The Double

He could hardly stand up yet he was so absurdly optimistic, repeatedly declaring his desire to protect others. Such a person was indeed a rarity in this world. Xue Zhao, however, didn’t feel there was anything out of the ordinary. In his eyes, one couldn’t find a hint of darkness. He said, "I’m still not proficient with this whip. Once I get better at it, I’ll switch to another."

Situ Jiuyue looked at Xue Zhao and suddenly remembered the conversation about protection they had at the Duke Residence.

She said, "This whip is no good."

The crowd looked at her in confusion, and Xue Zhao also asked, "Doctor Situ, why would you say that?"

"Using a whip to kill someone is really exhausting. Compared to that, swords and daggers are much easier. You sitting in a wheelchair, with less strength than a standing person, makes killing even harder."

Wen Renyao scoffed, "Situ, you’re a lady after all. Why is it that all you talk about is killing people? Our Young Master Xue likes to rob the rich to help the poor and to punish the evil and promote the good. He doesn’t kill someone just because he dislikes them, unlike you."

Situ Jiuyue was startled. The words "unlike you" had been said to her countless times before. When she was a child on the run, people said she was different from other little girls, too cold-hearted. When she killed someone, they said she was unlike other doctors and resembled an executioner. But not once had she taken those words to heart. What if she was different? How did it matter? Yet today, the words "unlike you" sounded particularly harsh.

Her face gradually darkened.