Апрель

Глава 116

Upon seeing this, Zhao Yan turned around and closed her eyes.

Just then, a sudden gust of wind burst through, piercing straight into the crowd. Caught off guard, the guards were cut down. Wei Qi was momentarily stunned, but when he saw who it was, anger flashed between his brows.

"Second brother, what are you doing?" Wei Qi asked, looking at the indifferent-looking man.

The newcomer was Mo Yun. Holding a steel knife, he shielded Wei Ying and her child behind him and calmly replied, "I owe her a life, and I'm repaying it today."

As Wei Qi spoke, a hint of murderous intent lingered in his voice, "A life can only be exchanged for another."

Mo Yun steadied himself and replied casually, "By the way."

Upon hearing this, Wei Qi said no more and attacked with his palm.

Mo Yun used his sword to deflect his attack and said to the people behind him, "I'll clear the way for you, let's go!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he switched from a defensive stance to an offensive one, pressing Wei Qi directly.

The muscle-relaxing powder on Wei Qi was fake, but the injury on his arm was genuine. This kind of attack was putting him at a disadvantage. However, Mo Yun clearly didn't want to kill him. There was considerable room for maneuver in their attacks.

After exchanging a few blows with Wei Qi, Mo Yun sheathed his sword and used his palm to force Wei Qi back. Then, he grabbed Wei Ying and Madam Xi and pushed them away.

The guards inside the dungeon had already been dealt with by Mo Yun, and no one had the strength to stop them. Wei Ying and Madam tide rushed out of the dungeon without much effort.

The sky was dark, the moonlight dim, and the stars were dim. A faint rumble of thunder was hidden behind the clouds, stirring a sense of unease.

Zhao Yan was the only one who chased after them. When she reached the dungeon entrance, she saw Wei Ying and her son, who had not gone far.

The changes that occurred inside the dungeon went unnoticed by the outside world. Now, not a single disciple is guarding it.

Zhao Yan chased after him for a few steps, instinctively wanting to shout.

At this moment, Madam tide saw her, abruptly shook off Wei Ying's hand, and turned back.

Zhao Yan was so shocked that she forgot to shout.

"Yan'er, come with me!" Madam tide pulled her along, pleading with tears in her eyes.

Zhao Yan was stunned, staring at her, speechless.

"Yan'er, Yingyang is ruthless and cruel. He won't let you go! Come with me!" Madam Xi's expression was sorrowful, but her eyes were earnest. That undisguised concern reflected in her eyes was heartbreaking.

Zhao Yan was stunned. For a moment, she suddenly didn't know what she was doing. However, after a moment, she pushed Madam Xi away and said coldly, "Madam, you're really stupid. It's because you're so stupid that you had your unborn child aborted and were even misunderstood by your own son. I'm not as stupid as you. What I need to do isn't finished! The people I want to take revenge on aren't finished! I won't go with you!"

Wei Ying rushed over and pulled Madam tide up, "Mother, she's heartless and incurable! Let's stop caring about her!"

Lady Xi cried, her voice filled with anguish, "Yan'er, it's all my fault... I'm the one who brought you into Hero's Fortress, and I'm the one who has made you like this. You must hate me. But please, don't stay here, please don't stay here any longer!"

Zhao Yan stood there, stunned. It was a fleeting memory: covered in mud, her clothes tattered, standing in the snow, almost numb with cold, when this elegantly dressed, beautiful woman embraced her without hesitation, tears streaming down her face. After learning her name and background, the woman smiled through her tears and said, "If fate hadn't played such a cruel trick, I should have had a daughter your age too..."

When she finished thinking, she lowered her head and remained silent.

Wei Ying ignored her and disregarded Madam tide's struggles, pulling her along and leaving.

At this moment, Jiang Ji and Luo Wu arrived with several disciples. They had come to interrogate him, but were shocked by the scene before them.

"How dare you!" Luo Wu shouted and leaped forward to attack.

Wei Ying's meridians were sealed, making her no match for him. She had no choice but to surrender. Suddenly, a sharp sword light flashed, forcing back Luo Wu's attack.

Several men in black descended from the sky, grabbed Wei Ying and Madam tide, and feinted a few times. Taking advantage of an opening, some of them threw out smoke bombs and fled under the smoke, disappearing without a trace.

Jiang Ji and Luo Wu were furious and were about to call for reinforcements when Wei Qi and Mo Yun, locked in combat, emerged from the dungeon.

Upon seeing the two heroes, Wei Qi immediately revealed a weakness and was struck by Mo Yun's palm.

Mo Yun was slightly surprised that he had succeeded.

Seeing this, Er Ying naturally wouldn't stand idly by and immediately stepped in to help.

Mo Yun had no intention of killing, but being surrounded by the two heroes, he naturally fell into a disadvantageous position.

Wei Qi coughed a few times, a smile playing on his lips. He slowly gathered his strength in his palm, and taking advantage of a gap in the fight, he swiftly attacked, shouting, "Qi Ying, Zheng Ying, I'm here to help you!" However, his target was the two Ying!

Jiang Ji and Luo Wu were focused on dealing with Mo Yun and had no time to guard against Wei Qi, so how could they have expected this despicable sneak attack?

Jiang Ji was the first to be struck by a palm, spitting out a mouthful of blood and falling to the side, lifeless. Luo Wu was slightly startled, and before he could react, he too was struck in the chest by a palm.

Wei Qi did not let his guard down. He turned away and killed all of Er Ying's disciples who were with him.

"Nether...Nether Thunder Palm..." Luo Wu stared at Wei Qi with disbelief in his eyes. He breathed his last, filled with hatred.

Mo Yun could hardly believe what he was seeing. "You..." he looked at Wei Qi in astonishment, "You killed the Three Heroes?"

Wei Qi breathed softly, a smile still lingering on his face. "Second brother, you're really joking. Wasn't it you who helped third brother escape punishment by killing these two?"

At this moment, the disciples inside the fortress heard the commotion and rushed over, their voices growing louder as they drew nearer.

Mo Yun gripped the steel knife in his hand tightly, and without a word, swung it at Wei Qi.

Instead of making a move, Wei Qi leaped down to Zhao Yan's side and grabbed her by the throat.

Mo Yun abruptly withdrew his sword, his eyes filled with rage.

“Second brother, it seems you only have eyes for this little bitch,” Wei Qi said.

"Young Master Yingyang, what do you want to do?" Zhao Yan asked in terror, straining with all her might.

"Women are a double-edged sword. If you can betray Wenxi, you can betray me! What use are you to me!" Wei Qi said, and then struck her on the back with his palm.

Zhao Yan felt a sharp pain penetrate her muscles and bones, choked on a mouthful of blood, and was thrown several feet by the force, falling straight forward.

Mo Yun sheathed his sword, reached out and caught her, glancing at Wei Qi with burning anger. He stopped pursuing her, picked up Zhao Yan, and leaped into the night.

The disciples inside the fortress arrived at that moment and were shocked by what they saw.

Wei Qi coughed again, the slap he had received still stinging slightly. He wasn't in a hurry to explain, still looking in the direction Mo Yun had disappeared, a faint smile always on his face.

...

The clouds concealed the rumble of thunder, spreading far and wide; a sudden downpour, as chaotic as the human heart.

Wei Ying and Madam tide followed the mysterious men in black for half an hour before arriving at a pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, people were already waiting.

When Wei Ying saw that person, she didn't even have the strength to be shocked.

The men in black removed their veils and respectfully said to the people inside the pavilion, "Lord, the person has been brought here."

The person inside the pavilion slowly turned around. It was a young girl of about thirteen or fourteen, with her hair styled in twin buns and adorned with pearls and jade. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were soft and rosy. She held a round fan in her hand, leisurely fanning herself. She smiled and spoke, sweetly calling out, "How have you been, Brother Wenxi?"

Wei Ying looked at her, her voice so hoarse that even she herself seemed unfamiliar with it.

"Le'er..."

...

Beyond cure [Part 2]

The Shennong family was located in Yangzhou. During the Tang Dynasty, it was known as Guangling Prefecture, and the name Guangling Shennong has been used ever since. The Shennong family reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty. Most of the imperial physicians were disciples of Shennong, enjoying imperial favor and unparalleled prestige. Their medical clinics and pharmacies were located throughout China and their fame spread overseas.

Times have changed, and dynasties have risen and fallen. Although Shennong still possesses superb medical skills, he is no longer as renowned as he once was. His disciples, mindful of the previous dynasty's imperial favor, still wear Tang dynasty attire. This naturally displeases the court, but due to Shennong's reputation, although they have repeatedly criticized him, they have not taken any strong measures to suppress him.

Rumor has it that several years ago, the Shennong family suffered a misfortune and withdrew from the medical world, ceasing all medical practice. However, rumors are just rumors. Xiaoxiao, who visited the Shennong family once, knows better than anyone that there are still benevolent healers among them, and they have ultimately maintained the noble character of physicians.

Sitting in the carriage, Xiao Xiao looked at the Crimson Flame Token in her hand, her anxiety not lessening in the slightest. Fear always seeped into her mind unintentionally, making the pain slowly deepen.

Shennong was a healer, not a god, and naturally there were times when he was powerless to save lives. Life and death are determined by fate and cannot be forced. But when faced with such a situation, it's impossible to remain calm.

She put away the token, lowered her head, and looked at Wen Su, who was still unconscious. He was injured by the Nether Lightning Palm, and the "Seven Kills" still flared up on schedule, but even in such pain, he did not wake up. The occasional groans he made were weak and powerless.

Her heart was heavy with sorrow, and she could no longer bear to look. She climbed out of the carriage and sat down next to Yin Xiao, the driver.

When Yin Xiao saw her come out, he sighed softly. After a long while, he said in a low voice, "Girl, even if you heal him, he can't escape the imperial court's pursuit and the martial arts world's hunt..."

Xiao Xiao could only remain silent upon hearing this.

She had also asked Luo Yuanqing to detoxify Wen Su first. But Luo Yuanqing hesitated. The East and South Seas were enemies, and it was a miracle that they were at peace with each other now. Xiao Xiao knew that she couldn't ask for more.

Along the way, Yin Xiao and Li Si's attitudes also troubled her. Li Si had said more than once that Wen Su had to die. Before setting off, out of respect for Jiang Ji, neither of them said anything, but Xiao Xiao could still sense something. ...In the martial world, grudges and entanglements are the real weapons; martial arts and poisons must take a backseat.

“Girl…” Yin Xiao looked ahead and said slowly, “You can save him for a while, but not forever. He saved you, so it’s right for you to repay his favor. However, after this, you shouldn’t concern yourself with his affairs anymore…”

Xiao Xiao couldn't answer and remained silent.

Seeing this, Yin Xiao stopped pursuing the topic and instead smiled, "By the way, girl, how are you going to thank me this time?"

"Huh?" Xiao Xiao asked, puzzled.

Yin Xiao grabbed her ear and said, "Although I wasn't the one who led you out of the Lian family's military camp, I still played a part in covering for you. How are you going to thank me?"

Xiao Xiao blinked, almost saying, "I surrendered to the court voluntarily; you didn't need to save me." But looking at Yin Xiao, she swallowed those words. If she knew the truth, it wouldn't be as simple as just pulling her ear.

"I have no way to repay the great kindness of Grandpa Yin, I wish to..." Xiao Xiao said, touching her ear that had been pinched.

Yin Xiao waved his hand impatiently, "Go away, go away, why is it always the same part? I'm tired of hearing it. Even if the next part is 'offering oneself in marriage,' I don't care."

Xiao Xiao was speechless.

Yin Xiao smiled smugly and said, "Girl, after you bring him to the Shennong family, you come back to 'Xiufeng Village' with me."

Xiao Xiao was puzzled, "Xiufeng Village?"

"Hmm." Yin Xiao smiled and said, "You're not suited to wandering the martial world at all. You need to find a place to stay. I'll reluctantly take you in for now. Speaking of which, your master once came to 'Xiufeng Village' and taught me martial arts. Back then, you were just a child. You probably don't remember."

Xiao Xiao's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief.

"Oh, bandit, are you trying to kidnap a bandit's wife?" Li Si rode up to the carriage and teased, "What about Miss Shen? Tsk, you finally managed to snatch a respectable young lady, and now you don't want her anymore? Sigh, I've finally seen the true colors of you filthy men..."

Yin Xiao frowned. "Matchmaker! If I remember correctly, you're the one who stole Miss Shen! Also, didn't you send her directly to the 'music brothel'? I haven't even seen her!"

"Oh, why are you so agitated? So you still hold a grudge because I sent Miss Shen away back then?" Li Si smiled sinisterly.

"Go away!" Yin Xiao lashed out with his whip, saying, "Stop making fun of me. Remember this: if you play too many matchmakers, you'll never be able to get married yourself!"

Li Si easily dodged the whip and said with a smile, "Oh, no need for you, you flower thief, to worry about me."

The moment the two started arguing, the gloomy atmosphere vanished. Xiao Xiao couldn't help but laugh.

Indeed, the martial world is not for her. That "Xiufeng Village" sounds nice; perhaps, after everything is over, she really can…

The thought had just crossed her mind when, in the next instant, she remembered Lian Zhao and his unspoken answer…

The sounds of Yin Xiao and Li Si's laughter still lingered in her ears, yet Xiao Xiao felt a sense of loss and gradual helplessness. Before she knew it, the group had reached a mountain ridge.