Childhood Friend or Destined Encounter? - Chapter 10

Yezi didn’t know how long she had been running, but she had finally escaped that nightmare of a hellscape. The streets were bustling, the cries of street vendors and the chatter of passersby never-ending, she had finally returned to the world of the living.

She limped along the street. Someone, seeing her pitiful state, gave her a bowl of porridge—it was the most delicious thing she had ever tasted in her life.

Once she regained a bit of strength, she hurriedly asked for the location of the magistrate’s office. She stumbled the entire way, her breath coming in ragged gasps, making onlookers think the girl had gone mad.

Yezi beat the drum at the magistrate’s gate with a thunderous roar. It quickly drew a bailiff out to shoo her away. “What do you think you’re doing? Banging on the drum in broad daylight and disturbing the Great Lord’s peaceful slumber. You’ll regret this!”

“Sir, I wish to report a crime. There is a mysterious organization in the city that has kidnapped and secretly imprisoned many young women. they are holding them illegally and treating human life like grass. I barely managed to escape and am willing to lead the way. Please, sir, send men to rescue them immediately!” Yezi explained everything in one breath, looking at the bailiff with hope.

“Illegal imprisonment? Treating life like grass? I think you’ve lost your mind. Get lost, or I’ll charge you with obstructing official business and throw you in jail,” the bailiff replied. As a mere employee, he wasn’t about to take risks, so he drove Yezi away with a mix of shoves and threats.

Hearing the word “jail,” Yezi’s entire body couldn’t stop trembling. She was truly terrified of being confined, she never wanted to taste the bitterness of imprisonment ever again.

As she watched the heavy doors of the magistrate’s office swing shut, a door in her heart closed along with them. She slumped helplessly at the entrance. People passed by, but no one stopped for her.

Chu Mingzhu had summoned all the best physicians in Pingyang City, yet every single one who checked Yezi’s pulse shook their head. “This young lady has fallen into a nightmare. Medicine cannot cure this, she will only wake if she herself is willing.”

For the past few days, Fengya had been sitting by Yezi’s bedside, holding her hand and racking her brain for things to say to her.

“That day, I was heavily wounded by Mahoraga and thought I would die. I never expected to meet you. You were so small, yet you managed to carry me out of the forest all by yourself. You treated a complete stranger with such gentle and meticulous care. When I woke up, I didn’t even know how to repay you. As it turns out… did I ever tell you? The way you looked so serious while settling accounts with me was actually… quite cute.”

“Later, I accidentally discovered you were an expert in the art of divination and mechanics, which made me look at you in a whole new light. I thought you were a member of the martial world, or perhaps some hidden master. Back then, I was desperate to save someone, so I tried every way possible to please you and ask for your help. But honestly, while I was doing those things for you, I was truly happy.”

“I had never seen someone bring their entire worldly possessions when going out to save a life, even down to the dried rations and fruit. Though you are young, you always consider so much. Actually, I had a way to pay back that hundred taels I owed you long ago, but I intentionally withheld it. Was that very mean of me? But even if I was mean, you never truly held it against me, though your occasional grumbling doesn’t count. In truth, what I owe you is far more than just a hundred taels.”

“That day, I purposefully invited Chu Mingzhu to meet at the fabric shop for my own selfish reasons. I knew early on that you would look wonderful in pink, and as it turns out, my taste was correct. There’s also azure, pale purple, and primrose yellow, any of them would look beautiful on you. Please wake up soon, don’t let those clothes sit idle for too long.”

“The last time we were at Laifeng Restaurant, I saw how much you liked the Fongyang Braised Tofu, so I learned how to make some myself. You know, I have a natural talent for cooking. If you don’t wake up soon, that fellow Chu Mingzhu will eat it all.”

“The day we were both kidnapped at Baqi Tower, you escaped so skillfully. I thought you were amazing at the time. Now that I think about it, just what have you gone through all these years to become so practiced at it…”

“This time, we rescued a total of one hundred and thirty-one girls from Baqi Tower. One hundred and seventeen have already been sent home to their families. The remaining fourteen had no relatives, so we gave them some silver and settled them at a farm outside the city to work. If they find a better place in the future, they are free to leave. It’s thanks to you that we were able to save so many people so smoothly.”

Yezi crouched under the eaves as the rain pattered down outside. She felt so cold, her entire body was freezing.

Reason told her she should find a place to stay and fill her stomach. But she was so tired, her body didn’t even feel like her own. Unable to move an inch, she just wanted to fall into a deep sleep right there.

Yezi looked ahead and saw a pure white figure walking toward her through the rain. Not even a speck of mud could touch her.

The white shadow stopped in front of Yezi and reached out a pair of long, slender, pale hands.

A gentle, beautiful voice reached Yezi’s ears. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to take you home.”

She carried a light within her.

Yezi took those hands and stood up. Behind the white figure, she saw many of the girls who had been imprisoned with her, as well as those faces that had disappeared and were never seen again. They were all there. Their faces no longer held pain or numbness, but smiles.

Yezi looked up at the sky and saw a rainbow. The rain had stopped.

**

Moonlight like water swept through the window frame and spilled onto the head of the bed. The cool evening breeze brought the rhythmic chirping of cicadas, weaving a summer melody.

It was to these sounds that Yezi opened her eyes. She didn’t know how long she had slept. In her dream, she had remembered memories she hadn’t wanted to touch for a long time. These memories were like vines growing from the depths of the earth, binding her tightly so she couldn’t escape, until… a beam of light shone in.

Yezi turned her head and immediately saw Fengya resting by the bed. The woman’s features were as beautiful as a painting, her nose twitching slightly, her breath shallow. Compared to the striking beauty of their first meeting, this face now felt grounding and familiar. That blurred shadow from her dream seemed to become clear at this moment.

Yezi shifted her body, wanting to touch that face. However, having laid still for so long, her body was sore and aching. With just a slight movement, she fell back onto the bed.

“You’re awake!” Fengya, who wasn’t sleeping deeply to begin with, heard the movement and grabbed Yezi’s hand. Her phoenix-like eyes scanned Yezi up and down, terrified that something might be wrong.

Yezi, thinking her small intention had been discovered, was both shy and embarrassed. She wanted to pull her hand away but had no strength at all.

Fengya held the soft, tender hand. She watched as Yezi’s face, previously as pale as paper, flushed crimson at a visible speed. Those beautiful eyes were misty, like a little kitten that had been wandering in the rain and now wanted a hug from its master.

She’s so cute, I really want to hold her and pet her hair. Startled by the strange thought that flashed through her mind, Fengya cleared her throat and said in a very serious tone, “The food I fed you these past few days was all thrown back up. You must be hungry now, shall I get you something to eat?”

“Mhm.” Yezi nodded gently. Having just woken up, she didn’t actually feel that hungry, but if she let Fengya keep holding her hand like this, she felt like she would literally cook through.

The inn had already closed for the night. Fearing Yezi would wait too long, Fengya simply made a bowl of Yangchun noodles. The chewy thin noodles were lifted into the broth, sprinkled with a layer of chopped green onions, and topped with a soft-boiled egg. The fresh aroma filled the room. Though she hadn’t felt hungry before, Yezi’s appetite was truly piqued now, and she buried her head to take a large slurp.

Yezi didn’t speak, but her relish as she ate was the best compliment.

Watching Yezi take a big mouthful of noodles and a bite of the egg, Fengya felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

It felt as though they had returned to a few days ago in that small courtyard. Fengya had fed her silently like this then too, though her state of mind was different now. The night was peaceful, and time felt still and beautiful.

A knock at the door broke the silence. Fengya frowned slightly and rose to open it, only to see Chu Mingzhu entering with a metal box. He pulled out a chair and sat down, making himself right at home.

The moment Chu Mingzhu entered, he saw Yezi eating noodles. He froze for a second, then said happily, “The little beauty is awake? That’s wonderful! Wooden-face, you didn’t even come to tell me.”

“Look at the time. If you’re coming to see me at this hour, you’d better have a serious reason,” Fengya said, glancing at the uninvited guest.

“I’m here for serious business, of course. My men found this while clearing out Baqi Tower. Take a look.” As he spoke, Chu Mingzhu opened the box. Inside was a stack of travel permits.

Fengya took one out and looked at the official seal. “These are… travel permits for Jiangzhou City. There are so many of them. What kind of collusion does Baqi Tower have with the Jiangzhou Prefect?”

“My Famous Sword Villa has never meddled in court affairs. These permits are for you to handle.” Chu Mingzhu hurriedly pushed the box toward Fengya as if it were a hot potato.

Fengya wasn’t surprised by his behavior. She took the box and removed the thick stack of permits, only then discovering a hidden compartment at the bottom.

Fengya studied the compartment for a moment, her gaze shifting toward Yezi every now and then.

Understanding the look, Yezi took the box. Her fingers found several mechanical triggers along the edge. After calculating for a moment, she pressed them in a specific order. The hidden compartment popped open, and a journal lay quietly inside.

Yezi took out the journal and flipped it open, but there wasn’t a single word on the pages.

“What is this, a Wordless Heavenly Book? Should we try roasting it over fire or dousing it with water?” Chu Mingzhu leaned over, half-joking.

Fengya glanced at him. Although he was usually unreliable, his suggestion was a valid method. The group brought over a candle and some tea, carefully testing the first page. After struggling for half an hour, they had nothing to show for it. This result wasn’t unexpected. A journal hidden so carefully by Mahoraga in a secret compartment wouldn’t be so easily deciphered.

“Heh…” Chu Mingzhu let out a long yawn, his eyes half-closed. “I’m exhausted from all this fuss. Forget it, the contents of this journal have nothing to do with Famous Sword Villa anyway. If you’re interested, take it and study it slowly later. I’m sleepy, see you tomorrow.”

Support