Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1292: Chapter 1294: A Celestial Phenomenon Descends_1

Headman Lin nodded furiously, ”We must seek justice for this matter, Jin Wanliang still owes us half the commission.”

Bai Ruozhu bowed with her fists to him and said, ”Since we’re acquainted, I can’t help but offer a word of advice: It’s better not to go after him. He has some connections in the Western Regions, and he’s already in contact with people from the Holy Hall. You know that the Western Regions is a country where the Holy Hall calls the shots; what good would come of confronting him there? It would be wise to return home earlier. Even if you haven’t earned the silver, it’s good as long as no one gets hurt. As for the grudge, there will always be an opportunity for retribution.”

After listening, Headman Lin didn’t speak for a long while, his expression showing he was considering Bai Ruozhu’s words. The others from the Invincible Escort Agency also fell into contemplation. Soon, some young and impulsive ones were saying they should fight it out, but the more sensible ones remarked that as long as Green Mountain remains, there’s no worry of running out of firewood.

Bai Ruozhu smiled and added another piece of advice, ”Even a powerful dragon cannot repress a local snake.”

Headman Lin’s expression changed drastically as he turned to look at his horsemen and said, ”Madam Bai’s advice is sound. Even a powerful dragon cannot repress a local snake. We’ll head back to the agency now and inform our friends on the road about Jin Wanliang’s true colors to see who would still be willing to take on his escort tasks in the future.”

After speaking, he turned to Bai Ruozhu again and bowed with his fists in a salute, ”Madam Bai, I am deeply grateful for your kindness. Should there ever be a need, please simply mention it in Jinshui City. As long as it’s within my power, I will do my utmost to help.”

Bai Ruozhu nodded. Headman Lin was a prudent man, and since he said ”as long as it’s within my power,” it seemed he was not merely boasting. Although she didn’t need Headman Lin’s help for now, having an additional contact was beneficial, and there might be a time when his assistance would be required.

For instance, she would eventually need to transport goods and medicinal materials, and she couldn’t always dispatch a large contingent of her dark guards; she didn’t have enough people for that, so there was a high probability she would need to use an escort agency. It was good to have a positive relationship with them.

”Then this humble wife thanks Headman Lin in advance,” Bai Ruozhu said to Headman Lin as she bowed with her fists.

Headman Lin hurriedly waved his hands, ”Not at all, not at all. After all, we are the ones who have failed you, and it is only because of your and your husband’s magnanimity that we haven’t become enemies. I am truly ashamed. With that, we’ll take our leave today. When we meet again in Jinshui City, I will certainly invite you and your husband for a meal and drinks.”

Jiang Yichun smiled and said with a clasped fist, ”Very well, I wish you all a smooth journey.”

Soon, Headman Lin led his horsemen away, heading in a direction opposite to Gaochang; it looked like he really took Bai Ruozhu’s advice to heart.

Jiang Yichun ordered everyone to tidy up and check for any injuries, and to take a quarter-hour rest before setting off again.

As everyone was resting, Qingyan, lying on the horse carriage, said to Chu Hai, ”Your lady is a kind-hearted person. Others would have pursued a brutal end by now, not allowing such good karma to form. I’ve seen too much of this sort of thing here in the Western Regions.”

Chu Hai did not say anything, thinking to himself, ”You haven’t seen her when she poisons. If you did, you wouldn’t feel so comfortable calling her kind-hearted.”

”I’ve assessed those who came from the Holy Hall; they seem to be the Holy Hall’s own guards. Although they didn’t succeed, I believe your enemies will not let this go easily. The closer you get to Gaochang, the more careful you must be,” Qingyan reminded again.

Chu Hai himself grew up in the Western Regions and naturally understood this. However, he looked like a Zhongyuan native, so Qingyan thought he was a merchant traveling from Zhongyuan like Bai Ruozhu and her group.

Just as everyone was about to finish resting, Jianqi came back from a distance, dragging along a person. This person was lean and small, and he was frowning and groaning non-stop, his body curled up like a shrimp, looking even smaller. If not for his overly sleazy face, outsiders might mistake him for a child.

”Madam, spare my life, please! I won’t dare to do it again; I am in so much pain, I beg you for the antidote.” Nilu was thrown to the ground by Jianqi, scrambling to his knees and kowtowing before Bai Ruozhu.

Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow and said, ”I did warn you, the consequences of betraying me are severe.”

”I didn’t betray you, I was just scared, I—I just wanted to hide away,” Nilu, pale with pain, shivered violently.

”Do you think I am a three-year-old child? You are feigning fear; you really wanted to seize the chance to escape. When you joined me, you were not short of food or clothing, and I granted you the rewards you deserved. Is it really okay for you to betray me like this?” As she spoke, Bai Ruozhu gathered up her slightly dry hair and turned to mount her horse.

This time Nilu dared not make any more excuses, continually knocking his head on the ground, saying, ”It was all because I harbored crooked thoughts, I realize my mistake now and won’t dare to do it again.”

With her back to him, and without turning her head, Bai Ruozhu said, ”I tend to be clear about rewards and punishments. If you do well, you will be rewarded; if you err, you will naturally be punished. Let’s just say you will suffer this pain for a day. If there is a next time, it won’t be as simple as just pain.”

As she spoke, she feigned deep thought, ”Hmm, next time I shall let your whole body rot and discharge pus for half a month. New skin will continually decay, forcing you to endure pain over and over again. You will constantly smell the rot coming from your own body, and pus will incessantly drip. As for how much flesh will be left in the end, who knows? What do you think?”

Nilu turned deathly pale with fright. He hadn’t run far when his entire body began to ache, a pain that was not merely on the surface but as if it was deep within every bone, untouchable and only bearable in silence.

”I won’t dare again, I really won’t dare,” Nilu implored persistently, yet he didn’t dare to ask for a reprieve from the punishment.

On the horse carriage, Chu Hai watched Nilu with amusement and raised an eyebrow at Qingyan, who coughed twice and said, ”Being kind-hearted also depends on the person. Clear rewards and punishments are indeed right.”

But, isn’t that a bit too cruel? Even he felt a shudder run down his spine upon hearing such punishment.

Along the rest of the journey, Nilu’s pained moans could be heard, though it was evident he was trying to suppress them, fearing to irritate Bai Ruozhu once more.

As night fell, the group found a safe and open area to set up camp. Jiang Yichun dispatched several guards to hunt game, and soon a campfire was lit. Bai Ruozhu began roasting the game and making wild vegetable and bone soup for everyone.

The meal was exceptionally hearty, perhaps because they had relaxed, free from the strict rules and discipline of the Capital. Someone started a song, and the others joined in, creating a unique atmosphere.

The night passed without incident, and as dawn broke, the group continued their journey, only to be hit by a sudden downpour at noon.

The convoy halted to take shelter from the rain, but with no cave nearby, they had to seek refuge under a densely leafed big tree.

Bai Ruozhu looked up at the sky and felt relieved there was no lightning or thunder, as standing under a big tree wouldn’t be safe otherwise.

Yet, just then, although there seemed to be no lightning or thunder in the sky, lightning struck out of the blue, hitting the big tree they were sheltering under directly. Almost instantly, the lightning pierced through the branches and struck the head of one of the guards.