Жизнь сельских жителей в городе во времена династии Сун

Глава 39

"How did you know my name?" Liu Yunde turned his head in surprise.

"You said it yourself, that you, Liu Yunde, are not that kind of despicable person. I just overheard it."

"I see! Then why were you following me?"

"Do you intend to kill someone surnamed Yin?" Wei Zijun asked cautiously.

Liu Yunde was startled. "How did you know? Who are you?"

“I know the man you want to kill.”

"Where is he? Tell me quickly!" Liu Yunde grabbed Wei Zijun.

Why did you kill him?

“This was my uncle’s last wish.” Liu Yunde sighed and lowered his head.

It turns out that Liu Yunde's father was named Liu Jinyun and his mother was named Yun Liying. They were a famous pair of martial arts heroes. They were very close relatives of Dieyun's father, Yin Cai, and mother, Yun Lihua, because Yun Liying and Yun Lihua were sisters, and Liu Jinyun and Yin Cai were brothers-in-law.

Yin Cai was a brave and ruthless man who had long coveted the Liu family's martial arts manual, the "Seven Killings Heart Sutra." The incident stemmed from Yin Cai's flirting with Liu Jinyun's wife, Yun Liying, which Liu Jinyun discovered, leading to an argument. Liu Jinyun demanded a public apology from Yin Cai and informed Yin Cai's wife, Yun Lihua, causing marital discord. Harboring resentment, Yin Cai secretly poisoned the Liu family's food with a rare and incurable poison, resulting in the deaths of thirty-two members of the Liu household, including servants. When Liu Jinyun's elder brother, Liu Jinxu, arrived, everyone in the Liu household, except for the infant Liu Yunde who was still nursing, was dead, including Liu Jinxu's wife. The "Seven Killings Heart Sutra" was nowhere to be found.

When Liu Jinxu was collecting Liu Jinyun's body, he discovered two blood-written characters under his arm—Yin Cai. He then gathered some of his martial arts brothers and massacred Yin Cai's entire family, retrieving the secret manual. Yin Cai's old friend, Ju Yunsou, arrived shortly afterward and rescued Dieyun.

After learning that Dieyun was still alive, Liu Jinxu continued his pursuit until his death. He told Liu Yunde before he died that a descendant of the Yin family was still alive, fearing that Dieyun would seek revenge after completing his training, and that he must be silenced. Liu Yunde, raised by his uncle, obeyed him implicitly and began searching for Dieyun. Meanwhile, Dieyun had been hidden away by Juyun Sou, who had also lived in seclusion deep in the mountains for Dieyun's sake.

After listening to Liu Yunde's account, Wei Zijun sighed, "When will this cycle of revenge end? He hasn't harmed you, can't you just let him go?"

“This is my uncle’s last wish,” Liu Yunde said.

“Think about it, these are all grudges from your previous generation. The Liu family still has you, and you killed that child back then. But Heaven spared him and allowed him to be reborn. Why do you still defy fate and forcibly take his life? His father has already paid the price for his mistakes. Why do you still have to kill such an innocent person? His mother is, after all, your aunt. Why not leave her a descendant?” Wei Zijun hoped to persuade him to change his mind.

"This is my uncle's last wish." And there it was again.

"So you mean you didn't intend to kill him, but your uncle wanted to kill him, right?"

Liu Yunde looked up and stared intently at Wei Zijun. After a long while, he nodded with difficulty.

“That makes things easier. I’ll handle it,” Wei Zijun said confidently.

"What are you going to do?" Liu Yunde asked, somewhat puzzled.

"We'll see when the time comes. Ugh, so tired!" Wei Zijun stretched and lay back down.

Are you going to sleep again?

"So what if I don't sleep? You still won't let me go!" Wei Zijun said with her eyes closed.

"You want to go back that much?"

"Nonsense!" Wei Zijun was a little angry. Who wouldn't want to go back to their own home? Who would want to be tied up here?

Liu Yunde stepped forward and picked up Wei Zijun, who was shocked and asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'll take you back."

"I'll walk by myself!" Wei Zijun pressed against Liu Yunde's chest, as if afraid that some stubble would fall from his beard.

"Going back will only worsen your injuries." Without another word, he picked her up and carried her out.

[Volume 1, Deer City Chapter: Chapter 34: Bargaining Chips]

Wei Zijun secretly copied the manual overnight and brought it back to the valley. Unexpectedly, neither her master nor Dieyun could understand the seal script, so they had no choice but to put it away.

For some reason, Liu Yunde stubbornly refused to leave the shop, insisting on becoming its manager. He boasted about how long he had managed the silk shop for his uncle and how capable he was. Wei Zijun had never seen such a shameless self-recommendation before, but considering that the shop really needed a manager, and that he was tall, imposing, and quite intimidating, and most importantly, that he could help Wei Zijun and Dieyun resolve their feud, she agreed. Her only condition was that he shave off his beard.

Liu Yunde arrived at the shop the next day to help. Wei Zijun was surprised to see Liu Yunde with a shaved beard.

This Liu Yunde was unbelievably handsome, with a chiseled face, smooth as satin, sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and a straight, high nose. His lips, which were usually hidden by his beard, were surprisingly pink and sexy. Was it because they were never exposed to the sun? Wei Zijun stared intently at those pink lips, almost drooling.

Looking at her shocked expression, Liu Yunde couldn't help but feel a little smug. Of course he knew he was handsome, but he had never flaunted it. However, in front of Wei Zijun, he didn't know why he wanted to show off a little. So he raised his eyebrows, puffed out his chest, and walked past her without looking to the side. When he passed her, he deliberately bumped into her.

The bump brought Wei Zijun back to her senses. Reflecting on her momentary lapse, she couldn't help but shake her head and smile. Liu Yunde was indeed quite handsome, but he wouldn't bewitch her. Her momentary daze was merely a temporary surprise.

Liu Yunde was surprisingly capable; it was unexpected that this seemingly dull man was anything but dull when it came to problem-solving, and even quite resourceful. Wei Zijun felt extremely gratified; she could finally be a carefree shopkeeper.

Several days passed, and she felt it was time to negotiate with Liu Yunde. Clearly, he hadn't yet discovered the secret manual was missing.

That afternoon, after the guests had gradually left, Wei Zijun called Liu Yunde to her room on the third floor.

"Liu Yunde, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

She was somewhat uneasy, wondering how he would react when he found out she had stolen the secret manual.

"What is it?" Liu Yunde asked curiously.

"As for that man surnamed Yin, could you please let him go?" Wei Zijun asked tentatively.

"Of course not, that was my uncle's last wish."

"I see!" Wei Zijun hesitated for a moment, then tentatively steered the conversation. "If your family's ancestral manual were lost, and someone were to use it to exchange for that person's life, what would you do?"

"What do you mean?" Liu Yunde stood up. "You... what have you done?"

"It's nothing, I just took your secret manual," Wei Zijun said casually.