Chapter 14, The Fourteenth Strike
Beneath the brocade robes lay a figure with full breasts and slender bones, a crane-like neck and a wasp waist—a beautiful sight that should have inspired awe at the wonders of creation. However, a long scar on her back cleaved this beautiful scene in two.
Jiang Linzhi lay on the bed, looking at Lu Huantang's somewhat stiff face, and laughed, "Scared?"
Even Lu Huantang, who has lived a life of constant danger, has never had such a scar. Anyone who had suffered such an injury would have died long ago.
Lu Huantang, dragging his somewhat stiff legs, knelt on the bed and applied medicine to Jiang Linzhi. Jiang Linzhi's medicine was as red as blood and emitted a nauseatingly bitter smell.
Looking at the wound that was half-healed, Lu Huantang said softly, "Tell me if it hurts."
The touch of fingers on skin sent a slight shiver through Jiang Linzhi. She lifted her leg slightly, curled her toes, and endured the pain and itchiness.
Besides the wound, there were many tiny scars, slightly raised, almost indistinguishable.
She's only in her early twenties, so why does she have so many injuries? What has she been through?
Even the most cold-blooded person would find it unbearable to watch. After finishing treating yesterday's injuries, Lu Huantang was about to remove the bandage from her neck to check how the injury was, but as soon as he touched the bandage, Jiang Linzhi said, "No need, it's almost healed."
Lu Huantang paused. It was rare for him to care about others, even if it was an act. He covered Jiang Linzhi with a blanket and said, "I'm sorry."
This was the first time Jiang Linzhi had been apologized to. She was used to being infamous, and many people made killing her their life goal. Even if they saw another side of her like Liu Zhong, they would never admit it.
After trekking through mountains and rivers for a very long time, people discover that their destination is a mirage. Most people will not turn back, but will convince themselves that it is a real oasis, and then stubbornly continue forward.
Most people won't admit their mistakes, but will cover them up like a mad dog guarding its food. But what they're protecting is nothing more than the moon in the water or a flower in a mirror. In the end, they will all die on the path of "defending the Way".
Like Liu Zhong, like the millions who killed her and hated her.
Lu Huantang was an exception. Jiang Linzhi became interested, patted the bed beside him, signaling him to lie down, and said, "If you really feel sorry for me, why don't you tell me who your master is?"
Lu Huantang had hoped to build rapport, but Jiang Linzhi's sharp eyes had caught his attention. A slight panic gripped him, but he remained calm, saying, "I don't know my master's name or where he's from. He came to my house when I was eight and taught me and my senior brother martial arts. He taught us for four years before saying he was going to travel, but he never returned. Do you know him, Miss? Do you know where he is?"
Jiang Linzhi shook his head, looking at his perfect profile, "Your martial arts look familiar, but I can't remember where I've seen them before."
"The Regent," Lu Huantang explained to Jiang Linzhi.
Jiang Linzhi suddenly realized, "Yes, his martial arts are very similar!" Then he asked in confusion, "Are you and him fellow disciples?"
Lu Huantang shook his head. "My master is not one to curry favor with the powerful, and I have never heard of him teaching anyone else. So I suspect that my master's disappearance is related to the Regent."
Jiang Linzhi suddenly realized, "So he never intended for you to live when he made you kill me! He pushed you out to take the blame because he discovered you were investigating him! That kid is really cunning!"
As he spoke, Jiang Linzhi suddenly admired his own intelligence and boasted, "I'll help you find out where Master is, and I can help you get an official position! As long as you follow me and do things for me!"
With just a few incense sticks' worth of time to formally become sworn brothers, Lu Huantang finally succumbed to her cunning, which was so obvious to everyone, and said, "Yes, Miss's wish is also my wish, and I will certainly serve Miss."
After only three days, Qi Lingjun came to pick up Jiang Linzhi. In other words, he had resolved all the troublesome matters in just three days.
Jiang Linzhi and Lu Huantang arrived, chatting and laughing. Qi Lingjun lowered his eyes slightly and waited quietly beside the carriage.
In front of Qi Lingjun, Jiang Linzhi smiled and straightened Lu Huantang's clothes, saying, "I'll leave this place to you."
Jiang Linzhi got into the car, then suddenly remembered something, beckoned him to come forward, and whispered, "Liu Xiao, if it can't be cured, then there's no need for treatment."
Just a few days ago they were deeply in love, and today they've decided life and death. Lu Huantang couldn't help but glance at Jiang Linzhi, only realizing his gaze had been too direct afterward, and quickly lowered his head again to obey. But no matter what, he couldn't hide the shock and confusion in his eyes.
Jiang Linzhi didn't explain, but simply patted Lu Huantang on the shoulder and got into the car.
Qi Lingjun slightly raised his eyes, his gaze unwavering, and nodded arrogantly to Lu Huantang, calmly saying, "Farewell."
On the day Jiang Linzhi left northward, a sect in the south was discovered and wiped out by monks begging for alms. The corpses, mixed with blood, were frozen on the ground, freezing the fear of their desperate escape before death.
The only one with a relatively serene expression was a man dressed in red.
Jiang Linzhi, who was in the carriage, also learned about the incident, but the tragic event did not affect her appetite. She ate the baked flatbread that Qi Lingjun had brought her, which contained Sichuan peppercorns and tasted exactly like Qi Lingjun's cooking.
This was a silent apology for angering Jiang Linzhi that day. Jiang Linzhi didn't expose his thin skin and said, "Any more? One more."
Qi Lingjun said gently, "Yes, but those are still cold. We'll roast them at noon before eating them."
Jiang Linzhi picked up a crumb of baked bread that had fallen on her dress, put it in her mouth, and sighed, "The end of the year is just around the corner."
As the year draws to a close, those who can return home do so, and the gold from the mines is transported to where it is meant to be.
"Why would Miss talk to him about such trivial matters? Aren't you just pushing him away?" Qi Lingjun suddenly changed the subject.
Jiang Linzhi patted her skirt, shaking off the crumbs she couldn't pick up, and said, "He's the same kind of person as me, cold-hearted and ruthless, and he's the one who understands the dangers best. Liu Xiao's value has been used up. He's loyal, and I don't lack loyal people; but if he's provoked by his brother's death, I can't guard against such a small fry."
"I hope he can figure it out," Qi Lingjun said calmly.
"If you don't understand why you've kept someone, the person I kept will deal with him."
Qi Lingjun didn't say anything more, just stared blankly at her hands. After a long while, she said, "The journey is long, Miss, why don't you get some more sleep?"
Inside the Jiang residence, Jiang Linzhi was eating unsweetened steamed custard while looking at the snow scene outside the window when he was startled by a snow hawk that suddenly flew in.
The little fox was also startled and hid behind the cabinet, baring its teeth.
The snow hawk stood obediently on the window frame, preening its feathers, completely ignoring the little fox.
"Just like your master, you know how to pretend." Jiang Linzhi muttered, took the letter from Xueyao's leg, and gave Xueyao a piece of raw meat from the raccoon bowl as a reward.
Regardless of the battle between the bird and the fox behind him, Jiang Linzhi unfolded the letter, which contained only two powerful words: "Wishing you peace," along with a dried flower.
The dried flowers looked ordinary and had no fragrance, but when Jiang Linzhi put them in hot water, they seemed to come alive and unfolded, releasing a refreshing fragrance under the steam.
Jiang Linzhi was delighted. He picked up his pen and wrote a few words, then tied the snow hawk back to its leg and said, "The snow won't stop until tonight. You can leave tomorrow."
As if it understood, the snow hawk pecked at the water a few times, glanced at the ruffled fox, and obediently flew to the roof beam with the meat in its beak.
When Qi Lingjun came in, he saw Xueyao and knew that Lu Huantang had written again. These days, Lu Huantang and Jiang Linzhi had been communicating frequently, and Jiang Linzhi was often in a good mood after reading the letter.
Qi Lingjun was genuinely curious, but this was their letter, and he had no right to inquire. His eyes darkened slightly, and he lowered his gaze to conceal his emotions, saying, "The Regent has sent some things over. What do you think we should do with them?"
This kind of thing shouldn't have been Jiang Linzhi's responsibility, but since Qi Lingjun asked about it, it must be a big deal.
Qi Lingjun draped a cloak over Jiang Linzhi's shoulders, and the two went to the backyard. As soon as the gate opened, Jiang Linzhi almost couldn't catch her breath.
The animals in the yard were whimpering softly, emitting a strong smell of animal fur and droppings, and they had also devoured all the exotic flowers and plants in the yard. The smell was really pungent. Jiang Linzhi covered his nose and pointed at the roe deer and gazelle, "Keep these few for dinner, and send the rest back."
Jiang Linzhi looked at so many animals that only royalty could enjoy, and knew that this was a trick by the higher-ups. As a merchant, no matter how rich she was, she could not bypass the royal family. It was a really troublesome matter, so she said, "I will deliver it myself."
“This is a trivial matter, please continue,” Qi Lingjun said.
They're deliberately making things difficult for her; if Qi Lingjun goes, he'll suffer a great injustice on her behalf, which is unacceptable. Jiang Linzhi smiled and coaxed, "I have a good candidate; you go ahead and do your work."
Dressed in red with black hair, Jiang Linzhi walked down the despicable street like a spirit. She held a rein, and a group of animals followed her quietly and orderly. Such a strange sight naturally attracted people to stop and watch.
These stinking animals were originally meant to annoy Jiang Linzhi, but now Jiang Linzhi has brought them to the military camp and ordered the cooks to slaughter them to improve the soldiers' meals.
It looked like a lot, but once it was distributed to the military camp, it wasn't much at all. The camp cooks, however, dared not accept it; the camp was the Regent's territory, and they couldn't accept favors from others.
Jiang Linzhi laughed and said, "This was bought by the Regent to reward the soldiers. Eat with confidence." After saying that, he stuffed the reins into the cook's hand and turned to leave.
At such a slow pace, the news would spread along the way, and even the Regent's most inept informants would eventually find out. Sure enough, the moment Jiang Linzhi turned around, the Regent's attendant Cui Jiu blocked her way, coldly and respectfully saying, "Miss Jiang, the Regent requests your presence."
Jiang Linzhi followed respectfully behind Cui Jiu. The military camp was large, with soldiers patrolling back and forth, so they wouldn't be able to get there in a short time. Jiang Linzhi then said, "It's the New Year and other holidays, doesn't Lord Cui go home to visit his family?"
“I have no home,” Cui Jiu replied coldly.
"Look at my foul mouth, I really deserve a beating. That Lord Cui should also take a look at some people and settle down as soon as possible. He can't stay in the military camp forever, can he?" Jiang Linzhi started rambling.
Cui Jiu did not reply. When they arrived at an exceptionally large tent, he stood outside and said with a cold, wooden face, "His Highness has been waiting for a long time. Miss Jiang, please."
Jiang Linzhi deliberately said loudly, "You've really worked hard, Lord Cui. I'll send you some more of the osmanthus sugar cakes that you liked last time for the New Year." Then, without waiting for Cui Jiu to refuse, he walked into the Regent's tent.
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