Chapter 35

Muyizhao was used to being rough and crude, so he naturally didn’t feel anything. If asked what he smelled at this moment, he would certainly say that the rabbit meat smelled very fragrant. However, Lu Qian didn’t think so. He kept sniffing, but the strong smell of foot odor still overwhelmed him.

This Muyi Sanlang, despite having a pair of stinky feet, loved to go barefoot, causing no small amount of trouble.

"Hey, isn’t this Brother Lu? What wind has brought you here today?" Muyi Sanlang finally noticed Lu Qian. He put the rabbit meat on a plate beside him and licked his greasy thumb. "Why are you just standing there? Quickly get a chair for Lord Lu!"

Lu Qian managed a somewhat reluctant smile. He knew Muyi Sanlang’s character well; he was a typical rough and crude person, and a greedy one at that. Therefore, it was best to be straightforward with him.

"Sanlang, I have a business proposition for you. Are you interested?"

"Business? Ha ha, Brother, you’re joking. Any business you propose must be a good one. Speak quickly!" At the mention of business, Muyi Sanlang’s eyes started to sparkle. He loved making deals that required no investment.

"It’s simple. I’m acting on behalf of someone who wants you to help kill two people!"

Kill people? Muyi Sanlang glanced at Lu Qian several times. They had known each other for many years, and he was well aware of Lu Qian’s true nature. Lu Qian appeared very kind, but he was actually a thoroughly ruthless and cunning person. If it were about killing, Lu Qian could do it himself. Why would he need Muyi Sanlang? Despite his doubts, Muyi Sanlang wouldn’t refuse. Killing for money was much simpler than robbing passing merchant caravans. "Who has commissioned you, and who are the targets?"

"I can’t reveal who commissioned me, Sanlang. It might not be a good thing for you to know. As for the targets, you should have heard of them: the Prince of Yongning!"

"The Prince of Yongning?" Muyi Sanlang, who had been lounging, straightened up as if he had been electrocuted. He stared with wide eyes, making sure Lu Qian wasn’t joking, then scratched his forehead seriously. "Brother, you’re putting me in a difficult position. The Prince of Yongning is often in the capital. How can I possibly get to him with my limited resources?"

"Hehe, don’t worry, Sanlang. The Prince of Yongning is currently in Mang Mountain!"

Lu Qian briefly explained the situation with Zhao Yougong. Muyi Sanlang’s face showed a hint of a strange smile. Knowing where Zhao Yougong was but not acting on it clearly meant that he was being used as a tool. Killing wasn’t the problem, but the consequences of killing the Prince of Yongning would be significant. "Brother, I can kill the Prince of Yongning, but the price... hehe, you know the risks involved!"

Lu Qian smiled in understanding. "How much do you want, Sanlang?"

"Ten thousand strings of cash!"

"Isn’t that a bit much?" Even though Lu Qian expected Muyi Sanlang to ask for a high price, he didn’t think he would be so greedy. Ten thousand strings of cash—could Grand Tutor Gao offer that much?

"Hehe, that’s just the down payment. Another ten thousand strings of cash will be paid upon completion!"

Expensive? Muyi Sanlang didn’t think so. If he really killed the Prince of Yongning, he might not be able to continue as a bandit. Ten thousand strings of cash for a lifetime of security was not expensive at all. Perhaps ten thousand strings of cash was a lot for others, but not for Muyi Sanlang. Even without this deal, he could save ten thousand strings of cash a year from robbing. If the price wasn’t high, why would he take the risk?

Muyi Sanlang’s words were firm, leaving no room for negotiation. Lu Qian hesitated for a moment, then bowed and smiled bitterly. "Can I have some time to think about it?"

"Sure, Brother, take your time!"

The sun had not yet set, but Lu Qian hurriedly left Mang Mountain. He didn’t return until midnight, bringing with him ten thousand strings of cash in paper money.

Handing over ten thousand strings of cash was painful for Gao Qiu, but compared to pleasing the emperor, it was nothing. If necessary, he would even offer a million strings of cash. With the emperor’s favor, any amount of money could be recouped.

Wu Qing intentionally avoided the main roads, so the two of them and their horse traveled for a long time in Mang Mountain. By nightfall, they were still a considerable distance from the southern exit. They had no choice but to rest on the spot. Wu Qing was used to this kind of life. She leaned against a tree, eating quietly, her movements graceful and serene. However, Zhao Yougong found it hard to enjoy. In his two lives, he had never slept in the woods before.

Mang Mountain, a branch of the Qinling Mountains, was already teeming with mosquitoes in early spring. Zhao Yougong, already hungry, was now being bitten by mosquitoes, making him extremely frustrated.

"Wu Xia, can I borrow your fire starter?"

Zhao Yougong wanted to start a fire. A fire could drive away mosquitoes, cook food, and reduce dampness. It was a win-win situation. However, Wu Qing softly replied, "No, I lost it when we went to the capital."

"Lost?" Zhao Yougong almost cried. How did Wu Qing travel the world without a fire starter? If she lost it, she could just get another one.

Frustrated, he looked at the branches on the ground, feeling around for a while until he found a few dry sticks. Using Wu Qing’s dagger, Zhao Yougong started to work.

Friction fire, one of the greatest inventions of our ancestors, allowed human civilization to make a qualitative leap. He had always found it amazing, and now he was about to try it himself. He spun the sharpened stick, rubbing his hands until they were hot, but still saw no sign of fire.

Wu Qing initially didn’t think much of it, but as she saw Zhao Yougong working so intently, she squatted down to observe. She half-squatted, her white hands supporting her chin, her lively eyes shining like pearls. Her body was not as slender as other women’s, but rather full and alluring.

Zhao Yougong grunted and sweated, but he was more frustrated than tired. Wu Qing, in her black outfit, was even more attractive, with her firm breasts and exquisite buttocks. As he watched, he felt a surge of desire in his lower abdomen, even though he hadn’t succeeded in starting the fire.

"Rogue, can you really start a fire this way?"

"Friction fire, you know? Our ancestors used this method thousands of years ago!" He replied, his eyes occasionally glancing at Wu Qing, sniffing the air, finding her scent very fragrant.

Wu Qing had met many women, but none like Wu Qing. Her scent was light but unforgettable, as if it had a magical quality.

"You’re lying. How do you know what happened thousands of years ago?"

"You have to trust me, Zhao never lies!"

"Ha ha," Wu Qing couldn’t help but giggle, her eyes narrowing. This rogue was shameless. If he didn’t lie, would there be any liars in the world?

With Wu Qing watching, his efforts were doubled, but he finally saw a wisp of smoke. Wu Qing was pleasantly surprised and quickly added some dry grass. With the fire started, Zhao Yougong collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily. After a short rest, he wanted to chat, but found that Wu Qing was gone.

Where was Wu Qing? Zhao Yougong called out, "Sister Wu... Little Sister Wu... Wu Beauty... Where are you?"

He called several times, but there was no response. Just as he was about to call out again, a cold voice came from behind, "Hmph, you rogue, if you keep shouting, I’ll stab you!"

Wu Qing was truly embarrassed and angry. Calling her "Sister Wu" and "Little Sister Wu" as if she were two different people was too intimate for her to handle.

Turning around, he saw Wu Qing holding two unfortunate wild chickens. It seemed she had gone hunting. Zhao Yougong was a bit disappointed that he couldn’t call her "Little Sister Wu" more, but he still smiled and said, "Xia, you caught chickens. Zhao will have a feast!"

"Hmph, I’m warning you again, if you keep shouting, I’ll really stab you!"

Taking the chickens, Zhao Yougong frowned, "What should I call you then? Lady?"

"Slap!" Wu Qing’s delicate brows furrowed, and she slapped Zhao Yougong. The sound was loud and clear, but Zhao Yougong’s eyes narrowed, and he rubbed his chest, smiling dreamily, "If I can’t call you, I won’t, but your hand smells so good!"

"You... rogue..."

Wu Qing, who rarely interacted with others, didn’t know many insults. The only words she could think of were "rogue" and "scoundrel." She wanted to say something more insulting but didn’t know what. She couldn’t bear to kill Zhao Yougong, so she sat down and sulked, watching him roast the chickens.

Half an hour later, the chickens were cooked. Zhao Yougong took a few bites and frowned; they were burnt. Still, he had to eat, as it was better than nothing.

Wu Qing tore off a relatively tender piece of meat and chewed it lightly. The burnt chicken gave her another reason to mock Zhao Yougong, "If you can’t cook, don’t try. It’s so terrible!"

"..." Zhao Yougong’s brows furrowed, feeling very frustrated. Should he tell Wu Qing that he was a great barbecue chef in his previous life?

Zhao Yougong remained silent, eating the burnt chicken gloomily. His silence made Wu Qing feel a bit empty. Although this rogue always talked nonsense, listening to him was actually quite entertaining.

"Hey, why aren’t you talking?"

"What should I say? Whatever I say, I’ll get hit. I can’t call you sister or little sister. What should I call you? Lady? It sounds a bit strange."

Hearing Zhao Yougong’s rambling, Wu Qing was speechless. She realized he was worried about this. She smiled inwardly but was also at a loss. Not calling her sister or little sister, what should he call her? Calling her "Lady" as he suggested? She didn’t like that either.

"Here, it’s just the two of us. Why so formal?"

"What if there were many people? How would you know I’m talking to you? We need a name. How about ‘Wan’?"

"Hmph!" Wu Qing huffed and turned away. This rogue was just trying to take advantage. Are all men like him? It seems her master was right.

The mountain breeze was cool, and the forest was damp. Black Rose lay by the tree, snoring. Zhao Yougong and Wu Qing breathed evenly, seemingly sleeping soundly. However, a group of unwelcome visitors was slowly approaching from a distance.