Chapter 33

Feeling sad, truly sad, the pain made his tears waver, Zhao Yougong was extremely uncomfortable and no longer cared about his image, he knelt on a large rock and rubbed his buttocks.

While rubbing his buttocks, what Zhao Yougong was worried about was something else—how to escape back? Revealing his martial arts skills was not an option, and relying on others to save him was even more impossible. That royal uncle probably hoped the female bandit would stab him to death, how could he really send people to save him?

He had always been thinking about how to leave the capital, but who would have thought that trying to leave would lead to such a life-and-death situation. He was afraid, really afraid, he feared that Emperor Zhezong would take this opportunity to send people to pretend to be bandits and join in.

Never underestimate Emperor Zhezong. This emperor, who appeared refined and transcendent, was actually extremely malicious at heart.

In this life and in the original history, Emperor Zhezong was never a good person. When the Jurchens invaded from the south and Kaifeng was about to fall, he abdicated the throne to Zhao Huan and fled south with his people. Such a person who disregarded family ties, how could one expect him to be merciful?

Zhao Yougong knelt on the large rock, rubbing his buttocks, and occasionally groaned. His appearance was as unrefined as it could be. The black-clad woman stopped her horse, glanced at him for a moment, and then dismounted. She took a few quick steps and kicked Zhao Yougong's buttocks with her black embroidered boots.

"You are truly shameless, how can you... how can you... in broad daylight?"

The woman's voice was cold, but her face was somewhat thin, and the words "touching the buttocks" did not come out of her mouth. A blush crept onto her face. Unfortunately, Zhao Yougong could not see this. His old injury had not healed, and now he had a new one, which made him a bit angry. He turned his head and glared at the black-clad woman, "You woman are too domineering. Come and see, if you sit on this sharp rock, would it hurt? Do you know what it means to have a withered chrysanthemum and a lost rear? Why can't I rub it?"

"What withered chrysanthemum? Lost rear? Hmph, men are indeed all bad, full of lies!"

"Huh?" Zhao Yougong was so provoked that he almost wanted to curse. He didn't know what "withered chrysanthemum" meant, but how could he not know "lost rear"? Does this female hero have any common sense at all? Besides, what he said was all true, how did it smear all men?

"Female hero... why are all men bad? Look at me, am I not a good person? Besides, isn't your father a man?"

Zhao Yougong grinned, feeling quite amused. This woman was domineering, but her mind didn't seem to work well. Cursing all men was like cursing her own father. He hadn't been happy for long when the woman snorted and gripped her sword, striking Zhao Yougong's shoulder with the scabbard, "My father is not a good person!"

"Ah? Who said that? Female hero, how can you say such things about your own father?"

Zhao Yougong looked very angry, his eyebrows twitching, and he ignored his aching buttocks, supporting himself on the large rock to stand up.

The woman narrowed her eyes, her long lashes fluttering, and she was somewhat puzzled, "My father is not your father, why are you so anxious? Hurry up and go, or I'll kill you now!"

"Kill, kill, kill, if you really want to kill me, just do it." Zhao Yougong was righteous, staring at the gray sky, how did he end up with such an unreasonable woman?

Clang, a cold light flashed, and the sharp sword accurately landed on Zhao Yougong's shoulder. This time, the woman used more force, instantly cutting Zhao Yougong's skin.

Sigh, Zhao Yougong almost wet himself. This woman had such quick movements, drawing and striking the sword in one fluid motion. Such speed was not something an ordinary person could achieve. Swallowing his saliva, he quickly lowered his head, and his face was full of flattery, "Don't do it, female hero, if you say go, we'll go, I'll listen to you..."

"Huh?" The woman frowned, clearly not used to Zhao Yougong's behavior, "You're truly shameless, weren't you not afraid of death?"

Her voice was still cold, even with a hint of mockery. Zhao Yougong continued to smile, "Seems... seems... a bit shameless, but... I'm doing it for the female hero..."

"Really?" The woman was surprised, seeing Zhao Yougong's serious expression, even with her cold nature, she couldn't help but laugh, "Giggle, how are you doing it for me?"

Though it was a mocking laugh, her voice was really beautiful, like a silver bell. Looking at her smooth forehead, he really wanted to take off her veil and see her face. Just her voice was so captivating, how would her face be even more enchanting?

"This... female hero, think about it, no matter what, with me around, you have someone to talk to. When you're unhappy, you can vent your anger by scolding me. But if I die, what will you do?"

"Smooth talker, you really should be silenced!"

The woman's frown eased, though she was still somewhat cold, she was no longer as fierce as before. She found a rope and bound Zhao Yougong's hands without a word.

The woman rode her horse, holding the other end of the rope. Fortunately, she was taking the mountain path and moving very slowly, otherwise Zhao Yougong would have had nowhere to cry. Even so, he was exhausted.

After about an hour, they arrived at the eastern side of Mount Meng. By then, Zhao Yougong was already panting, while the black-clad woman was very relaxed.

"Female hero, can we rest for a moment?"

"You've only walked a little, truly useless!"

"No, female hero, I'm afraid of tiring your horse. Look at this magnificent horse, if it gets tired, wouldn't that be a loss?"

The woman remained silent, but she found it quite amusing. There were such shameless men in the world, yet he didn't even realize it.

The woman sat cross-legged on a relatively clean stone, took out a paper package from the saddlebag, and started eating with water from a flask. What made Zhao Yougong depressed was that the woman didn't even take off her veil while eating, lifting the edge of the veil to take a small bite, eating very slowly, with a grace in her every movement.

After eating two pieces of pastry, the woman noticed that Zhao Yougong was staring at her with wide eyes. Seeing his gaze, she was somewhat annoyed, "If you dare to look again, I'll gouge out your eyes!"

What a domineering woman, always talking about killing and gouging eyes, couldn't she be a bit gentler?

Stretching his legs, Zhao Yougong replied lazily, "A graceful lady, a gentleman's desire, the love of beauty is universal. Today, meeting such a beautiful female hero, it's only natural to take a few extra looks."

"You're just talking nonsense, my master was right, all men are the same, always talking nonsense!"

"Female hero, you're wrong. I'm speaking from the heart, how can it be nonsense?"

The woman put down the pastry, frowned, and snorted, "You haven't even seen my face, how do you know if I'm beautiful or ugly?"

"Is that it?" Zhao Yougong was very surprised. Did the woman really take his words seriously? He suspected this woman was from Mars. Clearly, it was a compliment, why was she so serious?

Hmm, this female hero is so innocent and pure, Little Prince Zhao really likes it.

"Female hero, you're wrong. I've learned some skills in reading people since I was young. Without seeing your face, just by your excellent posture, graceful figure, and these smooth, jade-like hands, I know you must be a one-of-a-kind, top-notch beauty!"

Zhao Yougong was not stingy with his compliments. Even if the woman's face was likely very beautiful, even if she was as ugly as Feng Jie, Zhao Yougong would still treat her like Diaochan. His life was in her hands, how could he not flatter her?

"Reading people? Is it really that magical?"

The woman hesitated, tilting her head slightly. Zhao Yougong was puzzled, was this female hero foolish or innocent?

"Of course, but... female hero, can you tell me why you had to kidnap me? Have I ever offended you?"

"No!" The woman answered straightforwardly.

Zhao Yougong frowned, very unhappy, and complained in a low voice, "If not, then why?"

"No reason! Hmph, there's not a good person among the Duan family of Dali, I'll kill them on sight!"

Hearing the woman's words, Zhao Yougong's eyes almost bulged out. He sat up straight and shouted, "You want to kill the Duan family, why kidnap me? I live in Kaifeng and am not surnamed Duan..."

"Nonsense, if you're not from the Duan family of Dali, how could you use the Six Pulse Sword Technique? Hmph, you slippery thief, don't try to fool me!"

The woman was extremely domineering, and Zhao Yougong was even more tearful. He finally understood the problem. It was because he shouted "Six Pulse Sword Technique" to the fat man. This... is there any justice in the world? No, is this woman really that foolish? He and the fat man were just joking, couldn't she tell? If he really knew the Six Pulse Sword Technique, wouldn't he have already poked holes in her clothes?

Thinking about it, Zhao Yougong's heart sank. If she wanted to kill the Duan family, and she was so innocent and ignorant, dressed in black... Hmm? Could this woman be Mu Wanqing?

"Is your surname Mu?"

"Hmm, you rogue, how did you know?" The woman was very surprised, her right hand unconsciously gripping the sword.

Seeing the woman's reaction, Zhao Yougong didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Being captured by Mu Wanqing was a blessing from several lifetimes of good karma.

Mu Wanqing moved closer, and with the mountain breeze, a faint, elegant fragrance wafted over. The scent was light and refined, like orchids but not quite, truly intoxicating. Looking into Mu Wanqing's eyes, Zhao Yougong shrugged, looking innocent, "I told you, I know a bit about reading people. Uh, but