Chapter 85 085 "I am your great-grandmother!"

Jiang Ling'er stood there, stunned.

Before the little monk could even finish speaking, the servant rushed forward and kicked him to the ground!

"You little novice monk! The title of the Number One Escort Agency has long been changed hands, yet you still dare to perform a ritual for Jiang Leilong in front of my agency, especially since the one being performed for is a notorious scoundrel of the righteous path, a lackey of the Jurchens! Isn't this utterly disgracing the Number One Escort Agency? And you still dare to say you're not here to cause trouble?!"

Scoundrels of the righteous path, lackeys of the Jurchens.

Jiang Ling'er took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Unbeknownst to me, my lower lip was bitten until it was mottled, and the sweet, metallic taste of iron filled my mouth. I was completely unaware that my fingernails were digging into my palms.

That servant was not only a follower of Zhao Xiao, but he must have come from Zhao Xiao's White Tiger Hall, which was in charge of the Discipline Hall of the number one escort agency in the world. Therefore, people from the White Tiger Hall were extremely ruthless. Cursing was not enough to vent their anger; every move was aimed at vital points.

"You damned monk! Instead of singing praises and offering blessings, you insist on performing a ritual for a traitor! I think you're just another lackey of the Jurchens! No wonder I was so ruthless!"

The servant cursed and punched the young novice monk mercilessly, the scene so gruesome that blood and flesh flew everywhere, a sight that terrified onlookers.

The little monk didn't fight back, perhaps because he couldn't win; he only repeated one sentence over and over:

"The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) is not what you say... He's a good man, he's a good man... he's a good man..."

"He is...a good person..."

The little monk spoke, his voice growing weaker and weaker.

Even after being beaten so badly, he still refused to change his tune, which made people take notice and secretly admire him.

The servant felt utterly humiliated that even a defenseless novice monk like this could not be subdued! He became even more sinister and ruthless!

"You shameless bastard! Let's see how long you can keep up your stubbornness!"

The servant raised his fist, and just as it was about to land on the little monk's head, someone suddenly grabbed his wrist, rendering him unable to move.

The servant looked up and saw it was the handsome young man from before. He was panting heavily when he said:

"It's you? You haven't left yet?"

It was Jiang Ling'er.

Jiang Ling'er looked at him coldly and said, word by word:

"Is that enough?"

The servant was clearly the same height as him, and even looked smaller, perhaps even less imposing than the fallen novice monk... Yet, being stared at by such eyes, an invisible pressure washed over him like a tidal wave. The servant stared blankly at the boy in front of him, forgetting to even speak.

My back was instantly covered in sweat.

"The martial arts tournament is still going on inside, and if a scene of surrender breaks out outside... I don't think your Chief Escort Zhao would want to see such a situation, would he?"

The servant stared in shock at the young man before him, nodding subconsciously. But he quickly came to his senses and saw the people around them whispering and looking them over... Feeling utterly humiliated, his face flushed red, and he abruptly broke free from Jiang Ling'er's grasp!

As soon as he met Jiang Ling'er's cold almond-shaped eyes, his lips trembled, and he choked, unable to speak. Turning his head away, he could only vent his anger on the little monk, pointing at the novice who was being beaten to the ground and whose head was swollen like a pig's head, and shouted loudly:

"This is the first time someone has openly and brazenly sought justice for Jiang Leilong and prayed for his soul's salvation! I think this little novice monk must also have some grudge against the Jurchens! Guards! Tie him up and take him to the White Tiger Hall's Discipline Hall for trial!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ling'er immediately frowned.

The White Tiger Hall, the Disciplinary Hall, is a place where the most heinous criminals are imprisoned. Those who enter will suffer greatly, even if they don't die.

That's practically saying they want to kill the little monk.

However, seeing that the person had already been dragged inside, there was no point in saying anything more. Jiang Ling'er's eyebrows twitched, and seeing that quite a few people had gathered... she ultimately remained silent.

He silently followed them into the gates of the World's Number One Escort Agency.

The servant looked at Jiang Ling'er's back, his jealousy and hatred still burning. He wanted to make trouble, but for some reason, the young man's cold almond-shaped eyes made him feel cold. He felt... he felt... he had seen him somewhere before.

Where exactly have I seen this before?

-------------------------------------

Only a few months have passed, but I never expected that returning to my own home would involve so many twists and turns.

Jiang Ling'er never expected that the first thing she would do when she got home would be to find a pot-bellied middle-aged Taoist priest.

After glancing around and seeing that no one else was around, he punched the middle-aged Taoist in the forehead, making him see stars and fall to the ground!

The middle-aged Taoist priest was terrified and retreated repeatedly.

"I...I am the True Lord Wenshan of Danxia Cave. I have no grudge against you...Who are you? Who hired you? Why did you hit me?!"

"I am your great-grandmother!"

After knocking out the real Jurchen lackey and throwing him into the dry well, Jiang Ling'er finally felt much of the pent-up frustration that had been building up in her chest dissipate.

That feels good.

-------------------------------------

After dealing with the Jurchen lackeys, Jiang Ling'er suddenly noticed that not only had the position of the top镖师 (chief镖师, head of the镖局, a type of security escort agency) changed hands, but the furnishings of the镖局 were also completely different, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, creating a festive atmosphere...

Jiang Ling'er was immediately stunned.

Who's getting married?

He immediately realized that there was only one eligible woman in the entire escort agency: Yuan Zao.

Suddenly, her ear twitched, and Jiang Ling'er turned to the side, hiding behind the artificial hill.

"I heard that after the martial arts tournament tomorrow, they'll hold a martial arts contest to find a husband. Which hero do you think Miss Yuan will marry..."

"Who else could it be? The martial arts contest to choose a husband is just a formality. The son-in-law will definitely be Zhao Xiao, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort)! The Xuanwu Hall Master only has Miss Yuan as his daughter. Besides, Miss Yuan is now mentally ill, and he doesn't trust anyone else to take care of her. Naturally, marrying her to the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) is the safest option, keeping her under his nose! Moreover, the Xuanwu Hall Master has already arranged for the phoenix coronet and wedding gown, and is just waiting for the event to end so they can hold the wedding ceremony."

Two maids walked along the eaves, laughing and joking.

Behind the artificial hill, Jiang Ling'er murmured to herself, incredulous.

Xiaozao...is she going to marry Zhao Xiao?

Why?

Isn't she...isn't she the one who hates that guy the most?

And those two girls... who's crazy?

Xiao Zao... has she gone mad??

-------------------------------------

Jiang Ling'er originally did not intend to see Yuan Zao; if Yuan Zao knew that she was not dead, it would only cause her trouble.

But now that she has learned that she is going to marry Zhao Xiao, and that she has gone mad... how can she not be worried?

She had always regarded Yuan Zao as her own sister, and immediately decided to go and find out the truth.

She bypassed the gazes of the many servants and maids and peeked into Yuan Zao's room.

Yuan Zao was sitting alone in front of the bronze mirror, and she was indeed wearing a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe...

Jiang Ling'er paused, and as Yuan Zao turned around, she hurriedly wiped away the disguised makeup from her face:

"Little Zao, don't be afraid, I'm Sister Ling'er!"

The moment Yuan Zao turned around and saw Jiang Ling'er, her eyes trembled, her eyes instantly reddened, and her lips trembled as she murmured:

"Ling'er... Sister Ling'er... you didn't..."

The two were not only separated by months of time, but also by life and death. Jiang Ling'er's eyes reddened, and she stepped forward:

"Yes! I'm not dead, I've come to see you!"

Yuan Zao was clearly moved as well; she was always a crybaby, and her eyes instantly filled with tears. But as Jiang Ling'er approached, she murmured:

"You shouldn't be here...you shouldn't be here..."

Then, like a frightened child, it screamed loudly:

"Get away! Get away! You shouldn't be here, get out of here!"

Jiang Ling'er froze, then grabbed her hand directly: "Xiao Zao, what... what's wrong?"

Yuan Zao responded with an even more horrifying scream, and even hit her, pushed her, and yelled at her:

"I told you to leave! Leave! Leave now!"

Jiang Ling'er stared blankly at Yuan Zao's insane appearance. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a large number of servants and maids rushing over. Gritting her teeth, she jumped down from the windowsill and disappeared into the bushes.

-------------------------------------

Xiaozao had never... treated her like this before.

Never before have I felt so innocent and foolish, like a frightened child...

It really does seem like she's gone mad...

What happened to her in just a few months?

Jiang Ling'er left Yuan Zao's courtyard in a daze. Before returning to the inn, she remembered sneaking into the Discipline Hall of the White Tiger Hall to find the little monk who was imprisoned there.

The young monk was beaten beyond recognition and was now lying on the ground, weeping bitterly.

Jiang Ling'er scoffed: "Now you know what pain is?"

The little monk shook his head, then buried his face in his hands and wept bitterly.

"Why...why does nobody believe the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) is a good person?"

Jiang Ling'er's long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, and she was immediately stunned, exclaiming in astonishment:

"Are you...crying about this?"

The young monk didn't say "yes," but judging from his expression, it was clear that he had tacitly agreed.

Jiang Ling'er then carefully examined the little monk from head to toe.

Although the little monk was beaten so badly that even his own mother might not recognize him, it wasn't hard to see that he had a youthful face, about the same age as the little poisoner... but he was far from the little poisoner's worldly wisdom, only showing a naivety.

Foolish naiveté.

Jiang Ling'er remained silent for a long time before tentatively asking:

"Old Chief Jiang does indeed love making friends all over the world, but... it seems he's never made friends as young as you?"

The young monk only said, his voice low and trembling with tears:

“Young man… I’m just an unknown nobody. How can I be worthy to be brothers with the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort)? The old镖头 spent his life helping the weak and oppressed and giving alms to the masses. He deserves to be treated well after his death, and he should not be falsely accused of being a lackey of the Jurchens… He, he was a good man.”

The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) is definitely a good person.

The little monk... wasn't wrong.

Jiang Ling'er pursed her lips and remained silent, assuming that the little monk was just one of the people who had been protected by the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort).

She was the one who was most grateful and the bravest among them.

Jiang Ling'er felt dejected and unlocked the chains of the cage: "Let's go before anyone finds out."

Unexpectedly, the young monk shook his head and crossed his legs: "I want to recite the Rebirth Sutra for the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) for forty-nine days."

Jiang Ling'er's brows furrowed instantly, unable to believe her ears: "Can't you just go home and recite it?"

To everyone's surprise, the little monk remained silent for a long time before finally shaking his head: "...No."

What a stubborn monk.

Jiang Ling'er gasped in shock, having never seen anyone willingly throw their life away before.

...a fool.

He was not only one of the people who had benefited from the old镖头's influence, but also the most grateful, the bravest, and the most foolish.

The gloom brought by Yuan Zao had not yet dissipated, and Jiang Ling'er, having lost all patience, smiled and said, "Whatever."

After saying that, he turned around and left without hesitation.

-------------------------------------

The moon rises above the branches.

Inn.

When Jiang Ling'er returned under the moonlight, Pei Xuan's fever had already subsided.

The young Taoist priest observed Jiang Ling'er for a long time and keenly sensed something:

"What's wrong? You seem... in a bad mood?"

Jiang Ling'er said listlessly, "It's nothing." She handed Pei Xuan a bowl of brewed medicine and said impatiently, "Drink it quickly."

This time, they didn't force him to take the medicine.

Pei Xuan glanced at the pile of beef and mutton on the table out of the corner of his eye.

They didn't even glance at the meat.

Something's strange.

Pei Xuan took the medicine and drank it down while carefully observing Jiang Ling'er's expression, inwardly grumbling to himself.

It seems something happened when I went out today...

What happened...?

Am I really in such a bad mood...?

--

And so, the unusual silence continued until late at night.

Pei Xuan's fever subsided, and Jiang Ling'er naturally chased him off the bed. Separated by a screen, it was as if two worlds were separated, with one sleeping on the bed and the other on the floor.

Until midnight, Jiang Ling'er suddenly jumped out of bed, screaming wildly:

"How could I possibly let Xiaozao marry that guy Zhao Xiao!"

In another world behind the screen, the young Taoist priest, with his eyes open, silently recited: "...ninety-nine, one hundred."

Finally, he closed his eyes and clasped his hands in front of him.

I slept soundly, completely satisfied.

-----------------------

Author's note: The title and cover have been changed, did you all notice?