Chapter 45 (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)

Chapter Forty-Five

A month ago, Prefect Song of Liangzhou received a secret letter from the south.

Prefect Song was so frightened that he lost his composure and hurriedly invited his advisors to his residence to discuss the matter.

"It's actually a letter from that overlord of the South... In your opinion, sir, what should I do?"

The advisor opened the letter and glanced at it. It turned out that Pei Zan knew that the western lands had abundant pastures and that Tibet, with its cold winters and hot summers, was extremely suitable for raising horses.

Pei Zan wanted to allocate some military funds and asked Prefect Song to use his officials in charge of horse administration to help him breed fine horses in preparation for any eventuality.

Prefect Song knew that although the southern region was located in a water town and had abundant grain and salt, as well as a strong navy, it was extremely difficult to raise good horses. In the future, when Pei Zan was to fight against the Wei dynasty in the north, he would need strong and healthy horses to be invincible and unstoppable!

The south was prosperous, and Pei Zan readily paid the cost of raising horses, while Prefect Song merely helped delegate power and also pocketed some extra money along the way.

But he knew all too well that this was a factional struggle, and he was still an official appointed by the Wei court. This move would undoubtedly be tantamount to joining the rebels and helping Pei Zan plot against the country!

Pei Zan's "small favor" was, in private, a way of forcing him to take a stand!

Governor Song sighed deeply, his brow furrowed with worry. He never imagined that their remote prefecture could be embroiled in the national civil war.

The advisor glanced at the document and pondered, "This is essentially a conflict between the South and the North. Liangzhou, located on the border, has never been involved in matters of usurpation, factionalism, or politics. But this Governor Pei insists on doing so, wanting your help to 'procure military equipment,' and I'm afraid we won't be able to avoid it. Think about it, if Governor Pei sends troops to attack Liangzhou, how many troops do we have? How many troops can the surrounding prefectures and counties provide as reinforcements? And will the imperial court send troops and supplies to support our rear?"

There's no need to ask these questions; Prefect Song already knows it's absolutely impossible!

Liangzhou is a hundred and eight thousand miles away from the capital. Not to mention whether the grain carts will even reach the border city, even if they do, it will be two or three months later. By then, Liangzhou will have already been razed to the ground by the troops from the south. Wouldn't the grain carts and weapons that are delivered then become Pei Zan's possession?

The new emperor Chen Wenjin would not be so foolish, nor would he make such a mistake. At this critical juncture of the war, Chen Wenjin would be eager to leave troops to guard the capital. How could he dare to disperse troops and supplies to support Liangzhou? Wouldn't that be asking Pei Zan to come and attack him?

They originally thought that the war between the North and the South had nothing to do with their western region.

Liangzhou is nothing more than a chicken neck—tasteless to eat but a pity to throw away. Now, Pei Zan, sharp of hearing and sight, has seen the benefits of Liangzhou. This ambitious young man is probably truly plotting to annex it…

Thinking of this, Prefect Song frowned even more deeply.

However, his advisor advised, "Lord Song, think about it. If we resist stubbornly and actually attract the Pei family's troops, who will benefit the most? Naturally, it will be the emperor in the north. Think about it, while Governor Pei is attacking Liangzhou, the defenses of the six prefectures will be weakened. The Wei emperor might just send troops to attack the six prefectures, and then we will be attacked for nothing!"

Prefect Song suddenly understood: "This...this is clearly a case of the snipe and the clam fighting, while the fisherman benefits!"

"Exactly! In my opinion, sir, you should 'abandon the darkness and embrace the light.' It's nothing more than helping to raise horses; you don't want our military funds. If you help, that's fine. Governor Pei remembers the good things we've done for you. If things really change in the future, this will be a lifesaver, won't it?"

Prefect Song nodded repeatedly: "That makes sense! Then I will agree to this matter... in order to find a way out."

Prefect Song hurriedly sent a letter to Pei Zan, wholeheartedly "serving" the Grand Commander, hoping that if Pei Zan were to ascend to the throne in the future, he could also have a chance to survive.

Pei Zan knew he was sensible, so he comforted him and made a secret promise.

As a result, Prefect Song also became somewhat involved with Pei Zan, and their relationship grew even closer.

After that, Pei Zan sent another letter, inquiring about the whereabouts of "fugitive Lin Rong". He recounted the relevant information about the travel permit Lin Rong used when entering Liangzhou Pass. When refugees and commoners entered the pass, officials would check their travel permits. Naturally, some people would remember Lin Rong, a stranger from Qingzhou. After several investigations, they learned that Lin Rong had entered the main city, stayed at an inn, and bought a house in Yumen Village.

Pei Zan spent his days running errands and preparing for horse administration. At night, he would hear reports from his spies about Lin Rong's whereabouts and learn that she lived in a poor mountain village and could not escape his grasp. So he let her have her fun.

Lin Rong went out to herd horses and spent the night outside the city with others, which finally angered Pei Zan.

Pei Zan was willing to lengthen the rope in his hand, but that didn't mean he wanted Lin Rong to freely fool around with other people.

If she is unfaithful, and Pei Zan loses interest, she will surely suffer a terrible fate.

Just like now, when Pei Zan saw the "affectionate couple" in the courtyard, that slight pleasure finally faded.

At this moment, Pei Zan had only the urge to kill the two despicable people. Even though he was usually inscrutable, he kicked open the thin courtyard gate today.

Pei Zan ordered his men to keep all the villagers who had come to watch the commotion at least ten feet away. He then entered the house with a cold blade in hand and a stern face, meeting Lin Rong's gaze as she drank soup in the courtyard.

The man was tall and muscular, with a straight back and wearing a long black robe. He stood at the gate of the courtyard, so astonishing that Yang Feng couldn't even eat his noodles.

"Who are you?! How dare you trespass on private property?!" Yang Feng saw someone break into Lin Rong's house and quickly got up to protect Lin Rong behind him.

Such selfless devotion caused Pei Zan, who was closing in step by step, to chuckle softly.

Pei Zan's gaze was icy and tangible, his intimidating presence almost suffocating.

The man slowly approached, his sinister gaze sweeping over Lin Rong's trembling eyelashes, her suffocating mouth and nose, her trembling cherry lips, and her slender hands clenched into fists.

His gaze was intense and fiery, fixed on Lin Rong's trembling back...

Lin Rong was clearly retreating, clearly terrified, but she never thought of relying on Yang Feng.

Lin Rong knew that if she dared to show the slightest intimacy in front of Pei Zan, it would be Yang Feng's death!

In order to protect her lover, Lin Rong should naturally pretend to be indifferent and aloof, and sever all ties with him!

The more Pei Zan understood Lin Rong's "clever ways of protecting her own," the angrier he became.

"Lin Rong, everything should be done in a first-come, first-served manner. Since you were the first to enter my bedchamber and serve the master of the house, you should know shame. Now, after only two months apart, you are already committing adultery with someone while bearing the stigma of being a runaway concubine... Lin Rong, you have truly made me look at you in a new light."

Upon hearing this, Lin Rong looked up in surprise.

Although Pei Zan had many vices in bed, he had never used such clear and filthy language to insult her.

It is clear that Pei Zan's hatred had reached its extreme, and he had decided to kill him.

Lin Rong was so anxious that she couldn't speak coherently. She hurriedly said, "Grand Commander, you've misunderstood. Brother Yang and I are just neighbors!"

Neighbors who stayed overnight in the fields together, neighbors who ate meals together... Pei Zan was neither foolish nor easily deceived.

He ignored Lin Rong's explanation, and the man's long fingers traced the cold blade at his waist, drawing out the long sword with a chilling gleam.

Lin Rong was terrified. She pushed Yang Feng aside, grabbed Pei Zan by the waist, and shouted through gritted teeth, "Brother Yang, let's go!"

Lin Rong dared not leave him here any longer; she feared Yang Feng would meet a violent end!

But Pei Zan's offensive was like a vast net, so where could Yang Feng run?

Before Yang Feng could speak, a long sword had already twirled through several sword flowers and was suddenly thrown out with the force of thunder.

Immediately, Yang Feng let out a shrill and terrifying scream, and blood splattered onto Lin Rong's black hair and delicate earlobes.

She let go of his hand and turned around abruptly, only to see that Yang Feng's leg bone had been pierced by a sharp blade. He clutched his injured leg, crawling on the ground like an ant, and fell to the side.

The ground was covered in shocking red blood, and horrifying screams echoed everywhere.

Lin Rong couldn't stop Pei Zan, so she turned around and tried to help Yang Feng.

Before Yang Feng could get up from the ground, his bodyguards, who had been lying in wait in the shadows, suddenly appeared, held a sharp blade to Yang Feng's neck, and pinned him to the ground.

Lin Rong stood there, stunned.

She felt ashamed, fearful, and remorseful.

Shamefully, everyone treated her kindly, yet she only brought disaster.

What terrified her was that she didn't know how many tricks Pei Zan had up his sleeve, and whether he would kill all those who had helped Lin Rong just to give her a warning or a lesson.

What she regretted was that she shouldn't have provoked Pei Zan, and she shouldn't have overestimated herself. As a lowly servant, how could she have the audacity to worry about the safety of her master, who lived a life of luxury?

If she were a little more ruthless, cold-blooded, and heartless, she wouldn't have to worry about others suffering here because of her.

Lin Rong's almond-shaped eyes, delicate nose, and pink lips were splattered with clumps of foul-smelling red blood, as if blood plum blossoms were blooming on the side of her face, carrying a strange and bewitching beauty.

Lin Rong's eyes widened. She clearly realized that this was Yang Feng's blood, the blood of the kind person who had helped her...

Pei Zan harbored a fierce killing intent; he could have severed Yang Feng's head with a single sword strike. However, his playful nature prevailed, and he did not do so, nor did he grant Yang Feng or Lin Rong a quick death.

He enjoyed humiliating her from a superior position, as if she were a stubborn prey that could only crawl and struggle at his feet, struggling to survive.

It was at this moment that Lin Rong finally understood... that for so many years, she had always felt that Pei Zan, with his Bodhi prayer beads and the faint scent of sandalwood, resembled a compassionate male bodhisattva.

But she has always admitted her mistakes, always worshipped the wrong temples, and always been blind!

Lin Rong's lips trembled as she uttered, "I once thought...you were a good person..."

Little did she know that the deity she had been worshipping was, from beginning to end, a vicious and evil demon!

Lin Rong was terrified. She didn't know what to do. She was just instinctively afraid of Pei Zan, so she turned and ran!

Pei Zan strode forward, and a strong, powerful arm bone suddenly appeared, like a thick, powerful iron chain, tightly binding Lin Rong's waist and tightening inch by inch.

Lin Rong's hands and feet were all shackled. She was trapped in his arms, and thin ropes bound her ten fingers, suspending her like a puppet.

The man's hot chest pressed against my back, my heart pounding like a ghost.

Pei Zan held her tightly, his strength so great it felt as if he wanted to crush her into his flesh and press her into the flesh of his arms.

Lin Rong couldn't break free from Pei Zan's strong, iron arms. In the blink of an eye, she was picked up by the man and slammed heavily into the carriage outside the door.

Lin Rong was in excruciating pain, her internal organs aching. She suppressed a cough that made her chest feel tight, quickly got up, and tried to break free from the car again.

Immediately, Pei Zan's cold and powerful hand reached out and violently restrained her slender wrist, slamming her heavily against the carriage wall and pressing her against the cold, hard wooden board.

"Lin Rong!"

Pei Zan's breathing was heavy, and his vicious gaze fell on the red spots on Lin Rong's cheeks. His chest heaved, his anger raging. His other hand had already touched Lin Rong's fragile, snowy neck, and he wished he could break her to pieces!

Lin Rong pursed her lips and remained silent.

She suppressed her breath and glared angrily at Pei Zan in the dim light of the night.

She was trapped in the cramped carriage, unsure how to deal with this ferocious beast.

Lin Rong was clearly afraid of him, but she also knew that only she could save Yang Feng at this moment.

Lin Rong could only silently contend with Pei Zan with her ugly gaze.

She was unwilling to be captured and taken back, nor was she willing to be humiliated by Pei Zan.

But she was also the most incompetent, the most helpless, and the most at a loss. She could only be trapped in a cage and had no other choice!

Yang Feng's unique blood energy spread throughout the cramped, cage-like carriage. Pei Zan, who clearly loved blood energy the most, suddenly felt a surge of anger.

He loathed Lin Rong, and he loathed everyone else. He should have loved Lin Rong, but he learned that she had branded away her plum blossom birthmarks one by one in order to get rid of him...

During intercourse, she would cry out, because she was most afraid of pain.

But she was clearly the cruelest to him, showing no mercy even when she removed his birthmark.

Now, Lin Rong is tainted... She's stained with the blood of other men, it's disgusting.

For some reason, Pei Zan wanted to help her wipe away all the foreign scents from her body.

At that moment, Pei Zan, as if possessed, lowered his head and bit Lin Rong's raised cherry lips hard.

The long-awaited intimacy, the kiss, felt like a fierce battle.

But Lin Rong seemed determined to remain chaste; she refused to speak and turned her head away from Pei Zan's kiss several times.

It wasn't until Pei Zan's anger subsided and he bit down harder, leaving a fine, dense cut on his lip that Lin Rong felt the pain and finally released her teeth, allowing his warm tongue to roll in and mingle with her breath, exchanging saliva.

Pei Zan kissed her fiercely and sucked deeply, disregarding Lin Rong's life or death, and not caring that she was still breathing.

Such a handsome and refined appearance, when he leaned down and kissed her passionately and tenderly, made Lin Rong tremble all over as if she had seen a ghost, her hair standing on end in horror!

Lin Rong's tears streamed down her face. She struggled and sobbed, but Pei Zan pressed her down, bound her, pressed down on her rapidly breathing chest, and suppressed her knees that were kicking away.

He collapsed like a towering mountain, pressing Lin Rong down into the lowest muddy ground.

Lin Rong felt as if she were being buried in the earth. Helplessly, she tried to escape, and fiercely bit open Pei Zan's thin lips. The girl's sharp canine teeth instantly filled her tongue with a strong, metallic taste.

Pei Zan felt the pain; the veins on his forehead bulged, and his frown relaxed.

Before Lin Rong could turn over, that large palm twisted towards Lin Rong's thin, snow-white chin.

"For whom are you remaining chaste?!"

Lin Rong, panting, snapped, "I don't know what you're talking about!"

Lin Rong was suppressed by Pei Zan and forced to raise her face. Her thick, long eyelashes were wet and sticky, and her beautiful eyes were glistening with tears.

Pei Zan lowered his head, using the moonlight that filtered in, to admire Lin Rong's alluring and captivating beauty, who was powerless to resist.

Evil thoughts surged within him; the kiss did not quell his lust, but instead intensified his murderous intent and wicked desires...

Pei Zan tightened his grip even more, the girl's soft cheek scraping against her lips and teeth, bringing an uncomfortable pain.

Lin Rong frowned, but did not cry out in pain to Pei Zan.

She instinctively didn't want to beg him for mercy.

The next moment, Pei Zan asked coldly, "Then, let me ask you... Lin Rong, have you been penetrated by Yang Feng?"

He was asking if Lin Rong had illicit relations with Yang Feng.

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold and silent.

Hearing such sordid suspicions, Lin Rong stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Snap!

A heavy slap landed across his face.

It landed squarely on Pei Zan's face!

Lin Rong broke free of the bound hand and slapped Pei Zan across the cheek!

Pei Zan was caught off guard and was slapped. His jaw tilted to the side and a little blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Before Pei Zan could even raise her cold, fierce phoenix eyes, she struck and killed her.

"Yang Feng and I have always had a brother-sister relationship!"

"Pei Zan, if you intend to humiliate and despise me, why don't you just kill me?!"

"Pei Zan, just kill me!!"

Author's Note: This is Sunday's update~ See you Monday =3=

Just a spoiler: this isn't the kind of story where the protagonist tries to prove Rong'er's chastity by disbelieving her. No matter how awful the male lead is, he won't dislike her just because she's not a virgin or has been with other people. Don't worry about that, trust me.

I won't explain anything else, and feel free to curse Pei Gou (a derogatory term for a man who acts like a dog), as long as you don't curse me, I don't care~ Let's continue the story, our goal is to finish writing this story perfectly~ It's okay to hold off for a few days [hugs]