Chapter 25: Sister-in-law

Those three had been tied together and unable to move, and the impact left them all with varying degrees of injury. Although one of the two men on the boat was now severely wounded, the rudder was gone and the sail rigging had snapped. In short, the vessel they had sacrificed so much to seize was now a wreck.

Having lost their weapons and left empty-handed, they weighed their options and decided against boarding again. Instead, they let Han Jian take the helm and fled in a panic.

Su Yunqing helped Banjiu up and checked his injuries. Though he had many wounds, some quite deep, fortunately, none were fatal. She hurried to the cabin to find medicine, then tended to his injuries and bandaged him up.

Ling Yuan, Meng Hu, and the others finally caught up. Seeing the deck splattered with blood, they quickened their pace and rushed onto the boat. A flash of a sword streaked through the air, and a sharp cry rang out behind Su Yunqing. A blood-soaked pirate who had been walking toward her with a blade in hand was pierced through the chest and collapsed instantly.

Su Yunqing turned to see that not one of their group was missing. "Brother Ling, Brother Hu, Uncle Kun... you've all returned. You're all safe, that's wonderful."

Banjiu had been wrapped by Su Yunqing until he looked like a rice dumpling; from head to toe, only his eyes could move. Su Yunqing herself was covered in blood—on her hands, her clothes, and even her hair—from all the frantic activity.

Meng Hu took a stride forward. "Young Master Cheng, were you attacked by pirates too? Are you alright? Are you hurt? How is Banjiu doing now?"

"I'm fine. Some pirates in a fishing boat tried to steal our vessel to escape, but Banjiu drove them off. He got hurt, but it’s nothing serious—just a lot of cuts; he’ll need to rest for a few days. How about you? Did you manage to drive the pirates away?"

Meng Hu waved a massive hand. "They ran, didn't they? Those bastards, as soon as they saw me, they were scared out of their wits."

The "dumpling" Banjiu let out a scoff.

Meng Hu glared at him. "What? Don't believe me? I killed eleven today. Oh, right—Young Master Cheng, I swore an oath not to kill any living thing for a month. What should I do? Is there any way to make amends?"

Su Yunqing covered her mouth and chuckled. "Killing pirates doesn't count. They've committed countless evils; they deserve their fate."

Meng Hu wiped the sweat from his forehead. "That’s a relief."

Ling Yuan pulled his sword from the fallen pirate, sheathed it, and helped the others toss the remaining corpses off the boat before walking over to them. Su Yunqing looked at him and asked, "By the way, Brother Ling, we heard people calling for help earlier—were those people saved?"

Ling Yuan nodded. "They are all safe. Arrangements will be made to send them home."

"I don't want to go home. I haven't had a home for a long time. Big brother, since you've saved me, please finish the job and take me in."

The group turned toward the source of the voice. A woman with disheveled clothes and long, flowing hair came rushing toward Meng Hu, sobbing. Meng Hu was so startled he hid behind Uncle Kun.

The woman wiped her tears and knelt before him. "Big brother, from the moment you saved me, I decided you were the one. If you won't have me, I have no choice but to jump into the sea."

Meng Hu trembled. "How did I end up with such a burden?"

Su Yunqing looked at the woman. Despite the dirt on her face, she had a slender figure, dark, lustrous hair, and clear, refined features. She was clearly a beauty.

The woman spoke with a touch of shyness. "I may not have the grace of a celestial being, but I am decent enough to look at. I may not be highly learned, but my cooking and needlework are respectable. If you take me in, I will settle down and spend my life with you. I have my heart set on your courage and strength; I know you will be able to protect me."

Meng Hu pouted, his brow furrowed. "Miss, you should go back, find a relative to lean on, or find someone to marry. I’m not looking to settle down right now."

The woman was firm. "I don't care for anyone else but you." She glanced toward Su Yunqing and Ling Yuan. "Even those two handsome young gentlemen—they don't compare."

Meng Hu stepped in front of her and spread his hands. "Why must you do this? I’ve lived a wild, drifting life. I’m afraid I’ll let you down. Please, don't be so stubborn."

"If you let me down in the future, that just means I wasn't good enough. I won't blame you."

What could he say to that? Uncle Kun patted Meng Hu on the shoulder. "Ah Hu, she's laid it all out like that—if you don't keep her, you'll be the one with the heart of stone."

Su Yunqing quietly walked into the cabin, took a cloth, dampened it with water, and handed it to the woman. "Miss, why don't you wipe your face first?"

The woman took the cloth and gave her a grateful look, quickly scrubbing her face clean. Meng Hu’s eyes widened, and the other men let out various exclamations of surprise.

Su Yunqing caught the look on Meng Hu’s face and teased the woman, "Miss, since he’s already refused, why don't we just call it quits? Why don't you come with me? I'll treat you well, too."

"Hey, hey, hey..." Meng Hu strode forward and blocked her path. "Young Master Cheng, what does this have to do with you? Don't stir up trouble. I... I suppose I’ll reluctantly take her back with us."

This remark drew a roar of laughter from everyone—except for Banjiu, who was gnashing his teeth so hard he nearly cracked them.

The woman stood up, walked gracefully toward Meng Hu, twisted her hair into a bun, and pinned it with a chopstick she snatched from the table. She bowed to him. "My name is Lin Lang."

Meng Hu instinctively took a step back. "Let’s get this straight: you aren't allowed to boss me around. I have the final say on everything at home."

Lin Lang nodded. "That goes without saying."

Su Yunqing found the situation quite amusing. "Brother Hu, you've stumbled into a wife by sheer luck. What about the rest of you? Brother Ling, how come no one is chasing after you?"

Ling Yuan didn't even acknowledge her; he simply walked to the bow of the boat with an expressionless face. Su Yunqing pouted—he was too serious, she couldn't even crack a joke with him.

Meng Hu said, "Young Master Cheng, you don't know—this Brother Ling, I don't know what happened to him at Ze River. On the way there, he was secretly happy every now and then, but since we’ve come back, he’s been like this. I haven't seen him smile in over ten days. He must have been cursed at Ze River. Hey, aren't you able to contact the gods? Can you contact the god of moods and see if there's any hope for him?"

Su Yunqing spread her hands. "I'm afraid I'm powerless there."

Suddenly, Lin Lang gasped. "Oh! Brother Hu, you're hurt. Sit down, let me bandage that for you."

Meng Hu lifted his elbow and saw a bloody scratch on his forearm. He scoffed, "What are you making such a fuss about? This little scratch is nothing. No need!"

"Sister-in-law, Brother Hu doesn't need it, but could you bandage me? I'm hurt too."

"Sister-in-law, bandage me, too! I lost a fingernail."

"Sister-in-law, I’ve got a bump on my head, put some medicine on it for me."

Everyone crowded around Lin Lang, leaving only Banjiu lying in the back, rolling his eyes. Lin Lang said patiently, "Don't rush, one at a time."

Su Yunqing walked behind Ling Yuan. "Brother Ling, I apologize for the earlier joke. Please don't take offense."

Ling Yuan turned back. "It’s fine. It’s my own issue, not your fault. We are very close to Cangzhou now. I will arrange for someone to take you to the pier. Once you leave the ship, you must take care of yourself."

Su Yunqing nodded. "I just wanted to thank you. You gave up your room to me for all these days and squeezed in with Uncle Kun—I’ve kept that in my heart. If I ever have the chance in the future, I will surely repay you tenfold."

Ling Yuan’s tone softened. "Traveling alone is not easy. It’s enough that you look after yourself; there’s no need to take this to heart."

They were almost there. Su Yunqing gazed toward Cangzhou, the noisy clamor of the pier already sounding in her ears.