Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 105

Zhu Yan’s hand had barely been raised, his voice just beginning to echo, when a sharp arrow whistled from the left. This time, it pierced precisely through his palm.

“Argh!” “My Lord!” “On guard!”

In an instant, screams of agony and cries of alarm became a chaotic mess. Meanwhile, Ye Xuejin and Yun Chi stopped several dozen meters away, refusing to advance further. This distance was sufficient.

“Governor-Secretary Zhu, a pleasure to meet you,” Ye Xuejin said calmly. If one listened closely, her voice seemed to carry a hint of a smile.

Zhu Yan gritted his teeth, forcing himself to calm down despite the pain. He desperately wanted his soldiers to form a protective wall around him, but he couldn’t bring himself to do something so humiliating. He was a regional hegemon; he couldn’t afford to appear cowardly.

Thinking of this, he feigned composure and barked, “Who goes there? State your name!”

Ye Xuejin’s expression was serene. “I am the Grand Princess of the current dynasty, titled He’an.”

Zhu Yan showed no surprise, but his tone softened slightly. “So, it is Her Highness, Princess He’an. I have long heard of your reputation.”

Damn it, he thought, why haven’t those men returned? Even if they couldn’t capture the archers hidden in the shadows, they should at least be providing a distraction. Those archers were terrifyingly accurate; as long as they were pinned down like this, he didn’t dare make a move.

Ye Xuejin had to admire Master Zhu. Although he feared death, he was incredibly resilient.

“I wonder, Governor-Secretary Zhu, what is your intention here today?” she asked.

Zhu Yan took a deep breath and managed a smile. “I have come by imperial decree. I wonder, where is Your Highness headed, and why have you blocked the road?”

Curse it all, he thought. He had expected to crush these people like ants, but he was trapped in a stalemate by a few sharp arrows. He had no idea how many archers were lying in ambush.

Ye Xuejin smiled as well. “I thought I was the ‘rebel’ you spoke of, Master Zhu. Fearing the consequences, I felt compelled to block your path and offer an explanation.”

Zhu Yan scoffed internally. The rebel is exactly who you are, he thought. He wiped the blood from his hand, his smile becoming even more strained. “Your Highness must be joking. How would I ever dare to make things difficult for you?”

The two exchanged pleasantries, neither appearing to be in a rush or having any immediate intention of striking. This continued until the dozens of soldiers who had left the formation returned.

The lead soldier cupped his fists. “My Lord, we found… it. There is only… one person.” He didn’t sound entirely certain that it was a person.

Zhu Yan kept a smile on his face but hissed in a low voice, “And? Did you deal with them?” Incompetent fool, keep your voice down!

The soldier didn’t take the hint and replied loudly, “Reporting to My Lord, that… figure is on that mountain peak.” He turned and pointed, his face full of helplessness.

Not to mention that horses couldn’t easily climb that mountain; even if they went on foot, a round trip would take forever. Zhu Yan froze, his eyes widening. That peak! It had to be over a thousand meters away. How was that possible?

“Are you mocking me!” Zhu Yan snarled.

The soldier hurriedly knelt, terrified. “I wouldn’t dare! we searched the woods nearby and found no one. Then, several arrows were fired from nowhere, drawing our gaze to the peak. That’s when we saw a figure with four limbs waving at us from the summit…”

The figure was entirely green, as if covered in grass. They couldn’t even tell if it was human. Having no idea what to do, they had simply returned.

Zhu Yan’s heart went cold. No wonder these people were so fearless; they relied on the fact that he couldn’t touch their archer. But having come all this way with a thousand men, retreating now would be humiliating. He scanned the area and pulled his reins to retreat silently. So be it, he thought. Even if it’s embarrassing, I’m going back.

“Master Zhu!” Ye Xuejin suddenly let out a soft cry.

CRACK-BOOM!

A sudden bolt of thunder struck the middle of the road, carving a deep pit into the earth. Zhu Yan stared in stunned silence, his ears ringing. Amidst the echoes, he heard Ye Xuejin’s voice, clear as a bell. “Be careful, Master Zhu. If you take a wrong step, the next bolt might land on someone’s head.”

Zhu Yan: “!!!”

Heaven help me, what is happening? Is this thunder real?

As if reading his thoughts, Ye Xuejin spoke again. “I have heard that Master Zhu is a ‘Messenger of the Immortals.’ Perhaps this celestial thunder is nothing in your eyes.”

Zhu Yan nodded reflexively. “Correct! This official is a Messenger of the Immortals. This measly thunder is nothing but tricks and illusions!”

Whatever the truth, he had to bluff his way through. Of course, he knew his own secrets; he was no messenger. He had simply seen that the commoners were superstitious and had used that to his advantage, creating a title for himself.

Ye Xuejin smiled slowly and raised her arm. She pointed at the empty space in front of Zhu Yan, her voice pleasant. “I have been fortunate enough to receive the favor of an immortal. Even now, that immortal is above us. The immortal says they would very much like to have a contest of magic with Master Zhu. Why don’t we use a bit of rain to set the mood?”

The moment the words left her mouth, Yun Chi focused her mind in perfect synchronization. Immediately, a torrential downpour drenched Zhu Yan to the bone. The rain seemed to have eyes, falling only within a few meters of his position. After a moment, it stopped just as suddenly as it had begun.

Ye Xuejin’s finger remained pointed at him as she spoke word by word. “The immortal says, next we shall test your true strength. What say you, Master Zhu?”

The atmosphere turned deathly silent. Once could be a coincidence. But twice? Everyone looked at Ye Xuejin, then at Zhu Yan, in utter shock. Good heavens, the immortals are about to duel!

Zhu Yan was dumbstruck. No, this is too surreal. I must be dreaming. But the agony in his palm and the cold, wet clothes on his back reminded him that this was no dream.

Seeing him remain silent, Ye Xuejin seemed to lose her patience. Her finger rose slightly, pointing directly at Zhu Yan’s face. “Since Master Zhu has accepted this duel by silence, we shall each strike with a bolt of lightning. I shall go first.”

“Wait!” Zhu Yan shrieked in terror, literally rolling off his horse. “Your Highness, don’t strike! Don’t strike!”

He believed it now. Whether there was an immortal or not, this Princess He’an could truly summon the wind and rain! He clutched his head and cried out, “Your Highness, be calm! Please, stay calm! I have something to say!”

At a time like this, he wouldn’t dare stand his ground even if he had ten thousand men, let alone a thousand.

Ye Xuejin looked puzzled, her finger dropping slightly to point at the ground in front of him. “Does Master Zhu dislike the violence of thunder? We could use lightning instead.”

As she spoke, a streak of lightning crackled down in front of him with a deafening CRACK, as if scorching the very air. Zhu Yan’s last shred of hope vanished. He knelt directly on the ground, his voice trembling. “Your Highness, please be calm! Do not strike! This humble servant is but a mere ‘messenger’; how could I ever dare to duel with an immortal? I am guilty! I have sinned!”

Both armies fell into a daze. Things seemed to be moving in a very bizarre direction.

Ye Xuejin frowned slightly. “What do you mean, Master Zhu? What sin have you committed?”

Zhu Yan was on the verge of tears. “Your Highness, please withdraw your divine power! I shall confess! I shall plead guilty right now!” Please, put your hand down! He had thought ancient people were ignorant for believing in gods and monsters, but no one had told him these “ancient people” could actually make it happen!

Just then, a shout came from the rear. “Your Highness, I have come to die with you!”

Governor Zhou came galloping up on his horse, charging to the front, only to see Zhu Yan kneeling on the ground and Ye Xuejin looking perfectly at ease. He froze, dismounting with no idea what was happening. He had risked everything to escape and come here with the resolve to die. But this atmosphere… it wasn’t what he expected.

“Your Highness?” Governor Zhou looked at Ye Xuejin, lost.

Ye Xuejin smiled faintly. “Governor Zhou, you’ve come at a good time. Governor-Secretary Zhu was just about to confess his crimes to me. Why don’t we listen together?”

Governor Zhou blinked. He understood every word, but put together, he found them completely incomprehensible.

Zhu Yan had no time for Governor Zhou. His mind was filled with one thought: he could not afford to offend this living deity. “My first crime is ‘blind loyalty.’ I should not have followed the imperial decree to capture Your Highness. My second crime is ‘aiding a tyrant.’ I should not have followed orders to execute the noblewomen. Only upon seeing Your Highness did I realize how terribly I have erred. It was like a wake-up call!

Now that treacherous ministers control the court and deceive the Emperor, I implore Your Highness to have mercy on the suffering masses. Save the people from their misery! I am willing to follow Your Highness to the death and restore the state!”

Zhu Yan spoke with such heartfelt emotion that he broke into tears, looking as if he would kowtow until his head bled if it meant Ye Xuejin would lead him in a rebellion.

Governor Zhou: “…”

This old thief, he thought, is truly shameless. “Treacherous ministers?” He’s the biggest traitor of them all!