Master Mo used his internal energy to propel the two of them two zhang away. “Go!”
Mei Ruyan glanced back. Master Mo, covered in blood, stood like a monument at the narrow valley entrance, wielding a sharp sword. He faced dozens of black-clad men, his blade forming an impenetrable barrier at the exit. It was truly a scene of one man guarding a pass against ten thousand.
Mei Ruyan felt both pride and heartache. “From the highest heavens to the depths of the earth, if you don’t come for me, I’ll find you!”
She summoned all her internal energy and ran frantically, carrying An Jiu on her back.
“Mei Fifteen!” Someone called from behind.
The voice sounded familiar, but Mei Ruyan dared not stop. “Who goes there?”
“Lingxi,” the person replied.
When Mei Zhenjing threatened the Old Madam with his sword, Mei Ruyan had already fainted, unaware of their betrayal. Mei Yanran had warned her repeatedly not to get close to the Old Madam before leaving. However, given the current crisis, there was no time for such concerns. Mei Ruyan’s sole focus was to entrust An Jiu to someone’s care before returning to find Master Mo.
Mei Ruyan halted. Lingxi appeared disheveled. “Follow me.”
“Where to?” Mei Ruyan hesitated.
“To meet someone who can save us,” Lingxi said, slightly relieved by the temporary absence of pursuers. “The Old Madam is severely injured. I need someone to help. I promise you your life and a future of wealth and honor.”
Mei Ruyan’s mind raced, immediately grasping Lingxi’s meaning. With an unconscious person in her care, helping would mean abandoning An Jiu.
Seeing Lingxi struggling herself, it was impossible to entrust An Jiu to her. Mei Ruyan said, “Aunt Lingxi, pursuers are behind us. We should leave quickly!”
She immediately continued on her way. Lingxi was stunned. Having monitored Mei Ruyan in the Mei family, she knew her character well and hadn’t expected a refusal.
“Mei Fifteen! If you agree, once reinforcements arrive, we might be able to save Master Mo’s life!” Lingxi’s voice carried from afar.
Mei Ruyan abruptly stopped.
“We’re the Emperor’s secret agents in the Mei family. Reinforcements will arrive within the hour. You only need to help me survive this short time, and I promise to send people to rescue Master Mo.” Lingxi was certain she wouldn’t refuse this time.
Mei Ruyan paused for a moment, then coldly replied, “We can’t afford such honor. Stop following me. No matter what you say, I won’t agree! Aunt Lingxi, don’t waste time. Saving your own life is paramount.”
She had been tempted but quickly realized that once involved in this turbid situation, she would be controlled like the Mei family, with her life in others’ hands. It would be like Master Mo’s previous life in the Piaomiao Mountain Villa. If Master Mo had enjoyed such a dangerous lifestyle, he wouldn’t have concealed his talents to become a clan teacher in the Mei family.
What he disliked, she wouldn’t do.
Moreover, Lingxi was just a maid. How high could her position be in the Konghe Army? Why should she believe everything Lingxi said?
Nonsense! Mei Ruyan didn’t want to engage further with Lingxi and quickly left after adjusting her breathing.
Lingxi sought help, but Mei Ruyan refused adamantly. She had no choice, and no time even for vengeful thoughts.
Mei Ruyan had started martial arts training late. Despite her diligence, she had only reached the third level. After running for less than half an hour carrying An Jiu, her internal energy was depleted.
Spotting waist-high grass by the roadside, she laid An Jiu down and crouched nearby, panting heavily. Puffs of misty breath emerged from her mouth and nose, then dissipated.
The night was deep, the wilderness silent.
Mei Ruyan sighed, “Round and round we go, and once again I’m fleeing with you, Mei Jiu. I wonder if I owed you in our past life, or you owed me!”
Unlike before, Mei Ruyan genuinely wanted to save her this time.
Mei Ruyan was selfish and opportunistic, but she recognized debts of gratitude. Mei Jiu, simple-minded as she was, had been truly kind to her. Moreover, had the Mei family not taken her in, she wouldn’t have met Master Mo. In a way, she owed Mei Jiu.
After a brief rest in the grass, Mei Ruyan stood up and surveyed the vast wilderness. Her nose tingled, and her eyes suddenly blurred.
Master Mo had never been one for chivalry or gentleness, but being by his side always felt reassuring. Accustomed to that sense of security, Mei Ruyan now felt utterly helpless on her own.
She rubbed her face harshly, the silk fabric making her cheeks burn. She admonished herself: You’re A Shun, someone who grew up in a lowly brothel. Why have you become such a delicate lady?
Once, Mei Ruyan had hated this past, but now she was grateful for the experience. In the brothel, she had learned early about human nature’s treachery and how to navigate social interactions, which had helped her survive until now.
A gust of wind rustled through the frost-covered dry grass.
Mei Ruyan felt a chill down her spine. She stiffened, slowly turning her head.
A figure in a black cloak stood silently in the grass, motionless like a statue while the dry grass swayed in the wind.
“Mei Fourteen?” His deep voice emerged from beneath the cloak.
Even without seeing his face, his imposing presence was intimidating.
“Who are you?” Mei Ruyan heard her voice trembling slightly.
The man moved, and before Mei Ruyan could discern his action, An Jiu was already in his arms.
“Stop!” Mei Ruyan pursued as he turned to leave. “Are you friend or foe? Why are you taking my sister?”
“Friend, not foe,” he calmly stated his name, “Chu Dingjiang.”
The grass rustled as Chu Dingjiang leaped like a hunting eagle, disappearing into the night after a few bounds.
Mei Ruyan frowned. Regardless of Chu Dingjiang’s truthfulness, she was powerless to resist. She had done her best under the circumstances.
Unburdened, Mei Ruyan sat cross-legged, focusing solely on regulating her qi.
Half an hour later, she set out to return to Meihua Village.
The north wind carried flecks of snow, pattering against the dry grass.
Meihua Village had become a sea of flames, marking the end of the surprise attack.
In the cellar beneath the medicine hut, Mo Sigui covered the bloody wound on Elder Qi’s chest with one hand while frantically searching through the medicine box with the other.
“Sigui, listen quietly to what I have to say,” Elder Qi said.
Hot blood seeped through Mo Sigui’s fingers as he stubbornly searched for a hemostatic agent.
“You stubborn boy! Do you want me to die with regrets?” Elder Qi’s anger caused more blood to gush from his wound.
Mo Sigui also grew angry, “Just speak! I’m listening! It won’t interfere!”
After his outburst, he slumped, obediently listening to Elder Qi.
“There’s a medicine jar buried under the northernmost latrine by the medicine furnace. It contains twenty scrolls, my life’s work.” Elder Qi coughed twice. “I’ve been preparing for this day.”
Mo Sigui’s temples throbbed. “Couldn’t you have hidden them elsewhere?”
“Sigui…” Elder Qi looked at him, his cloudy eyes unfocused. “Your aptitude for medicine far surpasses mine. Given time, you’ll surely become a legendary physician. I have no other instructions, just a reminder: don’t be too obsessed, and don’t betray the word ‘qing’ (emotion/affection).”
Elder Qi had missed out on too much – familial love, romantic love, friendship. He didn’t want Mo Sigui to repeat his mistakes.
“I’ll remember,” Mo Sigui promised, thinking of how he had abandoned An Jiu.
“Good.” Elder Qi sighed deeply, closing his eyes.
Mo Sigui’s tears fell uncontrollably.
Elder Qi suddenly opened his eyes again, worriedly saying, “Swear it.”
“You…” Mo Sigui was startled, but seeing his expectant face, he didn’t argue. He clasped his hands and swore, “I, Mo Ran, swear to heaven that henceforth I will never betray emotions or righteousness. If I break this oath, may I die a terrible death!”
Elder Qi’s mouth opened slightly as if wanting to say more, but his breathing had stopped, and his pupils dilated.
Mo Sigui gently closed his eyes, then found a clean cloth and silently wiped the blood from his face.
He had already reached the depths of sorrow, yet Elder Qi’s final act had left him uncertain of his emotions.
After arranging everything, Mo Sigui knelt beside Elder Qi, remaining silent for a long time before hoarsely murmuring, “Elder, I have already committed one act of disloyalty.”
Mo Sigui used his dagger to dig a hole, buried Elder Qi, and kowtowed nine times. He then shouldered his medicine box and hurriedly left the cellar.