Chapter 18 – Midnight Stranger Arrives (Part 2)
In a bandit stronghold, the ground was littered with corpses, the brutality of the killings stark and merciless… Inside, a young girl claimed that her husband was about to return… implying that the one she spoke of had wiped out the entire bandit stronghold…
In other words, he was threatened by a little girl?
Pondering this, Feng Langjun cupped his hands and said, “In that case, I have no intention of making things difficult for the lady. However, the night road is perilous, and we’ve been lost in the forest for two days, not to mention the loss of several house servants and bodyguards… we must resume our journey…”
Wei Jingxian silently gritted her teeth, was the other party planning to stay?
But right now, stalling for time was crucial. Lan Ting might be on his way, so she needed to keep them steady for now.
With a glint in her eyes, she decided, tightening her voice, “In that case, sir, please go ahead.”
Despite being in a stronghold full of corpses, it was certainly better than camping out in the forest.
The guards did not hold back, immediately gathering wood to start a fire, but soon they faced an awkward situation – they had nothing to ignite it with.
The flint was lost, and the fire starters had soaked in water… Were they truly going to have to start a fire by drilling wood?
Turning to see the faint light through the paper window, would it be unreasonable to ask for a spark?
“Lady, may I boldly borrow a fire?”
Wei Jingxian pursed her lips, was he still unrepentant?
If she had guards around, it wouldn’t be a problem for her to agree, but now she only had a bunch of vulnerable girls nearby.
Scared senseless by the bandits during the day, any strange man made them instinctively fearful. How could they possibly open the door for a stranger?
Having narrowly escaped the tiger’s mouth, for the sake of safety and reputation, they definitely could not let anyone in!
“The lady’s husband is returning soon, how about the gentleman waits for a moment? Otherwise, if my husband investigates, it might be tough for me.”
Wei Jingxian nervously shut her eyes, where was he?
At this moment, Feng Langjun crossed his arms, smiling as he asked, “Unmarried girl, calling another man ‘husband,’ are you not afraid of being scandalous?”
Wei Jingxian instinctively gasped, then quickly realized, covering her mouth in horror, she had been tricked!
Feng Langjun’s sharp eyes narrowed, and with a wave of his hand, the guards understood and prepared to break in.
Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji returned with her catch, but the ease on her face vanished quickly, replaced by seriousness.
System: “What’s wrong, host?”
“There are unfamiliar footsteps, the tracks are fresh, not those left by the previous bandits… that group has gone towards the bandit stronghold, the ground is stained with blood, some of them are injured, but not severely. Based on the depth of the footprints, these people don’t appear to be in good condition… there are six pairs of footprints, indicating seven people… Jingxian and the others are still in the stronghold, this is bad, I need to hurry back.”
Jiang Pengji’s eyes narrowed, a string of information quickly flashed in her mind, and she hastened her return.
【Lan Cuiyu Never Backs Down】: Host, did you miscount? Six pairs of footprints, seven people?
“One of the footprints is of medium size, not likely a fat person, but the shoe prints are the deepest, suggesting someone is being carried. I suspect two of them are injured in the arms, and another has a leg injury…”
【Wujiang Pickled Vegetables】: Am I the only one who finds this host adorable? But it’s pitch black out here… I know you have excellent night vision, proved that half an hour ago… but how did you analyze all this just from a glance?
【Stowaway Non-Money】: This host is spectacular when she speaks, she just calls it as she sees it… You all should trust me on this.
“Such obvious details, there’s nothing to boast about.”
Jiang Pengji moved swiftly, returning in a breeze, casually remarking this.
As she approached the bandit stronghold, she indeed saw a group of seven outside a brightly lit hut, and as she ran, she nocked an arrow.
Whoosh—
“If I were you, I wouldn’t be so reckless. If you don’t want to die, get away from that house!”
Before the guards could even get near the door, the sharp sound of air being sliced rang out, nearly grazing one’s nose before embedding into the doorpost.
Feng Langjun’s expression stiffened, and Jiang Pengji already drew the second arrow, coldly adding, “If you don’t comply, the next arrow will aim for your precious young master on your back. Now, leave that house—immediately!”
The positions of the thugs exposed everything, especially the significant someone being carried and that slender bamboo stick.
Unlike the gathering outside, the noble girls inside were overwhelmed with joy, having endured a tough time.
“Jingxian, how are you all inside? Are those ruffians behaving?”
Wei Jingxian had been talking with a squeezed voice, now with a slight tickle, she cleared her throat and tried to respond loudly.
“Lan Ting, the gentleman outside means no offense; he only wants to borrow a fire to enter. I haven’t had a chance to agree yet.”
Jiang Pengji scoffed coldly, without responding, as if someone dared to move closer, trying to bully a group of girls.
Hearing Wei Jingxian’s reply, Feng Langjun’s head started to ache.
This complaint was exceedingly indirect.
He cupped his hands in Jiang Pengji’s direction, apologetically saying, “What happened previously was a misunderstanding; we meant no offense to the noble lady. It’s just that the night has grown heavier, and we wanted to borrow a fire, hoping the lady inside would do us a favor, not intending to offend her.”
Hypocritical!
Knocking on someone’s door in the dead of night, especially a group of oddly dressed men armed with blades, who wouldn’t be cautious?
“It’s just borrowing a fire; there might be flint or something else in other houses, just go find it. Why scare my lady outside?” Jiang Pengji unashamedly responded, taking the opportunity to mock him.
Jiang Pengji held a bow in one hand, with her catch slung over her shoulder, a dead snake coiled around the hoof of a wild boar.
Feng Langjun saw her clearly by the fire’s light, a bewildered look flickering across his clear eyes, then he raised an eyebrow, “Husband?”
Jiang Pengji sized him up, quickly arriving at a conclusion—
He had a bit of wit, but his combat skills equaled a mere novice like Liu Lanting.
Just a brain without a shred of threatening prowess—nothing more than a white-cut chicken.
However… Jiang Pengji furrowed her brow discreetly, realizing he might have deduced her gender and was taunting her as well?
Thinking this, Jiang Pengji flashed a smile, her gaze at the young man seeming rather flirtatious as she countered, “Mister, your looks are indeed delectable, yet… after seven days without cleansing, being chased far and wide, I imagine you’ve had quite a nervous time and barely cared for your appearance… that precious fragrance, though exquisite, really is quite overwhelming… Even if you are eager to offer your bed, do burn some incense and bathe before coming over.”
Feng Langjun: “…”
Wasn’t it said that Hejian County was full of talented men and gentle, ladylike daughters?
A daughter who sounded more like a fierce elder sister?
Seeing the young master being teased by a girl, his loyal guard couldn’t help but draw his sword but was stopped by Feng Langjun raising a hand.
“No rudeness, retreat.”
Seeing her garb, it was apparent she was not a farmer or a hunter; just why was she here at this hour, and capable of such skills, was questionable. Could it really be that on the third of March, a flock of noble girls had ventured out for a different spring outing?
Jiang Pengji lost interest in his actions and moved closer to the door, knocking.
“Jingxian, it’s me; go grab a torch from the bonfire and pass it to me through the door.”
Feng Langjun cupped his hands in gratitude, “Thank you…”
Jiang Pengji smirked mischievously, “You’re thanking me too soon; I need the torch merely for boiling water to handle this food.”
