Zhao Huai understood his younger brother’s temperament all too well. If it was something he wanted, he would risk his life to obtain it. Add to that the fire arrows prepared outside, ready at any moment to burn this place completely clean.
This place was left behind by the old stronghold leader. No matter what, it could not be destroyed in his hands.
Therefore—
Zhao Huai began to stall for time!
He said, “Fine. Those two people—I’ll give them to you. However, that young scholar probably can’t even move right now.”
“What did you do?” Zhao Qing asked.
“Nothing much. Just a frail young scholar who nearly died after suffering a little hardship. But don’t worry, I won’t let her die. When she wakes up, I’ll have someone bring her and that fool out.”
Zhao Qing half-believed his words, still maintaining some vigilance in his heart.
Zhao Huai continued, “You and I haven’t seen each other for a year. No matter what happened in the past, it’s already over. You and I are brothers—the same blood flows in our veins. Today, while we have this time, let’s reminisce about old times. Five years ago, you and I brewed a large vat of wine together. It just so happens we can open the vat today.”
As soon as he finished speaking, several bandits carried in several wine jars and placed them to the side.
“Leader, this wine was just poured from the small opening in the vat.”
“Good. Bring two bowls over.”
“Yes!”
Both wine and bowls were prepared.
Zhao Huai’s muscular arm lifted the wine jar, poured two bowls of wine, then passed one bowl to Zhao Qing.
He said, “Today is the first time opening the vat. Have a taste.”
Zhao Qing didn’t refuse. He took the wine and drank it all in one gulp.
Just as Zhao Qing was drinking the wine, Zhao Huai shot a meaningful glance at a clever subordinate beside him.
The man instantly understood his meaning, nodded, and led several people away inconspicuously.
After Zhao Qing finished drinking, he slammed the bowl on the table.
“You’d better hurry and bring them out. Whether they’re injured or half-dead.”
“What’s your rush? I already said I’ll definitely give you the people. However, you don’t seem to have tasted the flavor of this wine. How about drinking another bowl?”
He poured another bowl from the wine jar.
Zhao Qing had no patience to waste time with him. He said, “Don’t play tricks with me. Bring the people out, or I’ll have the people outside release arrows.”
“Fine. I’ll give you the people.”
Zhao Huai immediately ordered people to bring Wei Yi and Ji Yunshu.
At this moment, Wei Yi and Ji Yunshu had just been dragged to the woodshed. The cold, damp air seeped into Ji Yunshu’s wounded back, jolting her awake with pain.
When she woke, she was leaning against Wei Yi’s embrace.
Wei Yi’s clothes covered her back, tied together to serve as makeshift bandages to stop the bleeding.
“Shu’er, are you awake?” Wei Yi was both anxious and afraid, raising his sleeve to wipe away tears.
Ji Yunshu opened her mouth, struggling to lift her eyes to look at him, then reached back to touch her own back.
The bleeding had stopped, but her hand was stained with blood.
She smiled miserably. “Wei Yi, don’t be afraid. I’m fine. This is pigment. Do you remember? I told you about it.”
Back in Jinjiang, Ji Yunshu had told him about the pigment on her back.
Wei Yi shook his head. “I don’t believe it. Shu’er, you’re really bleeding. Should we go find Brother Muruo? I’ll take you to him. Don’t be afraid.”
Ji Yunshu said, “We can’t get out. Wei Yi, can you promise me one thing?”
“Shu’er, I’ll promise you anything.”
Ji Yunshu struggled to lift her head from his shoulder, then said, “Tear off a piece of cloth.”
“Okay.”
Without another word, Wei Yi grabbed his own clothes and tore off a piece of cloth, giving it to Ji Yunshu.
Ji Yunshu spread it flat on the ground and used her blood-stained finger to write two crooked lines on the white cloth. After folding it, she stuffed it into Wei Yi’s hand. Immediately after, she removed the bell chain from her ankle and placed it together in Wei Yi’s hand.
“Shu’er, why are you taking off the chain I gave you?”
“Wei Yi, listen carefully. I don’t have much strength left. If… if there’s a chance later, put these two things… in the cart that delivers vegetables to the stronghold, or… on the person who comes to deliver things to the stronghold. Get these two things out of the stronghold. Do you understand?”
“Get them out?”
“Yes. You must secretly put them in. Don’t let anyone know.”
Wei Yi nodded vigorously!
“Yes. Shu’er, rest assured. I’ll definitely do it.”
Just as he finished speaking, the iron chain on the door rattled.
Before the door opened, Wei Yi quickly tucked the two items into his sleeve.
Two bandits walked in. Without any regard for Ji Wanxin’s injuries, they grabbed both people and pulled them up.
“Don’t touch my Shu’er!”
Shouting, Wei Yi pulled Ji Yunshu into his embrace.
“Hurry up. Someone wants to see you.”
The two were given a shove and pushed all the way to the previous location.
As soon as they entered, Ji Yunshu spotted Zhao Qing!
When Zhao Qing met her gaze, he subtly shook his head.
Ji Yunshu understood his meaning and remained silent, leaning against Wei Yi.
Zhao Qing nodded to Ba Hu beside him, signaling him to take Wei Yi and Ji Yunshu out first.
But before Ba Hu could walk over, he was blocked by Zhao Huai’s men.
“You can take the people, but…” Zhao Huai said, “we haven’t finished this wine yet. No matter what, you and I brewed it together. Why not finish drinking before you leave?”
Stalling for time!
Zhao Qing held his composure and had Ba Hu step back.
Meanwhile, Zhao Huai had already picked up a jar of wine and was pouring it into a bowl.
However—
What poured from the wine jar wasn’t entirely wine. There was also something grayish-white in color.
It was a small segment!
“What’s going on here?”
Pairs of eyes all stared at that bowl of wine.
Zhao Huai grabbed the small bandit who had just poured the wine, pointed at the thing in the bowl, and demanded, “What is this? How could there be such a thing in my wine vat?”
The small bandit was terrified. Eyes wide, he stammered, “Leader, I don’t know!”
“I personally brewed this wine back then. There couldn’t possibly be such a thing in the vat. The vat was also sealed for five years. Speak! Did you put it in?”
“No, Leader! It really wasn’t me. I wouldn’t dare even if you gave me the greatest courage!”
“Still talking back?”
“Leader, it really wasn’t me. I don’t even know what this thing is.”
Before Zhao Huai could respond, suddenly—
A firm yet weak voice came through.
“That’s a scaphoid bone. It’s the piece that connects the capitate bone and the radius in the middle.”
Everyone looked toward the sound to see Ji Yunshu leaning against Wei Yi. After speaking these words, she began breathing lightly with difficulty. Her powerless, dazed eyes evoked pity.
Zhao Huai shoved the small bandit aside and walked toward Ji Yunshu.
He asked, “Scaphoid bone—what is that?”
Ji Yunshu replied, “It’s a small piece from the carpal bones.”
“Carpal bones?”
“In other words… a piece from a human hand bone.”
Human?