The Sorrowmender

Chapter 65 – Bet

"Boom!"

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A clap of thunder suddenly roared across the night sky, as if a deity above was growling at the mortal world.

The wind and clouds paused, yet this thunder appeared abruptly, perfectly timed with the end of Xu Qingzhou's words.

Lin Shuo's heart trembled, and he dared not look at Xu Qingzhou.

Whether it was due to overwhelming guilt or inherent cowardice, he couldn't tell.

"I remember what Mister said, I remember."

His lips trembled, eyes cast down, utterly dejected, and his already soft voice grew even fainter.

"If Mister can truly save me, if there's truly someone who wishes for me to live, then I'll heed Mister's advice, become a good city lord, a good ruler for the nation and its people..."

In one's life, even the most heinous of individuals have moments of awakening.

Yet such awakenings often come when one is at death's door.

Lin Shuo was well aware of his deeds over the past half of his life.

Even those closest to him wished for his demise, so how could there be a woman who genuinely wished for him to live?

Though Meng Xiao had assured him of such a person's existence, Lin Shuo couldn't recall anyone like that from his thirty-some years of memories.

Thus, he held little hope.

Seeing him in this state, Xu Qingzhou wondered if he had been too harsh.

He then put away the "Strange Tales of the Vast and Righteous World" into his storage bag and chuckled lightly:

"City Lord Lin, how about we make a bet?"

Lin Shuo, with a gloomy expression, lifted his head and stared blankly at Xu Qingzhou.

"What does Mister wish to bet on?"

Xu Qingzhou rose from the wooden stool and strolled to the window.

"Do you not believe that Meng Xiao can find a woman who genuinely wishes for you to live?"

Xu Qingzhou's words struck a nerve with Lin Shuo, leaving him silent and unsure of how to respond.

Xu Qingzhou turned back, pointing his sword-like finger at Lin Shuo, solemnly questioning him.

"Answer me, yes or no?"

"Yes!" Lin Shuo gritted his teeth.

Xu Qingzhou's sternness dissipated, replaced by a gentle smile.

"You know your sins are heavy, and that you've done nothing good for others in your life, so you don't believe there's anyone in this world who truly wishes for you to live, not even one, you dare not imagine."

"So let's bet. If Meng Xiao truly finds such a woman, and she is willing to exchange her life for yours, then you lose. Otherwise, you win."

"If you lose, you promise to become a good person, a wise ruler, a good city lord, how about it?"

Xu Qingzhou spoke with a smile, as if joking, yet Lin Shuo listened earnestly, not missing a single word.

"Tell me, will you bet or not?"

Faced with Xu Qingzhou's inquiry, Lin Shuo's emaciated hand tightly grasped the bedding before him, his gaze towards Xu Qingzhou suddenly changed, as if he had made a certain decision.

"Alright, I will bet with Mister."

"If it is truly as Mister says, that there is someone willing to die for me, then I, Lin Shuo, will dedicate the rest of my life to being a good city lord, sparing no effort, never slacking for a moment."

Though still weak, his voice was filled with determination, moving Xu Qingzhou to regard him with newfound respect.

As soon as he finished speaking, before Xu Qingzhou could respond, Lin Shuo bitterly smiled and said self-deprecatingly.

"But then again, if such a person exists, and Mister needs her to sacrifice her life to save me, then I beg Mister, do not save me..."

Xu Qingzhou took a deep breath, smoothing his brow. For someone like Lin Shuo to say such words felt strange, yet he seemed sincere.

Sincere enough that Xu Qingzhou couldn't bear to refute him.

"Could it be that this person, after experiencing life and death, truly has awakened?"

He silently pondered, perplexed.

But he quickly adjusted his thoughts and responded to Lin Shuo.

"Rest assured, we're merely betting. If she truly wishes for you to live, I, Xu, can save you without borrowing another's life."

Hearing Xu Qingzhou's answer, Lin Shuo's brow relaxed slightly.

"Very well, Mister, it's settled then."

Xu Qingzhou, curious, asked.

"Aren't you going to ask me what benefit you get if you win?"

Lin Shuo smiled bitterly, "If I win, it would be Lin Shuo's fortune. If I lose, it would be Lin Shuo's fate. Mister is here to help me, how could I demand benefits from Mister?"

"Hahaha, good, good, good." Xu Qingzhou laughed heartily, expressing his approval of Lin Shuo with three consecutive "goods."

"Then let's wait and see."

"Mm..."

Time continued to pass, and soon, nearly half an hour had gone by since Meng Xiao left.

The two remained waiting, but the difference was, Xu Qingzhou was calm and at ease.

While Lin Shuo was anxious, his eyes longing, in the midst of a night of fresh rain in the empty mountains, sweat began to form on his forehead.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the door, and Lin Shuo's frail body immediately sat up straighter, his heart seemingly in his throat.

Though Xu Qingzhou was reading, he observed everything, knowing that despite Lin Shuo's words of disbelief, his heart still held hope.

Hope for salvation, especially at the brink of death, when desire grows stronger.

How could he not see through it?

He slightly raised his eyes, just as the long-closed wooden door was pushed open.

"Crack!" A sound.

This time, there was no wind, nor rain.

Only two figures, one tall and one thin, entered the room one after the other.

Accompanied by a faint stench, which made Xu Qingzhou's eyes flicker.

The tall one in front was naturally Meng Xiao, while the thin one behind was wrapped tightly in a new black robe.

Hunched over, limping as she walked inside.

Her movements were unsteady, her form collapsed, yet she bypassed Meng Xiao and went straight to Lin Shuo's bedside.

Without warning, she knelt down, knocking her head on the ground several times.

This scene not only left Xu Qingzhou stunned but also bewildered Lin Shuo, who was momentarily at a loss.

"Mister, I've brought the person, it's this young lady."

Xu Qingzhou nodded in acknowledgment, and Meng Xiao respectfully stepped aside.

Lin Shuo regained his composure, shifting his body closer to the edge of the bed, speaking in a teasing tone:

"Raise your head, let me see."

The woman under the black robe shook her head desperately, burying it deeper, instinctively shrinking back.

"What are you afraid of, raise your head."

Black-robed woman: "..."

"Fine, if you don't want to, I won't look. Tell me your name?"

Black-robed woman: "..."

No matter what Lin Shuo said or asked, the black-robed woman remained silent, her head buried deep, kneeling and curling into a ball.

Lin Shuo looked bewildered at Meng Xiao and Xu Qingzhou, "Why isn't she speaking?"

Meng Xiao sighed, looking at Xu Qingzhou.

"Mister!"

Xu Qingzhou understood, nodding in agreement.

"Go ahead."

He too was curious why this woman was like this, what interesting story was hidden within.