Chapter 66 Draft - Do Not Subscribe, Please Await Revision

As soon as Lu Xiaojia returned, she saw You Mingjiang sitting on a man's back, legs crossed, like a mountain bandit.

The man's face was covered in blood, and he was soaked to the bone like a drowned rat; he had already passed out.

She treated the man like a stone pillar at the village entrance, sitting comfortably and securely.

Lu Xiaojia frowned, and upon closer inspection, realized that this was General Rose, who was staring at Xiao Jianseng.

Hearing footsteps, You Mingjiang looked up and sized up Lu Xiaojia. "You've worked hard. Are you alright?"

I've long heard that this Xiao Jianseng is quite skilled; once you're cut by his knife, the wound will never heal.

You Mingjiang didn't believe it at first either.

Until he saw Xiao Jianseng's rusty, broken knife.

Isn't this just like getting a tetanus shot with one cut?

If you have tetanus, of course the wound won't heal.

Lu Xiaojia scoffed, "Him?"

You Mingjiang smiled.

She certainly had confidence in Lu Xiaojia's sword.

Lu Xiaojia squatted down in front of her and touched her lips with her thumb. "Compared to me, you look like you've been injured."

"It's just a smokescreen." Wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth, You Mingjiang pressed, "Where is he? Where is he?"

She was asking whether Xiao Jianseng was alive or dead.

He didn't tell Lu Xiaojia the whole story earlier, but he didn't seem to intend to delve into it either.

It seems that he will do whatever You Mingjiang arranges.

No matter when or where, he was willing to be the solid support she could entrust her back to with peace of mind.

.

Lu Xiaojia slowly peeled peanuts and said casually, "Four people came over from his side, their names are something like Bird Bow Rabbit Dog, but Xiao Jianseng has already lured them away."

You Mingjiang twitched the corner of his mouth.

This Xiao Jianseng, I really don't know if he's stupid or if his cleverness backfired.

Now that our helpers have arrived, we should all gang up on Lu Xiaojia!

Xiao Jianseng deliberately lured away his helpers, and it was obvious that something was amiss. It would be strange if he didn't reveal his true intentions.

.

If it were her, she would only make things more muddy.

Taking advantage of the chaotic scene where the charade turns real, secretly sabotage things, and incidentally kill a few of the birds, bows, rabbits, and dogs. In the end, just leave one alive to testify in front of Ling Luoshi...

Tsk, speaking of which, Xiao Jianseng probably still doesn't understand why Ling Luoshi suspected him.

Ling Luoshi must have ordered his confidants to bring their families to the besieged city, just as Cao Cao moved the Han emperor and his officials' families to Xuchang, and An Lushan demanded that his generals' families be moved to Fanyang... Otherwise, Xiao Jianseng wouldn't have been so foolish as to bring Yin Dong'er to such a den of wolves.

Ling Luoshi wanted to keep the hostage firmly in his grasp.

In order to gain Ling Luoshi's trust, Xiao Jianseng had been working alongside Ling Luoshi since he was eleven years old. Under intense pressure, he was clearly not confident in his ability to lie. If he made even the slightest mistake, he would be doomed.

Xiao Jianseng did not dare to tamper with the matter of his family members.

This action alone demonstrates Ling Luoshi's extremely strong desire for control. What is the most intolerable thing for someone with such a strong desire for control?

It's betrayal.

Concealment is, in fact, a form of betrayal.

Ling Luoshi must have suspected that Xiao Jianseng had concealed important information from him, which aroused his suspicion. However, he was short of time and had no one else to use, so he had to suppress his dissatisfaction and send Yu Chuntong to keep watch.

You Mingjiang thought for a moment, what would Ling Luoshi be afraid of?

Undoubtedly, it's power, martial arts skills, wealth, prestige—anything that the other party can threaten him with.

Xiao Jianseng's current power, wealth, prestige, and status are all dependent on Ling Luoshi.

The only thing that could make Ling Luoshi feel threatened was Xiao Jianseng's martial arts.

Xiao Jianseng had been with him since he was eleven years old, living under his very nose. He probably couldn't hide his true abilities from him.

The only thing left to hide was the origin of Xiao Jianseng's martial arts skills.

How could Ling Luoshi not be suspicious of a swordsman whose martial arts background was unknown, who was always hanging around him but never revealed his secrets to him?

well.

Xiao Jianseng is not well-suited to be an undercover agent; he is better suited to be a pure wandering knight-errant.

Once this matter is settled, he and Yin Dong'er should elope to a beautiful place and live like a pair of celestial lovers.

Never get involved in power struggles again in your life.

He was tainted by something he didn't understand.

.

You Mingjiang sat in the misty rain, the cool raindrops falling on her upturned face.

After a long while, she couldn't help but sigh again.

That's rather harsh.

Xiao Jianseng also had a tough time.

Spending a day with Ling Luoshi is enough to constitute a form of mental pollution, let alone spending so many years with Xiao Jianseng.

Even the wisest person can make a mistake.

It's not that Xiao Jianseng wasn't outstanding; the fact that he was chosen to carry out the undercover mission means he was one in a million, and it was a very careful choice by the mastermind behind the scenes.

Alas, the world is a vast and turbulent place, and heroes from all over the land are as numerous as carp crossing a river.

That's far from enough to deal with a powerful general.

Is it worth sacrificing so many valuable talents, even geniuses, for a stinking maggot?

Perhaps for the sake of justice, all sacrifices are worthwhile.

Now that You Mingjiang has arrived in the besieged city, and now that she knows the suffering of these people, she will do her best to keep them alive and prevent them from falling in the darkness before dawn.

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The fears people face are often unknown fears, but since they are unknown, there is no need to repeatedly frighten oneself, lest one wear down one's own spirit.

Ling Luoshi spread the rumor that "no one can kill the Fearful General" because he was filled with the fear of being assassinated.

He was a brutal executioner with blood on his hands, and he didn't have the legendary qualities of Chu Liuxiang at all. So he mythologized himself, packaged himself as an invincible myth, and implemented a high-pressure rule in the besieged city, psychologically crushing all those who wanted to resist.

She had stayed in this place for too long, hearing his brutal deeds over and over again. Before she had even seen him, she had already begun to feel fear, subconsciously mistaking this tiny maggot for some kind of dragon. How ridiculous!

Thinking of this, You Mingjiang's mind suddenly cleared up.

.

Lu Xiaojia was stunned.

Her listless state seemed to have vanished completely.

Although I didn't understand why, I could feel that her aura was changing visibly. That sense of bewilderment and timid dejection was being replaced by a vibrant energy.

Lu Xiaojia couldn't help but stare at her.

After thinking it through, You Mingjiang stood up abruptly, took two steps forward, seemingly looking for some handy materials in the reeds, then suddenly patted his head and directly picked up a sturdy burlap sack from the bamboo medicine basket.

She turned around, her eyes catching sight of Lu Xiaojia. She strode forward, turned his chin, and planted two quick kisses on his cheek. She chuckled, "You're right. What's there to be afraid of? I'm just a wandering swordsman, why should I care about that emperor? What has that emperor ever cared about the common people? What nonsense about being afraid to act rashly! Let those bottles and jars break!"

"Hahaha--"

You Mingjiang laughed loudly, gently pushed him away, and spun around happily in the fine rain, feeling her previously muddled mind become unusually clear.

She wanted to use her reputation as a "divine messenger" to completely shatter Ling Luoshi's self-serving and illusory myths, just like the light shining from a demon-revealing mirror, piercing through the gloom that shrouded the hearts of the people in the besieged city.

They respond to cries and respond to pleas, relieving suffering and rescuing from distress, cleansing away all filth!

He can be replaced!

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Lu Xiaojia covered her cheek that had been kissed, her ear tips flushed suspiciously, and stared blankly at You Mingjiang, who was getting soaked in the rain, her heart pounding wildly.

She turned back into the sun.

That is the sun, hanging high in the sky, attracting attention and inspiring awe. Just looking up at it brings a sense of peace and strength.

Yu Mingjiang was in a good mood, humming a little tune, and hurriedly stuffed Yu Chuntong into the sack.

Seeing that she had quickly trapped General Rose in a sack, Lu Xiaojia sighed helplessly, looked around, found a large rock, and moved it in front of You Mingjiang.

Just as he tied the burlap sack shut, he noticed a large, heavy-looking rock beside him. "...Huh?" You Mingjiang looked at Lu Xiaojia with a puzzled expression. "What's this rock for?"

Lu Xiaojia glanced at the sack; wasn't it supposed to sink to the bottom of the river?

"A corpse?" You Mingjiang finished for him, and then laughed. "Don't kill him yet, leave him alive."

Realizing she had misunderstood, Lu Xiaojia cleared her throat. "This person... what are you planning to do with him?"

"Take it back." You Mingjiang flexed his wrists. "Make use of waste."

The poisonous fumes emanating from Yu Chuntong's robes, according to him, were a type of red scale substance that could paralyze nerves and induce hallucinations. If it weren't for the skin breathing technique taught to her by Chu Liuxiang, she might have truly fallen victim to it.

Of course, You Mingjiang wanted to retaliate.

That was just a piece of cake.

Who said revenge can only be taken once?

.

Lu Xiaojia pondered for a moment and asked, "What should we do about Xiao Jianseng?"

You Mingjiang said calmly, "Let him handle it himself. We've done everything we can. We can't let one person's mistake ruin everyone's chance to survive. Compared to unarmed civilians, he's at least quite skilled in martial arts. Even if his identity is exposed, he'll still have a chance to survive if he fights to the death. If he senses something's wrong and insists on staying by Jingbu's side to die, there's nothing I can do."

After saying this, You Mingjiang felt a pang of guilt.

That's enough.

Let's reluctantly help him wrap things up, considering his dedication to the cause of justice.

When I have some free time tonight, I'll sneak into the besieged city and help him create the illusion that General Rose has defected.

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The old temple, inside the stone cave beneath the hidden door.

Zhang Shusheng is in very poor condition.

He was seriously injured, and his blood stained the clean reed mat beneath him. Despite taking medicine and receiving a blood bag, he was still burning up with fever and was in a daze. He could not hear anyone or say anything.

His eyes were closed, but his lips were trembling slightly, and the shape of his mouth seemed to be the words "divine messenger".

Even with his usual cold-blooded composure, after examining Zhang Shusheng's injuries, he couldn't help but burst into tears.

He admired scholars with unwavering integrity the most.

When Leng Xue was a child, he studied with the "white-haired scholar" Wei Kongwei for four years. Wei Kongwei was naturally very knowledgeable, but he was more like a pedantic bookworm who only knew how to read books.

Master Wei always shook his head and talked about the "knowledgeable person" in the book, demanding that Leng Xue read all the books of sages and virtuous men in the world, and then memorize the classics he had read by rote.

But Leng Xue didn't want to be a pedantic scholar.

He wanted to be a chivalrous person who would speak up for the people.

①This refers to Zhang Suiyang's teeth and Yan Changshan's tongue.

Before him, Zhang Shusheng's eardrums were punctured, his throat was burned by charcoal, his kneecaps were shattered, his thumbs were crushed, and his entire body was covered with injuries left by torture instruments. His clothes were stuck to his bloody wounds and could not be torn apart.

This frail scholar only managed to get to this point through sheer willpower.

.

The cold-blooded man's heart was boiling with passion.

He wished he could kill his way back to the execution ground.

Those who do evil deeds should be brought to justice.

But he knew he couldn't do that.

This situation was achieved because You Mingjiang risked his life to cover the rear and draw the enemy's attention.

He would do everything in his power to save Zhang Shusheng's life.

Leng Xue gently supported Zhang Shusheng's nape, lifted his chin with one hand, and used a rope to suspend Zhang Shusheng's tongue, keeping his head tilted back to prevent his burned throat from swelling and blocking his airway.

Rong Sao suppressed her fear and carefully soaked the gauze in warm water to soften it little by little. Then she used scissors to cut Zhang Shusheng's clothes into strips and treated his superficial wounds. Before long, iodine-soaked cotton balls and blood-stained gauze were piled up high around her.

Yin Dong'er also sobbed softly. As she shed tears, she searched for some fragrant and refreshing herbs. Although she was still very flustered, Yin Dong'er knew that she had to be strong in this situation.

The person Xiao Jianseng loved most, Xiao Jianseng's Achilles' heel...

These are all her, yet they are not her.

Right now, she needs to save a very important witness.

Since she was able to remove the needles successfully, she must be able to treat Zhang Shusheng's wounds just like You Mingjiang has demonstrated time and time again.

While thinking this, Yin Dong'er boiled mint and patchouli into hot water. As soon as the steam came out, she covered Zhang Shusheng's mouth and nose with gauze. With Leng Xue's help, she slowly blew the steam into his airway to clear it.

None of the three allowed themselves to be distracted by thinking about You Mingjiang.

Even though I know I desperately need You Mingjiang right now, I absolutely cannot have the thought, "If only Dr. You were here."

Everyone is forcing themselves to face things alone.

Once that initial burst of energy is released, it's impossible to regain it.

"Creak—"

Heavy footsteps approached from afar, accompanied by a "thump, thump" dragging sound.

The movement was slow and deliberate, yet each step was extremely heavy, as if someone were dragging a heavy sack down the aisle.

Leng Xue shuddered, gripping his sword hilt and warily eyeing the entrance to the cave.

"Who?" he whispered, the words echoing in the empty cave.

Although the exit has been changed to a hidden door, it's always good to be cautious and vigilant.

The first person to enter was indeed a stern-looking young man with phoenix eyes. He tossed a peanut, then looked up to catch it and chewed it slowly.

He dragged the burlap sack with one hand and lazily peeled peanuts with the other. He was tall and sturdy with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. He wore a sheathless sword at his waist, but it wasn't the kind of scrap iron sword that Leng Xue would wear.

The thin blade, gleaming white, could sever a throat with a single blow, leaving only a thin line of blood.

Even cold-blooded eyes are sharp and keen.

He learned the Yuelu Sword Technique, or more precisely, the nameless sword technique he comprehended from the Yuelu Sword Technique.

The Nameless Sword Technique requires the swordsman to have extremely strong control over the sword and be able to use it flexibly.

Those who are too rigid and rely too much on theoretical discussions of swordsmanship will, frankly speaking, be unable to master this kind of nameless swordsmanship or use a sheathless sword properly.

Yet, from this unfamiliar young man, Leng Xue sensed a trace of kinship.

A kind of free and unrestrained spirit that is quick, accurate, and ruthless.

.

Lu Xiaojia slightly raised her eyes and glanced at the panicked woman and patient inside the cave. She couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu at how familiar this scene was. Even the young man with his hand on his sword, glaring at her warily, looked exactly like the scene from that night at Jingyang Ridge.

You Mingjiang, you really are...

As always, a busybody.

As always, he remained true to his principles and his will.

Lu Xiaojia casually kicked the sack into a corner, raised her hand, and said lazily, "Don't misunderstand, I'm doing this on someone's behalf. Everyone, please go about your business."

Rong Sao and Yin Dong'er looked at each other in bewilderment.

But Leng Xue straightened his back and said coldly, "I'm here."

.

That's quite a boast.

Lu Xiaojia leaned against the cave entrance, tossing a peanut in her hand, looking Leng Xue up and down. Her gaze swept over Leng Xue's exotic blue eyes, then glanced at the scrap metal-looking unsheathed sword at the boy's waist, and she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

This is a very arrogant young man.

Not wanting to overshadow the main subject, yet confident in the perfect harmony between man and sword, I chose this seemingly scrap metal, sheathless sword.

This young boy has remarkable ambition.

He picked up a peanut, pinched it between two fingers, and the shell cracked open, revealing several plump peanut kernels inside.

Lu Xiaojia smiled with satisfaction. He tossed a plump peanut into his mouth and chewed it, his expression indifferent and relaxed.

peanut?

Leng Xue's eyes lit up for a moment, then dimmed again.

Because he already knew who the young man in front of him was.

His love for peanuts and his use of a sheathless sword are enough to confirm the identity of the person before him.

He is the person Xiaoming has been waiting for.

Leng Xue tried hard to cheer himself up.

Now that he has found the cave, it means that Xiaoming has successfully escaped.

.

"What's wrong?"

You Mingjiang hurriedly came down the stone steps.

She had just sprinkled realgar powder and lime near the ventilation duct to prevent snakes, insects, and rodents from crawling into the cave on rainy days, and dug several drainage ditches to ensure the safety of this secret base to the greatest extent possible before hurriedly coming down.

She was constantly worried about Zhang Shusheng's injuries.

Although she had already given him anti-inflammatory and analgesic capsules and administered blood bags beforehand, Zhang Shusheng's throat would still suffer from serious aftereffects, and his ears would undoubtedly be affected in terms of hearing. However, after treatment, he wouldn't be completely deaf.

Even after the crushed thumb is healed, it will never be able to hold a pen like a normal person again, let alone conduct scientific research.

The most troublesome part is his knee. As the most complex joint in the human body, if the knee is shattered, without the support of imaging and surgical fixation and reduction techniques, it may lead to knee joint deformity, which will limit future mobility and even make it impossible to stand up.

When they saw her arrive, Rong Sao and Yin Dong'er breathed a sigh of relief and quickly lifted Zhang Shusheng onto the operating table to make room for her.

As You Mingjiang put on a mask and medical nitrile gloves, she walked into the cave, with Lu Xiaojia and Leng Xue following behind her.

She asked Leng Xue, "How is Zhang Shusheng?"

"Not good," Leng Xue said bluntly.

"The medicine isn't working?"

"Hmm, it seems like I'm about to die."

"...Say auspicious words."

"Oh." Leng Xue thought for a moment, "He's still breathing, not dead yet."

"...Alright, stop talking."

You Mingjiang took a couple of steps, then suddenly remembered that he hadn't introduced his own people yet. He stretched out his hand, palm up, and pointed at Lu Xiaojia.

"This is Xiao Jia, the fast swordsman."

He then pointed to Leng Xue, "This is Constable Leng."

She briefly introduced Rong Sao and Yin Dong'er, then drew the curtain over the operating table.

Before the surgery began, he made sure to send the two of them far away.

.

Leng Xue stroked the hilt of his sword while Lu Xiaojia silently peeled peanuts.

An unbearable silence.

After an unknown amount of time, the silence was finally broken.

"A fast sword?"

Leng Xue suddenly raised his head, his eyes burning like two small fireballs. "How fast is your sword?"

"My sword doesn't want to see blood today." Lu Xiaojia tossed up a peanut, whether playfully or provocatively, and aimed it squarely at Leng Xue's forehead.

With a slight flick of his wrist, Leng Xue's sword flashed.

The peanuts had broken into several pieces and gently fell to the ground.

“Not fast enough,” Leng Xue said.

Lu Xiaojia narrowed her eyes, the smile not reaching her eyes: "Not fast enough, or not ruthless enough?"

With a cold, ruthless gaze, he said calmly, "A swift sword doesn't need to be ruthless, it only needs to be accurate. Your sword is for killing, my sword is for living."

Lu Xiaojia's smile froze slightly. Her face turned cold as she tossed a peanut into her mouth. "Interesting. If I make a move, do you think your sword will be ready in time?"

After a moment of silence, Leng Xue slowly said, "You can try... Ouch!"

Before he could finish speaking, someone grabbed his earlobe.

Leng Xue looked up and saw that it was You Mingjiang, who had treated Zhang Shusheng's injuries.

He could have broken free, but now he dared not.

Behind her stood Rong Sao and Yin Dong'er, who were secretly laughing. Judging from their expressions, Zhang Shusheng's life was surely spared.

Leng Xue covered his ears and gasped softly, "Pull my ears gently, Xiao Ming! These are my ears, not pig's ears!"

"Shut up!" You Mingjiang raised his hand and gave Leng Xue a sharp rap on the head.

Lu Xiaojia said dryly, "I wasn't the one who provoked them first..."

You Mingjiang gave a fake smile, then his face fell, and he waved at him, looking like he wouldn't listen to reason.

Lu Xiaojia sighed, helplessly leaned closer, and surrendered by tugging at her ear.

With each hand holding one of the two men's ears, You Mingjiang dragged the two restless young men up the stone steps and stuffed a broom into each of their arms.

She said irritably, "Didn't you want to give it a try?"

"Let's try it here."

"Hurry up! Be quick!"

.

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Author's Note: [Good Luck Lianlian] ① refers to Zhang Suiyang's teeth and Yan Changshan's tongue: This comes from Wen Tianxiang's "Ode to Righteousness." "Zhang Suiyang" refers to Zhang Xun, and "Yan Changshan" refers to Yan Gaoqing. During the An Lushan Rebellion, one defended Suiyang, and the other defended Changshan, both fighting to the death. After the cities fell and they were captured, one cursed the rebels and died unyielding, while the other cursed the traitors and had his tongue cut out and was dismembered.

[Rainbow fart] Trying hard to make it round, trying to make it more sophisticated, has already done the best it can to make it look like a shrimp ball worth eight yuan [Rainbow fart] I've made Xiao Jianseng's wish come true.

P.S.: The cold-blooded, sheathless sword has a name: the Nameless Sword. [Exaggeration]

[Flattery] Lu Xiaojia's sword has no name; it's a sheathless sword, meaning a sword without a scabbard. [Flattery]

[Purple Heart] Lu Xiaojia's speed is the kind that carries a playful provocation, a murderous intent tinged with mockery and teasing. Leng Xue's speed is the kind that is precise, direct, and yet stops short, while simultaneously fighting the enemy without regard for his own life.