The Double
Chapter 288 - 113 East Mountain

Chapter 288: Chapter 113 East Mountain

"Who’s there?"

In the empty cave, the torch in Ye Mingyu’s hand cast long, flickering shadows against the stone walls, and his voice echoed, adding an eerie atmosphere.

He held Jiang Li protectively by his side and cautiously took two steps forward, raising the torch in his hand, then suddenly his gaze sharpened.

That’s when he saw two people sitting against the stone wall. At first glance, it wasn’t apparent that they were people, for they were in too sorry a state. Their clothing was ragged and filthy, their bodies and hands smeared with blotchy bloodstains—they looked more like prisoners.

Seeing Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu, neither of the two moved as if they were dead, except their eyes flickered slightly, indicating they were indeed alive.

While Ye Mingyu was still stunned, Jiang Li had already snatched the torch from his hand and crouched in front of the two men, her eyes calmly surveying them. But her heart felt as though it was weighed down with lead, continuously sinking.

Although she knew that Feng Yutang would have tortured Xue Huaiyuan’s former subordinates to the fullest, seeing this scene before her made Jiang Li realize she had underestimated Feng Yutang’s cruelty.

These two were clearly on the brink of death, barely hanging on to life. Perhaps the guards outside didn’t realize their condition, or perhaps they did and were simply watching coldly, hoping these men would starve to death inside. If Jiang Li hadn’t come today, these two likely wouldn’t survive the night.

Seeing Jiang Li crouched before them, their eyes moved slightly again, but still, there was complete silence; they did not move.

Jiang Li scrutinized their faces and finally recognized them; they were Gu Da and Gu Er, who had once served under her father. The twin brothers Gu Da and Gu Er, orphaned, were taken in by Xue Huaiyuan who recognized their martial skills and made them government officers. In her memory, they were always spirited, traveling everywhere, and their impressive swordsmanship even made Xue Zhao envious, who pestered the Gu Da brothers to teach him.

But she had never imagined they would end up in such a pitiful state.

Jiang Li murmured softly, "Gu Da, Gu Er, I’m Jiang Li, I’m here to get you out."

Gu Da’s eyeballs moved slightly, as if only then did he recognize where Jiang Li was standing. He tried to move his lips, but Jiang Li couldn’t hear any sound; she didn’t know what he was trying to say.

"His throat is hoarse from shouting, he hasn’t had water in two days, can’t speak," a hoarse voice suddenly came from behind. Though hoarse, the words were intelligible.

Jiang Li turned around only to see two more figures behind the stone wall, not knowing when they had appeared. One looked somewhat better, much more spirited than the Gu Da brothers, with eyes that were alert and watching Jiang Li carefully. The other was frail, presumably emaciated from being tortured by Feng Yutang, as if a gust of wind could snap him in half.

The robust one was the speaker.

If not for witnessing it with his own eyes, Ye Mingyu could hardly believe that these were once officials. Their plight was far more miserable than that of officials exiled for serious offenses, and even refugees hadn’t been this pitiable. They seemed to be barely supported by a single breath, as if one last breath could cause these men to collapse instantly.

Jiang Li looked at the man who had spoken, her eyes nearly moistening. After a pause, she said, "You must be Peng Xiao."

The man, Peng Xiao, looking at Jiang Li, asked, "Who are you?"

"I’m here to take you away from this place," Jiang Li replied, "I want to vindicate County Magistrate Xue."

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope sparked in the eyes of Peng Xiao, the man beside him, and the barely alive Gu Da and Gu Er.

Jiang Li looked at Peng Xiao, her heart filled with an indescribable bitterness.

The four people who had appeared in this cave were old acquaintances of hers, almost like family. Gu Da and Gu Er often sparred with Xue Zhao, and Peng Xiao, the head of the government officers under her father, was known for his affability; his white-toothed smile was as warming as winter sunlight. She and Xue Zhao regarded him almost as an elder brother. The frail man, who looked as though he might be toppled by the wind, was named He Jun. Among all the government officers, he was the only one who could read. He often consulted Xue Fangfei with questions, eager to learn. Xue Zhao had even jokingly said that perhaps He Jun did not wish to be a government officer and harbored the ambition of an imperial scholar; it might be wise for him to foster a good relationship with Shen Yurong, so that, should a day come when Shen Yurong achieved academic honor, he might elevate He Jun to a position like a Scrivener.