Zhao Shuilai, upon recognizing him, showed a look of surprise, then quickly switched to a worried expression and said, “Third Cousin, why is it you? What’s happened to you? Come, I’ll take you to see a doctor!”
A string of words came out, and the passersby glanced at Zhao Shuilai, then at Gu Jun, nodded slightly, and walked away, leaving Gu Jun behind.
Gu Jun said, “Big Brother, I don’t know him!” He hurried to grab the passerby.
Zhao Shuilai frowned, “Third Cousin, we are already engaged, and we will be married in a few days. Even if you don’t like me, you can’t pretend not to know me! Are you waiting for that lover of yours? He’s just a pauper! Don’t make me too disappointed!”
He sighed deeply, “Forget it, I won’t argue with you. I’ll take you to see a doctor.”
Gu Jun didn’t argue with the other about being cousins or engaged, as it was not only meaningless but would also put him at a disadvantage, leaving him no chance to escape.
He endured the pain in his knee, quickly moved forward, blocked the passerby, and reached out—
Ancient people don’t have cell phones!!!
This damned era!!!
Gu Jun realized this and turned his attention to the other person’s money pouch, but unexpectedly, the person in front of him didn’t even have a money pouch.
Maybe he did, but because of the rampant demons and monsters in the county, he didn’t dare hang it outside, hiding it in his sleeve or somewhere else. Currently, the most valuable thing on him was his clothes.
He was sure that if he tried to snatch the other person’s clothes, it wouldn’t solve the problem and would only make him look like a madman, inviting a beating.
Gu Jun almost instantly understood that he needed to change his target.
It wasn’t curfew time yet, but because there were constables around, the common people were afraid of encountering them drunk and causing trouble, so there weren’t many people around. His target was the nearby food shop.
With so many things in the food shop, smashing a couple of items would definitely prevent the shopkeeper from letting him be taken away.
He heard Zhao Shuilai’s previous words; the other party wanted to forcibly take him away.
In the past, he wouldn’t have feared the other party. He had learned some martial arts, and although he wasn’t very good, it was enough to deal with an ordinary adult. But now, his body couldn’t support him in winning a fight.
The food shop sold pastries, and the shopkeeper had long noticed the commotion here. Seeing him approach, the shopkeeper’s brow twitched, and he immediately jumped out, blocking Gu Jun.
The shopkeeper was tall and strong, with considerable strength and skill. Gu Jun couldn’t get past him and was instead grabbed by Zhao Shuilai.
The shopkeeper, seeing this, visibly relaxed and said earnestly, “You two will soon be family. Blood is thicker than water. Living a good life is what matters; nothing else is important.”
“Third Cousin, don’t embarrass the family!” Zhao Shuilai said angrily, covering his mouth and dragging him towards the alley.
Gu Jun leaned forward, stepping on the other person’s foot with all his strength, causing the other to grimace in pain.
“You bastard!” the other cursed, loosening his grip slightly.
Gu Jun seized the opportunity, quickly elbowing the other person’s chest, breaking free and running forward, looking for a way out. This was also to find a way out for Lin Yue.
If it weren’t for the pain in his knee, and the fact that bending his legs might make him unable to stand, he would have turned around and grabbed the other person’s foot, making him fall hard to buy more escape time.
The sound of constables drinking and playing games at Huiyang Wine Shop was already being carried by the cool night breeze into his ears.
Gu Jun’s knee felt like it was being stabbed by several sharp knives, and his steps were shaky. His forehead was covered in cold sweat as he kept coaxing his knee to return to normal and quickened his pace. However, he was walking slower and slower, slower and slower.
Zhao Shuilai caught up with him, pinching his arm and twisting it hard, saying harshly in his ear, “If you don’t behave, I’ll send your husband to the underworld. You can try me.”
Gu Jun aimed for the man’s lower body.
Another person jumped out from the side alley, an elderly woman, who immediately grabbed his hand.
“You little wench, what are you doing?!” she said, slapping him quickly. More than the burning pain, he first felt a faint medicinal smell.
This was a real tough one…
Gu Jun’s consciousness gradually faded, and before he completely fell into darkness, he saw the woman smiling triumphantly.
When Gu Jun woke up again, it was already dark, and a nearly full moon hung in the sky.
He found himself in a secluded, dim forest, with his hands and feet bound and his mouth gagged with a cloth.
In the distance, he heard the voices of Zhao Shuilai and the woman.
“Do you think he looks like this, at least worth this much?”
“Although he does have some looks, he’s already someone else’s wife. People with status want clean goods; this one won’t sell for much.”
“Don’t try to fool me! You think I don’t know? Many lords don’t care about that; they take dirty and messy ones into their rooms. I’m trying to negotiate a good price with you, but if you want to cheat me, I’ll have to find someone else.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Wasn’t it you who caught him? A big man like you got caught by a little lady and couldn’t handle it for half a day. If I hadn’t noticed something was wrong, would you still be barking here?”
The two started arguing.
Gu Jun couldn’t help but tremble. He bit his tongue, using his hands and feet to move his body, which couldn’t get up. After moving for a long time, almost exhausted, he finally touched something sharp.
A stone.
Gu Jun struggled to turn, his fingers touching the stone, and with difficulty, he took it in his hand, pressing it against the rope binding his hands.
The leaves on the ground made a rustling sound.
The two in front finished their discussion.
“I’m going to find someone to transport the goods. You keep an eye on the goods,” the woman said.
Zhao Shuilai agreed immediately.
Gu Jun listened carefully and heard the woman leave.
At the same time, a bright light appeared in the distance, and Zhao Shuilai walked towards him.
Gu Jun’s breathing became rapid, and he quickened his hand movements—he was using the stone to cut the rope. The rope was fraying, but before it broke, Zhao Shuilai was already in front of him.
“Little lady,” Zhao Shuilai said, holding a lantern, squatting down, and smiling at Gu Jun.
Gu Jun said nothing, staring straight at him.
Zhao Shuilai pinched his chin, his gaze sweeping over his dirt-streaked pale cheeks, the wet hair sticking to his forehead, and his stuffed pink lips. He swallowed, thinking: I’ve lived this long and never tasted such a thing.
With a thought, his eyes showed greed, and with a “swish,” he removed the cloth from Gu Jun’s mouth.
“Those lords are so weak. Once you become theirs, you’ll be a living widow. I’m a kind person, so I’ll let you enjoy yourself one last time,” Zhao Shuilai said, his fingers sliding down to touch the beauty’s chest.
Flat… flat as a board.
Zhao Shuilai’s eyes widened, “How is this little lady like a man…”
The rope was almost cut, and Gu Jun broke free, grabbing the stone and smashing it hard at the other’s head. With a “bang,” red liquid sprayed out, a few drops splattering on his face.
Zhao Shuilai fell to the ground, the lantern crushed under his arm, bursting into flames. He clutched his head, letting out a wail, followed by curses, “You little bitch, I’ll kill you!”
Gu Jun pounced, hitting him again with the stone.
The other fought back wildly, landing several punches on Gu Jun’s chest. He pressed down on the other, one hit, two hits, three hits, blood flowing, and the other finally stopped moving.