Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Luo Wanqing was taken aback by the compliment, and then they were both engulfed in a rain of fists.

Luo Wanqing was immediately dazed and instinctively curled up, protecting her head and not daring to move. Seeing her being surrounded, Liu Xiniang kicked aside anyone who came at them and pulled Luo Wanqing out of the crowd, shouting, "Fight back! Don't stop! Just hit blindly!"

Reminded by this, Luo Wanqing, disregarding everything else, closed her eyes and started wildly pounding around her, unsure if she actually connected with anyone.

With so many people around, it was chaos as they exchanged blows. Luo Wanqing had no idea whom she was hitting or who was hitting her. She only vaguely heard, "Don't touch my daughter!"

Then she heard Yao Zelan and Su Hui joining in with their curses, seemingly entering the fray.

Amidst the flurry of punches and claws, kicks and pinches, the fight went on for an unknown duration until a jailer's fierce roar echoed, "Stop!"

Finally, Luo Wanqing sensed the space around her clearing, but she didn't dare to halt. She feared that if she stopped, she would be pummeled without being able to retaliate. So, she continued her frenzied attacks!

It wasn't until Liu Xiniang grabbed hold of her and shouted, "Stop fighting!"

Liu Xiniang's strength was immense; the moment she held Luo Wanqing down, it felt like a mountain was pressing upon her, forcing her to cease her actions.

"Benefactor," Liu Xiniang's voice brimmed with gratitude. Dazed from Luo Wanqing's onslaught, she opened her eyes to see Liu Xiniang's concerned expression. "We've implicated you."

Luo Wanqing was still in a daze. Glancing back, she saw a row of people sprawled on the ground.

Wang Qiniang and her gang had already fallen to the floor, rolling and wailing when the jailor arrived.

Her mother and sister-in-law, with injuries and disheveled hair, stood protectively beside Luo Wenshui, glaring fiercely at the panting Wang Qiniang.

The jailor stood by, his face darkening as he bellowed, "Who started this?"

"I did!"

Liu Xiniang promptly stepped forward, pointing at Luo Wanqing as she addressed the jailor with valor. "Your Honor, Doctor Yao and I were the ones who struck. We provoked the conflict together. Punish us if you must. Doctor Yao is elderly, and Madam Luo has to care for her child. Please, let us bear the punishment instead."

It was evident that Liu Xiniang was familiar with the prison's rules. Before Luo Wanqing could speak, the jailor responded, "Very well, since you volunteer for the penalty, I'm not completely heartless. You and Luo Wanqing will share the water cell, taking Doctor Yao and Missus Su's sentences as well!"

With a disdainful look at Wang Qiniang and the others, he waved his hand, instructing, "Take these to the infirmary to check for injuries, make sure they're not killed. Escort Liu Xiniang and Luo Wanqing to the water cell and confine them for six days."

"Wanqing!"

Upon hearing this, Yao Zelan finally realized what was happening. She hurried forward, attempting to grasp Luo Wanqing's arm.

But Liu Xiniang seemed to have anticipated Yao Zelan's intentions. Stepping in between them, she blocked Yao Zelan from Luo Wanqing while casting a subtle glance at Luo Wanqing and holding Yao Zelan's hand soothingly. "Doctor Yao, leave Doctor Luo to me. Rest well. Have faith, we'll return in one piece in six days."

Dazed from the beating, Luo Wanqing's mind was foggy when Liu Xiniang intervened. On pure instinct, she allowed the jailer to drag her out.

Once they left the cell, Liu Xiniang swiftly caught up. Approaching Luo Wanqing, she patted her hands and chuckled softly, "It's done."

Walking ahead of them at a safe distance, the jailer was unaware of the plan. With her disheveled hair and bruised face, Luo Wanqing only registered Liu Xiniang's words and stared at her in disbelief. "This is your plan?"

"Indeed," Liu Xiniang replied proudly, scanning their surroundings and whispering, "See, aren't we heading to the water dungeon? Soon, I'll dismantle the wall and make sure you meet Xie Heng tonight. How about that," she nudged Luo Wanqing with her elbow, her eyes inviting praise, "Isn't my plan perfect?"

Luo Wanqing remained silent, her gaze filled with mixed emotions as she looked at Liu Xiniang.

She suddenly understood why, in her dream, Liu Xiniang was the only one who escaped from the Wind and Rain Pavilion.

With such an unconventional approach, even Xie Heng might not be a match for Liu Xiniang.

"You're, after all, an assassin from the Wind and Rain Pavilion," Luo Wanqing closed her eyes, momentarily composed, but couldn't resist a jab. "Didn't anyone else come to assist you in prison?"

"My mission is rather unique. I should avoid contact with the guild if possible," Liu Xiniang said leisurely while twirling the iron chain in her hand. "We'll have to rely on ourselves."

The two continued their conversation as they were led to the water prison. The guard took over and opened the gate, revealing a deep, dark pool of water. "Step in."

"Got it!"

Liu Xiniang took the lead, diving into the water. Then, she turned to Luo Wanqing and kindly offered her hand. "Come on."

Luo Wanqing looked down and saw that the water was filled with filth, reaching up to one's chest. It might be tolerable in summer, but in winter, it could be deadly for those with weak constitutions.

After a moment of hesitation, she steeled herself, reached out, and grasped Liu Xiniang's hand before jumping in.

The icy water mixed with the chill of winter sent shivers down her spine. She initially planned to endure it, but a warm current flowed from Liu Xiniang's hand, soothing her instantly.

Luo Wanqing lifted her head in surprise. Liu Xiniang grinned. "This is the advantage of martial arts."

Understanding from her words, Luo Wanqing realized this must be what martial artists referred to as "Qi." Intrigued, she asked, "Is this inner strength? Is it difficult to cultivate? How long does it take to learn?"

"It varies," Liu Xiniang replied earnestly, tapping the wall as she explored it. "Talented individuals can learn quickly, while some may never grasp it their entire lives. There are also those who have no choice but to borrow others' power."

"Is it possible to use someone else's?"

Luo Wanqing found it unbelievable, yet Liu Xiniang chuckled in response, "Haven't you read those storybooks? They often tell of a supremely fortunate young man encountering an unparalleled master, who then directly imbues the youth with seventy years' worth of internal energy. It's not impossible, just exceedingly rare for someone to do so."

"Why?"

"Who would gratuitously bestow decades of cultivation upon another?" Liu Xiniang cast a glance at Luo Wanqing. "Moreover, even if someone were to offer it, it would depend on whether the recipient is fated to receive it. What belongs to others remains theirs; it might not be tolerated within your own body. Unless it's an extreme emergency, no sect would willingly subject their disciples to such a method."

"Indeed," Luo Wanqing pursed her lips. "It's not a rightful path if it doesn't belong to oneself."

Speaking of which, Luo Wanqing finally noticed Liu Xiniang's actions and frowned. "What are you doing?"

"I'm checking where to dismantle it. Let's tear down the wall, then put it back together, leaving only enough space for a brick as an observation point. As soon as Xie Heng appears," Liu Xiniang turned to look at her and made a pushing gesture, "you push aside the wall and run out!"

"And what about you?"

Luo Wanqing was curious. Liu Xiniang had never concerned herself with the affairs of the Pavilion of Wind and Rain until now. If she were to report the matter and got caught, Liu Xiniang might also be implicated. She couldn't figure out how Liu Xiniang would handle the situation if the Inspectorate traced their way back to her.

But it seemed Liu Xiniang already had a plan in mind. She pointed to the hanging iron chain nearby. "I'll bind myself to it and pretend to be unconscious. After you leave, just say that you knocked me out. I won't know anything, it'll all be your doing."

"Very well."

Luo Wanqing nodded. At that moment, Liu Xiniang discovered a crevice in the stone. She probed it with her finger and exclaimed cheerfully, "Alright, let's use this spot."

As she spoke, she began to scrape at the limestone in the crevice with her nails. Seeing this, Luo Wanqing took out the dagger Jiang Shaoyan had given her from her waist and passed it to Liu Xiniang. "Use this instead."

"Alright, thank... " Liu Xiniang unsheathed the dagger, but before she could finish her sentence, she froze in place.

Staring at the dagger in disbelief, she turned to Luo Wanqing, who looked at her quizzically. "What's wrong?"

"This dagger of yours..." Liu Xiniang appeared to be exerting great effort to compose herself before forcing a smile. "Where did you get it?"

"Jiang Shaoyan gave it to me," replied Luo Wanqing, slightly perplexed. "Why do you ask?"

"Is this his dagger?" Liu Xiniang pressed on with her question.

Recalling Jiang Shaoyan's words, Luo Wanqing didn't hide the truth. "He said it was left to him by his master. This dagger has been with him since I found him back then. Is there something wrong with it?"

"No," Liu Xiniang hastily shook her head, regaining her smile as she explained, "I just didn't expect you to have this. This kind of dagger is not ordinary. Look here," she pointed at the tip of the blade. "It has a small curved hook at its tip. When it's pulled out of the body, it tears flesh and blood together. If used skillfully, it can deliver a fatal blow. Even if not, it inflicts a pain that's hard to achieve with regular daggers. Such specially designed blades usually come from noble clans. You said he's the third prince who wandered into the common folk. That would make his mother the current Empress, born from one of the four royal families, the Wangs," Liu Xiniang analyzed, lowering her gaze as she continued softly, "This must be a dagger tailored by his maternal clan."

"Perhaps."

Luo Wanqing didn't mind. Her mind was still on Liu Xiniang's words about the dagger causing immense pain. A sense of pleasure suddenly surged within her.

She had stabbed Jiang Shaoyan.

He must be in terrible pain, right?

She concealed her twisted emotions. Liu Xiniang weighed the dagger in her hand and chuckled. "What a waste to use it for digging walls."

Despite that, she still turned around and used the dagger to pry open the mortar between the bricks, exposing the gap. With her nails gripping the edges, she firmly pulled out a stone brick.

As the brick was removed, light instantly streamed in from outside. Liu Xiniang peered through the gap, ensuring no one was around before continuing to remove more bricks.

Observing her extraordinary strength, Luo Wanqing recalled the warmth that had flowed from Liu Xiniang's hands in the icy water earlier. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy.

If only she possessed Liu Xiniang's skills, Jiang Shaoyan would already be lying dead at her feet.

But if she truly had Liu Xiniang's abilities, Jiang Shaoyan would likely have never allowed her close enough to stab him, let alone escape after doing so.

He's taking advantage of her vulnerability.

Luo Wanqing gazed at her reflection in the muddy water and couldn't help but sneer mockingly.

After removing the first brick, the rest became significantly easier.

Liu Xiniang dug a hole large enough for someone to escape through the wall while simultaneously replacing the bricks to avoid detection. By the time she finished, dusk had already settled. Liu Xiniang left a gap for a single brick, which served as a peephole to observe the outside world. This particular brick aligned perfectly with the path leading to the interrogation room.

Finished with her work, Liu Xiniang brushed off the dust from her hands and began to boast, "Luo Wanqing, you'll have to worship me from now on. No one else will ever dig a hole like this for you; it's just too exhausting. I swear I won't do it again."

"You've worked hard," Luo Wanqing said, offering her the bun given by the prison guard with a smile. "If there's a chance in the future, I'll treat you to a meal. For now, let me offer you this bun."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiniang snatched the bun away indignantly. "This was my bun to begin with!"

Luo Wanqing chuckled but didn't argue. The two of them ate their buns while keeping an eye on the other side through the brick gap.

Chewing on her bun, Liu Xiniang suddenly remembered something. "Speaking of which, what will you do if Xie Heng doesn't take your case?"

Luo Wanqing paused at the question, remaining silent. Sensing that she had touched a nerve, Liu Xiniang quickly added, "I was just talking. I've heard that the Inspectorate is very upright, so he'll definitely take it. Don't worry!"

"I'm not certain."

Luo Wanqing spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she outlined their sole ray of hope: "However, I've heard that a peasant woman in Qingzhou sued Prince Guangjiang for seizing her land two years ago. The Censorate intervened then too, declaring it a miscarriage of justice. Xie Heng... he can't possibly ignore it, can he?"

As he spoke, a young man's voice suddenly cursed from outside, "Each and every one of these people is insane, refusing to talk even on the brink of death. If they keep this up, I'll flay the skin off their backs!"

Upon hearing this voice, Liu Xiniang's expression turned grave, and she promptly responded, "They're here!"

Luo Wanqing and Liu Xiniang approached together, their eyes fixed on the distant alley where a few figures had finally emerged.

These individuals were all in their youth, with identical golden crowns holding back their hair, dressed in black, tight-fitting garments. A horizontal saber hung at their waists, adorned with golden threads and white jade beads.

The white jade beads stood out vividly against the black attire, swaying gently as they moved. Liu Xiniang and Luo Wanqing, both peering through a gap in the wall, each eye focused on these figures.

"These must be the Censorate officials," Liu Xiniang said, starting to swiftly pull bricks away. As she worked, she asked urgently, "Among these crows, who is Xie Heng?"

Just as she finished speaking, a young man emerged into Luo Wanqing's line of sight, surrounded by the crowd. He wore a white robe with blue gauze sleeves and a lotus-shaped white jade crown on his head.

From such a distance, Luo Wanqing couldn't discern his features clearly. However, she could see that he stood tall and straight amidst the throng, like a pine tree or a piece of precious jade. His every gesture exuded the refined composure of an aristocratic family, akin to a lone crane spreading its wings or a snow-capped pine standing firm.

"Like a crane among crows, it must be him!"

Liu Xiniang pulled out the last brick beside her and then swiftly lifted Luo Wanqing, urging, "Hurry up!"

Without any hesitation, Luo Wanqing utilized Liu Xiniang's strength to climb out of the water prison. As they exited, Liu Xiniang pressed a dagger into her hand and whispered in her ear, "Hide it well and stab three inches below the abdomen."

Confused but obedient, Luo Wanqing concealed the dagger in her sleeve. Turning around, she scaled the wall and dashed straight towards Xie Heng, calling out, "Xie... "

Before she could finish, a hand suddenly reached from behind, covering her mouth and dragging her urgently aside. She instinctively struggled, but the person's hands were like iron, firmly holding her down as they moved away.

Her cloth shoes skidded against the ground, on the verge of being dragged into the darkness. At that moment, Luo Wanqing vividly recalled Liu Xiniang's words.

Three inches below the abdomen.

Liu Xiniang had been warning her about this person!

Realizing this, she drew the hidden dagger and decisively stabbed at the spot three inches below the attacker's abdomen without any hesitation!

The strike was swift and fierce, landing precisely where the assailant was least prepared. Indeed, she managed to pierce them with the blade.

The blade pierced into the abdomen, and the person covering her mouth grunted in pain. Fear overwhelmed Luo Wanqing, and she couldn't control herself as she stabbed wildly several times. When the attacker loosened his grip, she collided fiercely with him, then dashed towards the direction where Xie Heng had disappeared, shouting, "Lord Xie!"

Her startled cry echoed throughout the prison, making Xie Heng abruptly halt.

From the watchtower, a piercing whistle cut through the night, and the guard on duty beat the drum to call for assistance. All the prison guards obeyed the command, swiftly igniting torches and mobilizing their forces to rush towards Luo Wanqing's location.

In the darkness, Xie Heng paused and looked up, witnessing a woman as enchanting as a siren, wielding a bloodied blade, her hair loose and barefoot, charging towards him with reckless abandon.

Her crimson sleeves billowed in the wind like a fiery dance, her face stained with blood like a crimson bloom. The lights flickered brighter with each step she took, illuminating the night sky. Her autumnal, clear eyes held an unwavering determination, as if carrying the roar of fate itself, surging towards him like an unstoppable torrent.

She cried out urgently with a melodious voice, "Luo Wanqing, daughter of the commoner Luo Quanshu, pleads for Lord Xie to avenge my father!"

"Luo Wanqing, daughter of the commoner Luo Quanshu, pleads for Lord Xie, to avenge my father!"

Author's Note:

"Mini Scene"

Luo Wanqing: "Mom, I've made a new good friend recently."

Yao Zelan: "Excellent. Among three companions, there's always one to be my teacher. Wan Qing, what have you learned from your friend?"

Luo Wanqing: "We've known each other for just a day, and she's already taught me how to fight, dig through walls, scale them, and even kill! She's incredible!"

Yao Zelan: "…Cut ties with him, Wan Qing. You're not suited to be friends with such a person. Come back and focus on your medical studies and embroidery!"

Liu Xiniang: "Huh? Aunt Yao, take a good look at how your daughter is behaving – stabbing people like that? She's not suited for the humanities; you picked the wrong major for her!"

"Short Scene·2"

Luo Wanqing: "While I was committing murder, fleeing, and petitioning the emperor, what were you doing as the ace assassin of the most formidable assassination group?"

Liu Xiniang: "Laying bricks to seal the hole in the wall, so as not to implicating myself."