Scourge Messenger

Chapter 57 A Great Responsibility Descended Upon This Person

"You must be tired." Qian Gongyu brought over pastries and warm tea, and pulled Jiang Shi to sit down on the grass next to them. "Let's rest for a bit."

"cut?"

"No sparring, no sparring!" Qian Gongyu quickly shook her head. "I don't have your energy. I'm exhausted from fighting demons today!"

"Is there a problem?"

"Can't I contact you if there's nothing wrong?"

"I need to continue training."

"Wait a minute!" Qian Gongyu quickly pulled her back and took out a hairband from her bosom. "I noticed you always tie your hair with straw rope, so I thought... I'd give you a hairband. My mother gave it to me when I was little. Do you think it looks nice?"

"generally."

"Even if it's just out of politeness, you should say it looks good at this point," Qian Gongyu said, somewhat amused and exasperated. "I have no doubt that you'll offend a lot of people in the future."

"Thanks."

"I'm not praising you!" Qian Gongyu sighed helplessly and walked behind Jiang Shi. "Let me help you tie your hair."

As the sun set and the woods grew dim, a young girl braided the hair of another girl, who was still sweating from exercising. Fires were lit in the camp, and various aromas wafted from the kitchen. Some people were singing loudly, while others were drinking and dancing.

"It seems they're having a bonfire party tonight because they can leave tomorrow," Qian Gongyu said. "But I think they're just looking for an excuse to have fun. I always thought they were of noble birth and their actions must be extraordinary, but now I realize they're not even as good as me, let alone you. They're just a bunch of spoiled brats lying around on their family trees, wasting their lives... Many of them actually changed jobs through secret manuals, without even practicing any skills. Can you believe it?"

"I was strictly trained by my father from a young age. I had to wash my face with cold water and practice walking on plum blossom stakes early in the morning. When I got a little older, I started practicing finger techniques. The skin on my fingers would break and heal, then break again... I actually prefer swordsmanship. It looks beautiful and graceful. Finger techniques look like a shrew hitting someone. They are not only ugly but also fierce. But my father said that the only keepsake in our family is the Silkworm Hand, so I can only learn finger techniques to adapt to this weapon."

Qian Gongyu didn't mind the lack of response; she was used to the other person being a silent listener: "When I finally became a Martial Arts Messenger at fifteen, my father was very happy. He solemnly handed me the Silkworm Hand and a hundred spirit jades, but he still scolded me for not being arrogant, not misusing the tokens, and for not bullying good people. The Qian family is a prestigious clan, and there can be no纨绔子弟 (spoiled brats)... His greatest concern in his life was the Qian family. He was always out there earning family contribution points. He couldn't come back when my mother died, and he wasn't home when I was sick. When we met, he would either ask about my progress or talk about the family..."

"I was probably very annoyed with him back then, but he suddenly died, and I became the head of the Sen family."

"Many people came to propose marriage. Many people inside and outside the clan advised me to get married while the Qian family was still around. Otherwise, if I couldn't earn enough family contribution points after the five-year mourning period, the court would remove the Qian family from the list. If I got married early, the Qian family contribution points would be my best dowry, which I could use to gain the support of my husband's family... Luo Weijin was one of the people who came to propose marriage. He was arrogant and bossy when he came to my house, so I naturally didn't give him a good look, and that's how we made a grudge."

"I don't really want to stick to the Qian family name. It's too tiring and meaningless. I always think that if a young master from a noble family were to propose to me, I would marry him. I want to marry into the Jiangnan City and live the life of a noble lady, instead of practicing finger techniques and footwork all day long... But noble families obviously look down on people from humble backgrounds like mine, so I have been the head of the Qian family ever since."

"I'm not unwanted! Last year, the second young master of a prominent family came to propose marriage. His family is currently a very popular family in the court, and they are qualified to live in Jiangnan City as a 'small aristocratic family'. At that time, I knew that this was the best branch I could climb. Even Uncle Lin came to persuade me to consider it. I was also very tempted because he was my type."

"But I still want to continue the name of the Sen family."

Qian Gongyu had already tied her hair up and placed her hands on Jiang Shi's shoulders.

"I might regret this someday, but not now, and not here." Qian Gongyu leaned forward to look at Jiang Shi's profile. "Do you know why I'm saying all this?"

"why?"

"Because Lu Wangji, that rude uncle from lunch, just spoke to me. He said that as long as I can persuade you to pledge allegiance to the imperial court, the court will promote my family to the fourth rank, a rank that will remain for fifty years; he also promised that I can serve the court alongside you, and the court is willing to spend resources to cultivate us; he also said that even if I don't agree, I can move to Jiangnan City, and the court is willing to give me a mansion." Qian Gongyu sighed, "Getting you into my fold three days ago was probably the most rewarding investment I've ever made in my life."

"Did you agree?"

"That's why I told you so much first." Qian Gongyu hugged Jiang Shi's neck and giggled, "Jiang Shi, I painfully refused so many benefits for you! I refused to be promoted to a fourth-rank noble family in one step, I refused the imperial court's training, I refused the mansion in Jiangnan City, Jiang Shi, tell me, shouldn't you make it up to me?"

"Actually, you should have agreed. I don't mind serving the imperial court."

Even Ye Si could become a common soldier in Qi, so Jiang Shi could naturally become a vanguard in Liang. As long as the benefits were sufficient, Yan Qing didn't mind working for anyone.

"Really?" Qian Gongyu was shocked. "What if someone in the imperial court offends you?"

"Kill him."

"...I'm begging you, please don't pledge allegiance to the imperial court."

"Can."

Qian Gongyu sat down next to Jiang Shi, cupped her chin in her hands, and looked up at the moon in the sky.

"But Lu Wangji doesn't seem like a good person, and the Qun and Chen families might not let this go. What if they target you?"

"Kill him."

"Could you give me a second option..." Qian Gongyu sighed, tilting her head to look at the girl beside her, and asked, "After the Endless Forest ends, where do you plan to go?"

"Accept offerings from local families or merchants, and explore hidden realms in various places."

Chimiya Yu nodded. "That's very good."

After a brief silence, just as Yan Qing was about to send her away to continue her AFK training, Qian Gongyu said again, "Liang Kingdom is very large. Without a carriage, your journey will be very arduous." "The Shang family should send me one."

"But it's still more comfortable to have a private carriage. You can decorate and furnish it however you like, just like your own home," Qian Gongyu tried to sell. "Besides, you're so bad at talking but so beautiful. If you had someone with high emotional intelligence by your side, you could avoid a lot of trouble."

"I'm used to being alone, and I don't want to take you with me."

Qian Gongyu immediately hugged Jiang Shi like a raccoon, pleading pitifully, "Please let me follow you! I'll do anything you ask!"

"Where is your Qianjia?"

"All the family credits I've earned over the years aren't as good as getting a free ride in the Forest of Endless Sleep with you. Sticking close to you is the only shortcut to strengthening the Qian family!" Qian Gongyu buried her face in her chest, burrowing in and out. "Let me follow you, let me follow you. I'll be a good girl and listen to everything you say..."

"You're saying you'd do anything I ask?"

Qian Gongyu blinked, her face flushed red—whether from the glow of the sunset or the blush on her cheeks—she murmured, "Mmm!"

"Let's cut it then, we need a token."

"I don't want to spar..."

……

...

Outside the camp.

Lu Wangji handed a letter to the fast rider, watching him raise a torch and dash through the jungle like sparks.

“Lu Xiaoqi, can’t we talk about this inside?” Qun Yushu walked over and looked around. “It’s late and secluded here. Anyone who doesn’t know better would think we’re discussing some kind of conspiracy.”

"Or are you here to boast about good news?" Chen Linchuan said, "I heard that you have been secretly contacting Miss Qian, and that the imperial court has brought Jiang Shi under its control?"

“She refused,” Lu Wangji said. “She said she couldn’t make a decision for Jiang Shi.”

"Is the imperial court really recruiting Jiang Shi?" Qun Yushu asked curiously. "I thought you would be very wary of the power of natural disasters."

"I am wary, but Your Majesty is wise and far-sighted. How could you not tolerate a mere Jiang Shi? Moreover, Jiang Shi only has potential and is far from reaching the legendary level of 'when natural disasters occur, the world collapses.'" Lu Wangji's face showed arrogance: "Throughout history, many people have possessed the power of natural disasters, but only one in a hundred can truly bring about natural disasters."

“Moreover, the Liang Kingdom needs natural disasters,” he said. “The unification of the world requires natural disasters.”

Chen Linchuan narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face: "This is a double-edged sword."

“Which of the Zhou and Shengxuan dynasties didn’t rely on natural disasters and tyranny to unify the Central Plains? If one wants to achieve a feat far surpassing that of Zhou and Shengxuan, people like Jiang Shi are indispensable.” Lu Wangji sighed, “The world has been in turmoil for hundreds of years, with heroes emerging one after another, but who can unify the world? A hero turns to dust in a day, and then another hundred years of calamity befalls the common people.”

Qun Yushu crossed his arms, tapping his forearms lightly with his fingers as he pondered: "The imperial court wants to focus on cultivating Jiang Shi? You want to get our family's consent?"

"Do not."

Lu Wangji slowly shook his head. He looked at the two of them and said seriously, "It's better to make mistakes than to add merit. It's better to provide help in times of need than to add flowers to brocade."

"The harm caused by natural disasters is undeniable. In order to control Jiang Shi, we must break her arrogance and cultivate her emotions. Only in this way can she be a messenger of Liang Kingdom and a natural disaster for the enemy."

"It's like training a dog," Chen Linchuan said with a smile.

“It’s like training a dog.” Lu Wangji nodded.

“But even if you want to be the owner, it’s not your turn,” Qun Yushu said. “The Jie family merchants have already established a good relationship with her. Even we can only wait in line. What makes you think you have a chance to help her in her time of need?”

“I’m not here to offer help,” Lu Wangji said. “My mission is to make her suffer, to make her live in misery.”

Qun Yushu and Chen Linchuan were slightly taken aback, but then they understood what Lu Wangji meant.

"Aren't you afraid she'll become an enemy of the imperial court?"

"When the time comes, they will naturally push me out as a penancet. The court is yours; as long as you maintain good relations with her, what is there to talk about as an enemy?"

Why are you telling us?

“If you don’t step in to confront the Jie and Shang families, the result will be that Jiang Shi accepts their offer. But if you cooperate with me, you will have at least three years to reconcile with her, and the court will help ‘punish’ you and provide you with the opportunity to fight alongside her,” Lu Wangji said. “I’m just making a suggestion. It doesn’t matter if you don’t agree. In any case, whether Jiang Shi belongs to the Jie or Shang families or the Qun or Chen families, it’s the same to the court.”

Having said that, he ignored the reactions of Qun Yushu and the other man, turned around and went back to the camp, reciting as he walked:

"Therefore, when Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it will first test their will, strain their muscles and bones, starve their body, leave them destitute, and thwart their endeavors, so as to strengthen their resolve, temper their character, and increase their abilities..."

(End of this chapter)