Chapter 67 - He Is My Brother!
Shen Tian suddenly had a bright idea. He took out the Phoenix Feather Mask that Zhang Yunxi had left behind and wore it.
One had to say that the size was quite suitable, and there was also a lingering fragrant scent.
Yeap, the mask completely conceals my face now. At the very least, my sixth brother won’t recognize me!
After wearing the mask, Shen Tian took out his mirror to have a look and couldn’t help but exclaim, “This is the perfect disguise!”
Then, he resumed following Shopkeeper Song and headed toward the Sky Spirit Pavilion’s chamber.
When the door opened, they could see Young Shopkeeper Song dozing off beside the door. Meanwhile, the number of palmprints and bruises on Shen Ao seemed to have increased from before.
Shen Tian’s lips twitched slightly upon seeing the tragic figure of Shen Ao, whose hands were bound behind his back, on the cross.
“Sss! You guys sure focused all the beating on his face!”
Initially, Shen Ao was dispirited, but after Shen Tian finished saying his piece, his eyes instantly lit up. He stared at Shen Tian, and in the next instant, his eyes betrayed fear and terror!
“This voice sounds very familiar! Sss, is it possible that it’s you? Thirteenth Brother!?”
Shopkeeper Song, who was standing at the side, had roughly understood the situation. He carefully asked, “So, Master Celestial, you’re not Shen Ao but Shen Tian?”
Shen Tian could not help but roll his eyes. “What do you think?”
“No wonder, I understand now.” Shopkeeper Song’s lips twitched, and then he turned and slapped his son on his face.
“You good-for-nothing! You haven’t learned a lesson after being beaten!” he barked. “Master Celestial had clearly told you that he was the 13th Prince, Shen Tian, after beating you up! How did you mishear and think he was the 6th Prince? You’re even deafer than Shopkeeper Wang next door!”
Young Shopkeeper Song was confused after being slapped. He looked at Shen Tian in a daze as he recalled the situation that day. He remembered that Master Celestial had clearly said that he was… the 6th Prince!
“I remember that I didn’t mishear it! Is it possible that my head was hit so hard that I imagined hearing it?”
The bewildered Shen Tian laughed softly. Then he coughed lightly and stared at Young Shopkeeper Song coldly. “What do you think?”
Young Shopkeeper Song was terrified.
I have made Master Celestial upset!
He immediately lowered his head in shame and said, “Most likely, I misheard.”
“In that case, this person is?”
“Is it possible that he is really the 6th Prince?”
Upon thinking of that possibility, the father-son duo started to panic.
At the same time, Young Shopkeeper Song’s words made Shen Ao feel even more wronged. He had been under the impression that they had kidnapped him as a part of a major conspiracy that targeted him—Country of Fire’s once-in-a-century rare talent.
Who would have thought that I suffered so much pain because that young shopkeeper did not hear clearly!? So all the pain I suffered and the slaps I endured were in vain?
Nothing good happens once my thirteenth brother is involved, indeed!
Boohoohoo, I was still not cautious enough! I should not have left the palace and come here in the first place! If not, I wouldn’t have suffered such inhuman treatment!
After thinking this through, Shen Ao pulled a long face and said, “Since it is all a misunderstanding, then forget it. Thirteenth Brother, tell them to let me go. I promise I will not hold a grudge.”
Shen Ao’s assurance caused Young Shopkeeper Song’s eyes to light up before he asked, “Master Celestial, father, since the 6th Prince promised that he would not hold a grudge, how about we let him go?”
Shopkeeper Song looked at Shen Tian and asked, “Master Celestial, what do you think we should do?”
Shen Tian looked at Shen Ao as if trying to discern if what he said was true or not. Then, he answered Shopkeeper Song with a question of his own, “Shopkeeper Song, do you think my sixth brother will not hold a grudge?”
When Shopkeeper Song heard Shen Tian’s answer, he instantly revealed an “understood” expression.
He took a deep breath and gradually walked toward Shen Ao.
“I understand. Since this has already happened, rather than hoping the other person will not hold a grudge, it’s better to settle it ourselves.
“Master Celestial means that since we’ve already made a mistake, we should go through it regardless of the consequences.”
“As such, taking advantage of the fact that no one knows now, we should directly kill him, right? Just in case he tries to fight against you for the throne in the future!”
Shen Ao’s face drained of color and was filled with horror. Meanwhile, Shen Tian rolled his eyes, and his face was filled with helplessness.
Question! What I just asked was a question!
What the f*ck did you hear that made you think I wanted you to kill him!?
How could I be that cruel and let someone kill my dear sixth brother? That is my most beloved brother!
[1] A Chinese proverb indicating that it’s better that the thief steals the item—a one-time action—instead of the thief being concerned about the item to the point one would worry about when the thief would make his move and steal, thus mentally taxing.