A wordless night passed.
Dawn light seeped through the window lattice, scattering into mottled beams that fell upon the flawless half-profile of a sleeping young woman. Her dense, elongated lashes trembled slightly as Ruan Su instinctively reached out to the bed beside her. The empty touch jolted her eyes wide open.
Yesterday's memories flooded back. After staring at the familiar little room for a long moment, Ruan Su sat up and rubbed her disheveled hair, blinking drowsily a few times. She noticed that the gash on her fair forearm, cut by the Shaking Ape's skull fragments, had already scabbed over into hard crusts. She picked at them, and the blood scabs fell away, leaving only faint tender red marks.
She nodded in satisfaction. Just as she was about to get up, something seemed to occur to her, and she quickly smoothed down her messy strands of hair, covering the half of her face that had been burned by flames.
Her gaze swept across the room, and Ruan Su tilted her little head.
Xiao Yi went out?
The door was open, and that tapered wooden post still swung like a pendulum on the doorframe. The room was completely empty, yet she felt little panic in her heart.
Qin Yi's descent into chaos was divided by sleep. Normally, after waking up, he would force himself to stay awake for a day or two before sleeping again.
Stretching like a meerkat, Ruan Su threw off the covers and got out of bed. But before she could step outside, she heard the sound of a blade slicing through flesh and hushed conversation coming from the courtyard beyond the door.
"...You're thinking of modifying this handheld crossbow?""Mhm."
"The Shaking Ape's sheath-tendons would make pretty good bowstrings. The stone rating should go up quite a bit. But the crossbow's main mechanism seems to be made of red ironwood, and I doubt its strength can handle those tendons."
"There should be suitable wood in the mountains."
"The higher the stone rating of a crossbow, the more troublesome the precision tuning gets."
"Mhm."
"Do you want me to find someone... wait, you understand this?"
"A little."
"..."
Walking to the open wooden door, a flash of surprise crossed Ruan Su's face.
The morning mountain mist had yet to dissipate, carrying the damp chill of late autumn. The female ape's carcass had already been dragged beside the well. A burly man held a short blade and was expertly working across its corpse. Blood meandered along the stone slabs and seeped into the soil. On the nearby bluestone bricks, quite a few usable materials had already been extracted.
On the other side of the stone well stood two very mismatched figures.
One big, one small.
The old master and Qin Yi.
Cloth shoes stepped silently across the earth as Ruan Su walked toward Qin Yi and the old master. None of the three noticed her arrival until a woman's voice, tinged with a hint of arrogance, suddenly came from behind her:
"The grimy little girl from back then has cleaned up rather nicely."
Ruan Su halted mid-step and turned around.
Standing against the old locust tree on the other side of the courtyard was a woman. A chilly mountain breeze swept over her form-fitting dark purple combat attire, outlining her graceful, curvaceous figure. Before she spoke, Ruan Su had not sensed her presence at all.
Luo Liuyi.
Three years ago, after Luo Liuyi had entered the old master's field of vision through Qin Yi's scheme and earned his regard, Ruan Su had seen her a few times. However, since the woman worked in intelligence while Ruan Su herself had joined the Iron Guards, they had little interaction. Later, the woman vanished without a trace, and Ruan Su assumed she had died on a mission.
Ruan Su had been about to nod in greeting out of courtesy.
But Luo Liuyi's next words cut her off.
Her voice carried a soft, teasing edge:
"Honestly, girl, if you'd just obediently stayed at Guifang Tower, with your looks and figure, our Immortal Guest Lodge would definitely have one more top-rated courtesan. Just spread your legs and live comfortably, no need to risk your life out there fighting and killing. Isn't that right?"
"..."
A cold wind swept across the courtyard. Hearing the voice behind him, Qin Yi turned around as well, looking somewhat surprised at Luo Liuyi.
He hadn't noticed earlier that this woman had such a sharp edge to her?
But why?
A grudge with Ruan Su from before?
Just as he was thinking, Qin Yi sensed something was off.
Ruan Su had already turned and was walking toward the woman.
As she passed the bloodstained weapons that had been left in the courtyard overnight, she casually picked one up and gripped it in her hand. With a flick of her wrist, she spun it into a fierce flourish. The blade gleamed coldly in the morning sunlight.
Luo Liuyi's relaxed smile froze instantly.
Not out of fear, but because she hadn't expected this yellow-haired girl to dare bare her fangs at her.
Look at this girl...
Three years gone, and her wings had grown this stiff.
In the shadow of the locust tree, Luo Liuyi slowly straightened up and casually rested her fingertips on the sword at her waist.
The previously relaxed atmosphere in the courtyard tensed in an instant.
"Liuyi."
A voice from beside her severed the two women's standoff. Nie Junyue had turned around at some point, a hint of displeasure creasing his brow as he fixed his gaze on Luo Liuyi:
"Ruan Su is now a guest of my Immortal Guest Lodge, just like you. Show some respect and apologize."
"..."
Luo Liuyi fell silent for a moment. She looked at the old master, then at that fox of a girl. After locking eyes for a few breaths, she looked away and bit her red lips:
"...Yes, old master."
With that, she crossed her arms and leaned back against the locust tree, casually waving a hand:
"My apologies, little girl."
"..."
Seeing this, Ruan Su did not press forward.
Nie Junyue let out a soft sigh and turned to Ruan Su.
Seeing this, Ruan Su stepped forward two paces, held the sword in a reverse grip, and bowed in salute.
Nie Junyue's tone softened somewhat as he said:
"When I came over earlier, Xiao Yi said you were exhausted from last night and still resting, so I didn't disturb you."
Though she had already seen it, Ruan Su was still somewhat surprised that Xiao Yi would proactively reveal himself today. But she said nothing.
Just as Qin Yi was a fool to the outside world, she remained a mute in front of others. The persona had to be maintained.
Nie Junyue let out a light chuckle:
"Heh... Are you surprised that your younger brother's Brain Disease was miraculously cured?"
Ruan Su could of course tell this was sarcasm, but her mute persona conveniently allowed her to play dumb. She let out two "ah ah" sounds.
Nie Junyue didn't press the matter, at least not on the surface. He raised a hand to cut off her performance and said with a light smile:
"To be honest, when I first stepped into this courtyard of yours, it did give me quite a scare. Monster attacks, and a girl's corpse, all at once."
At that point,
Nie Junyue paused mid-sentence. His deep, unfathomable eyes turned back and fixed on Qin Yi with a smile, looking at him meaningfully.
Their gazes locked for a moment.
Qin Yi pulled at his facial muscles and returned a brilliant smile of his own.
Nie Junyue's brow twitched, then he steered the conversation back to the main topic:
"I came today regarding the attack you two suffered last night."
Ruan Su instantly became vigilant, her delicate body tensing slightly.
Immortal Guest Lodge had long since infiltrated every corner of Yellow Bamboo Town. Peddlers, laborers, merchants, and guards could all be the old master's eyes and ears. That he knew about last night's events didn't surprise her.
But,
Nie Junyue's next words took everyone present by surprise, even leaving them stunned.
He suddenly shed all his imposing authority, slowly bowed, and solemnly saluted Ruan Su with deep sincerity. His voice carried apology:
"My apologies. This matter arose because of me. I will take full responsibility for everything that happened."
"..."
This posture of admitting fault left Ruan Su's mind briefly blank. She instinctively looked at Qin Yi, even appearing somewhat at a loss.
Qin Yi first soothed her with his eyes, then turned his gaze toward the old master's retreating back, a flicker of heavy reassessment churning within.
In an era where human lives were as cheap as grass, where those above could arbitrarily strip those below of everything, even their lives, apologies were an expensive commodity, reserved only for equals and those of higher standing.
Just as an emperor, for the sake of his rule's stability, would not readily admit his own mistakes, even if his policies brought disaster upon the world.
Why was this?
If things were truly as Qin Yi suspected, then he felt his estimation of this old master might still be too low.
In the silence,
Nie Junyue spoke again, his voice steady as he set the tone for last night's attack:
"Last night's attack was essentially caused by a series of misunderstandings. Recently, Liuyi returned from the Central Plains, and there's been so much complicated business demanding my personal attention that I somewhat neglected the aftermath of the earlier marriage proposal."
As he spoke, he slightly turned his head and glanced outside the courtyard.
On the muddy path outside the siblings' small courtyard stood several Iron Guards on alert duty. The leader caught the look and immediately understood. He stepped forward quickly and bowed, presenting an exquisitely crafted wooden box.
Nie Junyue took it and handed it to Ruan Su. The tenderness and pity in his eyes seemed genuine:
"This is Xue Ning Shuang. It works wonders on burn scars. When I heard you'd accidentally burned your face, I sent someone to the prefectural capital to procure a box. Apply it consistently for a year or so, and it should fade most of the burn marks."
"..."
After hearing these words, Ruan Su's eyes widened slightly. Her dark pupils lit up as she gazed longingly at the wooden box, clearly wanting it. But then she thought that with her salary, she probably couldn't afford such a thing, and besides, she needed to save up for Xiao Yi's Brain Disease treatment. In the end, she shook her head.
"Take it."
Qin Yi suddenly spoke, his childish voice cutting abruptly into the conversation:
"This is all the old master's kind intention, sister."
At these words, Nie Junyue's expression remained as warm as still water, not changing in the slightest. But the gathered guests and guards of Immortal Guest Lodge all showed varying degrees of displeasure.
Especially that woman named Liuyi.
Overstepping.
Seizing the master's authority.
In this world of rigid hierarchy, had this been any other wealthy family, that foolish little wretch would have been beaten to death for a single sentence like that.
But with the old master showing no reaction, the subordinates naturally couldn't voice their objections.
"Ah... ah..."
Ruan Su let out two low sounds, accepted the wooden box, and bowed in a solemn and respectful salute.
Nie Junyue waved his hand with a smile.
Just as this matter was about to be set aside,
Qin Yi's childish voice rang out again:
"Sister, shouldn't you say thank you?"
"........"
Ruan Su's head shot up, surprise written across her face. But after locking eyes with her younger brother for a moment, she pressed her lips together, slowly opened her mouth, and with that hoarse voice, spoke her first words in front of outsiders in four years:
"Th...thank...you...old...mas...ter."
"....."
Silence.
Shock.
Peng Jun, who had been intently dissecting the Shaking Ape, stared with his eyes bulging into perfect spheres.
Luo Liuyi's brows twisted into knots, and her arms-crossed hands clenched tightly around her biceps.
No one had ever imagined that someone who had drunk the mute-inducing decoction could speak again. Not even the old master, Nie Junyue.
The corner of his eye twitched uncontrollably, and his heart suddenly pounded faster. Certain suspicions were confirmed, but the joy in his heart was immediately doused by a bucket of cold water.
That boy's words just now had been a declaration of sovereignty to him.
Morning mist drifted through the courtyard as Nie Junyue turned back meaningfully, his gaze settling on the boy whose expression was as pure as a blank sheet of paper.
Some things could not be spoken of to outsiders.
Qin Yi's survival was a variable that had completely stripped Nie Junyue of control over the entire assassination operation.
To that end, he had drafted many possibilities last night, even accounting for Ruan Su's direct flight. But when he pushed open the door of this courtyard this morning, the scene that met his eyes still completely defied his expectations.
In the gray-blue light of dawn, that slender boy sat alone on the steps before the small cottage.
He was waiting for him.
No awkwardness, no standing on ceremony, not a trace of fear. He called out "Uncle Nie" and then asked him to have his men help disassemble the female ape's carcass.
He wore the handheld crossbow at his waist and warned them to be careful of the traps in the courtyard.
There was no intention of hiding anything at all.
This boy was telling him in the calmest manner possible,
That he had escaped on his own,
That he had killed this female ape.
He knew someone had been watching this courtyard last night.
He also knew that the target of last night's planned assassination was him.
All the scripts prepared last night, and all the months of planning to win Ruan Su's loyalty, collapsed in ruins in that single instant.
"...Old master."
He had to admit, in that moment, he had felt a long-missed chill run down his spine from this boy who had yet to reach the age of thirteen.
Because of certain past experiences.
And because of this boy's future.
When he first arrived at Yellow Bamboo Town, Qin Yi had been just a six or seven-year-old child. And he had played the fool for four years right under his nose without a single crack in the facade.
"Old master."
A slightly firmer voice snapped Nie Junyue back to reality. It was the armored Iron Guard captain. He spoke quietly:
"We should return to town."
Nie Junyue let out a turbid breath and nodded. He looked at Ruan Su and said:
"Ruan Su, the fault for last night's matter does not lie with you. But with more than a dozen lives lost, we at the very least need to give the garrison commander an explanation. Come back to Yellow Bamboo Town with me and describe the details so my men can write it up into a report and send it over."
At this point, Nie Junyue paused. Glancing at the cheerful little boy who seemed to know nothing, he said:
"Xiao Yi should come along as well. These are troubled times, and it wouldn't be safe for him to stay alone in this courtyard. As for you, Peng Jun... stay here for now. Dissect the Shaking Ape properly according to what Xiao Yi said."
"Yes."
Peng Jun acknowledged immediately.
After a brief round of tidying up, the mountain's morning mist fully dispersed. The Iron Guards and guests of Immortal Guest Lodge gathered on the official road. Ruan Su, now properly dressed, led Qin Yi to their presence.
On the official road, two squads of Iron Guards, twenty inner-force experts with deep, steady breathing, flanked a lavishly decorated carriage. Luo Liuyi, in her form-fitting dark purple combat attire, rode a fine horse at the head of the formation, the long sword at her waist swaying gently. When she saw the siblings emerge, her slender eyes narrowed slightly, but she made no further provocative remarks.
No longer needing to maintain the mute persona, Ruan Su reached out and tousled Qin Yi's hair. Then she crouched down, half-turned her head, and whispered a command:
"The...town is...far. I'll...carry you...on my back."
Qin Yi was frail, and he hadn't slept. He didn't refuse. He wrapped his arms around the girl's neck and pressed himself against her slender frame.
But just as he was securely hoisted up, a voice drifted through the swaying curtain from within the carriage:
"Ruan Su, Xiao Yi is frail, and his Brain Disease was just cured. The mountain wind is bitter in late autumn. Let him ride in the carriage with me."