Jianghu Qimen Lu

Chapter 66 A Heart Moved by Chivalry

Bai Shandian saw Hong Yueliang sitting alone on a chair in the carriage. Although there was a backrest for her to lean against, the mountain road was rugged and uneven. With a sway, her body suddenly fell to the ground! Bai Shandian rushed over and caught her! The touch of her soft, jade-like body and the sweet fragrance of a young girl wafted into his nostrils, instantly making him blush. He wanted to put her back on the brocade chair so she could sit properly, but he was afraid she would fall again; he wanted to hold her like this, but he was afraid that outsiders would see them, which would tarnish her reputation. He was truly torn, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles.

"Lightning, quick...save me..." Suddenly, a voice murmured in the darkness. White Lightning's heart raced. He thought, "Could it be that Red Moon also...otherwise, why would she call my name while unconscious? Have I actually entered her heart?" Seeing her eyes tightly closed, her small nostrils opening and closing, her breath sweet as orchids, and her lips so alluring, he couldn't resist and leaned over to gently kiss her. Immediately afterward, he regretted it, cursing himself for being shameless: he had a family, a wife and children, how could he even think of a "confidante"? What would become of his reputation if his wife and children found out? Wouldn't it be another unprecedented family war? Besides, how could he be so abrupt with such a beauty? How was he any different from a Japanese pirate? It was not the behavior of a gentleman! He asked himself, and his conscience wouldn't allow it!

Thinking this, he unknowingly entered the martial arts world. Seeing that he would soon reach the general's mansion, he quickly settled Red Moon in a chair, jumped off the carriage, and walked forward, instructing the coachman to be careful on the road and not to jostle the patient. The roads in the city were much smoother, which reassured him.

Before long, they arrived at the General's Mansion. Eight Banner soldiers on guard had already sent word inside. Soon after, the Hongchen couple came out to greet them. Upon hearing that their daughter was injured again and still unconscious, how could the General's wife sleep? She hastily dressed and rushed out with her husband. Seeing the carriage, she ordered several maids to carry their young lady out. Seeing her daughter, she couldn't help but launch into another tearful tirade. And so, the group noisily entered the mansion. Bai Shandian immediately ordered Fujibayashi Jin and Yagyu Chuanqing to be thrown into the water dungeon, along with the Red Flower Society's leader, Choujiao, chained through their shoulder blades and locked to the stone wall! Huang Miwu was then taken to a guest room to await a doctor's treatment.

After settling Hongyue in the inner hall, the General's wife insisted on fetching a doctor that very night. Hongchen couldn't dissuade her, so he sent soldiers to invite several renowned doctors from the city for a joint consultation. Seeing the soldiers knocking on the door, even though it was the middle of the night, the doctors dared not delay and hurriedly arrived one by one. Regarding Huang Miwu's external injuries, the doctors all suggested simply washing them with medicinal water, saying it was nothing serious! After washing with their medicinal water, Huang Miwu's eye pain indeed lessened, and after the washing, she dismissed the servants and happily went to sleep. However, upon seeing Hongyue's injuries, the doctors unanimously proposed a treatment plan: using traditional medical methods, her wounds would be washed with soap, followed by artificial suction of the poison. But who should suck the poison? This was a serious matter; the person sucking the poison might also be poisoned, after all, poison comes from the mouth! Faced with this situation, everyone was on their own, whether they were soldiers of the Eight Banners or servants working in the mansion; no one wanted to risk their life! The Hongchen couple are getting old, short of breath, and weak. They might not have the stamina to keep up, and there's a risk of blood and qi stagnation, which would not only fail to save Hongyue but also accelerate the spread of poison and hasten death! Therefore, we must find someone young and strong! Someone with profound internal energy would be the best and most suitable candidate!

Who will actually inhale it?

At the crucial moment when everyone was scrambling to back away, one person stepped forward and said something that astonished everyone: "Let me do it!" All eyes turned to him, and they almost in unison, hardly believing their eyes, exclaimed, "It's you—!"

Who is it?

White lightning!

How could it be him? How could it be him? He's the highest-ranking official, used to a life of luxury! He could have simply closed his eyes and pretended not to hear about this; or he could have solemnly handed it over to Hongchen to handle himself and then immediately gotten up and left!

"Lord Bai, how could I possibly trouble you?" Hongchen seemed flattered. Bai Shandian coldly stared at Hongchen's bloated, purplish face and said decisively, "Look at the soldiers you've brought! And look at the people in your household! If this continues, it will be too late! Saving lives is urgent! Get everyone out of the way!" Hongchen was already looking for a place to vent his anger, and seeing the soldiers and servants in the hall, he was furious. He roared, "They always say you raise an army for a thousand days to use it for one! When the crucial moment comes, you all let me down! Be careful, or I'll come after you later! Get the hell out of here! I don't want to see any of you. Get out!" In an instant, everyone scattered like monkeys falling from a tree, and the living room fell silent.

Hongchen bowed respectfully before Bai Shandian, made a gesture, and said with a fawning smile, "Lord Bai, please—" But in her heart, she felt a different story: "Alas, this Bai Shandian personally sucked out the poison for my daughter. I knew he was a wolf in sheep's clothing—he had no good intentions! He'd long coveted my daughter's beauty, but if he can save her, it won't be a wasted good deed! His good deed can be balanced out, so I'll forgive him this time!"

He led Bai Shandian into Hong Yueliang's boudoir, where the general's wife was directing several maids to wash her beloved daughter's feet. One maid brought over a basin of warm water and a bar of wood ash soap (an old-fashioned type of soap). Another maid rolled up Hong Yueliang's right trouser leg, revealing her snow-white, smooth skin, long, slender thighs, and delicate, rounded lotus feet. Bai Shandian had never seen such exquisitely beautiful feet before; they were like ice sculptures, crystal clear, breathtakingly beautiful, like a masterpiece by an artist, captivating and mesmerizing.

Seeing his dazed and confused look, Hongchen glared at him fiercely. Just then, his wife asked, "Could it be that you invited Lord Bai over because there's something you want to discuss?" Hongchen, somewhat amused and exasperated, replied, "What could be more important than saving our daughter right now? Alas, Lord Bai has come specifically to treat our daughter's poison and wounds!" The general's wife was taken aback and quickly said, "How could we accept such an honor? It would be improper for Lord Bai to condescend to come in person!" Bai Shandian smiled slightly and said, "Your daughter deserves much credit for the successful recovery of the 'Complete Guide to the Martial World.' If there's even a one in ten thousand chance of saving your daughter, I will not let it slip by!" The general's wife quickly curtsied and said repeatedly, "Thank you, thank you! Lord Bai is truly a compassionate man, a blessing to the people of Hangzhou!" Seeing that the maid had finished washing, Bai Shandian said, "Please, Lord Hongchen and his wife, lead the servants outside to wait. I will recover soon!" Hongchen and his wife exchanged glances and had no choice but to leave their daughter's room, leaving Bai Shandian and their daughter alone.

White Lightning gently closed the door. He didn't want outsiders to see him sucking on a beautiful woman's bound feet with relish—it was somewhat indecent to look at!

His heart raced as his eyes fell on those beautiful feet. Red Moon was his dream girl! In his eyes, she was pure and flawless, like a saintly angel, not to be defiled! But what if he did this? Would she be furious and embarrassed when she woke up? Would she accuse him of having impure intentions? This made White Lightning somewhat apprehensive, afraid that his perfect image would suddenly collapse in her eyes!

Under the lamplight, he suddenly noticed a long black line on her fair, white thigh—the line where snake venom was spreading, the line of death! What was there to think about! Saving her was the priority! He couldn't care less about anything else; he grabbed her bound feet, found the needle prick, and began sucking out the venom with all his might! Luckily, his martial arts skills were superb, and his internal energy was profound; he watched as the black line gradually receded, eventually reaching her ankle!

White Lightning spat out a pool of foul blood, rinsed his mouth with water from the glass on the table, and continued sucking the poison out of Red Moon until the black lines were no longer visible. He then rinsed his mouth several more times with water, finally finding no unpleasant taste.