Chapter 98: The Debt of Blood

In such matters, right and wrong depend solely on how the parties involved perceive them.

In martial arts sparring, drawing blood is a matter of course, and suffering injuries or sustaining lasting ailments is also common.

After all, from the moment they engage, both sides must be prepared for injury or even death. No one can guarantee a hundred percent chance of victory.

Therefore, regardless of the injuries sustained in the ring, according to Jianghu rules, the friends and family of the defeated cannot seek revenge.

However, Yong Jie does not consider this from the perspective of Jianghu rules; he thinks in terms of good and evil.

He feels that he should not harm a good person.

Li Miao says nothing.

When one is an outsider, anything said is easy to say without feeling the pain. Since Yong Jie has already thought it through, Li Miao will not question his decision.

However, Li Miao seems to have remembered something.

Previously, Yong Jie had never mentioned his life before becoming a monk; when he went to repay debts, the other party would often recognize him at a glance, and no words were needed.

Only this Liu Songshi, because she knew absolutely no martial arts and was not involved in the martial arts world, did not recognize Yong Jie.

That is why Yong Jie gave his secular name.

Tu Qingcang.

Li Miao had seen this name when reviewing files at the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and it was placed quite prominently.

Famous fifteen years ago, widely renowned as a hero twelve years ago, notorious ten years ago, disappeared nine years ago, life and death unknown.

A top-tier expert.

Yet now, he has become a monk who goes everywhere repaying debts, to the point where he can barely walk steadily.

In fact, Li Miao has always felt that Yong Jie's personality is somewhat fractured. When they first met, he was a hearty, rough man. Once the past is involved, he becomes a compassionate monk again.

Thinking about it, that hearty personality must be his true nature. Something happened later that turned him into what he is now.

Li Miao is increasingly curious about Yong Jie's story.

However, compared to listening to someone tell it dryly, it is more interesting to explore it slowly, bit by bit.

In any case, their destinations are close, and the journey together is still long; there is no rush for this moment.

Yong Jie is covered in blood and looks fierce; walking unsteadily on the street, he naturally causes terror among the common people.

Before they even reached the inn, government soldiers had already approached.

"Stop!" the soldier shouted.

Li Miao watched with great interest, saying nothing, letting Yong Jie handle it.

At this moment, Yong Jie is at the end of his rope, his mind dim, unable to answer, only half-opening his eyes to look.

With his appearance, squinting at people is like spitting into their eyes.

The soldier swallowed, reached out, and drew his blade.

"Don't move!"

Thud!

Yong Jie finally could not hold on and collapsed to the ground.

The soldier took a look, then looked at Li Miao beside him: "Are you two together?"

"Come with us to the Yamen!"

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When Yong Jie woke up, what he saw were the bars of a prison cell and the dry grass on the floor.

He sat up and clenched his fists.

"Stop looking, I've healed you."

From the cell next door came Li Miao's languid voice.

Yong Jie looked up and saw Li Miao leaning against a pile of dry grass, arms crossed, watching him with great interest.

"Benefactor... this..." Yong Jie hesitated.

"What, you regret that I healed you?"

"No, naturally not."

"Then that settles it. If I hadn't healed you, you would have died. You've suffered enough pain. Don't you still have things to do? I don't want to drag a severely injured person on the road."

"If you feel it wasn't enough, you can come back and let them hack at you after you finish your business."

Yong Jie could only smile bitterly and nod.

A moment later, he looked up at Li Miao again: "Benefactor, where is this?"

"A prison, obviously. You were walking down the street covered in blood; wouldn't you be dragged in here?"

Li Miao said nonchalantly.

"But... you..." Yong Jie struggled with his wording.

Li Miao is an Embroidered Uniform Guard, and one who can scare a Guard Commander into fleeing in panic.

As long as he shows his waist token, the local Prefect would likely crawl to Li Miao's feet to pay his respects.

Even if Li Miao spat in the Prefect's face, he would probably wipe it off with a smile and say, "My lord, your spit has warmed my heart from my face."

How could he have imagined that Li Miao would actually let himself be obediently dragged into a prison by a few soldiers?

Li Miao said, "If I don't let you stay honestly in prison for a few days, what will you do if you run out to repay debts again?"

"A monk must follow the rules and cannot break out of prison, right?"

"Just lie down honestly for a few days; when I feel it's about time, I'll take you out."

Hearing this, Yong Jie was speechless for a moment.

He knew that he and Li Miao were only chance acquaintances, not having any deep friendship.

Along the way, he had been injured everywhere and had already troubled Li Miao quite a bit. Now, Li Miao was considering him, and with his lazy nature, he was actually willing to squat in a prison with him for a few days.

Even if Yong Jie were unwilling, he would be too embarrassed to speak.

Li Miao glanced at Yong Jie.

He quite liked this monk.

Although Li Miao did not agree with Yong Jie's methods, he admired anyone who firmly walked their own path and was willing to pay the price for it. Therefore, he did not mind providing some help.

Of course, if Li Miao discovered later that Yong Jie had committed evil deeds, Li Miao would not be soft-hearted when killing him.

Just like Yun Zelin; Li Miao also admired the "seeker" quality in him. But because he treated human life like grass, Li Miao would not grant him any leniency just because he admired him.

Debts must be repaid; it is only right and proper. A villain doing a good job does not mean he shouldn't die.

One thing is one thing, another is another; that is Li Miao's thinking.

Just as Yong Jie was silent and Li Miao was closing his eyes to rest.

He heard a woman's voice coming from the innermost cell.

"Is... is that Brother Tu..."

Yong Jie suddenly turned his head to look into the depths of the prison.

Li Miao also looked over there.

The light in the prison was dim, and it was far away, so an ordinary person would not be able to see clearly, but that did not stop Li Miao.

He saw that in the deepest cell, a rack was nailed to the wall.

On the rack, a woman was nailed.

Her hands and feet were bound to the rack, and iron shackles hung from her feet. Her body was covered in spots of blood.

The most severe injury was two sharp steel hooks that had pierced her shoulder blades, pinning her tightly to the wall.

At this moment, she raised her head, struggling to turn toward Yong Jie's side.

"Tu... Brother Tu..."

"You are still alive, that's great, that's great..."

"You were also caught... are you injured..."

"Are your injuries severe..."

This woman was in imminent danger herself, yet she was asking a series of questions about Yong Jie's situation.

Yong Jie let out a long sigh.

"Sixth Sister... I am still alive..."

Li Miao was immediately no longer sleepy; he reached into the dry grass behind him, pulled out a cloth bag, grabbed a handful of melon seeds and snacks, leaned against the pile of dry grass, and listened intently to the two talking.

Of course, he would not really wrong himself; in this cell of his, the dry grass was all newly harvested barley straw, washed clean and dried in the sun.

In the pile of dry grass behind him, wine, food, and fruits had long been prepared. It was more comfortable than an ordinary inn.

After Yong Jie fainted, he had shown his waist token.

This cell was arranged by the local Prefect at his request, purely as an excuse for Yong Jie to recover from his injuries in peace.

He didn't expect there to be a show to watch!

(End of chapter)