84 Chapter Eighty-Four
But in that raging torrent, where could one find a single person?
Chapter 84
Liu Qingqing didn't think she would win.
She was never chosen, nor was she that lucky.
She could only ever rely on herself.
Although I don't know why I didn't completely faint, thankfully my legs aren't weak anymore.
She looked around. The city wall was more than three zhang high, and the outer side was a very deep moat. Due to the continuous rain the day before, the river was turbulent and the sound of the water was howling.
There were passages on both sides of the city gate, which were now guarded by Fu Xiuzhu's men with bows.
There were also people drawing bows on the inner battlements, but on the outer side, which was right next to the moat, Fu Xiuzhu seemed to have no one assigned to it.
Perhaps because of the chains, they weren't tied as tightly as hemp ropes this time. Her hands hung naturally at her sides, with Fu Xiuzhu holding the far end of the chains in his hands.
She quietly loosened the ring; inside was a sleeping powder that Xie Lang had put in.
Xie Lang said that if there is wind, everyone within two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) will faint for a few breaths. If in danger, a few breaths are enough to save a life.
Even if Xie Lang doesn't save her, she won't just sit there pitifully waiting to die.
She planned to take advantage of the chaos to leap off the city wall and plunge into the moat.
Since nearly falling into the water during the escape from the capital, Lin Mei has become a good swimmer, so I'll teach her. She learned to swim after arriving in Yingcheng, and with diligent practice, she should have a 50% chance of surviving!
Fu Xiuzhu was unaware of Liu Qingqing's intentions; he was secretly gloating, waiting for Lord Xie to make a fool of himself!
Although the vanguard numbered only a little over a thousand, Fu Xiuzhu was confident that he could defeat the defenders of Yingcheng and dampen Lord Xie's spirits!
What a young general! He's nothing special.
Their Northern Rong vanguard uses opium, so they feel no pain at all; one of them can take on three angels! The stronger ones can hold off five!
The garrison of Yingcheng numbered only two thousand; how could they possibly withstand their fierce army of a thousand?
Fu Xiuzhu pinched her chin, forcing her to look ahead. "Look, Lord Xie is almost at the city gates."
The horse kicked up dust, and Lord Xie seemed quite anxious.
Liu Qingqing: "..."
Her hair was disheveled and stuck to her cheeks. When she saw Xie Lang break through the crowd and get very close to the city wall, his narrow eyes filled with undisguised urgency, she was stunned.
"Fu Xiuzhu! Release my wife!" Xie Lang roared with rage, pointing his spear forward with a fierce gust of wind.
Fu Xiuzhu sneered, "Lord Xie, you're not pretending to be an elder brother this time?"
The surrounding crowd was in an uproar. They never expected that the quiet Miss Lin in the clinic was actually the wife of a high-ranking official of the second rank! Whispers and discussions arose one after another.
"How can you treat the people like this, Lord Xie! If you have the antidote, why don't you take it out? The patient's condition improved after using the medicine from the clinic, and the clinic clearly has the medicine!"
Fu Xiuzhu's expression was grave. "If you have the medicine, why won't you give it to the people? Is this money something we doctors can earn?"
"What does the poisoning by a villain have to do with my wife?"
Is it poison?
The people were shocked and panicked. In an instant, someone took the lead and knelt down, followed by a large group of people who cried and begged the official to save their lives.
Wei Mingzhao was doing the work of stirring up trouble in the shadows, and having Li Ying with him was somewhat of a hindrance.
He just came out of the inn today. He sent people to look for Xie Lang yesterday, but they couldn't find him and he doesn't know if Xie Lang has returned.
Suppressing his worries, he took Li Ying for a stroll on the street. Though it was a stroll, he was actually teaching Li Ying how to judge people.
"There are many spies lying in ambush in Yingcheng. If you have good eyesight, you can see quite a few. Look at that ordinary man in the teahouse, his eyes darting back and forth—isn't that unusual?"
"What's wrong?"
"His tea has been steeping for a long time, and he hasn't even touched the teacup. And look at his clothes, isn't there something different? There should be a knife hidden in his clothes."
"And that beggar over there, with a ruddy complexion, red lips and white teeth. His hair is free of oil and lice, and you can still see the original color of his clothes. Whose beggar is so well cared for?"
"Huh..."
"Then why not arrest them all?" Li Ying asked curiously.
"We're all interconnected. If we arrest everyone, how will we know who our superiors are and where they are? How will we be able to trace the clues back to the source?"
"Then can't they also take advantage of us?"
"It all comes down to who has the sharpest eyes,"
Suddenly, a piercing gong sounded, followed shortly by the sound of galloping horses.
Knowing something must have happened, the two exchanged a glance and said, "Let's go check it out."
Both of them had martial arts skills and moved extremely fast.
They arrived at the city gate in a short while.
A large crowd of onlookers had gathered in front, so densely packed that they couldn't see clearly.
The two pushed their way through the crowd, only to be blocked by a pair of soldiers with long spears at the front.
Wei Mingzhao sensed something was wrong and looked ahead. Sure enough, a few feet further ahead, he saw Xie Lang holding a long spear and pointing it at the city wall. The veins on his neck were bulging. Xie Lang was always indifferent and dignified; when had he ever acted like this?
Wei Mingzhao had a bad feeling and looked up at the city wall.
Sure enough, the slender, disheveled figure in the distance looked like Madam Xie.
Unbeknownst to others, Wei Mingzhao could see that Xie Lang's hand holding the gun was already unsteady.
Looking to the side, I saw a familiar figure – it was Xie Wu.
Wei Mingzhao quietly moved over, said a few words to Xie Lang, and then disappeared into the crowd.
Li Ying, unaware that Wei Mingzhao had already left, stared intently at the woman on the city wall, his eyes wide with disbelief.
After a moment, he wiped his reddened eyes and murmured softly, "Sister..."
My sister is still alive...
His throat immediately choked.
But what's going on?! My sister has been tied up and taken to the city wall!
He quickly grabbed the person next to him, asking, "Why is this?"
The man was also a teenager, about the same age as Li Ying. He didn't care about life and death and spoke with a gloating, amused air.
Li Ying was so angry his chest felt like it was going to explode!
How could his sister be bullied by these people?
How could you bully a weak woman without finding fault with the wicked?
They're begging and pleading for mercy, but all they're doing is putting their sister on the fire!
“If you give me the prescription, I will give you the antidote. We can exchange them one for one, and the people will not make things difficult for you.”
Fu Xiuzhu paused, "Otherwise, even if I let you go, you won't come with me. Public opinion will be overwhelming, and everyone's spit could drown you. What would you do then?"
Xie Lang could only see Fu Xiuzhu's face close to hers, and she turned her face away impatiently.
Xie Lang was in unbearable chest pain, as if the nightmare had come true. He had not rested for two days and two nights, and in a daze, he could not tell if it was real or not.
Suddenly a bird chirped, and Xie Lang quickly looked around, realizing that Xie Wu and Xie Liu had made preparations while he was stalling for time.
The time will come when it fires again!
Xie Lang's expression was stern and cold, his sharp eyes sweeping over them. "Just because she's kind to you, does that mean you should eat her to please yourself?"
Some of the people around who had believed the rumors felt guilty, while others were righteous and boldly said, "If sacrificing one person is to save the lives of the whole city, it's worth it!"
Xie Lang looked at him with a solemn expression, his red eyes like those of a man-eating demon. The man was startled and immediately shut his mouth.
Fu Xiuzhu was still sparing no effort to sow discord.
If he was merely curious about Lord Xie's wife before, and even pretended to be infatuated after being injured and rescued, he would have become genuinely interested after tying her up.
He threw his head back and laughed wildly, a laugh that was utterly chilling, while a wicked smile appeared on his gentle face. "Lord Xie! It's no use saying anything now. No matter how right you are, do you think the people below the city wall will allow themselves to die here?"
"Even if each of them takes a bite, it would be enough to devour you and your husband completely!"
Fu Xiuzhu was so engrossed in mocking Xie Lang that he vented his pent-up anger. He thought he was invincible while guarding the city wall and became complacent.
"Give me the prescription, and I'll spare your life!"
Attacking from below was virtually impossible, but Fu Xiuzhu remained calm and composed, almost as if he had the whole plan in mind.
He thought that if he pressed her a little harder, Liu Qingqing wouldn't be able to hold on. Her legs were already trembling; no matter how special she was, she was still just a weak woman.
Another bird chirps.
Suddenly a gust of wind arose, stirring up dust, and Fu Xiuzhu squinted.
Liu Qingqing finally got her chance! She lightly leaped up and slammed her head back with all her might, causing Fu Xiuzhu to stagger back two steps. At the same time, she unscrewed her ring and scattered the sleeping potion around.
At the same time, Xie Lang spotted the gap and threw the spear at Fu Xiuzhu with all his might, piercing through Fu Xiuzhu's left shoulder with a thud!
Hidden on the rooftop, Xie Liu and his men drew their bows and arrows, raining down arrows that struck the people on the city wall. Except for Liu Qingqing's surroundings, it seemed as if an invisible barrier existed.
"run!"
She heard Xie Lang shouting at her from below the city wall!
Liu Qingqing dared not delay. She glanced around and saw that the people near the exit had been hit by arrows and fallen. Her legs went weak for a moment, and she ran towards that direction.
The long chain fell to the ground with a soft clattering sound. She quickly picked up the chain and held it in her arms; it was very heavy.
"Liu Qingqing!"
Fu Xiuzhu's furious voice rang out from behind.
This was the first time Fu Xiuzhu had called her that, and he made no attempt to hide it, sounding like a demon from the underworld, which was terrifying.
Suddenly, the sound of clashing swords rang out behind her. Turning around, she saw that Xie Lang had already leaped onto the city wall. After glancing at her, he drew his sword and engaged in fierce combat with Fu Xiuzhu, who had recovered. The swords clashed, producing a clanging sound.
Overwhelmed by the hatred of having his wife stolen and the nightmares that followed, Xie Lang's every move was deadly.
However, after ten moves, Fu Xiuzhu could not withstand the menacing sword energy and fell into a disadvantageous position!
In his dream, the image of Liu Qingqing's throat being slit by a long sword, the blood splattering on his face, replayed repeatedly before his eyes. Xie Lang's internal organs twisted together, making him even more ferocious. He gripped the sword hilt with both hands, leaped up, and slashed at Fu Xiuzhu's skull!
"How dare you bully my wife?"
Fu Xiuzhu slumped to the ground, startled by Xie Lang's burning gaze. Ignoring his disheveled state, he quickly shuffled backward, bracing himself with his right arm. But Xie Lang wasn't about to let him off the hook!
This sword strike is enough to split a person in two!
Xie Lang's wounds were all broken open, and blood dripped down, making him look like a demon god crawling up from hell.
Wei Mingzhao, who followed closely behind on the city wall, had already dealt with the others. Seeing this, he quickly blocked with his sword, his arm going numb from the fierce sword energy. "This person is still useful!"
Xie Lang's temples throbbed, but he knew that although he hadn't killed the man, he hadn't shown any mercy. With a twist of his sword, the sharp blade pierced into Fu Xiuzhu's chest with a soft thud, and then quickly twisted around.
After swiftly pulling out, he mercilessly severed the arm that had just been pinching Qingqing's chin with a single stroke!
Blood splattered all over them.
Fu Xiuzhu immediately lost his previous arrogance, and his face quickly turned pale.
Xie Lang lifted his eyelids: "He's not dead."
Even if you leave someone a way to survive, their internal organs will be wrecked, but they won't live long.
Wei Mingzhao looked at it and said, "..."
The battle was extremely swift, lasting only a moment.
Xie Lang no longer wanted to fight; his mind was set on finding Liu Qingqing. Only when he held her in his arms could he catch his breath.
He turned around to look for Liu Qingqing, but when he got to the spot where she had been, he didn't see her.
Xie Lang panicked immediately, "Qingqing!"
He shouted loudly.
He had never been so flustered before, not even just now.
How did the person suddenly disappear?
He hurriedly tried to descend the city wall, but stopped abruptly when he caught a glimpse of that familiar hem of a skirt.
Above the city gate tower, below flowed the rolling river, its white waves layered upon each other, not a single calm surface to be seen.
Xiao Yingshi had gone mad. She hid in the shadows, waiting for them to kill each other so she could reap the benefits. Without a second thought, she pushed Liu Qingqing right up to the city wall.
"If I can't have it, neither can you!" she screamed madly.
"Sister? Why does the young master of the Prince's mansion call you sister?"
Just now, Lady Ying was hiding in the shadows and watched helplessly as Young Master Li Ying, his eyes red, charged forward recklessly, seemingly oblivious to the sword wounds he had sustained.
Why this is so, Xiao Yingshi dared not think, nor did she want to think.
She laughed hysterically, her laughter making her tremble with infatuation, then grabbed Liu Qingqing's neck and forcefully pushed her head to the side. Xiao Yingshi leaned against the city wall, most of her body hanging over it.
She was going all out, unafraid of being stabbed in the back, because once she let go, Liu Qingqing would have no way out.
Li Ying gripped his sword and rushed up the city wall without a second thought, only to find Liu Qingqing with one foot on the wall, almost dangling in mid-air.
"elder sister!"
He shouted in astonishment and rushed toward it.
Hearing hurried footsteps, I turned around and saw that Xie Lang and Li Ying had arrived one after the other.
Little Ying chuckled, "They came quickly."
"Look, the moment I let go, your precious child is about to die. What good are your noble status? If you beg me, I might spare her life?"
No way.
Looking at the two of them again, Madam Ying changed her mind, "Why don't you kneel down before me? Or I'll give you my life for mine."
Xiao Ying has completely gone mad.
Whether it's Xie Lang or Li Ying, she'll have gained something in this lifetime if either of them dies.
She laughed heartily, but tears fell from her eyes.
Liu Qingqing was gripped by the neck, suspended in mid-air, struggling violently. Her face instantly turned red, her eyes bulged, and the blood vessels on her face burst. She was about to suffocate.
Taking advantage of the moment when Xiao Ying was delirious, he struggled to pull out the hairpin from behind his back and stabbed it at the back of Xiao Ying's hand!
"ah!"
The hairpin nearly pierced the back of her hand, and Xiao Ying cried out in pain, instinctively loosening her grip. But as she released her grip, she realized, "No!"
That was her lifesaver!
Liu Qingqing fell backward. She looked up and tried to smile at Xie Lang, feeling grateful that someone had finally chosen her.
However, the pain in her eyes earlier made it difficult for her to see clearly.
She opened her arms, waiting to plunge into the rushing water.
This time, I might not survive.
Her shallow life flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern. For a moment, she even thought that Xie Lang might save her. But then she remembered that Xie Lang had been injured many times before, and Doctor Zhang had repeatedly warned him not to get his wounds wet, otherwise, if the wounds developed sores, his life would be in danger.
She was filled with both longing and melancholy; she hadn't lived enough yet.
But she... is really tired. It would be a good thing if she could rest for a while, right?
But as she closed her eyes, she saw a figure dart out from inside the city wall... She stared in astonishment.
Outside the moat.
Ying Yucheng knew that the Northern Ghosts were coming, so he led his troops to guard outside the city early on and did not give way at all!
He knew the city was bustling with noise behind him, but he was too far away to hear clearly.
Suddenly, a piercing, terrified scream rang out, "Qingqing!"
Ying Yucheng was startled upon hearing this. He turned around and was taken aback when he caught sight of the figure hanging on the city wall.
"Qingqing..."
He murmured in astonishment.
He wanted to ride his horse into the city, but the Northern Demons were watching him like hawks!
The hand holding the reins loosened and then tightened again.
Just as he was hesitating, he saw her fall from the city wall with a loud thud.
"Qingqing!"
He hurriedly ran towards the river.
But in that raging torrent, where could one find a human figure?
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview:
Don't scare me.
After this major plot point, we just need to wrap things up a bit and it'll be pretty much over.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
