Chapter 66: Heaven Does Not Grant Human Wishes

When Liu Xuanba returned to report, he found that Zhou Changyun was already waiting in the hall.

This fellow’s speed was astonishing. Seeing Zhou Changyun standing there as if he’d been waiting for a long time, Liu Xuanba secretly clicked his tongue in admiration.

After all, even though the Qin people Zhou Changyun dealt with were scattered, they were still numerous. That he managed to finish so quickly while Liu Xuanba had hesitated and delayed for so long made him feel embarrassed.

As the chief general under Wei Wuji, Liu Xuanba feared his status might be shaken by this, which would have significant consequences for him.

After entering the main hall, Liu Xuanba immediately knelt and saluted, “Greetings, young master!”

Wei Wuji, seated in the place of honor, raised his head and fixed his gaze on Liu Xuanba. “Has the settlement been cleared?”

Liu Xuanba nodded before replying, “They’re all dead.”

Wei Wuji nodded as well. “Good. Now there’s nothing to worry about within the settlement.”

Only then did the weight in Wei Wuji’s heart finally ease. If the Qin people inside Tie Lin Settlement weren’t eliminated promptly, it wouldn’t be long before they discovered something amiss at the Gu residence. Should they become wary or simply escape, Wei Wuji would have no recourse.

After waving the two men away, Wei Wuji said, “Alright, you both should get some rest early.”

Just as Liu Xuanba and Zhou Changyun were about to leave, Wei Wuji called after them, “Don’t forget to go and properly encourage your men.”

“Tell them that everything they’ve done for Great Wei—I, Wei Wuji, remember it all. Their achievements, I will report to the central military camp.”

Both Liu Xuanba and Zhou Changyun quickly knelt again, replying in unison, “We thank the young master on behalf of our brothers.”

Wei Wuji nodded. He never dared relax his efforts to win over his soldiers.

Finally, Wei Wuji added, “And of course, your own merits will not be overlooked.”

“Subordinates must never claim credit!” Zhou Changyun hurriedly bowed, beating Liu Xuanba to it.

“That’s right! It is all thanks to your strategic planning, young master. We dare not take credit,” Liu Xuanba echoed, not wanting to fall behind.

Though eager for military accolades, both men knew the importance of flattering Wei Wuji—it cost them nothing, after all.

Wei Wuji felt pleased; being flattered was a skill in itself.

“You may go now,” Wei Wuji said, his smile fading into a solemn tone.

“Yes!” With that, Liu Xuanba and Zhou Changyun withdrew.

Once they had left, Wei Wuji stretched his somewhat stiff body.

Before Liu Xuanba’s arrival, his heart had been suspended, fearful that some Qin people might have escaped.

“Ring’er, pour me another cup of wine. After drinking, I’ll go to sleep,” Wei Wuji said with a relaxed smile.

With the Qin people in the settlement eliminated, there was nothing more for him to do tonight. Even if he was concerned about the Qin forces outside Tie Lin Settlement, those would have to wait until tomorrow for a sweep.

Ring’er raised the wine cup, carefully tipping the jug to fill it slowly.

“So many died tonight,” Wei Wuji suddenly sighed.

“Ring’er, do you think they deserved to die?” he asked, accepting the cup and eyeing her sideways.

Ring’er was flustered, unsure how to respond. Her only thought was to serve Wei Wuji well, with no capacity for other considerations.

“I don’t know, but the young master can’t be wrong,” Ring’er stammered, simply saying what she thought he wanted to hear.

“Exactly. Whatever I do is right,” Wei Wuji smiled, delighted by her obedience.

He pulled Ring’er into his arms, admiring her delicate face by candlelight. She wasn’t a peerless beauty, but was certainly attractive. Wei Wuji couldn’t fathom how the Gu family had restrained themselves from devouring her.

Ring’er dared not meet Wei Wuji’s gaze. In such a moment, she could only press her face against his chest, trying to hide her blush.

Feeling triumphant, Wei Wuji found it hard to restrain himself in the midst of such intimacy.

“All of you, go rest. There’s no need for a guard here,” Wei Wuji told the attendants in the hall, clearing the room for his own purposes.

The guards exchanged glances, understanding his intent, then bowed, “As you command!”

With that, only Wei Wuji and the maid in his arms remained in the hall.

“Heh heh!” Wei Wuji snickered wickedly.

Looking at Ring’er’s tender lips so close, he felt a warm surge in his body.

Damn! Just once—just this once! Wei Wuji gritted his teeth.

Slowly, he lowered his head, his puckered lips drawing nearer to Ring’er, who had already closed her eyes.

Wei Wuji was about to kiss her. For him, this was a historic moment—the first kiss since crossing over into this world.

A small step for wooing a woman, a giant leap toward building a harem... Wei Wuji shouted inwardly.

But at that very moment, just as their lips were about to meet, a rough voice crashed through the atmosphere like a raging storm, ruining everything.

“Young master, I’ve already dealt with the Gu household staff…”

Zheng Dali barged in just as Wei Wuji was about to press his lips to Ring’er’s face.

How awkward.

Wei Wuji was furious. Zheng Dali was utterly detestable; so many of his good moments had been spoiled by this man, Wei Wuji had lost count.

“Ring’er had a speck of dust in her eye—I was blowing it out for her,” Wei Wuji explained after helping Ring’er up.

He didn’t know why he bothered to explain; he didn’t really need to. Even if Ring’er was just a maid, Wei Wuji figured he could have the women of the whole settlement attend to him if he wished.

Perhaps it was just his old-world notions haunting him, he sighed to himself.

But then he lamented inwardly—was he truly just a loser?

After sending Ring’er away and straightening his disheveled clothes, Wei Wuji, still dissatisfied, asked Zheng Dali, “Why are you so flustered? Is everything handled?”

Zheng Dali snapped out of his daze and quickly answered, “Yes, young master. We’ve screened everyone in the Gu household.”

“Tell me the situation,” Wei Wuji said gravely, his previous desires quickly vanishing when it came to business.

Zheng Dali replied, “Reporting, young master, aside from the cook, everyone else is uninvolved.”

That displeased Wei Wuji. He kept these people to serve him, but the most important one—the cook—had issues. How could he be happy about that?

But thinking it over, it made sense.

Gu Mu had previously said they would kill Wei Wuji the next day. How would they do it? Certainly not with blades. Poison was the best method, silent and unseen. So it was no surprise the cook was problematic.

“Poor stomach of mine,” Wei Wuji complained inwardly.

“Alright, you may go rest,” Wei Wuji said gloomily.

“Yes!” Having ruined Wei Wuji’s good moment, Zheng Dali was eager to slip away.

But at the door, he stopped.

“Young master, there’s something I’m unsure whether to mention,” Zheng Dali said, conflicted.

“What is it?” Wei Wuji asked.

“Just now, Captain Liu set fire in the settlement. It’s still burning,” Zheng Dali replied.

What? Wei Wuji shot to his feet.

He rushed outside and, standing at the door, saw a blaze lighting up the night not far away.

“Young master, it’s alright—the men are keeping the fire under control, it won’t spread,” Zheng Dali tried to reassure him.

Wei Wuji paid no heed.

It’s ruined! Everything tonight was for nothing! That was his only thought.

Such a large blaze would certainly be visible to those outside the settlement. If Qin scouts saw it, they might guess something had happened inside.

“Young master, what’s wrong?” Seeing Wei Wuji’s dejected look, Zheng Dali asked, puzzled.

“Put out the fire, quickly! Go and mobilize the people of Tie Lin Settlement!” Wei Wuji roared.

There was no time left for explanations. He could only hope things weren’t so unlucky, that Qin scouts hadn’t happened by.

Frightened by Wei Wuji’s fury, Zheng Dali didn’t ask further and immediately ran off to obey.

…

At that moment, on a hillside outside Tie Lin Settlement, two men dressed in black stood gazing steadily toward the settlement.

Watching the roaring flames within, one said, “Something’s happened in Tie Lin Settlement.”

The other replied, “We’d better inform the officials at once.”