Chapter 138: Zheng Jian: Life Is Too Hard for Me
Chapter 138: Zheng Jian: Life Is So Hard for Me
Inside the cabin, Zheng Jian sat facing Shan Meixian and her daughter, with wine and dishes laid out before them.
The scene resembled a plot straight out of a certain novel: secrets beneath the dining table...
“By the way, Hero Zheng, you were just in the cabin, weren’t you? How did you get up here?” Lady Dongming resumed her elegant demeanor and asked gracefully.
Zheng Jian glanced curiously at Shan Meixian but didn’t answer. Instead, he asked, “Is your daughter, Shan Wanjing, pregnant?”
Shan Meixian’s eyes widened in shock. “??? Hero, you must be joking? Wanjing is still an innocent young lady!”
Shan Wanjing: “...” The little princess felt completely blindsided.
Zheng Jian pondered for a moment and replied, “You started joking first!”
Shan Meixian was taken aback but quickly realized it was indeed her who joked first. After all, with such exceptional martial arts skills, how could those two be kept in check...
“I was merely jesting...” Shan Meixian laughed awkwardly.
Shan Wanjing’s resentment level +666.
Her cheeks flushed crimson, shyly saying, “Why drag me into this, and... pregnant...?”
“Hero Zheng, I thank you again for saving my life! I’ll drink to that—please, make yourself at home!” Lady Dongming spoke boldly, yet her movements remained refined as she raised her glass, arched her swan-like neck, and drained it in one go.
Zheng Jian thought, “...Isn’t this the kind of scene that happens when someone drinks too much and acts rashly? Am I really that tempting?”
At that moment, Zheng Jian felt a pang of sorrow. Why has my journey been so difficult all along?
I just want to protect myself, so why is it so hard? Life is just too tough!
To avoid any further awkward developments, Zheng Jian quickly downed two cups and prepared to take his leave.
Shan Meixian clapped her hands.
“Executioner?” Zheng Jian was stunned. Was she planning to force things?
But then a maid entered, holding a booklet.
Shan Meixian smiled, “Hero Zheng, our sect’s weapon crafting is quite renowned in the world. To thank you for your kindness, please feel free to choose any weapon from our armory.”
Zheng Jian sighed in relief. As long as it wasn’t a ploy, he accepted the booklet and flipped through it, gaining a new appreciation for the Dongming Sect.
Truly, the most famous weapons supplier in the Tang world had every kind of weapon imaginable, including many exquisite blades.
However, Zheng Jian’s own Tearstain Sword was a masterpiece. Even in the Tang world, it was a top-tier weapon. Few of Dongming Sect’s offerings could compare.
After some thought, Zheng Jian closed the booklet and said, “Lady, I appreciate your kindness, but I already have the Tearstain Sword...”
Shan Meixian hesitated, then said, “May I have a look at your sword?”
Zheng Jian nodded and handed over the Tearstain Sword along with its scabbard.
Shan Meixian carefully examined the scabbard and was slightly startled. Then she slowly drew the Tearstain Sword, instantly moved.
As a weapon maker, she could easily discern quality.
In her eyes, the Tearstain Sword had truly reached the pinnacle of weaponry. To surpass it would require a legendary divine weapon with a spirit...
“This really is a rare sword, one in a hundred years! ‘Tearstain’—a fitting name! Compared to this, our sect’s weapons are really just showing off in front of a master...” Shan Meixian felt somewhat disheartened. She couldn’t even match her daughter’s sword with her sect’s finest armaments; what could she offer in return?
Gradually deflated.jpg.
Zheng Jian smiled and took back the Tearstain Sword. “Lady, there is no need to worry about repaying me. I act according to my heart and do not seek favors or repayment. Let’s just say I have formed a good bond with the Dongming Sect.”
In truth, with the generous amount of resentment value provided by Shan Meixian and her daughter, Zheng Jian was already content!
Once he accumulated enough, he could exchange it for the “Heaven-Shifting Earth-Striking Spiritual Technique,” the key to becoming a Grandmaster!
“Hero, you are noble and upright. I... I have one request!” Shan Meixian suddenly said.
Zheng Jian replied, “Please speak, Lady. If I can agree, I will; if not, I won’t. That’s my principle!”
Shan Meixian glanced at her precious daughter and resolutely said, “I ask Hero Zheng to take my daughter away from the Dongming Sect!”
“???” So you’re really determined to make me your son-in-law, huh?
Shan Meixian continued, “Please allow me to explain. The Dongming Sect may seem prosperous, but due to financial troubles, it has become the target of many enemies. Today’s near disaster with the Haisha Gang was thanks to you, Hero, but who knows what dangers lie ahead? I have no choice but to earnestly plead that you take Wanjing and leave the Dongming Sect...”
“Mother! I’m not leaving!” Shan Wanjing was at a loss. She liked Zheng Jian somewhat but was unwilling to be forced away from her mother.
Zheng Jian felt overwhelmed. He was a man who responded to gentle persuasion, not force. In the past, Ruan Qiuchiu had asked him softly, Qu Yang had asked him to take Qu Feiyan away, and later Xue Keren too. Now Shan Meixian was trying the same tactic?
Could it be that women across the heavens all knew this trick?
“Please, Hero, I beg you!” Shan Meixian insisted.
“Uh, can you really bear to let your daughter go?” Zheng Jian asked awkwardly.
“Mother, I’m not leaving!”
Shan Meixian scolded, “Behave! Or else you can forget I’m your mother!”
She was clearly determined...
Zheng Jian sighed, “...Fine, fine, I agree.”
Zheng Jian: My principle is that everything is negotiable...
What changed his mind wasn’t Shan Meixian’s insistence but the memory of the playful exchanges with Shan Wanjing. This young lady had the potential to become a vvvvvvvip customer!
Thinking this way, he figured taking this baggage along wouldn’t hurt.
Consider it as gaining an extra assistant!
Shan Meixian was overjoyed and quickly stood up. “Then, Wanjing, please take good care of Young Master from now on! Wanjing, you must obey him from now on, understand?”
And just like that, the hero became a young master... though this young master was quite different from the one before.
Hearing this, Zheng Jian exclaimed, “No! Lady, please let Miss Shan be herself. If she obeys me in everything, then I won’t take her!”
Shan Meixian was touched, her gaze shifting to one that only a mother-in-law could give a son-in-law.
One part satisfaction, three parts indulgence, five parts anticipation, and seven parts trust!
Martial arts master, handsome, elegant, gracious without seeking reward, noble and upright, and even respectful toward Shan Wanjing!
Shan Meixian thought to herself, her daughter truly was fortunate beyond her own blessings...
Zheng Jian felt a chill creep up his scalp and quickly said, “Well, it’s late. I shall take my leave now!”
The best strategy of the thirty-six: retreat!
If he didn’t leave soon, who knew what strange plots would unfold next?
“Wanjing, hurry and pack up. You’re leaving with Young Master Zheng!” Shan Meixian gave her daughter a stern look.
...
The second installment is here! Please continue to support. The little brother won’t forget your kindness even without teeth (an idiom for heartfelt gratitude). More updates this afternoon!
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(End of chapter)