Chapter One Hundred Thirteen: East Mountain

"Who is there?"

In the hollowed-out cavern, the torchlight in Ye Mingyu’s hand cast two flattened, flickering shadows against the stone wall. His voice echoed, sounding eerily strange. He shielded Jiang Li at his side, stepping forward cautiously, and raised the torch higher. His gaze suddenly froze.

Two people were sitting against the stone wall. At a first glance, it was hard to tell they were human, for they were in a truly wretched state. Their clothes were rags, their bodies were filthy and reeking, and their skin and hands were covered in bloody welts—they looked more like prisoners than anything else.

Seeing Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu, neither of them moved. They were like the dead, save for a slight movement of their eyes, which revealed they were still alive.

While Ye Mingyu was still stunned, Jiang Li had already snatched the torch from his hand and walked over to crouch before them. She showed no fear, looking at the two with a calm expression, even as her heart felt as if it had been weighted with lead, sinking uncontrollably.

Although she knew Feng Yutang would do everything in his power to torture Xue Huaiyuan’s former subordinates, seeing this scene with her own eyes, Jiang Li realized she had underestimated his brutality.

These two were clearly on the verge of death, gasping their last breaths. Perhaps the guards outside didn't know, or perhaps they did, watching coldly with the hope that these men would starve to death inside. Had Jiang Li not come today, neither would have lasted the night.

The two men saw Jiang Li crouched before them, their eyes shifting slightly, yet they remained in a deathly, motionless silence.

Jiang Li scrutinized their faces and finally recognized them: Gu Da and Gu Er, who had once served at her father’s side. They were identical twins. After their parents died, Xue Huaiyuan, seeing their exceptional martial arts, had made them his officers. In her memories, they were always full of spirit, and their beautiful swordplay had once made Xue Zhao so envious that he would pester them to teach him.

She never imagined they would be reduced to such a miserable state.

"Gu Da, Gu Er," Jiang Li whispered, "I am Jiang Li. I have come to take you out of here."

Gu Da’s pupils shifted slightly, as if he had only just identified her position. He moved his lips, but Jiang Li heard no sound; she could not tell what he was saying.

"His throat is parched. He hasn't had water for two days and cannot speak," a hoarse voice came from behind. Though raspy, it was clear.

Jiang Li turned to look and saw two more men standing from behind a stone wall. One looked slightly better, appearing more spirited than the Gu brothers, his eyes sharp and vigilant. The other was frail, his body so thin that one might fear a gust of wind would snap him in two—perhaps a result of Feng Yutang’s torture. The man who had spoken was the sturdier of the two.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Ye Mingyu would never have believed these were former officers. This was far more wretched than the state of exiled criminals; even refugees were rarely this pitiful. It was as if they were clinging to life by a single, desperate thread, and one more breath could cause them to collapse forever.

Jiang Li looked at the man who had spoken, her eyes welling up. After a pause, she said, "You must be Peng Xiao."

The man, Peng Xiao, looked at her and asked, "Who are you?"

"I have come to take you away from here," Jiang Li said. "I intend to overturn the verdict against Magistrate Xue."

At these words, a glimmer of light appeared in the eyes of Peng Xiao, his companion, and the dying Gu Da and Gu Er.

Jiang Li looked at Peng Xiao, feeling a profound bitterness in her heart. The four men in this cavern were all people from her past, as dear as family. Gu Da and Gu Er often discussed swordsmanship with Xue Zhao; Peng Xiao was the head of her father’s officers. She remembered that even as a leader, he was always kind, smiling to reveal white teeth that felt as warm as winter sunlight. She and Xue Zhao had looked up to him like an older brother. The frail man who looked ready to collapse was He Jun, the only one among the officers who could read. He often asked Xue Fangfei for advice and was eager to learn. Xue Zhao had once joked that He Jun didn't really want to be an officer, that he harbored dreams of passing the imperial examinations, and that he should get on good terms with Shen Yurong so that when Shen succeeded, he could promote He Jun to a position like a court scholar.

"One person gains power, and all his kin rise to heaven"—this saying had not been fulfilled by the Xue family. Shen Yurong had gained power, but he had climbed up by stepping on the blood of the Xue family. And the studious He Jun was trapped in this mine, reduced to skin and bones.

"Who are you, and why would you want to overturn the verdict for the Magistrate?" He Jun asked. Even now, his mind was clear enough to question her.

"My name is Jiang Li," Jiang Li said, with a frankness that surprised even Ye Mingyu. "I am the legitimate daughter of the current Chief Councilor, Jiang Yuanbai. I have come to Tongxiang, entrusted by the Magistrate’s daughter, Xue Fangfei, to clear the Xue family's name."

"Jiang Yuanbai?" The men were momentarily blank. To them, Yanjing was too distant, and the Chief Councilor in Yanjing was a figure they had never even seen. Peng Xiao stared at her. "Miss Xue is already dead."

Jiang Li sighed internally. It seemed even Peng Xiao and his men knew this, so Xue Huaiyuan must know as well. It stood to reason; to torment Xue Huaiyuan, Yongning would surely have fed him every tragic piece of news, piece by piece, to make him wish for death and slowly break his spirit.

"Miss Xue is dead, but her death was not simple," Jiang Li said. "I was a close friend of Xue Fangfei. I have come to clear the entire Xue family of their grievances."

Not only were Peng Xiao and the others stunned, but Ye Mingyu was also struck dumb. He had never known Jiang Li was involved with this Xue Fangfei. If the Xue family's tragedy involved not just Xue Huaiyuan but his children as well, it meant the entire family had been wiped out. What kind of deep-seated hatred would lead to such an end? Ye Mingyu realized this matter was far from simple.

"How do you intend to clear the Xue family's name? Why should we believe you?" He Jun asked.

Jiang Li stood up and looked into He Jun’s eyes. "I intend to use you as witnesses, the loopholes in the case files as physical evidence, and rally the people of Tongxiang to collect evidence of Feng Yutang’s crimes. I will go to the capital to appeal the case, and if the Dali Temple cannot settle it, I will go to the palace to submit a direct petition to the Emperor. Feng Yutang is not the mastermind; there is someone else behind him, someone important enough to command the Emperor’s attention. I am not afraid of failing."

"As for why you should believe me: Feng Yutang controls all of Tongxiang now. The people are so terrified they dare not even speak the name of the Xue family. You are in this state, and I am the only one who has stepped forward to seek justice for them. I have no reason to deceive you. You have nothing left but your lives, and even those are half-gone. If I wanted your lives, I wouldn't need to go through all this trouble; it would be easy enough to take them."

Peng Xiao and the others fell silent.

Jiang Li was right. The four of them were weak, sick, and crippled. Even the tall man behind Jiang Li could likely subdue them all by himself. If Jiang Li really wanted to harm them, she wouldn't need to invent lies.

"Now, I only ask you: are you willing to come with me and seek justice for your Magistrate?" Jiang Li asked.

Her gaze was firm and fearless, yet it inexplicably made the others feel firm as well.

Peng Xiao looked up at her, word by word, and said, "I will go with you."

"I’ll go too!" He Jun said. "We’ve been in this mine for so long. Fifteen brothers... fifteen brothers were tortured to death until only the five of us remained! Why did we not want to die? Why did we cling to life? Is it because we fear death? No! It’s because we were waiting for the day we could walk out and clear the Magistrate’s name. A man as good as he is, framed—it is a mockery to the world! Since you, Miss, are willing to seek justice for the Xue family, we five brothers are willing to follow!"

In the corner, Gu Da and Gu Er helped each other stand up. They were likely deathly weak, their voices too raspy for Jiang Li to hear, but she could see their lips moving, saying, "Willing."

"But wait," Ye Mingyu smacked his lips. "That’s only four of you. Didn't you say five survived? Where is the other one?"

Peng Xiao looked at Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu, then turned and walked forward. "Follow me."

Passing a side chamber, they saw a man lying on the ground against the stone wall. At first glance, one would think he was dead, but upon closer inspection, they saw a faint, fragile breath. He was like a candle with a dying flame, ready to be extinguished by a single breeze.

"Heizi?" Jiang Li recognized his face.

"Heizi has been sick for over half a month. We thought he wouldn't last," He Jun said with hatred. "Feng Yutang’s people won't call a doctor. Our other ten brothers were all tortured to death just like this." As he spoke, he tremblingly opened the clothes on Heizi’s back.

The clothes had fused with the skin. It was a bloody, mangled mess, emitting a foul odor. It was hard to imagine this was the flesh of a living person. The whip marks were embedded deep into the meat; there wasn't a single patch of intact skin left.

"The whips they used on us were barbed," He Jun looked at Heizi and said. "Heizi is young, but he held on to the very end. Now, he’s fading."

Jiang Li knew Heizi. He was the youngest among her father’s officers, about the same age as Xue Zhao. He had a youthful, baby-faced look, like some mischievous boy. Every time she saw Heizi, she saw Xue Zhao. Seeing him lying there motionless caused a sharp, stabbing pain in her heart.

She had lost too many people around her.

"We must take them out immediately. We’ll find a doctor; he cannot die." With no time to lose, Jiang Li made a swift decision. She said to Ye Mingyu, "Uncle Mingyu, please help carry Heizi. I will support the Gu brothers. We must leave as soon as possible. Once we get outside, we will take them to the secret chamber and find a doctor. Heizi cannot be delayed."

"But how will we get out?" He Jun asked. "We’ve been in the mines for months, but the paths are all connected. We’ve lived and eaten in the tunnels; we’ve never been outside the mine network."

"Don't worry," Jiang Li said. "I know the way."

Before the question "How do you know the way?" could even be asked, Jiang Li was already helping Ye Mingyu lift Heizi. He Jun had to swallow his questions and follow her.

The group moved toward the exit of the mine.

Jiang Li supported Gu Da and Gu Er. Although she was dressed in a servant’s clothes, her face was delicate and fair as jade, clearly that of a young lady raised in a high-status household. Peng Xiao had not forgotten what she had just said about being the daughter of the Chief Councilor. A young lady of such high standing was supporting them—men who were filthy and reeking, men who in her eyes were no more than ants—yet her gaze was gentle, without a hint of disgust.

Peng Xiao felt a sense of trance. The young girl’s gentle yet firm demeanor reminded him of the Magistrate’s daughter, Miss Xue. Miss Xue had been the pride of Tongxiang, a moonlit existence in their hearts that no one dared insult. She was beautiful and brilliant, yet had no airs; they had watched her grow up. When they learned she had been involved in such a sordid scandal, none of them could believe it.

The Magistrate didn't believe it either, but they hadn't waited for the truth—they had waited for the Magistrate to be thrown into prison, and they had become captives.

Fortunately... Peng Xiao looked at Jiang Li. As she supported the Gu brothers, she was careful of their steps while walking firmly forward. In the pitch-black mine, where one couldn't see their own hand, she seemed to know exactly where the light was, as if walking forward would surely lead to the exit.

Fortunately... as long as they kept walking, there would be hope. Peng Xiao thought to himself, and suddenly, he felt a surge of strength. His spirit lifted, and he followed her.

...

It took less than half an incense stick of time to reach the exit, though to Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu, it felt agonizingly long.

Ye Mingyu’s men were waiting outside. Seeing them emerge, they hurriedly brought them inside. Jiang Li let the men take the carriage, as Heizi and the Gu brothers were too weak to walk. Ye Mingyu wondered what Jiang Li would do, but he watched her swing onto a horse without hesitation, her movements so graceful it impressed even him.

"Let’s go, Uncle," Jiang Li said. "There is no time to lose. We must hurry to the next location and hide them."

Feng Yutang’s men would soon discover the officers had been taken from the mine and would likely search everywhere. If they could get them to the secret chamber before Feng Yutang began a city-wide search, it would be safer.

Ye Mingyu agreed entirely. He rode alongside Jiang Li’s horse as the carriage caravan departed, asking, "How will we get a doctor to see them? If Feng Yutang’s men follow the doctor, they’ll find us. Even if they don't, the commoners are all terrified of Feng Yutang’s power; why would they dare to help?"

"Find a doctor with a wife and children. Take their wives to the secret chamber as well, and have all the medicine ready," Jiang Li whispered. "There is no other way; the situation is dire. We must use coercion. If we offer enough silver and guarantee to send them out of Tongxiang, they will agree." She thought for a moment and added, "Find Doctor Zhong at the Baohe Hall. He is the right person."

There it was again, Ye Mingyu thought. Jiang Li was so familiar with the affairs of Tongxiang, as if she knew the place like the back of her hand. How could this be? Ye Mingyu didn't ask. Even though he didn't understand, he respected that Jiang Li had her secrets.

Tsk, those in the martial arts world prioritized temperament; they never forced others to reveal what they didn't want to.

...

The news of Jiang Li hijacking the prisoners at East Mountain had not yet reached Feng Yutang.

In Feng Yutang’s mansion, inside the study, he was pacing back and forth. His concubine was kneeling on the floor, gently massaging his legs. Working for Princess Yongning had brought him many benefits; not only had he built this magnificent mansion in Tongxiang, but he also had a house full of beautiful concubines. His study was just for show, filled with precious ancient books, but he only used it to idle away his time.

Today, however, was a rare moment of seriousness, and even his beautiful concubines couldn't pique his interest.

After an unknown amount of time, a servant came rushing in. Feng Yutang dismissed the concubines and let the servant in, locking the door. The servant pulled a letter from his chest and handed it over. Feng Yutang took it, tore it open, and scanned it quickly, then slumped into his chair.

"Master?" the servant asked, seeing his ugly expression.

Feng Yutang didn't speak. His hand holding the letter was trembling slightly. By accident, the letter fluttered to the ground. The servant took a quick glance—he didn't see much, but he saw a shocking, eye-catching word: "KILL."

Feng Yutang’s heart was beating wildly.

The message had come via pigeon, a special channel, and Princess Yongning’s reply had come very quickly. Feng Yutang had long known that Yongning was an arrogant and lawless person; this was evident from how she dealt with the Xue family. But Xue Huaiyuan was, after all, just a minor official. In Princess Yongning's eyes, not thinking much of a minor official didn't seem like a big deal.

Feng Yutang never expected that Yongning’s arrogance would be so unbridled even when facing the family of the Chief Councilor. In the letter, she wrote without hesitation: if Jiang Li was investigating the Xue case, aiming to overturn the verdict, then in Tongxiang, Feng Yutang must kill her and send her to the grave!

Feng Yutang couldn't believe his eyes.

He had written to the Princess hoping for guidance, but he hadn't anticipated this. Murdering the daughter of the Chief Councilor! Thinking about it made his heart race. He dared not!

This wasn't just anyone’s daughter; this was the daughter of the Emperor’s teacher, the Chief Academician, the Chief Councilor! Xue Huaiyuan’s students were everywhere under heaven. If he murdered his daughter, it would be a matter of grave importance, and an investigation would surely follow. Once it was discovered that he was the culprit, he would lose his head!

If he had known this would be the outcome, he wouldn't have written to the Princess so hastily. Now, Yongning had given a direct order to kill Jiang Li. Having served her for so long, Feng Yutang knew her nature: those who submit prosper, those who resist perish. If he didn't carry out her order, he would die regardless!

What was he to do?

Feng Yutang felt sweat dripping from his forehead. He didn't dare look at the letter on the floor, as if the black characters were crimson death warrants.

Death lay ahead, and death lay behind. What was he to do?

The servant lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to breathe. After a long time, Feng Yutang’s voice came from above, airy and thin: "What do you think happens if one defies the master's orders?"

"That... that is absolutely out of the question," the servant was startled. "Master, you know the master’s temperament. If you... you wouldn't even keep your life!"

Even the servant knew the Princess’s murderous nature, let alone him. Feng Yutang paced the room irritably, then suddenly slammed the table. "Do it! Better to live a wretched life than to die. If I kill her, I might die later, but if I don't, I’ll die right now! Kill her!"

He had made up his mind. Even if he killed Jiang Li, it would take time for Jiang Yuanbai to send investigators to Tongxiang. He would take the opportunity to flee; the silver he had accumulated in Tongxiang was enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life. Besides, he was doing this for Yongning; she would surely protect him. Even if she was a royal branch who didn't care about a small person like him, the reward money would be significant. But if he didn't do it, she would take his life immediately.

Since that was the case, he might as well seek immediate security and plan for the future later.

"How many people are with Jiang Li?" Feng Yutang asked.

The servant replied, "Eight in total. Six guards, one big man, and Jiang Li."

"Eight..." Feng Yutang pondered for a moment. "That’s not many. The Princess left a few assassins; go and call them. It’s time for them to act. Our own men aren't enough."

Just as he was speaking, someone rushed in from outside. "Bad news, Master! Bad news!"

Feng Yutang, who had only just made his decision and was feeling unsettled, was overcome with irritation. "What is it? What could be so bad?!"

"Master," the servant dared not hesitate, "the people in the East Mountain mine have been taken!"

"What?" Feng Yutang was furious. "What were the guards doing? How could people be taken right under their noses? Drag them out! Did you see who did it?"

The servant shook his head.

"Hmph, I don't need you to tell me," Feng Yutang sneered. "The only people in Tongxiang who still dare to mention the Xue case are those people. The officers are like cripples; who else would care about them? It’s clearly Jiang Li’s doing!"

"But the mine tunnels are complex; how did they find the exit?" the servant asked.

"Who knows." Feng Yutang scoffed, though a sense of unease grew within him. Jiang Li should have been an ignorant young lady, but she seemed so familiar with everything in Tongxiang. It was this familiarity that allowed her to do things so effortlessly, putting Feng Yutang at a disadvantage.

"They took those officers because they want to overturn the verdict," Feng Yutang said with a dark expression. "Search! Send out all the men from the county office. Dig three feet into the ground if you have to, but find those officers! I don't believe so many people can just vanish into thin air!"

The servant hurriedly left. Feng Yutang felt a tightness in his chest. He couldn't explain it, but he felt as though something beyond his control was unfolding.

Regardless, there was one thing he had to do: assassinate Jiang Li.

In short, the source of all his unease was Jiang Li. Once she was dead, the officers would be found soon enough. Without a leader, what kind of waves could they make?

"This second Miss Jiang is quite capable," Feng Yutang thought, a ruthless glimmer in his eyes. "But it ends here."

...

In the Tongxiang tavern, it was empty.

Ever since Lu Ji had given the owner a large bank note, the man had disappeared and never returned. Ji Heng had an extra tavern in Tongxiang, though he didn't care much for it.

"That must be Feng Yutang’s men," Lu Ji said, looking out the window at the group of officers pouring out of the county office. It seemed something important had happened.

"They are going to East Mountain," Lu Ji laughed. "The second Miss Jiang is quite fast." The more he watched what Jiang Li did, the more he marveled at the young girl. In a strange place like the East Mountain mine, she had been able to rescue Xue Huaiyuan’s subordinates so quickly. For others, just finding the exit without getting lost would be a daunting task.

So, the second Miss Jiang was truly capable.

"It’s too late to go now," Ji Heng glanced downstairs. "They’ve already been taken to the secret chamber. What are they going to find?"

"How did the second Miss Jiang find the secret chamber?" Lu Ji wondered. "She’s never been to Tongxiang, and she hasn't met anyone. How could she find such a hidden place?"

"Don't you think she acts as if she grew up in Tongxiang?" Ji Heng said with a mysterious smile.

"What do you mean?" Lu Ji didn't understand.

"Nothing."

Lu Ji paused, then added, "Princess Yongning’s letter must have reached Feng Yutang by now. What do you think the Princess will have him do?"

"She is vicious, not like me—she doesn't have a soft heart. She will surely cut the weeds and dig up the roots," Ji Heng toyed with his folding fan, his tone light.

"Will Feng Yutang do it?"

"He will."

Lu Ji was silent for a moment. He tentatively asked, "The second Miss Jiang is wise and brave; she shouldn't be in danger, should she?"

For some reason, watching Jiang Li all this time, he had started as an outsider looking for a show, but now, he felt like a parent raising a child—he didn't want the story to end halfway. At least, not now.

"Not necessarily," Ji Heng said.

Lu Ji: "Will you intervene, my Lord?"

Ji Heng: "No."