Chapter 120
Chapter 120
In Zhang Jin's room.
Zhang Chong asked Zhang Jin.
"How was it?"
"Incredibly formidable, yet utterly strange. In terms of internal energy alone, Tang Yan is likely no stronger than I am."
"So you're saying the sword technique itself is strange?"
"Yes! When Tang Yan performs the technique, a powerful energy emanates from his entire body. The more force I used to break through it, the greater the repulsive force became. I suspect the stronger the opponent's force, the stronger the repulsion."
"Su Jianting, the heir to the Marquis of Zhenbei, possesses immense internal energy and first-class swordsmanship, yet he was defeated by Tang Yan. They fought ten consecutive bouts, and not once could he break that Meteor from Beyond the Heavens technique."
"I have also dueled with Su Jianting. As someone dedicated solely to martial arts, his skill with the sword is slightly superior to mine. But in terms of internal energy, even he is not stronger than I am."
"To think he spent fourteen years mastering only that one technique. Truly, he has no equal."
Zhang Jin nodded in agreement with his father's words. Zhang Chong then continued his questioning.
"In your opinion, can Tang Yan's technique be broken? More importantly, do you think Jin Mulan can break it?"
"Jin Mulan may be a genius, but her internal energy is inferior to mine. If neither Su Jianting nor I could break Tang Yan's sword technique, it will be even more impossible for her. She is bound to lose."
"Enough. Your mission is complete. Return to Xuanwu City."
"Yes, Father!"
"If the Xu Clan fails to recover and cannot overcome this crisis... remember this. We must not break the engagement."
Zhang Jin flinched before replying.
"Yes, Father!"
He naturally understood the unspoken words his father left hanging in the air.
*'We cannot tarnish the Zhang family's reputation by breaking the engagement, yet I must not marry Xu Qianqian? Then... what must be done?'*
The answer was so cruel it could not be spoken aloud.
* * *
The Count of Jing'an's Estate.
Wu Zhaozhong stood naked, his arms and legs spread wide. Four physicians meticulously examined every inch of his body. Each of the physicians was drenched in a cold sweat. If the examination revealed that the Count had contracted a venereal disease, their lives would be forfeit. Even if he hadn't, they would lose their freedom. And another thing! A certain part of the Count of Jing'an's anatomy was so... aggressive... that it made them feel utterly inadequate.
"You mentioned that the fourth lady has been infected with syphilis... Your Lordship, have you slept with her recently?"
one of the physicians asked cautiously.
"Seven days ago."
the Count of Jing'an replied. He had over a dozen wives and concubines, so even if he favored this particular one, he couldn't possibly sleep with her every day.
Besides, at his age, he exercised a relative degree of restraint in that department, indulging at most once every two days. Another physician asked gingerly.
"Then, forgive my impertinence, but the area upon which Your Lordship bestowed his favor was her..."
Wu Zhaozhong, the Count of Jing'an, answered.
"Her rear. She was having her monthly courses that day."
"We have found no signs of syphilis or other venereal diseases on Your Lordship's body for now, so you are safe at present. However, the incubation period for these illnesses varies. Some show symptoms in ten to fifteen days, while others may take over a month to manifest."
Wu Zhaozhong immediately began to dress, saying.
"I understand! In that case, you physicians are not to leave my estate for the next half a year."
* * *
"Father, it was Fourth Mother who seduced me first."
His third son, Wu Yuanxiong, wailed. The Count's massive frame resembled a ferocious tiger, looking as if he could devour a man whole.
"Why? Could it be that I failed to satisfy her?"
"She said you were too fierce, that it was like being tortured. I, on the other hand, was not born with such a... rigid constitution. I am gentler, more practiced in the art of technique..."
Wu Yuanxiong continued, weeping.
"Father, please save me. You must have a way."
"Who is the source of this disease?"
His third son, Wu Yuanxiong, thought for a long moment before shaking his head.
"I... I do not know."
In truth, he had slept with so many people it was impossible to tell. Just then, his fifth son, Wu Yuanbao, spoke up.
"I believe it was Lin Zhuo."
Wu Zhaozhong urged in a furious voice.
"Speak!"
"The members of our little... circle... are always the same. If one of them had been the carrier, the disease would have broken out long ago. The only newcomer that day was Lin Zhuo."
Wu Zhaozhong's eyes turned cold as he said.
"Yuanbo, come in."
A martial arts expert entered the room, knelt, and bowed.
"Greetings, adoptive father."
"Go to Xuanwu City and investigate Lin Zhuo. If he is infected with a venereal disease, and if the symptoms are severe, kill him immediately. Make his death exceedingly cruel."
"Yes, sir!"
His adopted son, Wu Yuanbo, departed. The two sons remained kneeling, desperately kowtowing.
"Father, we were wrong. We were wrong! We'll be sure to keep ourselves clean from now on. Please, spare our lives!"
Wu Zhaozhong said nothing, simply pulling on a pair of gloves. He stood behind his two sons, placing a hand on each of their necks.
"Father, Father, no!"
"No, please spare me!"
Wu Zhaozhong spoke calmly.
"For my sons to sleep with my concubine is a heinous crime, but not one deserving of death. However, you have now become men who *must* die. Keeping you alive serves no purpose for the family; you are nothing but a potential threat. It is better to..."
Wu Zhaozhong tightened his grip, and in an instant, twisted and broke both his sons' necks. The two of them died without so much as a scream, blood trickling from their mouths and noses.
* * *
"Get in, get in..."
Dozens of people from the Count of Jing'an's estate cried out. All of them had been found to be infected with venereal diseases. They were herded by the Count's private soldiers into what looked like an underground storeroom.
"No! We can still be cured!"
"Your Lordship, spare us!"
"Wu Zhaozhong, you won't die a peaceful death! You won't!"
"Wu Zhaozhong, even a one-night couple shares a deep bond! You stole me from another man, and now you mean to kill me?"
"Wu Zhaozhong, you've been cuckolded! I seduced both of your sons! Haha..."
After they were forced into the storeroom, more than ten large basins of smoldering charcoal were brought inside.
*Clang!*
The iron door of the storeroom slammed shut. Moments later, the sounds of coughing and wretched screams could be heard from within. A short while after that, there was only silence. Everyone who had tested positive for a venereal disease was dead.
Atop a pavilion.
Watching the scene unfold with a calm demeanor, Wu Zhaozhong's elder brother, Wu Zhaoren, wore a mysterious and cruel smile on his refined face.
"Shen Lang, no need to thank me."
Of course, he had never conspired with Shen Lang. It was just that a man as clever as him would never miss even the smallest opportunity to seize power.
* * *
Lin Zhuo had grown gaunt, his face as sharp and venomous as a viper's. He lay in ambush in the thicket, leading several dozen warriors. His target was Jin Jianniang. The captain of the Count of Xuanwu's cavalry and Jin Mulan's sworn older sister. A woman of formidable martial skill, fierce on the battlefield, yet one who would blush and become flustered whenever she saw Shen Lang, not knowing what to do with her hands and feet.
When it became certain that he had contracted a terrible venereal disease, Lin Zhuo was first filled with despair and fear. Later, that turned into boundless vengefulness. He wanted revenge on Shen Lang and the entire world. Believing that Jin Jianniang and Shen Lang were lovers, he planned to capture her, defile her countless times, and pass all his diseases onto her.
It would be even better if she then passed the diseases to Shen Lang, but it didn't matter if she didn't. All that mattered was dragging someone down to the underworld with him before he died. With this goal in mind, Lin Zhuo had ceased his raids and disturbances, lying in wait here for three days.
At last, Jin Jianniang appeared. She wore leather armor and rode a large horse, which made her figure appear all the more slender and alluring. She was leading several dozen cavalrymen. The number of people would make things difficult, but Lin Zhuo had already set a large and terrifying trap on the road ahead. The column of cavalry led by Jin Jianniang drew closer and closer to the trap. Lin Zhuo grew increasingly excited and tense.
*'Hurry, hurry up and fall into the trap! You wench from the Count of Xuanwu's Estate! Once I get my hands on you, I'll make you wish you were dead!'*
Lin Zhuo had resolved to drag not only Jin Jianniang but all her warriors down to hell with him. Surely, the warriors from the Count of Jing'an's estate wouldn't refuse a woman like Jin Jianniang. But when Jin Jianniang was just over ten meters from the trap, she suddenly raised her hand and shouted.
"Halt."
She remembered every inch of this road clearly. This spot ahead shouldn't have so many branches and fallen leaves. There was likely danger, a trap lying in wait.
"Prepare for battle!"
Jin Jianniang commanded, swiftly drawing her scimitar. The dozens of cavalrymen behind her all drew their battle swords. Lin Zhuo was furious. He hadn't expected this woman from the Count of Xuanwu's Estate to be so clever and cunning.
"Go! Capture that woman and violate her a hundred, a thousand times!"
Lin Zhuo roared and then suddenly leaped from the thicket. He soared high into the air, lunging viciously toward Jin Jianniang. And then, his body plummeted. Both his legs had been severed. Foul blood sprayed out, and from behind him, a martial expert slowly emerged.
Lin Zhuo suddenly found his perspective much lower. Both his legs were gone. An icy chill instantly spread through his entire body, followed by a feeling of extreme emptiness.
"Ah... Ah... Aaargh!"
Unable to bear the chilling sensation, he let out a wretched scream. Even though he knew he didn't have long to live, in this moment, he felt an unparalleled terror. He screamed like a madman. The Count of Jing'an's adopted son, Wu Yuanbo, walked out slowly and stared coldly at Lin Zhuo. He couldn't believe that someone like Lin Zhuo had caused the deaths of dozens of people in the Count of Jing'an's estate. Three of the Count's sons had died at once, along with four of his concubines.
Lin Zhuo could feel the life draining out of him. He gasped desperately for breath, but the air felt thin, and his head swam. He could feel his body growing cold.
"W-why?"
Lin Zhuo asked him. Of course, Lin Zhuo had suspected that the Count of Jing'an's estate might come for his life, so he had been mentally prepared for some time. But why now, of all times? Just as he was about to attack Jin Jianniang of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate! Why would Wu Yuanbo kill him now? Why not give him time to defile Jin Jianniang first?
Wu Yuanbo, naturally, did not answer him. He darted forward like lightning, his sharp sword swiftly drawing a cross in the air. In an instant, Lin Zhuo's body was sliced into four pieces. The cuts were neat, forming a perfect symmetry, suggesting that Wu Yuanbo had an obsessive-compulsive need for perfection.
Lin Zhuo died without even a scream. It was a pitiful death, one that didn't even allow him to see his life flash before his eyes. A warrior stepped forward and handed Wu Yuanbo a kettle of oil. He poured the oil over Lin Zhuo's remains and set them ablaze. In moments, Lin Zhuo's corpse was reduced to ashes.
Jin Jianniang watched the entire scene, feeling deeply perplexed. She had the same question as Lin Zhuo.
*'Why did that man act now? Why didn't he wait until after Lin Zhuo had attacked me?'*
Just then, Wu Yuanbo asked her.
"Did Shen Lang sleep with you?"
Jin Jianniang's face instantly turned beet red, and she instinctively shook her head.
"No!"
"Then after the Count of Xuanwu's estate is destroyed, you will be my woman."
After saying this, the cold-looking Wu Yuanbo turned and left. Jin Jianniang was stunned, her beautiful face turning pale.
*'Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey! Even if everyone in your family dies, the Count of Xuanwu's Estate will never fall. And... I, Jin Jianniang, would rather secretly love my brother-in-law for a lifetime than ever spare a glance for an ugly man like you!'*
In fact, Wu Yuanbo was not ugly, but compared to Shen Lang, most men were.