Chapter 89: World Three [3]

The new butler’s reaction had been very swift, but Third Master Luo, who was busy entertaining guests and building connections, couldn’t extract himself immediately.

So by the time he brought a large group of people to the Mourning Hall, Jing Ke had already completed the paying-respects ritual and had even disclosed her identity to several friends who had close business dealings with Squire Luo.

“Brother Luo was truly a kind-hearted man. Every time I encountered difficulties and sought his help, he would immediately free up his hands to assist me without a second word.” Squire Luo’s old friend sighed, a hint of comfort in his eyes.

Seasoned businessmen like them, who traveled extensively, could naturally see that Third Master Luo came with ill intentions. Yet, they also couldn’t deny that Third Master Luo and Squire Luo were related by blood. Even if Squire Luo hadn’t thought highly of Third Master Luo, it didn’t change the fact that their names appeared on the same family genealogy.

And no matter how good their relationship with Squire Luo had been, at a time like this, they could only be considered outsiders. It wasn’t convenient for them to interfere too much, lest they become the subject of gossip.

Jing Ke nodded, agreeing with the old friend’s assessment.

“This heroine, may I ask who you are…” Seeing an outsider chatting amiably with several people he dreaded, Third Master Luo could no longer hold back and immediately stepped forward to interrupt their conversation.

Jing Ke glanced faintly at Third Master Luo, her gaze lingering for a moment on his overly shrewd eyes, before shifting away as if he were mere air.

This made Third Master Luo lose face. He had heard from the servants that the visitor was a Jianghu person with a bad temper, but he hadn’t shown anything yet, had he? And the other party was already ignoring him completely?

Luo Yuezhu couldn’t help but laugh inwardly, a spark of liveliness returning to her eyes.

“Heroine Jing, he is my distant uncle. Although Father formally severed ties with him six years ago, after hearing of my father’s passing, Third Uncle still rushed over tirelessly with a group of people, bringing some liveliness back to the home that had only been left with Little Mu and me.”

Luo Yuezhu spoke in a calm tone. It seemed like a normal introduction, but upon closer reflection, every sentence held a deeper meaning.

After hearing this, Jing Ke nodded. “I see.”

However, Jing Ke only responded to Luo Yuezhu, still ignoring Third Master Luo standing to the side.

“Yuezhu, who is this Heroine Jing? I don’t recall seeing her in the days before.” Not daring to casually provoke Jing Ke, who wore a long sword at her waist, Third Master Luo could only choose to communicate with his nominal niece.

“Third Uncle, this is a friend Father met two years ago. She rushed over without delay upon hearing the news, but the journey was long, so she only arrived today.” Luo Yuezhu said.

“Oh, a friend big brother met two years ago? Then why didn’t Yuezhu tell me earlier? I should be properly hosting Heroine Jing.” Third Master Luo quickly adjusted his demeanor, attempting to seize the initiative.

“Why should I tell you? Who are you?” Jing Ke countered, taking over the conversation.

“Who am I? Didn’t Yuezhu just introduce me? I am her uncle, who came specifically to support her. Otherwise, a young girl like her—what if someone bullies her?” Third Master Luo said.

“I know you’re grieving, Yuezhu, but you can’t keep vigil here without sleep or rest. Big Brother and Sister-in-law wouldn’t want to see you like this in Heaven. If I hadn’t sent you back to rest, who knows when you might have fainted from exhaustion?”

Third Master Luo adopted the posture of an elder. Every word implied that Luo Yuezhu was young and naive, and that without him, things would have gone wrong long ago.

Luo Yuezhu had heard these words many times. But with the other party constantly holding his status as an elder over her, it was hard for her to refute too fiercely, or she would truly appear to be a disobedient child.

“Is that so? But why did I hear that the person bullying Miss Luo is you?” Jing Ke understood the hidden intricacies, but she didn’t want to waste words with Third Master Luo. She publicly tore off his hypocritical mask.

“To be frank, during the time I was taken in by Squire Luo, I overheard people in the caravan discussing a distant cousin of his. They said he was a heartless man whose mind was full of nothing but schemes. And he was the type who bullied his own kind—subservient and timid to outsiders, but heavy-handed within.”

“If I’m not mistaken, that heartless, scheming man they spoke of must be you, right?” Jing Ke took a step forward. With her upright posture, she was even a finger-width taller than Third Master Luo.

“So, someone who was cast out six years ago has now returned with a crowd of people, occupying the home that originally belonged to Squire Luo. What are you trying to do? Like a turtledove seizing a magpie’s nest, are you bullying the young Miss Luo, seeking to seize the property that rightfully belongs to her?”

Jing Ke’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word was exceptionally clear and forceful, enough for everyone present to hear.

Third Master Luo considered himself a thick-skinned person, but being virtually pointed at and scolded like this, he couldn’t help but flush red, stammering “You… you…” for a while without managing a single retort.

“I am a crude martial artist. Since I promised Squire Luo I would watch over his family for three years, I will stay by Miss Luo’s side for those three years.”

Jing Ke paused. “I will not allow anyone to bully or harm Miss Luo. If I discover such actions, my method of handling it is very simple: clean up anyone who poses a threat.”

“You should understand what ‘clean up’ means, right?” Jing Ke looked at Third Master Luo with a detached gaze. “You should count yourself lucky that Master Luo hasn’t yet been laid to rest, and I have no intention of staining his Mourning Hall with blood. Otherwise…”

Jing Ke left the last half of her sentence unspoken, but her tone and stance were more than enough to convey everything.

Had Squire Luo and his family not yet been laid to rest, she would have long since drawn her sword and lopped off Third Master Luo’s head.

This threat was excessively blunt but equally effective, perfectly fitting the common stereotype people had of Jianghu wanderers.

Quick to draw at the slightest disagreement, killing without hesitation or regret.

Third Master Luo was clearly intimidated, but being a cunning schemer, he wasn’t without a backup plan. Remembering he had already sent someone to deliver a large sum of silver notes to the experts from the Four Seas Pavilion, he quickly rallied his spirits.

“The pure are self-evident. I don’t know where you heard such rumors, Madam. But please do not forget, the experts from the Martial Arts Alliance and the Four Seas Pavilion are also present. Saying such things in front of them is rather inappropriate, isn’t it?” Third Master Luo said, quickly scanning the crowd for his perceived backers.

Yu Buduo from the Martial Arts Alliance was indeed still present, but he had already witnessed Jing Ke’s prowess. Even when meeting Third Master Luo’s gaze, he remained silent, directly ignoring his silent plea.

The expert from the Four Seas Pavilion had originally intended to simply go through the motions. Planning to leave at most the day after tomorrow, he hadn’t intended to get involved in such a family dispute.

But thinking of the silver notes from Third Master Luo still tucked in his robes, he couldn’t continue playing dead after being directly referred to. He had to step out from the crowd.

“Young Hero, words can be spoken calmly. There’s no need to be so direct right from the start.” The Four Seas Pavilion had also sent two people. They looked slightly older than Yu Buduo and were more tactful in their speech.

This was normal. Those dispatched to the regions for investigations were generally the lowest-level experts of the Four Seas Pavilion. In terms of official rank, they were merely Deputy 8th-Rank, only slightly higher than a local 9th-Rank Constable.

“Perhaps Third Master Luo is simply here to assist Miss Luo. Young Hero shouldn’t take hearsay as absolute truth; proper investigation should be conducted first.” The Four Seas Pavilion expert said, observing Jing Ke’s waist sword up close.

A fine sword! Just from the hilt and scabbard, one could tell its quality was extraordinary!

In their Four Seas Pavilion, only Hall Masters of at least Senior 6th-Rank could use such a fine sword.

Her robes too… Appearing simple at first glance in their profound black color, the hidden dark-gold thread patterns within were still recognizable to them. They were items only the nobility and wealthy could afford.

“You have a point. Hearsay is false, seeing is believing.” Jing Ke responded, giving face by acknowledging his words.

Before Third Master Luo could sigh in relief, Jing Ke unhurriedly added the rest: “Originally, I also had doubts. But after seeing this Third Master Luo in person, my intuition tells me he is not a good man.”

“Killing him would absolutely not count as killing an innocent.” Jing Ke stated calmly. “But I am willing to give face to the Four Seas Pavilion behind you. If Third Master Luo sees Squire Luo’s family off on their final journey and then sensibly gets lost, I won’t kill him.”

Jing Ke: “My words are laid out here. If he chooses to stay, I will default to the assumption that he doesn’t wish to live.”

The Four Seas Pavilion expert choked for a moment. After inwardly weighing the situation, he felt those silver notes weren’t worth risking his life to continue arguing.

Thus, the Four Seas Pavilion expert, deeply versed in the rules of survival, very politely cupped his fist towards Jing Ke. “With Young Hero’s words, we are reassured. I believe Third Master Luo is certainly not the type to covet an orphaned girl’s family fortune. After Squire Luo’s family is laid to rest, he will surely leave on his own.”

Having indicated his disinterest in opposing Jing Ke, the Four Seas Pavilion expert retreated back into the crowd.

Ultimately, the duty of the Four Seas Pavilion was merely to protect the Imperial Palace and those appointed by the Imperial Court. Under normal circumstances, the Four Seas Pavilion would not make an enemy of Jianghu figures for the sake of someone without real influence.

Because those Jianghu wanderers loved nothing more than vengeance. Carelessly killing a disciple beloved by a Sect Master or Elder within some sect would trigger a chain reaction of consequences.

And Third Master Luo was clearly no one of power or influence, nor connected to anyone who was. Stepping forward to say that one sentence was already more than fair repayment for the silver he had given them.

Thus, after the Imperial Court-backed Four Seas Pavilion clarified its stance, no one else in the hall dared to jump out and speak rashly, leaving only the so-called Third Master Luo with an ashen face.

Third Master Luo couldn’t advance or retreat. In the end, he could only forcibly stabilize his expression. “Young Hero has indeed misunderstood. My original intention was simply to provide Yuezhu with some support. Once the Luo household is stable, I will naturally leave.”

Unwilling to lose his life for now, Third Master Luo could only choose to bow his head. However, having already tasted the benefits, his submission was only superficial. Who knew what he was secretly plotting?

Seeing that Jing Ke’s assertive words hadn’t provoked the displeasure of the Four Seas Pavilion, but instead caused Third Master Luo to voluntarily express his intention to retreat, Luo Yuezhu seemed to vaguely grasp a certain principle.

Sometimes, being in the right wasn’t enough. You had to possess sufficient strength to make yourself the truly righteous party.

Just like the words Jing Ke had spoken earlier. If the speaker were an ordinary citizen who didn’t know martial arts, the Four Seas Pavilion would definitely have stepped in—a reprimand at best, jail time at worst.

So this was the confidence that came with possessing strength? If only she, too, could one day be like Jing Ke.

Looking at Jing Ke, who stood tall and upright before her, the seed of wanting to become stronger took root in Luo Yuezhu’s heart, waiting for the right moment to sprout and burst through the soil.

Jing Ke’s firmness made everyone think twice about underestimating Luo Yuezhu, whom she protected. Luo Yuezhu could now command people effectively. After expressing that she wanted to keep vigil for one last night, Third Master Luo dared not say a word. He merely instructed the kitchen to prepare some nourishing food, lest Luo Yuezhu collapse from exhaustion.

Third Master Luo wasn’t sincerely good to Luo Yuezhu. He was purely worried that if anything happened to her, that unreasonable female swordswoman would use him as a target for venting her anger, running him through with a single sword stroke at the slightest provocation.

After eating a little to fill her stomach, Jing Ke also chose to spend the night at the Mourning Hall. However, she didn’t enter. Rather, she stood guard outside holding her sword, preventing any unthinking individuals from disturbing Luo Yuezhu and her final moments with her family.

The funeral procession was set for the early morning of the next day. The rituals began when the sky was barely light.

Jing Ke did not help wear the mourning garments of sackcloth and hemp for Squire Luo, but she did tie a strip of white cloth around her arm, silently following behind Luo Yuezhu.

Luo Yuezhu had not slept all night, and having cried several times in between, her face looked exceptionally haggard.

But Luo Yuezhu also knew very clearly that she had to appear mature and composed, so that those coveting the Luo family’s assets would retract their petty schemes.

Luo Yuezhu hadn’t forgotten the initial terms Jing Ke stated. She would only stay by her side for three years at most. In three years, she would only be thirteen. If she didn’t start changing now, countless people would still want to tear a chunk of flesh from her, a lonely orphan girl, three years from now.

Watching the coffins containing her family being buried in the earth, Luo Yuezhu couldn’t hold back her tears. But she didn’t cry out, merely letting the tears slide down her face and fall onto the dark soil.

After completing the series of rites, Luo Yuezhu knelt on the ground and kowtowed nine times with solid, earnest thuds. The tears in her eyes had finally run dry. When she stood up again, a certain thought in her heart had become even more resolute.

The procession didn’t mean the funeral affairs were completely finished. Upon returning home, Luo Yuezhu quickly changed her clothes, then took Little Mu to personally thank each person who had seen her family on their final journey.

It wasn’t until sunset that the crowd surrounding the Luo Residence mostly dispersed.

“Heroine Jing, thank you.” Luo Yuezhu spoke. Her voice, strained from a sleepless night and many words spoken during the day, had become somewhat hoarse and carried less childishness.

“You’re welcome. I am merely fulfilling an agreement.” Jing Ke said.

“Will we be sorting through the account books and taking over the family business next?” Jing Ke asked.

Luo Yuezhu slowly nodded, then looked up at Jing Ke. “Heroine Jing, will you really protect me for three years?”

“Yes, I will protect you for three years. Not one day less.” Jing Ke promised.

“Then… during these three years, may I learn martial arts from you, Heroine Jing?” Luo Yuezhu asked.

She still couldn’t be absolutely certain that Jing Ke wasn’t harboring ulterior motives, but right now, Luo Yuezhu had almost no room for choices. Apart from herself, the only person she could seem to rely on was Jing Ke, whom she had known for less than two days.

“You want to learn martial arts?” Jing Ke’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “If I’m not mistaken, you should already be ten years old, correct?”

“Yes, I know it’s best to start martial arts from childhood, but I feel the next best time is to start from now.” Luo Yuezhu said.

She had witnessed firsthand the benefits of high martial prowess. The authorities had to temporarily yield, and even the Martial Arts Alliance dared not cross Jing Ke lightly.

If she too could become a martial arts expert like Jing Ke, perhaps she could change her current predicament and forge an entirely new path forward.