Chapter 14: A Chance of Life (2/2)

Geng Zhishan didn’t know Xie Mengxuan was struggling between life and death under the river. He ran like the wind along the riverside but was soon stopped by a man.

The man was a mystery, garbed in a large black robe with his face and body so well covered that he didn’t expose even a little bit of his skin.

“You can’t.” The man in black robe said in a low and deep voice as if he had experienced many vicissitudes of life.

Standing with his back straight, Geng Zhishan took a deep breath, “She’ll die.”

“She won’t.” The man in black gave a quick response.

Geng Zhishan looked up at him and went forward with hope in his eyes. “Where is she?”

“It doesn’t matter where she is. She won’t die, and very soon, she’ll be back. Keep in mind your identity, Geng Zhishan!”

His last words meant a warning. With a heavy breath, Geng Zhishan clenched his fists, and his veins protruded in anger. “If I can’t protect those I love and care, why should I keep my identity in mind?”

“Stupid!” The man in black waved his sleeve to force him back and then scolded him. “If you are exposed, our plan over all these years will be disrupted.”

Still worried about Xie Mengxuan, Geng Zhishan hesitated. “But she…”

“Beauty tends to confuse the mind. A heavy burden still lies on your shoulders, Geng Zhishan.” The man in black softened his voice. “I can guarantee her safety. The one who set up this pitfall has saved her life.”

“It’s a trap?” Geng Zhishan was amazed. Was that man the one who set up this ploy? Why did he do this? What was his purpose?

Having noticed that he was absent-minded, the man in black gave a displeased snort and said in a low voice, “It seems that it was wrong for the master to order you to protect Xie Mengxuan since you haven’t found that it was a scheme.”

“It’s due to my ignorance.” Geng Zhishan restrained himself and lowered his head with his hands folded.

With a sweep of his sleeve, the man in black robe said, “You’d better be aware of this point. Go, and continue to play the role of Geng Zhishan.”

Having finished speaking, the man disappeared. Standing still, Geng Zhishan took a deep breath. What should he do? Go ahead to look for Xie Mengxuan? Or, go back to being Geng Zhishan?

He should have already known the answer, but looking at the current, he finally put his hand close to his lips and imitated several notes of birds.

After three notes, there was nothing but silence. After a long while during which one could have a cup of tea, a black figure jumped from the top of a tree and went down on his knee. “My young master, here I am.”

Now that the man in black, his top-notch bodyguard, had appeared, Geng Zhishan became aware that it was safe all around.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Geng Zhishan seemed to be from a noble family regardless of the coarse clothes he was wearing. “Go look for her together with me.”

“According to the teacher’s order, you are not allowed to save her.” The man in black said by instinct.

Pissed off with his response, Geng Zhishan gave him a slap. “Since you are now under my charge, you should obey my order. If not, I’ll call another bodyguard.”

Nevertheless, the man in black maintained the kneeling posture. “My young master, you can’t. At present, you can only be Geng Zhishan, an incompetent peasant.”

Geng Zhishan’s eyes darkened, and all of a sudden, he seized the bodyguard by the throat and gradually tightened his grip.