Blood-stained clothes return to the city
The county magistrate personally led the team.
The constables and militia, on their way to "receive" the spoils of war, were filled with trepidation.
At this moment, the procession was making its way into the city gates in a grand and imposing manner, yet it was shrouded in an eerie silence.
The entire county town was like a pot of boiling oil that had been thrown into boiling water, causing an uproar!
The streets were deserted!
The streets were packed with a dense crowd, standing on tiptoe and craning their necks!
People see:
Dozens of large trucks, their ruts deep, symbolized the complete eradication of the Black Wind bandits who had entrenched themselves for years!
Inside the prison van, there was Guo Shanfeng, who was once infamous and feared, but now looked ashen-faced, with dark red bloodstains still seeping from the tattered cloth wrapped around his severed wrist!
Sitting in another car covered with coarse cloth were the kidnapped women, including the aloof and elegant Su Wan.
Ling Zhan specifically requested that none of them show up, but their very existence was a silent accusation and proof.
The guards and militiamen escorting the goods wore expressions that were a mixture of barely concealed awe, lingering fear, and a hint of bewilderment.
The female villain refused to allow them to display more "spoils of war," such as the dismembered and mutilated bandits, and only allowed them to bring back these.
The evidence is irrefutable! The news has been completely confirmed!
The entire county was engulfed in an unprecedented frenzy!
"Heroine Ling! Blood-Handed Asura! Eliminate this scourge for the people!"
"Well done! Slaughter all those damned beasts!"
"Heaven has eyes! The scourge of Black Wind Ridge has finally been eradicated!"
Deafening cheers, crackling firecrackers, and wailing cries of joy merged into a massive wave of sound—
A sound that resounded through the heavens!
Inside the county government office, everyone was extremely busy.
Magistrate Chen Qinian was so excited that his goatee stood on end, and he slammed his fist on the table, issuing orders repeatedly:
"Quickly! Quickly! Decorate the city with lanterns and streamers! A three-day celebration for the whole city! A continuous feast! Stretching from the yamen gate all the way to the west gate! The county government will cover all expenses!!" Dozens of carts of supplies and gold and silver treasures—he seemed to see a bold stroke of ink on his performance record! Promotion was in sight!
Master Zhou was also ruddy-faced, but the deep fear of that wicked star lingered in the depths of his eyes.
"Your Excellency is wise! Furthermore… that Miss Ling… requested to take Miss Su Wan away… what should we do with her? And… what should be done with the stolen goods…?"
Magistrate Chen waved his hand decisively: "Miss Ling deserves the most credit! Miss Su is a righteous woman! Invite them both to the best guest rooms in the back office! Treat them with the utmost hospitality, without the slightest neglect! The stolen goods?" He paused, his voice low but undeniably authoritative, "Count them! Make a list! Those who deserve compensation should receive it, especially the poor abducted women—give them a larger share! The rest will be confiscated and put into the treasury! But the 'generous reward' for Miss Ling must be substantial! Full amount! No! Double it! Triple it!!"
"Get it done immediately! Prepare the cash! It must be pure official silver! And it has to be fast!"
All he wanted to do now was to use the fastest speed and the most money to make this jinx comfortable and prevent her overwhelming aura from touching him.
Ling Zhan followed the procession into the city in silence, watching as Guo Shanfeng was thrown into the death row, and as the yamen runners began counting and registering the money, especially confirming that the compensation money had indeed begun to be distributed to the numb village women. Only then did she lead Su Wan into the overly luxurious guest room prepared for her in the back yamen.
Su Wan was the only one in the room.
She never expected that after Ling Zhan told Master Zhou that he would take her back to Kaoshan Village, Master Zhou would immediately give her the identity of a "righteous follower who assists in suppressing bandits and is deeply righteous," allowing her to walk openly in front of others.
When Ling Zhan and Master Zhou entered together, Su Wan's eyes lit up with disbelief!
The long-standing darkness had finally passed, and she could now stand tall and be a person of dignity! She bowed deeply to Ling Zhan and Master Zhou, her voice choked with emotion yet exceptionally firm: "My lord, Master Zhou. The compensation money distributed after the confiscation of the stolen goods... please pass it on to those... sisters outside."
She pointed to the faint sobbing sounds coming from outside the courtyard.
Ling Zhan nodded slightly, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.
Master Zhou nodded solemnly, accepted the silver, and said with his eyes full of praise, "Miss Su is very generous! Leave this to me!"
When Magistrate Chen Qinian and his advisor Zhou arrived at the guest room in the back office, carrying a brocade box filled with heavy gold ingots and thick silver notes, their faces beaming with the most humble and enthusiastic smiles, to present the "meritorious official" with a generous reward, they only saw Su Wan sitting quietly by the window, dressed in clean and simple clothes.
Magistrate Chen's smile froze: "Miss Su... Miss Su? Lady Ling... Lady Ling...?"
Su Wan stood up, gave a graceful bow, her demeanor gentle yet carrying a hint of aloofness: "Your Excellency, my benefactor... Sister Ling, she is no longer in the county office."
Master Zhou was shocked: "What?! Where did they go? When did they leave?!"
Su Wan gently shook her head, took out a neatly folded piece of paper and placed it on the table: "My benefactor left only this letter and asked me to pass on a message to Young Master Shen Yan of Kaoshan Village."
The magistrate and his advisor, Zhou, were filled with doubt, but dared not look at the note themselves. Fortunately, when the note was unfolded, it revealed only two large, powerfully written characters, their strokes bold and vigorous, exuding a chilling aura:
Building a house.
Su Wan's voice was calm and even, mimicking Ling Zhan's characteristic cold tone: "My benefactor said that the money should be given to Young Master Shen, and he will make the arrangements. The house must be sturdy and large." She paused, then added, "My benefactor also said: 'This place is too noisy; I will return to the mountaintop. The rules will remain the same.'"
"This place is too noisy; I will return to the mountaintop. The rules will remain the same."
These eight cold words, like ice water poured over their heads on a freezing winter day, instantly chilled the boiling passion in Magistrate Chen and his advisor Zhou's hearts caused by the successful bandit suppression.
The ecstasy on Magistrate Chen's face froze completely, turning into astonishment and an indescribable chill.
Guishan Peak? Which peak? The precipitous peak behind Kaoshan Village?
Having just achieved such a monumental feat, amidst the city's frenzied celebrations, at the perfect moment to receive the admiration of the masses and be promoted? She…she just left like that? Her clothes still soaked with blood, leaving behind a fortune that would make anyone's heart race—that box of gold ingots and silver notes! She tossed it like a stone to her husband, Shen Yan, from Kaoshan Village?!
Master Zhou's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice hoarse: "My...my sir...what...what should we do..."
Magistrate Chen sighed deeply and waved his hand wearily: "Do as Miss Ling wishes. As for the silver, you, my clerk, must personally make a trip to Kaoshan Village and deliver it to that Shen Yan personally, without fail! Miss Su…"
He looked at Su Wan, “…Let’s settle her in the county government office for now and treat her well. As for this grand celebration…” He looked out the window at the deafening gongs and drums and the bustling crowd, a bitter look on his face, “…let it be as usual. The people… need this celebration to dispel the fear that has accumulated over the years.”
Su Wan curtsied again: "Thank you for your kindness, sir. However, Master, you have a lot of needlework to do over there, and the children can't wait. I'd better go back to Kaoshan Village with Master Zhou."
Kaoshan Village, a small courtyard.
Shen Yan paced back and forth in the courtyard, looking uneasy, occasionally glancing towards the village entrance.
There was a rapid knocking on the courtyard gate!
Master Zhou, accompanied by two constables, stood outside the door, looking travel-worn. His face was plastered with an unprecedented, almost fawning smile, a stark contrast to his previous cold and businesslike demeanor.
Master Zhou cupped his hands in greeting, his voice warm: "May I ask, is Young Master Shen Yan here?"
Shen Yan opened the door, his heart inexplicably racing, and asked warily, "Master Zhou? What brings you here?"
Master Zhou hurriedly presented the heavy, obviously valuable brocade box, his attitude so respectful that it made Shen Yan's scalp tingle: "Young Master Shen! Great news! This is a piece of great joy! This is what Lady Ling asked me to give you! She single-handedly wiped out dozens of bandits in Black Wind Ridge and rescued countless people! She is renowned throughout the county! This is the money she specifically instructed you to use to build your house!"
He deliberately emphasized the words "sweep away", "terrify", and "dedicated explanation".
Shen Yan was completely dumbfounded! Suppressing bandits? Single-handedly wiping out dozens of ruthless bandits?
Money? Building a house? She...she's alright? So fast?! How is that possible?!
He instinctively took the brocade box; it was extremely heavy!
When he opened it, he saw a dazzling array of pure white silver ingots, neatly stacked, which made him dizzy!
There was also a thick stack of silver notes! His hand trembled so violently that he almost dropped the box on the ground!
He gasped, his voice trembling: "Six...six hundred taels?! And...and silver notes?!"
How big would this house have to be?! It would be enough to buy half of Kaoshan Village!
Master Zhou smiled and stepped aside to introduce, "And this is Miss Su Wan. She is a righteous woman rescued from a bandit's den by Lady Ling. She is skilled in needlework and has been properly settled by the county government. Originally, we planned for Miss Su to come and help after the house was built, but she is concerned about the children and is eager to come and teach them needlework and clothing. She said, 'The work at home can't wait.'"
Having finished his instructions, Master Zhou felt as if he had just handed over a hot potato. Not daring to linger, he cupped his hands in farewell and hurriedly took his leave with his constables.
Left in the courtyard were Shen Yan, who was dizzy from being bombarded with so much information, a group of children curiously peeking out, and Su Wan, whose gentle demeanor seemed out of place in the simple courtyard.
Su Wan stepped forward and bowed gracefully to Shen Yan, saying, "Master, my benefactor... Sister Ling instructed me to take charge of the needlework matters in the household."
He was speechless for a moment, feeling utterly disgusted.
He looked at the cold, heavy silver ingots and notes in his hand, then at the direction of Ling Zhan's still empty room, as if no one had ever lived there. His expression was complex and indescribable—there was shock at that she had actually accomplished the impossible, fear of the danger she had faced alone, and elation at the infinite possibilities brought by this enormous wealth. In the end, all of this turned into a heavy sense of loss in his heart, a loss that he himself did not even realize.
"She...she just...left like that?"
He muttered to himself, mimicking Ling Zhan's infuriatingly cold tone, and cursed in a low voice with resentment: "If you don't discipline her for a day, she'll climb on the roof and tear off the tiles! She didn't even say goodbye!" This money was not only the foundation for building a home, but also proof that she had once again "left without saying goodbye."
"Young Master Shen."
Su Wan's gentle voice pulled her back from her reverie, "I wonder... where I am staying now?" She looked around the crowded courtyard.
There's no room.
Shen Yan replied casually, somewhat annoyed, his mind still on the money and the woman who had "run away."
"father!"
Da Niu quickly stepped forward and grabbed Su Wan's hand. She was deeply attracted by the gentle and quiet temperament that Su Wan possessed, the kind of temperament that only a lady from a respectable family could have. She said timidly but affectionately, "I am Da Niu. My mother asked me to take care of the family's clothes. Sister... Sister Su, if you don't mind, would you be willing to squeeze in with me for a while?"
Her gaze toward Su Wan was filled with curiosity and a hint of longing.
Disgusted by her daughter's retort, Shen glanced at Da Niu with some disdain, but her fingers holding the cold silver ingot tightened slightly.
A surge of emotions welled up within him, a mixture of resentment, a secret delight at being "entrusted" with a heavy responsibility, and the sense of duty as the head of the household. He abruptly straightened his back, his gaze hardening with unwavering resolve, and loudly announced, as if addressing someone who wasn't even present:
"Build it! We must build it! Build it right now! Blue bricks! Big tiles! Bright and spacious! Solid and sturdy! It must be able to accommodate everyone! And... we must also leave her the best room! The biggest room! The window should face the back mountain! Facing the mountain peak! So that she won't have to take a detour if she wants to leave, she can just open the door and walk out by herself!"
The golden glow of the setting sun cast long shadows across the courtyard.
For the first time, Shen Yan realized that Su Wan's cooking skills were truly impressive; she could prepare several simple yet refreshing and delicious dishes without him having to roll up his sleeves and cook. He couldn't help but glance a few more times at Su Wan, who sat quietly at the table, behaving with impeccable manners.
After the meal, he faced the pile of gleaming silver ingots and the note with the words "Build a House" written on it, his eyes burning as he spread out a new sheet of straw paper and began to re-plan his blueprint.
This time, the blueprint had a solid foundation of silver ingots.
Meanwhile, Ling Zhan had already traveled through the quiet and secluded mountain forest, embarking on his journey home.
The hustle and bustle, the celebrations, the drums and the voices below the mountain, seemed to be separated from the world by an invisible barrier, quickly fading away.
The mountain wind grew stronger, dispelling the faint smell of blood and the clamor of smoke that lingered on my body from the foot of the mountain.
The higher you climb, the clearer and purer the air becomes, invigorating the senses. It's a unique fragrance of cool air, pine needles, fir trees, and earth, belonging only to the mountaintop. The familiar howl of wolves faintly drifts in, carrying a unique rhythm and sense of direction, as if conveying some kind of signal.
As her lithe figure pierced through the last layer of mist as if walking on flat ground, stepping onto that vast and familiar mountain meadow edged with gold in the twilight, the scene before her eyes stirred a barely perceptible warmth in her eyes, a warmth called "belonging."
The welcoming ceremony was silent yet grand:
Outside the cordon, several robust gray wolves stood like the most loyal sentinel statues on the jagged rocks of the highest point, their eerie green eyes scanning every path leading to the mountain peak with vigilance and sharpness. Upon seeing Ling Zhan's familiar figure, they did not lower their guard, but instead let out low, short howls to confirm his identity.
The signal spread like ripples.
Then, the enormous white wolf king—its silver-gray fur gleaming with a cold, mithril-like sheen in the twilight—emerged from the depths of the grassland like a moving mountain, and sat firmly at the entrance. Seeing Ling Zhan approach, it slowly rose and strode forward with silent yet powerful steps—
Its massive head lowered slightly, with an air of submission and affection, and gently rubbed against Ling Zhan's trouser leg, which was covered in dust and bits of grass and wood, emitting a low, docile purr like rolling thunder.
This is the wolf pack's gesture of utmost trust and submission to their leader.
Immediately afterward, a golden-brown lightning bolt shot from the distant orchard! Little Jinbao squeaked and chirped, filled with indescribable excitement and affection, and accurately leaped onto Ling Zhan's shoulder. Its fluffy little head rubbed against her cheeks and neck with all its might, while its two little paws anxiously gestured up and down, chattering incessantly, as if eagerly recounting the "major events" that had occurred in the "monkey troop" these past few days and the latest "battle report" from "Yuntian".
Almost simultaneously, two even rounder, fluffy white and gray-blue "fur balls," with unusually cheerful yet slightly clumsy steps, excitedly howling, tumbled and crawled over from the direction of the stone house! It was Frostblade and Storm Shadow!
They have clearly grown a lot bigger, with strong limbs, and they can already make a whistling sound when they run.
The little white wolf Frostblade was so excited that it pounced and hugged Ling Zhan's boots, nibbling and rubbing against them, its tail wagging like a propeller.
The gray-blue wolf cub, Lan Ying, was relatively "reserved." It circled around Ling Zhan, running and carefully sniffing her scent with its wet, cool little nose. Only after confirming that it was her scent did it come closer and make soft, coquettish whimpering sounds.
Ling Zhan squatted down, stretched out his rough but steady and powerful hand, first rubbed Shuangren's fluffy head which felt great to the touch, and then gently scratched Lanying's beautifully shaped chin.
The two little guys immediately squinted their eyes in comfort, making satisfied gurgling sounds in their throats, and wagging their tails even more happily.
She stood up, her gaze sweeping calmly and deeply across the homeland that appeared exceptionally magnificent, tranquil, and vibrant in the twilight.
My tense nerves completely relaxed, and a feeling of physical and mental well-being arose spontaneously.
She first went to inspect Yuntian.
The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entire field in a warm golden hue.
On the dark, fertile soil, winter wheat has already stubbornly broken through the soil!
Rows of tender, slender, yet upright wheat seedlings stand in neat rows, displaying the tenacity of life. The temperature at the mountaintop is lower than in the village, so the ripening period is naturally later. However, the wheat seedlings near the edge of the hot spring irrigation canal, nourished by the geothermal heat, are noticeably more robust and verdant than those elsewhere, showing a promising growth.
After completing her inspection, Ling Zhan went straight to the hot spring pool, where she needed to wash away the dust and blood she had brought from the foot of the mountain.
In the orchard not far to the west, the monkeys leap nimbly among the branches and leaves, occasionally tossing ripe wild fruits precisely onto the stones by the hot spring pool—silent "tributes" from the Little Golden Treasure tribe.
There was no cheering, no celebration.
The only sounds are the howling wind sweeping across the vast grasslands, the deep, cello-like vocalizations of the wolves, the chattering of monkeys chasing and playing in the forest, the gurgling of hot springs, and the contented purring of two wolf cubs at my feet.
This is the world that truly belongs to her.
Pure, orderly, vibrant, and far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world.
As dusk settled completely, the last rays of light on the mountaintop disappeared behind the surrounding peaks.
After soaking away her fatigue and dust, Ling Zhan entered her newly built, sturdy wooden house, which smelled of fresh pine.
Light a resin lamp, and its warm, dim light gently spreads, dispelling the darkness in the corner.
Ling Zhan lay on the simple bed covered with thick animal hides, completely relaxed.
Almost the instant my head hit the pillow, I drifted off into a deep, sweet dream.
This was the deepest, most peaceful, and most comfortable sleep she had ever had since arriving in this strange world.
The sound of the wind on the mountaintop is the best lullaby.
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