Chapter 54

As a legacy of the former Yangzhou city, although the past glory of "thousands of lanterns illuminating the green clouds at night markets, and the bustling guests in the high-rise buildings with red sleeves" is no longer, the long-standing cultural and romantic traditions are more vividly reflected here than in the old Yangzhou city. Despite being close to the military camp, the strategic location and the influx of merchants and travelers have fostered a畸形 prosperity in this turbulent era.

Wandering through the waterways and alleys of Jiangdu County, various boats of different sizes, adorned with distinctive decorations and crewed by women who are clearly well-dressed, appear more dedicated and refined compared to the boatwomen in the ruins of old Yangzhou who still engage in certain ancient professions. There are even boats with highly advertised names and flower boats.

After all, in times of chaos, the sources and channels for young women and even young girls are never lacking. Therefore, the tradition of raising young girls, which began in the Sui Dynasty, has been well preserved and even further developed here. After being trained in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and basic service skills, these girls are often given as special gifts or local specialties, passed around among the wealthy and powerful, or eventually become bed companions or collectibles for military leaders, town commanders, and local officials. This ensures a deep and enduring market.

The predecessor of the local Weiyang Deputy Governor was established to prevent the resurgence of the remnants of the Dachun Brightness Religion. The old military town was formed by the intermarriage and reproduction of the Northern Army stationed nearby and the local people. As one of the three major military leaders who plundered the last stronghold of the Dachun Brightness Religion, the old city of Yangzhou, they also transferred part of the old city's prosperity and traditions here. When they were ordered to move the town, it was said that "all the women were in the army, and every tent was filled with cosmetics."

However, this male paradise of debauchery and indulgence is not without its dangers, especially for someone like me, who, even as a male, is considered top-notch in the world of male beauty. Therefore, I had to further uglify and intensively train her.

We can only wait here for a while. To cross the river via the floating bridge, we must wait until after the third day of the third month, when the spring floodwaters recede enough for the iron chains to be visible above the water. Depending on the weather and water conditions, this could take several days to over ten days.

At this time of year, without sufficient connections and background, it is not easy to find a boat willing to cross the river. The flood season poses high demands on the shape and storm resistance of the boats. Due to the frontline position against overseas rebels and southern warlords, there are still occasional reports and alerts of small fleets from overseas fiefs raiding the Yangtze River and inland areas. Therefore, larger boats are strictly controlled by the military to prevent them from being used by bandits.

We cannot find another team with the same background and connections as Ten Nian to take advantage of the chaos. Traditional travel companionship is no longer an option.

We rented a small courtyard on the outskirts of the city, paying a month's rent in advance. The place was quite old, fully furnished, but still showed signs of the previous occupant. The price was not cheap, but the only advantage was its proximity to the market at the crossroads, making it convenient to obtain daily necessities. There was also a small grove of trees that provided some cover, making it easier to escape if the situation turned bad.

We settled in and lived a quiet life, rarely leaving the house except to buy supplies and gather information. We trained in various self-defense and life skills, and in the evenings, we read books and took notes. I told her stories, and she wrote down her reflections or occasional insights based on my narration.

Misfortune can strike unexpectedly, even when you are at home. For example, "If you have enough patience to stand by the river, you will eventually see your enemy's body float by."

We had only been here for six days when, on a quiet night, I suddenly heard the sound of something heavy flipping over the wall and breaking the tiles.

Because I had set it up intentionally, the sound of the broken tiles, combined with the reaction of the string at the base of the wall, easily woke me and her up.

"Thief."

That thought flashed through my mind. It was not impossible, as this area was close to the market, and in times of chaos, there were always those who took risks to break into empty houses.

I picked up my short saber and swung it a few times, then attached a special nail sleeve to the scabbard, turning it into a lightweight mace. I had her ready the crossbow to cover me, then gently pushed the window open a crack and saw a heavy shadow in the corner of the wall.

I threw a stone at it, which only elicited a groan. I then lit a lamp and walked over. The lamp was modified to serve as a close-range incendiary weapon if necessary, which would also help her target in the dark.

Then I saw a piece of a woman's skirt, and above it, a large bloodstain and a shocking wound.

Even though it was a woman, and even an injured one, I did not let my guard down, maintaining a distance and angle from which I could strike at any moment.

"Xia Sheng..."

A somewhat familiar voice made me pause in my threatening stance.

Then she stood up and fell heavily onto me. I finally saw her face up close. We had had a certain intimate interaction before.

Her face was as pale as paper, and her dress had several obvious wounds, but the bleeding had stopped, and I could barely detect a pulse.

"Damn it."

I cursed in frustration and called her to help.

A moment later, I looked at her lying on the table we had cleared out, feeling a complex mix of emotions. Life is truly unpredictable. Even if you try to avoid it, fate can still bring you face-to-face with the unexpected.

"Xia Sheng..."

When she saw me, her eyes flashed with a sudden light, and her face flushed with a delicate redness.

Just like when I had asked her to crawl on the ground like a dog and expose her most private parts, I almost became aroused again.

"How did you find me here?"

I steadied myself and asked.

"Your mount..."

She responded weakly.

I frowned. The Red Tiger IV had indeed brought unnecessary trouble.

"Thankfully, I found you..."

Then she suddenly perked up, sat up, and hugged me tightly.

"Sister is in great danger..."

But I could sense that the energy behind her spirit was the last flicker of life before it burned out.

"Only you can..."

"Just... just tell me..."

Her body slowly went limp, her eyelids fluttering as if she were about to fall asleep.

I repeatedly pricked her most sensitive spots with a needle to keep her awake, and she managed to open her eyes one last time, whispering the final words in my ear.

I exhaled heavily.

"I understand, you can rest easy..."

As if finding some comfort, her eyes lost their light.

My rudimentary first aid skills might have saved a severely injured person, but they could not revive someone who was already on their last breath.

Then Nian Nu died, the first woman with whom I had had a non-intimate but close interaction, died.

With a faint sense of sorrow and melancholy, I began digging a pit in the kitchen floor to bury her, the last thing I could do for her—bury her in peace. I then overturned a jar of pickled vegetables and poured the brine over the ground to mask the scent.

This would prevent even the most sensitive dogs from detecting the buried body for a long time.

I then went out to clean up her traces, the most troublesome being the bloodstains, which I dug up with a small shovel and collected in a box, then scattered in a nearby pond filled with withered lotus leaves.

I then sorted out the usable items, categorizing and putting them on my person.

"Do you want to go?"

The one who had helped me with all this, Bao Tou Dun, suddenly asked.

"How could I? We are not related, just a chance encounter..."

I shook my head.

"In fact, she owes me more, at least two chances to save my life..."

"How could I risk our safety again just to comfort someone with a few words..."

"However, we can't stay here anymore..."

"Whether by coincidence or by mistake..."

"If Nian Nu could find her way here, those who are pursuing her might as well..."

As I spoke, I placed the sorted items on the horse and helped Bao Tou Dun up.

"We need to buy another horse..."

Looking at the somewhat cumbersome luggage, I frowned and muttered.

Almost half an hour after we left, several people with bloodstains on their clothes found the place, following a severely misleading trail. They cursed the unknown person who had set up various obstacles for them, surrounded the place from three sides, and climbed over the wall. Seeing the scattered tiles and sand, they showed a look of satisfaction and triumph. They saw the flickering lights and continuous movements inside the courtyard, so they lightened their steps, covered their faces, and slowly approached the window.

Suddenly, they burst through the paper window, shouting,

"Nian Nu, you will die obediently..."

But they found only paper silhouettes. The ground was covered in a sticky substance, and as they stepped on it, a charcoal brazier on the beam was knocked over, spilling sparks and ash all over them.

Some quickly covered their heads and faces, but then felt a sudden rise in temperature. When they let go, they saw the fire spreading throughout the room and let out a shrill, final scream.