That wretched vixen has disguised herself as my wife!

Someone nearby was startled by his sudden movement.

Aqing got up and sat on the edge of the bed, leaning over to touch his forehead.

A faint red mark was left on her face, probably because she had been sleeping face down by the bed all night.

"Aqing."

The soft palm covering her forehead was slightly cool, and Jiang Jingming took the opportunity to grasp her wrist.

"Sorry I'm late."

Ah Qing lowered her eyelashes and spoke softly.

Although he couldn't see her eyes clearly, Jiang Jingming knew she was sad.

It's always been like this since childhood. No one can understand what Aqing is thinking, except him, who thinks Aqing is the easiest girl in the world to understand.

Jiang Jingming didn't say anything, but naturally rested his head on her lap. The faint sandalwood scent emanating from her body overpowered the crispness of the mugwort.

Aqing gently brushed away the stray hairs from his forehead, her eyes lowered tenderly.

"Why is the young master here?"

"It's a long story."

Jiang Jingming closed his eyes. The girl's fingertips were soft, reminding him of an orange cat dozing in the sun, its fluffy tail swaying contentedly.

"I'm going to Zhongzhou, Aqing, will you come with me?"

He asked the question he already knew the answer to.

"Ah."

Aqing knew he was asking a question he already knew the answer to, yet she answered one she already knew the answer to.

"Aqing is accompanying the young master."

Those who are not familiar with Aqing may think that her eyes are too clear, so they lack emotion, making people subconsciously want to avoid her.

Only when looking at him would Aqing have such a gentle, moonlit gaze.

Such a gaze makes you feel that no matter what happens, even if the sky falls, the earth collapses, or the world ends, she will be with you.

Chapter Sixteen: The Young Master's Blade

"That day, Song died."

Jiang Jingming took a deep breath and finally spoke out about the reality he had always wanted to avoid.

"I know."

Aqing nodded gently.

She didn't have a deep impression of the grassland boy, only knowing that the young master would spend some time with him every time he came out.

The two sat side by side on the grassy slope. One was gesturing excitedly, while the other looked at the sunset with a half-smile.

The topics they talk about are usually silly.

At this time, Aqing would stand a little further away, quietly watching his back, waiting for the sun to set, and then rush back to Mangya with him before the curfew.

“I think it was my fault... Ah Qing.”

Jiang Jingming's voice trembled slightly, but it carried an unwavering determination.

“I have found the reason my master gave for drawing his sword. From now on, I will never see anyone fall in front of me again.”

Aqing simply listened to him speak without saying a word.

She gently stroked his brow, slowly calming his unease and anger.

What wasn't said was that the young master didn't need to find a reason to draw his sword.

Because Ah Qing will become the young master's weapon.

She will protect everything he cares about and will never let him grieve over losing anyone again.

......

There was a pacing sound outside the tent, as if someone was standing in front of the tent, hesitant to go in.

Jiang Jingming looked up and saw that A Qing looked completely unconcerned, so he probably already guessed what had happened.

Have you seen Temur and the others?

"I've met you."

Aqing thought about it.

“Yesterday I went to look for you, and I ran into them on the way. They were also looking for you.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jingming sighed softly.

His intention was to lure the wolves away so they could escape quickly, but he underestimated the integrity of the Hara people.

Fortunately, Aqing arrived in time, otherwise all our efforts would have been in vain.

Jiang Jingming got out of bed; his wrists were already bandaged, making it much easier for him to move around.

It was a very minor injury, but he was physically exhausted, mentally disturbed, and suddenly relaxed after meeting Aqing, which is why he was unconscious for so long.

Lifting the curtain, the sunlight on the grassland was as bright as ever, but a faint smell of blood still lingered in the air.

Most of the people in sight were wounded, but the remains of the tribesmen had been mostly disposed of, and the remains of the wolves were piled up to be burned together.

Standing in the sunlight, Jiang Jingming suddenly felt as if he had been transported to another world.

It was as if nothing had happened yet. Aqing accompanied him out for some fresh air, and Nari Song excitedly ran over to talk to him, brandishing his horsewhip.

"guest."

Temur stood behind him and spoke in a low voice.

Jiang Jingming turned around and felt that the tribe's chieftain seemed to have aged ten years overnight.

"Are you alright?"

He clasped his hands together and hung his head in worry.

"I had originally intended to invite a doctor into the tent to take a look, but..."

Temur wanted to say that the girl you were with was really scary; no one dared to talk to her or mention it.

Her face was cold and expressionless, as if she would go on a killing spree if anything happened to him.

But the next second, he saw Ah Qing also lift the curtain and come out, so he immediately stopped talking.

"No need, I'm fine."

Jiang Jingming shook his head, gazing into the distance.

The survivors were throwing torches into the pile of wolf carcasses, and thick smoke was gradually spreading out.

“You are the benefactor of our entire tribe in this wolf attack. Whatever you ask for, we will grant it.”

Temur placed his left hand on his chest and bowed deeply.

Jiang Jingming shook his head again, and then thought about it.

Have all those who sacrificed their lives been buried?

"Yes."

Despite his tense expression, Temur could not hide his pain, and he took a deep breath.

"The guest may not know that for us, the Hara tribe, death is not the end, but an extraordinary journey. The deceased leave the mortal world and go to the Eternal Heaven, a place of ultimate bliss."

Where is Nari Song's grave?

Jiang Jingming looked up; the sky was a clear, blue expanse, and the wild geese had flown by without leaving a trace.

"I'm about to embark on my own journey, and before I leave, I want to say goodbye to him."

......

Jiang Jingming walked along the stream for a while and saw a large area of ​​undulating small earthen mounds in the distance.

The sky was filled with burning paper money, and desolate folk songs were carried by the wind to the horizon in an ancient language that was incomprehensible.

Jiang Jingming walked through the cemetery and saw a girl in a green dress sitting cross-legged on the ground, her head down, sewing a flag.

Jiang Jingming didn't speak, but stood quietly behind her.

It was Tana who turned around first and greeted him.

"guest."

She seemed to be trying to force a smile, but the expression on her face was worse than crying.

So she lowered her head and nervously tugged at the flag in her hand.

“I want to embroider a wolf flag... Na Risong has been asking for it since he was a child. The guest has already burned that one for him, and I want to embroider another one to keep at his grave, to accompany him.”

Jiang Jingming simply nodded after listening; he didn't know what to say.

If he were to die, no one would know what to say to Aqing.

"The soul of that pine tree went to the Eternal Heaven and will become the wind blowing across the grassland, the rain falling into the river, and the grass seeds sprouting in spring."

Tana handed him the sewn little flag and curtsied.

"The guest has been kind to us, and he will surely bless the guest with all the best and peace in the future."

Jiang Jingming took the flag, turned it upside down with one hand, and stuck it into the soil in front of the grave. The newly sprouted grass was a vibrant green.

There was no tombstone in front of the grave, only a few stones piled together.

Jiang Jingming suddenly remembered the first time he met Na Risong. Na Risong had so easily believed the lie he had made up on the spot, and had excitedly pulled him aside to ask him those silly questions.

Are all people from Zhongzhou as fair-skinned as you?

"Are there houses made of gold everywhere? The city walls are one after another, and you can't walk any further!"

"I heard that the tallest building there is so high you can touch the moon from the top. Some immortals, when they get drunk, dance with their swords on the clouds!"

Jiang Jingming honestly shook his head and said that was impossible.

He had seen some towering pavilions and towering towers, and swordsmen with sword energy like rainbows, but to say that a sword immortal could touch the moon was just a pipe dream.

Jiang Jingming stood before his grave and suddenly smiled.

"So what if he's a sword immortal? I'll go find one for you. Then you'll see that Zhongzhou isn't all that great after all."

He turned around and walked down another road.

Aqing stood at the end of the road, quietly waiting for him with her horse in hand.

"It's a pity I can't invite you to my wedding. You'd be very excited if you knew about that vixen, wouldn't you?"

Jiang Jingming spoke in a low voice, as if talking to himself.

He walked a hundred paces away and looked back one last time.

The wolf-patterned banner still fluttered in the wind, as if someone was waving goodbye to him.

Chapter Seventeen: The Eldest Daughter of the Divine Capital Guard

Shulan City.

Jiang Jingming rode his horse to the city gate and looked up.

This city, known as a "gold-burning den," even had its city gates built in a magnificent style. It is said that there used to be a layer of gold leaf on the walls, but it was scraped clean by the refugees who later fled.

However, hanging above this magnificent city wall was a dried-up head, which, despite being decayed, still revealed the terror he felt before his death.

The people in the city had clearly become accustomed to the presence of the head and no longer paid attention to it when they passed by.

At first, the caravan members would mutter in fear and curse the bad luck, but after learning who the deceased was, they were relieved.

Who made the most notorious bandit leader in the area get hung up like that? He deserves to die.

"Amitabha, I wonder who did this, the methods are so cruel."

Jiang Jingming clicked his tongue, feigning a sigh.