When Xuan Tian entered Han Zhaofeng's room, he noticed the head of ICEB was still unconscious. He approached the bed, wanting to check on Han Zhaofeng's cultivation. He sat on the edge of the bed, hovered his hand above Han Zhaofeng's abdomen, and channeled his spirit energy.
It took him a few breaths to examine Han Zhaofeng's cultivation—and more importantly, to check if any dark spirit energy residue remained.
When he was finished, he sighed. Lin Qian was right. The meridians in Han Zhaofeng's legs had shrunk. It would be impossible for him to walk again. Han Zhaofeng had executed Silence recklessly. He wanted to win, and now he was paying the price. If he had been in his right mind, he would've executed it differently. It would've been much harder for Xuan Tian to defeat him.
"It is unfortunate." Xuan Tian said his inner thought out loud.
He paused.
Then continued, "But ICEB cannot stop here. Can they, Han Zhaofeng Shengzun?"
Xuan Tian said the last sentence directly to eyes-closed Han Zhaofeng.
"I should've known better than to try to fool you."
Han Zhaofeng slowly opened his eyes, blinked a few times, and looked directly at Xuan Tian.
"My current condition is the result of my own foolishness. I don't deserve to lead ICEB."
He continued with determination in his voice, "Please lead them, Shengzun." He saluted from where he was lying down.
"Just like that? Shoving your men to a complete stranger?" Xuan Tian replied coldly. "Are you trying to shift your responsibilities?"
"Looks like you don't really care about your men." Xuan Tian scoffed.
"I guess you don't even care about one of your students that's going to be executed tomorrow." Xuan Tian mercilessly continued his scolding.
Xuan Tian opened the door abruptly, startling Yan Zhen who was guarding outside.
"Please save my student Bai Xunli!" Han Zhaofeng shouted from behind him. Xuan Tian stopped.
Han Zhaofeng was sliding himself off the bed. He wanted to kneel and bow to Xuan Tian, begging. But he was paralyzed from the waist down. He fell from the bed with a thud.
"Shengzun!" Yan Zhen shouted and ran inside to help Han Zhaofeng.
Han Zhaofeng ignored Yan Zhen's attempts. He was crawling his way forward, toward Xuan Tian.
"Shengzun!" Yan Zhen was in shock and tried to help Han Zhaofeng up. He was pushed away.
Xuan Tian turned slowly and watched Han Zhaofeng dragging himself forward.
"Why?" Xuan Tian questioned coldly. "I thought you don't care."
Han Zhaofeng lifted his head, "I care! I care! Please save her!"
Xuan Tian made no attempt to help Han Zhaofeng. He crossed his arms in front of him, looking down, emphasizing his dominance. "I don't believe you."
Han Zhaofeng's and Yan Zhen's shouts attracted the attention of nearby Enforcers. When they saw how their Head was treated, auras of hostility rose. Some Enforcers ran to call the rest of the Enforcers.
Han Zhaofeng continued begging in shouts. Yan Zhen was at his side, still trying to help Han Zhaofeng get up from the floor.
Steps and shouts were heard approaching. By the sound of it, all Enforcers in the HQ were heading their way. Luo Heng was at the very front. Wu Zhenhai was limping behind him.
Everyone had their fight-to-the-death face on. Their eyes filled with determination. They would stand with Han Zhaofeng until the end.
Soon, the hallway outside Han Zhaofeng's room was completely surrounded.
"Shengzun!" Luo Heng shouted. He immediately drew his sword, pointing it at Xuan Tian.
"What the hell did you do to Han Shengzun?!" Anger filled his voice.
The rest of the Enforcers also drew their weapons.
Xuan Tian didn't even flinch. He kept looking down at Han Zhaofeng, as if waiting for him to make his move.
Lin Qian came late. When she arrived, she saw around forty Enforcers, all with their weapons drawn, ready to attack Xuan Tian. She wanted to slip into the crowd and move forward to Xuan Tian, to help him.
Jing Xue stopped her.
He touched his snout to Lin Qian's leg.
"Wait, Doctor. General would never do something without reason. Let us wait. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, no one can hurt him."
Hearing that, Lin Qian seemed to realize the same thing. She didn't know what happened, but she trusted Xuan Tian completely.
Xuan Tian smirked at Han Zhaofeng. "Look at that." He indicated with his hand.
"Your men are ready to die for you. They're willing to fight me—someone they've seen defeat you. Throwing away their lives. Just to protect you." His voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
He paused, letting his words sink into Han Zhaofeng.
After a beat, Xuan Tian continued, his voice full of mockery, "And yet here you are. Ready to abandon them. Shoving them to me."
Xuan Tian pushed a bit further. "Maybe you're still experiencing qi deviation."
Luo Heng couldn't stand it anymore. He shouted, "Stop! Han Zhaofeng would never abandon us! Stop slandering him!"
He was about to attack Xuan Tian, when Wu Zhenhai placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"Don't be reckless. I don't think Xuan Tian Shengzun is that kind of person. He must've have a plan. Let's just wait."
"But—"
"Wait," ordered Wu Zhenhai.
Han Zhaofeng looked at Xuan Tian, rage filling his eyes.
"I am not abandoning anyone! I asked you to lead them because I know I don't have the ability anymore!" His voice was a mix of rage and frustration.
Tears welled up, but didn't fall. "I am crippled!"
He shouted the last word. Gasps were heard around.
Xuan Tian didn't budge. He just raised an eyebrow. "So?"
One tear fell. "How can I lead Enforcers when I can't walk?! ICEB is already under fire! If their leader is a cripple, they would be mocked further! I don't deserve to be their leader!"
Han Zhaofeng panted. He lashed out all of his frustration.
Han Zhaofeng's last shout echoed.
Silence fell.
"So what if we're mocked further? We are already under such heavy fire. We can't leave the city. We've lost so many comrades already. Yet, ICEB still stands. We don't mind being mocked further. As long as we are here, we can fight back. Together."
Yan Zhen was the first to break the silence. His words hit Han Zhaofeng like a brick.
Wu Zhenhai stepped forward. "If Han Shengzun says he doesn't deserve to be our leader, then no one can be our leader. If it wasn't for you, Shengzun, I would've died of starvation when I was three. You saved me. My life is yours. If you don't want to lead ICEB, let's disband ICEB. I don't care. But I'll continue to follow you. I'll be your wheelchair for the rest of my life."
Luo Heng put his sword away. He wiped his tears. "Shengzun, you saved me from being sold as a slave. You gave me food, gave me clothes, taught me cultivation. You can't leave me."
"You can't leave us, Shengzun." An Enforcer in the crowd echoed Luo Heng.
"Let's disband ICEB and follow Shengzun." Another voiced his opinion.
One by one, Enforcers voiced their thoughts. Most of them shared similar stories—how Han Shengzun had saved their lives. Their thoughts were as clear as the sun: they would not abandon Han Zhaofeng, even if he abandoned them.
Han Zhaofeng looked around, disbelief in his eyes and expression. Yan Zhen used this opportunity to help Han Zhaofeng get up. Luo Heng and Yan Zhen both helped Han Zhaofeng sit on a chair.
Tears welled up in his eyes. Han Zhaofeng was unable to utter a single word. He closed his eyes tightly. Tears fell. His internal and physical injuries had caught up with him.
Wu Zhenhai saw that Han Zhaofeng was exhausted. He turned to disperse the crowd. The Enforcers were reluctant to leave, but they knew Han Zhaofeng needed rest. So they moved slowly, in order.
"Thank you."
The Enforcers stopped moving and whipped around. They saw Han Zhaofeng sitting on a chair just outside his open door, tears in his eyes—but he wore a smile. A small smile that spoke volumes. A smile the Enforcers recognized.
"I apologize for thinking about leaving you. I thought I was doing it for your own good."
He turned to Xuan Tian—who had been standing at the side, silently—"Turns out I was doing it for myself."
He then turned to the crowds, bowed deeply, "Han Mo will not leave you. If you'll have Han Mo, Han Mo will continue leading ICEB."
Silence.
Then—
Cheers erupted.