Chapter 383: 383. Send back to Heavenly Prison

Translator: 549690339

Old Mu was very angry about the turmoil caused by the secret scroll again, and he angrily scolded Situ Xie for his foolish wishful thinking.

Old Mu’s disciple, Mu Yu, had joined the Ministry of Industry as a craftsman last year upon Su Liang’s recommendation. Then, he was reassigned to a secret foundry a few months ago, and he has not been back ever since. Shaoyao had wanted to catch Mu Yu and inquire about the exact news of the secret scroll upon her arrival in the capital city, but unfortunately, she could not find him.

That secret scroll had been passed on to Gu Ling, who had already studied it thoroughly. He found that most of the weapons recorded in it were complicated in structure but limited in power. Therefore, after communicating with Duanmu Chen, he did not put too much effort into making the weapons from the secret scroll.

However, Situ Xie was still unaware of the inside story and planned to wage war against Qian Country. He was not yet ready to give up on obtaining the secret scroll.

In the end, Old Mu accompanied Gu Ling to the riverside for the appointment and rescued Madam Xing. While Gu Ling was away, Cen Man would stay at Yuanming Pavilion with Su Liang and the child.

When it was time to leave, Gu Ling wrapped the fake secret scroll in a cloth and put it in his arms. He bent down and gently kissed Gu Xiaonuan’s forehead, then kissed Su Liang. Patted the quilt, “Sleep for a while, I’ll call you when I get back.”

Su Liang shook her head and picked up a book from the pillow, “You go, be careful. I’ll wait for you.”

Gu Ling’s eyes warmed, pinched Su Liang’s cheek, and didn’t say anything before going downstairs.

By coincidence, Cen Man came over and saw Gu Ling coming downstairs. She then reminded him, “Safety should always come first, don’t be impulsive.” Although she knew it was a cliché, Gu Ling has always been cautious.

Gu Ling nodded lightly, watching Cen Man going upstairs, he went out, and Old Mu, who was waiting outside, had turned around for several rounds already, “Hurry up, hurry up!”

At this time, in the dense forest by the riverside, Shaoyao and Nian Ruting were talking. At their feet was a hemp bag, containing the unconscious Madam Xing.

“You take her on the boat and go exchange for the secret scroll. Once you get the secret scroll, make sure there’s no problem, throw the hemp bag into the water and leave. I will protect you from the shadows.” Shaoyao explained her detailed plan.

Nian Ruting frowned, “How can I confirm that the secret scroll is genuine?”

Shaoyao took out a half-secret scroll and a night pearl for Nian Ruting, “This is the real part of the secret scroll. At that time, you can examine it, and if it matches completely with this, then it is genuine.”

Nian Ruting flipped through the incomplete half of the secret scroll by the light of the night pearl, not understanding what the drawings were about. She had difficulty adapting to the vision of a one-eyed monster at that moment. Her vision of things flashed between blurry and clear, requiring her to adjust the angle and concentrate on it specially.

“Put it away. They’re coming soon.” Shaoyao looked up at the crescent moon in the night sky. “Don’t panic when the time comes. You have a hostage in your hands. I will protect you from the dark. Verify the secret scroll carefully before letting go.”

Nian Ruting silently stuffed half of the secret scroll into her sleeve and said, “Okay.” After her words fell, she added, “I will follow Master’s instructions fully.”

Shaoyao gently patted Nian Ruting’s shoulder, speaking in a gentle tone, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Once the mission is successful tonight, I will take revenge for you by gouging out Lin Xueqing’s eyeballs tomorrow. When we return to Liang Country, I will report your merits to the Master, and I will also ask a famous doctor to treat you. There might still be hope. As for Gu Ling, whom you want to get, only by helping our Master achieve his great cause can we possibly make him bow his head. Do you understand?”

Nian Ruting looked at Shaoyao with her only remaining eye, her gaze serious and submissive, “Thank you, Master. If that’s the case, it would be great!”

“Go.” Shaoyao pushed Nian Ruting gently again. Whenever she needed Nian Ruting to do something, she always liked to make this gesture, as if Nian Ruting was her child and she was encouraging her to do something.

Nian Ruting bent down, picked up the hemp bag on the ground, but after taking two steps, she bumped into a tree. She fell to the ground, the hemp bag landing on top of her, and let out a muffled groan.

Shaoyao frowned but still came forward quickly, removing the hemp bag before helping Nian Ruting up, “Are you alright?”

Nian Ruting’s forehead had turned red from the collision. She pursed her lips, speaking bitterly, “Master, it’s too dark in the forest. I can’t see anything.”

Although the sound of flowing water could be heard from their location not too far from the riverside, the river was not visible, and they would have to move to the edge of the forest for a more unobstructed view.

Shaoyao looked impatient, but her tone was still tolerable, “You sustained an injury today and haven’t yet gotten used to it. I will take you to the edge of the woods. They will be here soon.”

As she finished speaking, Shaoyao picked up the burlap sack off the floor, and Nian Ruting gently held onto Shaoyao’s arm, letting her lead them outside.

Along the way, Shaoyao sighed, “You’re injured, so I shouldn’t have let you take any risks. But you know how dangerous Gu Ling and Su Liang’s group are, so we must be extremely cautious, plan carefully, and not expose ourselves to them all at once. I can only protect you from the shadows.”

“Yes, I understand.” Nian Ruting replied. Her steps were quick and small, like a blind person guided by Shaoyao.

The light gradually became less dim, and the sound of the river seemed closer and clearer.

A few more steps, and they would be out of the forest and by the river.

“Master, I’m feeling better now.” Nian Ruting let go of Shaoyao’s arm when she stopped and reached out with both hands to take the burlap sack.

Shaoyao handed over the burlap sack while keeping an eye on the activity by the river, fearing that any misstep could cause accidents.

The next moment, Nian Ruting, under the cover of darkness and the burlap sack, thrust two sharp knives directly upwards from both sides of Shaoyao’s ribcage, aiming for her heart!

Nian Ruting’s move was fast, so fast that Shaoyao, who was unguarded and distracted by monitoring the surroundings, only reacted when the knife tips had pierced her heart.

“You…” Shaoyao’s mind went blank for a moment, her eyes bulging as she looked at Nian Ruting. She reached out to kill her, but her body involuntarily fell backward.

At this point, the burlap sack, which had just been released, landed on Shaoyao’s body, cushioning the fall and rolling to the side.

As if hearing movement from the riverbank, Nian Ruting’s eyes narrowed, and she strode forward, raising the blood-stained knives again to brutally stab Shaoyao’s neck from both sides of her collarbone!

With this final blow, Shaoyao, who had already been spewing blood due to the heart injury, took her last breath, not even having a chance to hear Nian Ruting’s explanation for her actions.

Nian Ruting did explain after confirming Shaoyao had stopped breathing. She pulled out the knives, looked at Shaoyao’s horrified dead face, and sneered, “In my whole life, I’ve always been used by others. I know all too well what you wanted to do. Your performance tonight and the words you said, you were like my dear sister, Nian Ruxue. But this time, you are my pawn.”

With that said, Nian Ruting stood up, threw the knives on the ground, walked over, and untied the burlap sack.

Mrs. Xing still lay there with her eyes closed, and Nian Ruting checked her breath, finding her alive and breathing steadily.

Nian Ruting tore off the burlap sack, then gripped Mrs. Xing’s arm, hoisting her onto her back, and walked steadily out of the forest.

Gu Ling stood by the river, looking at a small boat on the shore without seeing Shaoyao and Nian Ruting approaching, nor searching for them.

Gu Ling looked up at the crescent moon in the night sky, thinking of his cherished daughter, whose eyes would curve when she smiled, and wished to quickly finish the task and return home.

As for the goal tonight, it was to safely rescue Mrs. Xing, and whether or not they could kill Shaoyao and Nian Ruting was secondary. To be safe, if they couldn’t be killed, allowing them to bring the fake secret scroll back to Situ Xie would still be a good outcome.

As Elder Mu hid in the shadows and sensed that something was off, he saw someone emerge from the forest near the small boat!

Gu Ling saw it too.

At the same time, Nian Ruting saw him, “Gu Ling, is that you?”

Gu Ling didn’t answer but became more certain that it was Nian Ruting. Her voice couldn’t be disguised.

“I saved Mrs. Xing. It was all Shaoyao’s doing; I was controlled by her for a long time, but I killed her just now.” Nian Ruting, still at a distance from Gu Ling, spoke loudly, sounding almost breathless as if her throat was being squeezed.

Old Mu was stunned, and Gu Ling still stood calmly in place, watching Nian Ruting approach, carrying someone on her back. It could be Madam Xing or someone disguised as Shaoyao.

It should be Madam Xing… Gu Ling thought, trying to guess what had happened to lead to this unexpected outcome.

Old Mu, hiding in the shadows, frowned upon hearing Nian Ruting’s words and saw her approaching Gu Ling. Gu Ling did not move, so he hesitated for a moment, then stepped out and stood in front of Gu Ling, staring coldly at Nian Ruting. “Put the person on your back down! Step back!”

“Alright.” Nian Ruting agreed, slowly putting down Madam Xing and letting her lie on the ground. Then, she stepped back carefully.

Old Mu turned his head and asked Gu Ling, “Shall I check her?”

Gu Ling walked forward, “I will.”

Old Mu stayed in place, watching Nian Ruting’s actions closely. Seeing that her gaze remained on Gu Ling, he snorted coldly, sensing that she still harbored a devious affection for Gu Ling.

Soon, Gu Ling confirmed that it was indeed Madam Xing. He first checked her breathing, then her pulse, before saying, “Madam Xing, it’s Gu Ling.”

Madam Xing slowly opened her eyes, looking at Gu Ling with a slightly excited expression. Her first question was, “Is Qingqing alright?”

Gu Ling nodded, “She’s fine. At home. I’ll take you back.” Saying that, he helped Madam Xing up and carried her on his back.

Seeing Gu Ling’s intention to leave, Nian Ruting’s expression turned anxious, and she walked forward two steps, immediately being stopped by Old Mu’s shout, “Stay where you are! Don’t move!”

Gu Ling didn’t look at Nian Ruting, and when Old Mu asked what to do next, he whispered, “I’ll go back first. Master, you capture her and send her to the Heavenly Prison, reporting that she’s a previous escaped convict.”

Old Mu hesitated for a moment, “She said…” Though Old Mu hated Nian Ruting, the full course of events for tonight remained unclear. According to Nian Ruting’s story, she killed Shaoyao and saved Madam Xing. Even if she didn’t save her, Gu Ling would have found a way.

Gu Ling said nothing more, and quickly left carrying Madam Xing on his back.

Nian Ruting’s fists clenched, then loosened, her eyes warily watching Old Mu as he approached her.

“My disciple will take that old lady back first,” said Old Mu politely, “Let’s check Shaoyao’s corpse first, then we’ll go back together.”

“Go back?” Nian Ruting’s expression brightened, “You mean to the Gu Family?”

Old Mu shook his head, “The Su Family.”

Nian Ruting turned and walked towards the small boat, “Senior, follow me.”

After dragging Shaoyao’s body out of the forest, Old Mu examined the wounds and asked Nian Ruting how she found the opportunity to kill her.

Nian Ruting took a deep breath, “When the Emperor ordered Shaoyao to kill me, I thought she took pity on me and spared my life, even taking me as a disciple. But it turned out, she just wanted me to be her servant, pushing me to my death when needed. To save my own life, I had no choice but to submit to her. Previously, Shaoyao sent someone to kidnap the young master of the Wan Family, and I only learned about it after the fact. I originally planned to explain to Miss Lin on the mountain yesterday and help them deal with Shaoyao. Instead, Miss Lin thought I was trying to kill her… Tonight, Shaoyao forced me to use Madam Xing as a hostage to exchange for the secret scroll, instructing me to push Madam Xing into the river after verifying the scroll.”

As she spoke, Nian Ruting took out half of the secret scroll Shaoyao had given her and handed it to Old Mu.

Old Mu was all too familiar with it, it was his possession, which had fallen into Situ Xie’s hands after passing through Mu Yu.

“I knew this was my last chance, and I didn’t want to hurt Madam Xing, so I set up a trap and seized the opportunity to ambush and kill Shaoyao,” said Nian Ruting solemnly. “Regardless of what you’ve heard, I was forced into all of this. My sister heartlessly used me, dragging me into the abyss, and when I tried to climb out, I was held back… Now, I only want to atone for my sins and ask for a chance to start over. With my current appearance, how could I dare to think about Gu Ling?”

Old Mu listened as she spoke and felt something was off with the last part: If she hadn’t blinded herself and destroyed her beauty, would she still feel entitled to think about Gu Ling? Wasn’t the key point that Gu Ling and Su Liang were already happily married?

In the deep night in the secluded forest, Nian Ruting spoke of her shattered life in a broken voice, evoking pity.

However, Old Mu didn’t feel anything. He only remembered that Gu Ling said to capture this woman and send her to the Heavenly Prison.

Old Mu admitted that he didn’t know Nian Ruting well and was even more aware of the truth that faces can be deceiving. But he didn’t show any sign of that, and just said that Shaoyao’s corpse should be taken back as well.

“I’ll do it.” Nian Ruting volunteered.

As Nian Ruting bent down to pull Shaoyao’s corpse, Old Mu struck her neck with a palm from behind, knocking her unconscious!

He then sent the unconscious Nian Ruting to Heavenly Prison, declaring himself as Marquis Chang Xin Gu Ling’s master and captured a former fugitive.

It was well-known that Marquis Chang Xin and his wife were the most trusted people of the emperor. Even if they casually captured someone and sent them to Heavenly Prison, the prison would accept them without question.

Moreover, once they learned Nian Ruting’s name, the official on duty in Heavenly Prison immediately confirmed that she was indeed a fugitive.

The matter dates back to when Nian Ruting was imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison due to cheating in the Military Exam. Su Liang asked Yan Shiba for help to save Nian Jincheng. At that time, Nian Ruting was also taken out of the death row, and after the incident, she should have been killed, but Yan Shiqi spared her life.

Thus, Nian Jincheng had been exonerated, but Nian Ruting was still recorded as a death-row escapee in the Heavenly Prison.

Afterwards, Old Mu went back to the river to bring Shaoyao’s corpse to Su Mansion.

After sending Old Madam Xing back to Marquis Zhong Xin Mansion, Gu Ling went straight home, and Cen Man left Yuanming Pavilion after seeing his return.

“How did it go?” Su Liang inquired.

Gu Ling took off his coat, sat down by the bed, and briefly explained the situation to Su Liang.

This was beyond Su Liang’s expectations. “Nian Ruting killed Shaoyao? Is she planning to change her evil ways and get closer to you, or is she just trying to take this opportunity?”

It wasn’t that Su Liang was maliciously guessing, but Nian Ruting had always acted abnormally, especially her obsession with Gu Ling, which had reached the level of madness. Moreover, her character was problematic. To achieve her goals, she lacked moral and ethical boundaries.

If she didn’t want to work with Shaoyao, why didn’t she flee earlier, especially since she had the ability to counterattack and kill Shaoyao? Furthermore, it was impossible for Shaoyao to keep an eye on her all the time.

Regarding what happened at Huguo Temple during the day, if she genuinely wanted to repent and stop Shaoyao, why didn’t she speak up at that time?

First, help Shaoyao capture the person in question, then find an opportunity to kill Shaoyao, run to Gu Ling and claim she saved them? Anyway, Shaoyao was dead, so whatever Nian Ruting said about the prior events would be taken as truth.

Gu Ling had an indifferent expression. “No need to worry about what she’s thinking.”

Su Liang nodded. “It’s good that she’s sent to Heavenly Prison. That’s where she belongs.”

Back to square one. As a person with normal intelligence, Nian Ruting had willingly cheated for Nian Ruxue in the Military Exam. As for being manipulated, it was only because Nian Ruxue deceived Nian Ruting and never planned to fulfill her promises. It wasn’t that Nian Ruting didn’t know she was engaging in illegal and immoral activities.

According to the laws of Qian Country, both Nian Ruxue and Nian Ruting were undoubtedly guilty.

Old Mu returned to Su Liang, went outside Yuanming Pavilion, saw the lights were out, threw Shaoyao’s corpse there, and left.

However, when Old Mu was about to sleep, he suddenly sat up, ran out to Yuanming Pavilion, dragged Shaoyao’s corpse away, and threw it into an empty courtyard. After finishing, he went back, muttering to himself, “This way, sweet Nuannuan won’t be frightened by the dirty thing.”