The woodshed had no hot water left.
Heating water now would naturally be too late. Without inner force, Lian Yue would have considered boiling water first, but now it wasn’t necessary. She wasn’t afraid of the cold – hehe, taking cold baths wouldn’t harm her body.
Moreover, she originally felt internally feverish. The young woman poured a bucket of cold water over her shoulders, washing away the heat from her skin, and her entire body felt comfortable.
No wonder they all weren’t afraid of the cold.
Wuwu, having inner force feels really good, truly super good.
However, after bathing, Lian Yue didn’t return directly. Instead, she sneaked to the Spirit Hall.
Cheng Yi wasn’t there.
Cheng Zong, dressed in mourning clothes, was kneeling in the Spirit Hall. Beside him was a young, beautiful woman also wearing hemp garments.
She was probably Cheng Zong’s wife.
“You shouldn’t have returned,” the young woman said. “After father is buried, you should leave. Don’t come back.”
Cheng Zong replied, “You are my wife. If I leave, I must take you with me. Don’t speak such nonsense anymore.”
The woman’s voice lowered, becoming indistinct.
Lian Yue got up and left, avoiding the gatekeepers and guards, arriving outside Cheng Yi’s room where she hid by the window.
Another benefit of having inner force was being light-footed and nearly silent, making eavesdropping less likely to be detected.
But even if she was unlucky, it didn’t matter – if discovered, she would use poison, though once poison was used, the consequences would be unpredictable.
However, she currently had some doubts.
If someone with powerful inner force could achieve complete immunity to poison… After all, judging from what Gu Quan and Yuan Jing implied, since Cheng Yi could kill Magistrate Cheng of Cheng County, his martial arts might be extraordinary.
If inner force could resist poison, she would lose a means of self-preservation when encountering masters in the future. Or she would need to develop more potent poisons.
Crouching beneath the window, Lian Yue temporarily heard no movement from the room and began letting her thoughts wander.
There was no sound inside.
She stayed from the middle of Mao Shi until the beginning of Chen Shi (7:00-9:00 AM), seeing that Cheng Yi never left his room, before returning to her room to rest with panda-like dark circles under her eyes.
No rush.
Since Cheng Yi was up to no good, and now the magistrate’s biological son had returned, could he remain calm?
Lian Yue rested until noon before waking up.
Afterward, she found some food and began wandering around the mansion under the identity of Young Master Jinzhao’s maid.
Perhaps because she was somewhat good-looking and appeared very approachable, the servants were willing to chat with her.
From fragmented conversations with the servants, Lian Yue learned that Fancheng had been unsettled recently.
In Fancheng city, women were frequently dying tragic deaths. When the bodies were discovered, their blood had been drained, their bodies withered, with no signs of assault.
Over three consecutive months, there had been as many as eleven cases of young women disappearing and later being found dead.
The crimes were committed frequently and brazenly, as if the perpetrator had some powerful backing.
“The magistrate worried himself sick over this case for three months. A few days ago, another victim was fished out of the river. With the killer still at large, the magistrate fell ill. Who would have thought this illness would prove fatal? In less than two days, he…”
The maid, having received cosmetics from Lian Yue, said: “Xiao Yue, don’t mention what I told you to anyone else. Even if you do, never say it was me who told you.”
Lian Yue nodded seriously: “Don’t worry, I won’t tell. Besides, this matter is probably known to everyone – who would know you were the one who told me?”
The maid felt relieved: “That’s true.”
She continued asking, “But I heard that the main person in charge of this case is Young Master Cheng Yi?”
The maid replied, “Yes.”
As soon as the words were spoken, the other party looked nervous and immediately said, “Xiao Yue, I still have matters to attend to. I won’t chat with you any longer.”
Lian Yue followed the maid’s gaze and saw Cheng Yi standing under the eaves.
Behind him were pale gray walls, dark gray tiles, and the branches of a persimmon tree emerging around him. Aside from the bright yellow-orange persimmons above his head, everything else was draped in mourning white.
Cheng Yi stepped out of the corridor and approached Lian Yue. “Miss Xiao Yue, why aren’t you attending to Young Master Jin Zhao?”
Lian Yue said, “I woke up late today, and Young Master Jin Zhao was angry with me. He didn’t want me to follow and serve him.”
Cheng Yi reminded her, “The city has been unsettled these past few months, Miss Xiao Yue. It’s best if you don’t wander around, to avoid any mishaps.”
Lian Yue let out an “Oh,” a flicker of fear crossing her face. “I just heard about it too. It seems there’s been a series of murders in the city, and they specifically target women.”
Cheng Yi said, “So it’s better for Miss Xiao Yue not to roam about.”
She shrank back, shaking her head. “You’re right. I should go find Young Master Jin Zhao. My young master is very capable; I won’t be afraid if I’m with him.”
“Go ahead.”
The young lady bowed her head in farewell and turned to head toward the courtyard where she was staying.
After taking a few steps, a trace of disgust flashed in her eyes, and she quickened her pace.
Gu Quan and Yuan Jing had left early in the morning and had not returned since.
Learning from the maid that there was a market that day, Lian Yue didn’t idle around. She prepared to take some money and go out to shop, while also gathering other information from the townspeople.
As soon as she stepped out, she noticed someone tailing her and could easily guess who had sent them.
Pretending not to notice, Lian Yue made no attempt to shake off her pursuer. Upon reaching the market, she began shopping.
She bought typical feminine items like rouge, powder, bracelets, hairpins, and a change of clothes—nothing out of the ordinary.
After about an hour of browsing, the tail likely decided she posed no threat and left, no longer wasting time following her.
Only after the tracker had left on their own did Lian Yue begin inquiring among the townspeople about the recent series of tragic cases.
Since Cheng Yi was in charge of this case, she might uncover some clues.
“It’s been three months, and the authorities have no leads. Magistrate Cheng was so distressed by this matter that he fell ill and passed away, but before he did, he urged Young Master Cheng Yi to catch the culprit.”
“That’s right. The victims are all young girls in their teens, just gone like that. It’s truly pitiful.”
“Most of the deceased lived in the northern part of the city.”
“Another one was just pulled out the day before yesterday, her body so bloated she was unrecognizable. Her mother said there wasn’t a sound the night she disappeared—it was eerie, like a ghost was involved.”
As she shopped and inquired, Lian Yue pieced together the key information she gathered. Only these four statements were useful.
By 5 p.m., before dark, the young lady returned to the courtyard, where both Gu Quan and Yuan Jing were present.
Seeing Lian Yue carrying numerous packages, Gu Quan asked, “Did you go to the market?”
Lian Yue nodded. “Yes.”
He looked displeased. “Why didn’t you say anything before going out?”
Setting down her things, Lian Yue replied obediently, “I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t find you, so I went out on my own. Please don’t be angry.”
Gu Quan: “I’m not angry.”
“Yes, you’re not angry.” After agreeing, she muttered under her breath, “Just wearing a cold expression.”
Yuan Jing said: “He’s dissatisfied that you returned too late. He’s been keeping in mind the matter he promised you yesterday that remains unfinished.”
Gu Quan looked at Yuan Jing with surprise and suspicion, astonished that he would speak in his defense before the young lady.
After all, just last night the two of them had been at odds over this.
Lian Yue turned to look at him: “Really?”
He nodded: “What else?”
“My apologies for the long wait.” Lian Yue immediately smiled, “How terrible of me to keep Young Master Jinzhao waiting.”
Truth be told.
The pseudonym Cui Jinzhao that Gu Quan used actually sounded quite pleasant when spoken.
He said helplessly: “Enough, go and get ready.”
Lian Yue said: “I’m always ready, we can start anytime.”
Gu Quan: “You’re really impatient.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Yuan Jing. Seeing him sitting calmly without speaking, yet with a warning in his eyes, he said: “Go change into dark outer garments and come with us to a place.”
“What place?”
“You’ll know when we get there.”
Lian Yue instinctively looked at Yuan Jing too. Seeing that he didn’t object, she understood this was probably something the two had agreed upon.
Without further ado, she brought her purchases inside and changed into crimson outer garments.
The clothing was bright but not overwhelming.
The young lady’s jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, the red and black combination making her snow-white skin appear even more striking.
After changing and emerging, Lian Yue immediately felt two gazes fixed upon her, causing her whole body to stiffen.
It felt like being targeted by wild beasts.
The gazes were quite aggressive. When she looked back following her intuition, she saw it was Gu Quan and Yuan Jing watching her.
No, no.
Both men seemed somewhat off, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong.
In any case, the atmosphere felt strange.
Yuan Jing was the first to withdraw his gaze, turning to leave: “Let’s go.”
Gu Quan also nodded, telling Lian Yue: “Follow me.”
After You hour, the sky began to darken.
Lian Yue’s eyesight wasn’t good, so she could only follow closely behind. After winding through many twists and turns, they arrived at hot springs veiled in mist.
She was still completely confused: “Are you two going to bathe in the hot springs?”
Yuan Jing: “You are.”
The young lady: “Ah? By myself?”
Lian Yue looked at Yuan Jing, then at Gu Quan, somewhat puzzled: “I never said I wanted to bathe in hot springs.”
Yuan Jing’s tone remained concise: “I know.”
If you know then why…?
Seeing the young lady’s defensive expression, Gu Quan crossed his arms and urged from his superior position: “Why are you standing there? Get in first.”
Lian Yue obediently complied.
Only after entering the hot springs did she ask: “Why do I need to bathe in hot springs?”
She appeared so docile, so soft and gentle.
Coupled with her red clothing, the visual impact became even more intense.
Yuan Jing explained: “Your body can’t handle heat. The hot spring water temperature is moderate and can help cool your body.”
So that was it.
No wonder they said they would help her continue refining the inner force in her Dantian, yet had her change into dark clothing and brought her here.
She said: “You’ve gone to great trouble.”
Hearing this, Gu Quan looked at Yuan Jing, his expression turning colder. His good brother was so guarded like this precisely because he feared he might take advantage of the young lady.
He sneered lightly: “Then we’ll trouble A Jing to continue providing protection.”
Yuan Jing paid no attention to his attitude, simply uttering “Mm” before sitting on a stone chair and closing his eyes to rest.
Gu Quan shifted his gaze to Lian Yue. Looking at the bewildered young lady, his tone grew even flatter: “Sit properly first.”
He didn’t enter the water.
After finishing her meditation, Lian Yue extended her hand above the water surface. He only touched the pulse point on her wrist with his index and ring fingers, transferring his inner force into her body.
With the alternating hot and cold water of the hot springs helping to regulate her temperature, her body didn’t feel as scorching hot during this session of Circulating Qi. However, the other’s inner force, carrying her own, still circulated rapidly through her Meridians, causing some discomfort.
But it was still bearable.
From the Hour of the Dog to the Hour of the Boar, Lian Yue finally completely refined the inner force in her Dantian. The other withdrew their inner force and said, “Done.”
Lian Yue could feel that the inner force in her Dantian was now completely under her own control. As the inner force flowed through all her Meridians, she even had the illusion that she could take on ten opponents by herself.
Wow.
Is this how the strong feel?
But Gu Quan poured cold water on her enthusiasm: “Your foundation is too weak. You need to practice diligently and must not seek quick results.”
Lian Yue nodded obediently: “I will definitely practice diligently.”
Gu Quan noticed Yuan Jing rising beside him and curled his lips into a cold smile, suddenly adding: “Moreover, A Jing has warned me not to help you take shortcuts anymore.”
Yuan Jing: “…”
Is he… complaining about me to my face? How childish.