Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 1213: Chapter 1049: Just Right

Gu Wanqian slowly closed his eyes, as if awaiting the end of his life. Such a heroic image of facing death made the two seated on the ground feel reluctant in their hearts.

"Young Master Gu, this won’t do! You want to die, but your Little Uncle still can’t bear it!" Map Master flashed a cold smile on his face, eyes fixed on Gu Chengyu, though internally nervous.

"Miss?" Yifei ran to the few people, and helped the fallen Lv Yunqing to her feet.

Lv Yunqing felt weak all over, her legs soft, unable to get up.

"Ah! You’re bleeding from your neck!" Yifei said worriedly, with a mournful face.

Lv Yunqing’s face was pale, she waved a hand, then placed her focus on Gu Wanqian.

Remembering how Gu Wanqian had pleaded for her earlier, she couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy for him, who was enduring the same fate.

She glanced at the tall figure in the azure cloak, as cold as he was, who knew if he would save Young Master Gu?

Just now someone called him Mr. Gu, so he must be that talented young Junior Minister of the Dali Temple of the court, Mr. Gu. Who in the whole Capital hasn’t heard of Gu Jinyu?

"Mr. Gu! You, as a court official, that is, your nephew..." Lv Yunqing began speaking, but felt a burning pain in her neck, unable to speak fluently.

Gu Chengyu turned to glance at the master and servant duo he had long forgotten; why hadn’t they left yet? Didn’t they know staying was a burden?

Seeing Gu Chengyu’s cold and sharp eyes, Lv Yunqing silenced herself, not daring to speak further.

That face, as if carved from beautiful jade, showed no trace of emotion, cold as something otherworldly.

She shouldn’t have spoken more; how could anyone possibly listen to her? She dared not approach the carriage again and instead had Yifei help her to a plum tree, further away from the three of them.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to leave by carriage, but Map Master was by the carriage’s side, how could she dare approach? Yet walking back was impossible, as her legs were too weak to move.

Gu Chengyu was silent for a while, then put down his sword and looked at Map Master, "I wonder what requests Master Map might have? I’m all ears."

"Easy enough, prepare me a fast horse and let us out of the city. You mustn’t follow; once we’re ten miles outside the Ten-mile Pavilion, I’ll let the boy return!"

Map Master held the dagger in his trembling left hand, having been stabbed twice deeply. Blood was gushing from his waist and back, and without timely treatment, he’d only lose more blood, making escape futile.

So no more time could be wasted; he needed to leave immediately.

"Very well! But how can I be sure you won’t harm my nephew?" Gu Chengyu held his ground with Map Master, yet his mind calculated the hour.

"I only wish to leave, I won’t take your nephew’s life. He and I bear no grudges, why kill him? Hurry, or I’ll make him suffer now."

With that said, he steeled himself, applying a bit more pressure, causing much blood to flow from Gu Wanqian’s neck.

Young Master, forgive me! I can’t hold on much longer, I have to do this. Map Master felt deeply apologetic, but at this moment, his life took precedence.

In an emergency, adapt; he believed that Young Master would understand.

"Ah!" Feeling the pain from his neck, Gu Wanqian couldn’t help but cry out.

"Why such measures, Master Map?" Gu Chengyu still spoke unhurriedly, yet raised the sword again that he had just lowered.

Map Master was anxious, but his vision began to blur. He dimly saw Gu Chengyu approaching him, then he toppled over, losing consciousness.

As Map Master fell, the dagger resting against Gu Wanqian’s neck naturally slipped away.

"What are you doing, still dazed? Haven’t lived enough yet?"

Gu Wanqian immediately opened his eyes upon hearing Gu Chengyu’s voice close to his ear, "Little Uncle?"

Gu Chengyu nodded, then squatted down, prying Map Master’s mouth open, wrapped his right hand with a handkerchief, and took out a poison fang.

Turning around to see, Gu Wanqian was startled. How had the Map Master holding him hostage just now suddenly fallen?

Gu Chengyu pondered for a moment; without a rope to bind him, dislocating the arm would suffice. Surely Ming Yan and the others, after searching in vain for so long, would return.

Calculating the time, they should be arriving. Gu Chengyu turned Map Master over and pulled out a thin needle from his waist.

Watching Gu Chengyu’s every move, Gu Wanqian felt his Little Uncle was truly a stranger; he knew his Little Uncle had some martial skills, but had not witnessed them, surprised at his prowess.

Gu Chengyu wrapped the removed silver needle in a handkerchief, observing the faint blue hue of its end, making his heart tighten.

He felt conflicted, both hoping Map Master was dead and yet unwilling for him to die just like that.

But should Map Master live, falling into Little Uncle’s hands, what fate awaited him? If Map Master couldn’t withstand torture and implicated him, he dreaded what his Little Uncle would do.

Since he had betrayed his Little Uncle first, his heart was filled with unease.

Should Map Master die, all his previous efforts to protect him would be wasted. After all, this person was...

"Little Uncle! This person is truly hateful; is he dead?" Gu Wanqian looked at Gu Chengyu, his eyes flickering slightly.

Gu Chengyu looked up at Gu Wanqian, paused for a while, then said, "Not yet!"

Gu Wanqian felt that his Little Uncle’s gaze was different, but he was too entangled in his thoughts to ponder further.

"Sir!" Ming Yan hurriedly approached with others, saluting Gu Chengyu.

"Take him to the Dali Temple and hold him separately from Bu Ke!" Gu Chengyu subtly glanced at Gu Wanqian, noticing his face paling further.

"Yes! Then I’ll take my leave." Ming Yan instructed several guards to bind Map Master tightly and, with Gu Chengyu’s nod, turned to leave.

"Little Uncle, who are these people, are they really assassins?" Gu Wanqian looked shocked, mind racing for a strategy.

"Mm! Why are you here?"

Upon hearing the youth’s deep, gentle voice at his ear, Gu Wanqian’s heart couldn’t help but tremble.

"I, I came with Miss Lv." Gu Wanqian’s face blushed appropriately, lowering his head, not daring to meet Gu Chengyu’s gaze.

"With Miss Lv? Why?" Gu Chengyu raised an eyebrow, clearly doubtful of Gu Wanqian’s answer.

"I, I..." Gu Wanqian stammered for a long time, unable to continue.

"Oh! Is it that Miss Lv?"

Gu Chengyu turned to see Lv Yunqing being supported by a young maid, wondering if she was a suspect too, possibly Gu Wanqian’s scapegoat?