The Demon Lords-Chapter 738 - 159 Arrangement_1

Keeping the Sword Saint and treating him with respect was a gamble on hope. After all, he was once a terrifying existence who had reached the Second Rank, a man who could create miracles. Surely, he would be familiar with them?

Even if it didn't work out, supporting him wouldn't be a major issue.

Besides, to be honest, the expense of keeping a Sword Saint was far, far less than his own upkeep.

After arriving in this world, as a former comic artist, Zheng Fan felt that many people he encountered were like side characters observing the protagonists in comics. They all seemed to be living charmed lives, as if with cheat codes. As for himself, without the support of the seven demon kings, he would never have made it this far. Moreover, the pattern of inevitable accidents during every charge he led made General Zheng realize he wasn't some "Chosen One." In fact, most historical figures who ultimately achieved great things were highly resilient individuals, adept at biding their time—Sima Yi, for example. General Zheng had seriously considered it: work hard, exercise, keep himself well-nourished. If he couldn't topple the three huge mountains pressing down on him, then he would simply outlive them!

"Don't worry about other things. By the way, before long, the people of Shengle City will probably all migrate here. We'll provide housing and assign jobs. That person will also come, rest assured."

That woman would surely come. A woman alone, for the sake of her child and her livelihood, she would have to.

"I'm already a cripple; why should I hold her back?"

"Well, now's the time to test your judgment."

Drawing on the professional instincts from his past life, Zheng Fan found such plotlines, however cliché, rather entertaining.

"Using a cripple like me to test her, what's the point? It'll either make me suffer or her suffer. She's already had it hard enough."

"You really are a good man."

Zheng Fan sighed, mentally handing the Sword Saint a "good person card."

"I wouldn't say that. I'm merely atoning for my actions."

"Don't be so pessimistic. At the very least, the sword maid is still waiting for your guidance. Twenty years from now, to have another female Sword Saint emerge in this world—that would be a fine story."

"Then don't you know that once she succeeds in her cultivation, the first person she'll want to kill is actually you?"

The Second Sword of Qian State, the sword maid's master, was ordered by you, General Zheng, to be shot to death with a hail of arrows.

"She still has a long way to go before she's grown up, doesn't she?"

"Aren't you afraid?"

"Your younger brother essentially died by my hand, yet here I am, still talking with you, am I not?"

The Sword Saint narrowed his eyes and said, "Yes."

"Let's leave future matters to the future. As for you, don't overthink things. Just focus on recuperating."

Zheng Fan left the room, stepped outside, and stretched.

He disliked the feeling of having his life arranged by others, his destiny determined by their words. This sensation of not being in control of his own life was truly awful. But undeniably, Lord Jingnan's final words had deeply tempted him. If he could establish a foothold at Snow Sea Pass and build it into his own fiefdom... Telling the wild people on the snowy plains the story of "Uncle Wildman's Cabin," while also pressuring or allying with the Chu State... To a certain extent, he had a genuine opportunity to develop a power base similar to that of the former Earl of North Border. Tian Wujing had said this place was strategically vital, meaning he could use this strategic stronghold to defy the Imperial Court.

If things truly turned desperate, then, worst-case scenario, he could let the wild people through the pass again. Or, another worst-case scenario, he could head south and lead the Chu people in. Zheng Fan genuinely didn't want to do any of this. But if he were truly pushed to the brink, he wasn't Li Liangting, nor was he Tian Wujing. If it really came down to it, he'd flip the whole damn table! Come on then, let's inflict some mutual destruction!

HUFF.

With a long exhale, General Zheng instantly adjusted his mindset, immediately feeling energized for the future and the endeavors that lay ahead!

Only when Zheng Fan emerged did he learn that A Ming had already led over twenty riders out of the city, heading for Shengle.

Of course, Zheng Fan wasn't moved by A Ming's proactive efforts; he knew A Ming was simply craving the private stash of fine wine in Shengle City and couldn't bear to delay even a moment.

Actually, there was one more thing. But A Ming hadn't mentioned it, and no one else knew. The young woman who had been arranged in General Zheng's residence earlier—the one who had been all dressed up and freshly bathed—had actually been A Ming's doing. If he didn't make himself scarce now, was he supposed to wait until tonight to face the music? He was, after all, a proud vampire. He'd merely tried to lift a finger to curry favor with his My lord, and yet he'd managed to botch it. Naturally, he had to slip away and lay low for a while.

Outside the city, Liang Cheng was busy. Since Zheng Fan had already dined and chatted with Tian Wujing, he couldn't be bothered to pay another visit. He knew Tian Wujing wasn't the type to appreciate empty formalities or superficial courtesies.

Then Zheng Fan suddenly realized he was in a very awkward situation: he currently had nothing to do.

Although he was accustomed to this idle life, mooching off the demon kings and achieving little on his own, he suddenly felt a pang of emptiness.

General Zheng returned to his residence. When he felt empty, he liked to sleep; it was the best remedy for emptiness.

Upon returning to his house, Zheng Fan suddenly found the young woman sitting in the main hall, holding her child. This time, he recognized her.

"Sir, you've returned."

"You..."

Zheng Fan walked into the hall and sat down on a chair.

The woman placed the child on an adjacent chair, then knelt at Zheng Fan's feet and began to help him remove his boots. Zheng Fan didn't refuse.

"Sir, the water is ready. Allow me to attend to your foot bath."

Zheng Fan nodded.

After a short while, the woman brought a wooden basin. She tested the water temperature with her hand again before gently lifting Zheng Fan's foot into the basin and beginning to wash it carefully.

Zheng Fan started to lean forward, reaching out to tilt the woman's chin up and make her raise her head. Who would have thought that just as he was making the initial movement, the woman lifted her head on her own?

The woman had a mole on the corner of her mouth, which only enhanced her charm and mature allure.

"You've worked hard," Zheng Fan said.

"I am deeply grateful to you, Sir, for saving my daughter and me. This humble one has no way to repay your kindness, but whatever you may require, Sir, I will do my utmost to fulfill."

In typical wuxia novels, if you saved a woman and you were ugly, she'd promise to repay your kindness in her next life by becoming your ox or horse! If you were handsome, she'd be willing to offer herself to you. Of course, this woman wasn't some martial heroine; she didn't have many choices. Forget the time when the wild people were sieging the city; even after the war had settled, for a destitute widow with a child, just figuring out how to survive with her child was an extremely difficult task. Besides, in this era, there wasn't much room for affectation. Only when one has enough food and clothing does one concern themselves with etiquette and pretense. When survival itself is a challenge, everyone chooses pragmatism.

"That's too kind. I... I already have a wife," General Zheng said.

The woman was slightly taken aback. In later generations, that would mean, 'I have a wife, so we can only have some fun, or you can be my mistress!' But here, in an era where it was normal for men to have three wives and four concubines, it meant—'This master is afraid of his wife!'

The woman smiled. She had never imagined that General Zheng, who had accomplished such great feats and commanded so many armored soldiers, would actually be afraid of his wife.

Zheng Fan's heart was suddenly stirred. Many people could resist the allure of beauty before them, but those who could control even their inner desires were truly rare. Unless they were like A Ming or Liang Cheng—but they were cold-blooded creatures! And this woman, while washing his feet, would even give them a little scratch.

"I dare not hope for status or title, nor would I presume to. I only wish for an opportunity to repay even a fraction of the General's life-saving grace."

Truth be told, was Siniang a tigress? Actually, Siniang had always been egging Zheng Fan on to take in those little ladies she had personally trained, but Zheng Fan had remained unmoved. On the one hand, General Zheng genuinely wasn't interested in lolis or the like. On the other hand, as someone who had once written a sequel for the "Feng Siniang" comic, General Zheng was well aware of Siniang's character. She enjoyed punishing unfaithful men on behalf of the women she encountered. So, might she react differently if it involved herself? It was possible... But General Zheng didn't dare to gamble on it. He recalled how he had once foolishly poured his heart into designing methods for Siniang to torture unfaithful men. Now, he felt as if his brain must have been addled back then.

"By the way, you're still lactating, right?" Zheng Fan asked.

The woman was taken aback. She glanced towards the hall entrance and saw the main door was closed. After a moment's hesitation, she began to undress.

"Put your clothes back on," Zheng Fan said, his voice a little rough.

The woman froze.

"I don't like to repeat myself."

The woman dressed herself again.

"I have a child, he's still young. When he arrives in a while, you can be his wet nurse."

"Thank you, My Lord! This servant will engrave your immense kindness in my heart." The woman knelt before Zheng Fan and kowtowed. She understood this meant he was taking her in. In these chaotic times, to find a place of refuge was enough to move her to tears of gratitude.

"Get up. Right, I haven't asked yet, what's your name?"

"This servant's given name is Yinyue. My maiden surname is Ke, and my late husband's surname was Hou. You may call me Mrs. Ke, Sir."

"..." Zheng Fan.

「」

Outside Snow Sea Pass, the Yan Army's military operations were concluding. Throngs of bound wild people prisoners of war were being handed over to the Shengle Army.

Inside the newly erected command tent, Lord Jingnan sat alone.

In his hand, he clutched a red bellyband.

If one looked closely, one could see that the stitching on the bellyband was quite crude. The tiger embroidered on it was rather endearingly cartoonish.

Lord Jingnan just sat there, motionless. His personal guards outside had received prior instructions to stop any generals wishing to report, telling them to make their own decisions. The great battle was over; there was nothing of critical importance left.

Looking at the bellyband in his hand, a trace of wistful remembrance surfaced in Lord Jingnan's calm eyes.

"Very healthy..."

"Very sturdy..."

"Very active..."

"And... very mischievous..."

The Marquis murmured to himself, his lips slowly curving into what resembled a smile. Deep within his eyes, however, a redness gradually began to well.