The Bones of a Human's Hand
Zhao Huai was well aware of his younger brother's personality. If he wanted something, he would do anything to get it. Moreover, there were fire arrows waiting outside, ready to burn this place to the ground at any moment.
This place was left behind by the Old Master; it could not be destroyed in his hands no matter what.
So …
Zhao Huai began to stall for time.
"Alright, I'll give you those two people. But that little scholar might not even be able to move now."
"What did you do?" Zhao Qing asked.
"I didn't do anything. She's just a weak scholar. She almost died after suffering a little. But don't worry, I won't let her die. When she wakes up, I'll have someone bring her and that fool out. “
Zhao Qing was dubious of his words, but he was still wary.
Zhao Huai continued, "You and I haven't seen each other for a year. No matter what happened in the past, it's all in the past. You and I are brothers, the same blood flows in our veins. Let's use this time to catch up. Five years ago, you and I brewed a huge urn of wine together. Today is the day to open it."
Just as he finished speaking, a few bandits carried in a few urns of wine and placed them on the side.
"First Master, this wine was just poured out of the urn."
"Mm, bring two bowls over."
"Yes!"
The wine and bowls were all prepared.
Zhao Huai's muscular arm lifted the urn and poured two cups of wine into the bowls. He then handed one bowl to Zhao Qing.
"This is the first time I've opened the urn. Have a taste."
Zhao Qing did not refuse. He brought the wine over and downed it in one gulp.
As Zhao Qing drank, Zhao Huai shot a glance at one of his quick-witted subordinates.
The man instantly understood what he meant. He nodded and left quietly with a few people.
Zhao Qing slammed the bowl on the table after he finished drinking.
"You'd better hurry and bring the person out. It doesn't matter if he's injured or half-dead."
"Why are you in such a hurry? I've already said that I'll definitely give you the person. But you don't seem to have tasted this mouthful of wine. Have another bowl then. "
He poured another bowl of wine from the wine jar.
Zhao Qing didn't have the patience to waste time with him. "Don't play tricks with me. Bring the others out, or I'll let the people outside shoot."
"Alright, I'll give him to you."
Zhao Huai immediately ordered someone to bring Wei Yi and Ji Yunshu over.
At this time, Wei Yi and Ji Yunshu had just been dragged to the woodshed. The cold and damp air seeped into Ji Yunshu's injured back, waking her up from the pain.
When she woke up, she was leaning against Wei Yi's chest.
Wei Yi's clothes were draped over his back, tied together as a bandage to stop the bleeding.
"Shu 'er, are you awake?" Wei Yi was anxious and scared at the same time. He lifted his sleeve to wipe away his tears.
Ji Yunshu opened her mouth. She struggled to raise her eyes to look at Ji Yunshu. Then, she touched her back.
The bleeding had stopped, but his hands were stained with blood.
He smiled miserably. "Wei Yi, don't be afraid. I'm fine. This is just paint, do you remember? I told you before. "
When they were in Jinjiang, Ji Yunshu had told him about the paint on her back.
Wei Yi shook his head. "I don't believe you. Shu 'er, you're really bleeding. Let's go find Brother Mo Ruo, alright? I'll bring you to him. Don't be afraid. "
Ji Yunshu said, "We can't get out of here. Wei Yi, can you promise me one thing?"
"Shu 'er, I'll promise you anything."
Ji Yunshu struggled to lift her head from his shoulder and said, "Tear off a piece of cloth."
"Mm."
Without another word, Wei Yi tore off a piece of cloth from his clothes and gave it to Ji Yunshu.
Ji Yunshu laid it flat on the ground. She used her blood-stained finger to write two lines of words on a piece of white paper. She folded it and stuffed it into Wei Yi's hands. Then, she took off the bell chain around her ankle and stuffed it into Wei Yi's hands.
"Shu 'er, why did you take off the chain that I gave you?"
"Wei Yi, listen carefully. I don't have much strength left. If … if there's a chance, put these two … things … into the cart that's delivering the food to the stronghold, or on the person who's delivering the food to the stronghold. Bring these two things out of the stronghold. Understand?"
"Bring them out?"
"Yes. You have to sneak them in without letting anyone know."
Wei Yi nodded.
"Mm. Don't worry, Shu 'er. I'll definitely do it."
Just as he finished speaking, the iron chain on the door rattled.
Before the door opened, Wei Yi hurriedly put the two things in his hands into his sleeves.
Two bandits walked in, completely disregarding Ji Wanxin's injuries as they pulled the two of them up.
"Don't touch my Shu 'er."
Wei Yi pulled Ji Yunshu into his embrace as he scolded her.
"Hurry, someone wants to see you."
The two of them were pushed all the way back to where they had been before.
The moment they entered, Ji Yunshu recognized Zhao Qing.
When Zhao Qing met her gaze, he shook his head inwardly.
Ji Yunshu understood what he meant and leaned against Wei Yi without a word.
Zhao Qing nodded at Ba Hu, indicating for him to bring Wei Yi and Ji Yunshu out first.
But before Ba Hu could walk over, Zhao Huai's men stopped him.
"You can take them away, but …" Zhao Huai said, "We haven't even finished the wine. We brewed it together, so why don't we finish it before we leave?"
Stall for time!
Zhao Qing calmed himself and let Ba Hu leave.
Zhao Huai had already picked up a jar of wine and was pouring it into a bowl.
But …
What came out of the jar was not only wine, but also a greyish white substance.
It was a small part!
"What's going on?"
Many pairs of eyes were staring at the wine that night.
Zhao Huai grabbed one of the bandits who had gone to pour the wine and pointed at the thing in the bowl. "What is this? Why is there something like this in my jar of wine? "
The bandit was scared out of his wits. His eyes widened as he stammered, "First Master, this lowly one doesn't know."
"I brewed this wine myself, there's no way there would be something like this in the jar. The jar has been sealed for five years. Speak, did you put it in?"
"No, First Master, it really wasn't me. I wouldn't dare, no matter how much courage you give me."
"You're still so stubborn?"
"First Master, it really wasn't me. I don't even know what this thing is."
Before Zhao Huai could reply, suddenly —
A firm but weak voice was heard.
"That's the scaphoid bone. It's the bone that connects the skull and radius."
Everyone looked over and saw Ji Yunshu leaning on Wei Yi's body. After she finished speaking, she gasped for breath. Her pair of weak and hazy eyes made people's hearts ache.
Zhao Huai pushed the bandit away and walked towards Ji Yunshu.
"Scaphoid bone? What is that?"
Ji Yunshu replied, "It's a small piece of the wrist bone."
"Wrist bone?"
"That's … a piece of the human hand bone."
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