Chapter 40. Think First, Act Later (4)

“……”

“……”

“Hey.”

“……”

“Hey!”

“It hurts.”

“You, what are you doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“I said I don’t care if you turn yourself in or not.”

“You did.”

“And I said I’d just let it go if you confessed then and there.”

“You did.”

“But why are you causing such a fuss and making people miserable?”

“Just because.”

Xiaoliang was flabbergasted.

“Is this your choice?”

“So, I’m just sitting here.”

“Truly, what a stupid choice. If you hated the world so much, why didn’t you say so back then? You could have taken your own life.”

“It’s my choice.”

This conversation isn’t going anywhere.

Xiaoliang and Weihonglian were alone in the solitary confinement cell. Xiaoliang was dressed as usual, but Weihonglian looked different.

She was wearing a prisoner’s uniform, her wrists and ankles bound by handcuffs made of iron that prevented the use of inner energy. The cold air in the cell had made her lips turn blue.

Despite this, she still spoke firmly to Xiaoliang, indicating that she wasn’t insane from the martial arts.

Should I be grateful that she’s at least showing respect?

“No matter how I think about it, I can’t understand. You turned yourself in after fighting with the Third Prince? If I admit the truth, your head will roll. You’ll lose your life, not just your job.”

“If you wish, do so.”

“Wow, I’ve never seen such a crazy woman in my life.”

“…I’m not crazy.”

“If you’re not crazy, who is?”

Weihonglian turned her head, glaring at Xiaoliang. The swelling had gone down, but her face was still bruised, which was quite amusing.

“Attempted murder of the Third Prince and heresy. While heresy might not always be punished, attempted murder is a serious offense. You know that, right?”

“I do.”

Xiaoliang, who had been staring at her, suddenly cracked his knuckles.

Weihonglian’s face tensed up, sensing the seriousness in his demeanor.

“Enough with the word games. Tell me what you’re really thinking.”

“……”

“Why are you doing this?”

“There’s no reason.”

“There is.”

“There isn’t.”

“People are ultimately all the same, no matter how you look at it. Me, you, the members of the Criminal Law Hall, we’re all the same.”

Weihonglian’s eyes wavered.

To hear that everyone is the same from someone chosen by the gods was quite shocking, though somewhat unexpected.

“You’re not an irresponsible person, are you? It seems the members follow you well. Why did you suddenly drop a bomb on them?”

“……”

“What’s the reason?”

“Even if there is a reason, I don’t have to tell you, Prince.”

“There is.”

“Why? I have my own free will, don’t I?”

Really, she’s driving me crazy.

Weihonglian was surprised by Xiaoliang, just as he was surprised by her. Specifically, he was surprised by her ideology.

Despite growing up in the Heavenly Demon Sect from a young age, she had a rather open-minded way of thinking.

‘Especially since she’s not even excited.’

Xiaoliang spoke.

“Because you tripped me up.”

“I didn’t trip you up. I just told the truth.”

Indeed, she was resolute. Her firm character seemed unlikely to change even until death.

However, Xiaoliang noticed that her eyes weren’t as hard as before.

“Is it because of the Fourth?”

“……!”

“Are you keeping quiet about the money you received to keep the promise with him?”

“……”

“Given that your members are also involved, it’s hard for you to speak easily.”

Weihonglian’s eyes turned cold.

Xiaoliang tilted his head.

“What are you looking at me like that for?”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’re not saying your reason, so why should I?”

“……”

“Girl, I thought you were just a crazy but loyal person, but you can also think things through, can’t you?”

“……”

After staring at her for a moment, Xiaoliang pulled a rope from the ceiling.

A moment later, the door to the solitary confinement cell opened, and a member of the Criminal Law Hall entered.

“Did you call for me, Prince?”

“Release this woman.”

“Pardon?”

“Release her.”

The member, taken aback, stiffened but tried to remain as polite as possible.

“About the clear facts of the attempted murder and heresy……”

“After a long time, I found a demon I like and decided to teach her myself. Her face is swollen because I couldn’t control my strength.”

“……Pardon?”

“Do you really think she tried to kill me? No matter how crazy she is, she’s still a disciple of the sect. Does it make sense for her to try to kill the sect leader’s disciple?”

“T-That’s true, but……”

“Don’t you think so too?”

“Of course, but considering the circumstances of the incident and the statements of witnesses like Zameiluzhu……”

Xiaoliang’s expression suddenly twisted.

The change was incredibly fast and natural, making even Weihonglian flinch. The member’s face turned pale.

“Do I need to confront those people?”

“……”

“Since the person involved says no, why are you doing this? Did you perhaps take money from her?”

“H-How could I!”

“Then what is it? Do you not trust my words?”

“No! Absolutely not……!”

“Am I funny?”

The member’s eyes turned fishy in a matter of seconds, to the point where even Weihonglian felt a moment of pity.

After his resurrection, he was said to be much softer than before, but the Third Prince was still the Third Prince. Where could the temperament of a tyrant go?

As the member tried to speak with trembling lips, Xiaoliang stood up.

“If that’s the case, call the head of the Criminal Law Hall. I’ll speak to him directly.”

“……!”

“Can I go out this door? Is it to the left?”

A threat more terrifying than the threat to kill her made the member bow hastily.

“No! I will declare Guangmadazhu Weihonglian innocent!”

Xiaoliang, who had been glaring at the member, immediately relaxed his eyes.

“Hmph, I got a bit excited.”

“……”

“I’m sorry. I tend to go overboard when I get worked up.”

“I am deeply sorry!”

“Your apologies are meaningless……. Well, if we meet in the future, at least greet me properly.”

“I will be honored!”

Xiaoliang glanced down at Weihonglian.

“Do you like alcohol?”

“……”

“You seem to. When you have time, come over for a drink. Our maids will be a nuisance, so bring your own snacks.”

Without waiting for her response, Xiaoliang left. The member hurriedly followed him.

Alone, Weihonglian looked at the door with a complicated expression and closed her eyes.

* * *

“Why did Guangmadazhu do such a thing?”

“She’s just a crazy woman doing crazy things.”

“……Of course, that could be the case.”

Madongfil, who had seen Weihonglian, thought she was so out of her mind that even calling her crazy was a waste.

“Was she aiming for something?”

“Maybe she was bored.”

Madongfil glanced at Xiaoliang.

While stroking Jinhu’s chin, Xiaoliang asked,

“What’s that disrespectful look for?”

“N-No, nothing!”

“Are you curious?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked if you’re curious why she turned herself in to the Criminal Law Hall.”

“So, she had a reason.”

“Of course. Do you think she got the position of Guangmadazhu by chance? If you can’t think, no matter how strong you are, you can’t lead a group.”

“That’s true…… Then, why did Wei Dazhu turn herself in?”

“To save her life, of course.”

“Pardon?!”

To save her life? Does that make sense?

“Why? Doesn’t it fit her character?”

“…Honestly, it doesn’t.”

“This isn’t a situation to question whether it fits or not. She was making a bet, in her own way.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Xiaoliang chuckled.

“What could she do?”

“Pardon?”

“The fact that she took money from the Fourth was exposed to me. Since it was a promise, I couldn’t just ignore it. She seemed to have distributed it evenly among her members, but I couldn’t involve them. Given her character, she would have rather bitten her tongue.”

“So, she could have just not turned herself in……”

“If she didn’t, how would she have silenced Zameiluzhu and the waiters? Just kill them all?”

“……Ah!”

“Fine, let’s say that’s true. But she couldn’t ignore one threat.”

“One threat?”

“The Fourth.”

Madongfil’s eyes widened.

“She knows the relationship between me and the Fourth is bad. If the fact that she contacted Zameilu was reported to him, what good would it do her?”

“……!”

“Being imprisoned in the Criminal Law Hall was her best choice. The Fourth couldn’t touch her, and her members wouldn’t suffer.”

“But the attempted murder of the Prince and heresy……”

“That’s why she called me.”

“Did she know you would react this way?”

“No way.”

“How could she risk her life without knowing how you would react?”

“Yeah.”

“Why such a reckless move……”

“That’s how she’s lived her life.”

“……!”

“Fiercely, crazily, as if each day was her last.”

“Still, it was an extreme gamble. It was purely a matter of luck, wasn’t it?”

“Why is it a gamble? Wasn’t the potential gain sufficient?”

“What do you mean by potential gain?”

“At least she protected her members, didn’t she?”

Madongfil gasped.

Xiaoliang chuckled. The more he thought about it, the more he laughed.

“She’s unique but takes care of her people fiercely. She may seem irresponsible on the surface, but she’s not just a fool.”

“……”

“Still, as you said, it was quite extreme.”

Madongfil looked at Xiaoliang with admiration.

“You’re amazing.”

“Huh? What for?”

“It’s easy to hear, but it’s not easy to figure out to that extent.”

No matter how close they became, it wasn’t something you could easily say to the Third Prince. It meant Madongfil was truly amazed.

Xiaoliang shrugged.

“It was just luck. I know some people who lived roughly the same way, despite different genders and ages.”

“Pardon? Who are they?”

“You and me.”

“……!”

“Despite appearing more sensible, we both jump in without thinking once we get a wild idea.”

Xiaoliang removed his hand from Jinhu’s chin. He had already fallen into a deep sleep.

“People are all the same, in the end.”

Madongfil’s eyes wavered.

Though younger, there were times when he felt Prince Xiaoliang had a similar aura to Nonganghu. The naturalness of it made him accept it long ago.

But now, it was different. It wasn’t just about more experience in the world; he seemed deeper as a person. He felt like a mature adult with a keen eye.

‘Indeed……’

He’s worthy of being a disciple of the sect leader.

Madongfil was deeply moved.

At that moment, Xiaoliang smiled slyly.

“Haha. Since I saved her, I should make her buy the alcohol.”

“……?”

“I’ll strip her salary. Let her see how scary the world can be.”

Madongfil bowed deeply. No one knew what he was thinking.

“Ugh! Anyway, today has passed like this again.”

“Ah, yes.”

“You should go to sleep too. You must be tired.”

“I’ll come back in the morning.”

“What for? Enjoy the rest of your vacation.”

“Still……”

Then,

Xiaoliang raised his hand.

“Dongfil.”

“Yes, Prince.”

“Yinghua is sleeping. Go to the kitchen and prepare some cups.”

“Are you going to drink medicinal wine and sleep?”

“What medicinal wine?”

Xiaoliang stood up.

He looked beyond the window at the main gate.

A moment later.

Bang! Bang!

Xiaoliang shouted.

“The door is breaking, woman!”

Muttering, he walked to the door and opened it.

Beyond the open door, Weihonglian stood with a large bundle.