Chapter 187 A Grave Prepared With Utmost Courtesy

There were quite a few horses in the stable outside the post station, as well as two carriages, but Xu Wenzu’s pixiu beast was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps feeling that his left leg wasn't suitable for riding horses and needing to take another person with him, Great Hero Chen chose a carriage.

Great Hero Chen drove the carriage, while Zheng Fan leaned against his side.

The carriage sped along, and the cold winter wind at night felt like slaps on the face, ceaselessly blowing.

To prevent Zheng Fan from dying due to excessive blood loss, Great Hero Chen had sealed the flow of Qi and blood within his body, but this feeling was extremely uncomfortable.

Even breathing was difficult, and each labored breath made his lungs feel like bellows, buzzing loudly, while each heartbeat felt like someone was hammering hard next to his ear.

Great Hero Chen's carriage driving skills were not bad. Although he didn't have the effortless grace of Blind Man Bei, the horses seemed to understand how to avoid danger, and the three horses galloped wildly.

Zheng Fan's eyes constantly scanned the surroundings, but unfortunately, there was no sound of warhorses chasing from behind.

One thing that puzzled Zheng Fan was that the post station was located in the suburbs of Yin City. Although Yin City was the capital, its reputation was somewhat similar to that of Haikou compared to Sanya in later generations.

But no matter what, Yin City was still a large city, and there was a garrison there.

Xu Wenzu had left early. As long as he wasn't stupid, he would definitely go directly to Yin City to call for reinforcements.

Once the Yin City troops arrived, surrounding the post station or catching up with the carriage wouldn't be a problem.

But everything seemed so quiet.

Great Hero Chen seemed to see what Zheng Fan was thinking and said,

"Although I don't know why, I know that tonight, the post station will remain quiet."

"Why... why?"

Zheng Fan asked with great difficulty.

Actually, it wasn't that he couldn't imagine how this situation could arise. Obviously, internal forces in the Yan Kingdom had colluded with these assassins, arranging and covering up their entry.

Although a post station wasn't a military stronghold, it wasn't an ordinary inn either. If something happened here, the relevant authorities would usually sense it quickly and react immediately.

In other words, the internal Yan Kingdom forces that colluded with these assassins must have considerable influence.

But this was what puzzled Zheng Fan the most. Why would a powerful force target him?

Although Zheng Fan wasn't exactly a benevolent person, and from the perspective of those in power, directly ordering the execution of himself and his seven subordinates could be considered "extremely wise" and "far-sighted."

But the problem was, Zheng Fan didn't think there was any force that needed to deal with him in this way right now.

But Great Hero Chen sitting beside him couldn't be fake.

However, Zheng Fan really didn't know about the Chahe Village. He really hadn't ordered a massacre there.

But at this moment, Zheng Fan was too lazy to argue with Great Hero Chen about this.

If he kept saying that he hadn't massacred Chahe Village,

Great Hero Chen might shout, "Have you already killed Xiao Hua, Niu Niu, and Da Nier!"

Then,

Great Hero Chen would strike with his sword, ending his sinful and dirty life directly.

The carriage sped along, and they encountered some merchant caravans and some commoners traveling at night. Zheng Fan didn't call out or bother to send any signals.

Moreover, Zheng Fan really hoped that Great Hero Chen could safely bring him near Emerald Willow Fort.

Perhaps because Zheng Fan was so well-behaved along the way,

Great Hero Chen's attitude towards Zheng Fan softened a little.

He was, after all, a good person, and not the kind who issued "friend zone" cards.

Even Zheng Fan, who was about to be killed by him, couldn't deny this.

But it wasn't that Zheng Fan was planning to take advantage of this honest man, but that this honest man was planning to kill him with trumped-up charges.

"You Yan people, there really aren't many who practice swordsmanship."

Zheng Fan hesitated. Was he trying to chat?

After thinking for a moment, Zheng Fan painfully replied,

"Sabers... are better for hacking barbarians."

"I've always heard that the barbarians on the desolate desert are very powerful, but I haven't seen them yet."

"If you have the chance, you can go and see. The desolate desert has a different pattern and atmosphere."

"Really?"

"Yes. If you go to the desolate desert and see the barbarians, you can better understand the Yan people."

"Your way of speaking is very special."

"Isn't it very flavorful and pleasant to hear?"

Great Hero Chen was a sincere person.

Upon hearing this,

He nodded and said,

"Yes."

"You can not kill me. I can talk to you every day."

It wasn't that Zheng Fan was being sentimental. Actually, he didn't want to take advantage of such a cute idiot.

If they could turn from enemies into friends, that would be the best.

"You must die."

"Okay, I understand."

"Actually, in my opinion, there's no difference between Yan people, Qian people, Jin people, and Chu people. They're all just people."

"It's different. An orange becomes an orange when grown south of the Huai River, but becomes a trifoliate orange when grown north of the Huai River..."

"I know what oranges and trifoliate oranges are, but where are the south and north of the Huai River?"

"Legend has it that there's a river in the sky called the Huai River. South of the Huai refers to the south bank of the Huai River, and north of the Huai refers to the north bank of the Huai River."

"Oranges grow in the sky?"

"Rabbits are also raised in the sky. It's said that when Chang'e flew to the moon, she took a male and a female rabbit, and they reproduced many offspring."

"Why did Chang'e raise so many rabbits?"

"Because she likes to eat braised rabbit heads."

"Oh, really? I haven't heard this story. Are the details of the Yan people's Chang'e flying to the moon story so detailed?"

"After the barbarians heard this story, it changed when it was spread in the desolate desert."

"Oh, I see. The barbarians are indeed barbarians. They don't understand humor. It's a pity. Originally, I wanted to go to Chahe Village first on this trip, eat two bowls of noodles, and then go to the desolate desert through the Yan Kingdom. Who knew the village was gone? So I thought of coming to the Yan Kingdom to kill you and then go to the desolate desert. Who knew I lost a leg?

After taking Hua Hua and the others away, I'm going back to the Qian Kingdom to settle them down. It's inconvenient to ride a horse without a leg, so I probably won't be able to go to the desolate desert."

When Great Hero Chen talked about losing his leg, he didn't show any resentment, as if he were talking about something extremely ordinary.

He came to the Yan Kingdom to avenge the kindness of two bowls of noodles.

And for the sake of those three girls he wasn't very familiar with, he left Blind Man Bei and Xue San, who had caused him to have his leg amputated, alive.

Zheng Fan didn't think he could do that, and he believed that most people in this world couldn't do it either.

"Which sect do you come from in the Qian Kingdom?"

"I don't have a sect."

"Self-taught?"

"When I was a child, I fell off a cliff and didn't die. I picked up a sword manual at the bottom of the ravine and practiced it myself."

"..." Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan had a feeling that he was now riding in the "protagonist's" car of this world.

And then, the protagonist of this world was going to kill him.

"Where is that sword manual?"

"Why are you asking this? You're going to die anyway."

"Just curious."

"Given away."

"Given... given away?"

"A few years ago, many people came to me asking for the sword manual, saying that if I didn't give it to them, they would kill me. It's just a sword manual, so I gave it away. Later, I heard them say that it was just a very ordinary sword manual.

Many people didn't believe it at first, thinking that I had given them a fake one, so they came to me again, wanting to capture and kill me. There was nothing I could do, so I had to kill them.

After that, they probably realized that my swordsmanship wasn't anything special, so they believed it."

"They were probably scared to death by you."

"That sword manual was indeed very ordinary. I once studied at the Sword Pavilion in the Jin Kingdom and saw many exquisite sword manuals. Only then did I realize that the one I picked up at the beginning was indeed a very ordinary thing."

So, this was talent?

"It's a pity that after I came to the Yan Kingdom, I found that the Yan people don't really like to wear swords."

"I remember I said the reason before."

"But that reason doesn't convince me."

"The old man who sells scallion pancakes will think that the most delicious thing in the world is scallion pancakes."

"Hmm, I understand."

"Actually, swords are really not suitable for combat, except for sword cultivators like you."

In the most chaotic times, there wasn't much distinction between swords and sabers. They were all mixed together. Later, with the development of forging technology, the practicality of swords began to be surpassed by sabers.

Now, swords represent more of a symbolic role, coupled with sword cultivators like Great Hero Chen.

The two people sat in the carriage like this, chatting casually, like two friends who had known each other for a long time.

After a long time,

"Emerald Willow Fort shouldn't be far away," Great Hero Chen said.

"Oh," Zheng Fan responded.

"I've changed my mind."

"You're not going to kill me?"

Then I can change my mind too.

"You still have to die, but after I kill you, I can dig a grave for you and erect a tombstone."

"Hehe, thanks."

"You're welcome. You're quite interesting. If I come to the Yan Kingdom again in the future, I can find you again through your tombstone and chat with you again."

"Good idea."

…………

The stars over Emerald Willow Fort were twinkling stars.

A'ming and Liang Cheng were sitting on the city wall of the fortress, playing Chinese chess.

The cold wind was howling, but they didn't care, after all, they were both considered "cold-blooded animals."

"The lord hasn't returned yet."

"Maybe he had a long-awaited reunion with that Comrade Deep Sea and was kept by that Comrade Deep Sea for a good night's sleep."

"You only dare to gossip about the lord like this behind his back."

"After being a sprinkler for a month, every time I drink water, it's like taking a shower. Is it too much to gossip behind his back?"

"Not too much."

"That's right."

"But I'm still worried that something might happen to the lord."

"It's okay. There are only two possible outcomes if something happens to the lord: either we two are playing chess and chatting, then look at each other and suddenly die;

Or nothing will happen, and after going back to lie in the coffin for a sleep, it'll be a brand new day."

"And then?"

"If you and I die together, it's okay. It won't be painful.

If nothing happens, it proves that Fan Li's original proposal was correct, and we'll all be... free."

"Let's play chess. It's your turn."

"I'm not playing anymore. I lost."

"Heh, it's really boring playing chess with you."

"Then why don't you go play chess with the blind man?"

"It's even more boring to play chess with him."

"That's true. The blind man might be even better at playing chess than AlphaGo."

"Hmm? Did you hear any sound?" Liang Cheng asked.

A'ming listened carefully, shook his head, and said,

"No, I didn't."

"No, there is a sound. I'm sure."

A'ming listened carefully again and still shook his head, but then he lay down on the ground and put his ear to the ground,

"Hey, there really seems to be some movement, underground."

"Yes, underground."

"Could it be that the foundation is moving?"

"If it's a foundation problem, the movement wouldn't be so small. Besides, this fortress was built under the supervision of the blind man, so the quality should be fine."

"Maybe, maybe. Oh, right, I saw the blind man's blueprints. There's a secret passage under our fortress that the blind man specially dug. The other end of the secret passage is connected to the willow forest on the opposite side."

"Is this to prevent being besieged?"

"The city is dead, but people are alive. We don't have such high moral integrity to fight to the death for Great Yan or anything."

"Actually, this initial camp selection is okay. If we were born in the Qian Kingdom, we'd probably live a very suffocating life."

"It's okay, no, the sound is still there. Could it be that a mouse or a roe deer got into the tunnel?"

"Why don't you go take a look?"

"I'm not going."

A'ming shook his head very decisively.

"Why?" Liang Cheng asked.

"The room where the entrance to the tunnel is located was originally my room, but later, under the arrangement of the blind man, he had me switch rooms with Sha Tuo Qieshi to put coffins in."

Speaking of this,

A'ming and Liang Cheng were stunned for a moment and looked at each other,

The two said almost in unison:

"Could it be that Sha Tuo Qieshi moved?"

………

"Which village is it?"

The carriage stopped in the willow forest at Zheng Fan's request.

"Don't worry, we'll be at that village soon after we leave this forest."

"Are you trying to wait for the soldiers in your fortress to come and save you?"

Great Hero Chen was obviously not stupid.

"Have you seen me send any messages to them along the way? Besides, I'm so badly injured, how can I send messages?"

"Your blind servant seems to have the ability to communicate without speaking, and servants usually learn their skills from their masters."

"You really think highly of me."

"Even if your soldiers can receive your message, they won't be able to make it in time to save you. I dare to bring you back here because I'm not worried about anything unexpected happening.

As long as there's any disturbance, I'll immediately kill you with one sword strike."

"I know, I know, Great Hero. The reason I asked you to stop here is to fulfill one last wish before I die. I want to plant a willow branch here."

"Can a willow branch survive if planted in winter?"

"What if it does?"

"Okay, hurry up, don't delay my time for digging your grave later."

"Oh, right, speaking of digging a grave, you have to dig a bigger and more spacious one, okay?"

"As much as possible."

"Great Hero, do you know why the fortress I'm guarding in the distance is called Emerald Willow Fort?"

"I don't know."

"Then let me tell you about it."

"Okay, but the grave won't be big."

"It's okay, it's still worth it to say a few more words before I die. Legend has it that a hundred years ago, the first Marquis of Zhenbei planted a willow branch here, hoping that when the willow tree grew, he could water his horses in the imperial palace of Shangjing."

"Wishful thinking."

"Hey, I thought you wouldn't care about that either."

"I'm a Qian person, how could I not care?"

"But you can't change the fact that what couldn't be done a hundred years ago may very well be realized a hundred years later.

It's a pity, a pity that I won't be able to see it, mount my warhorse, and expand our Great Yan's territory, destroy the barbarians, pacify the Qian Kingdom, expel the royal court, and break through Shangjing.

This has been my dream since I was a child.

Great Hero Chen, you may kill one person today, but in my Great Yan, there are thousands upon thousands of Zheng Fans. You can't kill them all, and you can't wipe them out!"

Great Hero Chen looked at Zheng Fan, and his eyes showed some admiration.

"Today, I'm going to plant a willow branch here. I believe that one day, when this willow branch grows into a tree, your Qian Kingdom's emperor and imperial concubines can rest here when they're escorted here."

"Although I'm going to kill you, I have to admit that from the perspective of the Yan Kingdom, you're really admirable."

After saying that,

Great Hero Chen held his sword and bowed halfway to Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan rolled his eyes at Great Hero Chen,

Thinking that this kid was so easily fooled, no wonder he would run over to kill him for no reason.

So, only the simple-minded can become experts?

"Great Hero, help me break off a willow branch."

Upon hearing this, Great Hero Chen got out of the carriage and broke off a willow branch.

"Just plant it there, in that low-lying area."

Great Hero Chen nodded.

Although he got out of the carriage and left Zheng Fan alone in the carriage, that distance was still just a single sword strike for him.

Even if a group of iron cavalry rushed out of Emerald Willow Fort at this moment, he could still easily cut off Zheng Fan's head and leave.

Only those with ability have confidence.

Great Hero Chen inserted the branch into the ground, stood up, and clapped his hands.

Zheng Fan, leaning against the carriage, looked at Great Hero Chen,

And said very seriously:

"I swear, I really didn't kill the people of Chahe Village."

Great Hero Chen immediately showed an unhappy expression on his face,

And said:

"Still trying to quibble at this time?"

"I'm not quibbling."

"Quickly tell me where Xiao Hua and the others are. I can also dig a grave for you."

"Great Hero Chen, I'll ask you one more time, can you let me go!"

Great Hero Chen raised his sword and said:

"Xiao Hua and the others are already gone, aren't they?"

Zheng Fan shouted:

"If you let me go today, I'll guarantee you can leave the Yan Kingdom safely!"

"Xiao Hua and the others are dead or have been sold by you, right?"

Zheng Fan shook his head and said, "No, I didn't sell them, and I didn't kill them. I can guarantee that."

Great Hero Chen breathed a sigh of relief,

And said:

"That's good. Hurry up and take me to pick them up. I can dig a spacious grave for you so you can lie comfortably and be satisfied."

Zheng Fan smiled,

Bit his teeth,

And, with all the remaining strength in his severely injured body,

Shouted:

"Great Hero Chen, reciprocity! This is the grave I specially prepared for you, please... accept it with a smile!"

From under the ground,

Suddenly came a roar,

"Roar!!!!!"