Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The shrill scream pierced the air, immediately startling everyone.

The Luos rushed frantically towards the prison, but the officials promptly held them back. Luo Shangchun grew agitated, "Let us in! That's my sister! My mother is a physician! Let her attend to her!"

"Stop! Stay where you are!"

Amidst the chaos at the prison gate, the jailor dragged Luo Wanqing, who had rolled on the ground a few times, away from the fire pit, scolding, "What are you doing?! Do you want to die?!"

Luo Wanqing was in such agony that her senses were blurred. Huddled on the floor, she wanted to touch her face but dared not. Her entire body trembled uncontrollably.

She felt as if her skin had been peeled off and pressed against a hot iron plate, with the sizzling sound of flesh still ringing in her ears.

Fortunately, after being beaten up by Liu Xiniang so many times these days, she had honed her ability to maintain consciousness through pain. Through gritted teeth, she mustered the last of her rationality and cried out, "Physician's office—take me to the physician's office—I'm in so much pain! So much pain!"

Seeing her unbearable suffering, the lead official hesitated before finally gesturing, "Take her to the physician's office! She's a convicted felon for exile, we can't let her die!"

With that, Luo Wanqing was lifted up and carried towards the prison's medical facility.

She heard Yao Zelan's voice.

Then, she heard Lu Shangchun's.

And Su Hui's sobs.

Struggling to open her blurred eyes, she saw the white light at the prison entrance fading into the distance, and the figures becoming smaller.

The jailer hurriedly brought her to the infirmary. Upon seeing Luo Wanqing's injuries, the physician promptly began treating her, reprimanding as he worked, "What's going on with you lot lately? First, we had a girl with a disfigured face, and now this one. How can you always cause such harm to young women? Do you know that such wounds, if not treated properly, can be fatal?!"

"Not us," the jailer hastily explained. "She did this to herself by bumping into something."

"Nonsense! Who would do something so reckless?"

The physician clearly didn't believe the jailer's words and continued scolding him.

Luo Wanqing remained silent. She panted, enduring the pain as she turned her head to survey her surroundings.

The infirmary was a large room. Near the window, a row of white curtains separated an area, which was likely for patients to rest. From the physician's words, Liu Xiniang must have arrived earlier.

Luo Wanqing pondered for a moment. After the physician finished tending to the injuries on her face, she weakly said, "Doctor, I'd like to rest for a while."

"Help her over there."

The physician cast a sympathetic glance at her and instructed an apothecary to support her as they led her to a corner with makeshift beds separated by white cloth curtains.

Unable to see the condition of the neighboring bed, Luo Wanqing was considering how to locate Liu Xiniang when she heard rustling nearby. Alerted, she turned her head and felt a gentle hand cover her mouth. A low, hoarse voice whispered, "It's me."

Lifting her gaze, Luo Wanqing met the eyes of Liu Xiniang.

Liu Xiniang's wounds were all bandaged, her head wrapped in white gauze, just like hers.

She wore a clean prison uniform, distinct from the ones in captivity. Prison attire tended towards white, while those for exile were more yellowish. The word "Prisoner" adorned the former, while the latter bore the character "Exile."

"Change your clothes," Liu Xiniang instructed, promptly beginning to undress. Luo Wanqing followed suit, and as they did, they hastily exchanged information.

"I've already confessed and been sentenced to death. Soon, someone will come to take you to the death row. Remember what I said," Liu Xiniang passed her clothes to Luo Wanqing, emphasizing as she did, "Stay away from Qin Jue, seek out Jiu Shuang, and cause a stir in the death row."

"The prison warden doesn't wish to delay the exile, and burns can be fatal. They're afraid of bearing responsibility. Judging from their behavior just now, they should come for you soon to take you away. If you were exiled together with my mother and brother, and they found out," Luo Wanqing pressed her lips, eventually managing to suppress her urge to cry. With a hoarse voice, she said, "Tell them that I was severely injured and couldn't recover. Before I died, I switched places with you in the prison. Don't let them search for me."

"I just managed to get you some pain-relieving medicine that could save your life," Liu Xiniang said, avoiding her gaze as she handed her a book. "Practice well and protect yourself."

"This dagger was given to me by Jiang Shaoyan, along with the embroidered pouch I made for him."

Luo Wanqing passed the dagger and pouch to Liu Xiniang. "When you're on the exile journey and escape by pretending to be dead, leave the pouch behind as identification. Take the dagger with you. After you escape, bury it under the ancient tree at the foot of the mountain where the Eastern Protectorate Monastery stands. If I survive," Luo Wanqing looked up at her, "I'll retrieve it myself."

These words left Liu Xiniang momentarily stunned. After a long while, she finally took the dagger.

"My bed is seven spots further south. When I checked, there was no one in the middle. Just follow the path by the window all the way. I piled the quilt at the window side of the bed, so don't get it mixed up."

As Liu Xiniang said this, she inserted the dagger into her waist and looked up to see the woman across from her, dressed in her old clothes and holding iron shackles.

Both had their faces wrapped in white gauze, and under the loose prison attire, it was impossible to discern any differences in physique. Judging solely by height, one could not tell them apart.

Yet, they both knew that their paths would diverge significantly.

Contemplating Luo Wanqing's impending future, Liu Xiniang's gaze softened, and she could only utter, "Take care..."

Luo Wanqing lowered her gaze at the iron chain in her hand. She didn't dare to lift her head and softly said, "Take care."

Finished speaking, Luo Wanqing didn't linger. She turned around and quickly left through the curtains.

Last time, Liu Xiniang had criticized her lack of wit; this time, she would let Liu Xiniang turn around first.

She dared not stay, hastily stepping forward with the shackles from behind the curtains. Counting seven steps, she reached the bed marked by Liu Xiniang, lay down, pulled the covers over herself, closed her eyes, and pretended to be taking a midday nap.

Before long, she heard the voice of a prison guard outside.

"Liu Xiniang, have you rested enough?"

As the guard spoke, he lifted the curtain, impatiently saying, "Let's go!"

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing remained silent, quietly standing up. The guard shackled her and dragged her towards the dungeon.

The wound on her face throbbed with pain. Following Liu Xiniang's instructions, she cautiously circulated her inner energy.

According to Liu Xiniang, for martial artists, their life force resided in this breath – it was the foundation of their practice. Ordinary wounds were hardly fatal to martial artists because their vital energy would heal them as it flowed.

The more potent one's inner strength, the greater their capacity for physical recovery - for the most elite warriors, it was akin to reviving the dead and regenerating bones.

Although these were mere legends, Luo Wanqing clearly sensed that without relying on her inner strength, she wouldn't have been able to endure the burn on her face, let alone pretend to be the long-injured Liu Xiniang here.

Silently, she followed the prison guard to the dungeon, changed into the clothes provided, and was then pushed into a vast chamber.

The room spanned about a hundred feet in length, housing over a hundred inmates. As soon as she entered, all eyes were on her. Among them was a middle-aged woman sitting on a makeshift bed, towering in height with a thick waist, sturdy arms, and a face full of wrinkles.

She was stepping on a tiny, tearful woman, and upon seeing Luo Wanqing, she revealed her yellow teeth and chuckled, "Oh, we've got quite the formidable yaksha here."

Luo Wanqing remained silent, sensing the hostility from the woman. She stood still, watching as the woman kicked the small figure aside, rose to her feet, and approached Luo Wanqing with a group.

"Newcomer, did you bring a gift?" The woman sized up Luo Wanqing, lifting her fingers to inspect the whip marks on her hand. "Soft skin, what's your name?"

Luo Wanqing didn't respond immediately. Instead, she recalled Liu Xiniang's warnings.

This was her ideal training ground, where she would put into practice everything Liu Xiniang had taught her in real combat and hone her external martial arts fundamentals.

Previously, when Liu Xiniang asked if she was afraid of fighting many battles, she said no. But now, surrounded by so many, with each likely having blood on their hands, staring at her, she realized that deep down, she was indeed scared.

"What are you standing there for?" The tall woman slapped her hard across the face, bellowing, "Speak!"

The burning pain from the slap mixed with the scorching sensation, shooting a sharp sting through her head, jolting her awake.

This pain brought instant clarity. What was there to fear? In the end, it was only death.

With this thought in mind, Luo Wanqing composed herself, turned her head, and wiped the blood from her chin. She spoke calmly, "My apologies. Here's your greeting gift."

The other woman grinned, but before her smile could fully form, Luo Wanqing clenched her fist and swung it fiercely at her!

Her fist landed a heavy blow on the woman's face, followed by a barrage of punches that rained down upon her, as she shouted, "This is my greeting gift. Want to know my name?"

The crowd swarmed in, and Luo Wanqing fiercely grabbed the tall woman's hair, pounding her head relentlessly without letting go.

Over a hundred people gathered around, cheering, "Fight! Fight! Keep fighting!"

As the tall woman tried to retaliate with a slap, Luo Wanqing swiftly lifted her foot, using her knee to shatter the woman's nose with a resounding crack. She declared firmly, "I am Liu Xie-ang!"

******

Amidst the chaos in the dungeon, in the special torture chamber of the Yangzhou Inspectorate, blood spread across the ground like water soaking the earth.

With a scream, the room fell silent.

"Milord," the red-clothed youth, who was administering the torture, turned his head hesitantly towards the young man resting with his eyes closed on the chair. He spoke cautiously, "The last assassin is dead."

"Guan Que," the young man supported his forehead with one hand and slowly opened his eyes, "your skills need refinement. You've killed them all without extracting any information. Where's the top-tier 'Heaven Rank' assassin they mentioned?"

"They didn't know either," Guan Que said guiltily in a low voice. "We've searched high and low. These assassins only knew that the Rain and Wind Pavilion ordered them to assassinate Young Master Qin, and that there would be a top-notch 'Heaven Rank' killer assisting them. But they had no clue about the identity or whereabouts of this killer."

"Then forget it," the young man waved his hand dismissively. "Let's not investigate further. Just wait for our opportunity. They want to kill Qin Jue because they fear he might reveal some sensitive information if he returns to Dongdu alive. If they fail this time, there will surely be another attempt."

"Yes," Guan Que nodded, then furrowed his brow in confusion. "But how did that assassin find out about our ambush? I've searched extensively and thoroughly, but couldn't determine who leaked the information."

"That doesn't matter now," the young man mused. "What's crucial is identifying who's behind the Rain and Wind Pavilion's attempt on Qin Jue's life."

"What should we do now?" Guan Que asked, frowning. "Not all of the Rain and Wind Pavilion's agents have been eliminated. With Young Master Qin still in prison and his injuries severe, it would be too risky for him to participate in the Inspectorate's examination according to the usual procedures. Should we send more guards to protect him during the journey..."

"There are too many skilled warriors in the Rain and Wind Pavilion. Simply adding more men might not be enough to ensure Qin Jue's safety."

The youth interrupted the phoenix-like figure nonchalantly. "Moreover, if the spectacle is too grand and catches the attention of the capital in the east, the Emperor might become suspicious. The Qin family would be implicated in high treason. The fact that His Majesty granted Qin Jue the chance to earn a pardon through the Inspectorate's examinations is already an exceptional privilege for the Inspectorate. If the Emperor were to perceive that the Inspectorate is exploiting this method to save those who shouldn't be saved, it could arouse His Majesty's distrust."

"Nothing seems feasible," the phoenix-like figure sighed. "Then what should we do?"

"There's only one solution now."

The youth lifted his dark phoenix eyes, revealing a hint of a smile.

"Have Qin Jue impersonate me and escort him back to the eastern capital. I'll take Qin Jue's place and head to Yangzhou to take the Inspectorate examination there."

"Ah?!" The phoenix-like figure was astounded. "You're going to take the exam?!"

"Yes," the youth straightened up, smoothing his hair. He sighed emotionally, "The Rain and Wind Pavilion has sent so many experts to wait for him. Isn't that bullying? I'll help him out and see for myself," he added, a murderous glint appearing in his smiling eyes. "Let's see just how much weight the Rain and Wind Pavilion really carries."

Author's Note:

"Mini Scene"

Prisoners in the death row: "Oh no, a honey badger (a species known for its fearless nature and willingness to fight any opponent until the end) has entered the death row."

Luo Wanqing: "Actually, in the past... I was a proper lady from a respected family."

The Dungeons: ".... Who changed you? May the heavens punish them! Bring her here!"

Liu Xiniang: "Huh? Me? You're calling me huh? Summoning an assassin huh?"

The Dungeon Crowd: "No, let Brother Flathead stay here. At least she doesn't kill people."

Volume II: The Path to Heaven