The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 48

Gao Cheng is an abandoned child. He was abandoned by his parents on the mountain on the day he was born.

From the day he could remember, he already knew he had a teacher. His teacher brought him up, taught him how to read, write and fight (martial arts), yet they have never ever left the mountain. Till Gao Cheng was older, he recalled that his teacher once said there was treasure on this mountain and he was there to guard it.

The mountain have always had the tale of the mountain demon, but the young Gao Cheng was never afraid. Because he knew that it was just a tale his teacher spread out.

When he was ten, his teacher almost died due to accidentally digesting some poisonous mushrooms. Although he was later saved, his teacher turned not right of mind. Since his teacher had quite the martial arts skills, Gao Cheng was afraid that he would harm the innocents and specially pay attention to those who venture up the hill.

One day, Ma Yuanliang brought a bunch of people up the hill and Gao Cheng had been following in the shadows after them, fearing for their safety. When the day turns dark, those that followed Ma Yuanliang went down and Gao Cheng finally let loose a breath of relief. But who knows that Ma Yuanliang would stay on the mountain to continue searching.

Afraid that he would meet his teacher, Gao Cheng wanted to pretend to be the mountain demon to scare him away, but he didn't realized that in an blink of an eye, Ma Yuanliang had wondered into the ‘forbidden land'.

That piece of land was separated by his teacher and not to mention others, even him can't get near it. Seeing Ma Yuanliagn wondered into it, he knew bad things was going to happen and just when he was about to try to pulling Ma Yuanling back, his teacher, like a predator who saw a prey, had already pounced on Ma Yuanliang.

The following scene was so gory that the young Gao Cheng hid behind a tree and vomited, his face deathly pale. Luckily his teacher still managed to recognized him, and simply wipe his b.l.o.o.d.y face and head back into the forbidden land.

This incident gave Go Cheng quite the trauma. His teacher is way stronger than him and if anyone ever wrongly ventured into the forbidden land, he won't have the strength to help them. Thus, he began to spread the news of the ghost of Ma Yunliang, trying to deter people from going up the mountain. At first, this plan of his was very successful, as not a soul can been seen up the mountain for a few days straight. But he did not imagined that Magistrate Ma would have the idea of holding a ghost marriage and buried the Sun Family's daughter alive.

Gao Cheng had always wanted to be a righteous hero and he had even thought of their sect name, the Seven Stars Sect. But now, thanks to his teacher and him, 2 lives had been lost, causing great anguish for him. He never then dared to pretend to be Ma Yuanliang ghost, and the only thing he could do is to pay more attention to his teacher's actions, preventing him from going outside of the forbidden land.

But recently, his teacher's illness took a turn for the worst and he seems to be raging more ferociously than before. Gao Cheng can't stop him from going out anymore and as he expected, the rumors about Ma Yuanliang's ghost began to spread once more.

Worried that Magistrate Ma would do the same as per 5 years ago, looking to hold a ghost marriage once again. So, he began to pay attention to this matter and of course, he heard about a farmer's girl being s.n.a.t.c.hed to hold this wedding.

After asking around for the date, he quietly follow behind them, and saved Liu Qinghuan, who's pretending to be Hu Lingshan.

After hearing his story, Xue Mu stay silent for a moment.

” Since your teacher is that dangerous, I can't allow him to continue staying on this mountain and harming the innocent. ”

Hearing that, Gao Cheng got nervous.

” What are you planning to do? ”

Although his teacher does go crazy and kill, he can't just leave him. His life is saved by his teacher and he is brought up and taught by him. To Gao Cheng, his teacher is akin to his father.

Glancing at him, Xue Mu ask.

” Do you know what your teacher's name is? ”

After thinking about it for a bit, Gao Cheng decides to tell the truth.

” Gao Zhengping. ”

Xue Mu brows slightly shift, feeling like he has heard of the name before. According to his speculation, the treasure Gao Zhengping speak of should be the corrupted cash of Wen Wei. Which means he should be Wen Wei's subordinate.

Seeing Xue Mu turn silent, Gao Cheng grit his teeth.

” I won't let you harm my teacher. ”

Although his teacher's martial arts is quite good, but he will be surrounded and seeing that all these soldiers are highly trained, plus the famous general is with them, there is no way his teacher would emerge victorious.

Xue Mu pause, before saying.

” There are a few skilled doctors in Chang-An, they might be able to treat your teacher's illness. ”

Gao Cheng's heart stirred. These few years, he did thought of looking for a doctor but he dare not bring Gao Zhengping away from the mountain and as for asking one to come up the mountain… He reckon there won't be anyone with that courage and so, the matter have been at a standstill. But since there is a great general here, he should be able to control his teacher and if he really could heal him, it would ease one of his worries.

Looking up at Xue Mu, Gao Cheng ask seriously.

” If you promised not to harm my teacher, I'll guide you to the place. ”
” Promised. ”

Gao Cheng feels like he is being dismissed with a word, like Xue Mu is not taking what he's saying to heart. But still, he emphasize.

” My teacher is very strong and will kill anyone he sees when he's raging so you'll have to be careful. ”

Xue Mu nod, not even speaking this time.

Gao Cheng look unsatisfactory at him.

” So when are we leaving? ”
” Just a while more. ”

After they got news of the Duke moving. After the chat, Xue Mu turn and head back into the cave, not even embarra.s.sed about using other's home base. Poor Seven Stars Sect leader could only sit outside and stare at the starry sky.

Liu Qinghuan is sitting on the straw bed, her eyes closed. Feeling Xue Mu's presence, she then open her eyes. Xue Mu sees that her face is still very pale and there are spots of blood on her clothes and frown, sitting next to her.

” Is your waist injured? ”
” Yes, by the arrows at the secret tunnels. ”

His frown deepen and reach out to unrobe her.

” Let me take a look. ”

Liu Qinghuan's face grows hot and she subconsciously stop him. Xue Mu lift a brow at her.

” What are you embarra.s.sed for? I saw everything the last time you were bathing. ”
” ………. ”

She shut her mouth and gives up as Xue Mu easily removes her belt and opens up her clothes to take a look. The wound have been bandaged and is already forming scabs but due to the sudden movement before, it had tore and is now bleeding again.

This kind of wound used to be nothing in Xue Mu's eyes. It's neither huge or deep and every soldier have some form of wound on them. But once it's on Liu Qinghuan's body, it's very striking. Especially compared to the rest of her smooth pale skin, it looks particularly gruesome.

” Does it hurt? ”

Xue Mu ask as he slowly rearrange her clothes back. He remembered she used to be very afraid of pain.

” Hmmm, it hurts. ”

She wanted to console him and pretend it doesn't hurt but that searing, burning pain really forbid her saying otherwise. Xue Mu kiss her lips gently, whispering in her ear.

” Just bear with it for a little while more, we'll be going back to Chang-An soon. ”
” Okay… You're deciding to lure the Duke and Tang Zhibo up this mountain? ”
” Yes. ”
” They don't fell for the trick so easily. ”
” He won't miss such a great opportunity. ”

This time, the only reason he is here is to look for Liu Qinghuan so he only brought along a troop of people. If Aersi and the Duke want to kill him, now would be the best chance.

” If he really comes, he won't easily give the antidote up. ”

Xue Mu grab hold of her soft hands and say in a low voice.

” Even if he don't, there's many skilled doctors in the palace. They would definitely cure you. ”
” Tang Zhibo said that this poison is given to him by the Duke who got it from far west. It's very difficult to detect. When I first came to know I was poisoned, I secretly went to  a few skilled doctors but they all said I was fine. ”
” Is it only detectable when it acts up? Or that they're not very skilled. ”
” But when the royal physician came to check up on me the previous time, he too, did not find anything wrong with me. ”

Xue Mu slowly tighten his right hand, enveloping her hand into his.

” Every poison have an antidote. I'll definitely cure you. ”

Although she knows Xue Mu is consoling her, she still want to believe in him. As if sensing her feelings, Xue Mu force her to look at him in the eyes.

” Qing Qing, believe in me, you'll be okay. Once you're cured, I'll bring you to the west mountains and catch a cute leopard for you. I'll also go with you to the west market, and buy loads of perfume and aroma for you. I'll hold your hand and walk though all of Chang-An with you. ”

Liu Qinghuan's eyes get wetter and wetter as he speaks. She sniff and suggested.

” Why not also pop a few grandchildren for mother? She's rather anxious about it. ”

Xue Mu laughs and gently place his head on her shoulder.

” This, I'm also quite anxious. ”

This make Liu Qinghuan stop crying and start laughing. Xue Mu lightly bit her cute earlobes.

” Qing Qing, you still owe me a first night, you can't run away. ”