Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Let Down

Some people have an imposing aura and can stabilize any situation.

Like Qi Jiu, who quelled an upheaval with just a few words.

As Jiang Ke, holding Sang Yan, passed by him, he squeezed out two stiff words, “Thank, you.”

Qi Jiu smiled faintly, seemingly unconcerned.

Jiang Ke returned to his room.

He was once again indebted to Qi Jiu.

Give him money?

He clearly wasn’t short on money.

Give him some rare trinkets?

His mansion did have many, but alas, he brought none with him.

He had nothing to offer him.

For two consecutive days, he stayed in his room to avoid seeing him.

But he still couldn’t avoid him.

He had deliberately avoided meal times, yet how did he still end up meeting him in the corridor?

“Jiang Ke, long time no see.”

Qi Jiu cracked a slight smile and started a conversation, “I heard you are proficient in swordsmanship, I recently found an ancient book, could you possibly appraise it for me?”

Jiang Ke wanted to agree but restrained himself, “Young Master Qi flatters me. My swordsmanship is not even comparable to those under your command.”

That Han Chen, unimpressive in appearance, possessed exceptional swordsmanship skills.

That night, their prolonged duel concluded without a victor.

It was he who prevented him from killing Qi Jiu in time.

If he had killed him then—

Despite his repeated overtures and assistance, Jiang Ke still wanted to kill him.

He gave him too dangerous a feeling.

“As the saying goes, among three walkers, one should be my teacher. No matter how good Han Chen’s swordsmanship is, he needs to exchange and progress. If he stays complacent, he will become mediocre sooner or later. Young Master Jiang must understand this principle.”

His words were hard to refuse.

Jiang Ke hesitated—

Just then, a panicked shout came from the bow of the boat, “Quick, save someone! Someone has fallen into the sea!”

Without knowing why, Jiang Ke thought of Sang Yan.

He quickly moved to the bow.

Looking into the sea, his eyes nearly burst with fury, “Sang Yan!”

“Bang!”

He jumped into the sea to save her.

But the rolling waves blurred his vision, “Sang Yan! Sang Yan! Don’t be afraid, hold on!”

Qi Jiu also started calling people, “Han Chen!”

Like a drawn sword, Han Chen plunged into the sea with a “thud.”

Being proficient in swimming, he moved quickly and efficiently, and soon grabbed Sang Yan, working with Jiang Ke to pull her aboard.

Sang Yan had swallowed a lot of seawater and was now lying on the deck, coughing pitifully.

Jiang Ke patted her back and urgently asked, “Ah Yan, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere? Why didn’t you stay in your room? Are you trying to scare me to death?”

As he spoke further, his words were laced with anger.

He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.

He was still frightened now.

Having not been confined by him anymore, Sang Yan, regaining her freedom, wanted to get some fresh air upon seeing he wasn’t in the room.

But—

“Why did you fall into the sea all of a sudden?”

“It seemed like… someone, someone pushed me.”

She glanced at the crowd gathered, not knowing who pushed her.

Hearing that she was pushed, Jiang Ke’s eyes blazed with rage, “Who did this? Whoever attacked from behind, show yourself if you’re a man!”

His gaze was fierce, and as he stared at them, everyone was waving their hands and shaking their heads.

“Not me.”

“Nor me.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“I did even less; I have no grudges against any of you, how could I possibly do such a thing?”

“What do you mean by that? Are you insinuating that we are causing trouble? Let’s be clear, what’s past is past, and besides, the people who offended us aren’t this pretty boy!”

…

No one admitted to it.

Those who had conflicts with Jiang Ke denied it even more.

Unable to pinpoint the culprit at the moment, Jiang Ke could only sweep over them, remember their faces, and leave a message: “This isn’t over!”

Then he picked up Sang Yan and strode towards the room.

Qi Jiu followed as well, advising, “Her constitution is weak to begin with, and falling into the sea has definitely chilled her. When you get back, let her drink some ginger soup and eat some hot food to sweat it out, then tuck her into bed. Just remember, don’t let her take a hot bath immediately.”

Sudden cold followed by warmth is not good for expelling the chill from the body; instead, it may cause the body to experience even more coldness, and in severe cases, it may lead to injury from the cold and even death.

“Yes, yes, Young Master Qi is correct. That’s exactly what should be done.”

“It was winter before, right? Two people accidentally fell into the sea. Fortunately, they were good swimmers and climbed back up, but they were terribly frozen. One immediately drank alcohol and ate meat to warm up, and the other took a hot bath right away. The next day, the one who had taken the hot bath died, while the one who drank alcohol was in excellent health.”

“I’ve heard about this too. The doctor said when a person falls into water, the chill only remains on the skin. After eating, the body generates heat, and naturally, the surface chill dissipates. So the drinker survived. But the one who rashly took a hot bath, not only did not dispel the chill but actually drove it deeper into the body, damaging the organs and ultimately leading to death.”

…

Some bystanders continued to discuss incessantly.

Jiang Ke said nothing, but gave Qi Jiu a deep look and carried Sang Yan into the room.

He placed Sang Yan on the bed.

Someone had already brought a pot of hot water from the kitchen.

He thanked them and brewed a bowl of brown sugar water for her: “Drink this first. Have some ginger soup later.”

Sang Yan did as told and drank a large bowl of hot brown sugar water, feeling much better shortly after.

Once the ginger soup was ready, she drank a bowl of that too.

Her body began to sweat.

“I feel much better. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine now.”

Since she was currently on peaceful terms with him, she also reassured him a few words.

Jiang Ke nodded, holding her and making sure she was still safely in his arms.

Sang Yan didn’t like his overprotectiveness and pushed him away, changing the subject: “Let’s let bygones be bygones regarding this incident. We are isolated and weak here; just endure it for now and avoid causing trouble, otherwise, we might not be so lucky next time.”

She wasn’t a saint; she hated the person who had attacked her, but she didn’t want Jiang Ke to continue making trouble and enemies, which wouldn’t be wise.

Listening to her, Jiang Ke readily agreed: “Hmm, as you say.”

Because of his quick agreement, it made Sang Yan suspicious: “Are you really listening to me?”

Jiang Ke smiled and nodded: “Yes. I’m listening to you.”

But as soon as he soothed her to lie down, he went out to stir up trouble.

He had a suspect in mind.

He barged into Qi Jiu’s room and got straight to the point: “Was it you?”

On his way back to his room, Qi Jiu had tripped him.

Had he been able to return to the room earlier and noticed Sang Yan’s absence sooner, she wouldn’t have encountered danger.

Thinking this, it all started with him.

Moreover, he kept trying to win him over.

If he had no chance to show benevolence, he created opportunities to do so.

Han Chen saving Sang Yan had given him the chance to show benevolence, hadn’t it?

He had a sufficient motive.

“You see, I said it, he’s not smart enough to pinpoint the culprit on you,” Han Mo played with his folding fan, revealing a proud smile for his clever schemes.

Jiang Ke was displeased: “Whether it’s you or not, don’t target her! Whatever you do, I will not be used by you.”

He firmly clarified his stance and turned to leave.

Qi Jiu said nothing.

He had always treated Jiang Ke sincerely and cherished their camaraderie; he hadn’t expected to be unjustly scolded.

Feeling especially terrible, betrayed, and humiliated, he watched Jiang Ke walk away, his gaze losing its previous admiration and gradually becoming deep and cold: “Such stubbornness will definitely lead to his own downfall. Let’s just wait and see!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com