"Hide your things well, and make sure I don’t find them," Chu Dingjiang said softly, his gaze lowered.
Today, Chu Dingjiang had hidden in the room for who knew how long, and neither Mei Zhengjing nor Mei Yanran had sensed his presence. Who in this world could possibly stop him?
Yet, after facing Chu Dingjiang once, Mei Zhengjing knew his ruthlessness went far beyond this.
"Stealing? I wouldn’t stoop to such lowly acts," Chu Dingjiang curled his lips. "If you refuse to hand over the Heart Sutra, I’ll slaughter every last member of Mei Shi, take the key, and search at my leisure. There aren’t many of you left—even if I kill one a day, it won’t take long."
Mei Zhengjing replied, "Do you think threats will work? Though Mei Shi seeks survival, we are not so afraid of death as to yield to this."
"Admirable courage. But what use is reckless bravery? You know the person I protect stands on the same cliff as you. If you cooperate, not only will you avoid gaining another enemy, but you’ll also gain an ally," Chu Dingjiang said. "A temporary ally is still an ally. You’re a pragmatic man—I doubt I need to waste more words. I’ll give you two days to think. If I don’t hear a positive answer by then, I’ll start killing."
"No need for two days. I agree," Mei Zhengjing said.
Chu Dingjiang’s stern face betrayed no emotion. "When will you deliver?"
Mei Zhengjing thought briefly. "The path to the secret realm is complex, and summer makes it even more perilous. If you wish to find the Heart Sutra, the sooner the better. But the round trip will take at least three months."
Chu Dingjiang asked, "I heard you once entered the secret realm—yet couldn’t even remember a hundred words?"
"I went there for training. I touched the gate of the secret realm but never entered."
"Then you also don’t know why Mei Shi sealed away the Heart Sutra?"
"No." This had always puzzled Mei Zhengjing. Unfortunately, he had resisted becoming the Mei Shi family head in the past, so many secrets remained unknown to him. Now, even if he wanted answers, no one could tell him—only successive family heads were privy to such knowledge. Perhaps this trip to the secret realm would provide clarity.
Chu Dingjiang pressed on. "Since you hold this secret, why didn’t you reveal it outright instead of submitting to my threats?"
Had Mei Zhengjing disclosed the secret then, Chu Dingjiang would have been immediately put on the defensive.
"This matter concerns Mei Shi’s survival. Without knowing your true motives, how could I speak carelessly?" Mei Zhengjing knew this explanation lacked persuasiveness, so he added, "After returning to the estate, I ordered a full search for the Secret Records. As the one-month deadline you set approached, I truly considered crippling Elder Zhi’s hands..."
Such sacrifices for the greater good were common in powerful families, especially in assassin clans like Mei Shi. Though Mei Zhengjing felt remorse and guilt, he saw no true wrong in the act.
Chu Dingjiang had once given Mei Zhengjing medicine to heal mental strength damage. Mei Zhengjing administered it immediately upon returning, but it showed no effect.
It wasn’t until Mei Zhengjing hesitated outside Elder Zhi’s door that the elder briefly regained clarity.
Overjoyed, as if finding a pillar of support, Mei Zhengjing confided everything to Elder Zhi, hoping for a solution that spared both sides. Yet after a long silence, Elder Zhi suddenly severed his own tendons and begged Mei Zhengjing to grant him a swift death once the Secret Records were obtained."Sixth Master. Everyone says I've sacrificed so much for the family, and it's true—my entire life has been lived for the family. Yet in my old age, during the family's most difficult time, I selfishly chose the wrong path. As a result, all those years of sacrifice went up in smoke. The first half of my life was spent living and dying for the family, while the latter half saw me abandon all that, pouring all my energy into Archery instead. In the end, I achieved neither fame nor success. This outcome is the bitter fruit of my own making."
"Elder Zhi said that in life, once you draw the bowstring, there's no turning back. Once you commit everything to something, you must never look back until death. Though success isn't guaranteed, giving up midway ensures a lifetime of mediocrity." Mei Zhengjing sighed. "He came to his senses and told me to trust you."
The regret in Elder Zhi's words was unmistakable. Intelligent people awaken easily, but sadly, his awakening came too late, leaving him with nothing but endless pain. This pain had nothing to do with anyone else—it stemmed solely from his realization that he hadn't done his utmost to protect Mei Shi, his focus having been diverted by Archery.
Chu Dingjiang nodded, indicating he believed this explanation.
Mei Yanran's heart ached with sorrow. Compared to the righteousness of her clan, she was merely a selfish mother—a failed mother.
"I'll go with you," she said.
Mei Zhengjing nodded in agreement, then turned to Chu Dingjiang. "I'll trouble you to look after Mei Shi in my absence."
"Twice." Chu Dingjiang couldn't endlessly serve as Mei Shi's protector. His Internal Energy had greatly diminished—if twenty ninth-level experts attacked him simultaneously, they could certainly kill him.
Though there weren't many ninth-level experts left in the world, hadn't the Liao Kingdom produced those pseudo-ninth-level warriors whose power surged from Medicine? Even if they only maintained it for half a day, Chu Dingjiang would still be defeated.
Mei Zhengjing understood—Chu Dingjiang was only willing to save Mei Shi from peril twice. Calculating the duration of his absence, he realized these two promises might even be reserved for future use. "Deal!"
This transaction still favored Mei Zhengjing. With Mei Shi in grave danger, gaining the protection of a Transformation Realm Master for free was like catching a pie falling from the sky.
Mei Zhengjing acted decisively. Having agreed to the arrangement, he handed over all Mei Shi affairs to Mei Tingzhu that very day, packed his belongings, and left for Plum Blossom Village with Mei Yanran.
Burdened with responsibilities, Chu Dingjiang felt somewhat frustrated, but more than anything, he was relieved. Had he not learned this monumental secret today, allowing this hidden danger to lurk within An Jiu would have been far more terrifying. Who knew when the person by his side might turn into an emotionless killing tool?
At least now that he knew, there was room for remedy.
Returning to Hua Manor, Chu Dingjiang decided to take Mei Jiu back to Plum Blossom Village to wait.
"Are you coming?" Chu Dingjiang shared his thoughts with Mo Sigui.
Mo Sigui glanced at the room full of Medicine and shook his head firmly. "No."
Chu Dingjiang nodded, not pressing further. He had initially wanted to ask Mo Sigui if he knew about the poison in Mei Shi's bloodline, but with Wei Yuzhi present, he refrained.
A man of swift action, Chu Dingjiang left immediately, leaving only a letter on the table. He and An Jiu departed lightly by carriage, so no one paid much attention, assuming it was just an ordinary outing.
Plum Blossom Village remained unchanged.
Lou Xiaowu was overjoyed to see An Jiu return, pulling her into a spin. "Mouse, you're back!"
An Jiu curled her lip. "Yeah, Mushroom."The initially quite emotional "heart-to-heart talk" between the two left an unexpected legacy—two nicknames.
"Mushroom is much better than a mouse!" Lou Xiaowu declared triumphantly, secretly relieved she hadn't claimed to be a weasel instead.
Chu Dingjiang watched An Jiu and Lou Xiaowu together, their innocence bringing him joy. "You two go play," he said.
Lou Xiaowu glanced at Ling Ziyue.
"Go ahead!" Ling Ziyue encouraged.
Only then did Lou Xiaowu cheerfully skip out, pulling An Jiu along with her.
Inside the room, the two uncles watched them leave, wearing the doting expressions of fathers watching their daughters come of age. (To be continued...)
OpenNovel