Chapter 67 - 66: Divine Retribution (First Update)

Chapter 67: Chapter 66: Divine Retribution (First Update)

Xu Jing continued coldly, "Vice Minister Xiao said, you used to commit crimes only once or twice a year, probably because you were serving as an Imperial Physician in the imperial city.

The Western Capital is the capital of the Great Chu, right under the Holy Emperor’s watchful eye, with much stricter order than Anping County. The chance of getting caught when committing crimes there is too high, so you didn’t risk it and only committed crimes when you returned to Anping County each year.

However, in this past month, your crime frequency suddenly increased. You killed four people in a short period and even had the guts to commit crimes in the Western Capital. Why?

You deliberately blocked my way here. Although there aren’t many people passing by, it doesn’t mean no one will. Yet you seem completely unconcerned about being seen committing murder. Why is that?

Vice Minister Xiao said, you retired to your hometown due to illness two years ago. You suddenly changed your crime habits and aren’t worried about being seen because you know very well that your days are numbered!"

Who is this woman exactly?!

Why does she know everything? Why!

Zheng Shouyan’s eyes widened dramatically, as if they were about to pop out, and he roared, "Shut up!"

As he spoke, he reached out, grabbing viciously towards Xu Jing.

Xu Jing got the answer she wanted and stopped hesitating. She pulled out a pouch she had grabbed when Zheng Shouyan was off guard and flung it fiercely at his eyes.

Instantly, a cloud of powder filled the air.

Zheng Shouyan screamed, quickly covering his eyes with his hands, roaring, "You wretched girl! What is this devilish thing?!"

Xu Jing immediately turned around, enduring the pain in her ankle as she ran. While running, she coldly chuckled, "Did you think after your last scheme, I’d be foolish enough to do nothing and wait for your next move?"

After saying this, she ran while shouting, "Help! Is anyone there? Somebody!"

Even though Xiao Yi had sent Chen Hu and the others to be by her side, she didn’t dare let her guard down.

After returning that day, she ground a lot of pepper powder to carry around for self-defense.

She couldn’t make advanced self-defense tools in a short time.

This guy probably has a terminal illness and doesn’t have much time left, so he’s been in a hurry lately, not caring about anything else.

This time he came to kill her, too, with the mindset of being fearless if discovered, so no matter how loudly she yelled or tried to threaten him, it was useless.

Trying to divert his attention and taking the opportunity to escape was the best move!

However, as Xu Jing ran, her right ankle hurt more and more. With each step, it felt like thousands of needles were piercing her wound, the pain spreading along her nerves to her heart.

Despite giving it her all, Xu Jing still couldn’t run fast.

There were too few passersby in this area, mostly just residents. After shouting several times, there was no sign of anyone coming.

Zheng Shouyan reacted relatively quickly earlier. Seeing her movements, he immediately covered his eyes, preventing much pepper powder from entering. Soon he could barely open his eyes to see, his red eyes like those of a fierce ghost, cursing, "Damn it!", and chased after her desperately.

Xu Jing could hear the heavy and rapid footsteps behind her coming closer and closer. Just as she was about to despair, frantically thinking of other ways to save herself, a sound of urgent hoofbeats suddenly came from not far away.

Her spirits lifted as she looked up and saw several black-clad riders on fine horses getting closer. The one in the lead quickly reached her, dismounted before the horse came to a full stop, and hurriedly approached Xu Jing.

His handsome face was full of anxiety, emotions unusually visible, as he caught the teetering Xu Jing, his voice deep and cutting like a blade, "Are you alright?"

Xu Jing’s right foot hurt so much it felt like it wasn’t hers. Ignoring the joy of being rescued, she collapsed slightly forward.

The tip of her nose was suddenly filled with a faintly bitter yet exceptionally reassuring medicinal scent, though it was a bit different from the scent on her previously.

Last time when she accidentally fell into his arms, he had a feeling about it.

Was a woman’s body really so soft, soft enough to squeeze water out with a light pinch?

Xu Jing didn’t have the mind to think about such things at the moment. Her whole body hurt terribly, especially her right ankle, which hurt so much she wished it wasn’t hers. She couldn’t help but lean all her weight on the man beside her, gritting her teeth with a bit of defiance, "If I just stood there waiting for you to save me, no amount of lives would be enough!"

Not far away, Zheng Shouyan was already subdued by several officers who rushed over, still shouting unwillingly, "Scoundrels! It’s all those people’s fault! I was merely enacting heaven’s justice! Those scoundrels used vile means to seize other men’s wives and children. They deserved divine punishment! Their sins should be exposed to the world!

Anyone who obstructs heaven’s punishment is as guilty as those scoundrels, unforgivable!"

Xiao Yi cast a dark, sharp glance at the seemingly crazed Zheng Shouyan, then looked at the wounded woman in front of him, his heart heavy as if even breathing had become difficult.

He took a deep breath and suddenly murmured, "I’m sorry."

He had promised to protect her and yet failed to do so.

Seeing the scene, it was clear that this woman must have been dealing with Zheng Shouyan for some time. If it were any other woman without the strength to fight a chicken, she’d probably be dead by now.

Xu Jing didn’t genuinely mean to blame him for anything; such accidents were unpredictable for anyone.

She never intended to place her safety entirely in someone else’s hands, just couldn’t hold back a couple of complaints due to intense emotions earlier.

Seeing the man in front not retorting but directly apologizing with a cold face, she was momentarily unsure what to say. She coughed lightly, realized their posture seemed off, and quickly tried to find another support, saying, "You didn’t really do anything wrong; it was just my bad luck..."

Before she finished speaking, the man in front suddenly murmured "Pardon me," as strong hands encircled her waist, lifting her lightly like a chick. Xu Jing stared in bewilderment as he swiftly placed her on a nearby horse, telling a government official, whose eyes were practically popping out, "Protect Miss Xu well; I’ll go check on the criminal."

Officer: "..."

Quickly acknowledging aloud, "Rest assured, Vice Minister Xiao, subordinates will protect Miss Xu with their lives!"

Xu Jing: "..."

Actually, there’s no need to protect with life to that extent...

After settling Xu Jing, Xiao Yi walked straight to Zheng Shouyan, leaned close to his ear, his expression icy like a Hell Judge, and said word by word, "Zheng Shouyan, you should know why your case directly alarmed the Holy Emperor, making me personally run to Anping County to arrest you.

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Pang Rui, whom you killed, was supposed to have a small notebook he carried with him, which is now missing.

You were the only one who came into contact with him before he died."

Zheng Shouyan’s face showed no surprise, even sneering.

Xiao Yi’s lips curled slightly, his smile colder by magnitudes than Zheng Shouyan’s, causing the latter’s heart to tremble involuntarily as he heard Xiao Yi’s deep voice, "Zheng Shouyan, don’t think no one knows what you’re plotting. You must have taken that notebook.

After killing Pang Rui, you found this notebook on him. If the notebook were discovered along with his body, it would be a matter significant enough to rock the entire court. At that point, your crimes would pale in comparison.

You couldn’t bear this result, so even knowing how dangerous that notebook was, you still took it."

Zheng Shouyan’s eyes widened, his lips trembling, as if questioning how he knew.

How could everyone seem to read his mind, knowing his every thought?!

But Xiao Yi already obtained the answer he desired, stepped back coldly saying, "Take him back to the county government! Not a single mistake is allowed!"

"Yes!"