Chapter 644: Giving Someone a Dignified Death (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

Gong Xilai vaguely thought he was hallucinating.

"Performance...the amazing feat of washing hair upside down?"

What kind of amazing skill is that?

Just then, Shen Tang finished washing up. She quickly wrung out the excess water from her long hair with her right hand, then leaped up with her left hand, landing steadily. She then used her martial energy to completely dry her hair. It has to be said, this thing is much better than any hair dryer.

"Don't you think this skill is amazing, Miss Alai?"

These words were not spoken by Gong Xichou, but by Shen Tang.

Gong Xichou: "Alai is much older than you, and who is your sister? I told you Alai is my sworn sister."

Shen Tang grinned and said, "We're like family."

"Your sister is my sister."

Gong Xichou: "..."

Being called "A-Lai-meizi" by a boy younger than himself, and with such frivolous words, didn't bother Gong Xilai because he saw that Shen Tang's eyes were clear and there was no impropriety or offense in them. Most importantly, the boy before him, whose appearance was even more beautiful and charming than his own, was no ordinary person, but Shen Jun, who had defeated his brother. Looking at Shen Tang's physique, Gong Xilai felt a strange sense of absurdity.

The other person was much taller than when they first met, but considering his status as a prefect or the leader of a powerful force, he was far too young. Thinking this to himself, he said aloud, "To be able to do a handstand with ease is truly impressive."

"Look, our girl is so sweet-talking."

Gong Xichou: "Mama is no less impressive."

With a hairband in her mouth, Shen Tang used her fingers like a comb to gather her long hair at the back of her head, smoothing it before securing it with the hairband and tying it high. Conditions during military campaigns were extremely limited; even as the lord, she couldn't wash her hair whenever she wanted. Fortunately, the air was good in this era, and the diet was low in oil and high in vegetables, so she didn't have much dandruff or oily scalp; otherwise, it would have been quite embarrassing.

Her gaze fell on Xun Zhen, who understood immediately and took the initiative to state his purpose: "Qiu Wenyan has been captured and is awaiting your judgment, my lord."

"Qiu Wenyan, that old rookie, has been captured? That's good news. But he's still a powerful figure, so he can't be treated badly, lest people criticize us for mistreating prisoners. By the way, what about Qiu Wenyan's other supporters? What's their whereabouts?"

Xun Zhen took out a scroll from his sleeve and handed it over.

The list contained the general information of the captured people. Shen Tang skimmed through it and casually asked, "Is the scholar Wenxin, who used his literary skills to spy on our army's movements in Beishang County that day, also here? Was he captured, or was he killed in the chaos?"

Xun Zhen shook his head and said, "No news yet."

The woman, bound hand and foot by Xun Ding, lowered her head, her eyes flashing with intense hatred. Hearing the two men's conversation, she flinched again. Clearly, this woman was Miao Shu, who had been captured by chance. On the city wall, she had also helped Qiu Cheng defend the city and fight the enemy, but the situation was hopeless and she was powerless to reverse it. She could only make the worst-case scenario plan—her trusted confidants chose to protect Qiu Cheng and help him break through the siege and escape.

Seeing this, do you think Miao Shu has been abandoned?

No, it was Miao Shu who abandoned Qiu Cheng.

Because she knew that Qiu Cheng was too much of a target. As the leader of the faction, he was a figure of great military merit that Shen Tang's troops envied.

While fleeing with them would offer protection, it would also expose her to danger, especially since she was a woman. In this chaotic world where supernatural powers were rampant, women were far more harmless and less dangerous than the elderly or children. It was a universally acknowledged truth that women could not cultivate; if Miao Shu removed her signature ornament, she would be nothing more than an ordinary wealthy young woman, making it incredibly easy for her to evade capture and elimination.

Miao Shu made this plan, and she did just that.

He went to his lover in the city, intending to hide for a few days.

Yes, she has a lover.

Although she was Qiu Cheng's wife, she did not live in the inner courtyard. Qiu Cheng knew she harbored resentment, and he turned a blind eye to her keeping handsome young men. This was probably one of the few privileges she received as a scholar.

Before they could hide for long, someone came knocking on their door.

It's obvious at a glance that he's a lackey of Shen Tang!

Unfortunately, her cultivation and experience were insufficient, and she still needed to chant to activate her incantation. Now, with Xun Ding having dislocated her jaw, her speech was slurred, and she had no way to escape. What she didn't expect was that she would see her enemy so soon, and that her enemy would even mention her.

She also watched the scene where Shen Tang washed her hair upside down.

I felt utterly contemptuous of him.

To think that the family business that the Miao family had built up over generations could be stolen by such a petty thief, God must be blind!

Shen Tang rolled up the scroll again.

"Tell your men to keep a close eye on him and make sure to capture him. Back in Beishang County, it was clear that his knowledge of the arts of literature was still immature. If he truly matures in a few years and we encounter him on the battlefield again, he might become a serious threat that we have to be wary of."

An enemy capable of silently controlling one's own strategic moves is indeed troublesome. This kind of scholarly approach is entirely designed for the battlefield; if one were to wander into the enemy's lair, another battle would be inevitable, and the casualties would be far greater.

Xun Zhen accepted the order and replied, "Yes, sir."

Shen Tang's gaze finally landed on Xun Ding.

"Yong'an also wants to see me?" Xun Ding's identity was somewhat awkward to Shen Tang. He was not a direct military officer, nor was he a prisoner, but he did work for his father.

Shen Tang had a good impression of him, and even felt sorry for him because he had been tricked by Qi Yuanliang when he was young and ignorant. In addition, with his relationship with Xun Zhen, she would not give him a bad look.

Xun Ding seemed to have just come to his senses from Shen Tang's bizarre behavior.

"Reporting to Lord Shen, this subordinate has brought these two men with him." He then stepped aside, revealing a trembling man and woman behind him.

Gong Xilai's eyes flashed with doubt upon hearing this.

She remembered that her ex-fiancé wasn't very capable; his only bit of cleverness was used for indulging in debauchery, eating, drinking, and womanizing, and he and a group of like-minded playboys called it "refined elegance." What value did such a good-for-nothing have in meeting Shen Jun? But she couldn't interrupt; she could only observe.

Shen Tang was also curious: "Who are these two?"

Xun Ding pointed at the woman: "She is a scholar with a literary heart."

When he went in to grab the man, the bloody aura emanating from his armor made the woman suspect he was there to capture her. Xun Ding hadn't expected to see her here either. Before he could speak, the woman made a preemptive move, attempting to escape using a feint, but Xun Ding saw through her trick. He paused, then emphasized, "She's still a woman."

Shen Tang's expression changed from puzzled and curious to serious.

Xun Ding then pointed at the man.

"His relationship with this woman is unusual."

What a coincidence, they were caught together.

Shen Tang guessed what was going on, but still asked, "Even so, it's not a crime, so why are you arresting these two?"

A female scholar and a man with an unusual relationship with her are naturally not guilty of any crime.

but--

Xun Ding said, "This woman belongs to Qiu Wenyan's command and is also his wife. Although she is not highly regarded, she should not be underestimated."

This is a fish that slipped through the net.

It's practically military merit!

Capture them; wouldn't that count as a military achievement, big or small?

That way, I can avoid getting a few of my father's disapproving looks.

Moreover, aren't female literary figures as rare as national treasures?

Upon hearing this, Shen Tang asked seriously, "Really?"

“Every word is true.” Seeing that Shen Tang did not speak, he thought she did not believe him, so he explained, “Shen Jun did not notice this person’s literary aura because her ability to conceal it is first-rate. She must have put in a lot of effort. Outsiders would hardly notice it if they were not on guard.”

"and……"

Shen Tang: "Go ahead."

"She participated in the Battle of Beishang County."

Shen Tang waved his hand, indicating that Xun Ding didn't need to say anything more.

Gongxilai noticed the atmosphere was off and quietly asked his elder brother.

"Brother, should we go somewhere else?"

Gong Xichou retorted, "Avoid what?"

Why wait to see the excitement that's already here?

He had absolutely no sense of being a prisoner.

Shen Tang didn't pay attention to that.

She gave Xun Ding a wink, but the latter, lacking any understanding, didn't get it. He blinked, looking blank, and stood there. Gong Xi Chou, however, couldn't bear to watch any longer. He stepped forward and, with a swift movement, snapped his jaw back into place.

Miao Shu was in excruciating pain, cold sweat pouring down her face, her pretty face deathly pale, but she still raised her eyes, filled with hatred, and stared intently at Shen Tang. At this point, it seemed her identity could no longer be concealed. Sure enough, Shen Tang immediately asked, "Are you from Longwu County?"

Miao Shu slumped to the ground and sneered, "So what if it is?"

She tilted her head back, as if she were the one looking down at others, no longer hiding or suppressing herself, her brows and eyes sweeping away their usual repressed and indifferent expression.

Shen Tang looked into her eyes and made a judgment in his mind.

Ask her, "Which company?"

Miao Shu clenched her teeth, her cheek muscles tensed, and her eyes were fixed on Shen Tang as she said, word by word, "My family name is Miao!"

Shen Tang propped her forehead with her hand, rummaging through the garbage heap for memories.

"Oh, I vaguely remember. I only remember that the Miao family of Longwu was quite wealthy, but they made their money through immoral means. The whole family would never do anything that a human being could do. You are a woman who was fortunate enough to be pardoned, why would you want to die again?"

There's a bug in the chapter content. Xun must have met Miao Shu. Please wait, I'll fix it.

_(:з」∠)_

It's been fixed. After reading it through, there shouldn't be any bugs.

P.S.: This part of the plot wasn't originally planned this way. Gong Xilai wasn't going to capture his ex-fiancé, but Miao Shu. However, when I was writing it, I realized that Gong Xilai was from Xiaocheng, while Miao Shu was from Longwu County—their acquaintance seemed too far-fetched. So I introduced the ex-fiancé's male concubine, but I overlooked the fact that Xun Ding, this extra character, had already met Miao Shu. *Scratches head*

PPS: Another bug has been found. Gong Xilai has also met Tang Mei before _(:з」∠)_ but it was Tang Mei in disguise. She knew that Tang Mei was young and short... The paragraph has been revised.

(End of this chapter)