Chapter 12

Jiang Xiaomu pointed to the bright red flowers blooming outside the door and said to the lady of the stronghold, "This flower is called oleander; it looks beautiful but actually harbors extremely severe toxicity."

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After all lines, output ===TITLE=== then translation of chapter title: Leave Your Corpse Intact

Then

If one accidentally ingests its petals or is pricked by its thorns, poisoning may result, and the symptoms of oleander poisoning are similar to those the lady previously exhibited—headache, nausea, fatigue, and a chain of other reactions……

Jiang Xiaomu, relying on a single pill, turned the tide; he not only saved his own life but also left a deep impression on the lady of the stronghold.

She lifted her head to look at Big Boss, quite pleased, and asked, "Where did you invite this famous physician from?"

This… this…

Faced with the lady's question, Big Boss momentarily didn't know how to answer.

He couldn't possibly say that the other party had come to suppress bandits and was merely captured by his own forces, could he?

Fortunately, there were still clever people in the stronghold; seeing Big Boss hem and haw, a subordinate quickly replied, "My lady, you may not know, but Big Boss has been anxious and flustered over your illness lately, sending us out to seek a renowned physician."

"Wasn't it just recently that we heard this young gentleman's medical skill was superb, prompting us to invite him? Now that the lady's illness is cured, we should send him back down the mountain; please rest well…"

Having said that, the subordinate immediately gave a glance to his companion beside him.

The other understood, not giving Jiang Xiaomu a chance to speak, and seized him from left and right, marching straight toward the door!

Even as she watched this scene, the lady of the stronghold did not forget to instruct, "Don't forget to thank this gentleman again on my behalf!"

"Rest assured, my lady, we'll remember…"

Seeing the subordinate gradually drift away, Big Boss scratched his head, a sheepish smile appearing on his face: "Since the lady has recovered, I won't disturb you here tonight; tonight, I'll come again to see the lady!"

Upon hearing these words, Big Boss made the lady of the stronghold blush and feel embarrassed.

She gave Big Boss a fierce stare and said, "Get as far away as you can!"

"Yes, yes, I'm leaving now…"

If anyone else saw this, Big Boss's current behavior would surely astonish them to the point of dropping their jaw.

Who would have thought that the usually ruthless Big Boss, who kills without blinking, could also reveal such an innocent side before the lady of the stronghold?

In fact, Big Boss himself did not really want to leave.

But there were still matters to attend to in the stronghold.

Big Boss wandered about and arrived at the Hall of Righteous Unity on Mount Zhengyang!

The name Hall of Righteous Unity sounds impressive, but it is merely a crude, disordered mountain cave.

Having previously faced death threats and with the surrounding bandits tightly guarding the place, Jiang Xiaomu could not get a full view of the Hall of Righteous Unity.

Now Jiang Xiaomu has saved the lady of the stronghold's life.

Everyone still does not know how Big Boss intends to deal with this person.

Out of deference to the lady's earlier instruction, they dared not neglect him, so they merely flanked him on both sides to prevent Jiang Xiaomu from suddenly lashing out.

The Hall of Righteous Unity covers roughly a hundred square meters; in the center stands a rosewood master's chair, atop which lies a tiger skin.

Below is a polished stone staircase, its steps covered with some unknown grayish-brown animal hide.

The cave walls hang many pelts and bones, and besides that there are numerous sets of weapons, likely left behind by troops that once attempted to suppress the bandits.

Because the cave sees no light, it is permeated with a rotten smell.

On either side of the rosewood master's chair are planted two large banners, one reading "Acting on Heaven's Behalf," the other "Righteousness First!"

Upon seeing the cave's interior arrangement, Jiang Xiaomu couldn't help but secretly chuckle.

I never expected this bunch of rough fellows to compare me to Song Jiang of the Water Margin.

Talk of "acting on Heaven's behalf" and "righteousness first" is merely a means to win people's hearts.

These bandits habitually bully men and women, exploit the populace; their deeds are even more vile than those of military officers like Hu Santao.

Hanging these two banners in the cave, I wonder if they feel any shame at all!

Although Jiang Xiaomu secretly amused himself, he dared not act too carelessly, for his life was still in their hands.

He knew that having saved the lady's life, he likely had eight or nine chances out of ten to keep his own life.

But exactly how he should proceed still depends on his wit and intelligence.

If he could use this opportunity to eliminate Ying Tuzi.

That might be a good choice for him!

【The host faces dire straits, deciding to struggle for survival.】

【You reason with him and move him with emotion, hoping to cooperate with the bandit chief, provide him information, and join forces to eradicate Ying Tuzi.】

【Big Boss sees through your intent; he despises being used above all, and in anger he cuts you down.】

Damn, it seems this Big Boss is someone who yields to neither soft nor hard tactics—this is really troublesome!

Just as Jiang Xiaomu used the system to peer into the future, Big Boss had already returned to the front of the Hall of Righteous Unity.

He lifted his robe, sat down in the master's chair, propped one leg up, and draped an arm over the lowered tiger head: "I didn't expect you, this fellow, to have some skill—you actually saved my wife; the lady told me to thank you again, but I still don't know how to express my gratitude!"

Jiang Xiaomu lifted his head to look at Big Boss: "I, Jiang, am under others' control, forced to come up the mountain to suppress bandits; now fallen into the hands of such a righteous man as you, even if I die, I bear no grudge!"

"But before that, I, Jiang, have one request, hoping Big Boss will agree to it!"

Jiang Xiaomu knew that Big Boss would certainly not let this bandit-suppression affair rest.

And he also intended to use Big Boss's hand to eliminate the menace Ying Tuzi!

This move of retreating to advance aims to make the other party agree to his request, then seek an escape route.

Otherwise, if he simply begged for mercy, given the other's cruel, bloodthirsty nature, he might not spare him!

However, Jiang Xiaomu also bears great risk at this moment, for he does not know whether Big Boss will truly act as the lady of the stronghold instructed.

After all, the entire Mount Zhengyang is subject to his command.

Even if he truly intended to exterminate the roots, he could chop me down with a single blow—crack!

And who would dare inform the lady of the stronghold?

And who could know his true identity?

While Jiang Xiaomu spoke these words, his heart likewise felt uneasy.

In contrast, Big Boss, upon hearing these words, let out a cold laugh: "You little brat, you actually used military tactics on me? You think that just by saying a couple of tough words, I'll spare your life?"

Even if you saved my chief's consort, at most I could only leave you with a whole corpse; if I don't exterminate your group of military guards, how could my Upright Yang Mountain ever have peace in the future?

I, your father, will today use your blood to intimidate those petty rascals, and let them know that the territory of my Upright Yang Mountain is not somewhere they can casually step onto!

Having said that, Big Boss had already drawn his knife from his waist.

He slowly stepped over to Jiang Xiaomu's side.

Each time the sole of his shoe touched the ground, the sound echoed like a death-summoning demonic tone in Jiang Xiaomu's ears.

The many bandits present all held their breath at this moment, not knowing whether Big Boss truly intended to kill this person, and none dared to speak up, fearing that a careless word might provoke him.

At this critical moment, Jiang Xiaomu suddenly raised his head and looked at his opponent: "I, Jiang, know that death is unavoidable; before I die, I only ask Big Boss to help me kill someone!"

If this person does not die, then even in the depths of the nine springs, I, Jiang, would never be able to close my eyes in peace!