After Transmigrating, My Younger Brother Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 10

His already thick eyebrows furrowed, forming a unibrow. A faint stubble of blue-green beard framed his lips as he asked, Why?

Zhu Zhenzhen carefully chose her words. I was entrusted with this task and am fulfilling my duty. As for the reason… Her eyes flickered slightly. That’s not something I can share with outsiders.

She didn’t know what secrets lay hidden within the Jade Flute that Cheng Jiuxiao had entrusted to her. But since she had agreed to this mission, she shouldn’t complicate matters further.

Besides, she had her own motives. Changding City held clues to Li Jiadong’s whereabouts. Who was the person by Li Jiadong’s side? Could uncovering their identity lead her to the true enemy?

The woman with the fox mask continued to haunt her dreams, her voice whispering in her ear, urging her to uncover the truth behind her family’s annihilation and find the mastermind behind it.

He pressed further, You said earlier there’s only one road to Changding City?

That’s correct, Zhu Zhenzhen replied.

Boss He, unconvinced by her innocent demeanor, persisted, Where did you come from?

Bian City.

There are at most four routes from Bian City to Changding City. Why did you specifically choose this one?

Zhu Zhenzhen was genuinely dumbfounded.

She still remembered Cheng Jiuxiao’s words to her

This is a map. Just follow the route marked on it. It’s the fastest and safest way. Cheng Jiuxiao handed her a rolled-up scroll of brown parchment.

Zhu Zhenzhen unrolled the map and pointed to the winding, circuitous route. Is this really the fastest way?

Yes, Cheng Jiuxiao replied firmly.

But… Zhu Zhenzhen couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Cheng Jiuxiao cut her off. This is the only passable route. The surrounding area is all mountains. Unless you plan to climb over them, you have no other choice. I’m someone who came from outside the city. Don’t you trust me?

Cheng Jiuxiao’s counter-question dispelled Zhu Zhenzhen’s doubts. She was, after all, a true outsider. She obediently tucked away the map and replied, The boss is right.

Feeling at fault, Zhu Zhenzhen lowered her head and fell silent.

Boss He stroked his stubble, his suspicion of Zhu Zhenzhen growing stronger.

After being stumped by this question, Zhu Zhenzhen heard Boss He ask again why she was going to Changding City.

But no matter how Boss He probed indirectly, Zhu Zhenzhen refused to reveal any information.

Frustrated by the fruitless questioning, Boss He’s brow furrowed into a deep, persistent frown.

He hadn’t gotten the information he wanted, yet he didn’t know how to ask. Facing a petite woman, he couldn’t interrogate her as aggressively as he would a man, but she remained tight-lipped.

There must be a reason why this road was forbidden.

Left with no other option, Boss He summoned his men to remove the excess ropes binding her, leaving only those securing her hands and feet. He then had her thrown into an empty room.

She’ll be released the moment she decides to talk.

As the key clicked into the lock, Zhu Zhenzhen immediately pressed her ear to the door, listening for any movement outside. Once the footsteps faded into the distance, a determined smile spread across her face.

Bound? This is a problem I’m well-versed in.

Moments later, two limp hemp ropes lay slack on the floor. Zhu Zhenzhen stood up, stretched her limbs, and casually surveyed the room.

The room wasn’t shabby. The table showed little dust, and a decorative piece woven from animal feathers hung high on the wall, lending a touch of warmth. It looked as if the room’s owner had only recently stepped out, allowing her to stay temporarily.

Acting like the true owner, she sprawled on the bed, one leg bent at the knee and resting on the other, her foot tapping lightly. She tossed a red fruit up and down in her hand, playing with it.

Not a trace of ladylike behavior.

It was a miscalculation. Zhu Zhenzhen had assumed that simply stating she was a traveler heading to a specific destination would suffice. She never imagined they would ask so many questions.

Why was Cheng Jiuxiao concealing their route? Why was he so insistent that they take this particular path? Was he trying to make them encounter someone? Or… witness something?

Another mystery formed in her mind as Zhu Zhenzhen rested her head on her arm, lost in thought.

The setting sun bled across the horizon, casting a crimson glow as clusters of fires flickered to life in the village. In the eerie bamboo forest, some fidgeted anxiously while others remained silent.

Over the past few days, Lu Yin had gradually shed his initial shyness and become more talkative.

Pacing back and forth, trying to ease his tension, he had already worn deep ruts into the muddy ground.

He couldn’t help but glance at the young man leaning against a bamboo stalk, his eyes closed. Song Heng, aren’t you worried? She’s been gone for six hours already. Does scouting really take this long?

He muttered anxiously, glancing up at the sky. She should be back by now, right? Could something have happened to her?

Song Heng’s face was completely obscured by shadows, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

She’ll be fine.

For the first time in days, Lu Yin’s expression showed clear disapproval.

A few birds occasionally darted across the sky, their calls mingling with the chirping of crickets that filled this small world. The night wind was cool and gentle, yet Song Heng felt intensely restless.

The pacing that had been circling his ears finally stopped. Song Heng glanced up slightly.

Lu Yin was rummaging through his bamboo basket. After a moment, he pulled out a sturdy knife and turned resolutely to walk forward.

Song Heng sprang to his feet and grabbed him. Where are you going?

I’m going to find Song Zhen, Lu Yin said without breaking stride. I’m worried something might have happened to her.

It’s dangerous to go alone.

Lu Yin was about to dismiss the concern, but when he met Song Heng’s eyes, he understood. Then let’s go together, he said instead.

The sound of a lock clicking open startled Zhu Zhenzhen awake from her nap on the bed.

She immediately flipped off the bed, quickly unwound the ropes from her legs and hands, and casually leaned against the door as if nothing had happened.

Boss He pushed the door open, placed the food on the table, and then lifted Zhu Zhenzhen like a chick, setting her on a chair. He personally untied the knots binding her hands.

Eat, he said.

Is it poisoned? Zhu Zhenzhen asked suspiciously.

Boss He choked on his words, his voice heavy with emphasis as he said, We’re a proper mountain stronghold. We don’t resort to such underhanded tricks.

That makes sense, Zhu Zhenzhen thought. In a xianxia novel, she was merely an ignorant, nameless cannon fodder who had stumbled into forbidden territory and been wronged.

The stronghold’s food was surprisingly good. Zhu Zhenzhen ate with gusto, even asking Boss He for two more bowls.

After days of roughing it outdoors with only buns and water in her pack, the sudden luxury of a warm, proper meal was too tempting to resist.

Boss He stared at her, speechless.

Does this woman have any sense of being a prisoner?

After Zhu Zhenzhen had eaten her fill, even Boss He’s menacing face seemed somewhat endearing.

Seeing he still hadn’t left, she took the initiative to ask, Does Boss He have any further instructions?

Just tell me why you’re going to Changding City, Boss He repeated, his tone unwavering. If it’s nothing particularly important, drop the idea, and I’ll let you go first thing tomorrow.

I’m acting on someone else’s request, Boss He, Zhu Zhenzhen replied. Let’s not make things difficult for each other. If you let me pass, I promise to repay you handsomely when I achieve wealth and glory.

Zhu Zhenzhen was painting a grand picture, though her current disposable funds hardly justified such extravagant promises.

Boss He burst into laughter. When exactly is this ‘future’ you speak of?

Zhu Zhenzhen OUT.

Flustered, she quickly changed the subject. Why is Boss He so insistent on knowing my reasons?

Why would the leader of a mountain stronghold care so much about the destination of a traveler passing through? What business was it of his? Judging by his demeanor, he seemed determined to prevent anyone from reaching Changding City.

Fine, I’ll tell you a few things, Boss He said, his face suddenly darkening with sorrow, as if recalling some unspeakable past trauma.

Do you know what Changding City, just a few miles away, is called now? He didn’t wait for her answer, answering himself, It’s called Ghost City.

Boss He chuckled bitterly. Changding, Changding… It was meant to be a prosperous city where the people lived in peace and prosperity. But now it’s become this dreaded Ghost City.

Boss He had lived in Changding City since childhood. There was a time when the city was incredibly wealthy, and every resident wore a smile. Even the poor could receive free porridge outside the City Lord’s Manor.

Back then, Boss He believed he could live a carefree life. His family wasn’t rich, but they were happy and content.

Until a troop of soldiers arrived, shattering Changding City’s former harmony.

The soldiers recklessly seized people throughout the city, cramming them into iron cages. For days, the city echoed with cries, curses, and wails. Every household bolted their doors, fearing they would be the next victims.

The captured were taken outside the city, their destinations unknown.

The people immediately rushed to the City Lord’s Manor, seeking answers and reassurance. But the manor gates remained firmly shut against them. For three consecutive days, the crowd camped outside the gates, yet not even a single servant emerged.

Finally, driven to their breaking point, the people stormed the gates. What they found inside was a scene of hellish carnage corpses lay strewn across the grounds, maggots writhing in the eye sockets of some. Those who couldn’t stomach the sight vomited on the spot.

The bolder ones, suppressing their nausea, began searching through the bodies. They found all the County Magistrate’s wives and concubines, but Li himself was nowhere to be found.

Hope flickered in their hearts. As if, so long as Li remained alive and could be found, their families and friends might still return.

Three more days passed. A figure stumbled through the city gates, his face gaunt with exhaustion, his hands trembling from days without rest.

The people paid no heed to his condition, swarming him with their questions and grievances. No one cared why County Magistrate Li was outside the city.

Surrounded by the crowd, Li looked on the verge of fainting.

Boss He couldn’t bear to watch any longer. He stepped forward and helped County Magistrate Li to his feet. Though not tall, Boss He was burly and had a fierce appearance. When he roared with all his might, his voice was truly terrifying.

Once County Magistrate Li regained his composure, he began to explain the situation in detail.

His first words were, Your families… they will never return.

Those words brought tears to the eyes of the crowd, their voices choking with grief.

They have all contracted pulmonary tuberculosis.

How could this be? Changding City had never seen a single case of pulmonary tuberculosis before. How could so many people contract it at once?

At that time, even Boss He refused to believe him.

The County Magistrate stood as straight as ever, his gaunt frame unyielding as he addressed the people with his final words The soldiers will return. Flee. Flee as far as you can. From this day forward, there will be no more Changding City.

County Magistrate Li turned and walked back to the City Lord’s Manor. This time, no one tried to stop him.

Much later, Boss He finally came to believe him.