Ultimate Path to Heaven

Chapter 2 Framed

Qingxi Village one day ago.

As usual, the fog swallowed up the fields, fences, and haystacks, making even the barking of dogs sound muffled.

Smoke billowed from under the thatched eaves, but was pressed low by the mist, drifting along the ground and mingling with the fog.

Every evening, the original owner of the body, Xiao Jin, would fetch water from the west side of the village. Today, before he had even filled the water container, the village headman stopped him.

"I met Muramasa."

"No need for formalities."

This villager is over forty years old. He was born and raised in Qingxi Village. He always greets people with a smile before he even speaks. He is recognized by the village as a "great person".

Back then, it was this village that took in the original owner, Xiao Jin, and his son, and they settled in Qingxi Village.

"I'm tied up with other matters, so please take this item to the east room of my house." Muramasa's tone was very gentle and friendly. "When you leave, please get some food from the kitchen."

"Thank you, Muramasa."

In the original owner Xiao Jin's heart, this village head was a very good person. Not only did he take in his mother and son and settle down there, but he also helped them a lot on a daily basis.

For this reason, the original owner, Xiao Jin, took the wooden box from Muramasa without thinking and walked towards Muramasa's house.

Meanwhile, Muramasa walked toward the original owner Xiao Jin and his mother's residence.

The original owner, Xiao Jin, had delicate and long eyebrows that resembled those of a woman, and his eyes were as black as ink but dull and lifeless.

Dry eyelids opened and closed heavily, eyelashes casting weary shadows beneath pale skin. Eye sockets were slightly sunken, exuding a lifeless, withered look, as if even the gaze carried a sickly chill.

In terms of physique and appearance alone, he is not much different from Xiao Jin in his previous life, but the two have completely different auras and expressions.

Since arriving in Qingxi Village, the original owner, Xiao Jin, rarely spoke to anyone... and was not well-liked.

If it weren't for the village head, Qingxi Village would probably have stopped accepting this kid long ago, and there would have been constant gossip, even ridicule and blame.

The village's main courtyard, with its blue bricks and gray tiles, is hidden in the shade of an ancient locust tree, its animal-head door knockers worn white by wind and rain.

The original owner, Xiao Jin, had been here many times, mostly for meals. This time, he knew the way like the back of his hand, entering directly through the side door and heading straight for the east room...

In the east room, with the door half-closed, Mrs. Muramasa was taking a bath.

Her long, black hair cascaded down to her waist, the ends of which, when dipped in water, spread out like ink. Her skin, glowing white as jade in the candlelight, and the graceful lines of her shoulders and neck resembled those of a lady in a famous painting.

Water droplets rolled down my back, lingered briefly in my lower back, and then reluctantly slid back into the water...

Her figure was like a willow in March, her breasts were like solidified fat and piled snow, her waist was like a slender silk ribbon, her buttocks were like a full moon, and her curves flowed down from her shoulders and neck, tightened suddenly at her waist, and then stretched out again.

It must be said that Mrs. Muramasa's figure is absolutely stunning; her mere back view is enough to make one's blood boil!

Unfortunately, some things, even when seen with our own eyes, may not be as wonderful as we imagine...

The original owner, Xiao Jin, who was in a hurry to fetch water and go home, pushed open the door to the east room without thinking and entered... and let out a scream!

Before long, Xiao Jin's hands were tied up, and he was whipped ten times on the back, but the force was controlled, as if the whip did not intend to kill him.

When the original owner, Xiao Jin, had just had his hands hoisted up.

Two dark figures lurked behind the upturned eaves, blending into the blue tiles.

The older man was thin and hunched over, holding his breath. His left hand rested on the short blade at his waist, his knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure. Another man seemed a little restless, shifting his knees from time to time, causing the tiles beneath him to creak softly. He was immediately silenced by a look from his companion.

"If we don't act soon, I'm afraid..." The whispered words were left unfinished.

"Thinking back to those days, only six of my eighty Blood Guards remain." The elder's eyes were filled with vicissitudes and resentment, which turned into a sharp and resolute glint. "Back then, our young master was young, and we Blood Guards were willing to die for him!"

She sighed softly, "But as the years have passed, although my young master has grown up, we see less and less hope..."

"But."

"There are no 'buts'. If our young master were to lose his life because of this, then we could finally give up completely!" The words "give up" carried the connotation of impending death.

Another man echoed, "The young mistress truly gives us no hope. We don't know what she's thinking."

Another sigh escaped his lips: "We are all ready to die without hesitation, but I fear the old city lord will not rest in peace in the afterlife..."

He was clearly set up, but instead of offering any explanation, he didn't dare utter a single word. In his cowardice, he endured ten lashes and fainted.

If the original owner, Xiao Jin, had struggled or resisted during this time... the two of them would surely have intervened!

Back then, the eighty Blood Guards were all top-notch martial arts masters. In the end, at the cost of seventy-four lives, they managed to save the original owner, Xiao Jin, and his mother by using a "corpse swap" to deceive everyone.

But what they gained in return for such a price was this young master...

......

The scene switches to the original owner Xiao Jin's residence.

The three thatched huts had sloping roofs covered with old straw, and the kitchen chimneys emitted bluish-white smoke. The firewood inside the earthen stove crackled, reflecting the orange-red light off the sickles hanging on the wall.

Two figures were hidden on the tree trunk outside the thatched cottage.

Although rice is rarely seen, Xiao Muyu would always cook a hot meal for her son at this time of day.

This Xiao Muyu is, of course, the mother of the original owner, Xiao Jin.

A few strands of silver were mixed in with her black hair, loosely held back with a wooden hairpin. Fine lines at the corners of her eyes meandered like shallow streams, yet they made her eyes appear even more gentle and warm—the luster of jade polished over many years.

The plain linen clothes were faded from washing, with half-faded intertwined floral patterns embroidered on the collar, and the belt around the waist accentuated her still slender figure.

Simple yet fragrant, its natural beauty is without a trace of gaudiness, yet it stirs the heart with an irresistible throbbing.

Hearing footsteps, Xiao Muyu thought it was her son returning, but when she looked at the person, her face immediately darkened.

"If the village chief still can't give up completely, then my son and I will have no choice but to leave Qingxi Village." Xiao Muyu said, seemingly oblivious to everyone else, as she lifted the stove lintel.

"Look at this food, that poor Xiao Jin must be suffering." Muramasa's tone was as gentle as ever.

"Life is unpredictable; just being alive is good enough." Though her words were calm, a complex emotion flashed in Xiao Muyu's eyes before turning firm.

"It's been so many years, could it be...?"

Before Muramasa could finish speaking, he said, "I will take Jin'er away within three days. I hope Muramasa will behave himself."

leave?

Muramasa smiled faintly, a wicked glint in his eyes.

This trace of evil was never seen by anyone in Qingxi Village except for the village chief's wife, after all, the village chief was a very good person in the eyes of the villagers.

"Let's think about leaving after tonight!" With that, Muramasa, unusually, left without lingering.

The village head had already harbored wicked intentions when Xiao Muyu first arrived in Qingxi Village. Perhaps because Xiao Muyu's beauty and temperament were far beyond those of ordinary women, winning her heart would bring even more wonderful things.

Often, even if you obtain something by any means necessary, it may not be what you truly desire in your heart.

Of course.

After repeated setbacks, Muramasa's initial idealism gradually faded. His complete disillusionment a few days ago led him to abandon this idealism, and he finally couldn't hold back any longer.

Ok?

Turning to look at Muramasa's departing figure, recalling what Muramasa had said, and calculating the time, Xiao Muyu suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Jin'er!"