When a "Sea King" is Bound to a System [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 32. 1.1

When Jiang Yan heard the news, her whole person was stunned.

She felt a million times that it couldn’t be true.

This person had written her a letter just a month ago, saying she would soon return triumphantly, offering Ye City as a betrothal gift, hoping she would forgive her. She promised to use the rest of her life to beg for Yan’er’s pardon.

The letter was filled with such sincerity that she almost believed it. How could she be gone just like that?

With such high martial arts skills and strategies that crushed the enemy generals, there was no reason for her to die.

Dongxue looked at her missy’s dazed state, nudged Qiuyue, and whispered: “Hurry and persuade Miss! Aren’t you the one with the most tricks up your sleeve?”

Qiuyue placed her index finger on her lips, signaling Dongxue to be quiet.

“This happened too suddenly. Miss might not have processed it yet. Let’s give her some time.”

Dongxue had no choice but to drop it. Besides worrying, she couldn’t do anything else.

Jiang Yan slowly digested the fact, but she still didn’t believe it.

She always felt that when everyone thought Jiang Zhen was dead, she would pop out from somewhere and smile, saying to her: “Yan’er, don’t you think my acting was realistic? I fooled everyone.”

But she didn’t wait for Jiang Zhen to return; she only waited for her coffin.

Because her remains were not recovered, the huge golden-thread nanmu coffin contained only a few of her clothes. When several deputies carried the coffin into the Great General’s Residence, Jiang Yan was comforting Xiahe with Qiuyue.

A tall, stern-faced man stepped forward, cupped his fist, and said to Jiang Er Miss: “Jiang Er Miss, our General was most worried about you. Now, I entrust her to you.”

Jiang Yan looked at the crumpled, blood-stained letter he handed over, her hand trembling, not daring to take it.

“Did you search thoroughly? Is she… truly dead?”

The deputy’s eyes dimmed, filled with deep sorrow: “This subordinate is incompetent. We could not find the General’s remains.”

Jiang Yan’s heart constricted, and her hand clutching the letter clenched tightly.

In that situation, it would be difficult for a body to remain intact, wouldn’t it? Even if they found it, it would already be unrecognizable.

The four deputies stood guard at the four corners for Jiang Zhen’s wake. Jiang Yan stood in front of the mourning hall for a long time until twilight descended before the two maids persuaded her to rest for a while.

“How is Xiahe?” Jiang Yan asked listlessly.

Qiuyue brought in ginseng soup, her eyes bloodshot: “She’s still sleeping soundly. Her high fever hasn’t broken, and she keeps crying and calling ‘Miss’.”

Jiang Yan sighed and rubbed her throbbing temples.

“You two should go look after her. I’m fine here. It’s late. Go rest when you should. Let me talk to Jiejie.”

Qiuyue wanted to say something, but Dongxue quickly pulled her away.

The mourning hall was silent. Jiang Yan opened the blood-stained letter.

“Yan’er, by the time you receive this letter, you must already know of the great victory at Ye City. I believe I will take the city soon and fulfill my promise. The betrothal gift wasn’t just talk; I truly wanted to marry you. This thought sustained me through the past year. Before I left, I made a solemn vow to His Majesty that I would certainly force the State of Gan’s army to retreat thirty li and return all the annexed cities. In exchange, he promised to grant me Ye City. If I present this perpetually spring-like city to you, will you grant me another chance to atone for the mistakes I made in the past?”

A tear fell on the letter, blurring the vigorous handwriting and further worsening the already illegible letter.

Jiang Yan’s eyes were hazy with mist, everything blurry.

When Jiang Zhen left, she had said she wished she would never come back, and unexpectedly, her words had become a fatal prophecy.

If she had known this would happen, she would certainly take back those words.

Although she hadn’t forgiven Jiang Zhen, she didn’t wish her to die.

Life holds endless possibilities; death means nothing is left.

Jiang Yan stayed in the mourning hall all night, occasionally adding joss paper to the brazier. In the flickering firelight, tears stained her face, and pain seemed to be reflected in her eyes.

Jiang Zhen’s coffin remained for seven days, and Jiang Yan stayed in the Great General’s Residence for seven days, keeping watch every day, taking no solid food, surviving only on ginseng soup.

Yuan Feng saw this and was heartbroken. Standing next to her, she tried to persuade her: “Yan’er, I know your feelings for your sister were deep, but the dead cannot be brought back to life. Don’t grieve too much; you’ll harm yourself.”

Jiang Yan turned to look at her, her eyes calm and indifferent: “Since Mother knows the depth of my feelings for Jiejie, why did you go to her and say those things just before she left the residence?”

Yuan Feng froze, her eyes flickering, and her face showing guilt.

She had thought the matter was well-hidden, but her daughter still found out.

That night, she had already retired when Piaoxu came to her, saying there was an urgent matter. Then she learned of her daughter’s feelings for Jiang Zhen.

She was shocked and thought of many solutions, finally deciding to confront Jiang Zhen and make her give up on Yan’er.

So she exaggerated the things Yan’er had told her, making Jiang Zhen believe that Yan’er was only kind to her because she had dreamed that Jiang Zhen would have a great future and become an asset to the General’s Residence, not because she genuinely cared for her.

She clearly remembered Jiang Zhen’s expression at the time; it was a breakdown like the collapse of faith.

Soon after, she hurriedly moved out of the General’s Residence, distancing herself from Yan’er. Yan’er also followed her wishes and got engaged to Zhao’er. Everything was going according to her plan.

The only thing she hadn’t expected was Zhao’er’s escape on the day of the wedding, nor had she expected Jiang Zhen to die.

Although she disliked Jiang Zhen, she never wished for such an end for her.

Jiang Yan stared at her mother, not missing any slight change in her expression. When Yuan Feng was finally about to speak and explain, Yan He spoke first, cutting her off.

“I know, Mother. You did everything for my own good.”

Yuan Feng choked, her words stuck in her throat. Looking at the smile on her daughter’s face, her heart tightened, and she dared not meet her eyes again.

“Yan’er, I truly did it for your own good. You are both women, and sisters in name. Even if your father and I agreed, the world would not bless you.”

Jiang Yan maintained a faint smile, but her eyes were cold and distant: “I understand, Mother. Now that Jiejie is gone, there’s no meaning in saying these things. Please go back and rest. After Jiejie is buried tomorrow, I will return and be your obedient daughter.”

Yuan Feng wanted to say something, but couldn’t articulate her thoughts. After a moment, she finally rose and left.

The smile on Jiang Yan’s face instantly vanished. She looked at the golden-thread nanmu coffin in the center of the mourning hall, her eyes filled with chilling indifference.

On the eighth day, Great General Jiang Zhen was buried. The people of the State of Yu all wore white mourning clothes, and even the Yu Emperor wore plain white. When he stood on the high platform reading the eulogy, Jiang Yan’s expression was exceptionally calm, just like listening to the teacher lecture on ancient texts in childhood—not only was her heart unmoved, but she even felt sleepy.

Before the coffin was lowered, she cut a lock of her hair, placed it with Jiang Zhen’s clothes, and personally watched the glossy coffin be buried under the yellow earth.

Xiahe cried constantly, losing a significant amount of weight. Jiang Yan couldn’t bear it and asked Qiuyue to stay and look after her. She returned to the General’s Residence with Dongxue.

Days of sleepless nights and lack of food had left Jiang Yan in a state of extreme exhaustion. She felt immensely drawn to her bed and fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.

For three full days, her dreams were filled with the little moments she had shared with Jiang Zhen.

The time they spent together was so short, where did all these memories come from?

However, Jiang Zhen in the dream was like the one in reality, mostly giving her a cold shoulder. When she finally managed a smile, Jiang Yan’s dream ended.

“Miss, are you awake?”

Dongxue had stayed by Jiang Yan’s side the whole time, even sleeping in her room, just in case she woke up suddenly and no one was there.

Jiang Yan blinked her eyes and said in a hoarse voice: “Xue’er, get me something good to eat. My stomach feels terribly empty.”

Seeing that she wanted to eat, Dongxue immediately smiled: “Yes, yes, I’ll go right now!”

Jiang Yan sat up quickly, pushing aside the cluttered thoughts in her head. She changed into a red dress, looked at her reflection in the mirror, and was disgusted by the sight of her dark circles that were bigger than her eyes.

“I was never this decadent when doing tasks before. Jiang Yan, snap out of it!”

She figured the task in this world was almost over. She just needed to endure the remaining days, and then she could look forward to a good life in the next plane.

Dongxue was efficient. Fifteen minutes later, she brought in light porridge and small side dishes. Jiang Yan ate two bowls, and her stomach finally felt full.

“Come, help Miss bathe. Afterward, I’ll take you out for some fresh air.”

Mainly, I want some fresh air myself, or I’ll suffocate in this deep courtyard.

On the third day after the great battle of Ye City, the battlefield was a mess, with scattered bones everywhere. A hand emerged from a pile of corpses. This hand laboriously pushed away the foul-smelling dead man pressing on her leg, and then a head emerged from the pile of dirt.

Her face was covered in blood and filth. A gash on the left side of her cheek had already begun to fester, making her look hideous.

Gazing into the distance, the wilderness stretched for miles. Besides corpses, there were only vultures feeding on the dead.

Jiang Zhen touched the wound on her face, her gaze sinking.

At the time, in order to end the battle quickly, she wanted to capture the enemy general first. However, the opponent had a military advisor who was skilled in martial arts and proficient in using hidden weapons. She narrowly won the two-on-one fight but was slashed across the face by the opponent’s hidden weapon. She fell from her horse and was caught under the enemy’s blades in the chaos of the battlefield. By some luck, she survived, though she didn’t know how long she had been unconscious.

Both of her legs were numb. Jiang Zhen glanced at the foul-smelling mountain of corpses and gritted her teeth.

She had to leave here quickly, or she would become one of them.

She dragged her crippled legs, crawling on the ground. With every inch she moved, the fractured bones in her legs sent piercing pain. Before crawling very far, her face was already covered in cold sweat, and her clothes were soaked and sticky, clinging uncomfortably to her body.

Although this area was not far from Ye City, the weather was vastly different. Ye City was perpetually spring-like, but here, cold winds blew all year round, and black clouds hung low.

A cold wind swept over. The sweat turned cold, chilling her from her body to her heart.

Jiang Zhen used all her strength but only managed to crawl a short distance. She lay on her back on the ground, looking up at the sky shrouded in dark clouds, and thought of the face that haunted her dreams.

Ye City must have been captured. She had to hurry back to Yan’er and couldn’t let her wait too long.

With that thought, she continued to crawl forward, leaving a long trail behind her.

Just as Jiang Zhen was about to crawl out, a sudden strong wind arose. She was completely lifted by the wind, spinning dizzily in the air.

In a daze, Jiang Zhen felt like she saw the gates of the Underworld. She smiled, thinking such is fate, and slowly closed her eyes.

My killings have been too heavy. Even the Heavens want to take me. But to die like this… I’m so unwilling.

She hadn’t personally presented Ye City to Yan’er yet. She hadn’t asked her if she would give her a chance to make amends for her mistakes.

The wind was still howling in her ears. Before Jiang Zhen could react, she fell heavily to the ground. The bones in her legs sustained secondary damage and were now completely numb.

Fresh blood seeped from the festering wound on her face, mixing with pus, making it look even more hideous. Coupled with her cold eyes, no one dared to approach her for a moment.

Jiang Zhen opened her eyes, looked around, and relaxed a lot.

She recognized this place. It was the small village between Ye City and the battlefield. She had once saved the villagers here. She hadn’t expected the strange wind to blow her here. It was a blessing in disguise.

The young people in the village had all gone to Ye City to find work, leaving only the elderly and children. Several old men and women were wary of this “visitor from the sky,” pushing and shoving each other, none daring to step forward. Eventually, a child of about six or seven years old ran over. She approached Jiang Zhen and asked: “Who are you?”

“I am a soldier of the State of Yu. Can you save me?”

Jiang Zhen raised her voice, speaking not just for the child to hear.

The elders heard her and immediately rushed forward, questioning her all at once. A dignified, white-bearded elder spoke up, interrupting everyone, and directed them to carry Jiang Zhen into a nearby house, which turned out to be the little boy’s home. They then called the only barefoot doctor in the village to treat her injuries.

The doctor, named Wang Erniu, had been taught by a traveling doctor years ago. His medical skills were decent. Because he was concerned about the many elderly and children in the village who frequently fell ill, he politely refused his master’s offer and volunteered to stay in the village.

Now, after examining Jiang Zhen’s wounds, he sighed.

“To survive with such severe injuries is truly immense good fortune. However, the bones in your legs are already severely deformed. Even if they are healed, you will be left with a disability and will no longer be able to wield a sword, spear, or fight on the battlefield as before.”

Wang Erniu knew she was a soldier, so he informed her of the consequences in advance so she could make a choice.

Jiang Zhen closed her eyes. Her hesitation lasted only a moment. When she opened her eyes again, they were filled with determination.

“Treat me.”

She had already prepared for the worst. She was willing to pay any price as long as she could stand fully before Yan’er.

She had avenged her father and family’s enemies and put down the rebellions in the four directions for the State of Yu. She had a clear conscience for both the country and her family. The only person she was ashamed of was Yan’er. She wanted to stay by Yan’er’s side for the rest of her life and watch her live happily until old age.

Even if she doesn’t forgive me, it doesn’t matter.

The treatment process was extremely painful. The misaligned and crooked bones had to be broken and reset. She bit through four or five chopsticks, forcing Wang Erniu to finally give her a piece of cloth to bite down on.

“If you need to scream, scream it out. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Few people can endure this kind of pain.”

Jiang Zhen didn’t utter a sound, her brows tightly furrowed, sweating profusely.

She endured for a full hour until Wang Erniu said it was done. Only then did she collapse from exhaustion and pass out.

Wang Erniu looked at her, his expression complex. This kind of willpower was terrifyingly strong.

“Goudan, bring in a basin of clean water and wipe this sister’s face.”

The little boy answered from outside. Soon, he brought in a wooden basin and gently wiped the sweat from Jiang Zhen’s face with a clean cloth, focused and meticulous.

“Goudan, do you know this sister?”

“I do. She saved everyone in our village.”

Wang Erniu was startled. He then remembered that he had gone into the city to get medicine on the day the State of Gan’s army attacked. When he returned, he learned that the village had been raided. Fortunately, they were rescued by the Great General, and there were no casualties.

In the days that followed, Wang Erniu treated Jiang Zhen’s wounds with much more respect. He used his meager savings to buy tonics and nourished Jiang Zhen daily.

Half a month later, Jiang Zhen could finally get out of bed.

Goudan supported her, walking forward step by step.

“General, you’ve improved a lot today. You can walk seven steps now.”

Jiang Zhen paused, reached out, and touched Goudan’s head, saying: “Thank you.”

Her mood had been low due to the difficulty of walking. Perhaps Goudan noticed, which was why he encouraged her.

It’s laughable. I, the ‘Cold-Faced Yama’ renowned across all nations, need comfort from a child.

If Yan’er knew, she would surely mock me.

Another half month passed. The son of a family in the village returned, bringing the news that the Great General had already been buried. Knowing this, Jiang Zhen couldn’t stay a moment longer. She wanted to return to the capital immediately.

Wang Erniu strongly objected. He was responsible for his patient. Given Jiang Zhen’s injuries, she absolutely could not be active now, or the consequences would be much more severe than just after-effects.

Jiang Zhen’s mind was set. The next day, she set off for Ye City.

The village’s only ox cart had gone to the city earlier. No one could take her, so she could only walk.

The elders pooled five liang of silver for her, telling her to rent a cheap carriage in the city. Otherwise, with the long journey, she wouldn’t make it just by walking.

Jiang Zhen did not refuse their kindness. After thanking them one by one, she turned and left. Goudan and Wang Erniu saw her off at the village entrance. Wang Erniu gave her a packet of medicine and some dry food, then sighed.

Goudan gave her the amulet from his neck, saying: “General, this is the amulet my parents got for me at the temple. Please take it. It will bring you good luck.”

Jiang Zhen stroked the head of this overly sensible child and gave him the red string she had always worn on her hand.

“This was left to me by my mother. I give it to you today, and I hope my good luck will accompany you.”

Goudan carefully placed the string between his hands and firmly said: “General, when I grow up, I also want to join the army and be a hero like you.”

“I believe you. You will definitely become an extraordinary person.”

Jiang Zhen finished speaking, turned, and started on the road to Ye City.

The road was neither very long nor very short. By the time she arrived in Ye City, it was already night. Her two legs ached so badly that she could barely stand, but she had no