Chapter 946: Immediate Execution

Editor: Henyee Translations

Tao Qingxiang, puzzled, asked, “Is there really a direct link between getting agitated and paralysis?”

Chu Tang inserted a second acupuncture needle into the vein in Tao’s leg, “You’ll find out eventually.”

Tao Qingxiang, “…”

Half an hour later, Chu Tang finished the acupuncture session.

Tao Qingxiang, looking at his leg now resembling a porcupine from all the needles and feeling a slight pain, grew increasingly grateful to Chu Tang, “Divine Doctor, I had some of the city’s specialty dishes brought here for you to try, would you like some?”

With a wave of his hand, a maid brought in trays of exquisite pastries, placed them on the table, and then respectfully exited.

Chu Tang washed his hands and without any reservation, picked up a piece of Ruyi cake to eat. He still had to stay to remove the needles from Tao Qingxiang, so might as well eat to pass the time.

Seeing Chu Tang enjoy the food, Tao Qingxiang asked with a smile, “Is it good?”

Chu Tang nodded, “Not bad.”

Tao Qingxiang, with a hint of amusement, said, “I’ll prepare something different for you tomorrow.”

Chu Tang indifferently responded, “As you wish, I’m not picky.”

Tao Qingxiang picked up his book again, “The Divine Doctor really is different from others, so carefree and easygoing.”

Chu Tang grabbed another piece of Ruyi cake, “Why bother over small matters, isn’t it just making life difficult for oneself?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Tao Qingxiang thoughtfully replied, “Still, it’s admirable how you see things so clearly.”

…

Military Camp.

Inside the tent, Chu Qingning took out the letter Jiang Zhaozhong had written to her again, her eyes red and full of worry, “Zhaozhong, where exactly are you?”

Lan Qiongzhen came in with dinner, “Why are you crying?”

Chu Qingning quickly wiped her tears and hid the letter, “It’s nothing.”

Lan Qiongzhen placed the tray on the table, “You can talk to me if there’s something troubling you, maybe I can help.”

“It’s nothing.” Chu Qingning put the letter away in a box and walked over to the table.

Lan Qiongzhen handed her the chopsticks, “Eat up, I made this.”

Chu Qingning handed the chopsticks back to Lan Qiongzhen, “Let’s eat together.”

Lan Qiongzhen initially refused, “I am now your maid.”

Chu Qingning took Lan Qiongzhen’s hand, placed the chopsticks in it, “It doesn’t matter, eating alone is lonely.”

Lan Qiongzhen then sat down and they ate together, “Not to boast, but my cooking skills are quite good. Try and see if it suits your taste. If you like it, I can cook for you again tomorrow.”

Chu Qingning smiled slightly, “Thank you.”

As they were eating, Lan Qiongzhen suddenly said, “Qingning, I heard your sister looks exactly like me, is that true?”

Chu Qingning became alert inwardly but kept her expression unchanged, “Yes, every time I see you I am reminded of her. Unfortunately, my fifth sister encountered misfortune as soon as she arrived in the eastern border.” Her eyes reddened as she continued, “I must avenge her!”

Lan Qiongzhen quickly handed her a handkerchief, “Don’t cry, I support you. If we encounter the culprits, I’ll help you kill them.”

Chu Qingning nodded, “Thank you.”

Chu Qingning thought to herself, why did Lan Qiongzhen suddenly ask about her sister?

…

County City.

Meng Shengdong drew his sword and commanded, “Attack!”

“Charge!” His soldiers immediately stormed into the city and engaged the black-clothed men standing in their way.

The battle quickly turned chaotic as both sides clashed fiercely.

Rong Shenning and Du Zhaolin were awakened by the sounds of fighting. They exchanged glances, realizing that someone had come to rescue them.

Rong Shenning whispered, “Let’s check if there’s anyone outside. If it’s clear, we escape right away.”

Du Zhaolin nodded and shouted, “Is anyone there? We need water!”

A voice from outside responded, “Stop shouting, just hold on!”

They communicated with mouth gestures, confirming someone was outside.

Du Zhaolin said, “Soldiers are storming in, aren’t you going to fight?”

“The brothers can handle it themselves, haha, you two thieves want to run, right? Let me tell you, you won’t escape. No matter what, I’ll be guarding you.”

At that moment, Du Zhaolin found a stone and quickly devised a plan, whispering to Rong Shenning.

After a brief consideration, Rong Shenning nodded in agreement with Du Zhaolin’s plan, ready to take action.

Du Zhaolin shouted, “Haha, finally got the ropes off!”

Immediately, keys rattled and the guard entered the room.

Rong Shenning was positioned by the door, ready with the stone. As the guard entered, he struck the guard’s head from behind with the stone.

The guard slowly collapsed to the ground.

To ensure the guard wouldn’t wake up, Rong Shenning hit him a few more times, then tied him up, took his keys, and he and Du Zhaolin left the room, locking the door behind them as they hurried away.

In the city, the battle raged on.

Both Rong Shenning and Du Zhaolin, witnessing such a scene for the first time, hid in a secluded corner, unable to bear watching directly.

Rong Shenning asked, “What do we do now?”

Du Zhaolin frowned slightly, “We can’t get through right now. Let’s wait until the fighting stops and then try to join up with Meng Shengdong and the others.”

Lacking any better options, Rong Shenning agreed, “Okay.”

“Attack!” The cry echoed as the battle continued for over an hour, marked by the clash of swords and the shadows of death, leaving a scene strewn with bodies and blood, a gruesome sight too harrowing to gaze upon directly.

Some of the enemy tried to flee…

Meng Shengdong quickly drew his bow and released three arrows simultaneously, dropping three foes. Another arrow flew, finishing off the last of the enemies, “Clean up the battlefield!”

“Understood!” the soldiers responded.

Medics hurried to attend to the wounded, while Meng Shengdong led his troops to pursue any remnants and check on the whereabouts of Rong Shenning and Du Zhaolin.

“General Zhongwu!” Rong Shenning and Du Zhaolin emerged from hiding.

Relieved to see them safe, Meng Shengdong ordered, “Stay here, don’t go anywhere. We’re going to finish clearing the area.”

Du Zhaolin quickly replied, “Yes, sir.”

Meng Shengdong and his soldiers then conducted a thorough search, eliminating any remaining foes and uprooting the opium poppies in the backyards of the large estates, setting a huge bonfire to destroy them completely.

After the cleanup, Tang Jinghong arrived on the scene.

The local officials came out to greet him, kneeling, “We welcome General Tang.”

From horseback, Tang Jinghong surveyed the officials with disdain, “All of you are relieved of your duties, your properties confiscated, and you will be imprisoned and exiled in three days.”

A county official protested, “General Tang, this is unjust!”

Tang Jinghong inquired coldly, “What’s unjust about it?”

The official argued, “We were coerced into these acts; we had no choice but to comply to save our lives.”

Tang Jinghong countered, “And you’ve been coerced for years? Why did no one send a secret letter then? It’s fortunate you were threatened, or I would have ordered your execution instead of just exile!”

Chilled by the implication, the official fell silent.

With a stern command, Tang Jinghong declared, “Carry out the orders immediately!”

The soldiers responded, “As you command, General.”