Chapter 842 – What If I Kill You? (Part Nine)
Since that night, Cheng Jing and the others hadn’t encountered any further turmoil, but Yuan Chong’s furrowed brow showed no signs of easing up.
He noticed Cheng Jing’s complexion growing increasingly haggard, and recently, he even seemed a bit dazed.
Each time he asked, the other would always claim it was nothing, but deep down, Yuan Chong felt uneasy. He suspected that his master had probably gotten entangled with some dirty thing. However, whenever he mentioned this, he was met with comments like “A gentleman doesn’t talk about the bizarre and supernatural,” leaving Yuan Chong feeling quite frustrated.
Time swiftly moved into mid-June.
As they traveled along the road, Cheng Jing and the others couldn’t help but feel emotional at the vibrant new scene in Wanzhou.
Yuan Chong remarked, “Although the Wanzhou Governor is a woman, she handles the county remarkably well.”
The north had suffered through wars and had many refugees, and last year there had been severe drought for months, making it seem quite desolate, but what they saw was entirely different from their expectations. Many common people were diligently working the fields, and the cultivated land was beautifully arranged, radiating a sense of peace.
Cheng Jing remained silent.
To him, being a ruler over the people relied entirely on ability, regardless of gender.
Not long after entering Wanzhou, Jiang Pengji was already aware of their arrival.
By the time they arrived, she had prepared to welcome them.
“Master—how can this place possibly be Xiangyang City? It doesn’t look like it at all! If you said this was the capital, people might actually believe you… Master, why is Liu Xi, the Wanzhou Governor, not in the provincial capital but staying here?” Yuan Chong, this gigantic man, changed from rough hemp clothing to finely tailored silk garments, looking considerably more genteel and less boorish.
He babbled next to Cheng Jing, his chatter comparable to dozens of quacking ducks.
Cheng Jing frowned, “Silence!”
As soon as those words left his lips, Yuan Chong seemed to have his mouth sewn shut, no longer uttering a sound.
He watched Cheng Jing walk past him, glimpsing a flicker of concern in his eyes.
Recently, Cheng Jing’s temper had been on a steady rise.
He maintained his dignified demeanor, but there was a new heaviness and fierceness about him.
What puzzled Yuan Chong was that they had encountered that woman again a few days ago, and this time, Cheng Jing had actually spoken to keep her around.
How strange!
What worried him even more was his master’s hand; the dark markings on his right hand had yet to fade.
His master’s worsening temper seemed to have begun that night.
As he saw Cheng Jing walk away, he tilted his head and asked the guard, “Has that woman shown any strange behavior today?”
The guard replied in a low voice, “That woman has been quite obedient, with nothing of note to report.”
Yuan Chong suppressed his impatience and quickly followed in Cheng Jing’s footsteps.
Cheng Jing’s group was representing Huang Song’s faction, and the Wanzhou side did not dare to neglect them.
The time-traveling girl was visiting Wanzhou for the first time and disdainfully glanced at the surrounding architecture, mumbling to herself.
“Rural bumpkins!”
After disparaging Xiangyang City’s architecture, she finally ceased her complaints, somewhat satisfied.
The System chimed in, dousing her enthusiasm, “Don’t get too cocky; this is Liu Xi’s territory.”
The time-traveling girl furrowed her brows in displeasure, mumbling, “She’s under the influence of the Ninth-Rank Loyalty Talisman; it’s sealed on her hand.”
The System replied, “The seal is indeed on Liu Xi’s hand, but unlike others, she and Cheng Jing have a certain resistance against the Loyalty Talisman.”
The time-traveling girl smugly said, “So what if there’s resistance? Cheng Jing is pretty amazing, yet he still got controlled by the Talisman.”
If he hadn’t been controlled by the Loyalty Talisman, why would Cheng Jing have accepted her and allowed her to follow the convoy?
Liu Xi had also been marked by the Ninth-Rank Loyalty Talisman, and it was of the highest quality—orange, so escaping a puppet’s fate was entirely out of the question.
“As long as I activate the incantation of the Ninth-Rank Loyalty Talisman in front of Liu Xi, she’ll either live or die on my command!”
The System wanted to object, feeling that Liu Xi wouldn’t be easy to deal with.
However, the Ninth-Rank Loyalty Talisman was indeed powerful; it should be able to control her.
“Just be careful; I wouldn’t want you to flip the boat in the gutter.”
The System sighed, hoping this host could turn things around for them; it really wanted this mission to go smoothly.
“System products are guaranteed to be of high quality; I have faith in you,” the time-traveling girl patted the System’s metaphorical back.
The System had its grievances but couldn’t voice them.
While the host had confidence, it itself felt none.
After having been thwarted by Jiang Pengji a few times, it still felt tremors of fear.
Cheng Jing was Huang Song’s messenger, and Huang Song shared a close relationship with Jiang Pengji, so logically, she should meet him in person.
“Since our parting in Chenzhou, I hope you’ve been well. What brings you here today?”
Jiang Pengji was dressed a bit formally today, seated with poise as she addressed Cheng Jing. He bowed slightly and recited, “My lord has heard that the Governor has defeated the Jiamen Pass and soundly struck at the false Emperor’s morale. To reinforce our court’s prestige, he specifically sent me here to present a heavy gift as congratulations.”
Jiang Pengji smiled at Cheng Jing, saying, “It’s just a small matter, there’s no need for your lord to send you all this way to deliver a congratulatory gift; it feels quite embarrassing. Besides, you and my lord have been great friends; I have long admired your talent. Now that we’re meeting, we can skip the formalities.”
Her gaze fell on Cheng Jing’s right hand before quickly shifting away.
Cheng Jing said, “Etiquette must not be forgotten.”
“If you keep being so reserved, I won’t be comfortable either,” Jiang Pengji responded. “What happened to your hand?”
Cheng Jing’s right hand was covered in dark, unsightly markings, so he had wrapped it in white cloth.
Upon hearing Jiang Pengji mention his right hand, Cheng Jing instinctively covered the back of it with his left hand, “I accidentally injured it; I appreciate the Governor’s concern.”
“Your hand can produce world-renowned calligraphy; you should take special care of it. I happen to have some excellent scar-removal ointment; why not take some back with you?”
Cheng Jing expressed his thanks.
After small talk, Cheng Jing subtly shifted the topic to the “Battle of Jiamen Pass.”
The general guarding the pass was the legendary martial general of the Cangzhou Meng Clan—Fu Wang. To think such an imposing invincible general fell under Jiang Pengji’s command was truly unexpected. While there were battle reports outside, the details were incomplete, and it was best to ask the involved parties themselves.
The battle at Jiamen Pass had already passed, and Jiang Pengji had no hidden details to keep, so Cheng Jing’s inquiries led her to answer truthfully.
Soon after, Cheng Jing brought up the forces in Wolong County that had been eliminated by Fu Wang’s schemes.
“…I have heard that the orphan of the Wolong County governor was rescued by the provincial governor?”
Cheng Jing seemed to be asking but was really confirming.
“Hmm, the orphan of the Cai County governor is indeed here with me; the child’s name is Cai Xiang. Why are you suddenly mentioning him, Friend Mo?”
Cheng Jing sighed, “The governor may not be aware, but ever since the Cai County governor perished for the nation, chaos has erupted in Wolong County. Without a leader, forces are struggling for power, and there are even those leading rebellions. The common people have been quite uneasy and have had to relocate their families for safety. I traversed from Haizhou and witnessed countless Wolong County residents seeking refuge, traveling thousands of miles to reach Wanzhou. It’s certainly a blessing that the governor is willing to shelter them, but the journey is perilous; there are many bandits along the way, and many people have suffered unfortunate fates, which is truly lamentable.”
Jiang Pengji was well aware that the refugees from Wolong County had come to Wanzhou, but she maintained a facade of ignorance.
Feigning surprise, she remarked, “Is that so? Xiaoyu, why didn’t you inform me?”
The professional scapegoat, Xu Ke: “…”
Could you please not drag him into the playacting?
However, as a subordinate, he had to share the burdens of his lord, so he silently took the blame and stepped forward to apologize.
Cheng Jing knew the two were acting but managed to keep a straight face.
