A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)

Chapter 2163

“Oh? I wasn't aware of that.”

The news sparked Ye Fan's curiosity, and he furrowed his brows.

Ye Fan had been wondering about Chu Yuan's real identity, for under normal circumstances, he would have already been dead.

However, there seemed to be some living thing, perhaps through an act of necromancy, controlling Chu Yuan's body and wreaking havoc on the entire world.

One of Ye Fan's goals for heading to Mount Chumen was to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Upon learning from Ye Qingtian that Chu Yuan's body had shriveled overnight, Ye Fan was further intrigued by the matter.

“Is his corpse still around?”

Ye Fan intended to check it out himself.

“Yes, Master, it's still there. We didn't touch it at all,” Gaius replied.

“Good. Bring me to it. War God, you should rest here first. If there's anything you need, just let Yuyan know.”

Ye Yuyan was also from the military and naturally, she knew Ye Qingtian. That was the reason Ye Fan had arranged for her to care for Ye Qingtian.

Just when Ye Fan was about to leave, Ye Qingtian, looking troubled, called out to him, “Ye Fan, there's something I'm not sure if I should say.”

Ye Fan smiled. “War God, there's no need to hold back your words. We've known each other for so long. What's there to be embarrassed about?”

“It's about King of Fighters and Sword Saint,” Ye Qingtian finally replied after a brief pause.

“I know well that War God Castle has done you a lot of harm, and the two of them have made plenty of mistakes in the past, but I still hope you can let them go. Despite their stubbornness and flaws, I can't deny their contributions to China's martial arts world. I'm begging you, Ye Fan, to spare them for the greater good of the nation,” Ye Qingtian pleaded.

He was well aware that he had no right to ask for mercy on their behalf, for it would be unfair to Ye Fan.

From the latter's perspective, the two deserved to die for all the harm and suffering they had caused.

Despite that, Ye Qingtian couldn't bring himself to remain silent, for they had been his comrades for many years.

Sword Saint, King of Fighters, Tang Hao, and the others had given their lives to serve the nation and its people.

He felt it necessary to appeal their case.

“War God, don't you know that those two b*stards were largely responsible for Master's death outside the country? They have brought all of this upon themselves. Paying the price for their actions back then is nothing but divine retribution. They deserve nothing but death itself! Besides, how dare you talk to Master about the greater good? Do you know how much Master has suffered because of it?

“Three years ago, when Chu Sect allied with the elites of many countries to attack Master, King of Fighters and Sword Saint chose to sacrifice Master's life for the sake of this so-called greater good! And now you're asking Master to spare those two for this same ludicrous reason?”

Before Ye Fan could reply, Li Er had unleashed an angry tirade. He had been there at the battle of Eastsea.

With his own eyes, he had witnessed the ruthlessness of China's martial arts world and the despair Ye Fan had felt.

A man as proud as the latter had been forced into committing suicide with his own sword.

One could only imagine the devastating blow the event had dealt upon Ye Fan.

Yet now, after Ye Fan had achieved the current success with an extraordinary amount of effort and sacrifice, Ye Qingtian actually tried to dissuade him from exacting revenge just when he was finally capable of doing so.

Li Er was filled with indignance on Ye Fan's behalf when he heard the same excuse being used.

Faced with Li Er's accusations, Ye Qingtian remained silent, his guilt apparent for all to see.

What Li Er said was right.

King of Fighters and Sword Saint were responsible for forcing Ye Fan down the path of doom, cementing a deadly rivalry between the two parties.

Although Ye Qingtian felt that his appeal was unreasonable, he had no choice but to raise it still.

He hoped to preserve their lives from both a professional and personal standpoint.

“Ye Fan, both of them have learned a painful lesson. If you feel that isn't enough, you can cripple their martial arts capabilities. I'm only begging you to spare their lives. For fighting on behalf of the nation their entire lives, they deserve a chance to retire in peace,” Ye Qingtian continued to plead.

Ye Fan turned around and left without providing a response.

A few minutes later, Gaius dragged two old men who were close to death up to Ye Fan.

“Kneel, you old b*stards!” Gaius barked before giving each of them a kick, causing both of them to fall to their knees.

They were none other King of Fighters and Sword Saint, pillars of China who had dominated the nation and War God Castle for decades.

After the battle of Mount Yunding, Gaius and the others had locked up the surviving two as if they were prisoners of war.

Everyone knew how much trouble War God Castle had caused Ye Fan. Gaius would have executed both of them back then if Xu Lei hadn't stopped him.

The two of them sprawled pathetically on the ground, the wounds on their bodies continuing to torment them.

Despite that, the humiliation was more torturous to them than the physical pain they suffered. Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

As pillars of China, they used to bask in the glory of being leaders of the nation, worshipped by its people.

In contrast to then, Tang Hao was now dead and War God Castle had been destroyed. The martial arts world of China lay in ruins together with Chu Sect.

Both of them were reduced to nothing more than pathetic prisoners who were on the brink of death.

Sometimes, the line that separates heaven and hell is a fine one.

Sword Saint and King of Fighters couldn't help but wonder if things would have turned out differently if they had chosen to back Ye Fan against Chu Sect back then.

Would Tang Hao still be dead? Would War God Castle still be around? Would both of us be torn down from our pedestal?

Unfortunately, history allows no do-overs.

Despite the remorse that filled them, they had no choice but to accept the final conclusion.

Both of them lay flat on the ground while a lanky figure stood proudly in front of them.

Ye Fan wore an emotionless face, his eyes cold.

Staring down at the two in a condescending manner, Ye Fan said in a thundering voice, “King of Fighters, Sword Saint, did you ever think things would turn out this way when you allied with Chu Sect to force me into committing suicide overseas?”

Every single one of Ye Fan's words pierced their hearts.

They lowered their heads, their faces red. They had nothing to defend themselves with.

Whatever dignity or career they previously had was now utterly ruined.

The man they had offended in the past was now standing right in front of them, ready to exact revenge.

Both of them were cognizant that whoever emerged victorious from the battle of Mount Yunding, be it Chu Yuan or Ye Fan, their lives would never be spared.

“G-Go on. Kill me. T-To die in the hands of a countryman is a lot better than that of a foreigner. After my death, the fate of the martial arts world of China will be left to you, Chu Tianfan.”

Sword Saint's weak and trembling voice gradually rang out.

Thereafter, he, together with King of Fighters, raised their necks and prepared for their execution.