"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!" After three knocks, Zhen Jing's voice entered the room: "Jing Gege, Jing'er knows you're sad, but don't shut yourself in. You haven't left your room for seven days. Everyone in the manor is worried. We'll face these difficulties together, Jing'er will definitely rescue Sister Ying!"
Half a month had passed since the Debauchery Arena came to my manor to seize people, and this was the seventh day I had locked myself in.
"Jing'er, go back. I'll come out eventually."
"But..."
At that moment, a hand rested on Zhen Jing's shoulder. She turned around to find it was Princess Xiangcheng.
Li Lanxin shook her head at Zhen Jing, signaling. Zhen Jing sighed softly.
Li Lanxin said softly, "Lanxin has placed the food by the door. Sir, please take care of your body and don't forget to eat. Lanxin and Miss Jing will take their leave now."
After receiving my reply, Zhen Jing followed Li Lanxin, turning back every few steps as they left the rear courtyard. Inside the room, the sound of metal striking metal resumed.
I put down the tools in my hand. Tears welled up in my bloodshot eyes. Fragments of memory began to return. I recalled how this body's previous owner met Li Ying. Five years ago, my parents appeared in my dream and told me it was time to marry. As for me, having transmigrated from a later era with messed-up memories, being alone, I also realized it was time to find a partner.
I remember my first meeting with Li Ying was at the Heavenly Immortal Ball. Amidst all the heavy makeup and elaborate attire, she was unremarkable. It was merely the familiar feeling of her resemblance to my wife from my previous life that led me to get to know her. We didn't discuss ideals or core values. I knew this world wouldn't have open-mindedness to satisfy my fetishes. And she, too, married me at her parents' behest.
We had no expectations of each other. As her parents wished, we decided to make do together for the coming years. There were no syrupy words of love, no passionate embraces. When we were together, we always looked at each other in silence. At the beginning of each month, after I handed her the earnings from my month's work at the brothel, she would always say, "You worked hard, thank you," and I would always reply, "No need." Life was plain and simple, far from the wild love I had envisioned. But I knew I shouldn't indulge in those crazy fantasies anymore.
Then one day, the slave broker told me stories of Kunlun slaves. My desires grew, and she dutifully indulged me. She began to embody the image from my fantasies, and I often came up with perverse ideas. She no longer said "thank you," instead telling me to dare to fantasize, and that she was willing to transform according to my thoughts. I communicated with her with ideas beyond our era; I don't know if that counted as sweet talk. We both blushed. After that, she spent her days at home doing the things I fantasized about, while I went out, hoping to achieve something. Until the day the Debauchery Arena attacked and abducted Li Ying. I used all my connections to search throughout Chang'an, but I couldn't find a trace of her. An old man passing by said she seemed to have been taken east and would be hard to find again. My mind was filled with memories of our time together. Standing on the city wall, lost and helpless, I finally realized in despair that all the mundane moments we shared were the most fervent love.
I looked at the thing I had just made in my hand. I knew I had to become a warrior. No matter how perilous the path ahead, I would cross mountains and rivers to find her again. After all, she was the love of my life!
I wiped away my tears, supported my weak body, and walked out of the room. Looking up, my eyes were filled with crimson and brocade green, and of course, a touch of black.
So they had been guarding my door all along...
Zhen Jing, Li Lanxin, Lin'er, and Ting'er were all looking anxiously at my room. The moment I stepped out, they all rushed towards me. The concern in their eyes almost melted me.
"Jing Gege, you scared me to death! Jing'er was so afraid you'd do something foolish, boo-hoo-hoo~~"
"Master, please don't be like this again. Lin'er was truly terrified. With young mistress gone, you mustn't lose heart, or the Wu family will fall apart. If Sister Ting'er hadn't managed the manor's operations these past few days and Princess Xiangcheng hadn't fended off the searching soldiers, I don't know what kind of mess we'd be in."
"It's good that you're alright, Master. Ting'er will help you take good care of the household."
"Mister Wu, this princess has already sent people to search. Those villains will certainly not escape!"
...
Feeling the long-lost warmth, I roughly understood what had happened these past few days. I gently stroked Ting'er's head and softly said, "Ting'er, you've worked hard."
Having spent so many years with Li Ying and the others, I had a fair understanding of their temperaments. Li Ying was meticulous and could manage the manor almost perfectly. However, Ting'er did even better than Li Ying in some aspects. Because of her humble origins, she was more sensible and more thorough in her words and actions. Thus, it was only natural that she could manage the Wu Manor well. Still, managing all the affairs of the manor was not easy; only she knew how much she had endured.
Then I cupped my hands to the other women and said, "I accept this kindness. I plan to depart tomorrow to rescue Li Ying. Once I return triumphantly, I will certainly grant each of you one wish!"
Zhen Jing hastily asked, "What? Jing Gege, you don't even know martial arts, how can you seek revenge? Sister Ying was abducted while protecting us. Jing'er will definitely bring Sister Ying back!"
I looked at Zhen Jing helplessly, pinched her cheek, and said, "You can't even beat me now, how do you expect to rescue Ying'er?"
"I... I..." Zhen Jing was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to reply.
That night, I attended to Zhen Jing and several injured individuals for a long time. The Kunlun slaves had external injuries, and I managed to save them by spending many valuable medicinal herbs. But Zhen Jing was completely different. She suffered from poison, and nearly all her meridians had atrophied. Starting from her uterus and ending at her heavenly spirit point, her internal energy was chaotic, and her cultivation completely abolished!
I applied one hundred and eight needles to her, barely managing to save her life. Her cultivation, however, swirled in a strange state within her uterus, unable to nourish her entire body, leaving her no different from an ordinary person...
Thankfully, Su Mei mentioned the "Lust-Breaking Pill" to me that night. Otherwise, I might have released Zhen Jing's internal energy from her flower palace to eliminate the hidden danger...
Now, Zhen Jing only needs to live like an ordinary person for a year or so, then she can resume her cultivation. At that time, her cultivation will naturally advance by leaps and bounds, far exceeding her current strength! Therefore, I don't want Zhen Jing to take risks. For the Debauchery Arena, she is currently a "Panacea"! Going to rescue Li Ying would only get herself captured!
"Jing'er, you know the situation yourself. I hope you can protect yourself and not go out until a year from now. After I depart, please stay safely in the place I've arranged for you."
Zhen Jing buried her head, lost in thought. It was a while before she looked up and agreed.
Then I cupped my hands to Li Lanxin and said, "The Wu Manor's scandal hasn't leaked at all these past few days, and the County Lieutenant hasn't sent anyone to interrogate us. This Wu expresses his gratitude to Princess Xiangcheng here."
Li Lanxin quickly held my arm, preventing me from bowing in thanks.
"Mister Wu, please don't be like this. This concubine merely did some small things. The one who helped the most is someone else."
Seeing me about to press for details, Li Lanxin continued, "Mister Wu, don't ask. You'll know naturally when the time comes."
Seeing Li Lanxin's stance, I could only drop the matter.
Then I pulled Lin'er to my side, flicked her nose, and said, "Lin'er, stop crying. Didn't you always act stubborn with me before? Now you're like a snot-nosed worm."
Lin'er only burrowed into my embrace, meekly and plaintively murmuring, "Lin'er was so worried Master would do something foolish in the room. If you're gone, Lin'er won't live either."
After comforting her, I summoned the Kunlun slaves from behind the women. Filled with emotion, I said, "You have shown me kindness. To stand by my side in such a critical moment, this Wu is endlessly grateful."
Zaha quickly said, "Master, please don't. If it weren't for you, we would forever be the lowest of slaves. Only you treat us as human beings, so Zaha will definitely repay you with his life!"
The two Kunlun slaves beside him also respectfully expressed their loyalty.
"Furthermore, if Master hadn't spent on our treatment, Zaha and his two brothers would already be dead. The cost of Master's treatment for us has already far exceeded the money to buy a new Kunlun slave. So Zaha knows in his heart who truly treats us well. Master, rest assured, Zaha will serve you with his life, to death if necessary!"
I found it a bit strange. Why did this foreigner's pledge of 'life and death companionship' sound so gay?
I waved my hand and said earnestly, "I have seen your loyalty. From now on, you don't need to call me 'Master.' You can call me Mister Wu, Brother Wu, Wu Dalang—any equal address is fine. Furthermore, you are no longer slaves in this manor, but masters with the same status as me."
"This..."
Seeing the three still hesitant, I interrupted and continued, "There's no need to fuss over this. A life-saving kindness must be repaid. Once I bring your Madam Ying back, there will naturally be even greater rewards!"
The three's excitement overflowed, and they quickly knelt to express their gratitude!
I nodded and said, "This is the last time you will kneel."
Zaha and I tacitly avoided mentioning Abu. And we both knew, either Abu would die, or I would.
Then I made arrangements for the manor. Zhen Jing, Ting'er, and Lin'er were to go to the manor in Qingzhou to avoid enemies. From now on, Ting'er would be the steward, responsible for the entire manor's operation. Princess Xiangcheng would return to the palace to help me send a message to Su Mei. I now knew that Princess Xiangcheng had joined the Black Adoration Club, and Su Mei was even the Saintess of the Black Adoration Club. They surely knew information about the Debauchery Arena. With Su Mei's support, I would have greater confidence in this journey.
The women naturally didn't agree to my arrangements; they all wanted to accompany me to rescue her. But taking such a flock of beauties to the Debauchery Arena—that wouldn't be rescuing, that would be offering up wives!
Princess Xiangcheng, however, insisted on going and threatened that if I didn't take her, she wouldn't help me gather information...
Ultimately, I couldn't argue with the two of them and had no choice but to take them along.
That afternoon, I went to visit the Emperor. The Emperor still did not grant me an audience, but had a eunuch convey a few words of comfort, and granted me the deployment of two hundred armored soldiers. Indeed, nothing escapes the Emperor's watchful eyes...
After submitting the curved-shaft plow, improved Xuan paper, and imperial examination reform proposal to His Majesty, I took my leave.
Then I distributed foundational knowledge books in various fields to the Imperial Princes, and after arranging various experiments, I returned to the manor, waiting for the information Li Lanxin would bring back.
I did all this simply because I was afraid I might suddenly die on the road, leaving the knowledge within me lost. Since I had come, I naturally hoped for a better era.
That afternoon, Li Lanxin returned, bringing various dossiers from the Debauchery Arena. There were official case files, as well as records of incidents from the Black Adoration Organization's contact with the Debauchery Arena.
Li Lanxin also brought a message for Su Mei, saying: "Mister Wu, there's no need to worry. Your wife is of great use to the Debauchery Arena, so they naturally won't harm her life. Once Mister Wu brings your esteemed wife back, don't forget to bring her to the Black Adoration Club to enjoy earthly bliss!"
I naturally had no mood to consider such things now; I simply focused on reading the dossiers Li Lanxin had brought.
When the sun set in the west, Jing'er brought me another map. It detailed the location of the Debauchery Arena, as well as its architectural layout. Zhen Jing and I embraced for a long time before reluctantly parting.
As I prepared to rest, another familiar person came to call: Li Erlang. After we talked for a while, Li Erlang expressed sympathy for my predicament. Then he told me his family had three hundred private soldiers in Qingzhou and had given them all to me. Moreover, this matter had already been reported to the Emperor, and the Emperor had agreed!
This made me increasingly curious about Li Erlang's identity. To be so familiar with His Majesty, his status must be extraordinary!
Thinking that if I died on the road, the women and children at home would be helpless, I took out my most prized inventions and handed them to Li Erlang, and also told him about the potatoes in the rear manor, saying, "If I, your elder brother, die on the road, Brother Li, please help me look after the women and children at home."
Li Erlang was utterly astonished by the items I gave him. He exclaimed, "Brother Wu, your abilities truly rival those of a celestial immortal, tsk-tsk~~ Marvelous! Marvelous! And if the potato yield is truly as you say, then the people of Great Tang will naturally sing your praises!"
I waved my hand and said, "You should still submit these potatoes to the Emperor and let him announce them."
"Why?"
"Because he is benevolent!"
Li Erlang burst into laughter, "Good! Good! What a fine word, 'benevolent'! Brother Wu, do you truly trust my character that much?"
I said, "Although I, your elder brother, haven't spent much time with you, I recognized your character at first glance, so I naturally feel at ease!"
After I explained a few more things to Li Erlang, I sent him off. Because I needed to depart early tomorrow morning!
That night, I slept alone in the vast bedroom. In my left hand, I held a cold device, and in my right, documents for troop deployment and passage. Sleep eluded me for a long time...
And how should the Kunlun slaves in the manor be arranged...