Taken Together

Earlier, the three bandits had planned that once Zheng De put down his boning knife, they wouldn't just rob him of his silver—they would also seize his wife!

After all, Tan Bing's figure was quite appealing. Even though she was pregnant, her belly was only slightly rounded, easily concealed by her loose clothing. Naturally, nothing seemed amiss.

What kind of decent people would resort to ambushing travelers in the woods?

If not for the fear that Zheng De might fight to the death with his knife, the bandits would have already pounced on the couple and left them with nothing.

The three bandits, long curious about what lay behind Tan Bing's veil, widened their eyes for a good look.

One look was enough to terrify them out of their wits!

Tan Bing's face was eerily flat, without the slightest contour—an unnatural sight filled with dread. The three bandits screamed in unison, "A ghost!", and turned tail to flee.

However, they didn't make it far before each of them collapsed to the ground, appearing unconscious.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zheng De quickly pulled out the stick jammed in the wheel. Just as he was about to help his wife back into the carriage, he caught sight of a figure in green robes out of the corner of his eye.

Startled, Zheng De stepped back, but when he saw Gu Ning'an's calm, unremarkable face, he exhaled deeply in relief. Setting down his boning knife, he cupped his fists and said, "Master Gu…"

Gu Ning'an raised a brow, slightly surprised. "What's this? Not picking up your knife to fight me?"

"Please don't joke with me, Master Gu," Zheng De replied with a bitter smile. "Let's not even discuss the fact that I wouldn't be able to beat you. Even if I could, I wouldn't dare raise my hand against you."

"Why not?" Gu Ning'an asked.

Zheng De was silent for a moment before replying, "If I said I consider you a friend, would you believe me?"

Gu Ning'an nodded. "I believe you."

Hearing this, Zheng De's face revealed an inexplicable smile. "In that case, may I trouble you, Master Gu, to bury me and my wife together after our deaths?"

As he spoke, Zheng De picked up the boning knife and, without hesitation, stabbed toward his own chest!

"Stop!" Gu Ning'an's voice rang out, and Zheng De froze. His entire body stiffened, and the blade could no longer move even an inch closer to his heart.

"Master Gu, please... let me die before my wife and child. Is that too much to ask?" Though immobilized, Zheng De's voice was still resolute.

Gu Ning'an frowned deeply and replied, "When did I ever say I wanted to kill you?"

"Eh?" Zheng De was momentarily stunned. Thinking it over, he realized that Master Gu had never actually said he intended to harm his wife.

"But didn't you say that the copper coin only harms demonic entities? Given my wife's condition, surely you've already deduced the truth… As an immortal, isn't it your duty to eradicate evil?"

Gu Ning'an waved dismissively. "Don't pin that label on me… Go tie up those three bandits, attach them to the back of your carriage, and follow me back."

"Back? But with my wife like this, returning to the village could cause chaos!" Zheng De blinked hard and hesitated. "Master Gu, if you're not going to kill us, why not let us leave?"

Gu Ning'an pointed at Tan Bing and said seriously, "If I told you that taking your wife and hiding like this would lead to certain death, would you still leave with her?"

"This…" Zheng De froze, his expression shifting. After a moment's pause, he asked, "Master Gu, are you saying that if we go back, there might still be hope?"

"Hmm, after returning, you'll stay in my small courtyard..." Saying this, Gu Ning'an gently waved his hand, causing the boning knife in Zheng De's hand to fall to the ground with a clatter, and the stiffness in his body to dissipate.

"Then I'll follow your instructions completely!" Zheng De gritted his teeth, fetched a length of hemp rope from the carriage, and tied up the three unconscious bandits. He secured them to the back of the carriage.

After finishing, Zheng De helped Tan Bing into the carriage and then gestured respectfully toward Gu Ning'an. "Master, please take a seat in the carriage."

Gu Ning'an shook his head. "You go inside. I'll drive the carriage."

"How can I let you—"

Before Zheng De could finish his sentence, Gu Ning'an interrupted, "Don't dawdle, and remember—don't stick your head out of the window at any point."

Zheng De quickly nodded. "Understood!"

...

Inside the carriage, Zheng De and Tan Bing communicated by writing in each other's palms.

By now, Zheng De had finally told Tan Bing the full truth. Previously, he had only told her that she was ill and that he was taking her to see a doctor.

After learning the whole story, Tan Bing remained calm and even comforted Zheng De in return.

Seeing his wife's composed reaction, Zheng De let out a small sigh of relief. Suddenly feeling a bit stifled in the carriage, he lifted the curtain for some fresh air.

Buzz!

A loud hum filled his head as Zheng De saw the tiny trees below and the occasional drifting clouds. His vision darkened, and he collapsed backward into his wife's arms.

Driving a flying carriage wasn't difficult for Gu Ning'an. However, most of the time, he preferred to experience the world on foot.

But given the current situation involving demonic matters, he cast a concealment spell on the carriage and descended straight into his secluded Ansi Courtyard.

When they landed, Zheng De was still unconscious inside the carriage. Gu Ning'an flicked his finger, and a beam of spiritual light entered Tan Bing's veil.

"You can now speak and hear again, though I cannot yet restore your sight," Gu Ning'an said. He then patted Zheng De's cheek lightly and said, "We're home. Wake up."

"Flying!" Zheng De jolted awake with a start, hitting his head against the roof of the carriage with a dull thud.

Tan Bing reached for her husband's head and laughed softly. "Take it easy. Don't get so jumpy."

"Who's talking?" Zheng De rubbed his head, stunned. A moment later, he realized and exclaimed, "Wife! You can speak again?"

In his excitement, Zheng De quickly lifted Tan Bing's veil. However, beneath the veil, her face was still featureless.

"I've temporarily restored your wife's ability to speak and hear using spiritual arts, but her sight cannot be restored for now," Gu Ning'an explained. "You'll have to make do for the time being."

He dropped the curtain and moved to the back of the carriage, untying the three unconscious bandits. Turning back, he said, "Stay in the courtyard for now. I'll take these three to the authorities. If you're hungry, there are some ingredients in the kitchen. Help yourselves."

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Zheng De jumped out of the carriage, bowed deeply to Gu Ning'an, and stepped forward. "Master Gu, why don't I handle this errand instead?"

"No need. Just stay with your wife." Leaving those words behind, Gu Ning'an led the three dazed bandits out of the courtyard.