The Sorrowmender

Chapter 27 – Mister, save me

Xu Qingzhou remained calm and composed, feeling refreshed by the bow, yet he humbly said:

"Oh, don't thank me, we were just chatting. This bow is too much for me to accept."

After a slight pause, Xu Qingzhou continued thoughtfully:

"But I can't just listen to your story for free. Perhaps I can try to help alleviate your worries."

Hearing this, Ning Feng was visibly shaken, his eyes narrowing with determination. Without any hesitation, he immediately knelt on one knee and urgently said:

"I hope Mister can show Ning Feng a way out."

Ning Feng knew well that the Mister Forgetting Worries before him was not as simple as he appeared. If he was willing to help, Ning Feng was certain he could escape his current predicament.

This decisive kneel caught Xu Qingzhou off guard. He quickly dismounted and reached out to support Ning Feng's shoulders, trying to lift him up.

"Brother Ning, what are you doing? Please, get up, get up."

Ning Feng was already at the ninth level of the Innate Realm, and in terms of pure strength, he was far above Xu Qingzhou.

At this moment, as he knelt there, unwilling to rise, Xu Qingzhou naturally couldn't lift him.

Ning Feng looked up, his eyes full of pleading, yet his tone was firm as he spoke each word clearly:

"I know Mister is no ordinary person, surely possessing great powers."

"Please, save me."

Xu Qingzhou withdrew his hand, feigning difficulty, first furrowing his brows, then shaking his head, and spoke calmly.

"Very well, stand up and speak with me."

"Thank you, Mister, thank you." Ning Feng, seeing Xu Qingzhou relent, thanked him repeatedly, no longer showing any trace of his usual decisive demeanor, more like an ordinary farmer who had finally encountered good fortune.

Xu Qingzhou, with his hands behind his back, continued:

"Don't be in a rush to thank me. Wait until I've finished speaking."

"Please, Mister, I'm listening."

Xu Qingzhou slightly tilted his head, gazing at the stars above, a hint of seriousness in his eyes.

"In this world, everything has its destined course. If you wish to gain something, you are bound to lose something in return."

"I can help relieve your worries, but to resolve a man's troubles requires you to pay a price. Can you bear this price?"

Faced with the question, Ning Feng bit his lip, hesitated for a moment, then looked at Xu Qingzhou again, resolutely saying:

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"To be honest, Mister, I've long had enough of this life. If you can truly free me from control and grant me freedom, I'll accept any price."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Mister, Ning Feng is very clear."

Xu Qingzhou nodded, saying nothing more, and amidst Ning Feng's surprise and confusion, he mounted his horse.

"Alright, let's get going."

Ning Feng hesitated, wanting to speak, "Mister, then—"

"Just lead the way. What I promised you, I will do."

Ning Feng bowed again, "Forgive my abruptness, Mister."

With that, he said no more and continued on the road.

He thought that Mister must have his reasons for acting this way, and he had no choice but to trust him.

Watching Ning Feng's back, Xu Qingzhou shook his head helplessly, feeling a bit uneasy.

He knew well that the one who could save Ning Feng was not anyone else, but Ning Feng himself.

Freedom is not given by others but fought for by oneself.

Even if he truly saved Ning Feng, would he really have freedom? Perhaps not.

But since he had promised, helping him along the way wouldn't hurt. After all, they had a connection.

At this age, one acts on impulse, doing as one pleases. Helping others is a virtue, and helping those you don't dislike is a pleasure.

Continuing under the night sky, they traveled for another half an hour until the faint yellow lights appeared at the end of the official road.

The closer they got, the brighter and clearer the lights became.

Ning Feng reverted to his previous self, pointing ahead:

"Mister, we've arrived. The Lady is at this post station."

Xu Qingzhou nodded slightly to show he understood.

After walking a few hundred more steps, they arrived at the post station, only to be stopped by an Armored Guard.

"Halt, this area is off-limits. Find another place."

"Are you blind? Look who I am," Ning Feng snapped coldly.

The guard brought the torch closer, naturally recognizing Ning Feng's cold, icy face in the darkness, and immediately bowed in fear:

"Greetings, Ning Tou!"

"This is Mister Forgetting Worries, a distinguished guest invited by the Lady. Step aside quickly, you know the consequences of delaying the Lady's matters."

At the mention of the Lady, the expressions of the Armored Guards changed drastically, some even shivering.

They quickly stepped aside.

"Please, Ning Tou!"

Ning Feng led the horse with a swagger into the post station.

The soldiers watched until their figures disappeared, then began to whisper among themselves.

"This Mister Forgetting Worries has quite the presence, having Ning Tou personally lead his horse."

"Indeed, did any of you see what that Mister looked like?"

"No, it was too dark at first, then I didn't dare look—"

"Anyway, the rumors say this Mister Forgetting Worries is no ordinary person, truly extraordinary. I didn't expect Ning Tou to actually invite him."

"Nonsense, who is Ning Tou? If he couldn't invite him, probably no one could."

".............."

Inside the courtyard, Xu Qingzhou dismounted and, under Ning Feng's guidance, entered the inn.

As they walked through the brightly lit hall, Xu Qingzhou didn't see any innkeepers or attendants.

Instead, there were Armored Guards every ten steps, and maidservants standing quietly, waiting, even at this late hour.

Not to mention the number of soldiers, just the personal maidservants must number in the hundreds.

Xu Qingzhou couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of the Lady Ning Feng spoke of.

According to Ning Feng, this Lady was merely a concubine of the city lord of Linfeng City, but with such a grand entourage, one might mistake her for a favored concubine of the emperor.

One must admit, she knows how to enjoy life and is quite particular.

Inside the main hall, Ning Feng first invited Xu Qingzhou to sit, then instructed a nearby maidservant:

"Go inform the Lady that Mister Forgetting Worries has been brought back."

The maidservant, upon hearing this, did not move but kept her head down, nervously twisting her dress, her body trembling slightly, leaving Xu Qingzhou somewhat puzzled.

"Didn't you hear me?" Ning Feng asked, slightly annoyed, his tone heavier.

But this heavier tone only frightened the maidservant, who fell to her knees with a thud, pleading softly with tears:

"Spare me, Lord Ning. The Lady has just gone to sleep, and I wouldn't dare disturb her rest."

Seeing her fearful demeanor, Ning Feng furrowed his brows and sighed.

"Get up, I'll go myself."

"Thank you, Lord Ning, thank you."

"Mister, please wait here, I'll be back shortly."

Xu Qingzhou gave a subtle smile, nodded, and said nothing.

His gaze, however, occasionally drifted to the maidservant, whose face remained pale, prompting him to ponder quietly.

"It seems this Lady is quite formidable. Otherwise, why would these maidservants fear her so much? I must be cautious."