Chapter Thirteen: Apprenticeship
When the last shadow guard fell to the ground, Chu Bing placed her foot on his back, her expression full of pride. “Is there anyone here who refuses to accept this?”
“No, no…”
“Will you ever dare to look down on women again?”
“Never, never!”
Seeing the shadow guards shaking their heads in terror, Chu Bing’s heart swelled with satisfaction. The system’s products, she thought, truly are extraordinary!
“Miss Chu, you’re incredible!” Li Haoran gazed at her with admiration.
He had never imagined that Chu Bing could defeat so many opponents single-handedly!
Flushed by his praise, Chu Bing shook her hand and replied with feigned modesty, “This is nothing. I only used half my strength today. If you someday learn all my skills, you’ll never have to fear being ambushed again!”
Hearing that Chu Bing had only used half her strength, the shadow guards who had been lying on the ground immediately scrambled to their feet, their eyes shining as they looked at her. “Miss Chu, we were blind before, we misunderstood you! Please forgive our ignorance and spare us!”
Chu Bing, embarrassed by their sudden change of attitude, scratched her head and laughed, “Alright, alright, it’s nothing! It’s all in the past!”
“Since Miss Chu has forgiven us, would you be willing to take us as disciples? We’re ready to serve at your beck and call. If you tell us to go east, we’ll never go west…”
What?
Chu Bing was stunned. Seeing the earnest expressions on their faces, she suddenly felt a headache coming on and quickly waved her hand. “I don’t take disciples! I’ve taught your young master because he helped me a lot, but I haven’t taken him as a student…”
The shadow guards wanted to plead further. To them, Chu Bing’s youth and short cultivation time contrasted sharply with her profound skills. Her techniques must be exceptional; if they could learn even a fraction, perhaps they too could rise to new heights.
Li Haoran saw the awkwardness on Chu Bing’s face and, realizing she was unwilling, scolded the guards sternly, “What nonsense is this? Did our Marquis’s estate invite you here to become disciples?”
Hearing Li Haoran’s anger, the shadow guards instantly darted back into their corners, and quiet returned to the small courtyard.
Chu Bing breathed a sigh of relief, ready to escape this awkward place, when Li Haoran suddenly asked, “Miss Chu, there’s something I’ve never understood.”
“What is it?”
“You’re clever, courageous, and skilled. Why did you marry that county magistrate?” Li Haoran looked deeply at her, puzzled.
With her abilities, Chu Bing should never have been bullied by the magistrate and his concubine, driven to the brink of death.
Chu Bing froze, her face pale. Had she been exposed?
---
Her mind was a mess as she awkwardly explained, “When I married him, my martial arts weren’t this advanced, and I was rather timid. It was only after some hardships that I changed…”
Li Haoran understood; indeed, some people undergo drastic changes after life-and-death trials.
It seemed Chu Bing was one of them.
Seeing that Li Haoran would not press further, Chu Bing breathed deeply, quickly searching for an excuse to leave this suffocating courtyard.
If she stayed any longer, her identity as a transmigrator might be revealed!
If that happened, she’d surely be treated as a monster!
Thinking of how ancient people dealt with supernatural beings, she shuddered and resolved never to reveal her true origins!
Since the day was still young, Chu Bing decided to stroll through the streets and see if any new ingredients had appeared.
The streets were bustling, lively with crowds.
Just then, Chu Bing heard a sharp, sorrowful cry.
She walked over and found a large crowd gathered, watching something unfold.
“What’s happening here?” Chu Bing asked a nearby matron.
The woman glanced at Chu Bing, gossiping, “That father and daughter playing the erhu are performing for a living. Who knew they’d anger the magistrate’s wife? She ordered her servants to slash the girl’s face!”
To deface a young woman’s face in public?
Who could be so vicious?
Curious, Chu Bing looked over and recognized the arrogant, malicious woman surrounded by servants—it was Yunxin!
What a narrow road fate had brought her to!
Chu Bing’s gaze shifted to the kneeling father and daughter. The girl looked only sixteen or seventeen, beautiful and pitiful.
That must be why she angered Yunxin.
Chu Bing shook her head, unable to bear it. She wanted to help them, but before she could step forward, Yunxin spotted her!
“Chu Bing!”
---
Yunxin, who had known Chu Bing’s original self for many years, instantly recognized her in the crowd. She forgot about the father and daughter, pointed at Chu Bing, and shouted, “Quick, seize her!”
Her servants immediately turned and strode toward Chu Bing. The crowd scattered like birds, leaving Chu Bing alone.
Chu Bing raised her brows; it seemed today would not end peacefully.
“Chu Bing! I never thought I’d run into you here. Perfect. Tell me where the five hundred taels of silver are, and I’ll let you go. Otherwise, I’ll have your face slashed!”
Yunxin glared jealously at Chu Bing’s fair, delicate face.
She had assumed that after leaving the magistrate, Chu Bing would live in misery, but Chu Bing’s complexion was radiant, her clothes stylish and fine—she was clearly thriving!
Surely it was thanks to those five hundred taels of silver!
A flash of resentment crossed Yunxin’s eyes. Last time, Chu Bing had tricked her and the magistrate, and they never found the silver. Today, Yunxin was determined to make Chu Bing suffer!
Chu Bing smiled calmly, “You shouldn’t boast. Let’s see today whose face gets slashed!”
She was ready to seek justice for her former self!
The father and daughter, who had been kneeling, had already retreated to safety, ensuring they wouldn’t be caught up in this.
Chu Bing noticed this and relaxed slightly.
Yunxin, enraged by Chu Bing’s words, pointed at her and shrieked, “Whoever catches her today, I’ll give fifty taels of silver!”
Fifty taels!
At that number, the servants’ spirits soared, and they lunged at Chu Bing!
Chu Bing watched their aggressive charge, her expression unchanged. She clenched her fists and struck any who approached!
She had no mercy for these jackals who served evil!