Chapter 171 – How to Elegantly Finish Off Meng Liang (Part Eight)
“Those who do not do wrong have no fear of ghosts knocking on their door.”
But do these two dare to swear they haven’t committed any wrongs?
Rather than saying their eyes have seen the ghostly shadows, it’s more accurate to say they have a fierce ghost residing in their hearts!
In the midst of their panic, a sudden, indescribable blow strikes the back of their neck, leaving them bewildered.
The next second, agonizing pain beams through their bodies, shadows swirl before their eyes, and before they can even scream, their eyelids feel as if they’re weighed down with lead, unable to open as if the world had turned upside down. Before they fully process their dizziness, their consciousness sinks into darkness.
<Pah! Pah!>
The dull thuds echo in the air as heavy objects hit the ground.
Jiang Pengji hangs suspended from the eaves, her waist tightening as she grips the beams, casually dropping her feet to the ground.
With a swift kick, she sends the two unconscious lackeys sprawling aside, then with a flick of her wrist, she disarms the door latch with ease.
Pushing open the wood door, she clearly sees Meng Liang curled on the floor.
At this moment, Meng Liang is awake, his internal anxiety and fear have peaked.
As the door swings open, a cold wind rushes in, causing his skin to shiver, goosebumps rising all over.
With the dim moonlight from outside, Meng Liang struggles to make out the figure of his visitor and his heart leaps with joy, thinking it’s a servant come to rescue him.
He quickly resumes his usual arrogant demeanor, glaring at Jiang Pengji with fury; while he can only let out muffled “ahhs,” even a toe could guess what nasty words he wishes to spit.
Acting as if she actually cares, Jiang Pengji shows no anger at Meng Liang’s attitude and steps forward to untie the ropes binding his hands and feet. Just then, a chill wind sweeps in, causing the audience watching the livestream to gasp in alarm, their chat flooded with messages, fearing Jiang Pengji might be ambushed.
【Old Man’s Little Soldier】: Ahhhh—主播, someone’s behind you!
As the coldness creeps in, Jiang Pengji leans down, fingers barely grazing the knots of the ropes.
Just as she’s about to be struck in the back, she suddenly pivots; the blade misses her and instead pierces Meng Liang’s arm.
“Ah—”
Blood spurts out, and in pain, Meng Liang lets out an agonizing, hoarse wail.
Meng Hunyun, battling alongside his comrades, has formed a silent understanding with them, no words needed; they all know his intentions.
Understanding takes hold, Meng Hunyun tangles with Jiang Pengji, distracting her from Meng Liang, while others seize the opportunity to abduct him.
The livestream’s audience erupts in chaos.
【Night’s Promise】: Damn, hit harder! Have some shame!
【Come at Me If You Dare】: Watch out,主播, they’re planning to kidnap Meng Liang!
【Flowing Moon’s Three Blades】: Go,主播! Give him a good kick—how dare they bully you like that!
Viewers are on edge, desperate to jump through the screen and lend a hand to Jiang Pengji.
Even though they may not be skilled fighters, sheer weight would be enough to smash a rib or two, right?
Meng Hunyun thinks Jiang Pengji is just one of the Meng Clan’s servants, and out of some old feelings, he doesn’t go for the kill, leaving a leeway for her.
Yet the reality is, no matter how much Meng Hunyun tries, he can’t defeat Jiang Pengji. With him holding back, she’s even less likely to be caught off guard.
While dodging Meng Hunyun’s blade, Jiang Pengji expertly thwarts the movements of others trying to take Meng Liang away, her actions fluid and elegant.
As the prize of their “two factions”, Meng Liang by now has swallowed his pride, trying to shrink into himself, terrified that the knife in Meng Hunyun’s hand might land on him. That last wound really stung, and he doesn’t know how much precious blood he’s lost.
Once safe, he plans to deal ruthlessly with this servant who tried to save him.
The Meng Clan doesn’t nurture waste; after years of giving him food, drink, and shelter, they can’t even protect him from harm—what use is keeping such a useless fool around?
He won’t feel grateful to the “servant” who risked their life to save him, as he sees it as just their duty.
Doing well is expected; don’t think about rewards. If you screw up, you’ll get punished.
The Meng Clan supports them; their lives belong to the Meng Clan. Not protecting him and allowing him to get hurt is enough to negate all previous merits.
As Jiang Pengji and the black-clad Meng Hunyun clash, it’s clear his martial skills are more suited for battlefield execution. His overly aggressive moves are at a disadvantage against her agile style, and since he’s holding back, he can’t keep up with her.
Continuing like this isn’t sustainable, Jiang Pengji shifts her thoughts and deliberately reveals a weakness, grabbing a piece of firewood stacked in the wood room and pretends to attack Meng Hunyun’s partner. Seeing this, Meng Hunyun instinctively rushes to protect the other.
But in the next instant, he silently realizes he’s in trouble.
His wrist, holding the knife, receives a precise blow, causing his arm to go numb and making him drop the weapon which is snatched away by the black-clad figure in an instant.
Almost simultaneously, a surprise attack strikes his knee, forcing him to bend down involuntarily, presenting a half-kneeling posture.
With his arm pinned behind him and pressure on his shoulders, he strains to rise but finds it impossible.
“Don’t move! One more step and this guy’s neck won’t be safe.”
Jiang Pengji holds a knife across Meng Hunyun’s throat, while Meng Liang has already been seized by others, the two sides locked in a tense standoff.
“Dare to move, and I’ll show you!”
The partners of Meng Hunyun are frantic, terrified that Jiang Pengji might deliver a fatal blow to him.
“Ha, why wouldn’t I dare? In this world, those who can threaten me are either dead or not yet born.”
Though separated by a layer of cloth, Jiang Pengji makes no effort to disguise her voice, causing two individuals to lose their composure.
One is Meng Liang, who thought the black-clad figure was one of his clan’s rescuers, now feeling a chill of despair.
The other is Meng Hunyun; he’s sharp and remembers whose voice it is, making him feel an unspeakable panic.
Jiang Pengji seems to “notice” Meng Hunyun’s tension, raising an eyebrow and asking, “Who are you ruffians?”
Meng Hunyun, lowering his voice purposely, tells his comrade, “Don’t mind me, kill that beast!”
“How could we do that? I can’t follow that order!”
Meng Hunyun may be ruthless, but to these folk, even thousands of Meng Liang’s lives can’t compare to a single toe of Meng Hunyun.
Both sides stalemate, and Jiang Pengji has no choice but to “helplessly” shake her head, continuing to restrain Meng Hunyun while trying to communicate with the others.
“I wonder, good sirs, why you insist on taking my cousin’s life? She barely ever steps out of the house; how could she possibly offend such strong men? I ask you to reconsider; if there’s been a misunderstanding, Liu Xi will certainly apologize on her behalf.”
Liu Xi?
Meng Hunyun’s expression darkens. This young, capable lad is indeed the “Young Master” Liu Xi from that day!
He asks, “How can this person, obviously a young man, be your cousin?”
Jiang Pengji’s face turns stern, her tone sharp as she replies, “How did you know? Could it be that you are the thieves slandering him, causing him to have nowhere to return? You’ve harmed my cousin like this, and now you still wish to silence him!”
