Chapter 75 Accomplices in Turbulent Times (End) Such 'accomplices in troubled times'...
Let's go back to the day Deng Jie saw Guo Jia off from the mansion.
She sat alone in the back room for a long time, her chaotic thoughts like a tangled mess. Her teachers and friends had suffered misfortune, and her husband had left her without a trace.
When she looked up and saw the empty memorial tablet, a thought stirred within her: what else could she possibly do?
She asked Huai Niang to summon Guo Yi and discussed her thoughts with him: "Zhong Jun...A Yi, I have a request for you, and I earnestly hope you can help me. This is not only for me, but also for Feng Xiao!"
Even though he is currently Cao Cao's trusted advisor, seemingly enjoying great success, in chaotic times, those from humble backgrounds are like rootless duckweed. If Cao Cao were no longer around, or if he were to retire after achieving his goals, who knows if the seeds he sows now won't become the fruit of future public criticism?
As she said this, she recalled how Sun Ce had swept through Jiangdong with great ambition, but in the end, he had incurred the wrath of many families. Even if it wasn't Deng Zhao, someone else would have been willing to assassinate him.
Deng Jie took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom. "This is a secret medicine given to me by Master Yu Ji in the past. Taking it will cause a person to stop breathing and become stiff and cold, as if they are dead. This state can last for seven days. During this period, if someone skilled in this art comes to the rescue, they can be 'brought back to life'; otherwise... they will truly die."
I want to use Ah Yi's help to take this risky step, escape with my life, and leave this place.
With Fengxiao's northern expedition imminent, and given his physical condition... perhaps I still have a sliver of a chance to pull off a surprise attack.
Guo Yi was shocked upon hearing this. "Sister, sister-in-law..." She was no longer sure how to address them. "This method is too dangerous. Although I have some medical knowledge, I have never seen or heard of such a medicine before. I'm afraid I'm not up to the task..."
Deng Jie handed her a bamboo scroll: "I have recorded this method in it, Ayi can check and study it... I know it is difficult, but there have been successful cases."
She hesitated for a moment, then concealed her identity as Consort Dong and told Guo Yi about Hua Tuo's successful treatment. She then took the Taiping Qingling Mirror from her waist and handed it to her: "I was fortunate enough to meet the Immortal Master Zuo Ci, who had been acquainted with Immortal Master Yu Ji, and may be knowledgeable in this art. Ayi, you grew up in a Taoist temple. If you have any connections to find the Immortal Master's whereabouts, it might increase our chances of success..."
Looking at the determination in Deng Jie's eyes, thinking of Guo Jia's frail body, and considering the long-term worries Deng Jie had mentioned, a surge of courage welled up in Guo Yi's heart.
She took the bronze mirror and nodded vigorously: "Alright, whether or not I can find the immortal master, I will do my utmost! But..." She tightened her grip on the bamboo scroll, "...if...if I fail..."
Deng Jie reached out and gently patted Guo Yi's hand, a calm smile appearing on his lips: "If he really dies, it might be a relief for me... But you, Yi... must acknowledge Fengxiao as your elder brother, so that he can put his mind at ease... Don't... leave him all alone again."
"Sister-in-law!" The phrase "alone" touched a soft spot in Guo Yi's heart. She rushed forward and hugged Deng Jie. "I will never fail! I'll set off right now!"
Five days later, Guo Yi and his wife, along with Zuo Ci, guarded the burial site of Deng Jie. Under the cover of darkness, they dug up the new grave and took away Deng Jie's body.
In November, after parting ways with Cao Cao, Guo Jia and Zhou Buyi slowly moved to Yicheng.
Guo Jia's increasingly severe old illness made it difficult for them to move around. Zhou Buyi took the prescription left by Deng Jie and searched for medicinal materials all over the city, but repeatedly ran into obstacles.
After he walked out of the clinic in disappointment, an old woman who had been observing him for a long time came up to him and asked about his condition. She pointed to a doctor and said, "Young master, your prescription is unusual. We've never seen it in this remote area. There is a white-haired fairy at the South City Hermitage who is very effective in treating patients. Why don't you go and ask her?"
"The White-haired Fairy?" Zhou Buyi wondered. There was a sorcerer in this place, and she was a woman? Having no other choice, he followed her instructions and went to the elegant house.
The wooden door to the hermitage was unlocked. Zhou Buyi knocked on the door, but no one answered.
He pushed open the door and entered, only to find that although the room was small, it was very clean and tidy.
Looking around, the herbs were all there, and I even saw some uncommon medicinal materials that seemed strangely familiar.
Although it was somewhat inappropriate, seeing that no one was around, he still curiously went into the inner room to take a look. Inside, there was only a pile of thatch and two simple clothes that looked like Taoist robes, which looked quite frugal.
An old man's voice came from outside: "Who goes in?!"
Zhou Buyi quickly came out to apologize, saying that he had come to seek medicine from the fairy.
The old man sized up Zhou Buyi: "Outsider? Today is the fifteenth, the fairy is going to the market to provide free medical consultations."
Zhou Buyi asked curiously, "Is this fairy maiden famous in this area?"
"The fairy maiden came about a few months ago, or maybe last year. At that time, she was not famous and was even feared by people because of her white hair. Later, as more people were helped, she became famous. She was beautiful and kind, and never charged for her medical consultations or prescriptions. When people saw her white hair, they all recognized her as an enlightened immortal who came down to help the world and save people, so they built her a hermitage."
The old man led him to the market and even helped him look at his prescription.
“Huh? This character…” The old man was about to say that the character was written by the fairy maiden herself when Zhou Buyi saw that familiar figure.
"Master's wife!" He rushed forward, excitedly examining Deng Jie's white hair. "You...you..."
Deng Jie was overjoyed to see Zhou Buyi, and tears streamed down his face: "I've been waiting for you...! Where's Fengxiao? Is Fengxiao alright? I've been waiting for you here!"
Zhou Buyi didn't have time to ask her anything, and pulled Deng Jie to go find Guo Jia.
But then he paused, realizing that he had risked his life to escape and that no one could know: "No, I have to get the guards out of here first. I'll tell you where it is, and your mistress can find a chance to go in."
That night, Guo Jia surprisingly found himself with the energy to get out of bed. He called out "Wenzhi" a few times but received no response, so he combed his hair, put on a fur coat, and went into the courtyard.
The temperature wasn't as cold as I'd imagined, nor was there a bit of a chilly wind. Guo Jia, sipping his steaming breath, leaned against a pillar and sat down, looking up at the sky.
The stars were lonely on this winter night, their emptiness somewhat familiar.
"Born in February, see the Tiger..." He chuckled softly, watching the lone star flickering in the Tiger direction.
“Born in April.” Deng Jie, cloaked, responded softly outside the courtyard gate, and looked up in another direction, where he saw a dim star faintly shining.
"A lone star accompanies us, just as you and I are bound together..." She let go of the hand holding the courtyard gate, and approached Guo Jia from behind with light steps.
"Say it..."
"Fengxiao," Deng Jie called softly.
"You've come to pick me up... That's great..." Guo Jia slowly closed his heavy eyelids, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"I've come to pick you up. Would you like to come with me?" Deng Jie said softly as he stopped in front of him, slowly lowered his knees to the corridor, and knelt down in front of him.
"So, when I was about to die... I really could see you." Guo Jia slightly raised his eyes, a smile still playing on his lips.
"I won't let you die." Deng Jie leaned in and embraced him. The real warmth of his body in that instant jolted Guo Jia awake.
"Say yes?!" He was at a loss for words, not yet able to see her face clearly, fearing it was just a dream or some other deception.
But the familiar scent that I could smell was unmistakable.
"What?! It really is you?!" Guo Jia's spirits lifted, and he helped the person on top of him up.
The candlelight inside was distant, and the stars and moon in the sky were dim, but the two were close enough to see each other clearly.
Deng Jie touched Guo Jia's dry, gray hair, his nose suddenly stinging with tears. He pulled down his hood, revealing a head of white hair.
“Say it…you…you also…” Guo Jia didn’t care about his appearance at all, but when he saw Deng Jie’s black hair turned white, his heart tightened and he almost squeezed out tears.
The two cupped each other's cheeks, examining each other closely, their fingers weaving through their loose hair, filled with emotion.
"Well, Jia looks just like that now...it suits her well...cough cough...at least we've grown old together."
Guo Jia comforted himself with these words, then suddenly coughed and vomited a mouthful of black blood.
"Fengxiao!" Deng Jie helped him up.
"It's alright, it's alright!" Guo Jia wiped the blood from his lips, unwilling to let go of her hand, his eyes never leaving her, and smiled, "Seeing you so happy, Jia's life has been extended by more than half..."
Although he was saying this, his body had already gone limp, and his eyes were gradually losing focus.
Deng Jie held him firmly, "I won't let you die."
When Guo Jia woke up again, Zhou Buyi was guarding his bedside.
"What are you saying?!" Guo Jia couldn't tell if the previous glance was real or fake, but he clearly remembered her white-haired appearance, so he pulled Zhou Buyi to confirm first.
"Yes, it's true, Master!" Zhou Buyi looked at Guo Jia's anxious expression and bent down to comfort him, "Master's wife is going to make you some medicine..."
Before she could finish speaking, Deng Jie was carrying a bowl and cup when she pushed the door open and entered. Just then, she saw Guo Jia struggling to get up. She quickly stepped forward, placed the bowl and cup on the table, and supported his shoulder, saying, "I'm here, don't move."
Guo Jia's gaze lingered on her thin cheeks, a pang of sorrow rising in his heart. He stroked her white hair once more, "You've suffered so much..."
These words gave Deng Jie an opportunity. She grasped Guo Jia's hand and said, "Fengxiao, I'll stay here only to ask one question, and only this once..."
There was some hesitation in her eyes, but she made up her mind and asked solemnly, "Are you willing to abandon everything, abandon Cao Cao, and leave with me?"
I escaped using the "golden cicada shedding its shell" strategy, originally intending to leave Ye City and the life I couldn't fit into... But my only wish is to stay with you.
But if Fengxiao is unwilling, or unable to let go, I will not force you. I only wish you to take care of yourself in the future... From now on... we will be strangers.
Zhou Buyi was secretly surprised. Deng Jie seemed weak, but deep down he was willing to die for Guo Jia and was determined to live on alone.
The room was quiet, with only the faint scent of medicine wafting through the air.
Seeing the complex emotions churning in Guo Jia's eyes and his prolonged silence, Zhou Buyi was extremely anxious, but he knew he had no right to say anything on their behalf.
Guo Jia and Deng Jie gazed at each other for a long time. His furrowed brows finally relaxed as he grasped her hand. He seemed to have made up his mind, and sighed softly, “…My lord’s kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain; I should repay it with my life. Now, this achievement in Hebei… can be considered a repayment, but my life is in your hands…”
He then wedged his fingers between hers and held them up for her to see: "If we separate, we'll only face death again... Since we've already died once, it's time to live for ourselves... Cough cough..."
He gasped for breath, then looked up at Deng Jie and smiled, "Alright... I'm willing to go with you. To the ends of the earth, I'll follow you through life and death!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Buyi burst into tears of joy.
Guo Jia looked at Deng Jie's eyes, which were filled with tears, and gently pulled her into his arms. He whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry... This time, let's start over."
He looked up at Zhou Buyi again, and Zhou Buyi quickly wiped away his tears and bowed, saying, "Master should be like this!"
"But if we leave, what will happen to you..."
"Master and Mistress, please rest assured! From this day forward... there will be no more strategist Guo Fengxiao in this world. I will certainly observe three years of mourning for you!"
Guo Jia and his companion straightened up and bowed deeply to Zhou Buyi.
Then, Deng Jie led Guo Jia to move out of the post station under cover of night and return to the hermitage.
Within a few days, news spread that "the military advisor Guo Jia has passed away" and that the coffin was being carried back to Ye.
Guo Jia and Deng Jie watched Zhou Buyi leave from a distance outside the crowd.
After that, Deng Jie continued to provide free medical consultations while searching for medicine and treating Guo Jia in this area.
However, if he didn't receive any help for several days, Deng Jie had no choice but to ask others for it or exchange it for medicinal herbs in order to continue living.
Seeing his wife working so hard, Guo Jia felt terrible and was filled with guilt.
So after he recovered slightly, he urged Deng Jie to leave the place.
"Why don't we hide in a mountain village, just like we used to do at the medical clinic in Qiao County? We can clear some wasteland and grow vegetables to make a living," Deng Jie suggested.
"Of course that's good." Guo Jia thought that he couldn't let her live like this, so he decided to leave first.
Both of them dressed as Taoist priests and set off on their journey.
They still had to beg for alms on the road, and always looked disheveled.
One day, while passing through a relatively prosperous market town, Guo Jia stopped and looked around, a sly glint in his eyes.
He pulled Deng Jie aside and whispered, "Say it, Yi, look at us, with our white hair, yet our faces... cough cough... are still quite young. Wouldn't ordinary people find it strange?"
Deng Jie, not understanding, nodded: "It is indeed eye-catching."
"To attract attention...that is where opportunity lies!"
Guo Jia's lips curled into a familiar, strategic smile. "How about... we call ourselves the 'Northern Dipper Star Lord' and the 'Southern Dipper Fairy' descended to earth, touring the world and helping people?"
Deng Jie was taken aback: "...The Big Dipper? The Southern Dipper?" She remembered the legend that the Big Dipper governs death and the Southern Dipper governs life.
Looking into Guo Jia's bright eyes, though he was frail, she instantly understood his intention. She was both annoyed and amused. "Fengxiao, are you trying to deceive the world and play tricks?"
“Ah,” Guo Jia shook his head seriously, “how can you say it’s deceiving the world and deceiving people? It’s just… borrowing a name to make things easier.”
You see, I used to be a strategist who advised the lord. My military strategies and plans were all about life and death. It's not unreasonable to say that I was a disciple of the Big Dipper Star Lord and had some immortal energy.
Your skillful hands and compassionate heart in saving lives make you truly deserving of the title of the celestial being from the Southern Dipper who has descended to earth to save lives and help the world!
As for 'deception'... it's only right and proper for us to use medicine and magic to save people and receive some offerings and money in return. We're even, isn't that better than Zhang Jiao using talismanic water to save people and then turning into the Yellow Turbans to wreak havoc on the world?"
Sure enough, when it comes to verbal skills, Deng Jie was no match for him. He sneered, "You're quite the smooth talker, but I can't beat you in a verbal battle... that's not entirely unreasonable!"
Deng Jie glanced at the long-lost sparkle in Guo Jia's eyes and listened to his words, which left him with no room for argument. He was filled with mixed emotions.
There was a time when she forced herself to bear the burden of sin in order to become his "accomplice," which kept her awake at night.
"As expected, you are the one who has truly inherited the teachings of Master Ji. You are quite adept at such deception!"
Deng Jie gently punched Guo Jia's shoulder, then calmly took his arm and leaned against his shoulder.
"Satisfied, of course I'm satisfied... Let's be comrades in this chaotic world for life!"
-End of text-
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