Chapter 55

Chapter 55: The Benefits for Hua Jizhi (6)

Dr. Wang started to protest, but Leng Jiu, now awake, intervened, "He is one of the General's men. The man lying there is General Leng Yue. If you need anything, send a message to the General's residence."

Realizing the man's identity as the renowned General Leng Yue, Dr. Wang remembered the General had a sister, but he dared not speculate further.

Leng Jiu wasn't worried about Dr. Wang knowing her identity, considering the day's events could implicate him if Emperor Longyu decided to investigate. She offered the General's residence as a sanctuary.

The three of them sat in silence as evening fell, turning into a dangerous night where the darkness presented lethal threats.

Unable to sleep well, Dr. Wang and Chang Qing stayed alert, while Leng Jiu pretended to doze off.

Suddenly, Leng Jiu snapped awake, instructing Chang Qing, "Take Dr. Wang to a villager's house for safety!"

Sensing the urgency in her voice, Chang Qing quickly realized the danger, "Have they arrived? I can't leave you and the General!"

Leng Jiu's tone was firm and commanding, "That's an order!"

As Chang Qing hesitated, Leng Jiu drew Leng Yue's sword and pointed it at his neck, "If you don't go, I'll kill him right now!"

Changqing wanted to say he was your brother, but seeing Leng Jiu's resolute manner, he couldn't bring himself to object, thinking perhaps she was right. He quickly urged Doctor Wang, "Let's hurry!"

Doctor Wang, sensing trouble, had always feared for his life but didn't expect Leng Jiu to send him to safety first. He was immensely grateful, "Be careful, young lady!"

Once Changqing and Doctor Wang had left, Leng Jiu quickly helped Leng Yue onto the horse. After some struggle, they sped out of the village. At a crossroads, she helped Leng Yue down, spurred the horse into a painful run with a hairpin, and then hid in the bushes with him.

The autumn night was bright, but mosquitoes were rampant, especially in the wilderness. Leng Jiu was bitten severely but dared not move, waiting anxiously. Her instincts were sharp; she was certain their pursuers were close. She hoped they would come this way. Doctor Wang's life might not mean much to her, but she didn't want an innocent, especially one who had shown her kindness, to die because of her.

For a long time, so long that it nearly exhausted patience, Leng Jiu remained still, like a hunter waiting for her prey, demonstrating an unusual degree of patience. She was not usually patient, but in crucial moments, her endurance surpassed all others.

Finally, after waiting for an entire hour, a group of more than ten men in black arrived, their attire uniform and exuding a lethal aura, somewhat resembling the two who had been tracking her. Leng Jiu hid her presence and also covered Leng Yue’s mouth and nose. The blood scent on him had been masked by the smell of medicine, and in the open expanse, they remained undetected.

“Chase!” The men saw the horse tracks and quickly pursued in that direction, vanishing in an instant.

Leng Jiu remained still, continuing her silent vigil. As expected, the ten pursuers returned briefly, cursed, and then chased off down another path. Leng Jiu exhaled softly and then helped Leng Yue up, heading towards the direction the horse had run.

Having lain prone for too long, Leng Jiu’s legs were weak. She stumbled after a few steps, feeling dizzy, and both of them collapsed into the bushes, with Leng Yue’s body unfortunately landing on top of her. The sharp pain in her back, pressed against two rocks, was so intense she gasped for air, certain she'd be bruised.

"Just my luck today," Leng Jiu grumbled angrily, trying to push Leng Yue off her, but to no avail. Glancing up, she met his cold, dark eyes, staring intensely at her as if trying to see through her.

Leng Jiu was not one to feel intimidated, but his intense gaze made her uneasy. The pain in her back was dominant, overshadowing her other concerns. Irritably, she said, "If you're awake, get off me. It hurts!"

Leng Yue studied her for a long moment before saying quietly, "You are not Jinghua."

Leng Jiu looked into his eyes and suddenly smiled brilliantly, though it was somewhat chilling. Through gritted teeth, she said, "Leng Yue, my back is against a rock, and it's killing me. If you have any conscience, get off me, or I swear I'll skin you alive!"

Leng Yue looked astonished, as if he couldn't believe the crude words came from her. He slowly moved to get up, but his sluggish motion aggravated her pain, prompting a swift and forceful kick from Leng Jiu. Caught off guard, Leng Yue was kicked into the bushes, rolling down to the bottom.

A pair of horses arrived hastily; it was Chang Qing, who had made contact with the General's Mansion.

Climbing out of the grass, Leng Jiu felt a strong urge to kick Leng Yue a few more times because of the pain in her back.

"Miss! Where is the General?" Chang Qing asked excitedly upon seeing Leng Jiu.

Leng Jiu pointed behind her: "Down there. Go see if he’s dead!"

Chang Qing quickly led two men down to find their general in a ditch, noticing a large footprint on his chest – if he wasn't mistaken.

Leng Jiu commandeered a horse and rode back to the city, with Chang Qing following with Leng Yue. They placed Doctor Wang in the General's Mansion for safety. Upon her return, Leng Jiu made sure Doctor Wang was treated for his injuries.

Dr. Wang felt uneasy treating Leng Jiu, a woman, but she was undisturbed. Given her severe back injury, he had no choice but to cut open her clothes and apply medicine.

When Leng Yue returned, he was refreshed and his poison cured. His pale face bore no serious harm. Seeing Dr. Wang treating Leng Jiu, he noticed her back reddened with several deep wounds. Guilt flooded him as he learned she saved his life, despite his suspicions of her.

Dr. Wang carefully treated Leng Jiu, admiring her composure. Her injuries would have caused a man to scream, yet she endured the pain silently, earning his deep respect.