Chapter 61: A Fate Worse Than Death

Cheng Ruyi’s scalp tingled, and he had to forcibly suppress the surging wave of disgust in his heart.

Lifting his gaze, he met the one-armed man’s predatory, wolf-like stare, which seemed intent on tearing him apart and devouring him alive.

Cheng Ruyi knew he was no immortal and could never have predicted such an absurd truth, yet he had no idea how far Yan Kuang and the others had progressed. If he exposed his true identity now, he would surely die without a burial place.

Thinking of this, Cheng Ruyi smoothed his brow, deliberately slowed his breathing, lowered his gaze, and fluttered his long, shadowy lashes to feign vulnerability. "Wait a moment. This humble servant does not yet know Your Excellency's... honored name."

"You've actually never heard of this lord's moniker?" The one-armed man's face lit up with excitement, as if suddenly struck by a new interest. His single arm beat proudly against his chest with a heavy thud as he proclaimed with exceptional arrogance and pride—

"The Undefeated General of Qizhou, Lord Hua, Hua Changsheng himself!"

Cheng Ruyi barely managed to catch his breath.

Hua Changsheng—the very man who had murdered his wife and children, the one who was executed and had his arm severed by Shen Nian... no, by Xue Ruqin and Liang Zhanying...

"What? Is the little lady scared?"

Hua Changsheng wore an expression that was far from ashamed, bordering on pride. "Indeed... this lord's reputation is too resounding. It is only natural for a beautiful little lady like you to be afraid. But rest assured..."

"As long as you obediently listen... I guarantee you will be utterly comfortable!"

Forcing himself to remain calm despite the madman's wild and deranged ramblings, Cheng Ruyi frantically searched his mind for a countermeasure until a sudden flash of inspiration struck. "Very well. Then might I ask, General... when do you plan to take me across your threshold?"

Hua Changsheng was clearly taken aback, his previously arrogant expression freezing instantly.

Cheng Ruyi had deliberately spoken the unexpected, incorporating what Yan Kuang and Xue Ruqin had previously mentioned, and emphasized the title "General" heavily in an attempt to awaken the glorious memories of this murderer once having defended his country.

It seemed to work. To continue catering to the man's desires, Cheng Ruyi forced himself to spin a wild fabrication: "Since childhood, this servant has been raised deep within the boudoir, never betrothed, and has barely laid eyes upon a single man... My sole wish in this heart is to soon find a good husband, to assist him, raise his children, and become a virtuous woman... I have long since heard of the General's martial might and held deep admiration for you in my heart. If the General so desires, I am willing to entrust my whole body to you..."

"Yet, even if we cannot have a formal, proper marriage, there should at least be some status, should there not?"

With these words spoken, Cheng Ruyi’s heart hammered wildly. He carefully observed the other's expression until he saw joy blossom on Hua Changsheng's face, at which point he finally let out a breath.

He had bet correctly.

When things reach an extreme, they reverse; whatever is lacking is what one craves most. This wildly cruel, murderous ghost and sex fiend actually fancied a quiet, gentle lady and a virtuous wife and mother.

Thank goodness, Cheng Ruyi thought. His luck this time was not bad at all; he had managed to guess correctly.

Joy surfaced in Hua Changsheng’s eyes as he looked Cheng Ruyi up and down with meticulous scrutiny. At last, he asked, "Are all the things you said true? You admire this general? And you are still a pure maiden, never before wed?"

Cheng Ruyi bit down hard on the tip of his tongue, squeezing out a few droplets of genuine moisture to make his eyes shimmer with waves of light, and replied softly, "Every single word is the absolute truth..."

Seeing that Hua Changsheng had even changed how he referred to himself, Cheng Ruyi thought to himself that the reason women in this world were so often deceived by men was because society trapped them indoors, forbidding them from seeing the world or other men, prohibiting them from reading or stepping outside. Kept ignorant of the enemy's situation and the dangers of the world, how could they possibly win?

Yet, when a man disguised himself as a woman to deceive another man, it was an absolute masterstroke.

The opponent underestimated him, while he knew both himself and his enemy; naturally, he would emerge victorious in every battle.

Gazing at the docile, gentle, and pitiful beauty before him, Hua Changsheng was overjoyed. "Good... Good! You have an eye for things, a fine woman! This general will definitely give you proper status."

With that, the man actually stripped off his upper garments on the spot, preparing to reveal everything to his "little lady." Frowning, Cheng Ruyi gripped the hair hairpin so tightly his hand ached, yet he forced himself to stand his ground. "Wait! General, you must not! Please wait until I return home to inform my parents, select an auspicious date, match our birth characters, and only then—"

"This general cannot wait!"

"Then this servant would rather shatter this face and die right here!" Unwilling to yield, Cheng Ruyi instantly raised his voice, pressing the sharp tip of the hairpin hard enough against his cheek to leave a shallow indentation.

"Little wench, don't toast to fine wine only to be forced to drink—"

Before he could finish, the door slammed open with a loud bang! The stalemate was broken, and the two turned their heads simultaneously to see a gorgeously dressed woman in gold and silk standing at the threshold, glaring angrily at Cheng Ruyi on the couch.

The goddess of Penglai New Township, the concubine in Hua Changsheng's eyes... Stared down by the goddess's murderous gaze, Cheng Ruyi could not help but shudder.

"Yuluan, how did you—"

Hua Changsheng's words were interrupted once more. The so-called goddess abruptly raised her gaze, her expression carrying an unangered majesty, and spoke coldly, "Consumed by lust, how can you ever accomplish great things!"

Cheng Ruyi discovered that this arrogant butcher, Hua Changsheng, was actually extremely respectful—even harboring a trace of a guilty conscience—when facing the woman he called his "concubine."

Hua Changsheng stammered sheepishly, "Yuluan, it's not like that..."

"Not like that?" The goddess's sharp gaze swept across Cheng Ruyi's face, and she immediately lashed out sternly at Hua Changsheng, "Didn't you just say you were going to take her as your wife?"

Hua Changsheng hurriedly explained, "I was merely joking..."

"Joking?" The goddess let out a cold laugh. The tassels on her hair bun swayed with her footsteps as she walked slowly forward, casting an indifferent look at Cheng Ruyi.

It was over. Cheng Ruyi's heart plunged back into an ice cellar...

With a swift motion of her fair hand—*Crack!*—a crisp, resounding slap landed squarely across Hua Changsheng's face.

Cheng Ruyi: "……?"

Hua Changsheng was stunned, and then a ferocious, enraged look flashed across his face!

However, the goddess abruptly spun around, lifting her chin to meet that angry glare unflinchingly, and rebuked furiously: "We had an agreement beforehand! Here, I am the commander, and you are the foot soldier! You! Having served in the military for so many years, do you not even understand the word 'obedience'!"

With that, the goddess pointed a finger at Cheng Ruyi on the couch and commanded the doorway, "Someone, throw her over to Shangguan Jiu."

Before the words had faded, two maidservants rushed in from outside. Before Cheng Ruyi could react, Hua Changsheng stepped in front of him in displeasure, blocking the way. "This is the woman found for me! Her life or death is not up to you!"

"This is a woman offered to me, and your consent is not required!"

Seeing the two arguing, Cheng Ruyi hurriedly spoke up, trying with a pitiful demeanor to fan the flames: "The General wanted to let—"

Before he could finish his sentence, the goddess flicked her fingertips. Cheng Ruyi instantly felt a sharp pain like a needle prick at the back of his neck, and his throat tightened simultaneously, rendering him completely unable to speak!

"What did you do to her!" Hua Changsheng immediately grew anxious. "You've already brought her here! The least you can do is leave her with me for the night! Ah?!"

Cheng Ruyi kept his mouth open, a million provocative and discord-sowing words trapped in his heart, but he could only produce strange, muted syllables. Taking advantage of the moment, the two maidservants seized his wrists, snatched away the hair hairpin, and dragged him down from the couch.

"She won't die."

The goddess sneered, slowly turning back to eye the "fair beauty" who was desperately trying to make a sound, and sighed softly, "So audacious; if she is not severely punished, where would my dignity as master lie?"

"Mmm... ugh, ugh, ugh!" Heart pounding with anxiety, Cheng Ruyi tried once more to appeal to Hua Changsheng for rescue, only to find that Hua Changsheng had completely wilted! Meanwhile, the goddess reached out with a cool palm, brushing it lightly across his cheek while soothing him in a gentle tone: "Don't be afraid. Don't rush. Very soon, you'll be able to speak again."

"This master will make sure you... scream to your heart's content right before you die."

***

*Author's Notes:*

*In prime physical condition, eating everything with great relish! Let us applaud today's New Year guest, the proprietress of the Sustainable Human Ultimate Practical Art Goods Franchise, Ruo Niang!*

*Ruo Niang: Happy New Year! Happy New Year! Hey, where is my braised pork knuckle?*

*Zhi: Ruo Niang, stop eating for a moment and offer everyone your New Year blessings!*

*Ruo Niang: Ah, I wish you all that you may be as exquisitely beautiful as old lady me, and find everything you eat delicious! Hey, what's with that look in your eyes! Am I exquisitely beautiful or not? Don't you know in your heart?!*

*Zhi: I know, I know... So Ruo Niang, do you have any new expectations for yourself?*

*Ruo Niang: Nothing much. Life right now is pretty good—free and easy, and no one dares to provoke me... I don't have any family left, so I just hope King Yama and the Pale-Faced Scholar have a pleasant journey. Um... if Yue Ru is still alive, I wish that she can live well and be happy forever.*

*Zhi: Wonderful! This wish is one that can definitely come true!*