Chapter 844 – So What if I Kill You? (Part 11)
Jiang Pengji vehemently denied it.
“I didn’t mean it that way… Someone as pristine and gentle as you, Yu Mo, is usually untouched by common demons… I’m just worried that there might be some lurking demon by your side. It’s better to be cautious,” Jiang Pengji’s gaze drifted meaningfully over Cheng Jing’s right hand.
Cheng Jing noticed this detail, and his complexion suddenly changed, turning pale with a hint of green.
With no one else around, Cheng Jing walked close beside Jiang Pengji, just a step apart.
“Does the governor also believe in demons?” Cheng Jing cautiously inquired.
Jiang Pengji replied, “The world is vast and full of wonders; perhaps demons do exist. But I’ve always believed that demons fear people.”
Cheng Jing exclaimed with surprise, “Oh?”
He found it intriguing, having never heard such a perspective before. Since ancient times, it has always been humans who feared demons. How could demons fear humans?
Jiang Pengji continued, “The tales of demons have existed for ages. Yet curiously, the rumors about them have always been like chasing wind, lacking any conclusive evidence or facts. If demons were as powerful as people say, why do they hide away? They must be afraid of us, lurking like rats in the shadows, unable to face the light.”
Cheng Jing chuckled, “The governor’s viewpoint is indeed refreshing.”
“Demons and monsters are not frightening; what is truly terrifying is the human heart. The wickedness of the human heart is something even countless Buddhas cannot save.”
With a pointed meaning, Cheng Jing didn’t voice his agreement, but his expression showed he shared this view.
At that moment, Cheng Jing extended his right hand from his long sleeve, revealing a palm wrapped in white cloth.
From the slender outline of his fingers, it was evident he had beautiful hands, truly capable of creating intricate art.
He asked, “So, according to the governor, what does Mr. Wei Ci mean by ‘demons’? Is it a person or a monster?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “It’s hard to say, that depends on what you think, Yu Mo.”
Cheng Jing fell silent, his brows furrowed slightly with concern.
He sensed that as time passed, his actions were becoming increasingly abnormal, and his memories were severely muddled.
Although it didn’t impact the important matters, from Yuan Chong’s reactions, it seemed his temperament had undergone significant changes.
He had countless times thought about killing the lurking “demon” beside him, but each time he considered its strange powers, he could only keep his thoughts to himself.
“I think it should be a demon,” Cheng Jing mused. Turning the thought over, he asked, “Does Mr. Wei Ci know how to exorcise demons?”
Jiang Pengji chuckled, “Zixiao’s half-baked skills would barely suffice to feed a demon; asking him is simply misguided.”
Cheng Jing: “…”
Having his subordinate mocked behind their backs by such a leader… He truly wondered how Wei Ci and the others endured this.
What a joke!
Jiang Pengji continued, “However, if you want to know how to exorcise demons, you could always consult me.”
Cheng Jing showed a look of suspicion, then suddenly recollected something, and his expression subtly changed.
He remembered… the extraordinary feats of this person before him!
During the royal emergency, Cheng Jing was not yet qualified to attend court with Huang Song. According to Huang Song’s later account, this Wanzhou governor single-handedly dissected something that was suspected to be a demon! Such strength, no wonder she claimed not to fear demons!
Cheng Jing’s mind began to race, a mix of eagerness and hesitation filling him.
“May I know the governor’s brilliant strategy?”
Upon asking this question, Cheng Jing felt a slight stiffening in his expression.
This should be a question from a lord to a subordinate. As a strategist, to not propose a plan but rather ask Jiang Pengji was undoubtedly embarrassing.
However, having already asked, he could only steel himself and await the answer.
Jiang Pengji responded with a smile, “What else could it be? Naturally, you lure the other party out and kill them right there!”
With a frown, Cheng Jing gazed at Jiang Pengji hesitantly.
“Are you serious, governor?”
“Absolutely!”
Remembering Jiang Pengji’s past deeds, Cheng Jing’s wavering heart gradually settled.
Perhaps… it was worth a shot!
The banquet would not start until nightfall. Cheng Jing returned to his lodgings for a bath and to change.
Just as he finished tidying up, he sensed another presence in the room, a faint scent of delicate powder lingering in the air.
Coming from a prestigious background, he regarded incense as an elegant matter, making him sensitive to fragrances.
He truly didn’t know how that demon managed to appear by his side unnoticed.
Preparing himself mentally, Cheng Jing calmly walked past the newcomer and retrieved his scholar’s sword to hang at his waist.
The newcomer, in a commanding tone, said, “At tonight’s banquet, bring me along.”
Cheng Jing nodded in agreement, revealing not a hint of surprise, as if their sudden appearance was a normal occurrence.
“Today I saw Liu Xi; how was she? Any unusual signs?”
The newcomer spoke quite rudely, as if genuinely treating Cheng Jing as her confidant, casually taking a seat at the head of the table.
Cheng Jing closed his eyelids and properly seated himself at the lower right.
As he prepared to speak, his gaze fell on his right hand, suddenly remembering something, a shiver creeping up his spine.
Cheng Jing replied, “There wasn’t anything strange about Liu Xi; the only odd thing… her right hand seems to be injured.”
He recalled that Jiang Pengji, like him, had her right hand wrapped in white cloth.
But at that moment, his mind had been in disarray, making him forget to ask.
Now that he thought about it, a surge of unease struck him.
Could it be this demon not only wanted to control him but also aimed to manipulate Liu Xi?
“The right hand?” The newcomer’s eyes gleamed, a spark of vitality appearing on her face, “What does her right hand look like?”
Cheng Jing answered, “Liu Xi’s right hand is wrapped in white cloth, and it looks slightly swollen.”
Upon hearing this, the newcomer revealed a satisfied smile.
At that time, she had cast the Ninth-Rank Loyalty Talisman on Jiang Pengji’s right hand; in other words, the curse mark lay on that hand.
Seeing Jiang Pengji still wrapped her right hand, it was clear the curse mark had long been lurking in her body.
Once he activated the curse mark in front of Jiang Pengji, the other would become her most obedient puppet.
With this thought in mind, she looked forward to tonight’s banquet.
Tonight, the dried fish would finally flip!
Cheng Jing secretly placed his hand on the sword hilt, taking a deep breath, his expression calm as he climbed into the carriage.
The wheels turned smoothly forward, heading toward the county office.
The newcomer sat in the same carriage with Cheng Jing, stretching her legs nonchalantly and leaning chaotically, occupying two-thirds of the space. Her careless posture made Cheng Jing’s blood boil, yet he could only pretend not to see.
As they were about to arrive at their destination, the newcomer issued orders to Cheng Jing, “After the banquet, find any excuse to draw Liu Xi out, and make her come see me. If she tries to kill me, you must stand in front of me, understood?”
The curse mark hadn’t activated yet; Liu Xi was still that fierce spirit.
She needed someone to act as a shield, buying her time!
Cheng Jing replied, “Understood!”
