What kind of funeral arrangement was this? Apart from Ye Qiao, judging by his tone, he clearly intended for the others to be buried with him, didn’t he?

“These people haven’t helped you either. When your enemies come, how would they bother with them?” she asked in return.

“I only need to say that I told these people their identities, and my enemies definitely don’t want others to know their identities,” he said indifferently.

The rustling of clothes, footsteps—the entire temple emptied, leaving only the two of them and Ye Qiao.

She considered herself quite good at reading people, but this person seemed both righteous and evil, his depths unfathomable, making him impossible to figure out.

Ye Qiao was somewhat dumbfounded. “This… this…”

“Little leper, aren’t you leaving?” he asked her.

She said: “I want to die but am afraid to die. I won’t commit suicide, so when your enemies come, it’s perfect. I’ll be buried with you.”

Hearing this, Ye Qiao seemed stunned. The man was momentarily dazed, then began laughing for no apparent reason. This laugh seemed to affect his wound, because she heard Ye Qiao’s cry of alarm. Ye Qiao stomped her foot: “Miss, you should leave first. Young master, I’ll go hire people to come back and carry you away, then we’ll go see a doctor. I don’t believe there isn’t one good doctor in this town.”

She was also a straightforward person. After speaking, she ran out, plunging headfirst into the curtain of rain.

The man began coughing softly. He deliberately maintained consciousness, humming songs in a low voice. But his voice grew weaker and weaker, as if he was about to fall into unconsciousness.

If he slept now, his life would be in danger.

She picked up her medicine chest, slowly stood up, and walked to his side. He thought she was leaving: “Little blind girl, the main door is over there.”

Her gaze and movements were both abnormal—he had already noticed her problem.

She laughed coldly and went “pat pat pat” over ten times, starting from his shoulder and feeling her way down. “One in the lung lobe, one in the chest, one in the stomach—the strikes were accurate and ruthless enough. That knife to the chest, if it had gone just one point deeper, this life would be gone.”

The man seemed somewhat surprised but quickly recovered. “You understand some medical arts?”

“Ridiculous!” she said coldly. “If I only understood some medical arts, then the imperial physicians in the palace would be eating for nothing.”

“I don’t believe it,” he laughed heartily.

“You don’t need to use provocation. If I want to save you, you won’t die.”

She continued feeling downward, but her hand was pressed down by his.

“Don’t touch randomly,” he said.

Probably due to his injuries, his palm was extremely hot, with dry burning breath transferring from his palm to her hand.

“In my mind, you’re just like a white, plump pig waiting to be slaughtered—no, a bloody pig that’s been stabbed a few times. Could I possibly take liberties with you?”

“Sorry, I’m just not used to people touching me,” he said, slowly releasing her hand. “My foot was also struck by a sword, though it’s not too serious…”

“What about poison? Do you know what poison was used? If you don’t know the name, describe the symptoms.”

Half an hour later, the man’s voice was weak but perfectly clear: “I truly believe what you said now. If you can’t handle it, then the imperial physicians are indeed eating for nothing.”

“Little leper, you saved me. Feel free to ask me for one thing, and I’ll accomplish it for you. If I can’t, name your price in gold, silver, or jewels.”

He changed from his mocking tone.

She distinctly felt this person’s gaze firmly fixed on her face, examining and scrutinizing her. She knew this person was either rich or noble—not a merchant, then from an official family. If it were during Lian Yu’s time in power, she could have guessed his identity with a few questions, but now the situation was different, and she didn’t know what officials served under Li Zhaoting.

She was already exhausted and didn’t say much: “No need. I never like owing people. You gave me a handkerchief, so consider this repaying your kindness.”

The man laughed with a “poof” sound, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. She thought he was quite an impolite fellow, so she said: “Go out and collect some rainwater for me. I need to wash my hands.”

She didn’t care where he got a container from, and knew his movements were inconvenient, but he agreed. She heard soft groaning sounds, knowing walking pained him. During the entire process just now, her movements hadn’t been gentle—partly because she couldn’t see, partly intentionally. Yet he hadn’t cried out in pain once. He was indeed a man, but she only listened indifferently, saying nothing. Others’ pain could reduce her own.

“Water’s here.”

Something was placed in front of her. She reached out with both hands and touched half-wet straw. Suddenly, her hand was grabbed by his and pressed into a place.

Cool liquid immediately covered her palm.

It seemed to be the top of a hat.

She washed for a while, then took her hands out, but her hand was immediately grabbed by his again.

“What are you doing?” she said coldly.

“Not clean.”

He held her fingers, carefully rubbing them. The thin calluses on his hands occasionally rubbed against hers.

She made no sound. Never had she been more aware of being blind than at this moment. She suddenly kicked the hat over.

“What’s wrong?” He didn’t get angry, just asked.

“Aren’t your enemies arriving soon? Why don’t you get lost!”

He laughed: “That was me deceiving them. I just wanted those people to get rained on. If my enemies were going to pursue me, they would have long ago. If my subordinates were so useless they couldn’t even draw away enemies, they shouldn’t wait to be killed by opponents—they should slit their own throats.”

“Heh, they were useful enough to let you get so severely injured,” she said sarcastically.

“My enemies knew my people were going out to handle something important. They had previously placed a beautiful spy as my attendant. To gain my people’s trust, they deliberately injured this beauty on the road. They didn’t know I had actually come too. I deliberately appeared to save this beauty, gaining her trust in return. Originally nothing major would have gone wrong—those people wouldn’t want my life. Unexpectedly, another group of experts suddenly appeared, and these people were truly after my life. My people didn’t notice in time and couldn’t rescue me quickly enough, so I ended up in tragedy.”

“Most of my people stayed behind to resist, while two others were responsible for rescuing me. I had these two split up to draw away the pursuing enemies, while I stayed behind. The most dangerous place is the safest, isn’t it? I left secret signals for them along the way. Once they completely shake off pursuit, they’ll come find me.”

He spoke in great detail with a smile, as if he didn’t consider her an outsider. But Xiao Zhou had no interest whatsoever: “Why didn’t they just chop you to death and be done with it?”

“You girl are so heartless,” he clicked his tongue twice.

Before he finished speaking, she kicked him.

He cried out softly: “I say, girl, being so fierce—be careful your lover won’t want you.”

“Oh, you’re quite right,” she said. “My lover has taken a fancy to another girl.”

The man seemed stunned. After a moment, he said: “I’ll make the decision for you and have those two tied up and brought to you?”

She said coldly: “I don’t like that girl, but she’s not a bad person. Mind your own business!”

He paused: “I wonder if you’re good-hearted or lacking brains. The other party stole your lover, yet she’s not a bad person?”

“You don’t understand what’s good and what’s bad, so can you shut the hell up!” She kicked hard at his stomach again.

He groaned and moved far away.

“Fine, you saved me, so you’re the boss,” he said. “Anyway, I’m putting it out there—if you change your mind, I’ll have people tie them up and bring them to you.”

“If you have the ability.”

To tie up Wuqing and Lian Xin—forget that Lian Xin had Lian Yu behind her, even Wuqing’s broken Capture Gate wasn’t something a merchant or official could provoke.

“Eh, so your lover isn’t simple?” He seemed suddenly interested. “What kind of person is he? What’s his name?”

She simply ignored him. She was already tired and hungry.

But this man seemed sick, coming again: “How about I find you another lover?”

“Fine,” she laughed coldly. “You just need to guarantee he’s handsome, has power and influence, and likes this ugly monster of mine desperately, loving only me for life. If he has other thoughts, he should go die first. How about that?”

Hearing this, he laughed softly, probably affecting his wound again, groaning twice more.

“Little leper, your demands aren’t small. This is indeed a bit tricky,” he said thoughtfully.

“Then shut the hell up.”

Seeing she seemed truly angry, he was quiet for a moment. Suddenly, a slight sound came from her abdomen, and he laughed with another “poof.” She was furious and about to tell him to get lost when he said: “I’ll take you out for good food, then we’ll find an inn to stay at while waiting for my people. I was negligent—your clothes are all wet, and this isn’t a place for people to spend the night.”

He walked over and, without explanation, forcibly pulled her up.

She hadn’t wanted to bother with him, but her body was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. She had saved his life—why make things difficult for herself?

Fortunately, the rain outside had stopped. The two of them—one poisoned, one injured—both walked slowly. Soon she felt dizzy, knowing it was caused by the earlier cold and dampness. Her body wasn’t as strong as before, and she was developing a fever. She boldly demanded: “I can’t walk anymore. Carry me.”

He clicked his tongue twice but ultimately didn’t refuse, crouching down as requested.

On the road, he didn’t talk much. When they reached the tavern, she smelled the bloody scent on him growing stronger, knowing his wound had been torn open by exertion. She pretended not to know and let him lead her to find seats.

“Oh my, customers, what happened to you two? Were you robbed?” The waiter came over and was startled.

“Don’t mind what happened to us, just bring up your best dishes,” he said with a smile.

“Al…right.” The waiter hesitated momentarily, then immediately replied and quickly went to make arrangements, since their clothing was quite luxurious.

Food was quickly served. That fellow seemed hungry too, spoke little, and occasionally served her dishes.

“Oh right, little leper, I just remembered something,” he suddenly said after eating and drinking his fill.

“What?”

“I almost forgot—I never have the habit of carrying money. My attendants always carry the money pouches. Tell me, if I use my looks to seduce those two sisters at the next table and have them pay our bill, would it work?” he asked.