Chapter 21: She Likes When I Embrace Her with Both Arms

Chapter 21: She Likes When I Embrace Her with Both Arms

This was an abandoned temple, devoid of visitors and untended, its emptiness stretching out before them.

"Clang—"

Swords clashed, sparks flew, stirring up a cloud of dust.

Wang Liu, the black-clad king, and Prince Zhu Yan, the sixth prince, both wielded their weapons with fierce strength. The former, with his robust build and bulging muscles, exuded the weighty presence of a middle-aged man, while the latter, with his resilient waist and taut limbs, carried the fearless vigor of youth. They met each other's force head-on, their power equally matched!

They disengaged after testing each other's strength, their figures spinning away as they pushed off the ground to attack again.

Wang Liu's moves were devious, not at all straightforward, indicating that he had been trained in lethal techniques, prioritizing effectiveness over elegance, aiming for a single strike to incapacitate his opponent. Zhu Yan, on the other hand, despite being known as a deranged prince who often sent shivers down people's spines, employed a martial arts style that was bold and direct, like a general's spear on the battlefield, agile and powerful like a dragon riding the wind. His goal was clear—to subdue his opponent until they bowed their heads in submission, forcing them to acknowledge his superiority.

A gentleman would fight fair, but when faced with underhanded tactics, even the most upright person could find themselves at a disadvantage.

Soon, during a brief moment of proximity, Wang Liu's blade grazed Zhu Yan's left shoulder, leaving a trail of blood.

"I was careless," he murmured, his voice tinged with regret as his lips slowly curved upward.

The black dog, which had been standing by, watching its master fight, its paws twitching as if ready to join the fray at any moment, suddenly trotted away and lay down. It seemed completely unconcerned.

Indeed, Zhu Yan changed his strategy.

His swordplay became even more aggressive and intense, displaying a complete disregard for defense, driven by a murderous intent to eliminate his opponent. He seemed to relish this game of life and death—

"Clang—"

Their swords collided once more, and Wang Liu's grip cracked open, his right hand trembling slightly as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"You were careless," Zhu Yan frowned, seemingly dissatisfied. "Your strength should have been slightly to the right; your blood flying to the left would have looked better."

Wang Liu: ...

Not gaining the upper hand, he decided against brute force and moved away from the spacious center of the arena to the corners filled with obstacles. He leapt and ran swiftly, agile and quick, preparing to maneuver and defend in the confined space, searching for an opportunity to strike.

He excelled in this, but he had forgotten that others might also be skilled, and there was a significant difference in their builds. His overly muscular frame made it harder for him to navigate the tight spaces, which instead favored his opponent.

Zhu Yan thrived in these conditions, his body moving like a dragon, a snake, a flash of lightning, or a shadow, weaving through the narrow area. Finally, he seized his chance, his sword flashing as it severed Wang Liu's right arm!

Wang Liu cried out in pain but did not give up, picking up his blade with his less adept left hand and lunging forward again—

The black dog yawned lazily nearby.

"My dog is urging me."

Zhu Yan twisted his waist and delivered a whip kick, sending his opponent's sword flying. The force was so great that Wang Liu slammed into the wall and fell to the ground, spitting out blood in a pitiful state, unable to rise. In the next instant, the tip of the sword was already at his throat.

"Speak. Tell me what I want to hear."

"Woof!"

The black dog stood up at this point, clearly sensing that its master had won. It joined in to create a show of force, baring its sharp teeth to intimidate.

Wang Liu: ...

He remained silent.

Zhu Yan: "Wang Liu, a loyal soldier to the Pan family, not just Pan Peng, nor even Pan Qiantian. You should have died for your loyalty. No poison capsule in your mouth?"

Just as Wang Liu was about to bite down, Zhu Yan swiftly dislocated his jaw, extracted the poison capsule with the tip of his sword, and then reinserted it, a series of actions executed with fluid grace, too fast for anyone to react.

The sword tip returned to Wang Liu's throat as Zhu Yan stared intently. "A killing machine should not have emotions, but you do, don't you?"

Wang Liu's pupils trembled violently.

...

"I know that Minister Chen has feelings for Da Li." In the Ministry of Justice's prison, the second prince, Zhu Bin, personally visited Chen Yongan.

Chen Yongan did not extend any courtesy, still facing away from the cell door, his gaze fixed on the small, dimly lit window high on the wall. Silent and motionless, he resembled a statue that had stood the test of time.

Zhu Bin was not offended, his tone gentle. "My subordinate acted on his own initiative, offending Minister Chen. It was my failure to discipline him properly, and I have already punished him. Please do not hold a grudge, Minister Chen."

He had sent his advisor, Chen Gen, who was skilled at conveying goodwill, analyzing situations, and delivering messages. Chen Gen would have explained everything clearly, but an advisor was not the master himself. During negotiations, he would primarily appeal to benefits, and if that failed, he would highlight potential dangers, employing a more threatening approach. In any drama, there must be both a good cop and a bad cop. The role of the good cop was reserved for the master, while the bad cop was played by the advisor. Thus, the atmosphere at the time would not have been particularly comfortable.

Given Chen Yongan's temperament, they had anticipated that the meeting would yield no results.

Therefore, for the second visit, Zhu Bin came in person, without anger, maintaining a gracious demeanor, extending kindness and respect, demonstrating sincerity.

"The matters Mr. Chen discussed were not my instructions. Please forget them, Minister Chen."

Chen Yongan remained silent.

Zhu Bin continued, "The attempts on your life outside are extensive, coming from multiple directions. To resist, individual strength is too weak. You have the welfare of the world at heart, making you a good official. Good officials deserve to be saved by those in power. I want to save you, not for your sake, but for the sake of the world."

Chen Yongan's posture did not change, as if he hadn't heard a word.

But Zhu Bin knew that he had heard, how could he not? He was merely contemplating, unwilling to make a decision so quickly.

"Today, the seal you lost will reappear. I will do my utmost to secure it, hoping to clear your name in the future. As for the silver and grain you 'lost,' as long as one has determination, they can be found. The conditions in prison are harsh, but I hope Minister Chen takes care of your health. There is still a long road ahead. Do not let a temporary setback dampen your spirit."

...

In the alleyway near the Moon Old Temple.

Wang Liu stared at Zhu Yan, his voice hoarse. "What have you done?"

"I haven't done anything," Zhu Yan replied calmly. "Your little lover is well hidden, unknown to the Pan family, perfectly safe. Whether she remains safe in the future...that will depend on your performance."

Wang Liu's lips quivered for a moment before he closed his eyes and uttered three words: "Mount Lai Feng."

"Ah, that place."

It was quite a coincidence, as Zhu Yan happened to have an estate nearby.

Wang Liu said, "The meeting today... you won't be able to get it."

"Don't worry too much," Zhu Yan smiled. "Guess why I came to you today?"

What everyone fixates on, of course, isn't easily attainable. The volume of information gathered is crucial, as is the timing of its acquisition. The closer one gets, the more unexpected it becomes.

Wang Liu's eyes widened. "You knew all along..."

"Die," Zhu Yan raised his sword.

"Hold on," Wang Liu painfully turned his head, looking at his severed arm fifteen steps away to his side. "Could you... place my severed arm... by my side?"

Zhu Yan: "Huh?"

Wang Liu spoke softly, "She likes it when I embrace her with both my arms."

For a rare moment, the surroundings fell silent.

"Her name contains the character for 'maple'," Zhu Yan snapped his fingers at the black dog, "I shall offer you a funeral dirge then."

The black dog darted out of the door and soon returned, a lute tied to its back, which it had somehow procured from somewhere unknown.

The severed arm was already in place. Zhu Yan took the lute and found a relatively clean spot in the room where he could sit. He tuned the strings and began to pluck them with a wheeling motion of his fingers—

The lute strings sang like a person pouring out their heart, low notes intimate and urgent, middle tones smooth and mellow, high pitches bright and clear. Sometimes they plucked like the storm, sometimes they lingered in tender entanglement.

In Wang Liù's hazy vision, he seemed to see that girl. They met amidst the fishing fires by the river, fell in love in the warmth of human life. Knowing each other, they yearned for eternity together. She loved his shoulders most, saying they were broad and strong, offering her a sense of security. She loved it when he suddenly appeared, putting down his weapons, reaching out both hands to tightly embrace her... Perhaps what she truly loved wasn't his shoulders or his embrace, but his very presence.

She longed for every day spent with him, dreaming of bearing his children, growing old together. But how could a killing machine deserve a peaceful life?

He would inevitably die on the path of duty, never to return, leaving her alone in her sorrow.

Feng should be free, fiery, beautiful. No one would disturb her life again. She would suffer for a while, then find a good man, living the life she had always wanted...

In his final moments, he understood the Sixth Prince's promise.

"…Thank you."

The lute melody was graceful and melancholic, resonating deeply, and Wen Ruan heard it too, albeit not as clearly.

He knew nothing of music theory, nor could he appreciate it, but he felt that this piece was profoundly sorrowful, each note expressing emotion, every string conveying parting, breaking hearts, its twists and turns imbued with the strength of wind and rain, yet subtly harboring an air of solemn slaughter...

Suddenly, he wondered if he would have been deceived had he been fortunate enough to hear this melody earlier?

Sometimes he had very little guard up, especially when it came to the old, the weak, and women and children. In his previous life, he had been deceived four times in total, each time falling for it due to this very reason. If something could divert his attention, like this sense of solemnity and killing intent, his heartstrings would tighten, and perhaps then he would know to be on guard.

Staring at the old man's dark hands, he recalled Li Yue'e cleansing her hands with plant leaves earlier... Suddenly, it all clicked into place; it was this!

He wondered why it seemed so familiar. He had seen an identical image of the plant while researching the history of maize domestication. It was so obscure that he forgot its name, but he remembered that this grassy plant was quite unique. It wasn't particularly useful by itself, and later seemed to have gradually gone extinct over time or evolved into another type of plant. However, if hybridized with maize, it would accelerate the domestication process of maize and increase yield per mu!

This was what he had been looking for!

Wen Ruan quickly recollected what Li Yue'e had said at the time. Where did she obtain it from?

Yes, to Feng Mountain! Behind his manor!

Then what are we waiting for? Compared to his beloved estate, everything else is trivial, and the matter has been resolved, hasn't it?

"Apologies, but I suddenly recalled something urgent that requires my immediate attention," Wen Ruan looked earnestly at Lady Liang. "Thank you for speaking on my behalf today. Should you have any requests in the future, simply send word to the Huo family's shop, and they will relay the message to me."

Lady Liang wanted to make friends, not enemies, so she smiled and agreed. "Go attend to your matters. Time is long, and there will always be opportunities for us to meet again."

Wen Ruan thanked her once more, then turned to Fang Rui. "Shall I leave now?"

Fang Rui: "You haven't even drawn a fortune yet—"

"Next time." Wen Ruan said as he left, waving his hand without so much as a glance at Yu Zhen.

Yu Zhen: ...

He turned to Fang Rui: "Young Marquis—"

"Hush."

Fang Rui suddenly picked up a whistle carried by the wind, blending into the bustling crowd noise, not prominent enough for others to notice, but he recognized it. His ears perked up, fixing his gaze in one direction, without a word, he lightly tapped his toes and, utilizing his lightness kung fu, took off.

Yu Zhen: ...

Was this how his day was going to be? Completely ignored, no one even batting an eye at him, no one!

In the Second Prince's residence, Chen Gen was quite pleased, stroking his goatee, looking in the direction of the Moon God Temple—

You're still too green to match wits with me, kid.

This move managed to offend everyone at once; there was no hope of saving face now. Better to focus on how to face the Second Prince's wrath upon return!