit? I actually want to switch places with Song Dongxi and Murong Lei, to become a young master and flirt with maidservants every day. But can I?"

Everyone fell silent.

Xin Zhuo continued, "Miss Su Miaojin will forever be the one I cherish in my heart. I brought her to the stronghold, but I didn't harm her in the slightest. Can you see any signs of abuse or humiliation on her? No! We were starving, so we resorted to robbery when we came down from the mountain. We had no idea about her identity. If we had known, I would have let her go without hesitation. The fact is, I was scared, so I took her hostage. I treat her like a deity. She sleeps on the bed while I sleep on the ground, always protecting her. Tell me, among all the bandits in the world, who can match my timidity and kindness? Sun Wu? If Miss Su came to Menghuo Stronghold, would Sun Wu spare her?"

Everyone involuntarily looked at Sun Wu, who was being used as a negative example. He couldn't refute it either, so he twisted his head, pressed his face to the ground, and played dead.

Xin Zhuo continued, "And those constables like Chen Jing and Yuan Mo'er, to be honest, their martial arts are indeed inferior to mine, but they repeatedly tested and tried to assassinate me. I have the ability to kill them, but did I? No! I couldn't bear it. I kidnapped Miss Su because I wanted to make a living, and the constables also became constables to make a living. All beings suffer, so why bother? Examine your conscience, where can you find a bandit like me who is kind-hearted and principled?"

"Heh! It's the first time I've heard a bandit boast like this." Yuan Yourong sneered.

"This is not boasting, it's the truth."

Xin Zhuo continued, "Even you, if it weren't for you pushing me to the limit, how could I have risen up and tied you up? Isn't that the reason?"

Murong Lei furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment before asking, "So, Xin Dashao, what exactly do you plan to do?"

Unconsciously, he used a respectful form of address, apparently finding some truth in Xin Zhuo's words.

"I've decided to let you go!"

Xin Zhuo's words instantly stunned everyone. Even the four great practitioners, who were used to being arrogant, suddenly raised their heads, their hearts in turmoil.

After all the effort, he's just going to let us go so easily? This...

"Xin Dashao is indeed righteous!" Song Dongxi forced a laugh, his sense of despair becoming active.

(End of this chapter)