Chapter 215: Chaotic Battle (Part 8) [Two-in-One]
Seeing the young man so fragile and listless, Qi Shan felt a mix of emotions. He replied in a very gentle but firm tone, "Yes, it won't happen again, there won't be a next time!"
It seemed to be both an answer to Shen Tang and a warning to himself.
Gu Chi, however, was always one to pour cold water on things, and he was quite disappointed: "Nine out of ten things in this world don't go as planned."
The unspoken meaning—
There will be this time, and there will be next time, and the time after that, and the time after that… until Shen Lang is unlucky enough to die at someone's hands. If everything could go as one wishes, there wouldn't be so much injustice in the world. Doesn't Qi Yuanliang understand this principle?
Shen Lang is not young anymore.
At this age, one can accept birth, aging, illness, death, love, hate, and separation.
Using well-intentioned lies to deceive others does more harm than good.
Qi Shan: "..."
Of course he understands the logic behind these toxic motivational quotes!
But now he'd rather turn Gu Wangchao into a dead octopus!
Qi Shan looked at the young man beside her, whose head was always hanging low. He looked weak, pitiful, and helpless. Considering that he was all alone, even the most hard-hearted person wouldn't want to pour cold water on him at this time! But—Gu Chi did just that!
People say so!
Is this even something a human being would say?
Qi Bushan, with a forced smile, uttered a silencing order!
Gu Chi suddenly opened his eyes wide and mouthed the words.
Qi Shan pretended that she was blind and didn't see it.
When Gu Chi angrily lifted the "silence ban," the previously dejected young master Shen was looking at him with a curious expression—
Aside from being a little down, having red eyes, and faint tear stains, her overall mood was relatively stable.
Gu Chi forcibly lifted the "silence ban," coughed a few times, and asked in a hoarse voice, "What is it that Mr. Chen is looking at me for?"
Shen Tang blinked, making sure she hadn't mistaken him for someone else.
"Yuanliang, why is Mr. Gu here?" she asked Qishan, pointing at Gu Chi, her eyes showing a hint of doubt, her heart pounding.
Could it be that she was kidnapped by Qi Shan?
The probability is as high as 99%.
Qi Shan said, "...He begged for it by shamelessness."
Shen Tang: "Oh."
I guessed wrong.
"...Who's being shameless???" Gu Chi didn't even think before retorting, instantly grabbing Shen Tang's attention—the situation had taken a turn—but then Gu Chi paused, realizing he'd missed the point, and quickly changed the subject to salvage the situation, "I was kidnapped!"
Shen Tang tilted her head.
He cast a meaningful glance at Qi Shan.
As expected, it's a love-hate relationship. Even while fleeing for their lives, they didn't forget to bring their "old flame," who's both an enemy and a friend, along. Who would have thought that Yuan Liang also has a hidden "tsundere" side? But Qi Shan dropped a bombshell, saying, "This burden is something you brought back."
Shen Tang: "..."
Shen Tang: "...???"
Shen Tang: "...!!!"
She gradually opened her eyes wide, casting a questioning look at Gu Chi, only to have him nod gravely. Qi Shan added insult to injury, "Young Master Shen also said that if this person isn't taken away, he'll kill him; he even drew his sword..."
Shen Tang opened her mouth, wanting to explain that she hadn't.
However, she had no memory of her drunken state and could only analyze it from the feedback of those around her—that when drunk, she was not only powerful but also had a terrible temper, was extremely domineering and uncompromising, and might very well have been capable of forcibly abducting an innocent man…
For a moment, shame overwhelmed her.
Her cheeks flushed crimson, overwhelmed with shame.
Gu Chi, forced to hear a jumble of incoherent thoughts: "..."
Let's set the rest aside for now.
Let's first talk about what the phrase "良家妇男" means.
Having lived for over twenty years, this was the first time Gu Chi had been described like this, and he almost laughed in anger. His smile carried a chilling danger. Shen Tang felt increasingly guilty. As a model young woman with strong principles and values, she knew she had done wrong.
I braced myself and prepared to apologize.
Gu Chi shut her down with a single look.
"So, you admit that you've ruined my reputation, Shen Lang?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Shan choked on his saliva and coughed incessantly.
The commotion startled Su Shang, who was engrossed in playing with his sleeve.
Looking at Su Shang's innocent and adorable face, Qi Shan calmed her breathing and asked with amusement, "Gu Wangchao, do you have that thing?"
Does Gu Wangchao still have a reputation?
Gu Chi sneered, "On the other hand, if I hadn't intervened in time, it's hard to say whether Shen Lang would still be alive. This is a life-saving grace, Shen Lang, do you acknowledge it or not?"
Shen Tang was also speechless, and carefully lowered her voice, saying, "This... this life-saving grace is naturally acknowledged. Thank you very much, Mr. Gu, for your righteous help. You are of great kindness and virtue. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely repay you. But, ruining my reputation... isn't that too serious..."
Those who didn't know the situation might have thought she had done something to Gu Chi.
Gu Chi: "When Shen Lang was drunk earlier, he said the same thing—'Thank you for your help, Mr. Gu. I will repay your kindness if I have the opportunity in the future.' Then he ordered his men to knock me unconscious and kidnap me. Does Shen Lang know who I am currently loyal to?"
Shen Tang replied, "Is it Wu Yuan?"
Gu Chi said, "Yes, it was him. Don't let Wu Yuan's young age fool you; he's inherently suspicious, and he's wary of even his closest confidants. If Wu Yuan finds out that you kidnapped me in front of everyone, he'll definitely become suspicious and doubt my loyalty."
A subordinate who is suspected is generally unlikely to be given important responsibilities.
In a sense, his reputation was indeed "ruined".
Shen Tang was stunned.
Knowing full well that Gu Chi was talking nonsense, she couldn't bring herself to refute him. After all, many people in history had fallen for "divide and conquer" tactics, been fired by their superiors, and subsequently lost power.
Qi Shan, who was listening from the side, was so angry that the whites of her eyes almost rolled back to the top of her head.
Gu Chi's "reputation" and "loyalty" are absolutely the two biggest jokes he's heard this year—how can someone who is good at listening to people's opinions truly be loyal to anyone?
He simply didn't believe that Wu Yuan was truly consistent in word and deed.
A tender little baby could truly win Gu Chi's heart.
Qi Shan dared to bet a year's supply of dried fish on Su Shang—Gu Wangchao's presence by Wu Yuan's side must have ulterior motives. However, with his own young master Shen's interference, it was uncertain whether it had disrupted his plans. After all, Gu Chi was known for holding grudges…
Gu Chi's face darkened after Qi Shan's undisguised words, and he said irritably, "My magnanimity is more than that."
Qi Shan scoffed, remaining noncommittal.
Gu Chi snorted at him.
Only Shen Tang was thinking about how to make amends.
Her conscience, pounding in her chest, prevented her from repaying kindness with enmity—and, most importantly, she didn't know what reason she had to kill Gu Chi. If there were a reason, her conscience could be transformed into Schrödinger's conscience.
It can be present, or it can be absent.
Gu Chi's lips twitched slightly, looking rather helpless: "Shen Lang, isn't it a bit inappropriate to think about these things in front of me?"
Shen Tang: "But it's a bit embarrassing to say it to their faces."
She thought to herself that Gu Chi could accurately understand her attitude, which would reduce many misunderstandings. As for whether it would annoy Gu Chi? This was a chaotic world where "people were the butchers and I was the fish," and one couldn't judge things by common sense. Frankness, even if it wasn't pleasant to hear, was much more pleasing than hypocrisy laced with sweet words. After thinking for a while, she decided to let Gu Chi go.
Unexpectedly, Gu Chi refused.
Shen Tang asked him, "Why?"
Gu Chi said, "In this chaotic world... I am unable to lift anything, carry anything, or wield a sword. Moreover, I am seriously ill and have no strength to even kill a chicken... Alas, if I were to encounter the tyrannical rebel army, I would surely die a gruesome death, let alone return to my lord's side to serve him faithfully."
He portrayed himself as pitiful.
Weak, helpless, and pitiful.
Before Shen Tang could speak, he began to talk about how bad his health was, how he couldn't be exposed to wind or rain, and how he had to drink an expensive bowl of soup with every breakfast and dinner to keep himself alive.
These medicinal soups were all reimbursed by Wu Yuan, which was a major reason why Gu Chi was willing to be loyal. Now that he has been kidnapped by Shen Tang, his daily life-sustaining medicine has been cut off, and he is afraid that he will not live much longer.
Shen Tang initially disbelieved Gu Chi's earnest words, but seeing his sickly appearance and the faint smell of medicine emanating from his sleeves and collar, rather than the incense favored by scholars at the time, she began to believe him to some extent.
She asked hesitantly, "Do you still remember the prescription?"
Gu Chi asked, "Why are you asking this?"
Shen Tang sighed, "We can't let our savior get hurt."
Gu Chi also sighed, with an expression that said, "This is not Shen Lang's fault, I am willing to forgive Shen Lang," showing his tolerance, generosity, and understanding.
“This was not your intention. You were drunk and could not be sure of what you were doing, so I don’t blame you. In these chaotic times, let alone getting those medicinal herbs, we can’t even find a doctor to treat a headache or fever… If I don’t make it through, it’s my fate.”
Qi Shan crossed her arms expressionlessly.
The left eye says, "You keep acting, keep acting."
The right eye says, "It's foolish to believe you even once."
The Heavenly Court wrote, "There really is a fool here."
Shen Tang, however, patted his flat chest and made a guarantee.
"Mr. Gu, you can rest assured. Just because I can't find a doctor doesn't mean I can't get the medicine. I can even get strychnine! I'm sure I can hand you over to Wu Yuan safe and sound. Then I'll step in and explain things to him properly. I guarantee that it won't damage your relationship as master and servant."
Qi Shan finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
It seems that the shadow of the Battle of Xiaocheng has dissipated considerably.
At this moment, the soldier who was taking care of Commandant Yang muttered, "I remember that 'strychnine' could kill someone with just a little bit?"
Gu Chi: "..."
Shen Tang said awkwardly, "...I was just using an analogy."
After some lighthearted banter, the atmosphere lessened. Shen Tang glanced out of the carriage but didn't see a second carriage. Then, remembering something, she closed the window, afraid Gu Chi would catch a chill. She asked, "Where's Wu Hui?"
Qi Shan said, "I'll stay in Xiaocheng."
Shen Tang's hand, which was closing the window, paused, her face turning deathly pale. Almost the instant Qi Shan finished speaking, a thunderbolt struck her mind, exploding in her ears. In that instant, she couldn't remember anything, couldn't hear anything, and her fingers trembled uncontrollably.
I absolutely cannot accept this devastating news.
Qi Shan realized the ambiguity of her words after she finished speaking.
Normally, he wouldn't bother to change it, but nowadays, even someone like him who doesn't believe in gods and Buddhas hopes that they can protect Chu Yao and Gong Shuwu and the others. So he softened his voice.
"Don't misunderstand, no one is dead. The rebels' advantage was greatly reduced after entering the city, so Wu Hui and the others deliberately stayed behind to delay the rebels as much as possible, buying time for the people in the city to evacuate..."
Although everyone knows in their hearts that this is just a drop in the ocean.
but--
Every extra breath might save another life. The tide cannot be stopped, but the meaning of this operation lies in those who survive!
Shen Tang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But I still miss her.
"The city is dangerous; how can we escape unscathed?"
"Chu Yao and Banbu are two experts, one skilled in literature and the other in martial arts. If they are determined to escape, they will not be so easily stopped."
Gu Chi did not expose Qi Shan.
Someone may speak casually, but they are actually unsure of themselves.
I just didn't want Mr. Shen to worry.
For a moment, the carriage fell silent once again.
Gu Chi also handed the prescription to Shen Tang.
Looking at the densely packed medicinal herbs on the prescription, Shen Tang mentally calculated the cost of each dose and secretly gasped – Mr. Gu's net worth is indeed high, and a sickly person like him is not easy to raise!
One dose of this medicine is equivalent to a month's worth for an average family of three, and his prescription involves decocting three doses into one bowl, to be drunk two bowls a day. Even without much pharmacological knowledge, one knows these are all for replenishing qi and blood, nourishing yin and kidneys…
Shen Tang secretly glanced at Gu Chi out of the corner of her eye...
Waist!
This body is too weak.
Drinking like this every day, I still collapse from the wind.
However, since he was in the wrong, Shen Tang had no choice but to rack his brains for a solution to the problem of the medicinal herbs. Gu Chi watched with interest, wanting to know what good ideas Shen Lang had.
Only three ingredients in this prescription are relatively expensive; the others are fine.
Of course, this is the price during a period of stability.
In these chaotic times, it's not easy to find someone.
Just then, Shen Tang sighed, "Among the various schools of thought, there were also 'medical schools,' and those medical books can be considered 'words of power'... Why can't we just use a word of power to heal and save people?"
Is your blood and qi deficiency?
It's alright, one Word of Power will burst his health bar.
She finally understood that nowadays, most of the "words of power" were from military strategists, while Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism were just playing a minor role.
Farmers, doctors, and practitioners of Yin-Yang philosophy—yet they can't even get a minor role. Even though doctors are directly related to people's livelihoods…
However, considering the cruelty of this world, it's understandable.
Studying medicine is not as good as pursuing literature or martial arts.
The person you rescued after going through so much trouble and working tirelessly might be killed as soon as they step out the door. When two forces go to war, and one group dies while another dies, who wouldn't be mentally devastated?
However, Shen Tang only complained in a low voice.
Qi Shan, who was petting the cat, seemed to be deep in thought.
Gu Chi remained silent.
The soldiers drove the carriage at breakneck speed in one direction, thinking they would soon be safe, but an unexpected incident occurred.
Suddenly, an arrow pierced the air.
Qi Shan had made preparations in advance, raising a barrier of literary energy.
Shen Tang asked alertly, "Is there enemy activity?"
Qi Shan said, "Don't be impatient, I'll go and check on the situation."
He lifted the carriage curtain, bent down, and stepped out.
"What happened?"
The soldier's face was solemn, filled with lingering fear and relief.
The arrow was aimed at his head.
Once hit by a shot, how could one possibly survive?
Qi Shan emerged, and he immediately felt reassured, pointing to the dense forest ahead and saying, "Something's not right here, the stench of blood is strong..."
Not only was the smell of blood strong, but it also carried a chilling aura.
|ω)
The "Literary Mind and Martial Courage" system is a power system that facilitates stylish combat, and it also incorporates elements of the philosophical discourses of various schools of thought. However, these are merely elements, not the main storyline. The main storyline revolves around Tang, the village chief, leading the villagers in a joyful journey of farming, fighting, managing resources, building infrastructure, and vying for supremacy...
(End of this chapter)
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