Bone Painting Coroner Chapter 348-360

  

Chapter 348 – A Rain of Arrows

The carriages raced under the sweltering hot sun, inching closer and closer toward Shanhuai County. The rumble of the carriage wheels against the pebbles of the path accompanied the clip-clop of the horses' hooves. Together, the racket was reminiscent of the battlefield.

The carriages finally reached a dense forest after four hours traversing hilly plains. Evergreens reaching at least twenty meters stood tall along the official path, their boughs bending under the weight of their own leaves, gathering in the middle to form a canopy shading everything beneath them from the heat of the sun. This was the only road wide enough for sedans to pass that led to Shanhuai County. The vast forest felt as cold as an icy underground cave, making their hairs stand on end. Several weak beams of light squeezed their way through the dense cover, providing them with the only light source in this dark abyss. Luckily, this official road was not too long – it was only about a kilometre in total.

As soon as they entered the forest, Jing Rong ordered four beacons to be lit, two at the front and two at their tail.

Caw!

A cacophony of crows streaked across the sky, scaring Wei Yi into Ji Yunshu's embrace, "Shu'er, what kind of place is this? Why is it so dark?"

Ji Yunshu held on tightly to him, comforting and consoling him carefully, "Don't be afraid. It's just a mountainous forest – everything will be fine once we pass through it."

"What's a mountainous forest?"

"Alright, that's enough questions." If he were to continue questioning, Wei Yi would surely conjure up even more absurdities. Their carriages were chugging steadily along, but Ji Yunshu's heart began to fluster the deeper they travelled into the forest.

A sudden gust of wind blew into their sedan – there was also a faint flowery aroma. Ji Yunshu felt her head becoming heavy as her temple began to throb, and she closed her eyes helplessly, falling into a daze.

"Shu'er, I'm… I'm sleepy…" Wei Yi muttered. Ji Yunshu could not even look at Wei Yi as she herself fell into a stupor, losing consciousness.

In the carriage ahead.

"There really is such an eerie place." Mo Ruo pushed his curtains away to peek outside, "No wonder those bandits are this lawless."

Jing Rong sat properly, his eyes shut as he rested. He frowned, asking, "What's this forest have to do with those bandits' behaviour?"

"Look at this place. If we didn't have any beacons or fire, we would be travelling in complete darkness. The forest terrain itself is as complicated as a maze; if one were not a local or familiar with this place and entered blindly, one would surely get lost and starve to death in this vast place. But those bandits must know this area like the back of their hands – if soldiers really arrived to annihilate them, all they have to do is to duck into the forest to hide and escape successfully. The government can't burn this entire forest down, can they?"

Of course not! If they were to burn the entire plot and a northerly wind happened to blow, the fire would even spread to the surrounding villages! Mo Ruo's words were not without fault. Jing Rong listened patiently with his eyes still closed, when he suddenly gasped, eyes now wide open in alarm. "Something's wrong!"

Mm? Before Mo Ruo came around, Jing Rong was already out of the sedan. Who knew, as soon as he stepped out, an arrow flew out from the deepest part of the forest, embedding itself into his sedan only several centimetres away from his eyes. If it were any closer, that arrow would have passed through his left temple and out the other side.

A second later, twenty-odd arrows flew out from the darkness of the forest. Lang Po responded reflexively. He unsheathed his sword and ordered, "Protect everyone in the carriages." The guards obeyed, surrounding the carriages in an orderly manner as they directed those arrows away with their swords.

Mo Ruo also jumped off their carriage. He flicked his large sleeve, gathering several arrows in it. He swung his sleeves again, and those arrows shot towards the deep forest, followed by the painful shrieking of crows resonating through the air.

Jing Rong quickened his pace towards the last carriage, perfectly avoiding every arrow flying at him. He pulled away the curtain to Ji Yunshu's carriage, only to reveal an empty carriage.

"Yunshu…!" Jing Rong screamed crazily into the sky, his voice booming across the dense, dark forest. The rain of arrows was relentless. Jing Rong had momentarily lost his mind and he stood frozen before Ji Yunshu's carriage. An arrow flew his way that instant, lodging itself into his chest as blood began to spurt out of his wound, staining his onyx robes red. Mo Ruo managed to get to Jing Rong's side in the nick of time, blocking him from the remaining barrage of arrows as he flicked them away.

This shower of arrows did not last for long; those bandits must have run out of arrows!

Mo Ruo turned his attention to Jing Rong. He squatted down, pressing down firmly on Jing Rong's shoulder, "Endure this." He gave Jing Rong no time to consider as he held that lodged arrow and pulled it out in one breath. Mo Ruo sighed with relief as he looked at the bloody arrow, "Luckily it wasn't poisoned."

"Yunshu… Yunshu's missing."

Mo Ruo looked inside the sedan, "Wei Yi's gone too."

Both of them had disappeared! Jing Rong winced in pain as he tried to prop himself up, but was pushed back down by Mo Ruo, "The arrow might not have been poisoned, but the tip scratched a large artery in your chest. I need to stop the bleeding immediately and you need to stop exerting, otherwise your heart will rupture along with the damaged artery – nobody can save you then."

"Move. I need to go to where Yunshu is. I don't care even if it means I have to kill off the entire Gaoshan Gang." He clenched his teeth as he began to stand, his gaze full of determination and worry. He flung Mo Ruo's hands away as he rose, but his legs gave way and he fell backwards onto the sedan, almost collapsing to the ground.

Mo Ruo tried to convince him, "If those men were going to kill them, they would have done the deed here and not take them away. The most important thing now is your injuries."

"If anything happens to Yunshu, I couldn't possibly live."

"Do you want to die first when she's not even dead yet?"

The two of them started a shouting match there and then, but Jing Rong began to puff and his answer was never offered.

Lang Po ran over to the two of them, sweating. He asked worriedly upon noticing that his own Highness was hurt, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

Jing Rong eyed Mo Ruo, his anger beginning to dissipate as he regained his composure. He commanded Lang Po weakly, "Let's get to Shanhuai County first. Send some men to Gaoshan Village to see if Teacher Ji and Wei Yi are there."

"Teacher Ji and Master Wei are missing?" Lang Po peeked into the sedan puzzledly. As soon as he looked, he knew; he hurriedly replied, "Yes, this servant understands."

Jing Rong began to break out in a cold sweat as he could hold on no longer, his face turning ghastly pale. The tip of the arrow only narrowly missed his heart – if he tried to use any strength, a tearing pain would rip across his chest. Mo Ruo quickly helped him into the sedan, not forgetting to ask Lang Po outside, "How are Aunty Xie and Miss Ji?"

Lang Po replied, "They are a bit frightened, but have been comforted now."

"Mm. Let's get out of this bloody forest and head first to Shanhuai County. Don't forget to send men to investigate at Gaoshan Village."

"Understood!"

Grenn Rants Corner

Oh no! This is the karma brought by Ji Wanxin! Sometimes, I think Ji Wanxin had the potential to become Er Qing from the cdrama Yanxi Palace.

  

  

Chapter 349 – I Am Not An Idiot

The carriage was about to depart, but Ji Wanxin suddenly rushed up. Despite the terror she felt, her reddened eyes showed her concern for Jing Rong's injury.

While Mo Ruo made Jing Rong take some medicine, she asked, "What can I do to help?"

"Sit and stay there."

She obediently sat on the side and sobbed in a small voice while wiping the tears from her red-rimmed eyes. The carriage raced through the forest in the direction of Shanhuai county.

In Gaoshan village, on top of a mountain.

Ji Yunshu was roused by the pain. She reached for her temples and massaged them before opening her eyes. Her vision became clear gradually.

She was thrown inside a firewood shed. The place was littered with firewood, but it was wet. The shed had known better days, but it the floor was now uneven and filled with puddles.

She discovered that her clothes were all wet and smelled moldy. Her nose wrinkled at the stench. She got up and took two steps, but the sounds of iron chains rang out. She looked down and noticed chains binding her feet, making it difficult for her to move around.

"Where is this?"

She had no recollection of coming to such place. The last thing she remembered was sitting in the carriage and then fainting fainted after detecting a strange smell.

Who could have done this? Her brain resumed its functions at lightspeed. Suddenly, she was hit with a realization.

"The Gaoshan gang!"

As soon she came to a conclusion, voices outside could be heard. "How is he?"

"Don't worry. I kept a tight watch on him."

"You were dozing off. If you let the First Master learn of it, he would skin you alive. If that man escapes, this will be the end of us."

"I know. I know! Except for the three walls, the only exit is guarded by me. Escaping ain't an option."

"It best be like that!"

The conversation between the two men could be heard at the door. Soon, they decided to enter. Ji Yunshu sat back on the floor. She could feel the chill seep in through her feet and spread to her body, causing her to shiver.

At that time, the door opened.

A tough and impatient man walked in. He saw that Ji Yunshu was awake and snorted. "Quite the tough lad! Already awake, huh?"

Ji Yunshu glanced at him with indifference and realized the man was one of the bandits who escaped earlier.

"How did you escape?"

Huh?

"Are you asking me?"

Ji Yunshu was in no hurry. She stirred the straws underneath a few times until she reached the wet and cold ground.

"You have no knife on you, not even a broken piece of jade. If you actually had some kind of weapon in your possession, you wouldn't need to wait in the inn instead of escaping. The only possibility is someone gave you a knife, am I right?" Ji Yunshu stated in a stoic manner.

Huh!

Da Chui swallowed his saliva. "That guy is clever. What's the whole point of saying this?"

"Was that knife given to you by the woman who was with us?"

"She didn't give it to us but dropped it."

"Really?"

Of course, not!

Ji Wanxin should have a fear of sharp objects and wouldn't carry one on her. Instead, she always had on her a handkerchief. So, it was inconceivable she would give them a knife. So, finding one and pretending to drop it near them was a more realistic possibility.

In this world, too many coincidences are unnatural.

Suddenly, Da Chui realized he was engrossed in her nonsensical talk. At once, he revealed a terrifying appearance in an act of intimidation. The scar on his forehead became more obvious with his contorted expression.

He kicked Ji Yunshu and warned her, "Your Father, I'm not here to chit-chat with you. I am just here to check if you haven't died yet. If you died, our First Master would kill us to give you and that idiot a funeral."

Idiot? Wei Yi?

Ji Yunshu's tone became urgent. "Where is he?"

"Now you're worried?"

"What did you do to him?"

As she spoke, she got up. Despite her small stature, she seemed to exude an oppressing aura which made Da Chui recoil.

He stepped back and blurted out, "That idiot had more freedom than you. At this moment, he is enjoying himself."

Huh?

At that moment, in a large room in the village, cheers and shouts spread out. The room had an almost full attendance of bandits. All of them were drinking. Many were drunk; Some were making noise on the table; And others were toasting with wine jug left and right. This scene was similar to one seen in public baths.

On a conspicuous chair covered by a tiger pelt, sat a man. His appearance was rough and tyrannical. He had the body build of a typical buffed wrestler. He was wrapped in clothes made of tiger pelt. He had one hand hidden and one of his feet was resting on a chair. At a glance, one could see the flagrant similarity with Zhao Qing. He must be Zhao Huai, Zhao Qing's older brother, Gaoshan Gang's boss. He was currently watching Wei Yi surrounded by his men.

Wei Yi was swaying, barely able to keep his balance. His expression was constantly changing and both cheeks were blushing. He was drunk to the point he spilled wine on his clothes.

"Drink! Drink more!"

"Drink again!"

"Drink!"

The bandits continued to urge Wei Yi to drink. Even when his mind was muddled, they made him drink again and again.

"I don't want to drink anymore." Wei Yi shooed them. He retreated but was pushed forward by someone. His unstable gait made him stagger. He stumbled against the table.

Crash!

"Idiot, here, some more to drink." Someone forced wine into his mouth.

He couldn't swallow it all, causing the alcohol to spill out of his mouth. This angered the bandit, who proceeded to give Wei Yi a slap across the face. Wei Yi fell heavily onto the floor.

He placed his palm over the area where he had been hit. His eyes reddened as he bit on his lips bitterly. Surprisingly, he neither wept nor whimpered a peep.

Zhao Huai observed him. Then, he got up from his chair, shoved his jug to his subordinates and walked to Wei Yi. The bandits parted on each side to give way to their boss.

When Zhao Huai stood in front of Wei Yi, his vicious stare fell on Wei Yi. The next moment, he stepped on Wei Yi's chest as if he was stepping on an ant.

"Let me go! It hurts," Wei Yi lamented.

"It hurts?" Zhao Huai laughed. He took another wine jug and tilted it. The contents were poured out, drenching Wei Yi's white brocade clothes.

Wei Yi shrank his body with both hands grabbing Zhao Huai's foot. He wanted to lift the foot, but his strength was sorely lacking. He was in a very pitiful state.

Zhao Huai bent down and pinched Wei Yi's cheeks twice. "An idiot is still an idiot. No power to resist at all."

"I am not an idiot!" His words were unclear because his cheeks were still pinched.

"Then, what are you?"

"I… I am not an idiot." His voice weakened as he spoke with a lack of conviction.

It made for an excellent excuse for everyone to jeer and laugh at him.

"Truly an idiot."

"Stupid…"

Grenn Rants Corner

Don’t be mean to Wei Yi!

  

  

Chapter 350 – I Want Your Lives

Taunt after taunt of the words 'fool' and 'idiot' pierced mercilessly through Wei Yi's mind. Combined with all the alcohol he had been force fed, Wei Yi's head began to throb painfully. He fell to the ground in pain with his hands tightly around his head and cried out uncomfortably, "Stop, stop saying that…" If not for Zhao Huai's foot planted on his chest, Wei Yi would have been rolling around on the floor. They were surrounded by mocking laughter.

Zhao Huai lifted his foot, gesturing towards his men who picked up Wei Yi to face Zhao Huai. Zhao Huai stared at Wei Yi, "Idiot, how did you even survive to this day."

Of course, he ate to survive! "I'm not a fool…"

"You're a fool. The biggest fool in this world."

"I'm not, I'm not…" He bellowed as if he were a feral beast. Wei Yi's flitting gaze suddenly focused intently and hatefully at Zhao Huai, his sunny disposition replaced with one full of rage and anger, with none of his usual naive expressions. He looked so much like an average person in that instant, his gaze resembling that of a sharpened knife, stabbing Zhao Huai in the chest but leaving no trace.

Zhao Huai spat forcefully, "Don't use those filthy eyes to look at me. I'll dig them out if you continue." Wei Yi clenched his teeth and fists, his gaze not once moving from Zhao Huai's face. His headache had, too, completely disappeared.

Da Chui came running in, "Boss, that scholar's awake."

Zhao Huai grunted, then ordered the two bandits holding Wei Yi up, "Bring this fool aside. Keep feeding him wine."

"Yessir!"

Wei Yi was dragged unwillingly to a corner, his alcohol torment recommencing.

Zhao Huai then ordered Da Chui, "Go bring that scoundrel here."

"Yes!" Da Chui obeyed and was followed by two others to retrieve Ji Yunshu. She walked into the room under the glares of the shouting bandits, her calm demeanor revealing not an ounce of panic.

She quickly scanned the room and spotted Wei Yi in the crowd. He was pressed down onto a table surrounded by several men, his mouth forced open with bowl after bowl of wine pouring down his throat. Her chest tightened as her tears began to pool, "Wei Yi!" She rushed forth but was restrained.

"Let me go!" She shook her shoulders in vain as she attempted to struggle free of their hold, "Stop it! You monsters!" Ji Yunshu was flustered.

Those men became even more excited at her anguish. "Do you want to save him?" Zhao Huai suddenly spoke. Ji Yunshu turned towards his voice.

Zhao Huai swept a few men aside, striding across the hall to stop before Ji Yunshu, sizing him up. This little scholar was really different from the uncouth men he commanded; fair and prim, with such a slender frame – he could pass off as a woman.

Ji Yunshu glared at him with her bloodshot eyes, recognising this man as the boss of the Gaoshan Gang, Zhao Huai. She eked out pleadingly, "Let him go."

Zhao Huai sneered, "You can't even save yourself, yet you want to save that fool?"

"He doesn't know anything. What use is he to you even if you captured him?"

Zhao Huai scoffed, "Whether he's useful or not is not up to you to decide, but me. Even if I keep this fool here in the Gaoshan Village, he can still serve as a form of entertainment, a form of leisure for my brothers!" His men laughed.

Ji Yunshu sucked in her cheeks as she took a deep breath in, "As long as you let him go, I can promise you anything."

"Would you kneel and beg?"

"Yes."

"What if I want you to die?"

"As long as you release him, you can have my life."

"Fine." Zhao Huai snapped his fingers – those men gorging Wei Yi immediately stopped, loosening their grip.

Without their hold, Wei Yi was unable to support himself and crumpled into a heap onto the floor as he slid off the chair. He held up his head groggily, making out Ji Yunshu's blurry figure in the distance. He opened his mouth and called out, "Shu'er…" His head dropped as he fell unconscious.

Zhao Huai gestured again for the men to release Ji Yunshu, who rushed to Wei Yi's side as soon as she was free. She squatted down before him, placing his head on her lap. Wei Yi was shivering, his entire body flaming hot. It made sense given that he had been fed so much alcohol as if all his organs were burning up into 'charcoal'.

"Wei Yi, don't be scared. I'm here, it's alright." Ji Yunshu gently rubbed his chest. She scanned her surroundings, quickly jumping up to snatch a bowl filled with wine. She knocked off some ochre from a corner of the room, weeding up a tuft of fresh grass from another corner. She tore off its roots and chewed them thoroughly, before mixing the contents in her mouth and the ochre into that bowl of wine, swirling it around to mix them all up. She returned to Wei Yi's side and helped him up, saying, "Wei Yi, be a good boy, drink this."

Wei Yi could barely hear her. He opened his mouth and emptied the bowl of its contents. That burning flame in his chest was slowly burning out after drinking that mixture, becoming as cool as mint.

Zhao Huai took all of Ji Yunshu's actions confoundedly. He approached them, dropping his gaze, "What did you feed him?"

Ji Yunshu put the bowl aside, dabbing at the corner of Wei Yi's mouth. She looked up at Zhao Huai after a long while, "Adding some ochre and the roots of orchid grass into wine can help get rid of heat in the shortest possible time."

"Are you a healer?"

"No, but your insides become uncomfortable after consuming too much strong wine, this is but a temporary countermeasure. The thing that can really cure a hangover, however, is bone."

"Bone?" Zhao Huai was fascinated!

Ji Yunshu tensed up, "The one who killed your Gaoshan Gang men was not him. I've already agreed to give you my life, so release him."

"Sure, but…" Zhao Huai smiled deviously, "Only if you kneel before me – I'll let him go then."

Kneeling? There was not a moment of hesitation. Ji Yunshu carefully laid Wei Yi beside her, dropping to her knees in front of Zhao Huai, with her back erect. It looked like she was yielding, but her cold gaze emitted an innate charisma. "Can you release him now?"

"When did I say that I would definitely release him if you knelt?"

Everyone surrounding them erupted into laughter.

Ji Yunshu was not aggravated, instead of rebutting, "What do you want?"

Zhao Huai's expression darkened, his face full of killing intent. His hands balled up into fists as he harshly hit the table near him.

Bang! It echoed through the hall.

He grimaced, "You've killed so many of my gang brothers – did you think you would be able to leave Shanhuai County unscathed? What I want, is the life of that man who ordered their deaths, and a sum of… jewels and treasure!" His eyes gleamed with greed – it was the bandit cliche of 'wanting both your money and your lives'!

But, Ji Yunshu could never let Jing Rong run this risk, precisely because she knew that Jing Rong was willing to do anything for her, even at the expense of his own life. Ji Yunshu laughed with ridicule at Zhao Huai's words. Zhao Huai was confused. He asked angrily, "What are you laughing about?"

"I'm laughing at your foolishness."

  

  

Chapter 351 – The Arrival of the Second Master

"What do you mean?"

Ji Yunshu dusted off her robe as she rose from the floor. She could only tilt her head back to look up at Zhao Huai, who was at least a head and a half taller than she was, "You only have one reason to capture me – you couldn't kill my young master, so you're holding me hostage."

"You're a smart one." Zhao Huai concurred, "That's right – as long as your life is in my hands, I don't believe that scoundrel will not come to your aid."

"If you think that you would achieve your aim by capturing me, then I must disappoint you."

"Why?"

"I'm only but a scholar traveling together with my young master; nobody would care whether I live or die. This one doesn't know where from you've heard that you would have my young master's life by capturing me – who knows, my young master's already left Shanhuai County by now." Ji Yunshu was confident.

Zhao Huai was still suspicious. He looked at Da Chui, pulling him aside and questioning, "Didn't you say that Teacher Ji's extremely important to that man?"

Da Chui began to fluster. He replied, "Boss, this one was sure he heard correctly."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes," Da Chui nodded; he was absolutely convinced that Ji Wanxin's words were true.

Zhao Huai thought for a moment before returning to where Ji Yunshu stood. He looked down disgustedly at Wei Yi, "Since it's useless to capture the both of you, then this man will send you two off to accompany my fallen brothers."

Zhao Huai then pointed to the collapsed Wei Yi, commanding, "Men, beat this fool to death, then throw him into the mountains for the wild wolves."

"Yes, boss." Some men were long itching to get some blows in; they slapped their metal bats into their palms, walking menacingly to Wei Yi's side, raising their bats in preparation to strike.

Ji Yunshu screamed, "Stop!" She was about to run to Wei Yi's side, but her shoulders were held firmly by someone else. Her eyes reddened, "If you kill him, I swear I will have your lives!"

"Do you have the ability?" Zhao Huai sneered, pinching her cheeks, "Don't fret. Once he's dead, it'll be your turn."

"Let him go, I beg you." Ji Yunshu's nose began to crinkle as tears flowed out uncontrollably while she struggled against their grip.

"Trying to beg me? There's no use!" Zhao Huai snarked, "Hit him, kill the fool!" His subordinate grunted, lifting his metal bat over his head.

Ji Yunshu's eyes widened in fear. She kicked backward and hit one of her captors in the shin precisely on the tendon, causing him to drop her in pain. Ji Yunshu took the chance to throw herself over Wei Yi, protecting him as that metal bat fell directly on her back with a dull, heavy thud.

Ahh –

Ji Yunshu hugged Wei Yi tightly as the pain spread across her back, numbing her entire body. She could not hold back a little scream, but immediately bit her lips, preventing herself from making another sound despite the pain she was in. A cold sweat began to run down her back and forehead.

The bandits stopped in shock, including the one who delivered the blow. He looked towards Zhao Huai awaiting his next order, but Zhao Huai was looking at the two people still tightly entwined on the ground. There was an inexplicable wave of emotion flowing through him as he saw them, something that he could not put into words.

Wei Yi began to stir. He could feel Ji Yunshu lying on top of him. He raised a hand and patted her arm gently, "Shu'er."

Ji Yunshu's face was ghostly white as she excruciatingly lifted her head off Wei Yi's shoulder. She met Wei Yi's gaze, the corners of her mouth slightly lifting up as a comforting smile spread across her face, "Wei Yi, don't be scared."

"Shu'er, what's wrong?"

Ji Yunshu panted weakly. "I…" She fainted before she could complete her sentence, falling onto Wei Yi's torso.

Wei Yi stretched out his arm to hold her as she fell. He could feel his palm getting sticky and wet. He lifted it to discover, "Blood, it's blood. Shu'er, you're bleeding, there's so much blood, Shu'er…" Wei Yi began to cry as he panicked. His hands lay by his sides trembling in fear as he could not bear to touch Ji Yunshu. He stood there, unsure of what to do.

No-one else moved, including Zhao Huai. He noticed that Ji Yunshu's entire back was dyed red, her plain robes soaking wet.

"He was only hit with the bat once, why is he bleeding so much?" Someone questioned.

Zhao Huai spoke, "It looks like he was hurt before."

Yes, her back had yet to completely heal from the six paddles she had received. Once the bat fell, her wounds re-opened and bled freely. One could not help but sympathize with Ji Yunshu's back; if she were to recover one day, her smooth back would definitely be riddled with scars.

"Boss, what should we do? Should we continue?" that metal bat-wielding bandit asked. Zhao Huai narrowed his eyes as he was about to give his next order when a young lackey ran in, panting. He reported to Zhao Huai, "Boss, the Second Master has brought some men with him. They're at the entrance of the village."

"Zhao Qing?" The two of them had not met since that bastard left a year ago, why was he here now?

"Boss, should we let the Second Master in?"

"How many men are with him?"

"He only brought two."

"Two?" Zhao Huai contemplated. He eyed Wei Yi and Ji Yunshu with displeasure, then waved them away, "Bring these two away." One of his men came up and dragged the unconscious Ji Yunshu and frightened Wei Yi out of the room.

Zhao Huai then glanced towards the door, nodding, "Let them in. Bring the five-year-old wine here. We need to treat our guests well." Zhao Qing, Ba Hu and another lackey entered in no time. Zhao Huai sat on his own tiger fur-draped chair, every part the master of the house. The two brothers who had not met in a year each had their own agendas.

The remaining bandits closed in on Zhao Qing's party and encircled them. Zhao Huai smiled, "It's been a long time."

Zhao Qing replied, "That's true, it has been a long time. I thought that this place would have changed, but it's still the same as when I left it." Zhao Qing spoke lazily, indifferently, unlike Zhao Huai.

Zhao Huai rose, looking down on them from above, "No-one visits without purpose. Speak, why are you here today?"

Zhao Qing sat down on a nearby stool, fiddling with a bowl he picked up, tapping it nonchalantly on the table. "I heard that you shot a couple of arrows in that forest?"

"So what if I have?"

"So what?" Zhao Qing turned cold, flinging the bowl he held away, "A year ago, you and I came to an understanding that no matter what happened, neither of us would release any arrows in that forest!"

  

  

Chapter 352 – Jiu’er?

In fact, when Zhao Qing left this place a year ago, he had made a pact with Zhao Huai: neither of them were to kill, assassinate or bury corpses anywhere in the Gaoshan mountains, including that forest Jing Rong's party had passed through. Whoever breached this agreement would have their arm chopped off as penance – Zhao Qing was here today to retrieve Zhao Huai's arm.

He drew a dagger from his waist, placing it into Zhao Huai's hand without delay, "I believe you don't need me to remind you. This dagger you gave me years ago is as sharp today as it was then; you should have no problems hacking through your arm."

Zhao Huai turned the dagger over with his fingers. There were two lifelike tigers carved into its hilt. They were pouncing at each other, running lengthwise along its grip. One held a spear with its claws, and the other a brush, symbolizing the union of the warrior and the scholar. The dagger itself was shaped like a bamboo leaf. A round stone, polished smooth by time, was embedded in the center where the dagger met its hilt. Such a design was unique and scarce even in modern times, but Ji Yunshu had once seen something like this from afar on an archeological dig before she came to this world, although nothing else had happened beyond the find.

Zhao Huai looked at the dagger, reminiscing, "This was left to us when Father died. He said, the older brother takes the place of the provider, and so he left this dagger to me. When you said that you liked it four years ago, I gave it to you then. But today, you're giving me back the dagger, only to take my life?"

"Not your life, just your arm!" Zhao Qing spoke expressionlessly.

Zhao Huai stepped closer to him, raising the dagger and piercing it firmly into a wooden table next to them with a loud 'thud'!

Nobody dared to make a sound; neither of their leaders was to be messed with.

Zhao Huai tried to repress his growing anger as he spat angrily, "Zhao Qing, this is my territory – it is not a place where you can come and go as you please!"

"So? Are you saying you'll not forsake your arm?"

"What proof do you have that it was my men who let those arrows loose? Did you witness it? Or did you capture anyone? If not, shut your damn mouth and I can still treat you well enough as a guest of our gang." He turned away arrogantly.

Zhao Qing knew his brother; he had expected that Zhao Huai would never amputate his own arm. Zhao Qing continued, "Zhao Huai, a man must keep to his word. If it were my men who shot those arrows in the forest, I would have come to you a one-armed man today in peace."

"I'm not you!" Zhao Huai bellowed, his face contorting and twisted with rage. He threw his hands up into the air as if he were showing off, "Zhao Qing, look carefully around you – you're surrounded by my men. Don't think about leaving this place now you've entered our territory." The surrounding bandits began to clamored; they clapped their hands over their mouths as they called out battle cries. "Oh, oh, oh," Several of them banged the hilts of their weapons and knives on the tables around rhythmically, adding to the tribal, feral chant echoing in the hall… Their 'symphony' only ended when Zhao Huai balled his hands into fists and raised them into the air.

Zhao Qing did not bother to spare those rioting men a glance; he kept his eyes solely on Zhao Huai who was basking in this atmosphere. He spoke when the hall quietened down, "Zhao Huai, it was you who went back on our promise. Now, you want to kill me?"

"So what if I do? I'll do anything I want."

"You can try!"

The two of them were engaged in a fierce showdown as their eyes met each others', none of them backing down. Their gazes and killing intent only grew stronger by the minute. Just as the men thought they would finally implode, Zhao Huai suddenly asked, "Tell me the truth, what are you really here for?"

Huh? Have you lost your memory, boss? Didn't the second-in-command tell you just now? He said he was here for your arm since you had forsaken the agreement.

Zhao Qing frowned as he scratched his bearded chin, "Release those two men that you captured."

"What?"

"I want those two men," Zhao Qing replied.

Zhao Huai laughed for a moment, but only for a brief moment. His nostrils flared as he rebuked, "Your men? Those men killed thirty to forty of my Gaoshan Gang men – every one of them are my blood brothers. I want their lives in return."

"If that were so, why didn't you kill them there and then in the forest?"

"I don't just want their lives, but also their money. If they're dead, who'll give me my jewels and treasure?" How greedy!

Zhao Qing looked at him calmly, repeating himself, "In any case, I'm taking those two men with me today." There was no room for negotiation.

Zhao Huai stepped in closer to him, "That'll depend on your capabilities."

"Zhao Huai, since I've dared to enter this place today, I've already made all my preparations. I'm going to take those men with me, and you, will definitely release them." He was not speaking empty words; a young bandit ran in as if his pants were on fire, whispering something in Zhao Huai's ear.

Zhao Huai's expression darkened. He glared at Zhao Qing, grabbing him by the collar with rage, "You dare set me up?"

Zhao Qing pushed him away, smoothing out his messy robe. He sneered, "As long as you let them go, I'll ask my men outside to back off. Otherwise, I'll just employ your methods; I'll release burning arrows this way, burning this place to the ground."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Zhao Qing, this place was left to us by Father. I'll kill you if you dare to burn it down."

But, Zhao Qing suddenly flared up as he rebutted, "Father left this place to you, not me."

"You…"

"All these years, whether you pilfered or killed, I turned a blind eye towards it. But if you wanted to murder, why kill Jiu'er? This place is a living hell – the abattoir where you killed Jiu'er!" he screamed.

Zhao Huai fell silent.

'Jiu'er' was a sore spot between the brothers, a wound that wouldn't heal, a thorn that drove them further apart. It was because of this 'Jiu'er' that Zhao Huai and Zhao Qing had fallen out last year.

Zhao Huai finally muttered under his breath quietly as he looked away, "I didn't kill Jiu'er."

"I saw it with my own eyes – are you still trying to deny it? Zhao Huai, it was you who killed her."

"It wasn't me!" Zhao Huai suddenly screamed.

Zhao Qing had enough. He took a deep breath in, "Fine. I don't want to argue anymore. I've already told you why I came; I must take those two with me."

"Why?"

"Those two are innocent – it wasn't them who killed your brothers."

Rants Corner

A timingly unexpected help

  

  

Chapter 353 – A Human’s Hand

Zhao Huai knew his own little brother like no other; if there was something he wanted, he would take it even if it cost him his life. The burning arrows outside could also raze this place down in a heartbeat. This place was entrusted to him by the previous gang leader, their father – there was no way he would let it go to ruin by his hand.

Hence, Zhao Huai began to stall; he said, "Fine, I'll give you those two men, but that little scholar might not even be able to move now."

"What did you do?" Zhao Qing questioned.

"Nothing much. That frail scholar couldn't take a little pain; he almost died. But relax, I won't let him die. When he's awake, I'll have someone bring him and that fool out here."

Zhao Qing was not sure whether or not to trust him; he was still suspicious.

Zhao Huai continued, "You and I haven't met in a year. No matter what had happened, the past is the past, let bygones be bygones. We are brothers, the same blood flows in our veins. Let's take this opportunity to reminisce. Oh, the wine we brewed together five years ago is ready to be opened today."

Several bandits lugged multiple wine jugs in, placing them at one end, "Boss, the wine was extracted from the orifice on the wine urn."

"Mm. Bring two bowls here."

"Yep!" The wine and drinking bowls were all prepped.

Zhao Huai lifted the entire wine jar with his muscular arms, pouring out two bowls of wine. He gave one to Zhao Qing, "This jar was opened only today. Try some."

Zhao Qing did not refuse. He gulped down that bowl in one shot. In that split second, Zhao Huai directed a look to one of his more trusted aides who nodded in understanding, leaving the room unnoticed with several others.

Zhao Qing flung his bowl onto the table once he finished, "You'd better bring those men out. I don't care if they've been hurt, even if they're on their deathbed."

"Why are you so impatient? I've already told you I'll return your men, but you haven't seemed to have tasted this wine. Just drink another bowl." He poured more wine into another bowl.

Zhao Qing did not have the patience to banter, "Stop with your tricks. Bring them out, or I'll have my men outside shoot."

"Fine, I'll give you your men." Zhao Huai immediately ordered for Wei Yi and Ji Yunshu to be brought to the hall.

Wei Yi and Ji Yunshu had just been dragged to the woodshed then. The cold, humid air seeped through Ji Yunshu's wounds, jolting her awake in pain. She opened her eyes to find herself in Wei Yi's arms. His outer robes were draped over her back in place of gauze to stop her bleeding wounds.

"Shu'er, are you awake?" Wei Yi was both frightened and anxious, as he dabbed away at the corner of his eye with his sleeve.

Ji Yunshu opened her mouth and tried to look up at him. She reached out backwards to feel her back; her wounds had stopped bleeding, but her hands were stained with old blood. She scoffed, "Wei Yi, don't be scared, I'm fine. This is paint, remember? I've told you this before." Ji Yunshu had told him about the paint on her back once when they were still in Jinjiang.

Wei Yi shook his head, "I don't believe you. Shu'er, you're really bleeding – let's find Brother Mo Ruo, okay? I'll bring you to him, don't be afraid."

Ji Yunshu muttered, "We can't leave. Wei Yi, can you promise me something?"

"Shu'er, I can promise you anything."

Ji Yunshu mustered the effort to raise her head off his shoulder, "Tear a piece of cloth off."

"Mm," Wei Yi tore off a piece from his own gown without hesitation, handing it to Ji Yunshu.

Ji Yunshu lied flat on her stomach. She dipped a finger into her own blood, drawing out two sentences messily onto that torn piece of clothing, then folding it and stuffing it into Wei Yi's hand. She then unfastened the chain she wore on her ankle, likewise pushing it into Wei Yi's hands.

"Shu'er, why did you remove the chain I gave you?"

"Wei Yi, listen carefully, I have little strength left. If… if you have the opportunity afterwards, put these two… things into… into the vegetable cart delivering to the Gaoshan Village, if not, onto the delivery man who supplies the Gaoshan Gang and ask them to send these two items out of the village. Do you understand me?"

"Bring it outside?"

"Yes. You need to sneak it out without anyone knowing."

Wei Yi nodded, "Mm, don't fret, Shu'er. I'll definitely succeed."

The metal chains on their door began to rattle as he finished. Wei Yi quickly stuffed those two items into his sleeve before the door was open. Two bandits walked in, pulling them up carelessly despite Ji Yunshu's injuries.

"Don't touch my Shu'er!" Wei Yi pulled Ji Yunshu into his arms as he yelled.

"Come on, someone wants to see you." The two of them were pushed from behind, trudging along to the hall where they were just before.

Ji Yunshu recognised Zhao Qing the moment she entered. Zhao Qing subtly shook his head as their gazes met. Ji Yunshu understood his intentions, lying on Wei Yi's back wordlessly. Zhao Qing then nodded at Ba Hu, gesturing for him to bring Wei Yi and Ji Yunshu out of the hall. Ba Hu was stopped by Zhao Huai's men, however, as soon as he moved from his spot.

"You can have the men, but…" Zhao Huai drawled, "We haven't even finished this wine that we brewed together. Why not leave when it's empty?" He was trying to stall for time!

Zhao Qing gestured calmly for Ba Hu to retreat. Zhao Huai had already picked up another wine jar, pouring himself yet another bowl of wine.

But, it was not just wine that flowed out of the jar; a greyish-white thing appeared as well – a joint! "What's this?" All eyes fell on that bowl of wine.

Zhao Huai grabbed that lackey bandit who had served the wine, pointing towards the thing sitting at the bottom of the bowl. He questioned interrogatively, "What is this? Why is there such a thing in my wine jar?"

That lackey bandit was frightened out of his wits. He stuttered, "Boss, this one really doesn't know."

"This wine was personally brewed by me back then – there's no reason for something like this to be in the jar. The jar's been sealed for five years. Speak, was it you who put it inside?"

"No, boss, it really wasn't me. I wouldn't dare even if you gave me a heart of steel."

"You dare argue?"

"Boss, it really wasn't me. I don't even know what this creepy thing is."

Zhao Huai had no chance to speak as a steady, but feeble voice floated across the hall, "That's a scaphoid bone. It's the bone lying in between the capitate bone and the radius."

They turned towards the voice to see Ji Yunshu leaning against Wei Yi. She huffed and pant weakly, her eyes losing their focus, what a pitiful sight.

Zhao Huai pushed that lackey bandit aside, striding towards Ji Yunshu asking, "Scaphoid bone? What's that nonsense?"

Ji Yunshu replied, "It's a small bone part of the wrist – one of the carpal bones."

"Carpal bones?"

"In other words… it's a bone from a human hand."

Human?

Rants Corner

Lol! The secret ingredient for the perfect wine: calcium.

  

  

Chapter 354 – The Capitate Bone

A human scaphoid bone? That meant that the greyish-white object in the wine belonged to a human skeleton!

Zhao Huai's face turned green, his insides churning in disgust. The room was so silent they could hear a pin fall as everyone reeled from shock.

The wine urn was sealed five years ago, witnessed personally by both Zhao Huai and Zhao Qing. There was nothing but wine in it then, so where did those human bones come from?

Zhao Huai questioned Ji Yunshu, "Are you sure those are human bones, and not animal bones? Even something else?"

Ji Yunshu squirmed. It seemed like the wounds on her back had clotted, but the linen from her gown were stuck where the wounds congealed – each time she moved, it felt like her wound was tearing as her gown ruffled with each action. She spoke slowly, "If you don't believe me, you can lick it yourself."

What？

What? Lick it? Huh?

Zhao Huai thought she was making a fool out of him as he tutted, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"I'm not trying to be funny. If it were animal remains or an artificial model, it would feel smooth when you lick it. Human bones would feel slightly bitter and chalky." She pressed on sternly but logically, "If you don't want to lick it, you can scratch its surface with a knife. If a layer of dust falls off, then it's real as human bones have an outer surface layer of bony scales; if nothing appears, then it is fake." Some of the more complicated bits were difficult to comprehend, but everyone present caught the general gist of what she was trying to say.

Ji Yunshu winced in pain as she finished – if not for Wei Yi holding on to her, she would have already collapsed. "Shu'er, is it painful? It won't hurt if I hold you." Wei Yi held on to her shoulders, but was careful to soften his grip.

Zhao Huai contemplated Ji Yunshu's argument as he considered its verity. He pulled out his Twin Tiger Dagger from the table where he plunged it, using it to scratch that bone he picked out from the bowl. Some chalky dust fell as he scraped the tiny bone!

He gulped, throwing that scaphoid bone back into the same bowl. Zhao Huai was fuming but kept his cool. None of his subordinates dared to make a squeak.

Zhao Qing saw this entire display, the cogs in his head whirring as he stared at that piece of bone; wasn't this just a ploy Zhao Huai was using to keep him here? A stalling tactic? This must have been done on purpose! Zhao Qing scoffed, "Since this wine is contaminated, there's no need for me to keep drinking it." He pointed his chin at Ji Yunshu and Wei Yi, "I'm taking these two with me right now."

A wave of disgust spread over Zhao Huai as he swallowed uncomfortably. His gaze turned steely as he pointed out, "This wine was brewed by us together in that urn five years ago; nobody has touched it since. Don't you want to find out why there are human bones in there?"

"Even if you dumped a corpse in that wine, it has nothing to do with me."

"You…"

"Stop stalling for time. Your petty tricks won't work on me."

"Did you really think I ordered for that… that thing to be put into the wine?" Zhao Huai was a wreck.

If not you, then who? Zhao Qing enunciated every word clearly, "I said, whether you did it or not, it's none of my business." He approached Ji Yunshu as he spoke, reaching out to pull her up when his hand was smacked away by Zhao Huai.

They stood face to face in confrontation.

Zhao Huai warned, "Zhao Qing, this is my territory."

"Are you returning the men or not?" Zhao Qing barely concealed his threat.

None of them backed down.

That clever bandit who had snuck out earlier ran in at that instant. He shouted across the hall, declaring loudly, "Boss, we've gotten rid of those men outside."

Hmm? Zhao Qing was confuddled. He withdrew his hand from Zhao Huai's catch, frowning in deep thought, "What do you mean?"

Zhao Huai scoffed, bursting with pride. He lifted his chin, sneering, "Zhao Qing, did you think you could burn my Gaoshan Village down just with those few men you brought?"

"I knew you weren't that magnanimous. Give me those men now."

"You're as stupid as you were in the past." He spoke mockingly.

Zhao Qing's fingers curled up so tightly the veins on the back of his hands were visible. He retorted icily, "If you're not giving them to me, then I'll snatch them."

"Snatch? Did you take a good look around? Do you have the ability?" Zhao Huai's fist came flying by. The two of them began to battle, throwing punch after punch, each one heavier than the one before as they left a path of destruction in their tail. Zhao Qing was no match for Zhao Huai and he was pinned onto a table, his hands behind his back and the Twin Tiger Dagger pressed firmly against his throat.

Ba Hu dashed out towards his master, but was held back by Zhao Huai's men. He called out worriedly, "Boss!"

Zhao Qing was a man of honour; even if he was caught by Zhao Huai, he had no intentions of submitting, "Kill me if you want."

Zhao Huai replied, "Zhao Qing, you and I are kin brothers. You know I can never kill you."

Zhao Qing scoffed, "I already cut ties with you when Jiu'er died; you are you, and I am me, we're no longer related."

"I'll repeat myself once more – I didn't kill Jiu'er!" Zhao Huai spat, pressing Zhao Qing's body harder into the table.

Zhao Qing had some strength left in him still. With bloodshot eyes, he bellowed, "Zhao Huai, the one who should have died was you!" He broke free of Zhao Huai's hold, but that dagger slit open a straight wound where it was held to his throat.

Smash! The wine jar was also swept off the table in their struggle. The hairs on the back of their hands stood up as yet another greyish-white bony segment appeared amongst the smashed remains of the wine jar on the ground. How creepy!

Seeing this, Zhao Huai immediately retracted his dagger, waving a hand away, "Let's stop." The two of them stepped backwards in unison, calling a truce.

Zhao Qing panted slightly, reaching out to wipe the blood on his neck away. He then turned to look at the newly revealed bony segment on the floor. He initially thought that bone was Zhao Huai's trick to stall for time, but now, it might not be so.

Zhao Huai stiffened, breaking out into a cold sweat. He bent over to pick up that piece of bone, showing it to Ji Yunshu, "Is this also a scaphoid bone?"

The pale Ji Yunshu glanced weakly at his palm, licking her dry lips, "This is a capitate bone, also one of the carpal bones."

Ugh! Zhao Huai quickly flicked the capitate into the bowl of wine where the scaphoid bone sat in disgust, the two bony segments clinking together as they clacked. He shouted, "Who was it? Who threw this bloody thing into my wine?"

The bandits looked at each other in bewilderment, shaking their heads at the contents of that wine bowl. The heavens are our witness – it wasn't us!

They began to whisper,

"Boss and the Second Master drank that wine from that jar."

"Yeah, how disgusting."

Ji Yunshu addressed the raging Zhao Huai, "If the human bones weren't placed in the wine jar on purpose, then it might be the urn that's problematic. If I were you, I would have someone investigate that opened wine urn."

Who knows, there might be an entire human skeleton in there!

Grenn’s Rants Corner

For some reasons, I feel like those pieces of bones were screaming “Notice me, Senpai! Find the murderer or join me!” every time they appear. *cough**cough* I’ve binge read too much horror cnovels this holidays.

  

  

Chapter 355 – The Corpse Which Lacks A Head

An entire human skeleton in there?

Zhao Huai immediately shot her down in disbelief, "Impossible, there's no such thing in the urn!"

"We can know for sure once we open it," Ji Yunshu answered.

Zhao Huai hesitated.

It was quite some time before he commanded, "Open the urn."

The urn was brought to the hall in no time; it was two meters tall and rectangular, built entirely out of wooden planks, tightly sealed from all four sides. There was a thin pipe sticking out on one side which was used to extract the wine.

On Zhao Huai's word, several men climbed onto the small ladders built into the sides of the urn, carefully cracking away at its lid to reveal its contents. The aromatic fragrance of wine began to permeate the room as more and more of the urn was exposed; some of the bandits licked their lips, others swallowed their own saliva as their mouths watered. This wine had been brewing for five years altogether, initially by the First Master and Second Master as a form of respect to their late father.

The Zhao Family had begun as a wine-brewing business; the entire Gaoshan Village was, in fact, a complete wine production factory. When the old master was still alive, his wine had been tasted by the previous Emperor who had fallen for it after just a single sip. Unfortunately, the old master had passed away ten years ago from old age, leaving his estate and legacy to his two sons, but who could have expected that the esteemed Gaoshan Village would have become a bandit's nest just a month after the old master's passing. The Gaoshan Village name was feared in Shanhuai County since, the Gang's First and Second Masters gaining notoriety for their prowess and ruthlessness – what had led to this outcome? How did the once flourishing Gaoshan Village end up in such rambles?

Nobody knew the true reason why, nor did Zhao Huai or Zhao Qing ever explain.

The urn's lid was finally removed, the wine it held so clear one could see right through to its bottom. "Ahh!" One of the men screamed, almost losing his footing on the ladder rung.

At the very bottom of the urn sat segment after segment of bone, each one clearly separated from the other, littering and covering the entire base. There were even several fragments floating towards the top of the urn.

"Boss, this… inside… there's a skeleton."

Ugh! Everyone present retched. Some even climbed onto the tables and strained to have a better look, only to end up covering their mouths as they tried to stop themselves from gagging.

Zhao Huai dragged one of his subordinates off the urn, climbing up to witness it for himself. True to what he had heard, a skeleton sat inside the urn. He could see femurs, ribs, pelvic bones…

But –

Zhao Huai was confused, "Why doesn't this skeleton have a skull?"

No skull? Was this a headless corpse? The room erupted in chatter.

Zhao Huai jumped off the urn, looking angrily at the room, "Who did this?!"

"It wasn't me… not me…" His men stepped back in fear, away from him, his urn and his fury. One brave man piped up, "Boss, this is… suspicious. When we sealed the urn, there was nothing else inside. This urn had not even been touched once in the last five years."

Ji Yunshu intercepted, "This urn was crafted from galangal wood and sealed airtight across all faces. To prevent rainwater from seeping in, the lid was created specifically matching this urn from the outer corners inwards. The entire structure is as sturdy as a house, but it has its own pros and cons; when the lid was first placed onto the urn, it would have been completely airtight, but if it was removed and replaced, the interior surface would no longer adhere to the body of the urn, leaving a gap. When the alcohol fermented within the urn, the gas would have moved towards the top of the urn, encouraging the growth of green algae along the exposed seam."

Hmm? Zhao Huai paused, but was quick to react. He went over Ji Yunshu's words, eyeing the seam she spoke of at the bottom edges of the lid, discovering a thin layer of green algae exactly where she said it would be.

Ji Yunshu closed her eyes as she caught her breath. The wounds on her back did not hurt as much as before and she looked much better. She spoke to Wei Yi, "Help me over there."

"Mm," Wei Yi nodded, gently holding her across the hall towards the urn.

She stretched out her delicate bloodstained fingers to pick up the scaphoid and capitate bones from the bowl of wine, fingering them as she concluded, "These remains have been dead for a year."

A year?

"Someone must have beheaded this corpse's head, opened the urn, and dumped the body inside."

"How can you be so sure?" Zhao Huai asked distrustfully.

Ji Yunshu replied confidently, "Very few people know how to open such a lid, especially since every lid is created according to each urn's size. Hence, the person who removed it was most likely the murderer, and this murderer might have even been the one who crafted this lid, or had a part in sealing it."

"How do you know such things?" It was Zhao Qing who spoke this time.

How did she know? She had to know!

When she was still a fresh university graduate, she had the opportunity to be part of a project – the 'Zhongning Hill Thousand-Year Tomb Excavation'. All of the coffins in the ancient tomb were made of urns. She spent an entire year researching how to open those urns; she was always on site at the dig or in the library unlocking the mystery. Her hard work was eventually rewarded as she managed to open all of the urns in the tomb after a year, even making the local news for her achievements! She did not accept any interviews then, only hiding behind a lens; she was even crowned the 'mysterious genius girl' for her antics.

Ji Yunshu did not tell them this, of course, only saying, "This one is only more well-read, chancing upon manuals illustrating how these urns were made."

Zhao Qing glanced at her from top to toe, adding warily, "Who, no, what, exactly are you?"

"Just a mere scholar."

"You know medicine and know bones, now even the structure of such urns, and you call yourself a mere scholar?"

"Didn't this one just say? I'm just more well-read than others, it's only natural I will know more than others." She turned away from Zhao Qing to face Zhao Huai, raising her eyebrows as she tried to strike a deal, "First Master, I can tell that this wine urn must be very important to you – you must want to find out who threw a corpse into it, am I right? What's more, you'll want to know who this is as well, correct?"

"Stop beating around the bush."

Ji Yunshu replied much more determinedly, "If I could help you weed out the culprit who threw this headless corpse inside, as well as identify the body, you will release Wei Yi and I, never to come after us again." She was firm!

"Release you? Let you go?" Zhao Huai scoffed coldly, "You've killed so many of my brothers – did you think this would cut it? How could I believe a weak scholar like you who only knows the world through books?" He ridiculed her, obviously unwilling to accept her conditions.

Zhao Qing intervened out of nowhere, "If you agree, I'll give you the Jade Extraction Bottle that Father left to me."

Zhao Huai was startled! The Jade Extraction Bottle!

The old master left only two mementos when he died ten years ago; one of them was the Twin Tiger Dagger, and the other, the Jade Extraction Bottle.

  

  

Chapter 356 – Don’t Be Afraid, Shu’er

The Jade Extraction Bottle! There were rumours that the bottle contained the final, therefore only, yeast that the old master had left behind, the very same one that he had used to brew the best wine in the world. There once was someone who had hoped to buy the yeast from the old master, bidding an extremely high price for it, but the old master did not once relent. The amount that he gave up could have fed the entire Zhao Family for generations to come.

When the old master passed away, he left the Twin Tiger Dagger to Zhao Huai, and the Jade Extraction Bottle to Zhao Qing. Zhao Huai felt unfairly treated by his decision, turning their winery heritage upside down in a fit of rage, choosing to live out their days instead as bandits. Zhao Qing had always followed Zhao Huai's call; he was willing to be the Second Master of a group of bandits, being labelled as 'arsonists and murderers', never once questioning Zhao Huai's plans.

When Zhao Qing offered to give him the Jade Extraction Bottle, Zhao Huai's eyes widened in anticipation, but then narrowed once more in suspicion. He oscillated between these two actions for a long time…

Zhao Qing continued, "If these remains were not your doing, then I have the right to know who did this since this wine was the one we brewed together in Father's memory. Don't you want to know as well? As long as you promise to release those men, I can even give you the Jade Extraction Bottle that Father left to me." These were his conditions! Zhao Qing was familiar with Zhao Huai's Achilles heel; that brother of his had desired the Jade Extraction Bottle for a very long time.

But, Zhao Huai was still not completely convinced. He looked around the room at his brothers, frowning in determination, "So many of my brothers were killed by those men. If I were to simply just let them go, where would the face of my Gaoshan Gang go? How could I give my fallen brothers an explanation?" His fists were as tightly balled up as his inner turmoil; if he did this, he would be unable to explain himself to his brothers, but right in front of him was the very Jade Extraction Bottle he wanted for ten years! What should he do?

Zhao Qing replied, "Then have you ever considered this? That person's men are all elite professionals, do you know their background? What if they were sent by the government? If you kill those men, the Gaoshan Gang might really cease to exist forever!" He was trying to remind him, but also trying to change his mind.

Da Chui was pacing around Zhao Huai as the exchange occurred. He finally mustered up the courage to address Zhao Huai, "Boss, you can't be taken in by his words! Those men aren't officials or part of the imperial army – none of their sedans or baggage carry the imperial symbols. I think, they are just ordinary travellers. We have been through thick and thin with our forty brothers over the years; we can't let them die in vain – we must have our revenge!"

"…"

"Boss, please think this through!" Da Chui pleaded, resembling the devil who whispered in Zhao Huai's ear, arguing against the angel on the other shoulder.

Zhao Huai narrowed his eyes, suddenly spinning around to grab Ji Yunshu by her throat.

"Shu'er!" Wei Yi shouted, but was caught by Da Chui and pushed to the other side. Ji Yunshu was initially startled by his swift movement, but she was not scared – those eyes of his were harsh and cold, but without a trace of killing intent.

"Speak, what exactly are you people!" Zhao Huai asked, his hands firmly around her neck.

Ji Yunshu was forced to look up at him, but it was difficult for her to use her voice given the pressure on her neck. She squeezed out her remaining strength, sputtering, "You can… try to kill me, see… see if you people can remain alive." Her face was bursting red from the effort, but her gaze was as hard as steel. Zhao Huai relaxed his grip just before Ji Yunshu was about to suffocate and threw her aside. She flopped to the ground, her palms scraped from the hard floor.

Zhao Huai switched targets; he moved to Wei Yi also gripping his neck in the same manner as he did prior before, except there was no pressure behind it. "Since he's unwilling to tell me, then you idiot will. If you don't, I'll kill him." He pointed at Ji Yunshu with his other hand.

Wei Yi's eyes widened, squirming about as he signalled that he would be honest, "My father's family name is 'Wei' and my mother's family name is 'Liu'. We lived in Jinjiang together. Shu'er's family name is 'Ji', I don't know what Shu'er father's or mother's names are, but I heard from my mother that Shu'er's mother died a long time ago. Shu'er's such a poor thing. We grew up together in Jinjiang. The idiot brother brought us all here – if you want to capture someone, capture him, don't kill my Shu'er. Mother told me to look after Shu'er and never let Shu'e get hurt. A man must live up to his words so I have to take care of Shu'er, and Shu'er's my fian…" He was cut off before he could finish the word 'fiancée'.

"Shut up!" Such a chatterbox, how annoying! He's giving me a headache!

Zhao Huai pushed him away, this time glaring at Ji Yunshu, "I don't care who you are or what your status is. Anyone other than this boss are mere mortals!"

Ji Yunshu puffed, scoffing, "My conditions are the best option for you and your men. You should accept them and save yourself any future trouble. If you kill us today, someone will come after you next time – a tooth for a tooth, and an eye for an eye; you may release your anger, but you're paying with your lives. Is it worth it?" She spoke clearly, unwavering.

Zhao Huai could not deny the pull her words had. He gestured, ordering, "Bring them away and watch them properly. Nothing must happen to them." Four bandits grunted, dragging Ji Yunshu and Wei Yi off the ground and away.

Zhao Huai next vented his anger onto Zhao Qing, "Since you're already here, take your time. Take it as a trip down the memory lane, and revisit where you spent your childhood. I'll consider what you and that rascal said."

Zhao Qing kept quiet. He knew that he could not leave the village that day, and that his men outside were most likely already captured by Zhao Huai's underlings. Zhao Qing and his two subordinates, including Ba Hu, were monitored by Zhao Huai's men. They were not held captive but were definitely being watched very closely.

Night had long since fallen. Ji Yunshu and Wei Yi found themselves back in the woodshed where they were locked previously. This humidity inside stung more than it did earlier in the day, tickling their noses. Without the little silvers of moonlight seeping in through the broken window, they would not have even been able to see each other, especially as there were no lamps in the shed.

Wei Yi pulled up some dry grass from the grassy patch beside him, laying it flat on the ground and helped Ji Yunshu over, "Shu'er. Sit here, don't fall ill." Ji Yunshu leaned against his shoulder, slowly regaining her strength.

Wei Yi gently held her hands in his, bringing them up next to his mouth as he tenderly blew on it, slowly. "Don't be afraid, Shu'er. Tell me if it hurts. Mother said that if I blow on it, it'll get better. Shu'er, is it still painful? I'll blow again."

There was a thin, tiny cut on her palms from when she fell earlier. A warm smile took over Ji Yunshu's facade at Wei Yi's care, "Wei Yi, I'm alright."

  

  

Chapter 357 – The Wooden Plate

Her voice was very weak, a whisper.

Wei Yi looked at her with distress. "How are you fine? It must hurt a lot. I don't like it when you're like that – always saying that everything is fine. If it hurts, then say that it hurts. If you are sad, then just say that you're sad. Why do you keep it in? Mother said, if you have something on your heart, you must say it. Keeping it inside will lead to illness. When you get sick, you won't be happy. If you are not happy, you will be sad. If Shu'er is sad, I will be sad with you."

He titled his head. His eyes shone brightly under the moonlight, flickering with a dear foolish innocence.

His words tore her apart, making her feel as if her heart burnt from acid. It was painful yet she couldn't vent it out. Only her red-rimmed eyes betrayed her emotions, but Wei Yi didn't notice it because her face was being obscured by the shadows.

He waited for a while, but she didn't reply, so he continued, "Shu'er, I know you took me to Big Brother Mo Ruo's place to treat my illness in the hopes that I will get better. I know all of these. You treat me so well and you also treat Big Brother Jing Rong very well. But you never said a word about it. Mother said that a quiet girl is a girl with many things on her heart. Can't you talk to me about it?"

If it was like usual, Wei Yi's non-stop chatter would have given Ji Yunshu a headache by now. However, at that moment, his words only brought her endless warmth which spread from inside out, wrapping her tightly like a cocoon. She shook her head weakly.

"You can't understand, Wei Yi."

"Why?"

"If you can live happily, I don't mind giving you everything, aside from this. Knowing too much would not be good for you."

"Why?"

She raised her hand and stroked his hair tenderly. She leaned on the side to face his bright eyes. "Wei Yi, I somewhat regret this. I wish ardently for you to forever be like this, simple and oblivious. Always living happily every day, free of worries. No need to burden yourself with unhappy things. This is how I want you to live."

Isn't it good like that? A worry-free person is one who lives the happiest.

He blinked at her, then pouted. A frown appeared as he contemplated her words. After a moment, he appeared to understand her meaning yet couldn't catch the many subtleties in it. He straightened his body and patted his chest with conviction. "Don't worry, Shu'er. I can take care of myself. It's true!"

He spoke with great self-confidence.

After that, he took out a cloth with bloody letters on it and a bell necklace. Then, he held it in front of her. "Shu'er, didn't you say you will let me hold onto these things and deliver it? I promise you, I will find a way to do it."

Ji Yunshu became alert. She glanced to the outside and grabbed Wei Yi's hands. She warned him, "Be quiet. Don't let the people outside know."

"I understand."

"Wei Yi, listen to me carefully. Let play a game – a hidden object game. Pretend you have a stomach ache and tell those people you want to go out. After that, say that you are hungry and you want to go to the kitchen to eat something. They don't want you to be too noisy and can't let you create a scene. Since meal time has passed, there won't be many people in the kitchen. However, you still have to be careful and make sure no one sees you take out the things in your hands before you hide them somewhere."

"Hiding these things?"

"Mm. In fact, you have to look for a delivery man. You can hide the objects on that person or put it in his cart. In fact, as long as these objects could be transported out, it doesn't matter how."

"Okay! I understand."

"However, if you can't do it, hurry and come back here. You absolutely must not be caught, understand?"

"Mm!" He nodded heavily then got up. "Shu'er, I know what to do. When I was at home, Big Brother Shan and Second Brother Gou often played that game with me and I always won."

"You can't let yourself be caught."

"I won't let anything happen to me. Shu'er, be good and wait for my return."

He beamed at her before turning around to knock on the locked door.

The two bandits who were guarding outside heard his shout. The tanned one walked to the window and peeked in. He asked in a loud voice, "What are you being noisy for?"

Wei Yi popped up in front of the shabby window and pouted. "Big Brother, my tummy hurts."

Ah! The man got scared by the sudden appearance of Wei Yi. Can you not scare me like that?

"Your stomach is not feeling well? What does that have to do with me?"

"I want to go to the toilet."

"What toilet? There's lots of space, can you just settle it here?" The man berated Wei Yi. We're all men here. Just settle your needs on the spot, what need are there for a toilet?! How precious can he be?

"Don't wanna!" Wei Yi refused and threw a tantrum. "I don't want to do it here. It will stink! I want to go to the toilet. Hurry and open the door. Bring me to the toilet…"

Noisy!

The man's impatience was palpable. He turned to his companion and discussed a bit.

"What should we do?"

The other replied, "Hurry and bring him to the toilet."

"That won't be good. The First Master told us to keep watch on them. What if they escape? We will be responsible for this."

"He's an idiot. Where can an idiot escape to? Besides, didn't the First Master told us we can't let something happens to him. His mood is quite bad at this time. If we disturb him over this small matter, we will have to bear the consequences. Anyway, bring him to the toilet quickly. What kind of trick a retard can play? This is our stronghold. If he created a disturbance, he will just get beaten to death."

The tanned man had a twisted expression as he pondered the other's arguments. He finally sighed and agreed. "Fine, I'll bring him to the toilet. I don't want to be in the same place as this idiot. His stupidity might rub off on me."

The other man bluntly replied, "Alright!"

As a result, the tanned man opened the door and dragged Wei Yi away. He didn't forget to warn the latter, "This brat drank so much wine but sobered so quickly. What about you, little scholar? Can you hold your liquor? Let find out on another day."

Bam! The door shut once again.

Ji Yunshu could still hear Wei Yi arguing with the other man.

"Don't pull me. I don't like you! You forced me to drink the most. I hate you."

"I hate you too. Retard!"

"You are the retard. Your whole family is retarded." Their voices became more and more distant.

Ji Yunshu felt the anxiety gnawing at her stomach. Apart from the worry, her heart ached. Her beautiful eyebrows knitted together. She reached for the thing on her neck and pinched it between her fingers a small wooden plate – her mother's memento. What does the pattern on it signify?

Grenn’s Rants Corner

So many subplots…

  

  

Chapter 358 – He’s A Sage, Not A Monkey!

What did the symbol on this amulet have to do with the one on that tatty old rag doll? This mystery, this connection whirled incessantly around Ji Yunshu's mind ever since she saw that doll, a knot she could not yet undo.

She fondled the amulet in her fingers for a while before wiping it clean with her sleeve, tucking it away into her waistband. She sighed as she looked towards the broken window; her face doused in cold moonlight. How was Wei Yi? Did anything happen to him? However, she was confident only Jing Rong could understand what she wrote on the piece of cloth she had entrusted to Wei Yi, as she had written them illegibly, and in code.

At that moment.

Wei Yi was clutching his stomach as he was guided to the outhouse by that bandit. The entire place was pitch black, and he frowned, "I'm scared!"

The bandit pulled out a torch from his waistband, lighting it up and handing it to Wei Yi with annoyance, not forgetting to curse as he rolled his eyes, "Troublesome bugger. There aren't any ghosts in there. Who did you think would eat you alive?"

Wei Yi had rather sharp ears – he heard everything that bandit had muttered under his breath. Wei Yi waved the torch around in that bandit's face, glaring angrily at him as he pointed in defiance, "This place is full of potholes! What if I fall without this light? It's so dirty and smelly – I hate it. What's more, I'm wearing my favourite clothes that Shu'er bought me. It was quite expensive so I need to cherish it and can't dirty or spoil it – I'm different from you guys, after all."

"How are we different?"

"In every way!" He described proudly, "You guys kill people and I don't, you handle knives all day and I don't, and you're more evil than Brother Mo Ruo – he only made me drink one cup of wine, but you kept feeding me jar after jar. You guys even hurt Shu'er – you're all bad people. When bad people die, they'll end up in hell – King Hades will fry you in boiling oil and stop you from reincarnating, in case you hurt other people again." Wei Yi began to chuckle with glee.

He blinked several times with his large, innocent eyes, cocking his proud head as he prodded this bandit in his chest multiple times. He continued eerily, "Then you'll all become wandering ghosts. The Taoist priests will capture you all and your souls will break apart into a million pieces and you'll never be whole again!" His childish face was especially amusing lighted up by the dim, flickering torch.

That bandit was utterly defeated as he digested these words which he had never before heard in his life. When he came around, he slapped Wei Yi on his head harshly, "Damn you, pretending to be some mighty scholar. I hate people like you the most – speaking funny words, making it difficult to understand." He slapped Wei Yi continuously, forcing him into the outhouse. He kicked him inside, "Mind your business, make it quick."

Slam! He shut the outhouse door. Inside, Wei Yi held his head in pain, slamming the door as he shouted outside, "I didn't study much! I'm not some scholar. My teacher felt I was too stupid and never told me anything. I heard all this from the storyteller, it's true, I'm not lying! He said that you must listen obediently and be a good man, so we can rise to the heavens and become deities when we die. The storyteller also said that if we do more good deeds, we can accumulate good karma and achieve Nirvana!"

"…"

This foolish young master was led by the nose by that storyteller, it seems!

"Brother, are you listening?"

"I'm still here."

"Then do you believe me?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Mm."

"Good, then let me tell you another secret…"

The bandit found himself a comfortable position, propping his head up with one hand, watching the outhouse as he quietly listened to Wei Yi ramble on and on. He spoke of the skies and the earth, of King Hades and the deep forest fairies, never tiring. In that time, Wei Yi learnt that the bandit was called Xiao Yu, and took to calling him 'Brother Xiao Yu'. Xiao Yu had the jeebies at Wei Yi's familiarity, but as he listened on, he found himself falling deeper into his stories, realising that there was such a big, wide, world out there that he had never known of!

Xiao Yu scratched his head as he shouted across the outhouse door, "What happened next? What happened to that monkey?"

"He's not a monkey!"

"They're all the same."

"It's not the same. He's the Great Sage, a Sage, not a monkey."

Xiao Yu thought about it, waving a wand away, "Whatever, who cares what he's called. Hurry up, tell me, what happened to that Great Sage? Did he really die under the weight of the mountain?"

"The Great Sage won't die. Shu'er said that someone would come to save him, but we were brought here by you lot before she could finish." What a waste!

Xiao Yu's curiousity was piqued. He reiterated anxiously, "If you know what happens next, remember to tell me straight away."

"Sure, Brother, count on me. When Shu'er finishes telling me the story, I'll tell you."

"Good, you're a loyal one. I quite like you, this rascal."

Creak! The outhouse door opened, with Wei Yi giggling, "But I don't like you."

"…"

"Brother, I'm hungry."

Xiao Yu pinched the bridge of his nose, jumping back a meter or so, saying, "It's none of my business if you're hungry."

"Then what if I die?"

"Huh?"

"If I die, I can't tell you what happens next in the story."

Eh? Xiao Yu thought Wei Yi's words rang true; the Boss did tell them not to let those two get hurt, what if he really died of hunger and blamed it on himself – what would happen to him? "Fine, fine, fine. Let's go back now, I'll find you something to eat."

Wei Yi flinched, "No. I want to find it myself. I want to go to the kitchen."

"Let's go, let's go, it's up to you." Xiao Yu was thoroughly bought over by him; he could not be bothered to argue with him and brought Wei Yi to the kitchen he so desired.

Two servants were packing and cleaning up in the kitchen. Wei Yi began to turn things over as soon as he entered, ruffling their feathers as they stopped him, "Hey, hey, hey. What are you looking for?"

"I'm hungry!" Wei Yi soothed his stomach.

Xiao Yu quickly came forth, telling those two servants, "Is there anything left to eat? Give this rascal some."

"We have some, but this idiot's our Boss's hostage – is he allowed to eat?"

"Come on, stop mucking around."

"Hold on." The man brought out some rice and dishes reluctantly.

Just then, someone shouted from outside the kitchen, "Dear sirs, I've brought the thing you wanted." They glanced outside to see an old man, about fifty or sixty years old, pushing a cart right up to the kitchen.

Grenn’s Rants Corner

Wei Yi is talking about Journey to the West. The Great Sage is Sun Wukong.

  

  

Chapter 359 – The Murderer Is Someone Else

The man who had gotten Wei Yi something to eat rushed outside at that old man's voice, berating him, "What time is it now? You're late by an hour."

"Many apologies, sir. Today's roads weren't in good condition and I'm nearly blind now so it took me a bit longer to get here. I'll make sure to be earlier next time."

"Forget it, forget it. Quickly move the supplies in."

"Yessir," the old man complied, hurriedly unloading the large baskets of vegetables from his cart to the kitchen. He was not actually late – the Gaoshan Village had strict rules: whether it was firewood delivery, or food supplies, they all had to arrive in the middle of the night. The kitchen helpers and Xiao Yu stood to one side, watching that old man work.

Inspiration struck Wei Yi; he rolled up his sleeves and waddled his way over to the old man, giving him a hand at moving with a large childlike smile on his face. He said cheerfully, "Grandpa, let me help you."

That old man was taken aback, stopping Wei Yi, "Let me do it, young master."

"It's no problem! I'm very strong. Just rest here." Wei Yi continued in earnest.

Xiao Yu scoffed, pulling the kitchen bandit aside, "A fool is a fool – volunteering for menial tasks like this." They stood watching once more as the sweating Wei Yi carried basket after basket into the kitchen.

Phew, it's finally finished!

"Thank you, young sir, thank you…" That old man bowed repeatedly.

Wei Yi held onto his hands, correcting him, "I'm not a young master. My name is Wei Yi – 'Wei' as in 'position', and 'Yi' as in 'alone'.1"

Huh? That old man was illiterate; he did not understand what Wei Yi was talking about.

Xiao Yu and that kitchen bandit had their arms crossed in front of their chests as they rolled their eyes at Wei Yi, "Scholars just love to show off, still explaining word by word."

Pfft – Confucius and Mencius would surely vomit blood if they heard all these.

As Wei Yi placed the very last unloaded basket onto the cart, he secretly tucked the items in his sleeve underneath that basket without anyone noticing. The old man also knew nothing of this, pushing his cart away.

Wei Yi scratched his head, turning to Xiao Yu, "Brother Xiao Yu, why didn't you pay him? The Grandpa went through all this trouble to send you vegetables."

"Pay him?" How, fresh! Xiao Yu laughed unabashedly, "To supply the Gaoshan Gang with vegetables is that old man's fortune – he still wants to receive money for it? Dream on!"

"But…"

"No more 'buts'. Grab your food and scram." He stuffed several buns into Wei Yi's hands, pushing him towards the woodshed where he was held captive.

In the woodshed.

Ji Yunshu sat upright, leaning against a heap of dry grass. She felt her body getting colder and clammier, her chest becoming heavier and heavier as she kept her eye on the door. A cry of 'Second Master' could be heard from where she sat; Zhao Qing was the Second Master, the First Master's younger kin brother, so even though he was watched, it did not mean that he was also forbidden from moving around.

"Open the door," Zhao Qing coldly ordered.

"This…"

"Open it." Zhao Qing was much less courteous this time. The guard swallowed, opening the door without much struggle.

Moonlight and light from a lantern overlapped to form a strong bright beam, stinging Ji Yunshu's eyes which had grown accustomed to the darkness. She closed her eyes instinctively as she adjusted to the light, opening her eyes to see Zhao Qing's tall, a striking figure enter the woodshed, towering over her like an ominous cloud. The door slammed shut behind him with a clack.

Zhao Qing looked down at Ji Yunshu. Even though her face was enveloped in darkness, her ghastly pale skin could not be hidden, "You really have no fear."

Ji Yunshu managed an awkward smile, "Isn't the Second Master the same? Coming here on a rescue operation all by yourself."

"Did you think I was here to save you?"

"Of course not," Ji Yunshu reasoned. "Second Master had not been here in a year since your falling out with the First Master. Why would you come here to save me?"

"You're a smart one." Zhao Qing bent down on one knee as he continued, speaking to her at eye level. Her deep set of eyes were as clear as a stream, unpolluted, shimmering – Zhao Qing almost drowned in them. He quickly set himself right, steadying his gaze and expression, his gruff, bearded face becoming stern, "Since you're a smart man, then tell me – why did I decide to storm this place?"

"This one doesn't know."

"Oh? So the famous Teacher Ji from the Capital also has something he can't figure out?"

Ji Yunshu's hands around her knees trembled, her gaze shaking in suprise, "How did you know?"

"It wasn't hard, I just dug around a little bit. I actually was making a guess as well, but seeing your reaction, I think I was right."

Ji Yunshu frowned, "If you went to all that trouble to investigate me, then I'm sure you must also know who that young master I was travelling with is?"

Zhao Qing was inexplicably calm, "There was some big news from the Capital recently – Prince Rong had been ordered to leave the Capital for Yufu County to investigate something about relief silvers. A prince leaving the Capital on royal decree is no small matter, what's more, Prince Rong left the Capital with that famous Teacher Ji. To have the ability to kill forty of Zhao Huai's men, who, if not Prince Rong?" It was not a question – he was absolutely certain.

Ji Yunshu stared at him; this man was quite formidable, quite different from Zhao Huai. He looked like a wild, uncouth man, but he was actually very detailed and conscientious. His sharp gaze bore a stark contrast to his current appearance. Ji Yunshu laughed, "Since you've worked it out, let me guess as well."

"…"

"You want me to investigate Jiu'er's death."

Ugh! Zhao Qing was startled. He started to tremble, slowly regaining his composure as he pushed himself up against his kneecap, standing up. There was an overflowing sadness in his eyes.

He lowered his gaze, fixing it on Ji Yunshu's crown, speaking after a long while, "When Jiu'er died, I wasn't by her side. She lay on the floor in a pool of blood with Zhao Huai next to her. He held a sword in his hand then, the very same sword that pierced Jiu'er to her death."

"Since you know how Jiu'er died, why do you still want me to investigate it?"

"I just have second guesses."

"What about?"

"What if… the murderer's someone else?"

Ji Yunshu slowly raised her head, asking in return, "Why would you have such doubts?"

Zhao Qing paused, "Zhao Huai's my kin brother – I know him. If he killed her, he wouldn't deny it. But he wouldn't admit that he killed Jiu'er. I don't know if I should believe him, or believe what I saw." He hesitated. There were doubts, a stone making home in his heart for a year.

Ji Yunshu questioned again, "Then, could you tell me who 'Jiu'er' is?"

Grenn’s Rants Corner

Open another pandora box…?

  

Might have to explain in detail. Wei Yi’s Wei isn’t the ‘wei’ in ‘wei zhi (position)’ but ‘fang wei’ as in defend. ‘Yi’ can be explained as ‘abundant’ or ‘sun/bright’, not alone as in ‘yi ge ren (i.e. one)’ If you remember in the early chapters, Wei Yi made the same mistake. Well, it looks like he hasn't learned despite Ji Yunshu correcting him. ↩

  

Chapter 360 – 50-50

Jiu'er was Zhaoi Huai's and Zhao Qing's weak spot, a thorn firmly inserted inside their hearts. After Jiu'er's death, Zhao Qing never mentioned that person again.

At present, faced with Ji Yunshu's question, his heart remained unwilling to bring up that painful subject. His expression sank as many thoughts flitted through his mind.

His hesitation was seen through by her. She waited for him while fiddling with the dried straw and sweeping the damp ground around her. "If Second Master doesn't want to talk, forget about it. I don't wish to pry further. Some matters when kept too long in one's heart are hard to talk about."

"You understand?"

"Why wouldn't I understand?" A mocking smile showed on her face. She tilted her head and lowered her gaze, focusing on the layer of mist that had yet to reach the ground. It made it sound like it wasn't important. Yet, the pressure behind her words made him unable to breathe.

She went on. "Everyone has something they wish to keep secret. Things that you want to say and things that you can't say, if everything was kept inside to fester, it would slowly eat you away. Those secrets are like knives. Each time you keep one, it cuts you once. The more you keep it, the more injured your heart gets, until it becomes as painful as death."

How lamentable! How could she not understand when her heart bore so many secrets? The Imperial Duke's heir, the tiger tally which could order an army great enough to overturn the current Emperor's reign, and the true cause of Kong Yu's suicide… She was drained, exhausted from holding on to those secrets.

Swayed by her philosophical speech, Zhao Qing contemplated a moment. His eyebrows knitted together into a frown. The words he had mulled over rolled out of his lips slowly. "My brother and I grew up with Jiu'er. She was brought back by my father when she was very young. After that, we grew up together on this stronghold, not a second apart. We treated her like she was our real little sister. However, once we were older, I found myself falling for her. Unfortunately, it was only one sided since the one she loved was my brother Zhao Huai. I don't know if fate was playing with us, but Zhao Huai only treated her as his little sister."

"When my father was still alive, he had already decided to let Jiu'er marry Zhao Huai. A year ago, they got married. However, on that night, she died in the nuptial chamber, bathing in her own blood. Her heart had been pierced by a sword. Zhao Huai was with her. His hand held a sword dripping with her blood. He said he didn't do it but refused to tell me what happened. I took her corpse away and never returned since."

At this moment, he revealed his bewilderment and continued, "I know how Zhao Huai is. No one is clearer than me. He wouldn’t kill anyone for no reason, so he can’t have killed Jiu'er. However, he refused to explain, stubbornly saying he wasn't the murderer. All the evidence pointed to him, yet he remained silent. How can I convince myself otherwise when I have seen it with my own eyes?" He became emotional the more he spoke.

Ji Yunshu pondered on his words, then asked, "At that time, there were only you two in the room?"

Zhao Qing shook his head. "I don't know. When I entered the room, I only saw my brother."

She continued to question him, "Did you cremate her body or bury it?"

"I buried her."

"The corpse is preserved."

"Can you help me find the cause of Jiu'er's death?"

"50-50!"

50-50? Zhao Qing failed to understand her. "What do you mean by that?"

She didn't play dumb and simply stated, "This humble one is not omnipotent. I will help the best I can. In this world, there are still many unresolved cases and misjudged ones, and I am not infallible."

Was she a machine that could determine the problems of a case and pinpoint it with ease?

Zhao Qing was an uneducated man, but he had picked up on Teacher Ji's fame and his intelligence was such that no unresolved case was a challenge. If Teacher Ji could investigate the Lin Capital case which dated back to 14 years ago, then he was assuredly omnipotent despite saying otherwise.

"Since you say you have a 50-50 chance of solving this case, how can you be certain of the owner of the remains in the urn? And how can you find out who the murderer is?"

She mumbled a moment before looking at him.

"I won't keep it from you. Without the head, I can't accurately determine the identity of the skeleton. If you want a definite result, you would need advanced technology and high-end machines which aren't available here. With just my hands and my eyes, I can only do my best."

"I’ve never seen a braggart quite like you, daring to make such ridiculous statements."

Despite her back injuries tormenting her, she continued to endure, even showing a playful smile at him despite tremors coursing through her body. "You're wrong. I am afraid of death." Her tone came out smooth and unhindered.

Zhao Qing scowled as he observed her.

Ji Yunshu explained herself, "If I don't talk like this, the First Master would have already killed me."

"Are you trying to stall for time until Prince Rong rescues you?"

She denied. "Milord killed so many underlings of the First Master. Although he was forced to do so, those were still human lives lost. If Milord saves me, he will certainly bring the people from the yamen with him. At that point, wouldn't this place turn into a bloodbath? Revenge breeds revenge, when will this cycle ever end?"

"How do you plan to avoid the bloodshed?"

"As long as the First Master agrees to my condition and waits until I find out the truth about the skeleton in the urn, the matter will be settled."

Huh?

"Didn't you just say that without the head it cannot be investigated?"

Zhao Qing became confused.

Ji Yunshu corrected him. "When did I say I cannot investigate? I only said it was difficult but not impossible."

"Most bones in a human body are connected. No matter the shape of the femur or the size of the scapula, they are still part of the 206 bones forming the human skeleton. Even without the head, the size of the hip bone can give away the gender. The cervical vertebrae can help determined the size of the head and also help to estimate the height of the person since the head is supported by the cervical vertebrae. However, that could only be possible if the deceased has normal body proportions."

206 bones? Hip bone? Scapula? What are those things?

Zhao Qing was sent into a spiral of confusion. Although the scientific terms Ji Yunshu used eluded him, he was still able to understand roughly her explanations. "Good. Since you can figure it out, I will do everything in my power to assist you; even if you want me to sell all my vases I won't wince. I will make Zhao Huai agree to your condition definitively, so you must promise me that after solving your current case, you will find out the truth behind Jiu'er's death."

"Deal."

A straightforward negotiation which ended well between someone who wished to get out of there alive and someone obsessed with the truth behind the death of his loved one. Both of them benefitted from this deal.

At that moment, Zhao Qing took out a bottle of medicine and tossed it over. The bottle landed on a pile of straw and rolled to Ji Yunshu.

"Hurry and apply it to your injuries. This will help alleviate the pain. If you are to die, where can I find someone else to help me? Right now, I can't go out and bring back the doctor since Zhao Huai's underlings are keeping a close eye on you. This medicine will be helpful in the meantime."

Ji Yunshu picked the bottle and pulled out the cork before looking inside. The medicinal scent filled her nose immediately. "Is this white oriole ointment?"

Grenn’s Rants Corner

This is it! This is the last chapter of the mass release. With this, I will retire from my position of BPC novel lead. ChouFleur will take over and continued the translations with Tzegeeek and a new translator to be introduced in the next few days. ^__^

Happy new year everyone!