Volume One Chapter One The Great Wronged Soul

“I need a man! Give me a man… now!”

“Oh no! The poison that lecherous thief gave the princess is a secret aphrodisiac from the Southern Li tribe. If she doesn’t couple with a man within a quarter of an hour, not even the gods can save her!”

“But everyone with us is a woman! In this desolate wilderness, where could we find a man on such short notice?”

“If you can’t find one, then keep looking! Nothing must happen to the princess!”

…

The Great Ning Dynasty.

Nine Bends Mountain, Qingzhou.

As Shen Ji’s consciousness returned to his body, he immediately felt someone stripping off his clothes.

To encounter something like this the instant I transmigrate?

A chill sliced through Shen Ji’s heart. Instinctively, he raised his hand to strike his assailant, but before he could react, a sharp chop landed on his neck.

He only managed to snatch something from the other person and clutch it in his palm before darkness claimed him again.

Two quarter-hours later, an incomparably beautiful woman, enduring the pain searing through her body, emerged from the mountain cave. She forced a casual demeanor and instructed the blushing female guard at the entrance, “Find out who he is.”

“I know this man!” the guard replied at once. “He is Shen Ji, the only son of Marquis Ningyuan, Shen Yu.”

“Shen Ji?” The woman’s brows drew together. “Is he not that infamous wastrel whose rampant tyranny and extortion of his fief’s people led my father, the emperor, to strip him of his lands?”

“That’s him!” the guard nodded. “His Majesty warned him too: if he failed to earn academic honors or achieve merit for the court within a year, he’d be stripped of his title and reduced to a commoner!”

“There are only ten days left before the year is up, and he hasn’t attended the spring examinations nor rendered any service to the court.”

“I suspect he knew his title was lost, so he jumped off the cliff to end his life…”

Speaking of Shen Ji, the guard could not hide her disdain.

His father Shen Yu had once been a formidable general. After Shen Yu’s death in battle, out of consideration for his past merits, the emperor had specially allowed Shen Ji to inherit the Marquisate of Ningyuan. Yet his son proved so utterly worthless.

Listening to the guard’s report, the woman’s frown deepened.

Such a man… perhaps only the military could temper him!

She turned and tossed an antique little knife beside Shen Ji.

“You’re not worthy of this princess, but in the end, you saved my life.”

“In time, I’ll test you. If you’re not beyond hope, I may grant you a chance.”

“But if you’re still intent on seeking death, use this blade to end your life. Don’t shame your father’s reputation…”

Without another word, the woman left, not looking back.

Half an hour later, Shen Ji finally stirred, rubbing his aching neck as he woke.

“Is this retribution?” Shen Ji mocked himself bitterly.

In his past life, he’d been a killer, sent countless souls to the afterlife—so many that even the heavens grew weary and cast him into a dynasty that existed in no history books, only for him to be overpowered by a lonely, desperate old crone?

Yes, it must have been a ravenous, wolfish old crone!

After all, what young beauty would be so starved for affection?

“Damn woman, you’d better hope I never find you!”

Shen Ji tightened his grasp around the aged wooden pendant he had snatched away.

Turning his head, he noticed the little knife lying by his side.

Was this, too, something taken from that woman?

He picked it up and studied it, but found nothing special about it.

Well, it was small and handy; perfect for hiding up his sleeve and launching a sneak attack!

The Great Ning Dynasty was a land that worshipped martial valor. Nobles and powerful families all vied to master martial arts—even his fiancée, Song Qingluan, had learned a few basic skills.

But he had been frail since childhood and had no foundation in martial arts at all.

Until he could strengthen his body, caution was best.

Yes, a young man should not be bound by the rules of fair play!

With that thought, Shen Ji tucked away the little knife and started down the mountain.

The path was rough, but he had one consolation: after falling from such a high cliff, his only injuries were a few scrapes from tree branches.

Thinking back to the fall, a cold glint flashed in Shen Ji’s eyes.

Song Qingluan!

His fiancée, one of the three famed beauties of Qingzhou.

It was Song Qingluan, that scheming viper, who pulled him off the cliff!

In truth, he wasn’t as vile as the rumors claimed. All the extortion of his fief’s people, the selling off of his estate and even the marquisate—everything was for Song Qingluan’s dream: to make the Song family royal merchants.

She said she didn’t want to owe him too much, so he found countless ways to send silver to her family.

With the vast sums he provided, the Song family finally became royal merchants.

Yesterday afternoon, he’d stumbled upon Song Qingluan in a secret tryst with a handsome young man.

Angered, he walked away in a huff.

This morning, Song Qingluan invited him and his maid, Chi Chi, for an outing in Nine Bends Mountain.

He thought she wanted to explain, so he sent Chi Chi away.

But Song Qingluan never explained. She led him to the edge of the cliff, pretended to slip, and when he rushed to pull her back, she unhesitatingly dragged him down.

First sword upon returning to shore: cut down the one you once cherished!

A venomous woman deserves to die!

“Shen Ji!”

“Young Marquis!”

Suddenly, Shen Ji heard faint voices in the distance.

It was… Chi Chi and Song Qingluan!

“Young Marquis, Young Marquis…”

In the mountains, Chi Chi wept as she called out, glancing warily at Song Qingluan.

Only she and the Young Marquis knew she was both his maid and a deathsworn protector.

If anything happened to the Young Marquis, she would tear Song Qingluan limb from limb!

“It’s my fault, all my fault…” Song Qingluan sobbed. “If not for saving me, Shen Ji would never have fallen off the cliff…”

Her face was full of guilt, but her hand quietly closed around the dagger hidden in her sleeve.

She had already asked Shen Ji.

She had confirmed that Shen Ji had told Chi Chi what had happened yesterday.

She didn’t know if Chi Chi would reveal this secret in the future, but she couldn’t take that risk.

Chi Chi had to die!

But Chi Chi, anxious and distracted, noticed nothing, only continuing to call out.

“Chi Chi! I’m here! Chi Chi…”

Just as Song Qingluan was about to strike, Shen Ji’s voice echoed through the mountains.

Song Qingluan’s expression changed dramatically!

That good-for-nothing survived a fall from such a high cliff?

His life was truly hard to end!

What now?

After a moment of thought, Song Qingluan quickly regained her composure.

That fool was hopelessly besotted with her, always putting her first.

As long as she threw herself into his arms, he would never suspect she had deliberately pulled him off the cliff. He’d only believe she hadn’t been strong enough to save him.

She needed to pacify him and Chi Chi for now, then end their lives later to eliminate all threats!

“Young Marquis!”

Hearing Shen Ji’s voice, Chi Chi cried out with excitement and rushed forward.

“Shen Ji…” Song Qingluan also called out passionately.

“Chi Chi, Qingluan…” Shen Ji’s voice came again.

Song Qingluan’s heart steadied.

He even called out so affectionately! He really suspected nothing!

As their calls grew closer, they finally caught sight of one another.

“Shen Ji!”

Song Qingluan, appearing deeply moved, staggered into Shen Ji’s arms, weeping bitterly. “You scared me to death! If anything happened to you, how could I go on living? Sob…”

Shen Ji gently stroked her hair.

“Then… don’t go on living.”

Thud!

The little knife in Shen Ji’s hand plunged mercilessly into Song Qingluan’s heart…