Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Chapter 24: I Took You As My Child

A fine horse was indeed proud, but compared to the Cangback Eagle that could fly, it was far inferior. Since the latter could be tamed so easily, how could Su Shang have been tamed to death?

Previously, Mo Yanxue believed Feng Jin's words, but now she was beginning to have some doubts.

"What do you mean, miss?" Zhang Xuan seemed clueless about the girl's words and couldn't help but be stunned. His lips trembled, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Are you saying... Su Shang, it... it's dead?"

At this moment, Zhang Xuan's eyes showed a mix of shock, confusion, disbelief, and sorrow. The various emotions intertwined, making it clear that he had just learned of this news.

"Are you surprised?" Mo Yanxue frowned.

"Su Shang was very healthy this morning. It snorted at me happily as it sent you off to school. How could it be dead..." Zhang Xuan clenched his fist, his teeth grinding. "Miss, what exactly is going on?"

Seeing his genuine emotion, which did not seem fake, and considering his easy taming of the Cangback Eagle earlier, Mo Yanxue was also unsure. She looked over again:

"When you came to the City Lord's Mansion, Feng Jin told me that to tame Su Shang, you not only punished it physically but also used a sharp tool to cut open its belly. This caused the horse to suffer unbearable pain in both body and soul, and it suddenly died after we left..."

"Are you implying that I killed Su Shang?" Zhang Xuan trembled and shook his head urgently. "Leaving aside that Su Shang had already submitted to me and was my beast pet, I had grown attached to it after caring for it for so long. How could I do something so inhumane? Moreover, if its belly was really cut open, how could Miss Yu not notice anything while riding it?"

"Yes, when I was riding it, Su Shang was running with great strength, like the wind!" Yu Xiaoyu nodded.

As the person who rode the horse, she had a significant say in the matter.

In the morning, Su Shang was tall and powerful, running with great vigor. If it had been injured, it would have been impossible.

Mo Yanxue remained silent.

Indeed, if it had been injured upon arrival, especially with such a large wound, no matter how fearful it was of Zhang Xuan or how afraid it was of being beaten, it couldn't have hidden the pain.

"I know that taming Su Shang and having Steward Feng act as your footstool hurt his pride, but to falsely accuse me by killing Su Shang on purpose is too much!"

Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth, looking both aggrieved and angry. "I am willing to confront him. If he is lying, I hope the young lady will clear my name. But if the horse did die because of me, I am willing to serve you for life without complaint."

"Alright!"

After a moment of contemplation, Mo Yanxue nodded and turned to Yu Longqing: "City Lord, my people should have brought Su Shang's body here by now. May I have them come in so we can determine the truth?"

"Of course! Bring Miss Mo's people in!" Yu Longqing waved his hand lightly.

This young man had a very strong talent for taming beasts. Even as the City Lord, he wanted to form a good relationship with him, so he was more than willing to help clear his name.

As the guards left, it didn't take long for Feng Jin, Wu Xiang, and others to appear in the hall with Su Shang's body.

Seeing the fine horse lying motionless on the cart, Zhang Xuan's eyes widened, his body involuntarily shaking, and his eyes turning red.

"Su Shang..." Walking around the horse, Zhang Xuan finally stopped by its belly. His trembling fingers gently lifted its wound, as if looking for something. However, he paused after less than a breath. He then touched the horse's head, his body trembling.

"Su Shang, Su Shang, what happened to you? You can't die! We've been through so much together, and I've always treated you like my own child. I never thought you died today. I always took you as my child..."

A cry of grief, like a cuckoo's wail, and tears flowed from Zhang Xuan's eyes.

"..."

Feng Jin and Wu Xiang were stunned.

Were they really that close? They hadn't noticed before.

This wouldn't do. If they let him continue, they really wouldn't be able to explain themselves...

Unable to bear it any longer, Feng Jin quickly spoke up, "Stop pretending. It was you who killed it..."

"Pretending?" Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth and looked over, "Who worried it was too hot and fetched water to bathe it? Who groomed it to keep it comfortable? Who fed it hay in the middle of the night to make sure it wasn't hungry? It was me! Steward Feng! Even if I offended you, you wouldn't kill it just to frame me, would you..."

"Frame you? Zhang Xuan, stop twisting things around. It was clearly you who killed it!" Feng Jin hesitated for a moment, panic flashing in his eyes.

"I can testify! It was because Zhang Xuan abused and punished it that Su Shang was severely injured and died," Wu Xiang added.

"Abused and punished? You're lying..." Zhang Xuan straightened his neck.

"If you didn't abuse it, how did Su Shang's belly get injured? How could it have died otherwise?" Feng Jin sneered. "Zhang Xuan, I advise you to tell the truth. The young lady might spare your life. Otherwise, today will be the day you die!"

"You..."

Seemingly unable to argue, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath and turned to Mo Yanxue. "Young lady, you can't just listen to his side of the story. Su Shang died after we left. Whether it died because of me or if Steward Feng framed me, it can be clarified if there were any witnesses."

"Indeed!" Mo Yanxue nodded. She hadn't seen it, but there were thousands of people at the academy gate to see them off. Someone must have seen what happened.

Zhang Xuan thought for a moment and said, "I remember that Miss Yu's driver was also present. He might know what happened after we left..."

"This..." Feng Jin hadn't expected Zhang Xuan to find a way to break through so quickly. His mouth twitched, and he felt a bad premonition.

"That's right, he was there. I'll bring him here right away..." Yu Xiaoyu nodded.

"Miss Yu, there's no need. Su Shang died when he wasn't there..." Feng Jin quickly tried to dissuade her.

"Are you feeling guilty?" Zhang Xuan sneered.

"Why would I feel guilty?" Feng Jin flicked his sleeve.

"That's good then!" Zhang Xuan bowed to Yu Xiaoyu, "Please, Miss Yu."

"No problem!" Yu Xiaoyu nodded and gave an order. Soon, the driver who had driven her carriage walked in. He seemed indifferent at first, but upon seeing Su Shang on the cart and Feng Jin, he became nervous.

Zhang Xuan said, "Sir, you saw this Su Shang this morning. It was perfectly fine. Now I'm being told it died and that Steward Feng claims it was my fault. You were outside the academy with them. Do you know what really happened?"

"Well..." The driver glanced at Feng Jin, hesitated for a moment, then clenched his teeth. "It was because of your abuse that Su Shang couldn't take it and died. I saw it clearly, no mistake."

"Is that really the case?" Everyone's eyes turned to Zhang Xuan.