Chapter 15
Chapter 15
So, Xu Qianqian still thinks I'm in love with her. Does she believe that even after she cast me aside and trampled on me, I'd still love her as I always did?
He thought he knew the depths of human deceit better than anyone, but witnessing it firsthand left a bitter taste in Shen Lang's mouth. So, he said nothing and turned to leave.
"Shen Lang, do you think things will change just because you know a new dyeing technique? Don't be ridiculous. You're still Shen Lang. Even if you defeated our family's artisan with your skills, no one would ever acknowledge it."
That was true. Unlike modern society, which was ruled by technology, a dyeing artisan in this world was nothing more than a lowly servant with a particular talent. So even if Shen Lang knew how to create an incredible dye, to Xu Qianqian, he was just a man of humble birth, a country bumpkin.
"You're completely useless. If you don't join our family's dye workshop, you'll struggle just to survive. Besides, don't you still have that debt to Tian Heng?"
His original plan to sell the dyeing formula to Lin Mo had gone awry, leaving Shen Lang still burdened with a massive debt of a thousand gold coins. Just then, Thirteen appeared before Shen Lang like a ghost.
"You know what I'm going to say, don't you? The deadline is tonight. The Black Clothes Gang doesn't forget its promises."
Xu Qianqian spoke in a soft voice.
"Shen Lang, you're cornered. With less than a day left, where are you going to borrow a thousand gold coins? Your only way out is to rely on our family. If you hand over the two dyeing formulas unconditionally, I'll ask Tian Heng to forgive your debt."
Thirteen said.
"There isn't much time. Less than fourteen hours until sunset."
"Shen Lang, surely you're not counting on Prefect Wang Lian, are you? He won't come to save you. He didn't help you today to save you, but merely to put pressure on our Xu Clan because of his grudge with my fiancé, Young Master Zhang Jin. He doesn't care whether you live or die."
"Shen Lang, I'll add this, just in case you're having any useless worries. I'll make sure you and your family die peacefully. We do have some history, after all."
"If you don't give our Xu Clan the purple and rainbow dye formulas by nightfall, you'll find yourself in a very difficult situation. I hear the Black Clothes Gang uses vicious methods when they take on a job... I doubt you'll be able to handle it."
After she finished speaking, Xu Qianqian boarded her carriage and departed immediately. Thirteen looked back at Shen Lang and said.
"We'll be at your house before sunset to collect the money."
He slung the sword from his waist over his shoulder and walked away slowly. He knew Shen Lang was deeply filial, so as long as he kept an eye on his parents and brother, Shen Lang wouldn't go anywhere. He no longer needed to follow him.
Leaving Shen Lang standing in quiet silence, Xu Qianqian, inside the slowly departing carriage, murmured to herself with a cruel, chilling smile that no one else could see.
"Stupidity and weakness are sins in themselves. See? No matter how much you struggle, you're worth less than a stray dog on the street. Shen Lang, in your position, shouldn't you be grateful to live as a servant in my house? It's much better than starving to death on the street or being cut down and dying alone."
Only when no one was around did she let out the words she had been holding back. Otherwise, it would seem too harsh, unbecoming of her character.
* * *
Shen Lang stood in the middle of the road. Even if he got his hands on a large sum of money right now, it would be of little use. No matter how much money he made, without the power and strength to protect it, it would only bring disaster. This was a world where the strong devoured the weak. The Xu Clan, the Lin Clan, Tian Heng's Black Clothes Gang—to Shen Lang, all three were colossal forces.
Tonight, Tian Heng and the Xu Clan would undoubtedly use the lives of his parents and brother to pressure him into giving up the two dye formulas. If Shen Lang handed them over, he would surely spend the rest of his life as a servant to the Xu Clan, forced to work like an ox, endlessly developing new dyes. Otherwise, his family's lives couldn't be guaranteed.
He needed a way to solve this problem cleanly, once and for all. And Shen Lang knew just how to do it. He went over the plan in his mind again and again, refining it to perfection.
The sky was just beginning to grow faintly light.
Suddenly, the thunder of hooves erupted from behind, shattering the pre-dawn stillness. The ground itself seemed to vibrate faintly. When Shen Lang turned, he saw a column of cavalry. Their sturdy armor and gleaming, sharp weapons were a testament to their elite status.
Shen Lang could tell at a glance how much money it would take to create such a force. Cavalry like this could only be commanded by someone with absolute power.
What family could possibly possess such an elite force? Shen Lang quickly looked at the crests on their flags and shields.
These were the cavalry of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate!
The Jin Clan of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate was a true noble family with a century-long history. They had protected Xuanwu City for three hundred years. The very name of the city was derived from the title held by the Jin Clan. In a sense, the Count of Xuanwu *was* Xuanwu City.
The leader of this cavalry, which only an absolute ruler could possess, wore silver armor and a helmet. All Shen Lang could see were two eyes through the helmet's visor. This person was a woman. A woman with very beautiful eyes. Though he couldn't see her face, her identity was clear. She was the legendary goddess of Xuanwu City, hailed as its princess, the woman countless young men and heroes dreamed of—the pillar of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, Jin Mulan.
Shen Lang was a little stunned. He had been planning to go to the Count's estate himself, but here she was.
"Out of the way, out of the way!"
"Move, move!"
"This road is closed to passage!"
Two warriors at the head of the cavalry column, holding flags, shouted loudly, trying to chase Shen Lang out of the middle of the road. To stand in the path of charging cavalry was to risk serious injury, or an even more miserable end if one was unlucky. As Shen Lang moved to the side of the road, a brilliant idea flashed through his mind, and he slowed his steps.
*Thud.*
A cavalryman on the edge of the formation brushed past Shen Lang, and he went flying as if struck by a massive force.
Was this what they called staging an accident?
His body flew several meters before hitting the ground. He wasn't a professional con artist, but the force, angle, and timing of his flight were all perfect. He wasn't seriously injured from the fall, so he bit the inside of his mouth hard, smearing blood on his lips. He needed to look pitiful to evoke sympathy.
A flicker in Jin Mulan's eyes, a raise of her fair, beautiful hand, and the hundred-strong cavalry came to a swift halt. The two cavalrymen at the front immediately dismounted to check on Shen Lang's injuries, but Jin Mulan was faster.
A thrill ran through Shen Lang.
Jin Mulan leaped toward him, reaching him before anyone else. She knelt down and raised a delicate hand to check his breathing through his nostrils. Instinctively, Shen Lang activated his X-ray vision and computer analysis system, obtaining clear data through her armor.
'A 34E! No way.'
Though hidden by her armor, Shen Lang felt his blood run hot.
'What, he's better looking than I thought. And he looks familiar.'
As she checked Shen Lang's condition, Jin Mulan thought to herself.
Shen Lang wasn't seriously hurt, so his breathing was naturally stable and strong. But to execute his plan, he deliberately made his breathing shallow and faint. The blood on his lips would be the final touch to move Jin Mulan's heart.
The Count of Xuanwu's Estate had long taught its members to love all their people and treat them as their own children. Thus, Jin Mulan could not tolerate an innocent commoner dying senselessly before her very eyes. An attendant beside her spoke.
"General, I will take him to a nearby physician for treatment."
Jin Mulan shook her head.
"No, I can't trust an ordinary physician. Our estate's doctor is more skilled. We'll take him to the estate for treatment. I will not let an innocent commoner die under our horses' hooves."
'Wow! Her voice is beautiful, too. Clear as ice falling on a lake!'
"Yes, General!"
Her female attendant gently lifted Shen Lang into her arms.
Though a woman, Jin Mulan's attendant was more valiant and larger in stature than most men. Shen Lang felt a little embarrassed being held like a princess in her arms, feigning unconsciousness.
"Return to the estate!"
At Jin Mulan's command, the cavalry wasted no time and began to ride toward the Count of Xuanwu's Estate.
'Shen Lang, today is the day. The time has come to decide your life and your destiny.'
Shen Lang repeated the words to himself over and over, vowing to overcome this crisis and exact brutal revenge on those who sought to harm him.