17 Chapter 16 - The Most Innocent People Were Often the Cruellest

With the swiftest speed, Yang'er led the carriage away from the Imperial Palace.

The crowded streets of Lin'an did not have time to react. There were many occasions where Yang'er nearly ran over passersby but was fortunate enough to avoid any severe injuries.

Yang'er was in such a hurry because she knew that Jing Wen was so critically wounded that he was barely clinging onto the last thread of life. The person had shown no pain as he was led by the eunuch out of the Imperial Palace, but she knew that Mo Xi was not someone kind enough to show mercy to his victims.

Sitting at the back of the carriage, Jing Wen's back was covered by a recently purchased coat. His face was lowered, but it was very clear that his hair was already dripping with sweat. He seemed as though he had just finished an extremely intense and rigorous set of training.

But of course, it was currently the coldest month of winter, and Jing Wen rarely sweat. Even when he was pushed to the brink by Nangong Zhu, he did not perspire.

In his palm was a balled-up handkerchief. It was not used to soak the sweat that has accumulated on his forehead, but rather, it had been used to remove the traces of blood that had appeared on his lips.

As for removing the blood that is already leaking out his back, even ten handkerchiefs would not be enough. Fortunately, the coat was enough to absorb the blood that leaked out, and Jing Wen was currently in a somewhat strange sitting position that did not permit the blood to reach the furniture in the carriage.

Time passed quickly, and the carriage arrived at Jing manor. Jing Wen was escorted by Yang'er, but once they reached the bridge gaping over the artificial stream, Zhou Aimin replaced Yang'er and personally led Jing Wen.

Zhou Aimin brought Jing Wen avoided the pathway to the Northern wing of the manor - where Jing Wen resided - and instead directed him South. Were it any other time, Jing Wen would have realised the problem. But at this moment, his mind was still occupied by unease.

After the two had entered the Southern wing of the manor, Zhou Aimin brought him to a comfortable bench. He took a deep breath to calm his mental state before taking off Jing Wen's coat.

The moment the coat was off, Zhou Aimin's fingers stiffened.

On Jing Wen's back, there was not one inch that was not covered by blood. The ten wounds were all deep and blood continued to leak from his flesh.

On the final wound, it was even possible to see white bone.

Zhou Aimin's fingers began to tremble, but he was determined to remove the clothes covering Jing Wen's body.

However, it was not possible to undo his shirt. The wound was so severe that the cloth had stuck to Jing Wen's skin,

If Zhou Aimin was not careful, it was possible that he may rip off Jing Wen's skin.

Zhou Aimin quickly shook his head to dispel the thoughts emerging in his mind. He quickly retrieved a pair of scissors, and cut the shirt into many pieces to be removed individually, revealing Jing Wen's body in that manner.

Now, he could see the wounds more clearly. However, the sight proved too gruesome for Zhou Aimin to remain calm. His face flushed pink with anger and his breathing became pitched and hurried in his fury.

"I'm going to kill Mo Xi!"

Jing Wen's flesh was actually rotting!

Zhou Aimin was no fool, and realised this could only be the result of poison to prevent Jing Wen's wound from scabbing. Mo Xi had likely soaked the bamboo cane in countless poisons before flogging Jing Wen.

Seeing the already wretched state Jing Wen was in deteriorating, Zhou Aimin couldn't care less about his noble identity and benevolent nature at this moment. While Jing Wen's choice to take the beating in exchange for the life of Gao Shu was his own choosing, Zhou Aimin was still the one that had brought him to the capital and requested him to tour them around the market street.

Since he was responsible for Jing Wen happening upon the situation, it was only a matter of course that he took vengeance on Jing Wen's behalf.

At this moment, the door was pushed open, and Gao Shu entered. Immediately, he caught sight of Jing Wen's miserable state. Subconsciously, he lowered his head and moved his hand toward the hilt of his sword.

If it were said that Zhou Aimin already feels tremendous guilt for bringing Jing Wen to Lin'an, then Gao Shu was undergoing countless times more regret. At this moment, he felt as though the wound on his face was like a drop of water compared to the ocean of suffering Jing Wen has undergone.

The grip on his sword gradually tightened, before, like a string, Gao Shu snapped.

"That old dog!" Gao Shu could not suppress the anger in his voice. "The Emperor can turn a blind eye to the countryside, but how can he allow this to happen in the palace!"

He turned around to the exit as quickly as he entered. Just as he was about to take the first step, Zhou Aimin directly said to Gao Shu, "Do not be rash."

His voice lacked the usual love toward life, instead, it was filled with apathetic calculations and schemes colder than the winds of winter.

Gao Shu yelled, "Why stop me from taking revenge for captain?"

Zhou Aimin looked at him very calmly and said, "You can't kill him. Don't waste fellow Jing's sacrifice."

Hearing Jing Wen's name, Gao Shu gradually calmed down, and he began to ask, "Then what do young master Zhou propose to be done?"

Zhou Aimin placed his fingers on the table and tapped listlessly, almost as though he had returned to the Taoist temple and was once again hitting the wooden fish

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooden_fish) to calm his mind. Suddenly, there was a soft 'hmm' as Zhou Aimin looked at Gao Shu with a deep interest in his eyes.

The young Imperial Guard had already covered his wounded face with bandages, appearing like a mummy. However, that did not impair his martial art in the slightest. With the training of an Imperial Guard, he should be nearly the upper limits of martial arts - not enough to defeat Mo Xi, who was privileged enough to enhance his body with countless precious medicine, which forcibly brought him to the same level as many of the prominent names on the Xinqingnian.

However, forcibly bringing one's level to the limits of the human body naturally cannot compare to proper training and experience. If Gao Shu and Mo Xi were to battle, Gao Shu should be able to last ten minutes before needing to retreat.

Zhou Aimin had hidden for long periods countless times in the past month, yet still, he felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny of Zhou Aimin. He asked, "What is young master Zhou thinking?"

Zhou Aimin smiled, returning to his usual disposition at last. He and Gao Shu were certainly not friends, but he was certain that Gao Shu's concerns for Jing Wen were not faked. "Mo Xi has so far avoided punishment because he was always careful. When his cane disintegrated today, it should not be only due to him simply exerting too much force, but also to remove the evidence of poisoning. Even if the entire capital accuses him, as long as they cannot provide any evidence, His Majesty could simply turn a blind eye."

"Since he hides his secrets so well, then why do you oppose me killing him? Isn't that the only option left then?" Gao Shu asked.

Zhou Aimin answered, "But evidence can also present itself in living form. Mo Xi has countless concubines and maids - if we can get evidence of his viciousness through their existence, it is possible to force the hand of the Emperor."

"But Mo Xi can just deny it. The concubines and maids status is too low for their testimony to be taken over Mo Xi's words." Gao Shu retorted.

Zhou Aimin's smile vanished as he said, "Who said I needed their testimony? I simply need to show His Majesty the bodies of these concubines and maids, and even the most corrupt officials would have to petition for Mo Xi's privileges to be stripped. Since he has made blood debts with countless people, with his privileges gone, his life would soon follow."

Unless they lived in the shadows, people would naturally attempt to preserve their image second only to their lives. The officials of the Empire may have dealings with those living in the shadows, but their faces are recognised by countless men over the Empire, forcing them to at least present themselves as just and virtuous. If Mo Xi's actions were brought to light, these people would have no choice but to abandon Mo Xi. Even the powerful Seventh Prince likely would distance himself in fear that his relations with Mo Xi may give the other factions ammo to attack him.

Gao Shu did not understand the full nuance implied in Zhou Aimin's words. However, he could grasp what role he will serve in Zhou Aimin's scheme. "I will be able to distract Mo Xi for as long as I can. I hope young master Zhou will enact revenge on behalf of captain."

Zhou Aimin shook his head, saying earnestly, "It's not just on behalf of fellow Jing, but for the good of the whole world."

It is an open secret that Mo Xi had killed countless people.

The only way to end this senseless killing to use the principle of 'killing to stop the killing'.

In the world, the most innocent people were often the cruellest.