Wang Defa's words plunged us all into silence. The outcome was unspoken, yet we all knew it. This, however, became the last straw that broke the camel's back.
As long as one breathes, no one wishes to die. Even a beggar clings to the principle of living one more day, let alone those who live at the pinnacle of life.
Having faced life and death together, Wang Defa had opened his heart. In the past, he would never have uttered such words. Even though we all knew he was a subordinate of a powerful figure in the capital, this was the first time he had spoken about the powerful figure's health.
Zhang Dabiao and I were on the same page. We pretended not to hear anything about the powerful figure in the capital. The fewer people who knew about such matters, the better. Not many people wanted to know this news, nor did anyone wish to hear it. Knowing it would bring immense trouble.
"Old Wang, we didn't hear this, and you didn't say it. As for how they will handle Qingfeng Mountain, that's the capital's business, and it has nothing to do with us," Zhang Dabiao said it bluntly.
Wang Defa was also a man who had seen much of the world. The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them, for some things were beyond his control. If so many people hadn't died, he wouldn't have been so dejected as to utter such disloyal words.
"Heh heh... I must have dozed off just now. Did I say anything in my sleep?"
Zhang Dabiao was stunned, then he laughed. I also laughed heartily and said, "You didn't say anything in your sleep, but you did say the witch was beautiful and that you wanted to take her as a concubine!"
This was just a casual joke, meant to ease the tense atmosphere. However, I never expected that the person in question would wake up and hear every word.
The moment I finished speaking, I felt a chill run through my entire body, followed by a sensation as if a layer of frost had settled upon me. My skin felt like it was being bitten by a million ants, causing immense pain.
"Ah, it's so itchy..."
I rolled off the chair, my body uncontrollably rubbing against the ground, trying to alleviate the pain and the itching sensation. The more I twisted on the rough stones, the more my skin itched, and even when my skin bled, I felt no pain.
My reaction completely surprised Zhang Dabiao and Wang Defa. At first, they thought I was faking it for fun. It wasn't until a large patch of skin was scraped off my exposed body that they realized I had been afflicted.
Zhang Dabiao's face turned cold, his Pishan knife appearing in his hand. He turned and charged towards the vehicle Wang Defa was driving. Among the living present, there were only four people, and the only one who could act stealthily without being noticed by outsiders was Wu Yun.
"This kid has a loose tongue. I was merely administering a small punishment. If you attack me, I will ensure you all perish here," Wu Yun revealed half of her body from the car. Her face was still deathly pale, but her eyes were terrifyingly bright, staring directly at Zhang Dabiao.
Zhang Dabiao chuckled and said, "Weren't we just joking? Besides, Old Wang gave you the water, and we didn't know you were awake. If we had known, how could we have joked about you?" As he spoke, he leaped to the side, simultaneously swinging his Pishan knife downwards in front of him. It seemed to strike nothing, yet it produced a metallic clang.
Seeing that her sneak attack on Zhang Dabiao had failed, Wu Yun ceased her actions. She knew that if she continued, she would be the one at a disadvantage, especially since she was severely injured. It was difficult to cast a curse without a surprise attack.
"It's best not to joke about the witch. This was just a minor punishment. If I hear anything I shouldn't again, I will kill you directly." As soon as she finished speaking, she made a gesture, and I felt black mist emanating from my entire body. Upon closer inspection, these were not black mists but tiny insects, smaller than sesame seeds, gathered together to form a black ribbon.
Without the biting of these small insects, the painful itching sensation vanished. My body was covered in blood, but I could feel that they were all superficial wounds. My internal organs were unharmed.
I slapped myself and then said to Wu Yun, "Thank you, Chief, for sparing my life. I was out of line just now. I apologize." I then bowed to her.
"Hmm! Don't let it happen again." Wu Yun accepted my apology calmly and fell silent, her eyes fixed on the pot hanging over the campfire. Inside was nothing but the evening meal – dried beef.
It wasn't that we particularly enjoyed this food. It was simply that it was all we had in our vehicle, along with some instant noodles. If we didn't eat it, we would have to eat dirt.
Zhang Dabiao, who was sometimes smart and sometimes a bit foolish, was incredibly astute at this moment. With a glint in his eye, he understood Wu Yun's thoughts.
He tugged at me, who was still examining my wounds, and said to Wang Defa, "Old Wang, I'll take my brother to get his wounds bandaged. We'll eat later." Without giving me time to react, he pulled me along and we left.
Wu Yun was left wide-eyed and utterly bewildered. Even if Wang Defa was slow to react, he understood that Zhang Dabiao had once again sold him out to Wu Yun. His old face turned from black to white. He wanted to curse.
But the words caught in his throat. To find out what had happened at Qingfeng Mountain, he could only learn it from Wu Yun. Moreover, Wu Yun, as the witch, was not easy to deal with. Offending her would be worse than offending a terrorist.
"You two beasts." As the car door closed, Wang Defa's roar also reached us.
However, we completely ignored his words. Having the opportunity to care for a beauty was every man's dream, wasn't it? Although this beauty was a bit older, Wang Defa was not young either.
As for how he would care for Wu Yun, Zhang Dabiao and I had no interest and no inclination. After getting into the car, Zhang Dabiao applied medicine to my wounds. Although the蛊虫 (gu worms) only caused small wounds, in the hot southern climate, any sweat would cause a pain like salt rubbing against the skin, tormenting one to death.
I did not refuse Zhang Dabiao's kindness, allowing him to apply the medicine to all my wounds.
"Why are you deliberately making things difficult for yourself? Knowing she was awake, you still said such nonsensical things. Fortunately, she didn't harbor any malicious intent, otherwise, you wouldn't even know how you died," Zhang Dabiao chided me while applying the medicine.
I gasped, shivering, and said with a wry smile, "How did you figure it out? I thought I was very discreet!"
Zhang Dabiao put away the medicine bottle and said, "Can the energy of a living person be the same as that of a patient? I could sense it. As someone who performs divination, how could you not sense it? But what was your purpose in doing this? Was it just for a moment of quick wit?"
"Do you think I wanted to? These words were meant for her. I brought the suffering upon myself," I replied, my lips trembling.
My words seemed to surprise Zhang Dabiao, who said, "You don't have a masochistic tendency, do you?"
"You're the one with the masochistic tendency," I retorted unhappily while putting on my clothes.
"Then what is your reason?"
"Everyone has weaknesses, especially women. When she is most sad, if someone shows her care, what do you think she will say at that moment?"
"That's obvious. She'll pledge herself to you, and besides... you're really wicked. How could you think of such a terrible idea? Aren't you afraid Old Wang will cause trouble for you later?" Su Dan Novel Network
"Afraid of what? He's not married, and she's not married. What if sparks fly?" I looked out the window at Wang Defa clumsily serving Wu Yun, hoping he would understand my good intentions.
"Why didn't I realize before that you have the potential to be a matchmaker?"
"..."