Fish Meat – Chapter 199
by Little PandaThe Fourth Year of Zhao Wu
Secrets in the Sleeve (19)
“If you don’t want her to die, kneel before me.”
The blood marks on Guang Shaoling’s neck rose and fell with her rapid breathing, her face showing both excitement and tension.
Not far behind Zhen Wenjun, torches were planted in the ground. By their dim light, she discovered several small burn holes on Guang Shaoling’s left face, shoulder, and chest. Besides the musty and rancid smell in the air, there was also a rather fresh medicinal scent.
“Gone deaf?” Guang Shaoling slashed her sword at Wei Tingxu’s outer thigh, hoping to make her cry out in pain to force Zhen Wenjun’s submission. If Zhen Wenjun knelt down, her movements would be restricted, making it difficult to launch an attack, and Guang Shaoling would have a better chance of taking Wei Tingxu hostage and escaping with her life.
Guang Shaoling had desperately wanted to avoid any direct confrontation with Zhen Wenjun. Had she known that Zhen Wenjun possessed the ability to escape from the death prison, she certainly wouldn’t have impulsively come alone to capture anyone.
Unexpectedly, when the sword cut down, Wei Tingxu showed no reaction – forget begging for mercy, she didn’t even let out a single grunt.
Zhen Wenjun saw Wei Tingxu clenching her teeth and even closing her eyes, controlling herself to not show even the slightest sign of pain. She knew Wei Tingxu was someone with exceptional endurance; at this moment, she too was enduring, absolutely refusing to let Guang Shaoling have her way.
Guang Shaoling found it rather strange – looking down at the wound, it was indeed bleeding, so why was there no reaction?
“Hmph.” Zhen Wenjun let out a cold laugh, showing no intention of stepping forward to save Wei Tingxu. Instead of kneeling, she sat down to rest.
Guang Shaoling narrowed her eyes at her.
“No need to pretend anymore. What’s the purpose of this suffering ploy this time? Or do you think just one sword cut will make me forgive you?” Zhen Wenjun directed these words at Wei Tingxu, completely ignoring Guang Shaoling’s threat. “Back then, you kidnapped my Ah Mu, secretly threatened me with her life, and used my hand to kill Xie Fuchen. Now you’re using the same old trick, except this time you’re threatening with your own life. Wei Tingxu, is this the only move you know?”
Guang Shaoling cautiously retreated while watching Zhen Wenjun with extreme vigilance.
Zhen Wenjun had her back to the light source, her expression flickering and difficult to read.
“So what if this is the only move I know? As long as it can fool you, that’s enough,” Wei Tingxu said.
Zhen Wenjun flew into a rage, springing up and rushing toward them. Guang Shaoling pointed her sword at her: “You really think I won’t kill her? Try coming closer!”
“Go ahead and kill her then! Kill her so I can see clearly!” Zhen Wenjun didn’t stop at all, instead charging forward even faster. “I want to see just how far you’ll take this suffering ploy! You harmed my Ah Mu and deceived me for so many years – I’ve long wanted to kill you with my own hands! Today gives me the perfect opportunity! Come on! Guang Shaoling, if you won’t do it, I will!”
Wei Tingxu’s lips curled up as she shouted: “Zhen Wenjun! Don’t you want the secret scroll anymore?”
Secret scroll? Guang Shaoling suddenly remembered the Ruan family secret scroll that Li Yanyi had asked her to find!
“Secret scroll? Wait until I kill you and search your entire body! If I can’t find it on you, I’ll search your Wei mansion! Am I supposed to be afraid of not finding it?”
While they argued, Zhen Wenjun had closed the distance to just five steps away. Guang Shaoling had been resolute at first, but at the mention of “secret scroll,” and with Zhen Wenjun charging straight forward so aggressively, seemingly disregarding Wei Tingxu’s safety, Guang Shaoling fell into panic within moments.
Zhen Wenjun’s decision was correct.
Though Guang Shaoling’s martial arts were exquisite, she was still a novice without much battle experience. The key to victory lay not in comparing footwork, but in whether one could disturb her thoughts.
“Stop!” Guang Shaoling threatened Zhen Wenjun, who suddenly flicked a thin blade from her fingertips. Guang Shaoling, startled, instinctively dodged, not realizing the hidden weapon wasn’t aimed at her but at Wei Tingxu’s uninjured leg.
The Golden Cicada Knife sliced across Wei Tingxu’s leg, shattering her only support, and her body quickly sank downward. What was meant to be a protective hostage had become an immobile burden, and as Guang Shaoling was pulled down with her, Zhen Wenjun had already leaped before her, her furious fist tensed so tightly that the bones seemed about to burst through her pale knuckles.
Guang Shaoling tried to raise her sword in defense, but it was too late – her cheek took the full force of the punch.
Zhen Wenjun seized the opportunity to grab Guang Shaoling’s sword, but Guang Shaoling held on tightly, refusing to let go, and kicked back fiercely. Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, a spear pierced through Guang Shaoling’s back. Her body stiffened, blood gushing from her mouth, an expression of disbelief frozen on her face.
Zhen Wenjun kicked her away. Wei Tingxu, supporting herself against the wall, swayed unsteadily as the spear fell to the ground with a “clang”.
The two exchanged glances, neither speaking for a moment, until battle cries rose again as the Zhuiyue Army soldiers stormed into the prison. Zhen Wenjun immediately grabbed Wei Tingxu to escape, but Wei Tingxu’s legs gave way, making it impossible for her to move.
Wei Tingxu said, “You should go first.”
Zhen Wenjun neither left nor let go.
“Was what you said earlier all true? Were those words you’ve always wanted to say but kept hidden in your heart?”
“How can you still think about such things at a time like this! Wasn’t it all just to confuse Guang Shaoling?” In her urgency, Zhen Wenjun could only lift Wei Tingxu into her arms and run in the opposite direction from the approaching Zhuiyue Army.
Wei Tingxu wrapped her arms around Zhen Wenjun’s neck: “Isn’t going deeper inside a dead end?”
“This death prison… I’ve been through it before!” Though Zhen Wenjun had little strength left and had to carry someone, even with her burden being light, she was already panting after just two steps. Gritting her teeth and not daring to slow down, she continued: “Although I was blindfolded when I came in… I still remember the way! This death prison was built according to the Purple Star Formation [็ดซ่ๆ้ตๆณ | Zว Wฤi Xฤซng Zhรจn Fว], it has its own patterns! Once we find the formation’s eye, we can move through it unhindered!”
“Purple Star Formation?”
Zhen Wenjun, covered in sweat, couldn’t help but laugh: “So there are things that even Wei Zizhuo doesn’t know.”
Wei Tingxu also laughed: “There are many things Wei Zizhuo doesn’t know.”
The sound of pursuing footsteps and the friction of armor never ceased behind them, and the torches grew more numerous. If not for Zhen Wenjun’s skillful navigation through the prison cells, they would have been caught long ago.
Wei Tingxu asked: “How far is it to the exit? Can you hold on?”
“That depends on how closely they’re following! We should have reached it already, but there are Zhuiyue Army soldiers at every exit!”
“In that case, we’ll have to use this plan.” Wei Tingxu produced a string of keys.
They looked at the keys, then at each other, sharing a knowing smile.
Deceive the sky to cross the ocean. [็ๅคฉ่ฟๆตท | Mรกn Tiฤn Guรฒ Hวi | an idiom meaning to use deception to achieve a goal]
Without breaking stride, Zhen Wenjun continued running while Wei Tingxu unlocked all the prison cells along the way.
The serious offenders imprisoned here had already prepared themselves for execution. Now, suddenly given a chance at freedom, they burst out of their cells in overwhelming joy, turning the narrow death prison into something resembling a bustling marketplace in an instant.
All death row inmates frantically rushed toward what they believed to be exits. The Zhuiyue Army soldiers had spotted Zhen Wenjun and Wei Tingxu’s shadows and were about to catch up when the surge of escaping prisoners disrupted their formation, making it difficult for them to advance.
“Make way! Make way!” The Zhuiyue Army soldiers waved their long sabers trying to drive the prisoners back, but these were death row inmates who, having just received heaven’s grace of a second chance at life, feared no blade. Moreover, they harbored the deepest hatred for these government dogs, and the more the soldiers tried to drive them back, the more resistant they became, refusing to yield an inch.
Zhen Wenjun searched for traces of her Ah Mu among the chaotic crowd, but even as she carried Wei Tingxu out of the death prison, she still couldn’t find her mother’s whereabouts.
“Your Ah Mu isn’t here,” Wei Tingxu guessed her thoughts. “Li Yanyi wanted to use your Ah Mu as bait to lure both of us in, so naturally wouldn’t keep her in the death prison.”
Outside the death prison, fierce battles continued. Xiaohua and Wei Jing’an were both injured but fought on against the Zhuiyue Army with forced vigor.
At the alley entrance stood a Moon Ascender crafted by Ah Liao. Under Wei Tingxu’s guidance, all remaining Wei family members retreated toward the alley.
The alley contained hidden doors, and as they passed through, soldiers suddenly burst out. In this narrow encounter of clashing blades, even the Wei family’s skilled shadow guards fell in an instant. Wei Jing’an’s shoulder was slashed, and as he was about to be surrounded, Zhen Wenjun tossed Wei Tingxu to Xiaohua, shouting for them to retreat first. She rushed forward, raising her arm to block a fatal blow aimed at Wei Jing’an with her iron bracer, then delivered a fierce kick that sent the Zhuiyue soldier flying, taking down several others with him.
By this point, most of the Zhuiyue Army had fallen, and few of the Wei family’s shadow guards remained, all bearing wounds. Fortunately, the alley was narrow – just five people standing side by side could block it completely, making it difficult for the Zhuiyue Army to advance.
Seeing Wei Tingxu about to escape, the Zhuiyue soldiers attacked more ferociously, launching an aggressive assault with the advantage of their light armor [่ฝฏ็ฒ | ruวn jiว] and superior numbers. Wei Jing’an, who had been fighting continuously, and Zhen Wenjun, who had already lost too much blood, advanced instead of retreating. Under these adverse conditions, they unleashed heaven-breaking strength, cutting down the frontmost soldiers in succession. The Zhuiyue Army soldiers possessed iron will – seeing their companions fall at their feet didn’t instill the slightest fear. Death had long since vanished from their minds through daily harsh training; in their hearts existed only the word “loyalty”, and they knew not what “death” meant!
After escorting Wei Tingxu onto the Moon Ascender, Xiaohua immediately went to assist Zhen Wenjun and the others. Wei Tingxu struggled to move to the ignition point while supporting herself on the basket’s edge. The moment she lit the fire, the Moon Ascender began floating upward. Wei Tingxu had thought there would be a startup process, but Ah Liao’s ingenuity exceeded her expectations – how could it begin ascending so quickly?!
“Er Ge [ไบๅฅ | รr Gฤ | Second Brother], Wenjun! Xiaohua!” Wei Tingxu called out from the basket’s edge, “Hurry up!”
Just as Wei Tingxu called out, Wei Jing’an’s knee was slashed, and he fell to the ground with a cry of pain. Zhen Wenjun kicked down a soldier and pulled Wei Jing’an behind her, letting Xiaohua drag him quickly toward the Moon Ascender for retreat. By now, the Moon Ascender was suspended half a person’s height above the ground. Wei Tingxu opened the gate and lay flat, reaching out to pull Wei Jing’an up. Wei Jing’an made it up safely with her help, but when Xiaohua tried to grab the gate, the Moon Ascender suddenly shot up by a person’s height, and she couldn’t hold on, falling to the ground.
The Moon Ascender’s ascending speed notably increased. With neither Zhen Wenjun nor Xiaohua aboard, Wei Tingxu anxiously called out: “Hurry!”
All the Wei family shadow guards had fallen. Zhen Wenjun and Xiaohua burst out of the alley, chasing after the Moon Ascender at full speed. The Zhuiyue Army soldiers came in force, over thirty of them wielding long sabers in frenzied pursuit.
“How do we slow this cursed thing down!” Wei Jing’an hung by the ignition point, frantically searching until he found a turnable wooden bar. He tried turning it left but it wouldn’t move, so he twisted it in the opposite direction. The flames exploded with a “hong”, nearly burning off his eyebrows, and the entire Moon Ascender floated up even more frantically, getting further from Zhen Wenjun and Xiaohua.
Wei Tingxu was dumbfounded. Wei Jing’an hurriedly put out his burning hair and apologized very sincerely: “Er Ge really didn’t mean to.”
Zhen Wenjun ran slower and slower, having no strength left. The Moon Ascender was now floating at a height of three people, and accelerating away from them.
This couldn’t continue.
“Xiaohua!” Zhen Wenjun called out. Xiaohua, running beside her, looked over as she patted her own back, “Let me boost you up!”
Xiaohua didn’t respond, seeming to hesitate.
“What are you thinking about! How can you still hesitate at a time like this!”
Xiaohua said: “The young lady values your life more. Your life is worth more than mine.”
Zhen Wenjun laughed heartily at this: “That’s exactly like something you would say! But I’ve never thought anyone’s life was worth less than another’s! I’ll boost you up, no more arguments! Come! Your qinggong is definitely better than mine!” Speaking thus, Zhen Wenjun stopped and bent down, calling to Xiaohua, “Quick!”
The Zhuiyue Army was about to catch up, and Xiaohua hesitated for a moment.
“Hurry!” Zhen Wenjun’s eyes reddened with urgency. Xiaohua had no choice but to run a few steps and plant her foot on Zhen Wenjun’s back, using her body as a springboard to leap toward the Moon Ascender.
Wei Jing’an reached out to catch her, and with their coordinated effort, Xiaohua successfully boarded the Moon Ascender.
Only Zhen Wenjun remained on the ground.
The Zhuiyue Army soldiers surrounded her. Wei Tingxu was extremely anxious, remembering there were ropes in the basket. After searching around, she finally found them and threw one down, but it was still at least two people’s height away from Zhen Wenjun, and the Moon Ascender continued to drift forward rapidly.
“How do we stop this thing!” Xiaohua also spotted the wooden bar and was about to turn it when Wei Jing’an stopped her:
“Don’t touch it, whatever you do! One more burst and we’re finished!”
As they watched the Moon Ascender rise higher and higher, Zhen Wenjun growing smaller below, Wei Tingxu called out her name.
Xiaohua had never seen Wei Tingxu so anxious before.
Zhen Wenjun looked up, seeing Wei Tingxu’s tears falling through the firelight, and understood that Wei Tingxu truly cared for her.
She knew. She had always known.
The Zhuiyue Army closed in for the kill, and Zhen Wenjun found herself in desperate combat.
Her leg was slashed and her arm gashed, yet she refused to give up, refused to be at their mercy.
She told herself that even in death, she would fight until the final moment, until the last drop of blood drained from her body.
A blade pierced through her abdomen, and Zhen Wenjun fell to her knees.
If possible, she really wanted to drag someone down with her…
She lifted her head, watching the Moon Ascender drift further and further away, becoming increasingly blurry.
Was this to be her end?
Xiaohua and Wei Jing’an both held Wei Tingxu back, fearing she might impulsively jump down. Wei Tingxu’s tear-filled eyes were dimmed, when suddenly, something caught her attention, her eyes widening.
Xiaohua and Wei Jing’an followed her gaze – what an unexpected sight!
The badly wounded Zhen Wenjun seemed to be hallucinating, thinking she heard familiar hoofbeats.
Light yet fierce, each strike against the ground full of power.
Xiaoxue.
Zhen Wenjun suddenly came to her senses – Xiaoxue!
Yunzhong Feixue charged into the crowd, sending Zhuiyue Army soldiers flying, galloping wildly toward Zhen Wenjun!
“Xiaoxue!” Zhen Wenjun cried out in excitement!
Yunzhong Feixue charged through the blades to Zhen Wenjun’s side. She grabbed the reins, kicked off, and leaped onto horseback! Yunzhong Feixue galloped forward like wind and lightning, several bleeding gashes on its body turning its snow-white form crimson, yet its pace never slowed.
No one had expected Xiaoxue to appear now – Wei Tingxu had completely forgotten about it when evacuating the Wei mansion. Who knew it would break free from the stable and find its way here!
The Moon Ascender rose rapidly through the air, its hanging rope climbing higher and higher. Yunzhong Feixue pursued relentlessly below, while the Zhuiyue Army soldiers chased like madmen.
Wei Tingxu and the others called out emotionally for Zhen Wenjun to come up.
Yunzhong Feixue bled more and more, running slower and slower.
Zhen Wenjun hugged its neck and kissed it hard, tears flowing freely: “Good child!”
She carefully stood on the galloping horse’s back – the chance would come in an instant!
A sharp sword flew toward Yunzhong Feixue, striking true into its body. Yunzhong Feixue let out an anguished cry, and in the moment it fell, Zhen Wenjun soared upward, grabbing the rope’s end!
As she caught hold, Wei Tingxu took a deep breath. Xiaoxue fell, cut down by a flurry of blades.
Just as Zhen Wenjun was about to climb up, her body suddenly sank. Alarmed, she looked back and saw Guang Shaoling!
Blood flowing from her mouth, Guang Shaoling clung to her legs, pulling her down forcefully: “Zhen Wenjun… you won’t escape!”
Zhen Wenjun kicked at her hard, but no matter how she kicked, Guang Shaoling held on as if possessed, clinging to her desperately.
The Moon Ascender rose higher and higher, the Zhuiyue Army soldiers on the ground becoming mere dots.
Zhen Wenjun had long since exhausted her strength, unable to support the weight of two people.
There were bows and arrows in the basket, but the two were too close together and fighting too intensely – if a shot went astray, the fall would surely shatter them to pieces!
The rope showed signs of breaking under their combined weight. Wei Jing’an and Xiaohua worked together to pull the rope, trying to haul Zhen Wenjun up. The high-altitude winds swayed Zhen Wenjun and Guang Shaoling back and forth, creating strong resistance. Both injured, they struggled to make any progress despite their efforts.
Wei Tingxu felt helpless, watching Zhen Wenjun and Guang Shaoling fight in mid-air, unable to do anything!
Guang Shaoling, near death and fearless, gripped Zhen Wenjun’s body tightly, constantly pulling her down.
Zhen Wenjun suffered terribly, sliding further down, nearly reaching the rope’s end.
“Hold on, Wenjun!” Wei Tingxu’s voice shattered in the howling wind. Zhen Wenjun’s face was flushed red when she suddenly remembered something.
Looking down, she saw small holes on Guang Shaoling’s face and shoulders – burn marks.
She recalled the fresh medicinal scent in the prison.
“So that’s it,” Zhen Wenjun said. “Ground Heat Grass ground into powder and made into small pills can be used as hidden weapons, with burning effects and the ability to cause hallucinations in the wounded. This was covered in Jiang Daochang’s second lesson. Of course, many outsiders know this, but they don’t know the most lethal aspect.”
Zhen Wenjun released one hand, pressing her bent finger against Guang Shaoling’s temple: “Ground Heat Grass also has powerful toxicity that accumulates at this acupoint within twelve hours of poisoning, triggered by strong pressure.”
Guang Shaoling didn’t know what she planned, and Wei Tingxu’s group was puzzled why she would release one hand.
“One lesson from the master saves several lives.”
Zhen Wenjun pressed her finger hard into Guang Shaoling’s temple. Guang Shaoling’s face instantly turned red as if on fire, and Zhen Wenjun kicked her away.
A scream echoed through the night sky as Guang Shaoling became a fireball, falling to earth without a trace.
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