Chapter 14: The Liu Family

Because of the previous explanation, Old Madam Wang was able to readily accept and understand what her granddaughter had said. In the old lady’s mind, it was just like those tales in the picture books: among the immortals’ signature arts, the "universe in the sleeve" technique was the most renowned. To teach it to Yue’er was truly a stroke of great fortune!

Nevertheless, she had to remind her once more. “Yue’er, you must keep this ‘universe in the sleeve’ skill hidden from others. Do not let anyone else know, lest those envious people devise a plot to frame you!”

“Yes, Grandmother, I understand. Don’t worry!” Of course, Wang Keyue was well aware of the risks involved. She was still weak and needed to remain cautious and inconspicuous for the time being.

After discussing it with the old lady, Wang Keyue closed her eyes as if to nap, but in truth, she was focusing her mind to enter the system and examine the glowing orb she had picked up.

The moment her consciousness touched the orb, it instantly transformed into a white card. Wang Keyue curiously took the card, holding it carefully in her hand to study it.

The front of the card was pure white. Turning it over, she saw a picture of a large saber.

“Congratulations, Host! You have obtained a Basic Saber Technique Skill Card. Use it whenever you wish!” System 9538 announced.

Looking at the card in her hand and listening to the system's explanation, Wang Keyue was at a loss for words. Everything felt increasingly surreal, as if she were in a game, picking up items and accumulating experience to level up.

Still, looking at the skill card, she felt a bit more at ease. At least she now had some means to protect herself.

She put away the card and began to contemplate what lay ahead. Rocked by the swaying carriage, she soon drifted off to sleep. When she awoke, the caravan had already stopped at the foot of a desolate mountain.

By then, it was early afternoon. Everyone was resting in the shade nearby, eating coarse cakes made from rough grain.

Wang Keyue supported Old Madam Wang down from the carriage, leading her to a relatively flat spot where they could rest and have a bite to eat.

Glancing around, Wang Keyue saw that the barren mountain was strewn with jagged rocks. A few withered trees stood scattered and forlorn, their leaves yellow and dry. It was hardly surprising—since the summer solstice up to this early autumn day, there had been no rain anywhere in the Great Qin; the land remained parched under a relentless drought.

The food and water they were now consuming had been scavenged from the group of soldiers; the supplies were meager, just enough for twenty-odd people to survive a little over half a month. Even when supplemented by their own ration of foul-smelling, moldy grain cakes—one meal a day—it was far from enough to sustain their group of over a hundred on the road.

The noonday sun of early autumn was still scorching. The air was devoid of moisture, so dry it made their throats ache.

“Ha ha ha! Hee hee! The Wangs—all of you are heartless fiends! May the whole clan die miserably! Ha ha ha—my poor son, what a terrible death you suffered—ahhh…”

From the rear of the caravan came the distant, wailing cries. At the sound, Wang Keyue knew at once who it was: the third branch’s Lady Liu, driven mad by torment.

She felt no personal animosity toward the third branch, but Lady Liu had unfortunately collided with Old Madam Wang’s wrath and was made a scapegoat.

Now, Lady Liu had descended fully into madness, and the third branch of the Wang family existed in name only. For the sake of the family’s reputation, Old Madam Wang had likely long since abandoned them in her heart.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, a shadow suddenly fell across Wang Keyue. She looked up to see a wild, disheveled woman lunging at her. Unable to dodge in time, she was knocked to the ground. The woman raised a stone above her head, ready to bring it down.

Wang Keyue quickly grabbed the woman’s arm. Thankfully, some of her strength had returned, and she was able to struggle against her assailant. In the next instant, several serving women rushed over and pulled the attacker away.

Only then did Wang Keyue see clearly—the attacker was, indeed, Lady Liu of the third branch.

“May the Wangs all die! I’ll kill you all! Kill! Kill! Ha ha ha!” Lady Liu alternated between hysterical screaming and maniacal laughter.

Upon learning what had happened, Old Madam Wang hurried over to comfort Wang Keyue. As for Lady Liu, to prevent her from harming anyone again, Old Madam Wang immediately ordered her to be tied to the back of the ox cart.