Chapter 8

Chapter 8

After Luo Wanqing was taken to the infirmary for a basic dressing of her wounds, she seized the opportunity to ask the medical officer for some herbs. Then, she was sent back to the dungeon.

She and her mother were well-known in Yangzhou's medical community, so the medical officer showed her great sympathy. When she requested herbs, he secretly gave her more and instructed the apprentice to grind them into powder and put them in a bottle to prevent moisture in the dungeon.

Luo Wanqing, along with her medicine, was thrown back into the dungeon. As soon as she entered the water, Liu Xiniang pulled her up and asked, "How did it go? Did you see Xie Heng? What did he say?"

Closing her eyes momentarily, Luo Wanqing took a breath. Upon seeing her condition and the whip marks on her back, Liu Xiniang understood the outcome. She tried to console her, "Well, if the Inspectorate doesn't intervene, we'll find another way eventually. Exile... at least you're still alive." Liu Xiniang continued awkwardly, "In a few years, after being exiled to Lingnan, you can regain your status as a good citizen. Then, you and your family can resume your lives there. Life goes on, you know."

Luo Wanqing remained silent, leaning against the wall, seemingly deep in thought.

Scratching her head, Liu Xiniang attempted to change the subject. "Did you see Xie Heng just now? From a distance, he looked quite well. Your vision might not be as sharp since you don't practice martial arts, but I could clearly see..."

"Liu Xiniang," Luo Wanqing interrupted, and Liu Xiniang quickly fell silent. With her eyes closed, Luo Wanqing asked earnestly, "Do you want to leave the Pavilion of Storms?"

Liu Xiniang was startled but didn't deny it. Luo Wanqing knew what she meant.

Opening her eyes slowly, she whispered, "I've heard that once you join the Pavilion of Storms, you only leave in death. Anyone who wants to depart is considered a traitor."

"You..." Liu Xiniang caught on, feeling awkward as she asked, "Why are you asking this?"

"If I were to give you a chance, would you leave?"

Luo Wanqing looked at her intently and said, "If I'm willing to take your place as Liu Xiniang, would you be willing to become Luo Wanqing in my stead?"

Liu Xiniang was taken aback. She stared at Luo Wanqing in disbelief. "What do you mean?"

"My burns can be delayed from healing with certain medicines. Our family's exile sentence will be coming soon. Before we leave, I'll deliberately worsen the burns on my face. Then, we'll meet at the infirmary. Your doctor should tend to my wounds, apply medicine, and wrap them up, just as they would for you. Our figures are similar, and with our faces bandaged, we can find an opportunity to switch clothes without being recognized. You'll go into exile while I stay behind in prison. After the burns scab over, there will be changes in the skin and muscles. As long as I don't confess," Luo Wanqing lifted her gaze, continuing calmly, "I will be Liu Xiniang from then on. The Wind and Rain Pavilion won't bother you anymore, and you'll be free to fly wherever you wish."

Liu Xiniang was stunned by the proposal. She stared blankly at Luo Wanqing before breaking into a smile. "You want to take my place, but you probably won't survive. I still have things to do..."

"I understand."

Luo Wanqing interrupted her, stating confidently, "You want to kill Xie Heng."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiniang's expression turned solemn.

She gazed at the delicate-looking woman before her. Despite having a fragile beauty akin to porcelain, the woman didn't back down under her intense stare.

Luo Wanqing met her gaze calmly, analyzing her actions. "As an assassin, when I threatened you, not only did you not think of killing me, but you also stayed by my side. At first, I was grateful, assuming that you wanted to help me and that you were a good person. But then, upon reflection, it's not because you're inherently good; rather, our goals align, and you're using me to achieve them."

"Why do you say that?" Liu Xiniang asked, puzzled. "What have I done?"

"After I returned from lodging my complaint, the first thing you asked was if I saw Xie Heng," Luo Wanqing stared at her. "If you truly cared for me, your first concern should have been about my well-being."

"Is that all?" Liu Xiniang chuckled. "So you think I want to kill Xie Heng?"

"On the night I stopped you, you mentioned that you were attempting to assassinate Qin Jue. Yet, despite the failed attempt, you showed no intention of leaving the prison or seeking another chance to kill Qin Jue. It's clear that your target wasn't Qin Jue; staying in prison was part of your mission."

"And then?"

"You only needed to guide me slightly for me to kill someone. This indicates that you possess extraordinary abilities, far from those of an ordinary assassin."

"Anything else?" Liu Xiniang smiled lightly.

"You were imprisoned for selling contraband salt. If I'm correct, the quantity you dealt with would warrant the death penalty. You said your mission differs from others, and you try to avoid contact with your organization to maintain a clean identity. A top-level assassin, maintaining the purity of a death row inmate's identity, and an extra interest in Xie Heng—so," Luo Wanqing concluded, "you want to join the Censorate, then assassinate Xie Heng, right?"

"Your line of reasoning is rather unconventional, but I suppose," Liu Xiniang considered this, not bothering to hide the truth as she nodded, "that's correct. So you understand now," she looked at Luo Wanqing earnestly, advising, "we cannot simply switch identities. The things I'm involved in could get you killed a thousand times over. Even if the prison fails to distinguish us, the moment you act, the Rain and Wind Pavilion will know you're not me."

"Why would I do that?"

Luo Wanqing interrupted, leaving Liu Xiniang startled. Luo Wanqing gazed at her intently and continued, "Liu Xiniang is just an ordinary salt peddler. Should an ordinary peddler possess the skills of an assassin? You said that you and the Wind and Rain Pavilion don't casually make contact. If I manage to enter the Inspectorate, they won't approach me proactively. Once I'm in, I'll find my chance to sever ties with them."

"What if you fail the exam?" Liu Xiniang frowned. "If you don't pass, the Wind and Rain Pavilion will come looking for you immediately. You can't hide for long."

"Before they hold me accountable, I'll find an opportunity to set myself ablaze, leaving them with nothing but charred remains," Luo Wanqing answered without hesitation, meeting Liu Xiniang's gaze seriously. "I am Liu Xiniang in life and death, and I won't implicate you."

Liu Xiniang was stunned by these words. After a long moment, she quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I can't let you sacrifice yourself. You don't have to go this far to help me."

"I'm not helping you," Luo Wanqing replied, lowering her eyes to look at her weary reflection in the polluted water. "I'm helping myself. I have one request. With your skills, it shouldn't be difficult for you to leave the exile group. When you go, take my family with you and help settle them somewhere safe."

Liu Xiniang remained silent for a while before whispering, "If I help your family, without requiring anything from you, do you still want to switch identities?"

"Yes," Luo Wanqing affirmed decisively.

Liu Xiniang understood her motive. "For revenge against Jiang Shaoyan?"

"Yes."

"Should we wait a bit longer?" Liu Xiniang asked, her gaze filled with hope. "Perhaps the world has its own way of balancing cause and effect..."

"I am his karma," Luo Wanqing interrupted, lifting her head to look at Liu Xiniang. Her words were calm yet carried a resolute strength, spoken with deliberation and composure. "If there is truly a cycle of karma or divine compassion in this world, how did my Luo family end up in this state? Therefore, I don't seek redemption in the next life; I only yearn for justice in this one. I don't rely on deities but on myself. If I don't take action against him, who else will avenge me, avenge my Luo family? If you're willing to aid me, I'll be eternally grateful, but I still want to go to the Inspectorate."

Observing Liu Xiniang's conflicted expression, Luo Wanqing said earnestly, "The Inspectorate is my quickest and most feasible path to power, and the only place where I might have a chance to eliminate Jiang Shaoyan. It's my only way out, my only chance to find peace without killing him."

Liu Xiniang's face shifted slightly as she leaned against the wall and spoke softly, "Let me think about it."

"Alright."

Luo Wanqing responded obediently.

Liu Xiniang leaned there in silence for a long while, seemingly lost in thought. As she pondered, her gaze fell on the dagger at Luo Wanqing's waist, and her expression changed subtly.

After a long moment, she suddenly asked, "Do you have medicine to slow down wound healing with you?"

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing knew that Liu Xiniang had agreed.

"Lubricate the wound for me." Liu Xiniang turned to her with a smile. "I've given my word, so you can't go back on it now."

"I won't regret it."

Luo Wanqing spoke and took out a porcelain bottle. She waded through the water to stand before Liu Xiniang and scooped some medicine powder onto her fingertip. Unconsciously, she said, "It might hurt a little."

"What pain am I afraid of?" Liu Xiniang chuckled. "I'm an assassin, a top-notch one at that."

"I know." Luo Wanqing couldn't help but laugh as she raised her hand to apply the medicine on Liu Xiniang's face. Curious, she asked, "Did you notice the person who held me back today?"

"I did, but he kept his distance," Liu Xiniang explained. "He fights like the royal family's assassins. Their vital spot is three inches below their lower abdomen. He wouldn't have expected a weak woman like you to attack him. If you killed him, he would have been doomed."

"Royal family's assassins?"

"They belong to the Empress's family," Liu Xiniang said, frowning slightly from the pain before quickly relaxing. She continued, "They must be Jiang Shaoyan's men. He's always had people watching you."

"I see." Luo Wanqing finished dressing the wound and spoke softly, "The Censorate officials told me earlier that they've taken care of the body."

"Otherwise, you'd be charged with murder," Liu Xiniang immediately grasped their intention, "They don't want you to end up with a death sentence, do they?"

"They hope for a lenient exile instead."

"These corrupt officials."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiniang understood the Censorate's plan and grumbled, "Forget it, you'll become one of them someday, so I won't scold them. But still," she lifted her gaze to look at Luo Wanqing, concern etched on her face, "Are you truly prepared for what lies ahead?"

"I am ready."

"Alright then, as they say, Heaven bestows great tasks upon those capable," Liu Xiniang stretched, "I'll lend you a hand. Three months might be enough for you to master the martial skills of an ordinary salt peddler, but my identity isn't just that. I'm also the minor leader of Yangzhou Salt Gang's branch, with some reputation in the underworld. To impersonate me, you must possess such strength, and you'll need it to pass the Censorate's exam too, otherwise, you won't get in. So, I give you two options—"

Liu Xiniang held up two fingers, "Either you follow the rules and find a way to do it slowly. But if you choose this path, your chances of entering the Censorate would be next to none."

"What's the other choice?"

"I'll give you half of my inner strength," Liu Xiniang spoke earnestly, "But this method is perilous, and you might not survive it. Besides, I'll forcefully infuse my inner strength into your body, using true energy to expand your meridians. As a physician, you should know how excruciating this process will be."

"Do I have a choice?"

Luo Wanqing smiled bitterly.

"Alright then." Liu Xiniang nodded. "You probably won't be able to stand in the water. I'll secure you with chains for a while. You must remain conscious throughout and guide your true energy through your meridians, converging it in your dantian."

"Okay."

"Come here."

Liu Xiniang beckoned to Luo Wanqing, who didn't hesitate. She walked to the iron chain and allowed Liu Xiniang to secure her with it.

"Do you have any life-saving medicine?"

Liu Xiniang looked up at her. Luo Wanqing immediately recalled the medicine given by the Inspectorate Envoy. She glanced at her sleeve and reminded, "There's still a vial in my sleeve."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiniang retrieved the vial and poured out a pill.

As the pill landed in her hand, both Liu Xiniang and Luo Wanqing's eyes widened.

"Nine Fragrant Concentrating Pills," Liu Xiniang praised as she pinched the pill between her thumb and forefinger. "This is a precious item. Who gave it to you?"

"A noble," Luo Wanqing's gaze fell upon the pill, recalling the young man behind the screen. She whispered softly, "A noble I'm certain to meet in the Eastern Capital."

"Shall I proceed then?"

Liu Xiniang didn't inquire further and gently tapped the pill into Luo Wanqing's mouth.

Luo Wanqing held the pill in her mouth. Liu Xiniang moved to stand behind her.

The bitter taste of the pill spread within Luo Wanqing's mouth. After a moment of stillness, she felt a palm strike her back.

In that instant, she sensed something rush fiercely into her meridians, like seawater flooding a canal. Her meridians exploded inch by inch, and the pain surged through her body, reaching her scalp. Just as Luo Wanqing was about to cry out, Liu Xiniang's voice sounded behind her.

"Do not make a sound."

Luo Wanqing instinctively clenched her teeth, suppressing the cry of pain.

Behind her, Liu Xiniang spoke calmly, "The first lesson I learned after entering the Pavilion of Storms and Rain was self-control."

"You must have absolute control over your voice, your body, your mind, and your words. You must not scream from pain, cry from sorrow, or laugh in joy; all of you should be governed by your will, not your instincts. Only then can you truly conceal yourself and master yourself."

"First, you must tame your body to tame your spirit. Otherwise, in a confrontation with others, you'll be the first to fall."

The intense pain made Luo Wanqing tremble uncontrollably. She gritted her teeth, tears rolling down her cheeks beyond her control.

Liu Xiniang's voice was like an icy mountain spring, continuously poured down upon her body.

All other noises in her world were drowned out, leaving only Liu Xiniang's voice echoing in her ears.

"Nothing in this world comes without a price. If you want to be Liu Xiniang, you must bear the cost of being her. I hope you won't regret it."

As she heard these words, sweat mixed with blood from her torn veins trickled down Luo Wanqing's forehead.

Struggling to open her eyes, she replied in a hoarse voice, "I won't regret."

The author wishes to say:

The first ten chapters will focus on the heroine's growth, while the allure of the male lead will unfold gradually after his official entrance. For now, I'm laying the groundwork for their entangled fate.

The male lead will soon have an official encounter and become classmates.

This emotional arc won't progress too hastily, so please don't be anxious.