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Chapter 02. Special Operations Team (特别行动小组)
It was midnight, light from the oil lamp was faint, the two village women who were keeping watch dozed off with their heads laid on the front of the bed.
Not having eaten dinner, but stomach bloated with medicine, Lei Lei lay on the wooden bed, feeling uneasy, what exactly is “Chun Hua’s” identity? Judging from her fair and tender hands, she shouldn’t be coming from a normal farmer’s family, and according to what the aunt said about failing to find her relatives in Jin Jiang City, so she ended up here in this village, trying to seek death by jumping off a cliff?
In order to clarify her identity, she first has to leave this place.
Lei Lei originally did not care much about her identity, but she was not willing to stay and continue to be “Chun Hua”, thus she quietly lifted the blanket and got up, moving past the two village women with utmost caution, and slipped out the door.
Under the cold moon, Lei Lei ran wildly, and upon seeing Gu Yan Village getting farther and farther behind, she was finally relieved.
As part of being alive, choices are always inevitable, and two roads soon appear in front of her.
One goes to the left, one goes to the right.
Where should I go? Lei Lei pondered, then decided to go left, and she was about to lift her foot, when a sudden gust of cold wind blew, causing leaves to fall continuously, she could not help but shiver, which made her realise it was autumn, but all she was wearing was just a plain white unlined garment.
Returning to get clothes was obviously not an option, however it was too cold to bear, and just as Lei Lei was in distress, a silhouette of a person nearby could be seen making its way towards her.
This person who had a refined appearance, looking like a scholar, was murmuring as he walked: “......To speak, I wish, and yet I stall, O how fair though chilly this autumn! I say, after all……”
[T/N: The scholar was reciting an excerpt of a song poem from the book “Little Ugly · Inscription on Mt. Boshan《丑奴儿·书博山道中壁》” written by Song dynasty poet Xin Qiji (辛弃疾).]
A bookworm? Lei Lei sprung up from behind the large rock.
The cold wind blew, the moon waned, dressed in plain clothes while fluttering in the wind, plastered across her face was a weird smile, the lady stared at him for a long while, and finally spoke eerily：”I’m cold, lend me your clothes……”
“You……” the scholar was frightened, trembling.
“It’s a ghost——” amidst his earth-shaking shout, the scholar fell to the ground with a “thump”, there was then not a sound to be heard.
Lei Lei then noticed that she might have gone overboard, hurriedly squat down to feel his chest, realising that his heart was still beating, she let out a sigh of relief: “Big brother, I really didn’t do it on purpose.”
[T/N: “Big brother” here is a generic term like aunt and uncle.]
Putting on his outer garment after taking it off of him, she made a run for it.
Standing on the firm ground, breathing in the unpolluted air, unsure of how far she had gone, the sun was rising higher and higher, the ground was a sheet of golden colour, the sun rays peeped through the leaves on the trees, casting on the ground, like pieces of gold.
It really was gold that Lei Lei saw.
Under a particularly old tree, was a small pouch, it was likely that the mouth of the pouch was not tightened, and a breath of wind caused it to open, thus exposing the many extravagant cheques that were in it, the topmost piece had an image of a big pile of gold ingots printed on it, with even “one hundred tael” written on it.
One hundred tael, one hundred tael……
What is in that pile, Lei Lei guessed half of it, while the other half she restrained herself from thinking about it, pretending she didn’t see it and continued to walk forth, mumbling: I am not after the riches, I just want to be a normal female lead.
She stopped in her tracks.
To continue her journey, it seemed like it’d be a better idea to carry some money…...
Lei Lei turned back, squatted down and began to count the money, which fool would leave money here, I will just take enough for a living: accommodation, food, and a change of clothes; one hundred taels is definitely not enough, would need at least ten thousand taels…...
“Who sent you.” Came a nice male voice.
Looking up, she saw a young man standing not far away, looking to be twenty-something years old, with strong eyebrows, cold eyes, extraordinary aura; a silver crown holding most of his hair in place; donning robes of only blue and white which looks simple, but not the average texture, much higher grades compared to what the villagers were wearing.
His left hand that was barely visible under his wide sleeves, was holding a black scabbard.
The young man gave a hypocritical smile, that was as magical as a fantasy.
Lei Lei went into a daze, thinking, Tian Lei Wen has its good points, feasts everywhere.
With no response, the young man’s tone got colder: “Who sent you?”
Lei Lei quickly shook her head, feeling shivers on the back of her neck, pain followed shortly after, not knowing since when, there were several bright long knives held to her neck!
A silhouette flashed, the young man was standing right in front, tapping her acupoints swiftly.
“Clang” sounds were heard, and all the long knives resheathed.
“Want to commit suicide? Not so easy!” -an old man in blue clothing came from behind.
Who the hell wants to commit suicide!
“Ahhh——murderer——” Lei Lei howled like pigs being slaughtered, “Quickly help me see if there’s any cuts! See if there’s any cuts!”
From the side came a few more people, one of them being a middle-aged man wearing an embroidered robe, his skin a purple undertone, on his chin grew a short coarse beard stubble, he looked at Lei Lei, then turned to the young man: “I didn’t think it’d be a woman.”
The young man was also surprised, that the Tie Manor’s Master Tie would take the initiative to report, saying yesterday there was a mysterious person who approached him, claiming to know the location of the longevity nut, and wanted him to pay ten thousand silver for it, the longevity nut is a huge matter, causing a lot of buzz, three big clans turned against each other because of this, the leader stepped up to mediate, and was finally able to suppress the matter temporarily, but who would have expected this information, Bai Sheng Shan Manor have all along taken responsibility for the justice in the martial arts world, since having passed by, they would have to intervene, so he plotted to bait that person to come forth, who knew that the person was a lady.
“Hurry, who can take a look for me, is there blood!” Lei Lei howled, “Killing for no rhyme or reason, send you all to the authorities! Compensate me for my medical fees!”
What authorities? Everyone was confused.
The old man in blue clothing stopped her: “Can’t tell apart good and evil at a young age, if the longevity nut falls into the hands of the demonic cultivators, it will be hard for the martial arts world to be at peace again, fortunately Master Tie is highly principled……”
Lei Lei was only concerned about her own neck, but due to her acupoints being blocked she couldn’t check it herself, in a panic: “Is the cut deep or not? I’m feeling giddy, giddy…...too much blood lost, why the hell are you not helping me stop the blood!”
“Where is the longevity nut?”
In a flash, a long knife was once again held to her neck, successfully stopping her from shouting.
The young man said coldly: “Say it!”
Lei Lei was clear-headed, trembling: “Say…...say what?”
“Where is the longevity nut?”
“What longevity nut?” Odd.
Master Tie who was clad in embroidered robes came forward: “Are you not the one who knew about the location of the longevity nut, and asked that I bring the money here in exchange for it!”
Lei Lei finally understood what was happening, turns out they set up bait, and she accidentally stumbled upon it, feeling angry: “How would you know it’s me?”
‘If not you, why would you take the money?”
“Since it was just there why wouldn’t I take it?”
Master Tie indeed could not answer back.
The young man frowned: “There’s so much money for no reason, didn’t you find it odd?”
Lei Lei answered: “I only knew I struck gold.”
Lei Lei was furious: “Faster release my acupoints, my acupoints! My blood is bleeding dry!”
The young man looked at her for a long while, resheathed his knife, reached out to release her acupoints, Lei Lei felt her neck, realising there was no blood, she felt more at ease.
Master Tie said: “Be careful Xiao Young Master, this siren is spouting strange words, it could be another trap by Qian Yue Cave!”
The young man nodded, feeling the need to investigate thoroughly: “Who are you? Where did you come from?”
I too don’t even know who I am myself, Lei Lei replied: “Gu Yan Village.”
Seeing that the material of her clothes were rough, the young man was a little more convinced: “Let’s go.”
Knowing they are decent people, Lei Lei was no longer afraid, she sprang from the ground, rushed up to grab the young man’s sleeves: “You all hurt me, and you want to leave just like that?”
The young man frowned: “Let go.”
Lei Lei tilted her head to show proof: “My neck, look!”
It was the first time in his entire life getting blackmailed, the young man was slightly speechless: “Nothing more than superficial wounds.”
The other party had a bad attitude, infuriating Lei Lei more: “Superficial wounds are still wounds! You are not at fault for catching a person, but I am innocent, now that you have hurt me, you should take responsibility!”
The young man furrowed his brows: “Caretaker Zhao.”
The old man in blue clothing had a look of contempt, fished out two silver ingots and threw them over: “Take it to see a physician.”
The young man suddenly glanced over: “You’re really from the village?”
The young man grabbed her wrist, and sneered: “A village girl would have hands like these?”
Oh no, going to be executed as a criminal, Lei Lei began to sweat, hesitantly said: “I am not from around here, actually, I don’t even know I was at the village.” Seeing how he wasn’t convinced, she quickly added: “Because yesterday I fell from a cliff, I cannot remember anything.” Damn it, not even one day after traversing I have already lost my memory twice.
The young man let go of her: “Full of nonsense!”
“It’s not nonsense, it’s true!” Lei Lei was eager to search for evidence, unfortunately in this time identity cards do not exist yet, and the folks back in Gu Yan Village could only prove that she is called “Chun Hua”, and over Lei Lei’s dead body was she willing to be “Chun Hua” in the presence of such a handsome man, so she laid out, “It’s like this, I’m called Lei Lei, three months ago I came to Jin Jiang City to find my relatives, but was hunted by people of unknown origin, and could only escape to this village……”
The young man said: “Didn’t you lose your memory?”
Lei Lei choked: “Yes, might have…...remembered just this bit.”
Caretaker Zhao grunted at the side: “Young Master be careful, the background of this lady is unknown, spinning lies just for some silver.”
Speaking of which reminded Lei Lei, that’s right, this little amount of silver is not enough, she needs to ensure to have enough without worrying about clothes and food, immediately she used her sleeve to wipe her eyes, and bawled.
The young man froze: “You……”
“Young master please investigate!” While crying aloud, Lei Lei took the chance to spring at the young man, “Every word I say is true, I only remember someone is trying to kill me, then I fell off the cliff, Young Master you are a kind person, save me!”
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Seeing how to sprang over, the young man held caution, thinking it might be a plot, waiting for her to reveal her true colours and then send her flying to the west with a movement of the palm, but by the time he realise that the girl meant no harm, she was holding onto him firmly, he was at a loss for a moment, in addition being a clean freak, he reflexively pushed her away, but helpless when those hands grabbed so tight, refusing to let go.
Conscious of image, he held it in: “First let go!”
Lei Lei with teary eyes shamelessly: “I want to leave with you, or else I will get killed by them!”
Xiao Xiao Feng Ming Dao has a great reputation, nobody dares to show disrespect, the young man never felt so restless before: “It is not convenient for a man and woman to travel together, this……” He looked at Master Tie.
Since this was a matter of being hunted, who would be willing to take on such a hot potato, Master Tie immediately coughed: “Lady don’t worry, Bai Sheng Shan Manor’s Young Master Xiao will decide for you, and bring you justice.” Then he turned to the young man: “Much thanks to Young Master Xiao for your assistance, I will take my leave, and will send a letter to report on this case to the leader.”
Without waiting for a response, he left with the pouch containing the money.
“You!” Other than the sirens in Qian Yue Cave, to think that there is such a thick-skinned girl, the young man was speechless for a moment, his handsome face turned slightly red, and was somewhat at a loss.
Lei Lei observed him at close range, this beautiful man blushing was a sight to see.
Caretaker Zhao’s fingers trembled: “In…… in broad daylight……”
Lei Lei deliberately said: “What?” Robbing men in broad daylight?
Caretaker Zhao stamped his foot: “Shameless! Still not letting go, stop dragging down our young master’s reputation!”
“There is really somebody after me,” Lei Lei cried, hugging the young man even tighter, at the same time putting her face onto his chest, “I will die if you leave me here, save me Young Master!” As I hugged him, what is this old man in a rush for!
Caretaker Zhao was at a loss for words.
The young man’s expression darkened, clenched his teeth while maintaining grace: “If someone is really hunting you, I will bring you to the leader personally, to return you justice, but if you don’t let go, don’t blame me for being rude.”
Be rude for all you want, Lei Lei ignored the threat.
Strong and weak at the same time, it was the first time the young man encountered someone like this, not knowing what to do with her, he suppressed his anger: “We are in a rush to return to the manor, since you insist on coming along, then follow us back first, how does that sound?”
The young man did not answer.
“Our Young Master is a man of his promise, faster let go!” Caretaker Zhao said unhappily.
Lei Lei loosened her hand: “Let’s go”
A big and tall maroon steed was brought over, Lei Lei was very interested in gaining new experiences, as she made five continuous attempts to climb onto the horse’s back, the steed immediately raised its neck, scaring her thus causing her to fall off.
The young man scooped her up, the corner of his mouth twitched: “Caretaker Zhao……”
Caretaker Zhao who had already got on a horse: “It’s late, this old one will go see if there are any stores ahead, and arrange lunch.” He patted the rear of the horse and left.
Upon seeing the two servants riding off on horses, Lei Lei turned around, beside her was the young man with a sour expression, she smiled: “I never knew, that it is actually so hard to ride a horse.”
The young man shot her a look, and jumped straight up onto the horse.
Lei Lei panicked, and rushed over to cling onto his long leg: “Hey hey, don’t leave me, you promised!”
The young man softened, and extended his hand.
His hand was slender and beautiful, putting Lei Lei into a daze for a moment before coming back to reality, hurriedly she stepped onto the stirrup, a lift of his hand, Lei Lei felt as if she was thrown into the air, while she fantasised, she was already sitting behind him.
The horse back was wobbly, she quickly held tightly around the young man’s waist.
“No way no way, I will fall.”
There was warm sunlight, a light breeze that carried the smell of the Earth, and the scent of the young man.
“Bai Sheng Shan Manor.” The young man said in an unwavering tone, the horse merely covered a distance of slightly past a mile, the person at the back screamed over and over, so he could only reduce the speed to accommodate, until the horse was only sauntering, but the lady was still not satisfied.
To think that there would be someone who doesn’t know of Bai Sheng Shan Manor, the young man was slightly stunned: “About three days’ journey.” He stopped then continued: “If we continue at this speed I’m afraid it might take five or six days.”
Then it’s another few more days of riding the horse? Lei Lei mumbled bitterly: “How do I address you?”
The young man answered calmly: “Xiao Bai.”
How could Tian Lei Wen not have a “xiao bai”! Lei Lei’s mood was uplifted, suddenly the name “Chun Hua” doesn’t seem that bad: “Nice name nice name!”
[T/N: The young man’s name is 萧白(xiāo bái) while the MC calls him 小白(xiǎo bái). But in English letters, both spell the same.]
The young man ignored her praise: “Where is your house?”
Learning her lesson from before, she shook her head: “I forgot, memory loss.”
The young man couldn’t help but frown, sighed lightly, looks like he could only bring her back to the manor first.
Infected by his sigh, Lei Lei began playing the snare drums, traverse girl, what must one do to obtain Tian Lei Wen’s male lead’s affections? Currently no poem comes to mind, how about singing a song or two!
“Let me sing a song for you.”
Clearing her throat, Lei Lei was about to open her mouth--
Coming from the mountainside was a sudden loud and clear, impactful singing voice: “Red in the east, the sun rises, emerging in the martial arts world is a He Tai Ping……”
[T/N: The lyrics was slightly amended from the Chinese revolutionary song “The East is Red 《东方红》” and 何太平(hé tài píng) is a fictional character in this novel. Martial arts world replaces China in the original lyrics and He Tai Ping replaces Mao Ze Dong.]
Lei Lei was immediately overturned.
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