Chapter 170: Wan Wan, Don’t Be Afraid of Me
Jing Wan felt the lingering fear in her heart, and at the same time, also very much rejoiced that her dodging method was correct, and further glad that she wasn’t ‘raised useless’ like ordinary young ladies of the boudoir. Everything else aside, if her reaction had been slow, then the outcome, one can well imagine.
Jing Wan turned her head to look in Li Hong Yuan’s direction, and in the next moment, her pupils violently shrunk, mainly because, Jin Qinw.a.n.g had grabbed that already subdued man in black’s hair with one hand, and in his other hand, he held the dagger, sliding it across his neck, sliding it slowly but powerfully. Perhaps because he used too much strength, or perhaps the dagger was too sharp, fresh blood sprayed out. Even if Jin Qinw.a.n.g didn’t get stained with blood for the time being because he was standing behind him, his hands however were unable to avoid that fate. But he didn’t have the slightest reaction, just like a death G.o.d who has frozen their seven emotions and six desires[1], single-mindedly devoted to harvesting lives.
The man in black, under his hands, had his head separated from his body, and he, like throwing garbage, had the dagger and human head in hand casually tossed. Really, just like how he would normally have little things casually tossed aside, completely no difference.
The headless corpse was quickly dragged aside, just because it blocked his path, and so the bodyguards immediately cleared away the hinderances.
Li Hong Yuan strode forward in heavy steps, walking step by step towards Jing Wan.
Jing Wan’s elbows were propped against the ground. She wanted to get up, but she discovered that her body was frozen stiff, somewhat unable to move. She further didn’t know that her complexion was deathly pale, possessing a clear look of fear. Don’t blame her for having weak mental tolerance. After all, this was her first time witnessing this kind of scene. It was impossible for ordinary people to not have any reaction at all. And more importantly, the Jin Qinw.a.n.g at this very moment was truly too terrifying. ——-In her eyes, the heaven and earth all faded, with only this man remaining, this death G.o.d like man. His every step all stepped on your heart, causing the heart to bear an enormous pressure, like as if about to be crushed in half, and one’s breathing also sped up along with it.
When she felt something strange on her body, Jing Wan was ruthlessly startled, and immediately after, got pulled up, “Miss, miss………….” Turns out, her servant girls had rushed over in the quickest speed. Although they didn’t see what happened specifically, but seeing Jing Wan’s condition, and seeing the ‘living Enma aura on full blast’ Jin Qinw.a.n.g, and also that h.e.l.l-like scene behind him, they all uncontrollably stiffened, their backs growing cold. Even if Hei Mei and Bai Shao had once slaughtered quite a few animals before, but for people, it was ultimately not the same, and further don’t need to mention Qing Zhu and them, who for the most part, were servant girls that have never seen blood before.
Li Hong Yuan didn’t walk very quickly, and from his steps, there was even that nonchalant bearing from when he previously pulled Jing Wan for a stroll.
As he got increasingly closer, Jing Wan’s servant girls all s.h.i.+eld her to retreat.
Jing Wan let herself not go look at the scene behind him, firmly inhaling a few breaths, and trying her best to let herself calm down. That person came after her, Jin Qinw.a.n.g was just taking revenge for her. Jing Wan only retreated two steps before stopping, indicating for her servant girls who were blocking in front of her to move aside. Despite being terrified by imposing aura on him, she still met with his two eyes that were fixedly staring at her face. The violent air didn’t scatter, and the savageness didn’t reduce, yet in his eyes, Jing Wan only saw herself, “w.a.n.gye………..”
“Wan Wan is scared of me.” Li Hong Yuan’s voice carried a trace of hoa.r.s.eness, plainly and bluntly stating a fact. He reached out, seemingly wanting to touch her face, but when his hand reached halfway, he retracted it again, purely because his hands were covered in blood.
Jing Wan’s lips trembled, wanting to say something, yet Li Hong Yuan suddenly brushed past from her side.
Jing Wan slightly blanked, hurriedly turning around, “w.a.n.gye……..”
Li Hong Yuan hesitated, yet didn’t stop.
Speaking of which, Jing Wan really wasn’t someone who was slow and oblivious. Earlier, when Li Hong Yuan left, he was already a little off, and now, he was even more abnormal. Previously it was because of her, and now, it seemingly was still because of her. Jing Wan subconsciously chased after him, temporarily forgetting the ‘mess’ behind her.
However, regardless whether it was the bodyguards, or the imperial guards, even if they’d never seen such a b.l.o.o.d.y scene before, in the end, they were still grown men, and for the most part, had all gone through strict training. Even if their expressions were a bit unsightly, they still wouldn’t go as far as to be scared. What truly made them fearful was still Li Hong Yuan. Even An Yi, who’s witnessed all of Li Hong Yuan’s true personality before, still because of Li Hong Yuan’s terrifying aura, went somewhat limp in the legs. The closer they were, the stronger this oppressive feeling got.
And as the Commander of the Imperial Guards, although he’s long witnessed Li Hong Yuan’s bad temper before, that was still all within a bearable range. Unlike this time, where for a moment, even he felt that one of his foot had stepped into the gates of h.e.l.l. And this while, once Li Hong yuan walked far, unable to see his figure anymore, he finally felt he was alive again.
However, looking to the corpse before them, the two of them couldn’t help but glance at one another. To suddenly have an a.s.sa.s.sination attempt happen out of nowhere again, and moreover, it was very clear, the a.s.sa.s.sination this time was devised at the last moment, and moreover, the target was even Luo third miss, no, should say, it was mainly Luo third miss, while for Jin Qinw.a.n.g, it seemed as if out of spite, a.s.sa.s.sinating in pa.s.sing. If it can succeed, then great, if not, it didn’t matter either…………
No matter how one looked at it, it was all very strange.
There was one corpse before them, while in the forest behind them, there were two more.
Because Li Hong Yuan had already detected something wrong from the start, and because his mood wasn’t good, he temporarily left, letting them investigate. Unexpectedly, they really did discover something wrong. Three men in black suddenly appeared, and because their tracks got exposed, they actually had wanted to withdraw. Unfortunately, even if they were highly skilled in martial arts, they still weren’t able to block numerous similarly well-trained people pursuing and intercepting. And further because Jin Qinw.a.n.g’s mood wasn’t good and needed to vent, the three of them further weren’t able to escape, and naturally became the target of his anger. Li Hong Yuan fought one against three, while the others all nonchalantly encircled the area, letting these three become clearly aware that their path of retreat was blocked. Thus, even if Li Hong Yuan wasn’t their main target, they didn’t hold back at all.
However, when they truly set to the task, they finally realize just how terrifying this reportedly said to ‘only have a good-face and nothing else’ Jin Qinw.a.n.g was. What was formidable wasn’t just his skills, but also that suffocating loftiness. Moreover, he clearly had the chance to kill them in one blow, yet he was s.a.d.i.s.tically tormenting them. And despite clearly knowing they were the mouse under the cat’s claw, they still didn’t dare powerlessly struggle free.
For them, death was nothing. From the very beginning, they were already prepared to die, but being unable to complete their task made them very unresigned. However, at this time, the target came on her own to their doorsteps.
Thus, for the three of them, while two went all out to block Li Hong Yuan, the other one charged towards Jing Wan.
The moment the man in black fired the arrow, he also got one of his arms chopped off. He knew that soon after, his head will get chopped off too. But, as long as he completed the mission, it was ultimately worth it.
However, that one arrow that in his eyes, was certain to hit the target, got dodged instead! Without the slightest hesitation, and that reaction swift…………..
As the man in black got his head cut off, he rigidly stared at the perfectly intact Jing Wan, and then died with grievance!
The corpses needed to be taken care of, and also needed to go search in the vicinity, see if there’s any clues.
Li Hong Yuan returned to the creekside, stepping into the water, very diligently having the bloodstain on his hands washed clean.
Jing Wan stood on the sh.o.r.e, watching him just like that. It was such a hot day, yet strangely felt somewhat cold.
When the servant girls picked off the gra.s.s clippings on her, she didn’t even notice.
Li Hong Yuan came ash.o.r.e, even attentively wiping clean the water droplets.
When he stood before Jing Wan again, one for the most part was unable to smell the scent of blood, but that terrifying aura on him didn’t reduce, instead increasing.
Even so, Jing Wan still knew that he won’t hurt her. That’s why, she still boldly met his gaze. On the contrary, if she were to avoid because of fear, he perhaps really would do something scary. It was precisely that peculiar of a feeling. “w.a.n.gye……..”
Li Hong Yuan suddenly cupped her face, and just like that, directly kissed her. Eager and impatient………….
He may have ignored the others, but Jing Wan didn’t. Moreover, they were standing right behind her. In the world of her past life, lovers fervently kissing in public under numerous eyes would all attract the attention of the surrounding people, let alone in this ancient society where even married couples holding hands in public would all get criticized as unacceptable behavior. Jing Wan couldn’t help but subconsciously struggle…………..
But, Jing Wan’s struggle seemingly provoked him instead, his hand sliding down from her nape, firmly embracing her waist, as if wanting to have her kneaded into his bones.
Jing Wan also noticed, the more she struggled, the more strength he exerted, and her waist was about to break.
This man was like a beast that lost its rationality, having a very terrifying possessive desire. Jing Wan recalled that night he got hurt under the White Dragon Temple cliff. He also just hugged and kissed her, and didn’t do anything overboard. Thus, she stopped struggling, freely allowing him to kiss her, and even, for the sake of pacifying him, wrapped her arms around his waist, lightly caressing.
As a result, this scene made Jing Wan’s servant girls all turn bright red from embarra.s.sment, quickly retreating several steps, their line of sight swaying, not daring to look at the two of them.
The Commander of the Imperial Guards had arranged for a few people to stay behind to take care of the corpses, while the rest diligently returned to guarding. Just, he didn’t expected that after coming over, he would actually see this kind of fiery scene, making all the grown men also feel very awkward. Afterwards, they withdrew a little farther, letting themselves ‘disappear’ into the forest.
However, quite a few people also inwardly muttered to themselves, should say, as expected of Jin Qinw.a.n.g? Really was different from the ordinary.
Jing Wan just felt her lips going a little numb, when Li Hong Yuan finally let go. Even so, his lips still stuck to hers, “Wan Wan, don’t be scared of me, even if I slaughter people like weed, I still won’t hurt a single hair on you.”
As he spoke, his lips opened and closed, again and again, rubbing against Jing Wan’s lips.
“En.” Jing Wan didn’t know what she should say, so she just responded with a sound. She knew he was telling the truth.
Li Hong Yuan tightly hugged her, “Did you know, I nearly lost you again. In that moment, my heart was all about to burst out. Fortunately, fortunately, you dodged, else, else………….”
Perhaps it was hard to tell, but Jing Wan could feel it, he really was scared. His entire body was tense like a rock. However, Jing Wan’s heart, instead calmed down, not only losing that involuntary fear just now, but that tiny ripple was also gone, only because he said ‘again’. As expected, towards her, it was just a s.h.i.+ft in affection.
[1] See historical notes under miscellaneous
T/N: A bit out of place for this chapter since it’s kinda heavy but one of author’s typos broke me a little. So the word for slow and oblivious is 迟钝 (chi dun), but the author wrote 吃顿 (chi dun) which translates ‘to eat a meal’. For a moment I even questioned if that was a slang I didn’t know. Me on the inside: ‘Jing Wan really wasn’t someone to eat a meal’; wtf is that suppose to mean?!?