Chapter 87: Letting Go and Killing

The next morning, Wei Wuji did not slowly open his eyes until well past daybreak.

He had slept wonderfully through the night, for there was a woman in his arms.

Giving Run’er’s soft, fragrant shoulder a light pat, Wei Wuji murmured, “Run’er, it is time to get up.”

“Mm...” Run’er rubbed her eyes and answered dazedly.

Last night, Wei Wuji had shown great vigor, going at it until deep into the night, and Run’er had been utterly exhausted as well.

She could have risen before dawn, but instead she had slept alongside Wei Wuji until the sun was already high in the sky.

“Milord, this servant will get up at once,” Run’er said in flustered wakefulness.

As a maid, she had rarely ever opened her eyes so late.

“It is indeed time. You were worn out all night, and you must be hungry.”

At his words, Run’er blushed, then hurriedly dressed.

She was no longer what she had once been. She no longer wore a maidservant’s garb; Wei Wuji had given her some of Gu Yuyan’s clothes.

And indeed, with that change in dress, Run’er was like a swan emerging from an ugly duckling’s shell. At a glance, she now seemed even more lovely than Gu Yuyan by a few degrees.

Especially with that modest, delicate, birdlike air about her, she made Wei Wuji all the more unable to let go.

Following closely after Run’er, Wei Wuji also got out of bed. Only then did he truly feel at ease.

All the Qin troops had been wiped out; no one could threaten the grain route any longer. His mission was basically complete.

Letting Run’er help him arrange his clothes, Wei Wuji studied her little face with careful interest.

“Milord, it is ready...” Run’er said, her cheeks red.

Wei Wuji took her hand at once and led her outside. “Come, let us eat together.”

Run’er naturally had no power to resist, and so she let herself be led out by Wei Wuji.

Along the way, when the servants of the Gu residence saw them, they hurriedly knelt and paid their respects.

Wei Wuji was used to such things, but it left Run’er at a loss. The farther they went, the more keenly she felt the immense change in her station.

When they arrived in the great hall, the servants had already prepared breakfast and were waiting for Wei Wuji to enjoy it.

Wei Wuji dropped into the seat of honor, and immediately a servant began uncovering the dishes for him.

Run’er also knelt beside Wei Wuji, using her chopsticks to serve him food.

One could imagine the scene: a girl dressed like a wealthy young lady, yet busily and deftly performing a servant’s work. The sight was...

“Run’er, you should eat too. I have hands of my own,” Wei Wuji said, drawing her into his arms.

Under the care of the other maids, Run’er was experiencing for the first time what it felt like to be a mistress of the house.

Right in the midst of Wei Wuji’s languid meal, two men entered the hall together.

“Greetings, milord.”

Zheng Dali and Wang Xiu both knelt in unison.

“Get up,” Wei Wuji said with a wave.

“Thank you, milord.” Only then did the two rise.

“What is it?” Wei Wuji asked casually.

“Milord, what should be done with the Qin men captured yesterday?” Wang Xiu asked.

Yesterday they had captured Zhai Quan and the others, and by the time they arrived at Ironwood City, it was already night. Wang Xiu had thought it best not to disturb the young lord’s “pleasant pursuits.”

“Has Zhai Quan been captured?” Wei Wuji asked.

“Yes, milord. Zhai Quan was seized after his own men rebelled and brought him in bound,” Wang Xiu replied.

Zheng Dali on the side also asked, “Milord, how should we deal with these Qin soldiers? We are really going to spare their lives?”

Wei Wuji weighed the matter for a moment before saying solemnly, “I, Wei Wuji, keep my word. Since I said I would spare them, I will not break my promise.”

“Yes!” Zheng Dali said, bowing.

“Wang Xiu, go handle it yourself and release those Qin soldiers,” Wei Wuji said, fixing his gaze on him.

It had to be Wang Xiu who did it, otherwise those Qin soldiers would absolutely be killed by the vengeful soldiers of Wei before they ever left Ironwood City.

“My lord, I obey!” Wang Xiu said, bowing.

“Also, keep Zhai Quan secured. In a little while I will go see him myself,” Wei Wuji said.

“Yes.” Wang Xiu answered.

“Go and do it,” Wei Wuji said, waving him away.

After Wang Xiu left, Zheng Dali could not help saying, somewhat displeased, “Milord, you really are going to let the Qin men go? Those scum even dared to bind their own general; how can they still have the face to live?”

Wei Wuji smiled and said, “Since I gave my word first, how could I fail to honor it?”

This left Zheng Dali speechless. Yes—without integrity, how could one lead troops into battle? How could soldiers fight to the death?

“I understand,” Zheng Dali said, somewhat disappointed.

Not long after, Wei Wuji patted his stomach. Being full felt truly marvelous.

Taking Run’er’s little hand, he stood up and said, “Come, let us go out and walk off the meal.”

As the captain of the personal guard, Zheng Dali naturally followed along, not sparing any thought for the danger of being a third wheel.

Yet this time, Wei Wuji did not, for once, rebuke Zheng Dali.

Run’er stayed close to Wei Wuji at all times. She was filled with fear of the burly men who were covered in the smell of blood.

After walking along the corridor for a while, Wei Wuji stopped and turned to look at Zheng Dali.

“What are your orders, milord?” Zheng Dali asked with some concern. Only then did he realize that he too must have spoiled the young lord’s mood.

But Wei Wuji showed no sign of blame. Smiling, he said, “Dali, I have a task for you.”

“Please instruct me, milord,” Zheng Dali said, bowing.

Wei Wuji stared at him for a while before saying in a low voice, “One hour from now, send out mounted riders and kill every last one of those Qin soldiers.”

“Ah...” Run’er gasped. She was most frightened by such killing and arson.

Wei Wuji steadied her shoulder, signaling her not to be afraid.

“I will carry out your command,” Zheng Dali replied.

But Wei Wuji stopped him and said, “Not my command. It is your idea. Do you understand?”

Zheng Dali thought it over briefly, then gave an “oh” of realization.

“Should I go make the arrangements at once?” Zheng Dali asked.

“Go, go,” Wei Wuji said, waving him off. Having a third wheel nearby was, in the end, rather displeasing.

The remaining two, Wei Wuji and Run’er, continued down the corridor.

The Gu residence was not all that large, and soon the corridor came to an end.

“All right, I should go question the prisoner as well. Run’er, you go back first,” Wei Wuji said, taking her little hand.

“Yes, this servant takes her leave,” Run’er replied obediently, then slowly withdrew.

Standing at the end of the corridor, the warmth on Wei Wuji’s face gradually faded, and he uttered Zhai Quan’s name in a cold voice.

That fellow had truly offended Wei Wuji beyond measure—not only had he nearly cost him his life, he had also brazenly insulted both Wei Wuji and Dan Ji.

This had made Wei Wuji’s hatred for Zhai Quan reach the point of irreconcilable enmity.

When he arrived at the place where Zhai Quan was being held, the Wei soldiers there bowed to him.

“Milord, you have come!” said the man in charge here, likely a squad leader, who hurried over with a flattering smile.

“Take me to see Zhai Quan,” Wei Wuji said grimly.

“Yes, milord, this way please,” the squad leader replied eagerly, immediately guiding Wei Wuji ahead.

After turning through several alleys watched over by guards, Wei Wuji was led to a filthy room.

“Milord, this is it,” the squad leader said with a servile smile.

Wei Wuji strode straight in, ignoring the warning from behind him that the place inside was dirty.

Once inside, he saw a bloody figure hanging from a beam by ropes, with only the tips of his toes touching the ground.

“Douse him awake,” Wei Wuji said to the soldiers inside.

At once, a soldier lifted a bucket and splashed water over Zhai Quan’s head.

“Ugh... ah...” Zhai Quan weakly shook his head, trying to fling the water away.

“Zhai Quan...” Wei Wuji called out.

“Wei Wuji...” Zhai Quan opened his eyes and fixed them on him with deep, searing hatred.

Before Wei Wuji could even spit out a couple of curses to vent his anger, Zhai Quan was the first to speak. “Wei Wuji, I curse your entire family—”

The squad leader behind Wei Wuji trembled. This could not be allowed to continue.

“Courting death...” the squad leader bellowed, then stepped forward and struck him with all his strength.

“Hahaha...” After being hit, Zhai Quan actually laughed.

“Wei Wuji, you bastard... if you’ve got the guts... come and hit me again!” Zhai Quan’s speech was already slurred.

Then the squad leader lashed Zhai Quan’s face several more times with the whip. Zhai Quan’s already blood-smeared face now bore several more ghastly welts.

Wei Wuji had intended to curse him a few times himself, but seeing this, he lost all interest. At this moment, he only wanted Zhai Quan dead.

“Drag him out and behead him,” Wei Wuji said coldly, as though unmoved by Zhai Quan’s words.

After two Wei soldiers untied him from the rope, Zhai Quan’s filthy abuse still did not cease, even as the squad leader continued to beat him.

When he was dragged to the doorway, Zhai Quan used all his strength to stop himself, and, eyes bloodshot, roared, “Wei Wuji, do you think Wei is truly safe and sound? Hahaha... I am only a tiny pawn, and you will all be buried with me...”

The squad leader covered his mouth to prevent any further obscenities from escaping.

“Drag him out. Execute him,” Wei Wuji said, raising his voice.

After Zhai Quan was dragged away, Wei Wuji finally let out a breath. It was all over.