Destined

Hearing this, Master Ying immediately understood that Gu Jiusi would not let the matter rest easily today.

He desperately pondered how to respond, but by then, the outside had already begun organizing an assault. Just as they charged inward, Gu Jiusi pressed his fan closer to Master Ying’s neck. Master Ying instantly felt the sharp pain of the fan cutting his skin and cried out in panic, "Don’t come in!"

At that moment, panicked shouts erupted from outside: "Government troops are storming up the mountain!"

"How many?!"

Shen Ming was the first to ask. The messenger shook his head and said, "I don’t know, but it looks like... a lot of them!"

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. Someone muttered, "How can we possibly win this? It’s all because Old Eagle tried to please his master—why should we bear the consequences?"

A chorus of complaints broke out. Shen Ming, listening nearby, smirked mockingly and said, "You kept quiet when it was time to act, but now that trouble’s here, you’re quick to blame others. Is that fair?"

"Then what do you suggest we do?!" another roared angrily. "Should we fight them head-on?"

"What’s there to fear?!"

Someone else chimed in, "We have traps and skills—if we must fight, then so be it! No need to be afraid!"

The crowd descended into chaos. Some quietly began slipping away down the mountain. The clash of weapons from below grew thunderous. Hidden in the darkness, Gu Jiusi held Master Ying hostage while Liu Yuru leaned against him for support.

Gu Jiusi remained vigilant, scanning their surroundings, and Liu Yuru dared not relax either. After a prolonged standoff, as the sounds of battle drew nearer, Master Ying gritted his teeth and said, "Lord Gu, must you really wipe us out completely?"

"That depends on what you plan to do."

Gu Jiusi’s voice was calm. "If you wish to make a deal with me, Master Ying, you’ll need something to bargain with. What do you intend to offer in exchange for your life?"

"I have money," Master Ying said hurriedly. "I have a lot of money."

"If you die, that money will be mine anyway."

"I also know many secrets about Lord Liang!"

Master Ying blurted out. Gu Jiusi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Such as?"

"Lord Liang has a treasury," Master Ying said quickly. "I know its location."

"What else?"

Master Ying racked his brains for more information, bargaining with Gu Jiusi.

Meanwhile, arguments erupted outside.

"To catch the rebels, first capture their leader!" someone bellowed. "They’re here to rescue Gu Jiusi. If we capture him, they won’t dare charge up the mountain!"

"But Master Ying is still inside..."

"At a time like this, who cares about Master Ying?!" a burly man roared. "Let’s go—seize Gu Jiusi!"

Stirred by the instigator, a group of men, watching the government troops advance up the mountain, clenched their teeth and finally decided to charge in.

Master Ying heard the men outside covering their mouths and noses with cloths before rolling inside.

As soon as Gu Jiusi saw them, he knew they had abandoned Master Ying. With a swift motion, he beheaded Master Ying, then pulled Liu Yuru and Yin Hong into a corner, shielding them with his body.

Standing before the two women, he raised his reclaimed blade, exuding an aura of one man holding off an army.

Liu Yuru administered an antidote to Yin Hong, who improved slightly but still leaned weakly against her, trembling as she whispered, "Madam, there are so many of them."

"It’s all right," Liu Yuru reassured her. "The young master is here."

Hearing her call him "the young master," Gu Jiusi couldn’t help but curl the corners of his lips into a faint smile.

The men gathered and charged forward. Gu Jiusi stood guard in front of Liu Yuru, fending off wave after wave of attacks.Shen Ming observed the situation from the shadows, remaining silent.

He glanced at Liu Yu Ru in the main hall—she was still holding Yin Hong, trembling uncontrollably. Gu Jiusi, worn down by their relentless attacks, showed signs of fatigue but hadn't retreated a single step.

Hesitating for a moment, he overheard someone outside discussing: "If we capture those two women, Gu Jiusi will have no choice but to surrender."

"But he's blocking their way," someone anxiously replied, "we can't find an opening to strike."

"Bring the torches."

The speaker gritted his teeth and said, "Burn it. When they can't bear the flames, they'll have to come out. Let's see how one man can protect two women!"

Shen Ming frowned upon hearing this. Just then, Brother Xiong rushed over, urging anxiously, "Xiao Shen, let's go quickly! The government troops are about to break through. Everyone else has already left."

Shen Ming nodded and was about to leave when he saw the opponents bringing torches forward.

After a brief hesitation, Shen Ming reached out, snatched the torch from them, and flung it away. Then he shouted loudly, "Liu Yu Ru, they're going to set the place on fire!"

After saying this, Shen Ming kicked the opponent away and turned to run.

Liu Yu Ru was startled by the shout, but Gu Jiusi reacted swiftly and immediately said, "Water!"

Liu Yu Ru quickly stood up, fetched a teapot, and the two poured water onto cloth, covering their noses and mouths as they prepared for the impending trouble.

Unexpectedly, they only heard curses directed at Shen Ming from outside, followed by complete chaos. Gu Jiusi gripped his sword tightly, shielding Liu Yu Ru. After what felt like an eternity, Huang Long kicked the door open and shouted, "My lord!"

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi reacted instantly. He quickly removed the coat he had placed over Liu Yu Ru and told her to cover her head with it, saying, "Stay hidden for a while. Don't let anyone see you."

Liu Yu Ru gritted her teeth and acknowledged.

Only then did Gu Jiusi stand up, positioning himself in front of her, and replied to Huang Long, "I'm here!"

Huang Long finally spotted Gu Jiusi and hurried over. "My lord..."

"Find a carriage," Gu Jiusi urgently instructed. "Park it nearby, and don't let anyone approach this house."

Huang Long was momentarily stunned but didn't question the order. He acknowledged and rushed out.

As soon as Huang Long left, Liu Yu Ru couldn't help but ask, "Is it over?"

Hearing the tremor in her voice, Gu Jiusi immediately turned around, embraced her, and kissed her head gently, comforting her, "It's alright, it's all over now. Don't be afraid."

Liu Yu Ru let out a sigh of relief, finally allowing herself to relax completely.

As Gu Jiusi kissed her head, she suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment. The effects of the medicine made Yin Hong drowsy, and she leaned against the wall in a daze. Liu Yu Ru glanced at Yin Hong, then tugged at Gu Jiusi's sleeve, her voice tinged with grievance as she said, "I... I'm fine."

"It's alright, it's alright," Gu Jiusi reassured her, not fully understanding her meaning. "Everything's fine now."

"I..." Liu Yu Ru struggled for a moment before finally blushing and saying, "I... no one touched me..."

Her voice grew softer, laced with awkwardness as she added, "That Shen Ming... he's a good person... he..."

Gu Jiusi was taken aback for a moment before he finally understood.He held Liu Yuru, momentarily stunned. A sudden sense of relief washed over him, making his legs feel weak. He couldn't quite articulate the emotion, only that it was mixed with something complex he couldn't put into words. It wasn't merely the attitude one would have toward a family member or friend who had survived a disaster—it even carried an unexpected joy he couldn't explain.

He remained dazed for a long time. Liu Yuru grew anxious and hurriedly said, "Don't not believe me. Trust me, I..."

"I don't care."

Gu Jiusi suddenly spoke, and Liu Yuru looked at him in confusion. Then she saw the seriousness in his eyes: "I don't care about any of that. I only worry about whether you were bullied and if you can return safely."

"Nothing else matters," Gu Jiusi's voice was slightly hoarse. "No matter what you've been through, you will always be Liu Yuru. You don't need to explain anything to me. As long as you weren't bullied, that's enough."

Liu Yuru observed Gu Jiusi's demeanor; she rarely saw him so earnest. She pursed her lips and smiled, "What if I really was wronged?"

"Then I'll get justice for you," Gu Jiusi looked at her, a cold glint in his eyes. "I'll make every single one who bullied you pay, cleanly and thoroughly."

Liu Yuru fell silent. Seeing her lower her head, Gu Jiusi quickly added, "It's not that I don't believe you. I know you weren't bullied."

"You're so sure?" Liu Yuru looked up and laughed, "What if I'm lying?"

"Even if you're lying, I'm not stupid," Gu Jiusi said matter-of-factly. "Your inner clothes aren't even torn. What harm could you have suffered?"

Hearing this, Liu Yuru's face instantly flushed bright red. She turned away and muttered in complaint, "What were you looking at!""Nothing," Gu Jiusi sounded wronged, "I didn't see anything, I just glanced casually.".."

As they were talking, Huang Long stood outside the door and said respectfully, "Sir, the carriage is ready."

Gu Jiusi acknowledged and quickly stood up. He pulled the carriage in himself, then helped Liu Yuru carry Yin Hong inside before assisting Liu Yuru into the carriage.

"Don't come out later," Gu Jiusi instructed. "Once everything is handled, I'll take you back."

Liu Yuru nodded. As Gu Jiusi prepared to lead the horse out, she suddenly said, "Jiusi," hesitantly adding, "What do you plan to do with these people?"

Gu Jiusi remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, "They saw your face. Moreover, they've been committing crimes around Wangdu for years—they deserve this."

Liu Yuru hesitated for a moment before saying, "Shen Ming isn't exactly bad. He saved us."

She didn't elaborate further, leaving the decision of whether to spare or kill him up to Gu Jiusi. Gu Jiusi nodded and patted Liu Yuru's hand, "Don't worry, I'll handle it. Just get some rest."

Liu Yuru acknowledged and entered the carriage, falling silent.

Gu Jiusi led the carriage out. At this time, the people from Black Wind Fortress were being captured one by one.

Huang Long was dealing with those who hadn't managed to escape, while Huzi was intercepting the runaways below. Huzi hadn't brought the captives up yet, and everyone was waiting for Zhou Ye to arrive with the troops. Before the army came, they didn't dare let these people gather and realize how few in number they actually were.Gu Jiusi assessed the situation. Huang Long began attacking Black Wind Fortress using his methods, and from the start, the defenders were terrified.

After all, many who had come here had sought refuge under Master Ying's influential backing. With the open assault and Huzi's men creating a deceptive show of strength, everyone assumed the attackers were numerous, leading to widespread panic and flight.

The deserters posed little threat—they were captured almost as soon as they fled.

No one had anticipated such smooth progress.

Just before dawn, Zhou Ye finally arrived with his men. With Zhou Ye's presence, Huzi rounded up the escapees and brought them to Black Wind Fortress.

The bandits were securely bound together. Zhou Ye glanced at the trembling figures kneeling on the ground and finally asked, "What's the plan? Should we hand them over to the authorities?"

"No." Gu Jiusi swept a cold gaze over them and stated calmly, "Right here, dig a pit and bury them all."

At these words, panic erupted instantly. Pleas for mercy mixed with curses filled the air. Zhou Ye couldn't help but advise, "Jiusi, this will stain your karma..."

"This is karma I cannot afford to accumulate."

Gu Jiusi declared resolutely, "Proceed."