Wen Caishang adjusted the folds of her skirt, dusted off the dirt, and sat upright.
"It is true that he who stays near red becos red, while he who stays near ink becos black."
"That scoundrel Li Xian, always full of lies, even dared to deceive . Since you associate closely with him, I assu you also have no truth on your lips."
"I urge you to find a way to verify your identity and dispel my doubts."
Luo Xia hesitated without speaking, carefully observing Wen Caishang. Suddenly, she sensed that Wen Caishang’s anger was tinged with resentnt towards the betraying heart. No matter what actions were taken, it was hard to please her.
Suddenly, a constable spoke up, "Madam... Madam... I..."
Wen Caishang glanced sideways and said, "Speak."
The constable said, "I... I recently joined the Martial Captain Hall, and do not know Li Xian well. I did not realize... he was such a villain."
Before finishing his sentence, Wang Wu and Zhang Hou glared angrily. The constable, seeking to stay alive, summoned his courage and said, "Therefore, the saying of he who stays near red becos red and near ink becos black doesn’t apply to . I have never benefited from him or enjoyed any privileges. If I encounter Li Xian, I will not shield him and will certainly report to Madam."
Zhang Hou angrily exclaid, "What a traitor!" and kicked furiously. The constable knew that with those words, it would be hard for him to stay at the Martial Captain Hall. With their relationship torn, he dodged sideways to avoid Zhang Hou’s attack.
Wen Caishang flicked her sleeve. Zhang Hou was swept away by a gust of wind, rolling on the ground, creating a furrow. Suddenly, his entire body itched terribly, and he rolled on the ground, wailing.
The gust was mixed with cold air, penetrating into the body, causing unbearable itch and pain, an extre form of torture.
Wen Caishang said, "It seems you know that scoundrel’s whereabouts; quickly, speak."
Zhang Hou bore the intense pain and, feeling his nose sting, saw Wen Caishang’s intimidating presence that threatened his life. He said, "Madam... I truly don’t know. Even if I knew, I couldn’t tell you!"
Wen Caishang said indifferently, "Are you not afraid I will take your life?"
Zhang Hou said, "Afraid or not afraid."
Wen Caishang asked strangely, "What is so special about that scoundrel that you are so protective of him?" Zhang Hou respectfully replied, "If... if I were to speak of what makes him special, I am rely unlearned and don’t know how to say it. Perhaps Military Officer... he... he is full of extraordinary qualities."
"Zhang Hou cos from poverty, enduring constant cold stares since childhood. During the Yellow Dragon Army’s siege, young n in the city were recruited to defend the city. Thus, he secured a position as a constable in the governnt office."
"However, many constables in the governnt office are opportunists, oppressing the people, extorting money. I was confusedly swept along with the crowd. If it weren’t for joining the Martial Captain Hall and knowing my own heart, I wouldn’t be truly alive."
"Madam, please kill . Zhang Hou does not know the whereabouts of the Military Officer, but even if I did, I wouldn’t say."
His voice was sincere.
Wang Wu and the others all said, "Madam Wen, whether to kill or flay, please feel free to decide."
Luo Xia remained silent, stepping sideways, standing in front of the others. Wen Caishang’s expression grew distant, gazing into the distance.
Her emotions mixed with anger and joy, "My Mr. Li La is so outstanding, though... what they say wasn’t wrong either, making people willing to sacrifice their lives for him... it’s unavoidable." Constantly thinking about Li Xian, her eyes intoxicated with sweetness, lost in thought for quite so ti.
"If I were to speak of what makes him special, I am clearer than anyone. His talents are ancient, his appearance handso and unrestrained, yet his temperant is terribly bad."
Her thoughts wandered, alternating between smiles and pouts. For a long ti, she didn’t speak, and the others felt their lives hanging by a thread, fearing to observe Wen Caishang’s expression. Therefore, none knew...
After a while, Wen Caishang pointed to the constable eager to dissociate himself, softly saying, "Step forward."
The constable was ecstatic and said, "Madam, do you have instructions for ?"
Wen Caishang said, "I have a question to ask you." The constable said, "Madam, please ask, I will tell you everything I know."
Wen Caishang said, "You said you haven’t benefited from him. But is your clothing and food provided by the Martial Captain Hall?"
The constable froze, "Though it’s provided by the Martial Captain Hall, but..." Wen Caishang said, "Are your salary and wages paid by the Martial Captain Hall?"
The constable said, "Madam, rest assured, those wages have nothing to do with Li Xian. I absolutely would not protect him because of it."
Wen Caishang said, "Really? Miss Luo... the city’s industry, the Martial Captain Hall’s fund circulation, is all related to Li Xian, isn’t it?"
Luo Xia reluctantly said, "Indeed!"
Wen Caishang angrily said, "You double-faced traitor, you learned none of his good traits, but all his lies. You should end yourself." With a flip of her hand, she sucked Wang Wu’s sword into her hand and tossed it to the constable’s feet.
The constable was stunned. Wen Caishang said indifferently, "If you don’t end yourself within three breaths, I will make you experience having your flesh carved from your bones." Her voice was gentle.
The constable was utterly shocked. Why was it that Zhang Hou defied her so much and yet did not die, while his attempt to dissociate left his life in danger?
Luo Xia fiercely said, "Treacherous brat!" and struck swiftly, breaking the constable’s heart and killing him on the spot.
She panted heavily, knowing Wen Caishang’s thods well, that another delay would lead the constable to suffer the agony of having his flesh carved from his bones. Though infuriated by his last-minute change, utterly lacking in integrity, and being a deceitful scoundrel, after months together, she ultimately couldn’t bear it, so she struck him down for a swift end.
Wen Caishang said, "I am most annoyed by people deceiving . This one was extrely dishonest, so next, please prove your innocence."
Luo Xia said, "Whether innocent or not, Madam already has a decision in mind, no need to prove."
"Regarding the manner of disposal, we have no objections."
Wen Caishang felt utterly disinterested. Initially wishing to vent her anger, but seeing everyone’s sincerity and loyalty to Li Xian made her grudgingly lose her anger, leaving her heart in turmoil.
Thinking of a massacre again, she found she couldn’t carry it out.
Seeing the hour late, the secret redy now brewed, Wen Caishang took graceful steps from the hall and drifted away.
Luo Xia and the others were all stunned, waiting silently for a mont, not hearing any commotion. Luo Xia quietly approached the outer door, seeing Wen Caishang already gone, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Wang Wu said, "Brother Zhang, are you okay?" Zhang Hou shook his head and said, "I’m fine."
User Comments
0 comments from readers