Chapter 78: Found Half a Wife in the Mountains

Swearing is the cheapest guarantee in this world.

Even if Qin Zhanhong's oath is as heavy as a red hair, Chen Wuji still wouldn't believe a single word.

But he still gave up his previous idea.

This woman must not be killed!

He must find another way to secure his own fallback.

The Imperial City Department's men appearing in this remote place must have an imperial command.

If anything goes wrong, it's like poking a hornet's nest.

Even if he is meticulous, it's hard to guarantee no trace will be left.

If proven, that would be a plot to annihilate the nine families.

"Don't swear; this thing is useless, and you don't even believe it yourself, so don't tell me about it. Just say something useful. I think the choice of marriage is fine," Chen Wuji said.

Qin Zhanhong muttered like a deflated rubber ball, "I bear an imperial command; how can I marry casually? I truly won't kill you, nor will I trouble you. Why don't you trust me? One shouldn't be so overly cautious in life!"

"Then I'll give you a way. I don't need you to descend with me to the yamen to write a marriage contract; you only need to handwrite one and leave me a token," Chen Wuji said.

"The marriage contract must clearly state that you happened upon me, a humble hunter, on Shenxian Ling, were driven by lust, forcibly took me, and thus became husband and wife."

Qin Zhanhong's eyes widened like a bronze bell, "You… you… you are truly shameless, how can you say that?"

"You're the unreasonable one first; I'm just doing this to save my life. Write it or not?" Chen Wuji shouted.

Qin Zhanhong was at a loss.

There are countless men in the world, but such shamelessness is truly unprecedented.

"Write, write," Qin Zhanhong reluctantly compromised.

She didn't dare gamble how ruthless her heart could be.

"I was driven by lust, took you, but don't want to take responsibility, so we each go our separate ways for now, right? Write it; I'll write it later," Qin Zhanhong confirmed.

"Hmm, the token will be that piece of jade on your neck," Chen Wuji said.

"That won't do!" Qin Zhanhong immediately refused, "This is the only heirloom my mother left me; I can't give it to you. Choose another. I have a short sword in my clothes; you can take that."

"Only a meaningful token is meaningful, so it can prove in court that I was harmed for you. What use is a dagger to me?" Chen Wuji said, "If you can't bear to part with it, break it in half."

Qin Zhanhong almost had a heart attack from anger.

He's just a small hunter; where does such meticulous scheming come from?

Ruthless and meticulous, it's a pity this guy doesn't become a spy for the Investigation Department.

"Fine, here you go!" Qin Zhanhong said, huffing.

"Now there's nothing to worry about, right? Can you focus? This is the first time in my life there's a life‑or‑death danger, that's all. At least make me a little happy, okay? Those who don't know would think you're just playing with birds and walking dogs."

Some people are so shamelessly filthy, she still worries about any sense of modesty.

Qin Zhanhong's reaction made Chen Wuji a bit surprised.

This woman is truly fierce!

……

Half an hour later.

Qin Zhanhong leaned softly against a stone, watched Chen Wuji stand, and said weakly, "You can keep your heart in your belly; I won't kill you. At least now you're my half husband."

Her words were gentle and considerate, but her heart was brewing cruelty.

"Wait, you little bastard, if I don't torture you to death, I won't be named Qin."

"Comfort may be comfort, but he dares to use force; that line is unforgivable."

"I don't believe it." Chen Wuji stepped onto the shore, took Qin Zhanhong's clothes, pulled out the close‑fitting white two‑piece garment he found inside and spread it on the poolside, then untied the hemp cloth wrapped around his right hand and flexed his palm a few times.

Yesterday's wound was still fresh; just a couple of motions made fresh blood gush out.

"Come, write it."

Qin Zhanhong glanced at the Knife in Chen Wuji's hand, walked over with a look of hopelessness, "The Knife is fine; the family background looks rather prosperous."

"I was nearly starving not long ago; where does prosperity come from? This Knife is a family heirloom," Chen Wuji said, "Write quickly, hurry up."

Qin Zhanhong dipped her finger in Chen Wuji's fresh blood and wrote on the close‑fitting two‑piece she was still wearing before entering the water, stating that she was driven by lust, forcibly took him, acknowledges the marital bond, vows to cherish him henceforth, and swears she will never kill him in revenge for her reputation, to eliminate future trouble.

"Press the handprint!" Chen Wuji said.

Qin Zhanhong stared at Chen Wuji, "You heartless man, press!"

After pressing the handprint and letting the blood dry, Chen Wuji tucked this life‑saving item together with half a Jade Pendant into his chest.

With this, it's as if they've privately pledged lifelong commitment.

But Chen Wuji cares not about some nonsense private lifelong pact; he cares about survival.

Qin Zhanhong's Imperial City Department status plus these two items provide enough leverage.

"Take your time dressing; I'm leaving first!" he said.

"Wait!" Qin Zhanhong, unabashedly flaunting her graceful, seductive figure, emerged from the water, pulled a piece of Silver from her clothes and tossed it to Chen Wuji, "Buy some food, don't starve to death."

She doesn't want this man to die before she tortures him to death.

That would be a pity.

Chen Wuji reached out and took it.

The Silver weighed about twenty taels; he accepted it without politeness.

Anyway, whatever the future holds, there's no need for false politeness.

"These mountains have not only beasts but also Mountain Bandits; they were active nearby yesterday. As my half‑woman, I still advise you not to wander aimlessly here," Chen Wuji waved his hand and descended the mountain.

Qin Zhanhong curled the corner of her mouth and quickly put on her clothes.

"You stinky man, wait for this lady's surprise."

"You think saying a couple of nice words will make me let you go? Don't even think about it!"

When Chen Wuji reached the door of his home, he saw Yuan Jinshi and Licentiate Yuan.

The two half‑grown boys finally had a bit of sheen on their faces, but they were still frighteningly thin.

They were starving terribly; the flesh on their bodies couldn't be regained in just a meal or two.

"Brother Chen Wuji, we've caught a few field frogs for you to eat," Yuan Jinshi said, passing over a string of already‑cleaned field frogs—only five or six, just enough for a meal.

"Take it back, I don't need it!" Chen Wuji waved his hand. "You're all starved to this sorry state—do you still have the energy to fix me something to eat? Come in, I'll give you some millet."

"Brother Chen Wuji, we can't take it; it wouldn't be right to eat your food for free," Yuan Jinshi said, shaking his head.

Chen Wuji flicked his hand and threw the wolf badger over, saying, "Then go deal with this thing—don't tear up its hide for me."

"Oh, okay."