Zhan's heart clenched, he felt someone was grabbing his heart and squeezing it, he felt that someone had knocked out his lungs because he can't breathe any longer.

His hands were clenched into fists tightly, as he gulped, his eyes were fired in the four people that had been thrown out of the dungeons after the hands and legs had been cut.

The blood was seeping through the veins of their cut body parts, as the tears were slipping through their eyes, their wailings and their cries of despair could shake the sky and even melt the stone.

"HEAVEN IS SO UNFAIR!"

"WHY... WHY!! GOD WHY "

"HAVE MERCY... HAAAA IT HURTS..."

Zhan's eyes became wet with hot tears.

He took slow steps toward the four men, his legs seemed to have been tied to stone as he felt really difficult to move forwards and face those people.

When the four people saw them, they became quiet but still bowed even without their hands and legs they lowered their heard.

Zhan could see the bones and veins the bloody red muscles.

But this time Zhan was on his knees in front of them and bowed his head down in front of them, shocking the people, "I am sorry. I wasn't able to protect you."

"Please don't be like this Lord Zhan... we saw that you did your best."

"Yes lord Zhan, you and duke are the only righteous people."

"The duke of north helped us to reach the royal court and you spoke for us and even gave us good treatment during the time we stayed at your place we can never forget that."

"Yes Lord Zhan don't blame yourself you are only human you cannot fight against so many people."

Zhan looked at them his eyes red, and gulped, "Your life is ruined I am sorry for that... if there is something I can do for you then please allow me."

The four men looked at each other and then nodded as their leader spoke, "Lord Zhan... please grant us death."

Zhan closed his eyes as the leader spoke, "Our family is dead our village is gone too and our hands and legs are also gone, we don't wish to live in this wretched world anymore."

Zhan opened his eyes and slowly nodded, "I hope that you get reunited with your family and I will give all four of you a proper burial."

He said and took out his sword the four men smiled and closed their eyes, "We will always be thankful to you and the duke of the north."

Zhan spoke, "I will remember you all in my prayers." after he finished speaking he beheaded all of them with one switch move.

Their head fell on the ground and their beheaded bodies moved a little before becoming lifeless.

Zhan sighed before he heard a familiar voice, "it wasn't your fault."

"I know."

Yibo stood beside him, "I have sent Haoxuan to arrange for their funeral."

"Thank you, duke."

Yibo was quiet but he poked the insides of his cheeks with his tongue before she spoke, "we are alone right now you know, there is no need to call me duke."

Zhan looked at him and only smiled, "Yes there is."

Yibo didn't bother to fight him on his subject, it will only open the old scars and nothing else.

Zhan then asked Yibo, "Are you coming with me, duke?"

"Yeah sure."

"How is the brat doing?"

"Currently he is resting after his master's classes."

Zhan smiled, "My brother might look uncaring but he is doing his best to teach Simon."

"You don't have to tell me that, I can see the change in him, he has stopped coughing blood."

Zhan smiled, "I am glad for him."

"If this isn't the duke of the north," Yibo looked at the person who referred to him and so did Zhan.

The man came to him with a sly smile and Yibo just looked at him with a straight face, "What brings you here, Count Blakewell"

This was Austin Blakewell, a man with slight brownish bears and brown hairs and brown eyes and a fit body, he was the father of Aurelia, and was Yibo's previous father-in-law.

"Duke... I just happen to see you passing by so thought why not give you my greetings." he then looked at Zhan, "Ah I see the general of the northern army is here as well greetings general."

Zhan nodded at him, "Nice to meet you count."

"I was just coming back from the temple after meeting my daughter."

A bitter feeling appeared in Yibo's chest once he heard about Aurelia but he refused to say anything while Austin spoke, "She misses her son, maybe duke can sometimes take Simon to meet his mother to the temple."

Zhan clenched his fist and Yibo just looked at him with nothing but coldness.

Yibo gave him a weak smile and spoke, "Aurelia is always welcomed to my residence she can meet her son whenever she wants but my son has recently started training I am afraid he is too busy."

Austin spoke again, "The entire kingdom heard that and we are quite dissatisfied with your choice of teacher." he looked at Zhan and said, "Had it been general people would have been happy and reassured.

But you gave your son in the hands of a coward and mentally ill person? Duke, Simon is the future of dukedom people are worried because he is the future of the nation if he is put into the wrong hands then..."

Zhan was about to say something but Yibo spoke before that, "A coward and a mentally ill person who single-handedly defeated the tribes and won diamond mines, a mentally ill person who created strategies that are still protecting our kingdom against invasion. And his techniques are still in use.

A coward who's achievements is more than your entire bloodline can ever achieve since it came into existence."

Austin was quiet but he glared at Yibo and clenched his hands, "I was just saying it for your own for your son's own future."

"Take care of your daughter who abandoned her child after she gave birth, I can handle my child, I am his father and I know what's the best for him. Let's leave general."

Austin clenched his fist and gritted his teeth if only that useless daughter of his was able to complete the tasks given to her.

"Angering every noble you meet is not a wise thing to do," Zhan said.

"Lady Yanli is there to clean my mess, she is good at handling good relationships with the general."

Zhan rolled her eyes, "You always dump your mess on us."

"Your household exists to assist me."

"Wow, don't be arrogant duke, you already have too many enemies no need to create more."

Yibo smiled and so did Zhan, before Yibo said, "When are you going call me by my name again?"

Zhan's smile dimmed and he looked down before he answered, "I can't call you that anymore duke."

"Why?"

Zhan bit the insides of his cheeks as he sighed, "Because you are not mine anymore."