Chu Dingjiang paused, then said, “Ning Yanli fed her blood to those assassins who had lost their minds.”
“Ye Lühuangwu’s heart is as black as night, perhaps she really can pull it off,” Wei Yuizhi remarked, having given up on his previous efforts, knowing full well the Liao dynasty would continue its internal strife. Even if he remained in Liao, he would just be a loyal hound serving under Ye Lüquancang, never having the chance to truly hate.
The hatred had long dissipated, having slain his enemies many years ago. He loathed the dark corruption of the Great Song court, but where there is light, there is also shadow – he understood this, yet could still not swallow this bitter pill.
“Ning Yanli is dead!?” Mo Siguai stood at the doorway, his drug basket on his back, his face etched with shock.
Chu Dingjiang looked back at him. “She died in pieces.”
“How could she have died?” Mo Siguai detested Ning Yanli, but as a fellow physician, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of pity. For such a medical prodigy’s life to end so abruptly was deeply unsettling.
“These two are the ones you requested,” Chu Dingjiang said, then paused. “When can A Jiu undergo the second reforging?”
Mo Siguai snapped back to his senses. “Based on the timeline, it can be done now. But she was unconscious for a period, so waiting a few more days would yield better results.”
“What harm is there in doing it now?” Chu Dingjiang asked.
“Aside from the results being slightly inferior, there’s no real harm.” Mo Siguai was puzzled. “Why do you ask?”
“Storm clouds are gathering, it’s better to be prepared. I’ll discuss it with her, and if she agrees, I’d like to have her reforged in the next few days,” Chu Dingjiang said.
While Mo Siguai was a stickler for perfection, he could now faintly sense the impending danger, so he made an exception and agreed.
After Chu Dingjiang left, Mo Siguai dragged the two individuals back inside.
“Who would have thought!” he sighed. “Ning Yanli, the one who concocted the potency-enhancing medicine, is now nothing but bones.”
“The current situation is about to take a turn,” Wei Yuizhi remarked. “The Physician should prepare early.”
Mo Siguai waved dismissively. “As if anything can happen to me. I’ll just focus on tending to my little medicinal garden.”
Wei Yuizhi said, “But Luo Xiaowu is not in that little medicinal garden of yours.”
Mo Siguai’s movements stilled, and then he forced a laugh. “Oh, I had almost forgotten about her!” His expression soured. “She can take her path, and I’ll take mine. Wei Er, don’t you dare mention her again, or I’ll turn hostile!”
Wei Yuizhi’s lips curled slightly. “If she’s so unimportant, why get so agitated?”
With that, he turned and left, not giving Mo Siguai a chance to retort.
Hatred was a double-edged sword, but for those with true affection, letting go was never easy. Wei Yuizhi could relate to Luo Mingue’s plight and admired her courage and resolve. By simply reminding Mo Siguai in passing, he hoped Luo Mingue would have a good ending.
Would Mo Siguai be able to part ways as he claimed? Wei Yuizhi didn’t believe it.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Hmph, if I say I’ll cut ties completely, then that’s what I’ll do! He doesn’t know me at all!” Mo Siguai ranted furiously in the room, eventually finding his pipe and resuming his smoking after having quit for only two days.
As the smoke curled up, his mood gradually settled.
Mo Siguai stared at the drifting wisps, his thoughts wandering.
Currently, An Jiu is the most ambitious and driven person in all of Hexi County. She had recruited quite a few people after searching for months.
Although her strength was still far from her imagined ideal, she remained tireless in her efforts.
Chu Dingjiang was wholeheartedly dedicated to being her “faithful wife”, and had already built a camp within the city walls for her to relocate to.
An Jiu was leading her people in training on the drill field, while Chu Dingjiang, still clad in his black robe, stood on a nearby slope, a mighty falcon perched on his shoulder.
The sky was a flawless blue, and time seemed to stand still.
After a long while, a dark speck in the distance grew closer. Chu Dingjiang narrowed his eyes, patting the falcon on his shoulder. “Leixi.”
The falcon, upon receiving the command, spread its wings and soared into the sky, circling high above before plunging towards the approaching black dot. The dot panicked, darting erratically.
Chu Dingjiang whistled, and the falcon’s piercing cry echoed across the vast expanse. The dot plummeted straight down, only managing a few feeble flaps of its wings before the impact.
Chu Dingjiang approached and found a blood-stained pigeon lying on the ground, a slender bamboo tube tied to one of its feet.
Leixi landed back on Chu Dingjiang’s shoulder, its gaze curiously fixed on the pigeon.
Chu Dingjiang retrieved the missives from the bamboo tubes and read them, a cold smile spreading across his lips.
He had long noticed the pigeons flying out of Hexi County at regular intervals but had not acted hastily. Today, he finally let his trained falcon test its skills, and the pigeon, though not killed, could still be of use.
Chu Dingjiang brought the pigeon back to the camp, carefully cleaning and bandaging it before placing it in a cage. Leixi seemed quite satisfied with its first spoils of war, proudly standing guard over the cage, unwilling to leave.
When lunchtime came, An Jiu returned and was immediately struck by the strange sight.
“What happened to this bird?” An Jiu asked.
Leixi turned its head sharply, fixing its gaze on An Jiu.
“Its name is Leixi,” Chu Dingjiang replied.
Leixi stood haughtily in the cage, its entire demeanor exuding defiance. Seeing this, An Jiu approached and stared it down. “You’re not that big, but you’ve got quite the attitude! You’d better be nice, or I’ll stew you for dinner tonight!”
Leixi retreated a couple of steps but continued to defiantly stare at An Jiu, unwilling to yield.
“You’re acting so childish, arguing with a bird,” Chu Dingjiang chuckled.
An Jiu pointed at the trembling pigeon in the cage. “And what about this one? Have you suddenly taken a liking to docile little animals?”
“This one is indeed docile, but it doesn’t belong to me. I’m just keeping it for a while,” Chu Dingjiang said, arranging the dishes.
An Jiu examined the pigeon closely. “A messenger pigeon?”
Chu Dingjiang nodded. “Someone has been using these pigeons to transmit information about our movements.”
“So it’s a spy!” An Jiu exclaimed, puzzled. “Does someone want to assassinate us? Have we offended anyone?”