Chapter 35: This Prince is Alright
Bone Painting Coroner
Ji Yunshu had really underestimated Jing Rong. She would have never imagined that his martial arts was this outstanding.
While he fought, she spared no effort to drag Fu Bo to the side.
It was better to watch from the sidelines!
Jing Rong fought with his bare hands, engaging all of the men in black in a heated battle. His tall and stalwart body was deadly, and he didnât lose out in agility.
After he dodged the swords, he forcefully yanked away a sword from one of the mysterious attackers. But instead of using the sword to protect himself, he immediately counterattacked by killing every enemy that dove into reach, which was completely out of Ji Yunshuâs expectations!
His usually noble and lofty appearance felt like it was ripped apart, revealing underneath a vividly vicious, stern and somber entity.
The sword danced in his hand, claiming lives and causing mortal wounds. Three of the black-clothed men were already lying in a pool of blood.
The scene of the swords clashing and flashing under the candlelights dazzled the eyes.
Ji Yunshu felt her mind tense up. Her hands were still tightly grabbing Fu Bo and dragging him away from the fight. The safe and secure place where sheâd stood earlier seemed like it had been hit by a storm.
Right at that moment, one of the black-clothed men noticed Ji Yunshu squatting in a corner. He switched targets, thrusting a blade straight at Ji Yunshu.
When the sword edge neared her, her eyes widened twofold in shock.
She was in the prime of her youth, and yet she was going to die in such a way. Wasnât it sad? In that single instant, many things flashed through her mind.
For example, the money that sheâd hidden under her bed which Luanâer had no knowledge of; the set of calligraphy brushes and inkstone from the Treasured Calligraphy house that she hadnât used yet; the money for the insoles that she still owed Great Aunt Li who lived on Beixie street!
Ah! She also forgot to tell the people in Ji Mansion that when sheâd be buried, she didnât want to be buried underneath a sandalwood tree. The smell was very strong and she wouldnât be able to rest in peace. She wanted to be buried under a pine tree!
â¦â¦â¦.
Her chaotic thoughts lasted a fleeting moment. Because in reality, the sword had yet to pierce her. It was only a few centimeters away from her. She was about to be stabbed!
âMerciful Buddha! Heavens, protect me!â
âJING RONG!â If that deity could save her, she would make a mud-clay statue and pray to him.
When Jing Rong saw that the sword was about to pierce Ji Yunshu, his hand accelerated. His sword cleaved the air, cutting right through the black-clothed manâs neck just in time!
Blood spurted out and basted Jing Rongâs clean clothes in red, along with Ji Yunshu fair and tender face!
The remaining three men knew that theyâd lost the battle. One of them took the lead and yelled, âRetreat!â They swiftly dodged Jing Rongâs sword and jumped onto the roof, escaping into the night.
Do not chase after a cornered enemy.
Jing Rongâs dark and icy gaze were fixed on the place theyâd disappeared.
When he turned around, he saw Ji Yunshuâs bloody face. Her face revealed an expression of intense worry. He quickly went in front of Ji Yunshu and grabbed her slender arm. He inquired, âAre you alright? Did you get hurt?â
She shook her head. But she appeared particularly haggard! She used her sleeve to clean the blood off her face. After that, she looked dully at Jing Rong and said, âYour Highness has killed people. Can you go a bit farther? If their blood was poisoned, Iâd already be dead.â
âYou still have the leisure of saying such things at this time?â Jing Rongâs expression was thunderous.
âThis humble one is being serious.â Her eyes glinted as she tried to explain that she wasnât joking.
Jing Rong helplessly distanced himself from her and went over to Fu Bo. He stretched his hand under Fu Boâs nose, checking to see if he was still breathing. However, to Jing Rongâs surprise, Ji Yunshu hit his hand away. âFu Bo is not dead yet.â
âI only wanted to confirm. What are you getting all excited for?â
That was true. She was acting quite emotional and making a fuss over nothing. It must be due to the lingering fear from the near-death experience.
âFu Bo must have fainted from fright. Please lend me a hand in bringing him back into the hall.â
Jing Rong grunted and lifted Fu Bo all by himself. Ji Yunshu wanted to help but was rejected by Jing Rong. He lightly spoke, âGo wash your face.â
It came out like an order, but it was possible to sense the awkwardness in his voice.
Ji Yunshu nodded. She had yet to tell him where the medicine was, but Jing Rong had already carried Fu Bo inside.
Then she looked at the five corpse littering the ground. She didnât know whether she should be happy or worried.
She still needed to take the corpses and burn them. She really shouldnât have gone out tonight.
After washing her face, she was about to go see Fu Bo when Jing Rong came out with a serious expression. âFu Bo is resting. Donât go in and disturb his rest.â
âThe woundâ¦â
âIâve already bandaged it.
Ji Yunshu nodded, then looked at him before showing her gratitude, âYour Highness, thank you very much for earlier.â
âNo need to thank me. Saving a life is like building a seven-floor pagoda. Besides, my case is still unresolved. If you die now, who can this prince find to replace you in such a short time?â Jing Rongâs stubborn temper was stimulated.
Ji Yunshu was used to his temper, but still glanced at him in gratitude.
But then, from the ground, one of the men in black rose without anyone noticing and used the last of his strength to lift his sword and slash at the nearest person, Ji Yunshu. Her back toward him, she completely failed to sense the danger.
âBe careful!â
Jing Rong was caught off guard. He reflexively pulled Ji Yunshu into his embrace and faced the attacker. Caught without any time to think, he could only raise his arm to shield Ji Yunshu from the sword. The sword slashed into his arm, creating a long gash.
There was no time to think about his wound. He used his leg to scoop up a sword on the ground and kicked it with all his strength. The sword flew like a flash of lightning and embedded itself deeply into the manâs chest.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
He dropped to the ground, instantly dead!
At this moment, Ji Yunshu was safe and sound in Jing Rongâs arms. Their bodies were so close to each other that she could smell the inherent scent of a man hovering at the tips of her nose, causing her to heat up.
She raised her eyes and cautiously peeped at Jing Rong. Her gaze traveled from his jaw to his long thick eyelashes, lightly trembling with each blink. He was extremely good-looking! Now both his hands were monopolizing her waist. It was unclear how much strength was concealed in those hands. At this instant, her heart skipped a beat!
When she recovered her spirit, she retreated back a few steps and lowered her eyes. This time, it took her a lot of effort to calm her heart. After that, she raised her eyes and looked at Jing Rongâs unsteady posture. His expression was weak and his lips had gone pale.
âPrince, howâs your body?â She stepped forward to support him. Then, she discovered the wound on his arm, startling her. âYouâre injured?â
âThis Prince is fine.â Jing Rong stubbornly tried to support himself as he incessantly blabbered, âThis is just a little injury, nothing to make a mountain out of. When I was on the battlefield, you werenât even born yet.â
âHey! Your logic makes no sense! What you once did is none of my business.â
Ji Yunshu didnât bother arguing with him. She looked at the wound on his arm. Blood was flowing out from the wound, but wasnât blood supposed to be red? Why was it black?
âYour Highness! That sword is poisoned.â Ji Yunshu became angry at Jing Rong.
Then, it mustâve meant that Fu Bo didnât faint, but was poisoned by the sword cut!
As soon as her words left her lips, Jing Rongâs body slumped down on Ji Yunshu. Her small shoulder trembled. How could she support such a heavy body by herself?!
Their bodies were now stuck extremely close together. Jing Rongâs head rested on Ji Yunshuâs shoulder. His nose was letting out warm breaths on her neck, tingling and tickling her skin.
The sensation made her whole body shiver from head to toe. This was the first time in her life that sheâd hugged and been hugged by the same man several times.
Jing Rongâs mouth slightly parted. In a daze, he whispered into her ear, âThis prince⦠i-is fine.â