“Is something wrong with my hand?” Feng Jiu’er instinctively pulled her hand back to her side.

She didn’t know why — she clearly couldn’t sense any malice from Jian Yi, but the way he stared at her hand still made her uneasy.

She had the distinct feeling of meat lying on a chopping board. Surely this guy didn’t intend to chop off her hand?

But if he didn’t want her life, what did he want with her hand?

Jian Yi suddenly stood up, and Feng Jiu’er nearly screamed. “Hey! I saved your life!”

“I know. That’s why I’ll take responsibility.” Jian Yi walked toward her.

“Responsibility?” Responsibility for what? Surely he wasn’t really going to chop off her hand?

Feng Jiu’er also got to her feet, retreating toward the stone wall behind her. “What exactly are you trying to do? Do you want to ruin me?”

Could it be that someone had paid for her hand?

It wasn’t impossible — after all, to many in her line of work, her hands were indeed a prime target.

But anyone who could afford to hire the number one assassin of Bei Mu would hardly care about such a small sum.

Just who wanted to destroy her so badly?

“Feng Jiu’er, you’ve done me a great kindness. I can promise you — I’ll take responsibility for the rest of your life.”

Only once he had repaid his debt to Feng Qingyin would he be free; otherwise he would owe her forever.

Once he was free, he could do whatever he wanted.

“From now on, whenever you need to treat someone, just tell me how, and I’ll do whatever you say.”

Since he was taking her hand, then from now on, he would be her hand.

“Are you joking? Do you think anyone can treat the sick? Can you administer needles? Can you give massages? Do you know where the acupoints are? Do you know how to control your strength?”

“Whatever you say, I can follow it.”

“No, you can’t do it. Jian Yi, don’t be reckless!”

Goodness, this man was really going to cut off her hand. How was she so unlucky — she’d escaped a fierce tiger only to be unable to escape this assassin?

“Wait!” He was about to close in on her! Feng Jiu’er reached out to stop him, then feared that one swing of his sword would take her hand off instantly.

She hastily pulled her hand back, staring at him. “Wait! Wait! I still have things to say!”

“I only want your hand, not your life. Whatever you have to say, you can say it later.”

Jian Yi meant it seriously — since she wouldn’t die anyway, there was no need to rush and say everything right now.

“Wait — I said, wait!”

Feng Jiu’er nearly stamped her feet in frustration. She cried out, “Didn’t you say you didn’t want my life?”

“I promise I won’t harm your life.” Jian Yi raised his hand to swear it, and he meant it sincerely.

Even Feng Jiu’er could feel that sincerity.

But if he held no malice toward her, why did he still want to cut off her hand?

“How much did they pay you? I’ll give you double — how about that? Don’t cut off my hand. If you cut it off, what’s the difference from killing me?”

“You won’t die. I told you, I promise.” This wasn’t a matter of money.

Money was the sort of thing that, even if he earned it, he’d give it away again soon enough — to him, it held no particular appeal.

“But if you cut off my hand right now, what will you use to treat me? How will you stop the bleeding? How will you keep me from bleeding to death?”

She glared at him, guarding her hand fiercely. “There isn’t even any medicine here. Do you know how to stop bleeding? If I keep bleeding nonstop, I really will die.”

Jian Yi actually began seriously considering this — there really was no medicine here, not even medicinal herbs.

If she really did bleed without stopping, what then?

Seeing that she had swayed him, Feng Jiu’er immediately pressed on. “How about this — wait until we reach Phoenix City, then cut off my hand. At least then I can find a physician to treat me.”

Jian Yi stared at her — once they reached Phoenix City, she would have plenty of help, and he might not get another chance to act.

“You’re the number one assassin of Bei Mu — what are you afraid of? I’m currently…”

Wait — she didn’t know whether he was aware that she had lost all her martial arts ability.

But given that she hadn’t even been able to handle a wild beast just now, he had probably already noticed.

She said, “Either way, you said you didn’t want my life. At the very least, find me a physician before you act.”

“Otherwise, if I die, you’ll have broken your word!”

“If it truly comes to that, I’ll accompany you on the same path. On the road to the underworld, I’ll apologize to you then.”

“No, no, no — I don’t need any apology from you. Once I’m dead, even ten lives’ worth of compensation would be useless.”

These ancient people, always so quick to talk about life and death — she was an atheist, after all. What road to the underworld could there possibly be in this world?

Once a person died, there was nothing left. What was the point of dragging him down with her?

“In any case, give me a chance to live first.” The only thing Jiu’er could gamble on now was his sense of honor.

For ancient people, as long as they considered themselves gentlemen, they usually valued the word “trust” more than their own lives.

Jian Yi looked at her again. This little girl, now dressed in women’s clothing, appeared delicate and frail.

Having to raise a hand against such a slender young woman was, in truth, a difficult thing for him to do.

In fact, he had spent a long time just now deliberating whether he should really cut off her hand.

She had no martial arts ability now and looked far too fragile — doing this to her would be too cruel.

“I… need to think about it more.” The killing intent in his eyes receded as he looked at her. “Do you want something to eat?”

Feng Jiu’er hastily shook her head — what if he drugged her, then cut off her hand while she was unconscious? What would she do then?

Still, it seemed for now that Jian Yi wouldn’t act.

She carefully sat down against the rock wall, eyeing the dry rations in his hand. She was actually very hungry, but she didn’t dare eat any!

“I… I’ll go find something to eat.” She headed deeper into the cave.

She wasn’t really sure what was inside, but if there was a water source, at least she could drink some water first.

Right now, she was not only very hungry but also extremely thirsty.

Jian Yi paid her no mind. Feng Jiu’er lit a fire-striker and slowly groped her way deeper inside.

Hopefully this cave had another way out — then she could simply escape.

Although the odds of that were basically zero.

“Ah!” Suddenly, a startled cry from Feng Jiu’er echoed from inside.

Jian Yi jumped, startled, and immediately leapt up and rushed inside. “What happened? Are you hurt?”

That cry — it really didn’t sound like there was much malice behind it.

Feng Jiu’er let out a breath of relief, turned around, and held up the thing in her hand in front of him.

She smiled brightly. “Look, we can have a feast tonight! Surprised? Didn’t expect this, did you?”

Unexpectedly, the moment Jian Yi laid eyes on the thing in her hand, his eyes went wide, his whole body stiffened, and cold sweat instantly broke out across his face and forehead.

“Take… take it away…”

“What’s wrong?” Feng Jiu’er lifted the thing again. “It’ll be perfect roasted — come help me!”