A Shocking Dream

Chapter 170

Lu Yao panted heavily, recalling the past few days, and slowly spoke: "At first, I hid in a dilapidated temple outside the city, and found some herbs to chew and apply externally, but the wounds were deep and repeatedly torn, and coupled with hunger and cold, my health became worse and worse. As for diet, I didn't care about it. It was not easy to find food." After saying this, she laughed at herself, and that smile concealed endless bitterness and tenacity.

Wu Nian felt distressed when he heard this, and his hands moved more slowly: "Don't worry about it in the future. Although it's simple here, there is hot soup and warm food, and there is no shortage of healing supplies."

Lu Yao's eyes burned with gratitude and hatred. "Miss, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. Without you, I would have been dead on the streets. If I can avenge my death and restore order to this world, my life will be worth it. I just hope you don't get yourself into danger because of me."

"Don't worry, young lady. Since you have chosen the path of justice, we sisters will stand shoulder to shoulder with you. Although the Marquis' Mansion is powerful, it cannot defeat the people's support. Justice is clear." Lin Wunian's eyes were firm, as if there were blazing sparks. In this dim house, the hatred in Lu Yao's eyes merged with his, igniting a fierce fighting spirit against the Marquis' Mansion. Even if the outside was stormy and dark, it could not stop the dawn of hope from growing inside.

The woman in white sat on the couch, took the hot water from Lin Wunian, took a sip, and took a deep breath before looking at Lin Wunian. She clasped her fists and said, "Miss, you are so kind to save me in this critical moment. I, Lu Yao, will always remember this. However, this action is extremely risky. If the jackals in the Marquis' Mansion find out, they will definitely take their anger out on you two. I feel truly guilty."

Lin Wunian waved his hand, sat down on a nearby chair, and looked at her sincerely, "Miss Lu, you're too serious. The Marquis' Mansion is utterly tyrannical in the city, committing all sorts of crimes. Not only do they exploit the common people, they also murder innocent people like you. Anyone with a conscience wouldn't stand idly by. My name is Lin Wunian, and that was my sister, Kankan. Now that we've intervened, there's no turning back. I only hope I can help you avoid this disaster and find an opportunity to bring down that evil thief in the Marquis' Mansion."

Lu Yao smiled bitterly and looked down at the wound on her body: "I was originally a Taoist nun in Jingyue Temple. That day, I was shopping in the city with my sister. The marquis saw that my sister was quite pretty, so he forcibly abducted her and defiled her..." Lu Yao spoke slowly, her voice trembling. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth, wrapped in endless grief and regret. Her eyes were red and tears were rolling, but she forced them back, letting the hatred surge in the depths of her eyes.

"I rushed back to the nunnery to report the news. My fellow sisters were all indignant. However, Jingyue Nunnery is just a place for secluded cultivation. It has no power or influence. How can it compete with the powerful people in the Marquis' Mansion? I was unwilling to give up. Relying on the martial arts I learned in my childhood, I sneaked into the Marquis' Mansion alone at night, hoping to rescue my sister." She clenched the corners of her clothes. The thrilling night in the past seemed to be replayed. Under the moonlight, the Marquis' Mansion was as gloomy as a prison, patrolled and guarded strictly. But she was like a mad trapped beast, thinking only about her sister's safety.

"I accidentally stumbled upon the scandalous plot that the Marquis and his officials were planning in a secret room. They were hoarding grain and fodder, secretly controlling the salt market. Each and every one of them was a disastrous move for the country and the people, enriching themselves. They noticed what was going on and immediately ordered a hunt for me. I fought my way through, hiding and evading."

As they were talking, there was a burst of dog barking outside the house. Lu Yao's expression tensed and she put her hand on the dagger at her waist. Lin Wunian hurriedly stood up to comfort her: "Don't panic, it must be an ordinary disturbance during the night patrol. We just need to be careful." Having said that, the atmosphere in the house suddenly became tense. Both of them held their breath and listened quietly, as if they were a lone boat in the stormy waves. In the face of danger, friendship and courage were quietly gathering together to weave a dense network against the Marquis' Mansion.

"Later, the marquis was afraid that his deeds would be exposed, so he spread the word that he would release my sister as long as I returned the evidence. Who knew that he cheated and not only killed my sister in front of me, but also killed our entire village overnight in search of evidence." Lu Yao clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white, and she trembled with anger and grief. The tragic scenes of the past were like a violent wave, hitting her again.

That night, under a pale moonlight, Lu Yao arrived at a dilapidated temple on the outskirts of the city, armed with evidence and filled with hope. She believed that if she handed over those fateful pieces of paper and the fragments of the secret letter, she could bring her sister home and resume a peaceful life. The guards from the Marquis's residence appeared, escorting her sister home. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes tattered, her face stained with tears and fear. Her cries of "Sister, save me" tore through her heart.

But just as she presented the evidence, Marquis Xie Yuan stepped out of the shadows, his face a sinister sneer like a demon. With a swipe of his hand, the sharp blade instantly slashed through Lu Yao's neck, blood splattering warmly on her face. Her screams abruptly stopped, and her delicate body collapsed, eyes wide with resentment and despair. "You fool, did you really think I'd leave you alive?" The Marquis's wild laughter pierced her eardrums.

Lu Yao collapsed, screaming and drawing her sword, but her wounds rendered her powerless and she was forced to flee. Her tears dried along the way, leaving only a burning hatred in her heart. Arriving at the village, the Marquis's men were like ferocious monsters, wielding torches and hacking at anyone they saw. The place was in chaos, filled with screams and wails. Elders shielded children, and young men rose up in resistance, only to be slain by the swords. Houses burned, and smoke rose to the sky. The once peaceful village was transformed into a purgatory, blood swirling through the streets and corpses strewn across the ground.

"I hid underground, helplessly watching my relatives and neighbors perish. I wished I could devour the Marquis' flesh and drink his blood." Lu Yao's face twisted, tears welling up again. "From that moment on, my life was no longer my own. I live only to expose the Marquis's crimes to the world and make him pay a thousandfold."

Lin Wunian saw Lu Yao's emotions spiraling out of control, her eyes reddening, her body trembling violently, tears and sweat mingling as she streamed down her pale cheeks. Her grief surged like a surging tide, threatening to completely engulf her. Her heart ached, and she hurried forward, gently cradling Lu Yao in her arms like a wounded, trembling chick, and then, again and again, she gently patted Lu Yao's back.

"Miss Lu, don't hurt yourself anymore. Cry it out. Let out all the grievances and hatred you're carrying." Lin Wunian's voice was soft, yet powerful, as he whispered into Lu Yao's ear. Lu Yao initially tried to hold back, her body stiffening. But under the warm embrace and gentle caress, her defenses finally crumbled. She clutched Lin Wunian's clothes tightly with both hands and burst into tears. Her sobs were hoarse and mournful, threatening to tear apart the silent night. Every cry was filled with the heartbreaking pain of her sister's tragic death and the resentment of her fellow villagers who had been wronged.

Lu Yao seemed to have let down her guard. After crying, her nerves were tense, like a trapped beast that had exhausted all its energy. She leaned on Lin Wunian's shoulder, slowly slid down, and fell asleep in his arms.

Outside the window, the cold wind was still howling, blowing through the houses in the streets and alleys, making the old window frames tremble and emit a low creaking sound, as if telling the injustice of the world, and as if singing a sad song for the wounded soul in the house.