My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 37 - 27 I Won’t Bully You (Please Follow)

Among the fifteen Jinyiwei, including Wang Gu, only five remained, all injured and unable to walk. Min Ning assigned a few constables to carry them.

The constables from the Eastern Factory, who had arrived as reinforcements, were divided into two groups. One group either cradled the surviving infants from the Infant Tower or carried the wounded Jinyiwei on their backs, while the other group escorted the detained villagers.

Chen Yi sat on horseback, gazing toward the distant Capital City.

Fifteen Jinyiwei were dead, leaving only five. On one hand, it wasn’t difficult to justify; on the other hand, it wasn’t easy to explain. Yet, the reasoning was on his side, with plenty of evidence and witnesses. At worst, the Ding’an Party might file a few memorials against him, rallying scholars from below to launch slanders and accusations.

Glancing at the groaning Jinyiwei and the crippled Wang Gu, Chen Yi frowned slightly.

What worried him more than written accusations and defamation were assassination attempts like today’s.

Today it was Wang Gu. But what about tomorrow? And the day after?

Who could guarantee that no fifth-grade, or even fourth-grade expert, would come for him?

Before today, although Chen Yi had anticipated suppressive measures from the Ding’an Party, he never imagined they would be so bold. To seize control of the Eastern Factory, they actually tried to assassinate him before he officially assumed office.

Min Ning occasionally stole glances at Chen Yi, seeing that he appeared lost in thought. She dared not interrupt him.

When Chen Yi raised his gaze again toward the horizon, Min Ning unraveled her shawl and held it out to him.

"Wear this."

Min Ning said evenly.

Chen Yi looked puzzled for a moment. Then, noticing her eyes, he suddenly realized that his clothes had been tattered during the earlier fight, with tears all over his upper garment.

"Mm."

Chen Yi took the shawl and draped it over himself.

"So many Jinyiwei... You killed them just like that."

Min Ning turned her head slightly, casting a glance.

"Two of them were also sergeants."

Chen Yi replied:

"They struck first. It was a matter of urgency—no other choice."

After speaking, Chen Yi turned his head slightly and, with a smirk, asked:

"Looks like you care quite a bit about me?"

Her spirited face reddened slightly as she retorted with discontent:

"Is that all your mind thinks about?"

Chen Yi did not respond.

The long procession steadily drew closer to the Capital City. Nearing the city gates, Chen Yi pulled a book, *Cangshan Fist*, from his chest and handed it directly to Min Ning.

Min Ning was stunned by the gesture, staring incredulously at the martial arts manual.

"...This... why?"

The martial arts manual she had dreamed of holding was now suddenly in her hands, leaving Min Ning feeling as if it were unreal.

"Consider it a reward for caring about me."

Chen Yi teased, patting her on the shoulder.

"A reward? A reward for caring about you?"

Min Ning, flustered and angry, demanded:

"What do you take me for? A maid?"

Feigning surprise, Chen Yi countered:

"Why a maid? I think you’re quite beautiful..."

Min Ning was momentarily speechless, her face flushing deeper. Her long, dark hair failed to obscure the redness spreading to her ears.

Chen Yi secretly chuckled to himself.

After a long pause, he said:

"I’m giving it to you. Is that not allowed?"

Min Ning was utterly taken aback.

Such an important martial arts manual, yet he just gave it to her?!

Min Ning gripped the reins tightly, her thoughts in turmoil, unable to speak.

If he really gave it to her like this, how could she repay him?

The Min family motto was short, only eight words: reflect inwardly and repay kindness.

Yet at this moment, Min Ning couldn’t think of a way to express her gratitude.

"Why aren’t you saying anything?"

Chen Yi asked softly.

Min Ning came back to her senses and gave him a faint, bitter smile.

How could she repay... Was there anything she possessed that he might want?

No... except for herself. If she wanted to repay him, she’d have to humbly serve...

She had to repay him...

But was she only capable of doing such lowly things?

If not this, how else could she repay him... What else could she do?

"I..."

"I can’t take it.

You gave this to me, but I have no way to repay you."

Min Ning pushed the manual back toward him, turning her face away, avoiding his gaze as much as possible.

"I will... exchange something with you."

Chen Yi glanced at her before tucking the manual back, his mind already made up.

............

By the time Chen Yi left the Eastern Factory to take care of Wang Gu and the rest, it was already dusk.

He rushed to a bookshop, inquiring with the shopkeeper before selecting a few works—one was a tale, another a collection of ghost stories, and two city-life novels.

Yin Tingxue’s request from the other day had stayed with him; it wasn’t something he could ignore. Furthermore, his vision of a perfect life and his connection to her left him no choice. Whether for her, for his ideal life archive, or for his martial arts, he couldn’t neglect her wants.

Next, Chen Yi went to an inn to pack some food before heading home on foot.

Opening the door, he was surprised to find Yin Tingxue no longer in the bedroom but seated in the main hall.

She was quietly perched on the main chair, her head leaning against the chairback, seemingly dozing. Her delicate white feet swayed gently in the air.

Not wanting to wake her, Chen Yi silently set the food box aside. As he approached, however, she suddenly woke up.

Yawning, she rubbed her eyes and looked at him, wrinkling her nose.

"You’ve... killed again, haven’t you?"

Fresh from sleep, Yin Tingxue let out a small stretch and murmured.

Chen Yi was startled by her sharp intuition. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

"I made sure to bathe several times before returning."

He joked, placing a book titled *Three Foxes* in front of her,

"I brought you a book."

Yin Tingxue hummed softly, her thoughts entangled. Then, unexpectedly, she said:

"I had a dream."

Chen Yi hadn’t expected her to share a dream with someone she likely regarded as an enemy.

Perhaps because she had just woken up, her mind was still foggy.

"What kind of dream?"

She replied:

"I can’t remember clearly... Just that I saw you arguing with a one-armed woman. She insisted on taking me away, and she disliked you, hated you—just like..."

Yin Tingxue stopped herself, daring not to finish the thought, meekly glancing at him.

Chen Yi understood what she meant—that she hated him, just like someone else did.

As for who that "someone" was, Chen Yi knew it well. One such person was sitting right before him.

"Do you know who the woman in my dream is?"

Yin Tingxue, still rubbing her eyes, gained a bit of energy and asked,

"My dreams are often accurate, just like when I... dreamed of you coming..."

Chen Yi took her petite hand in his, playing with it idly. She didn’t resist, having become much more obedient recently.

"She is Zhou Yitang."

At first, Yin Tingxue seemed indifferent. Then, confusion flickered in her gaze, quickly followed by shock.

"Yin Sword Mountain... Sword Armor? Ninth on the Martial Rankings..."

She looked at him as if to ask, "How could you possibly know her?"

Chen Yi smiled and said softly:

"I know her. She may not know me yet, but she will soon."

Yin Tingxue heard this and calmed down, letting out a quiet "oh."

"Get up and eat. I bought steamed lamb, salted baked chicken, and some vegetarian dishes.

Also, a pot of bird’s nest melon soup—didn’t you drink this often at the Prince Mansion?"

Yin Tingxue was taken aback; these were all her favorite dishes.

He... Why was he being so nice?

Unprompted kindness must have ulterior motives...

Suspicion flitted through her mind, leaving her at a loss.

Seeing her thoughtful expression, Chen Yi tapped her on the head and said:

"Do you want me to carry you over to eat?"

Yin Tingxue felt embarrassed, flustering as she shook her head. To be carried by a man would be far too humiliating.

Forget it, no need to overthink...

Better if he’s always this nice, always spends lavishly, and I’ll eat him out of house and home.

Yin Tingxue thought fiercely to herself.

Noticing her subtle expression, Chen Yi chuckled and shook his head, fully aware that her surface-level obedience concealed her true nature.

"Focus on recovering. I won’t bully you during this time."

In a few days, though...