Chapter 13

Zhao Shuilai looked surprised when he recognised him, then immediately adopted a worried expression. “Third cousin, it’s you! What happened to you? Come, I’ll take you to see a doctor!”

The passer-by looked between Zhao Shuilai and Gu Yun, nodded slightly, then walked away, ignoring Gu Yun entirely.

Gu Yun said urgently, “Brother, I don’t know him!” He hurriedly tried to pull the passer-by back.

Zhao Shuilai frowned. “Third cousin, we’re already engaged and will be married soon. Even if you dislike me, you can’t pretend you don’t know me! Are you waiting for your lover? That man is nothing but a penniless nobody! Don’t break my heart!”

He sighed. “Forget it, I won’t argue with you. I’ll take you to see a doctor.”

Gu Yun knew arguing about cousinhood or engagement was pointless. It would only put him at a disadvantage and leave him no way out.

Enduring the pain in his knees, he stepped forward quickly, blocking the passer-by and reaching out.

In ancient times there were no mobile phones.

Damn this era.

Only then did he realise he had made a mistake. Instead of the person, he should target the money pouch.

But the passer-by had no visible purse.

Perhaps he had one hidden, since in this chaotic county people did not dare display valuables openly. The most valuable thing he wore was his clothes.

Gu Yun was certain that if he tried to snatch them, he would not solve anything and would instead be beaten and labelled insane.

He immediately understood he needed a different target.

There was no curfew yet, but because constables were nearby, ordinary people avoided the area. So his new target was the food stall next to them.

With so many goods, smashing a few items would surely make the stall owner stop Zhao Shuilai from taking him away.

He understood from Zhao Shuilai’s earlier words that the man intended to forcibly take him.

In the past, he would not have feared him. He had learned Sanda* and, though not particularly skilled, it was enough against an ordinary adult. But now his body could not support a proper fight.

(*TN: Chinese free-fighting martial art.)

The stall owner had already noticed the commotion. As soon as Gu Yun approached, he immediately stepped out and blocked him.

The man was tall and strong, clearly capable. Gu Yun could not get past him. Instead, Zhao Shuilai seized him.

The stall owner relaxed slightly and said earnestly, “You’ll be family soon. Blood is thicker than water. Just live properly. Everything else is unimportant.”

“Third cousin, don’t embarrass the family!” Zhao Shuilai shouted angrily, covering his mouth and dragging him into a side alley.

Gu Yun leaned forward and stomped hard on the man’s foot. The force made him grimace and loosen his grip.

“You fucking bastard!” the man cursed.

Seizing the chance, Gu Yun struck his chest with his elbow, breaking free and running forward, seeking another escape route, which was also a way for Lin Yue.

If not for his knee pain making his legs unreliable, he would have kicked the man down for more time.

At the Huiyang Wine Shop, the sounds of constables drinking and laughing drifted in on the night wind.

Gu Yun’s knees felt like knives stabbing into them. His steps shook. Cold sweat poured down his face. He tried to steady himself, but he only grew slower and slower.

Zhao Shuilai caught him, twisted his arm violently, and hissed into his ear, “If you don’t behave, I’ll send your husband straight to hell. Try me if you dare.”

Gu Yun attacked his lower body.

At that moment, an elderly woman rushed out from a side alley and grabbed his hand.

“You little slut, what are you doing!” she shouted, and slapped him hard.

Before the burning pain, he first smelled a faint medicinal scent.

This was a real hard case…

His consciousness began to fade. Before darkness swallowed him completely, he saw the woman’s triumphant smile.

—

When Gu Yun woke again, night had fallen and a nearly full moon hung in the sky.

He found himself in a remote, dim forest. His hands and feet were bound, and his mouth was gagged.

From a distance came the voices of Zhao Shuilai and the woman.

“How much is he worth in this state?”

“He’s somewhat attractive, but he’s already someone else’s wife. Respectable men want clean goods. This one won’t fetch much.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Do you think I don’t know many masters don’t care? Dirty or clean, they’ll take them into their rooms. I negotiated properly, but you tried to cheat me. Then I’ll just find someone else.”

“Bullshit. Did you catch him yourself? A grown man unable to deal with a young woman. If I hadn’t stepped in, you’d still be barking like a dog.”

The two argued.

Gu Yun trembled uncontrollably. He bit his tongue and forced his bound body to move. After struggling for a long time, he finally touched something sharp.

A stone.

He painfully adjusted it, placing it against the rope binding his hands.

Dried branches rustled. The two ahead finished their discussion.

“I’ll go find someone to move the goods. You watch them,” the woman said.

Zhao Shuilai agreed. Soon the woman left.

A bright light appeared in the distance. Zhao Shuilai was walking towards him.

Gu Yun’s breathing quickened. He worked faster, grinding the rope with the stone. Strands snapped, but before it fully broke, Zhao Shuilai was already in front of him.

“Little lady,” Zhao Shuilai said, crouching with a lantern and smiling.

Gu Yun said nothing, staring at him.

Zhao Shuilai lifted his chin, examining his pale, dirt-streaked face and the cloth stuffed into his mouth. He swallowed hard, eyes turning greedy.

He removed the gag.

“Those old masters are weak. Once you become theirs, you’ll just live like a widow. I’m kind, I’ll let you enjoy yourself one last time,” he said, reaching for him.

He froze.

Flat. Completely flat.

His eyes widened. “You… you’re like a man…”

The rope was nearly broken.

Gu Yun broke free, grabbed the stone, and smashed it into his head. Blood splattered.

Zhao Shuilai collapsed, lantern bursting into flames beneath him. He clutched his head and howled, then shouted, “You bitch, I’ll kill you!”

Gu Yun pounced and struck again.

Zhao Shuilai fought back violently. Gu Yun took several blows to the chest but kept pressing down, striking once, twice, three times.

Until there was only silence.