Chapter 57

Then I turned my head, and my neck stiffened in shock.

"Sadako..."

Crouching on the ground was a figure with hair as disheveled and wet as aquatic plants, covering a face pale and terrifying, as if a ghost had crawled out from the door frame.

It was a water ghost. I was so startled that I jumped up and kicked the monster.

A moment later,

The modified stove was emitting a comfortable warmth. I used a stick to dig out a few potatoes that had been roasted to a blackened crisp from the thick layer of ash. I broke them open to reveal their golden, soft insides, scooped them out with a spoon, packed them into a bowl, sprinkled salt and minced meat, and handed it over. It was a sweet and fragrant dinner.

On the corner of the open stove, there were pancakes made from oil and wet dough, which were emitting a wheat fragrance under the heat of the charcoal. At the top of the charcoal fire, there were over a dozen skewers, including rice cakes wrapped in bean curd skin, sliced gluten, fried tofu, leeks, and bean sprouts wrapped in dried bean curd. It was early spring, and there wasn't much food to be found.

The only meat was a string of small fish, which I had bought from a local boy while out buying medicine. After brushing them with a thick sauce, they were roasted to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a chewy texture and a fresh flavor.

"Unfortunately, there are no effective chicken eggs, so I'll have to make do with a duck egg."

I cracked a dirty duck egg into a bowl of hot rice wine, stirred it into a sweet and fragrant egg flower soup, and brought it over.

Shinnyo, who had just come back from the dead and caused a water ghost farce, was wrapped in my slightly oversized robe, leaning weakly on a soft bed made of piled clothes, and I fed her mouthful by mouthful.

As she reacted and moved, her slender figure was faintly revealed through the gaps in the loose robe, but she seemed to have become accustomed to it. I wondered to myself if the repeated rescues had turned a quantitative change into a qualitative one, making her indifferent.

"Thank you for your help..."

After finishing the soup, her face finally regained some color, and her voice had some strength.

"When did you discover me?"

I put down the bowl and stuffed a small fish into my mouth before answering.

"I wasn't sure at first, but when I saw the horse that suddenly appeared, I was certain. After all, I chose it myself."

Her face showed a mix of relief and fear.

"Then I took advantage of the chaos and jumped into the river..."

"I vaguely remember you being hit by an arrow."

"Fortunately, the splint you left behind deflected it."

"So now, ..."

I wiped my hands, picked up another hot roasted potato, and rubbed off the burnt skin. I bit into the slightly blackened potato flesh.

"Can you tell me your story now?"

"Of course."

She nodded slightly and continued.

"Have you heard of the Gongsun family?"

"Another Gongsun and a family lineage? Isn't that a cliché in web novels?"

I couldn't help but complain.

"Have you heard of Lady Gongsun's story?"

She continued without hesitation.

"The one who was skilled in sword dance and had complicated ties with Li Bai, Du Fu, and General Pei?"

"Watch your words..."

She tried to laugh but winced in pain, making a strange expression.

"You should know that Lady Gongsun is considered our ancestral source."

She began to recount the story. It turned out that Lady Gongsun was just a title for the successive heads of the Gongsun family, who were not yet well-known. They specialized in taking in orphaned girls and other unfortunate people, training them in dance and music to earn a living.

However, due to Lady Gongsun of the Kaiyuan era, who was not only an outstanding dancer but also a rare and exceptional swordsman, she became very famous in the upper echelons of the eastern and western capitals. She had many admirers and even female disciples from noble families. She was a unique figure of her time.

Unfortunately, this glory was short-lived. When the rebel forces swept across the country, the Gongsun family, which was mainly composed of women, suffered a devastating blow. Most of them did not survive.

A turning point came when one of the expelled female disciples, named Yin Chucheng, accidentally became a close companion of Liang Gong during her exile, even before the two official wives, who were princesses or adopted daughters of the imperial family.

Although she never sought formal recognition and remained as the head housekeeper, she adopted and raised several of Liang Gong's children, who became significant figures. One of these lineages still holds a prominent position in the Southern Dynasty.

With this connection, the remaining members and resources of the Gongsun family were transferred to Liang Gong's control after the recapture of the two capitals, becoming part of his household and vassal forces. Many joined the women's camp and started new lives with new identities.

However, some survivors who sought greater achievements were separated and, with Liang Gong's support, rebuilt the Gongsun family's name, infiltrating various entertainment industries and becoming an underground organization for intelligence gathering and exchange.

Even after Liang Gong's influence waned, they continued to develop, becoming an agency that issued underground tasks or accepted bounties for others, thriving for two or three hundred years before disintegrating in the chaos and gradually fading into history. However, some branches still exist and operate with different backgrounds and positions.

Therefore, to return to the story,

Lady Gongsun had a direct disciple named Li Shier from Yingchuan. When she drifted to Jiannan, she received a dedication from Liang Gong. This lineage is the source of the Yingchuan Li Shier, and all disciples and followers are naturally surnamed Li.

Honestly, my first reaction was to wonder why Liang Gong, as a predecessor from another world, didn't include this outstanding Yingchuan Li Shier in his harem or support her as a secret lover.

However, over generations, their operations and areas of involvement expanded beyond intelligence and information.

Their main base was in the territories of the various vassal states in the East Sea. They owned their own territories and subjects, as well as numerous industries and estates on various outer islands. They had trade ships and caravans that operated across the sea and inland, with extensive networks and resources from the northern regions of Andong, Pinglu, Hebei, and Lianghuai to the Southern Dynasty in Lingnan. They were a significant force in this turbulent era.

Shinnyo was a key member close to the core, raised by the family from a young age, and thus had the privilege of being surnamed Li.

Her younger master, Shishi, was named after being offered to a temple on her birthday to seek the protection of the Buddha of Medicine, as she was weak and feared an early death. She was named Shishi because she was the tenth in her generation.

It was only then that I realized her name was Li Shishi. I felt a sense of being overtaken by history or, more accurately, a sense of being cuckolded by a historical figure.

However, this Li Shishi was not the pitiful courtesan kept by Emperor Huizong of Song. She was a descendant of the Gongsun sword dance lineage, capable of attending negotiations alone and fighting her way out when ambushed.

Women with her background, representing the family in this turbulent world, needed more caution, talent, and means, so she was trained from a young age to be a core and pillar of the family.

Based on her performance, she received certain resources, gathered a team, and was responsible for certain tasks or areas. This was the reason she initially wanted to recruit me, but now all of that was gone.

"I was actually ordered to help the family escort something very important to the south."

She was already tired from talking but continued under my expectant gaze.

"Because the item was so crucial, many forces were expected to compete for it."

"Therefore, we, who were operating locally, were all called to assist."

"We then split into several groups, using various identities to cover our tracks and employ deception."

I fed her a mouthful of sweet rice wine and continued.

"But I didn't expect that the problem would come from within the family. Given the preparations of the other side, the other groups are likely in trouble."

"Of course, the item is no longer with me, and the so-called trial and test may have hidden motives."

"I even thought of recommending you to the family as a guest or a guardian."

She said with a self-deprecating tone.

"Do you want to know what it was?"

"Still the same question, do you think I would be interested in something that brings certain death?"

"Actually, it's fine to tell you now."

She continued.

"Although I haven't seen the actual item, I suspect it might be related to Liang Gong's secret treasures."

Hearing this, I frowned. That predecessor from another world really left a lot of mess. How many more traps are there?

"I'm sorry for trying to involve you so many times."

She struggled to sit up but was gently held down by me.

"Instead of apologizing, think of something more substantial."

I sighed softly.

"Like selling yourself to me..."

"What?"

"Nothing."

I said seriously.

"By the way, how did you survive? I clearly detected no pulse."

"It was just a survival trick."

She explained that she had learned an ancient technique from a young age that could slow her vital signs to simulate the appearance of death, deceiving her enemies and delaying the worsening of her injuries. However, it had strict usage limitations and was generally considered a weak skill in most situations.

I shook my head again. So you were confident enough to pretend to be dead in front of me. If I had pushed you into the river or ignored you, you would have really died.

"It seems I owe you again."

"Debts are not a worry when there are many."

"I owe you so much, I don't know how to repay you."

"Then be willing to be my plaything and repay me with the rest of your life."

"It's not impossible... if you can support me."

"What?"

I was startled. She actually agreed. I looked up to see a serious expression and sincere eyes.

"However, I have one last wish."

Her tone became low.

"I want to go back and see what happened to the family before I repay you."

She said firmly, making me feel a bit disheartened.

"Of course, that's to be expected."

"What are you worried about?"

She seemed to sense my expression.

"I'm worried that you might have a death wish and are just temporarily placating me."

Since we were at this point, I decided to be straightforward.

"How could that be?"

Her pale face turned slightly red but was interrupted by me.

"For example, as a loyalist, once you lose faith in the family and your mental support, you might give up and seek death, finding a reason to sacrifice yourself."

I said everything on my mind.

"Then all my efforts to save you would be in vain, and I would be the one who loses."

"You..."

Her expression changed, becoming serious, but she laughed bitterly.

"You might be right. I might have had such thoughts before, but not now."

"If the family needs my broken body, after all these events and near-deaths, I feel I have repaid my debt."

"I am now alive to seek some justice and closure for those who were with me in the past."

"Many of them were raised by me, with years of close ties and families waiting for their return. Unlike me, who has given up everything and is alone."

"Even if I have to sacrifice myself for the family, I need to find a way to give them a clear answer."

Well, I felt a bit helpless. This woman seemed to have moved from one extreme to another, giving herself a new mission and reason.

"Then how do you guarantee it?"

"What kind of guarantee do you need?"

At this point, she seemed to think of something, and her face turned red, spreading to her ears.

In the end, she left me her remaining short sword and took my dagger as a token for our future meeting. The sword, with the characters "Qingluan" engraved in seal script, was hidden on her thigh, and I hadn't found it before. I believe if I hadn't agreed, she would have had enough time to use it.

Now,

I still have several weapons. Besides the dagger given to me by Rock's brother, I have a half-meter-long saber from the old soldier Deng Fang, a Wu hook (soft sword) found on the raccoon, and a silver-decorated small sword taken from the fat transport official.

Later, I discovered that although the small sword was ornate, it was a finely crafted blade that could cut hair. After removing the silver decorations, I gave it to Shinnyo as a defensive weapon. I also have the folding knife that has been with me from the beginning.

During the short period of recuperation and low profile,

I had already informed the monks that I needed to rest and recover, and I bought many herbs, occasionally boiling them and discarding them as a cover. The monks were considerate and, with their simple daily routines, rarely disturbed us.

This time, the increased frequency of boiling herbs helped mask the bloody smell of changing bandages, and the bloody bandages were burned in the stove. Food and other necessities were bought from different places, and extra clothes were prepared, so even with an additional person, it wasn't obvious.

A few days later, the authorities finally came to inquire, but it was just a routine check by the local headman and officials. The monks were quite decent, took the money, and confirmed that we had been resting in the room. They glanced at Shinnyo, who had a pale face, and left.

Before she left, I prepared a lot of supplies and food for her journey. I also spent a night tasting her, which, though inexperienced, had a different and charming flavor compared to Nian Nu, whether on top or below.

My reasoning was simple: since Nian Nu did it, you should do it too, as a way to remember her.

Hearing this, she was silent for a long time, and I thought she might give up, but she finally looked at me deeply and obediently lowered her head as I supported her shoulders.

Although she was still weak and couldn't do too much, she was very dedicated and didn't show any reluctance or unwillingness.

Shinnyo, however, was a bit disappointed, squatting in the corner, watching intently with wide eyes, drawing circles with her fingers until I achieved my goal.

A few days later, when everything had temporarily calmed down, I watched her standing on the boat, slowly disappearing into the distance, and suddenly felt a bit regretful, wondering if I should have let her go so easily.

A voice seemed to flash in my mind, saying I had earned a "You are a good person" achievement.

At that moment, another piece of good news arrived: the river had thawed.

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