Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess-Chapter 778 - 381: The Woman in the Cactus_2

Good person? 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Luo Wanqing was momentarily stunned, then curled her lips slightly into a self-mocking smile.

It was surprising that someone would call her a good person in this day and age.

Suddenly, Luo Wanqing thought of Er Liang.

She remembered that young girl once said something similar.

Leaning against the carriage wall, Luo Wanqing looked somewhat despondent, her gaze distractedly drifting to the scenery outside the window, as she thought to herself, "I wonder what will become of that girl in the future."

—

Nanjin Country, Qiulan Town.

In an inn named "Four Corners," Jiang Shouzhong relayed the information he had gathered from passersby to Xiao Lingqiu.

"About a month ago, five miles outside the Capital City of Nanjin Country, near the Moon in Water Bridge, a peculiar phenomenon occurred. First, there was thunder in the sky, and then a green light descended from above.

When people rushed over to investigate, they found a massive cactus had grown on the Moon in Water Bridge. It was surrounded by a barrier, and no one could enter."

Xiao Lingqiu, who had just finished bathing, was drying her damp hair as she casually remarked, "Could it be a demon?"

Jiang Shouzhong shook his head. "Not sure, but the current popular rumor is that the cactus is a magic treasure left by an immortal from heaven, containing profound opportunities within.

That’s why so many Jianghu warriors have flocked to it, even attracting adventurers from the Central Plains."

"What? Thinking about joining in the excitement too?"

Xiao Lingqiu raised an eyebrow at him, her damp hair clinging to her delicate cheeks, exuding a kind of understated allure.

She was wearing a simple dress Jiang Shouzhong had recently bought for her. Though the fabric and design were plain, when worn by her, it brought out a unique charm.

The dress hugged her figure, accentuated by a slender belt at the waist, outlining her curvaceous yet elegant silhouette, making her beauty all the more graceful.

Jiang Shouzhong chuckled helplessly. "I wouldn’t be so foolish as to seek trouble. But since we’ll pass through there, we should still be cautious. Stay close to me..."

"Hmph, are you implying I’m a burden?"

Xiao Lingqiu sneered coldly.

Jiang Shouzhong wore a resigned expression. "What I mean is, given how beautiful you are, like a fairy, it’s inevitable there’ll be opportunists trying to cause you trouble."

Hearing his words, Xiao Lingqiu’s lips curled into a faint smile.

Even an Empress Dowager is still a woman, and women always appreciate compliments about their beauty.

Especially from the men they care about.

Jiang Shouzhong gazed out the window, recalling what the Demon Venerable had said earlier about the opportunities at Moon in Water Bridge, but he remained indifferent.

Right now, all he wanted was to return to Dazhou as soon as possible. As for so-called opportunities, he didn’t care in the slightest.

At that moment, noisy commotion suddenly erupted outside the door.

Soon, the crisp sound of shattering wine jars and the clinking of clashing blades interwove,

indicating that a conflict among Jianghu members had broken out within the inn.

Initially, Jiang Shouzhong had no intention of intervening, but as he vaguely caught snippets of the quarrel, a woman’s voice seemed oddly familiar, stirring his curiosity.

He pushed open the door to take a look and saw four burly, drunken men surrounding a young woman, while another man lay injured at her feet.

It’s her?

Recognizing the woman’s face, Jiang Shouzhong froze momentarily.

Back in Qingzhou, when he followed Ran Qingchen to Famous Sword Villa to seek a sword, they had competed with others for the chance.

Among the competitors was a pair of senior and junior disciples from Danxia Peak—the man named Hou Qi and the woman named Duo Ying.

He had held a good impression of the pair.

Back then, they had even invited him to visit Danxia Peak if he ever had the chance.

Unexpectedly, he’d encounter her here.

"Young lady, my brother didn’t harass you that much, yet you struck so ruthlessly. Aren’t you looking down a bit too much on us at Fuhu Hall?"

One of the knife-wielding men glared at Duo Ying, his expression displeased.

Duo Ying, holding her Green Jade Flute, retorted with frost in her voice:

"What’s so impressive about Fuhu Hall? Do you really think this land is lawless, where you can cause trouble so blatantly under broad daylight? My Danxia Peak doesn’t fear you!"

Hearing the words "Danxia Peak," the expressions of the four burly men shifted slightly.

However, one of them seemed to recall something and sneered:

"Maybe in the past, Danxia Peak had some clout, but now... Hehe, who doesn’t know your sect is plagued by internal strife and was even usurped from its stronghold?

You Danxia Peak disciples can only wander like stray dogs. Throwing Danxia Peak’s name around here? You must be out of your mind."

"You..."

Duo Ying’s cheeks flushed with anger, her chest heaving.

The man smirked sinisterly. "Miss, you injured my brother, so you should apologize and compensate him. How about you have a drink with us buddies? We’ll call it even."

As he spoke, the man reached toward Duo Ying’s face.

The nearby diners all backed away.

Initially, a few had intended to step forward and play the hero saving the damsel. But upon hearing the men were from Fuhu Hall, their courage evaporated, and they retreated.

After all, in this region, Fuhu Hall was as good as a local tyrant.

"Swish!"

A sharp sound tore through the air as the enraged Duo Ying swung her Jade Flute toward the man’s neck at lightning speed.

However, the man seemed prepared, abruptly curling his outstretched fingers into claws, aiming for her face like an eagle’s talons, his playful grin turning feral.

He moved so fast he left an afterimage.

Just as it seemed Duo Ying’s face would be scarred, the man suddenly let out a heart-wrenching scream, clutching his wrist as crimson blood dripped to the floor.

A severed, bloodied hand fell to the ground.

The abrupt turn of events left everyone in the room stunned. Some female diners couldn’t help but shriek.

The man wailed, shouting in panic, "Who’s there?!"

A shaken Duo Ying scanned her surroundings, her gaze falling on Jiang Shouzhong leaning against the doorway. She was momentarily startled, then delightedly called out, "Jiang!"

The crowd turned in unison to fix their eyes on Jiang Shouzhong.

Whoosh!

A bloodstained Jade Hairpin Flying Sword returned to Jiang Shouzhong’s side, hovering silently, emitting a faint hum.

Jiang Shouzhong gently caught the sword between his fingers and, gazing at the terrified men, smiled. "Apologies, but this lady is my friend."

The men from Fuhu Hall turned pale as sheets.

Wielding a flying sword meant Jiang Shouzhong was at least a Heaven Desolation Boundary expert.

These lowly ruffians didn’t dare provoke someone of his caliber.

Recognizing the situation, one of the men wiped the sweat from his forehead and stammered an apology:

"Th-this Young Master, we had a misunderstanding with your friend. It’s our fault. Please forgive us. We’ll leave immediately and not disturb you further."

With that, they helped their injured companion and made a hasty retreat.

Jiang Shouzhong didn’t pursue them further.

Although he considered Duo Ying a friend, their connection was limited to just a brief encounter; there was no need for a massacre on her behalf.

"Young Master Jiang, thank you for saving me,"

Duo Ying stepped forward to express her gratitude.

Jiang Shouzhong withdrew his flying sword, waved it off, and smiled. "Just happened to pass by."

The remaining patrons, seeing the conflict resolved, quickly disappeared into their rooms, clearly unwilling to meddle further.

Yet, their gazes toward Jiang Shouzhong were filled with awe and curiosity, none daring to approach him.

Duo Ying’s eyes sparkled as she intently studied Jiang Shouzhong and eagerly asked, "Young Master Jiang, what brings you here? Are you also after the opportunities at Moon in Water Bridge?"

"Not interested in that. I’m heading back to Dazhou,"

Jiang Shouzhong shook his head, then asked, "By the way, where’s your senior brother Hou Qi?"

Duo Ying’s face clouded with worry:

"The sect has been facing some issues. Two days ago, my senior brother, master, and two of our senior uncles went to Moon in Water Bridge to investigate, but they haven’t returned. We don’t know their current status."

Recalling what the man had said earlier, Jiang Shouzhong initially wanted to inquire about Danxia Peak’s situation but hesitated and ultimately decided to stay out of it.

At this point in his life, he really had neither the time nor the interest to meddle in other people’s feuds.

"Ying’er!"

At that moment, a frantic woman’s voice rang out.

A middle-aged woman in a tattered blue robe rushed into the inn, scanning the room rapidly before her gaze locked onto Duo Ying. She hurried over.

"Fifth Senior Uncle?"

Duo Ying lit up in joy.

But upon noticing the woman was alone, she frowned deeply. "Fifth Senior Uncle, why are you here by yourself? Where are master and senior brother?"

The blue-clad woman addressed as Fifth Senior Uncle displayed an expression of grief and anger:

"Ying’er, your Second Uncle has betrayed us! On the road, he suddenly struck and gravely injured your master. Your senior brother is missing. I feared he’d come after you next, so I rushed to find you."

"What?!"

Duo Ying’s expression turned ashen.

Meanwhile, at the doorway, Jiang Shouzhong had a peculiar look on his face.

Because he could distinctly see an old man behind Fifth Senior Uncle.

The old man, with disheveled hair and a blood-stained face, glared at her with a gaze full of anger and confusion.

Perhaps sensing Jiang Shouzhong’s gaze, the old man suddenly looked up at him.

Great. Another haunting.

Jiang Shouzhong sighed inwardly.