Chapter 88: World Three [2]

The moment Jing Ke’s words faded, the focus of all four people in the courtyard instantly converged on her.

Luo Yuezhu’s eyes held obvious suspicion as she looked at Jing Ke. In these past seven days, she had experienced too much malice and seen too many people with ulterior motives. She wouldn’t believe this person based on a single sentence.

Even if this person, who called herself Jing Ke, appeared righteous and honorable, it didn’t stop Luo Yuezhu from speculating about her with the worst possible intentions.

This person claimed she was entrusted by her father to look after her, but her own father and mother had already left this world. Who could verify the truth of those words?

The maidservant who had escaped the calamity alongside Luo Yuezhu didn’t overthink it. Seeing Jing Ke’s inherently upright features and her seemingly candid gaze, she couldn’t help but place her hopes on her.

If this heroine, who clearly knew martial arts, truly was the Master’s old friend, then her Miss wouldn’t be forced to leave this place, nor would she need to worry about encountering Devil Sect members launching sneak attacks in the middle of the night.

The two young ladies in the courtyard had different thoughts, but the opinions of the two Martial Arts Alliance members in travel attire were more aligned.

They had already inquired along the way. Squire Luo had no contact with people of the Jianghu. Neither he nor his household staff knew more than a few basic punches and kicks.

It was precisely because of this that when the eighteen members of his household were murdered by the Devil Sect, they had no chance to resist. Like fat sheep awaiting slaughter, they hadn’t even let out a cry before losing their lives.

“May I ask where the heroine studied?” Yu Buduo cupped his fist and asked, his tone sounding quite polite. “I have never heard of Squire Luo having any dealings with our martial arts community.”

“Where did I study?” Jing Ke said with a short laugh. “Not everyone is qualified to know who my Master is. If Hero Yu wishes to know, why not spar with me?”

“My sect has a rule: only those recognized by its disciples are qualified to inquire about my sect.” Jing Ke added, “Defeat me, and I will acknowledge that Hero Yu has that qualification.”

Hearing Jing Ke’s words, Yu Buduo frowned slightly. His Junior Brother, who had accompanied him, was somewhat unable to hold back.

“Madam, you are being overly conceited. We are merely asking a simple question about your sect. What is so difficult to disclose? Unless your sect is something that cannot be spoken of…”

Before the Junior Brother could finish, Jing Ke directly drew the long sword from her waist. An invisible sword qi shot towards the Junior Brother.

“Careful!” Yu Buduo reacted quickly enough, pulling his Junior Brother aside in time.

But even so, the sword qi from Jing Ke’s drawn blade still grazed his scalp, shaving off a lock of hair. This left the Junior Brother both shocked and frightened.

After glancing at the distinct sword scar left on the wall, Yu Buduo glared at his Junior Brother. His tone became much more courteous than before. “Senior, please forgive us. My Junior Brother here is young and hasn’t traveled much. If his words caused any offense, I ask for Senior’s magnanimous understanding.”

“Young? How old?” Jing Ke asked, her tone calm as she held her sword in her right hand.

Although Jing Ke couldn’t receive much information from the part of her main body existing in this world, the World Consciousness had provided some basic concepts while giving her this body.

For instance, as long as your strength was sufficient, neither the local authorities nor the Four Seas Pavilion in the Capital City could do anything to you.

Even though the law ostensibly bound everyone, if your martial arts skill was high enough, you could also possess privileges.

Furthermore, settling disputes with sudden violence or even killing was no major matter in this world. Especially conflicts between members of the Jianghu—the words most often on their lips were revenge and vendetta. The authorities generally did not intervene in struggles between martial artists.

Unless it implicated too many innocent commoners, like the Devil Sect’s attack on Squire Luo’s household. Only then would the authorities step in.

The difference between the righteous path and the Devil Dao in the Jianghu probably lay in just one point: those on the righteous path had a specific reason for injuring or killing someone—for example, you insulted them at some point, or made a move against them previously.

The Devil Dao, however, killed without reason. If they passed by and took a dislike to you, they would simply kill you on the spot.

Therefore, in Yu Buduo’s view, his Junior Brother had spoken a bit too freely and getting a sword strike from Jing Ke was normal.

Of course, most importantly, Yu Buduo judged from Jing Ke’s relaxed posture and the sword scar left on the wall that her strength was above his own.

When your strength was inferior to your opponent, temporarily yielding was simply a wise move, not cowardice or fear of death.

“My Junior Brother just turned seventeen this year. Our Master hasn’t permitted him to complete his training yet.” Yu Buduo said politely, adopting a humble demeanor. “Senior, we are disciples of the Martial Arts Alliance’s Azure Dragon Hall. We are here to investigate the Devil Sect’s night raid and the brutal murder of Squire Luo’s family. We harbor no ill will towards Senior, only worrying that Devil Sect members might have infiltrated us, seeking to harm Miss Luo.”

Yu Buduo’s words were very sincere, giving Jing Ke ample face and substance, while subtly hinting at their identity and backing.

“Seventeen, truly a green boy.” Jing Ke responded coolly, slowly returning her long sword to its scabbard.

“Miss Luo, when I met your esteemed father, he was doing business in Suzhou. I had sustained some injuries at the time. Upon seeing me, your father allowed me to travel with his caravan for a leg of the journey and gifted me many medicinal herbs. That is how I made such an agreement with him.”

Jing Ke cupped her fist towards Luo Yuezhu. Her tone noticeably softened, her attitude vastly different from how she had just treated Yu Buduo and his companion.

“At that time, I promised your father that if anything happened to him, I would protect his family for three years.” Jing Ke stated, voluntarily taking a step forward. “Since only Miss Luo remains of the Luo family, I will stay by Miss Luo’s side.”

“For the next three years, Miss Luo, please rest assured. As long as I, Jing Ke, still draw breath, no one will be able to harm you.” Jing Ke spoke seemingly rigidly, but in reality, she had already released a tiny wisp of fortune to probe Luo Yuezhu’s identity.

In Jing Ke’s sight, the fortune she released transformed into a pale golden thread. Before the thread even touched Luo Yuezhu, the fortune became exceptionally active, and finally, it eagerly merged into Luo Yuezhu as if it couldn’t wait.

Jing Ke’s pupils contracted imperceptibly. There were only two circumstances under which fortune could be absorbed by Luo Yuezhu so naturally.

Either Luo Yuezhu had a special constitution that automatically absorbed all external fortune, accepting everything regardless of who it came from, making it her own.

The other possibility was that this wisp of fortune shared the same origin as Luo Yuezhu. To some extent, the fortune Jing Ke possessed was originally obtained through a transaction; it wasn’t truly hers. Sensing its original owner, the fortune would naturally be very willing to return to its master.

Luo Yuezhu clearly did not have the former type of constitution. Otherwise, she definitely wouldn’t have ended up like this—her family destroyed, her life in ruins, about to be bullied.

Luo Yuezhu pursed her lips. A hint of hesitation and conflict appeared on her pale little face.

Although she was young, she could still perceive the difference in Yu Buduo’s attitude before and after.

From this, Luo Yuezhu could deduce that this person, who claimed she would protect her for three years, named Jing Ke, must be among the best of her peers in strength. Otherwise, the people from the Martial Arts Alliance wouldn’t speak so politely.

“Miss,” the maid Little Mu couldn’t help but lower her voice to remind her Miss, “we have many empty rooms in the residence. How about letting Heroine Jing settle in first? This matter can be discussed slowly; there’s no need to rush.”

Luo Yuezhu didn’t make a sound. She just slightly raised her head to look at Jing Ke, trying to find any flaw in her expression or eyes that hinted she was lying.

The result was predictable. Luo Yuezhu couldn’t find any flaw. It was as if everything Jing Ke said came from the heart.

This was normal. Jing Ke generally didn’t lie, especially when facing Luo Yuezhu. She always treated sincerity with sincerity. Although she wasn’t truly Squire Luo’s old friend, her heart’s desire to protect her was genuine, so naturally, there were no flaws.

Having confirmed that the young girl before her was, on some level, her lover from the previous two worlds, Jing Ke would absolutely not stand by and watch her be bullied.

But Jing Ke also remembered the words Shao Qing had emphasized to her many times: Shao Qing was Shao Qing, not a substitute for anyone, nor did she want anyone to become her substitute.

To Jing Ke, the current Luo Yuezhu was simply the target she needed to protect. For now, only that.

“Thank you. There are many empty rooms in the residence. Heroine Jing can choose any that suits her.” After weighing the pros and cons, Luo Yuezhu chose to keep Jing Ke for the time being.

At least Jing Ke wouldn’t, like those other two, try every method to make her join the Martial Arts Alliance for so-called protection.

“Are there any empty rooms within Miss Luo’s courtyard? Staying closer would make it more convenient for me to protect you, Miss Luo.” Jing Ke asked directly.

Luo Yuezhu’s hands, resting on her knees, tightened. But thinking of her current isolated and helpless situation, she nodded in agreement.

After confirming that Luo Yuezhu wouldn’t reject her for now, Jing Ke shifted her gaze to the two men from the Martial Arts Alliance.

“You don’t need to worry about Miss Luo’s safety. Focus on investigating the Devil Sect’s whereabouts.” Jing Ke’s attitude cooled visibly.

“Also, if you two have no pressing business, do not come to Miss Luo’s courtyard. Miss Luo needs rest.” Jing Ke added.

The Junior Brother’s face flushed as if he wanted to say something, but before he could speak, Yu Buduo silenced him with a look. “Since Senior is willing to stay here, we no longer need to worry about Miss Luo’s safety.”

“However, this junior still has something to say, though I’m not sure if it’s appropriate.” Yu Buduo said very politely.

“Then don’t say it.” Jing Ke cut off Yu Buduo’s words directly. “I won’t see you out.”

Yu Buduo’s words stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down. In the end, he could only cup his fist towards Jing Ke and lead his slightly bald-spotted Junior Brother away.

“I heard Miss Luo hasn’t rested for several days. There’s still about a half a shichen until sunset. Why doesn’t Miss Luo go and rest for a while?” Jing Ke said, her tone softening considerably.

Luo Yuezhu shook her head. “Thank you, but I have already rested. I don’t want to rest right now.”

“Then could Miss Luo lead me to pay respects to your esteemed father? He helped me once; I should see him off on his final journey.” Jing Ke said.

Her father’s old friend wanting to pay respects—Luo Yuezhu naturally couldn’t refuse. She quickly rallied her spirits and led Jing Ke out of the courtyard.

The Mourning Hall was set up in the main hall. Among the eighteen deceased family members were Luo Yuezhu’s grandmother, both parents, eldest sister, and second brother. The remaining thirteen were servants who had signed indenture contracts: the butler, maidservants, and servant boys.

Before Luo Yuezhu could lead Jing Ke to the Mourning Hall, the newly appointed butler stopped them halfway.

“Young Miss Yuezhu, didn’t Third Master tell you to go and rest? Why have you come over again? Your constitution is frail; you can’t withstand staying up like this.” The new butler said. “Please go back and rest quickly, or Third Master will nag again when he sees you.”

The new butler had come with the so-called distant uncle. Now, more than half of the Luo Residence’s household staff were people belonging to that distant uncle, now known as the Third Master Luo.

Upon hearing the new butler’s words, Luo Yuezhu’s somewhat childish brows furrowed deeply. This was a very clear sign of resistance.

“I have already rested. I need to bring my father’s friend to pay respects to him.” Luo Yuezhu said.

“That won’t do. Receiving guests is a matter for Third Master to trouble himself with. Young Miss Yuezhu, you should just rest well.” The butler said, shifting half a step sideways, completely blocking the path.

“Miss Luo has rested enough and wants to spend more time with her family. Do you have a problem with that?” Jing Ke frowned, stepping forward two paces to separate the new butler from Luo Yuezhu.

“Move aside. This is Squire Luo’s home. In Squire Luo’s absence, Miss Luo is in charge. Who does this ‘Third Master’ you speak of think he is?” Jing Ke’s tone wasn’t particularly polite.

Towards people who were clearly there to bully Luo Yuezhu, not drawing her sword directly was already quite courteous of her.

“You…” The new butler was intimidated by Jing Ke’s aura and couldn’t help but step back.

“Who are you? Our Third Master traveled a long distance to come and help Young Miss Yuezhu. A household as large as the Luo family—if Third Master weren’t here, it would have long been devoured by outsiders.” The new butler said, trying to bolster his own courage.

“Scram.” Jing Ke coldly uttered a single word, placing her left hand directly on her sword scabbard, as if she would draw her blade in the very next moment.

People of the Jianghu were all unruly, and those with eccentric tempers were not few. They would truly kill without a second thought.

This notion was extremely common among ordinary folk, and the new butler, who only knew a bit of basic boxing, was no exception. Sensing that Jing Ke was a Jianghu person with a bad temper, he didn’t dare to keep up his stubborn act.

He could only choose to address Luo Yuezhu: “Young Miss Yuezhu, Third Master is the relative connected to you by blood. You should be clear on who to trust. I, an outsider, will say no more.”

Watching Jing Ke grasp her sword hilt with her right hand, the new butler immediately took a large step aside, clearing the path he had blocked. His mouth, which had been about to spout more words, clamped tightly shut, emitting no further sound.

Jing Ke gave the new butler a very cold glance, then retreated a step to the rear, guarding Luo Yuezhu in the posture of a protector, allowing her to walk ahead as the head of the Luo household.

Since her family’s passing, this was the first time Luo Yuezhu had been shown respect in her own home.

Seeing the new butler’s look of wanting to rage but not daring to speak, Luo Yuezhu’s previously low spirits lifted slightly. She couldn’t help but look up at Jing Ke.

“Heroine Jing, the Mourning Hall is just ahead. I’ll take you there.” Luo Yuezhu said. While still harboring vigilance towards Jing Ke, a trace of goodwill involuntarily sprouted in her heart.

Adding flowers to brocade was easy, but few were willing to offer charcoal in snowy weather.

To the current Luo Yuezhu, Jing Ke was clearly the one who, when she was about to freeze to death, delivered a heap of warm charcoal.

“Alright, I’ll trouble Miss Luo to lead the way.” Jing Ke’s expression softened. Only after Luo Yuezhu started walking did she follow, half a step behind.

The new butler didn’t dare say much now, but once the group had walked far away, he immediately called over a nearby servant boy.

“Quickly, go tell Third Master! A Jianghu person who seems to have some connection to Master Luo has arrived. She looks hard to deal with and has a terrible temper. Tell Third Master to be cautious.” The new butler said, a hint of worry involuntarily appearing in his eyes.

Why did this person have to come now, of all times, the day before the funeral?

If only she had come a few days later… By then, Third Master might have already successfully taken Luo Yuezhu under his name through adoption, becoming the rightful and legitimate head of the Luo Residence!