She sat on the ground, using her foot to hook the knife on the weapon rack; one strike would be enough to end this man's life.
The man clearly noticed and immediately struggled even more frantically. Luo Zhiheng didn't back down, and the two instantly became locked in a fierce battle. Luo Zhiheng's only advantage was that she held the man's throat; as long as she held on tight, he would never be free. She could slowly wear him down, suffocating him to death.
But Luo Zhiheng didn't have time to wait. Someone could come in at any moment, and if she was discovered, she wouldn't have any chance to escape. She couldn't give up. She still had Yun He, her friends, and her wet nurse!
"Ugh!" Luo Zhiheng suddenly groaned, staring at the man who had grabbed her calf with one hand and squeezed it hard. The force was so strong that it could almost break her bones, making her tremble all over in pain. Her hand trembled, and the whip she was holding loosened a little. The man took the opportunity to struggle, but Luo Zhiheng ignored the pain and gripped the whip even harder.
Before the immediate crisis was resolved, she heard voices coming from not far away. Not knowing if those people had entered the room, she reached into her hair in a panic, pulled out a gold hairpin, and plunged the sharp hairpin into the man's chest without hesitation. Blood gushed out instantly, and the man convulsed, his struggle lessening.
The humiliation and anger in Luo Zhiheng's heart made her no longer hold back, stabbing the man's heart again and again until he stopped moving and died.
As the sounds outside drew near, Luo Zhiheng scrambled to her feet and ran quickly to the door, grabbing a knife from the weapon rack along the way. With a whip in hand, she held her breath and stopped at the doorway.
Second update! Hooray! Did you all manage to finish painting today, my darlings? That's all for today's update. Keep up the good work tomorrow! Still asking for recommendation votes, comments, and monthly tickets! Group kisses!
403 The priest's wrath turned mountains of corpses and rivers of blood!
Updated: 2013-10-24 11:09:41 Word Count: 7756
Someone reached out and pushed open the door. Luo Zhiheng's throat felt like it was being choked, and her breathing became abnormal. She tried to widen her eyes, and in the instant before the door was fully pushed open, she quickly lashed out with her whip. The whip's sharp speed created a gust of wind, accurately extinguishing the flickering, dim candlelight. The already dim room was instantly plunged into darkness.
"What's going on?" came a cry of surprise from the doorway, but the person quickly pushed the door open and rushed in.
Luo Zhiheng recognized the voice as that of the short man who had left earlier. Her heart steadied, and the blade shot towards him. She didn't use the tip, but the back of the blade, slashing fiercely at the man's back. She leaped from behind the door, shoving the unconscious man aside, and then, with lightning speed, grabbed the person standing in the doorway.
She yanked the man inside, and as he cried out in terror, Luo Zhiheng's blade was already pressed against his throat. She said in a hoarse voice, "Shut up if you don't want to die."
The man's voice abruptly stopped, trembling like a sieve, as he pleaded softly, "I don't know anything, I'm just a doctor, spare my life, spare my life." 12.
"I'll spare your life, but that depends on whether you cooperate. Now, you'd better stay here quietly." Luo Zhiheng acted swiftly and efficiently, dealing with several people before tying up the doctor and gagging him. Then she stripped the unconscious, short man's clothes off and put them on herself.
The bloodstains and wounds on her body were very obvious, and if she didn't change into disguised clothes, it would be almost impossible for her to escape.
After changing her clothes, she was in so much pain that she was almost collapsing. She clutched her lower abdomen, stiff for a long time, before finally using her knife to cut the ropes binding the doctor. She said, "Now you take me out. Take me out the same way you came in. Remember, I'm the one who brought you in. You need to let me go back with you to get the medicine. If you dare to betray me, I'll kill you first. This knife isn't just for show."
Luo Zhiheng plunged the knife into the doctor's lower back, the sharp blade almost piercing the doctor's flesh and bone. The doctor, terrified, hurriedly nodded and said, "I understand, I understand."
Luo Zhiheng tied her hair up, put on her helmet, and followed the doctor out with slightly unsteady steps. The knife was hidden in her sleeve, and her hand was pressed firmly against the doctor's lower back in the darkness. The doctor moved stiffly, but did not make any major mistakes.
Luo Zhiheng didn't know where he was or the layout of the place. Fortunately, the doctor remembered the way and led him out of the small courtyard. Just as they left the courtyard, they encountered a group of guards: "Halt! What are you doing?"
"I am a doctor, and I was invited here by your general. I took the general back to get medicine. Your general is inflamed, with blisters in his mouth and a hoarse voice." The doctor spoke very calmly, spouting nonsense.
Luo Zhiheng's lips twitched. "You're the one with a mouth full of blisters."
"Ah, it's the third brother? Why is he so hot-tempered? Has it been too long since you've had any meat and you're craving women?" The group recognized the owner of the clothes Luo Zhiheng was wearing and couldn't help but tease her. Then, they all let out a series of ambiguous smirks.
Luo Zhiheng was anxious inside, but she appeared even calmer. She gave a cold snort, and although her hoarse voice didn't reveal anything wrong, the man was short, and Luo Zhiheng was relatively tall for a woman, which actually helped to deceive everyone. (The last sentence appears to be unrelated and possibly a fragment from another context.)
"Oh dear, your voice is so hoarse! Hurry up and go ahead, let's go check it out." The men said hastily.
Luo Zhiheng snorted again before leaving with her entourage, her movements unhurried and arousing no suspicion. Luo Zhiheng breathed a sigh of relief, but the doctor whispered, "There are many guards at the gate."
Luo Zhiheng's heart tightened, and she stared coldly at the back of the doctor's head, saying, "You'd better not try anything funny, or else..." She moved the knife in her hand.
The doctor hurriedly said, "I wouldn't dare. I'm just a wandering doctor, and all I know is the code of the martial world. You were seriously injured, but you didn't kill that person. You only knocked him unconscious. This shows your righteousness and magnanimity. You are not a ruthless person. I just wanted to help you. I hope you will let me go since I meant no harm."
Even a wandering healer like him is no pushover; he's adept at reading people and assessing situations. To be able to glean a glimpse of Luo Zhiheng's character from her mere presence demonstrates his exceptional abilities. Moreover, his self-preservation is perfectly understandable; who wouldn't want to live?
Remembering how he had just made excuses for her, saying his throat was sore and hoarse, which was actually to help her, Luo Zhiheng paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "As long as I leave here safely, you will be free."
"Thank you, young lady," the doctor said happily.
The two walked along a narrow path, and Luo Zhiheng was almost at her limit. Just as they were about to reach the door, the doctor said again, "There is a carriage outside. That person brought me here in a carriage. Please hang in there a little longer."
"Hmm." Luo Zhiheng hummed softly, her nerves completely on edge. The closer she got to escaping the tiger's den, the quieter and more oblivious the situation became, the stronger her bad premonition became.
"Halt! Is that you? Why are you out so quickly?" The guards at the door stared intently at them.
Luo Zhiheng lowered her head subconsciously, and the doctor quickly said, "I was originally here to treat the soldier inside, but the soldier who brought me here has also fallen ill and is currently suffering from a sore throat. The medicine I brought is only enough for one person, so I'm taking the trouble to trouble this soldier to come back with me to get more medicine."
"Well, the third brother's health is getting worse and worse. Not only is he short, but his body is also becoming more and more delicate, like a woman's." The people mocked again.
"They're not much braver than women at all." The group burst into laughter. Then the man said, "Alright, hurry back."
Luo Zhiheng, drenched in cold sweat, nodded and followed the doctor out the gate. The instant she stepped outside, she felt dizzy, almost fainting. Fortunately, the doctor quickly supported her, drawing laughter from the crowd behind them. Luo Zhiheng felt a chill run down her spine. Seeing the carriage, she helped the doctor into it. She wanted to get in too, but at that moment, hurried footsteps and shouts came from inside the gate: "Stop them! Stop them! Luo Zhiheng is inside!"
The soldiers in front of the gate were stunned for a moment, then pounced like hungry tigers, each one looking fierce and menacing.
In the midst of the chaos of war, Luo Zhiheng knew things were going badly. She pushed the coachman off the horse, grabbed the reins, and lashed the horse's rump with a whip, causing the carriage to gallop away at high speed.
However, some soldiers still grabbed the carriage wall and followed her as she ran. Luo Zhiheng was only focused on running fast and getting away from them. The two sides clashed, and Luo Zhiheng was no match for four fists. Driving the carriage became extremely dangerous, and the journey was fraught with peril. Several times she almost crashed into the houses on the side of the road.
"Come out and drive the carriage for me. If you don't want to die, you'd better drive it properly, or we'll both die together!" Luo Zhiheng shouted at the swaying doctor inside the carriage.
The doctor quickly scrambled out. He was a smart man and knew that if he didn't escape now, he wouldn't gain any advantage against this formidable girl. He struggled to drive the carriage, keeping it balanced and moving quickly.
Luo Zhiheng quickly slipped into the carriage, which had been hacked and slashed by the soldiers. Now the carriage was an open-air structure. She swung her sword wildly at the pursuers, trying to stop them.
"Stop! Luo Zhiheng, you can't escape. The Prince won't let you go. If you know what's good for you, stop right now!" the pursuers shouted.
Not only them, but a troop of cavalry also quickly caught up. The cavalry were naturally very fast, and in the blink of an eye, they overtook Luo Zhiheng's carriage and blocked their way.
Luo Zhiheng closed her eyes tightly, gripped the carriage shaft, and the carriage spun around instantly. Luo Zhiheng and the doctor were thrown off the carriage by the wild horse.
Her body crashed heavily to the ground, the pain almost penetrating to her very bones. Her whole body felt stiff and numb as she lay there, wishing she could just die immediately rather than be caught and taken back to be humiliated and tortured.
What a damn bad luck!
When did this once-powerful female bandit become a prisoner? She used to be the one robbing and kidnapping for money; now, she's the one at their mercy. Truly, a tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs!
"Luo Zhiheng is indeed cunning and treacherous; we have witnessed her skill. To escape from such a perilous situation, and so stealthily, if the guards hadn't discovered you in the room where you were imprisoned, we probably wouldn't have found out until you returned home!" The man on horseback was none other than Prince Mu's deputy general, that despicable henchman!
Luo Zhiheng opened her eyes and slowly sat up. Although she was weak, she remained calm and composed, which was astonishing.
"Since you're pressuring me like this, you'd better kill me. Only with my death can you have peace. Otherwise, believe me, I'll make sure you all suffer. Those who persecute me now will pay a thousandfold in the future." She spoke viciously, knowing she was exhausted and couldn't hold on any longer. So she stopped struggling and stroked her lower abdomen, saying with a strange, cold mockery, "You killed my child today. Mu Yunhe will kill all your children. If you have no children, then kill the children of your relatives. How can you beasts let our flesh and blood be killed and that be the end of it?"
Her words sent a chill down everyone's spines, and a sense of dread welled up within them.
"You...you're pregnant?!" the lieutenant asked, his voice trembling with shock and suppressed emotion.
That child was the eldest grandson of the prince, a minor prince of the Mu Prince's Mansion. The Mu Prince's Mansion was destroyed, but if the prince wished, another Mu Prince's Mansion could be built soon. However, being the eldest grandson was not something one could simply wish for.
When the prince ordered Luo Zhiheng to be tortured, he probably never imagined that this daughter-in-law he loathed was already carrying the blood of the Mu family!
In an instant, the lieutenant felt that disaster was about to befall him.
The prince ordered Luo Zhiheng to be tortured, but that doesn't mean he would torture his own grandson. If the child were truly lost, the prince would undoubtedly be heartbroken; he would be deeply troubled, as it would be tantamount to killing his own grandson with his own hands. Would the prince admit that it was his fault? Would he admit that he had killed his own descendant?
If the prince doesn't act this way, then someone will be blamed for his actions, and someone will take the fall for him. Those people will be the guards who are simply following orders. Therefore, in the end, the ones who will suffer are not Luo Zhiheng, but their group of guards.
"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and take the little princess back, summon the imperial physician, and I will report to the prince." The deputy general was much more decisive. They had to remedy the situation as soon as possible. Regardless of whether Luo Zhiheng was truly pregnant, if she was, this was his way of remedying the situation; if not, then Luo Zhiheng was digging her own grave. Deceiving the prince was no laughing matter.
Luo Zhiheng's lips curled into a mocking smile. A child could change their entire attitude? If Prince Mu knew that his decision had caused the death of his first grandson, how would he feel? Would he feel like his heart was being torn apart?
Whether she can or not, she will make things difficult for Prince Mu. So, Prince Mu, you are destined to bear the blame for killing your own grandson!
"It's too late, this child is already dead. Hahahaha, you killed this child, Prince Mu killed his own grandson, hahahaha..." Luo Zhiheng's desolate and sorrowful voice, mixed with hatred and inexplicable pleasure, rang out wildly in the darkness that was about to break the dawn, and the laughter finally turned into a shrill howl with a sob in its voice.
The sound rang out at the quietest time of day, startling many sleeping people awake. The sound terrified them, making their scalps tingle, as if it were the weeping of a female ghost. Some daring people came out to peek, and when they heard the woman's words clearly, they turned pale with fright.
Meanwhile, Mu Yunhe, who had rushed over on horseback, froze when he heard the shrill laughter and the words "Prince Mu killed his own grandson." He stood there dumbfounded, unable to process or understand the words.
"Guards! Seize this madwoman immediately! Don't let her spout nonsense and slander the Prince!" the lieutenant ordered hastily. If word got out, how could the Prince ever face anyone again?
Luo Zhiheng no longer had the strength to struggle. She just sat there laughing loudly and screaming with all her might, wanting everyone to know.
The soldiers quickly surrounded Luo Zhiheng, their faces pale as they rushed forward, yet hesitant. At that moment, the deputy general shouted, and they hurriedly pounced on her, trying to restrain her.
Just as they rushed forward, a figure resembling a white light burst forth from the interface. Its speed and brightness were terrifying and chilling.
The moment that beam of light appeared, it possessed an unstoppable momentum, instantly clearing a path. Those struck by the light were all sent flying, screams echoing before dawn. The light rushed into the circle, freezing the group as if in place, and then in the blink of an eye, they were all propelled out in a circle by the powerful force.
In an instant, the air was filled with the stench of blood!
As a faint glimmer of light appeared on the sky and the earth began to brighten, the air was littered with severed limbs and broken bodies. Not a single intact corpse remained. After being flung far away, they crashed to the ground with a thud, blood splattering everywhere. No one who had attacked Luo Zhiheng survived!
This quiet and peaceful street instantly transformed into a terrifying killing field.
In the eyes of the few survivors, a figure gradually emerged from the light and shadow. The light and shadow dissipated, and the milky white light transformed into a warm patina, enveloping the tall and upright figure.
That sudden appearance of light and shadow... it was actually a person?!
The man slowly bent down, his eyes meeting those of Luo Zhiheng as she looked up. Others couldn't discern the emotions flowing between them, but an overwhelming, unyielding sorrow emanated from the man, raging and roaring unrestrainedly.
"I'm sorry I'm late." His gentle voice was hoarse and barely audible. His face was pale, and you could even see the blue veins on his handsome features. His eyes were bloodshot. He clearly had a deep love in them, but because that love was too heavy and tragic, he looked particularly desolate and sorrowful.
Mu Yunhe looked down at Luo Zhiheng, his Aheng, the healthy, lively, and stubborn Aheng who never gave up, was now covered in blood, dust, and sorrow. She was originally a pure and clean snow lotus, but because of his negligence, she had been tainted by this damned filth.
He deserves to die for making her suffer; he deserves to die for dragging her into this father-son battle; he deserves to die for not keeping a close eye on her!
Luo Zhiheng stared blankly at the man in front of her. He appeared before her like a god, and her fragile heart couldn't help but flutter. Her already vulnerable heart seemed to explode at this sudden flutter. Hot blood, clear pain, intense resentment, and love... were consuming her!
He was there, he came, and she realized that she was also so vulnerable and needed someone to lean on. She wasn't as strong and capable as she had imagined. There were too many natural factors that she couldn't resist; she couldn't resist them, and she couldn't resist Mu Yunhe's love and care either.
There were no tears, only joyful smiles. Her heart and eyes were filled with him. His care and guilt, his love and his arrival were the perfect resolution of all her humiliation.
Her blood-soaked hand reached out to touch his pale face, which clearly showed the haste and urgency of a journey; he must have arrived immediately. But when she raised her hand, the crimson blood contrasting sharply with his clean, pale face, she paused. He was too clean, while her hand was filthy.
Mu Yunhe felt his heart clench, as if something fragile had shattered within his aching, almost cramping heart. The smile on her face was blindingly painful, and the red marks on her hands made him feel like he was dying.
Grasping her small hand that was about to pull away, he buried his face in her palm. The pungent smell of blood filled his nostrils, making it impossible for him to forget what she had just said, even if he wanted to. He dared not ask, dared not ask what she had meant. He understood somewhat in his heart, but it was too terrible and terrifying for him to face.
He couldn't bear the pain of almost gaining something only to lose it in the blink of an eye. He had already lost far too much; he couldn't bear to see any of his loved ones leave him, especially that one who was so fragile and young, someone he hadn't even had a chance to know existed. How could he just leave him like that?
"Aheng, Aheng..." Mu Yunhe murmured helplessly, calling her name urgently. He wanted to cry. All his anger and anxiety turned into sadness and fear at this moment.
Luo Zhiheng kissed his forehead, her nose tingling, and asked him, "What's wrong? I'm here."
"No one will ever leave me again, right? Ah Heng won't, our...our..." He couldn't even bring himself to say the word "child".
Mu Yunhe's eyes were bloodshot and moist, brimming with tears he couldn't hold back. His fear was disproportionate to his power; they were almost two extremes. He was so strong, yet he could also be so soft and vulnerable.
Luo Zhiheng's heart churned. She opened her mouth to comfort him, but then she saw the deputy general and the other survivors who had been watching them anxiously. The words stuck in her throat. She was selfish; she wanted revenge. She couldn't let Prince Mu get away with it. Luo Zhiheng would show no mercy in tormenting Prince Mu's soul and heart.
She gritted her teeth, not daring to look Mu Yunhe in the eye, and said sadly, "Our child is gone."