He Residence.
With green bricks and grey tiles, and black stone paving the ground, the courtyard featured a small bridge over flowing water and a rockery entwined with vines. Unlike the solemn and magnificent aesthetic favored by the people of Gu City, every decorative element here exuded the gentle and graceful charm of the Jiangnan region.
He Wenbin, in his wide-sleeved robes, had delicate features like a Jiangnan waterscape. At this moment, he stood alone atop the rockery, gazing into the distance.
A moon-white brocade robe, woven from expensive Su silk, fluttered in the wind, making him appear graceful and ethereal, like a figure from a painting.
Outside the courtyard, rows of armored soldiers passed by intermittently, their clanking armor making a powerful and resonant sound.
He Wenbin turned his head and spoke to the empty space, “Old Yuan, have you still not found the Third Master?”
“Young Master, from last night until now, all the contact points have been searched, and no lingering marks were found. The sound of armor hasn't stopped from last night until now, so it seems the Garrison hasn't found him either…”
He Wenbin sneered, “These mountain bandits sure know how to hide. This vast Gu City has been practically turned inside out, yet they still haven’t found him.”
“He’s probably too scared to come out after last night’s commotion,” Old Yuan echoed.
“It would be good if he died; being alive is always a hassle. What a pity, those two Lian Rou Realm Xiaoqi officers actually managed to stop those two bandits last night. Otherwise, with the three of them working together, Xue Ren would have had no chance of survival!” He Wenbin mused, “How is the Garrison doing? Is there any news of Xue Ren?”
“Not yet, but now rumors are rampant in the army, all saying that Xue Ren is on his last legs,” Old Yuan replied.
Last night, everyone thought the assassination had failed, but unexpectedly, that one-eyed Big Master gave them a surprise.
However, thinking back, it was somewhat normal. A Forging Bone Realm expert forcefully killing an Yijin (Tendon Changing) Realm expert—although Xue Ren was from an aristocratic family and possessed extraordinary martial prowess, if the Big Master truly wanted to fight to the death, the probability of mutual destruction was still very high.
“This… cannot be easily believed. We must ascertain Xue Ren’s true condition,” He Wenbin did not fall for it easily.
As long as Xue Ren was not dead, the Xue Family would still have an heir, and there would be no immediate chaos.
For the He Family to fish in troubled waters, they had to thoroughly stir up the waters. Otherwise, the powerful figures in the stands would not easily get involved, and the newly promoted aristocratic families would not have any opportunities.
Old Yuan hesitated and said, “But Young Master, the situation is very tense now. Rashly sending people to visit might arouse suspicion of ulterior motives. Once it implicates us, it would be detrimental. It would be better to wait for the right moment.”
“Wait?!” He Wenbin’s eyes turned sinister, “Is Xue Chengwu a fool? Will he just wait for us to act without making any moves? Hmph, even if he is weak and incompetent, he will at least take the opportunity to arrange a fallback plan. By then, after paying some price, with the Zhao Family stepping forward and the other three families agreeing, we might truly have no chance at all!”
“Also, don’t think of these Garrison brutes as too stupid. Didn’t that Baihu always want the Thunder Pattern Bone Tempering Dew? Give it to him! I don’t believe he won’t have a way.”
“Tell him again, if he can kill Xue Ren directly, he can have any luxurious mansion and beautiful concubine he desires. I will also give him a treasured spiritual saber!”
“Your subordinate obeys!”
…
The next evening, as the sun set, the afterglow of the setting sun spread across the land, also coating the Yongwang Garrison in a golden hue.
Soldiers who had trained all day were returning in groups, looking somewhat tired.
And outside Xue Ren’s bedchamber, “distinguished guests” arrived.
“Go, go in and announce that this official wishes to visit Xue Ren!” Mo Yingshuo stepped into the front courtyard, flicking the hem of his silver-white flying fish robe, and said with an overbearing demeanor.
Behind him followed another person, with a sallow complexion, small eyes, and thin lips, named Shi Lei. Although he was also a Zongqi, he always considered himself Mo Yingshuo’s follower.
Wei Xian dared not neglect, and hurriedly stepped forward with a bow, saying, “Xiaoqi Ning has given orders that no one is allowed inside. Please—”
“Slap!”
Before he could finish speaking, Shi Lei’s brows furrowed, and he strode forward, slapping Wei Xian to the ground.
Two front teeth, mixed with blood, fell out, showing the force of the blow.
Shi Lei sneered, “You’re really giving yourself too much credit, trying to brush us off with a Xiaoqi’s words. You probably can’t tell which official is higher, a Xiaoqi officer or a Zongqi, can you?!”
When Xue Ren was around, Shi Lei naturally dared not provoke him, not even daring to utter an extra fart. But now that Xue Ren’s fate was unknown, and his martial arts were confirmed to be crippled by the military doctor himself, weren’t his subordinates and confidants at his mercy?
Thinking back to Xue Ren’s arrogant face in front of him, Shi Lei felt that his earlier strike was still too light.
Wei Xian, stunned by the slap, slowly got up after a while on the ground, but he dared not show any hatred in his eyes.
With two ranks separating them, if a Zongqi wanted to kill him, Ning Yue couldn’t protect him. But his steps still did not retreat, remaining firmly planted in front of the two.
Shi Lei then laughed, “You, you really don’t know what’s good for you. Xue Ren is almost dead, and you’re still here desperately selling your life for him. They say a tree falls and the monkeys scatter; why don’t you know how to adapt?”
As he spoke, Shi Lei’s eyes narrowed slightly, and his arm lifted again. In the sunlight, his palm suddenly swelled, and his palm was a vivid red!
An Yijin (Tendon Changing) Realm expert, even with a casual blow, was not something a Wei Xian, still in the Skin Polishing Realm, could withstand.
Moreover, he had gathered seven-tenths of his strength, intending to cripple Wei Xian with one palm strike!
But just as it was about to land, Shi Lei inexplicably felt a panic in his heart. Knowing it was a sudden premonition, he quickly dodged to the side.
A sharp, powerful arrow flew silently past his flying fish robe and sped away, its tip shining like a star, like a rapidly falling daytime meteor.
Shi Lei broke out in a cold sweat.
He looked back and saw the Xiaoqi officer, Ning Yue, with his robes fluttering, holding a longbow in reverse, pointing at him with his hand as if it were an arrow, his eyes full of disdain.
Shi Lei was furious, “You, Ning Yue, how dare you draw arms against a superior officer?! Do you think the Xue Family still cares about you now?!”
Ning Yue waved, signaling Wei Xian to retreat behind him, then slowly drew an arrow from his quiver and nocked it onto his sturdy bow.
He turned his head to Mo Yingshuo, who was watching the show, and asked with a light laugh, “Lord Mo, whose dog is unleashed? Biting people randomly isn’t good. If no one controls him, I might have to shoot him dead!”
Mo Yingshuo, who had a smile on his lips, frowned at the remark.
Although he had long witnessed the sharp tongues of the ‘Twin Prodigies,’ he still found it somewhat unsettling.
Having experienced the banquet two days prior and heard about Ning Yue’s astonishing feat of defeating an Yijin (Tendon Changing) Realm expert, Mo Yingshuo naturally did not treat Ning Yue as an ordinary Xiaoqi officer.
He first shook his head at Shi Lei, signaling him to follow behind, and then looked at Ning Yue, saying in a calm tone, “This official comes today with no ill intent, but genuinely to visit an old friend.”
“Although Zongqi Xue and I have had many disagreements in the past, we are comrades after all. I am very worried about his injury.”
Ning Yue replied with a half-smile, “This subordinate understands, but at that banquet, we had a conflict with Lin Shanhe, your subordinate. After Lin Shanhe fled in defeat, Zongqi Xue was attacked. If others are unaware of this, so be it, but those who were at the banquet will inevitably suspect your Lordship.”
“Nonsense, how could Chief Mo do something as vile as ambushing a colleague?! You sharp-tongued Xiaoqi officer, you’re really good at sowing discord and slandering people!” Shi Lei had been fuming for a while and quickly interjected to defend Mo Yingshuo.
Mo Yingshuo did not get angry. He lifted his chin and replied, “How I conduct myself? I believe Xue Ren understands, and such a misunderstanding would certainly not occur—”
“Your Lordship,” Ning Yue interrupted Mo Yingshuo, stating directly, “'A gentleman prevents trouble before it arises and avoids suspicious situations.' If there truly is nothing, one should indeed avoid suspicion. Now is a time of many troubles. If your Lordship wishes to prove his innocence, wouldn’t it be better to catch that bandit sooner?”
If I could catch the bandit, would I need to come here to find you? Who knows which corner that bandit is hiding in?
Mo Yingshuo was so choked up that he didn't know what to say for a moment, yet he still refused to leave. He simply stopped speaking.
Seeing this, Ning Yue sighed silently and stepped forward two paces, pulling Mo Yingshuo aside. He explained in a low voice, “Lord Mo, one must be careful about appearances. This subordinate does not know why you are here today. But what if, during your visit, something unexpected happens to Zongqi Xue? How do you think you could explain this matter?”
“Even the wisest have their oversights. Lord, do not be careless for a moment and get dirty mud on yourself; it will be difficult to wipe off.”
Before he finished speaking, Mo Yingshuo’s pupils had already contracted sharply, and he couldn't help but feel a lingering fear in his heart.
He glanced at Shi Lei, who was constantly stealing glances from the side, then heard Ning Yue speak again, “Lord, why don’t you go back first? This person can be left for this subordinate to handle, how about it?”
“Lord, rest assured, this subordinate guarantees with his head that this matter will absolutely not implicate your Lordship.”
Mo Yingshuo gritted his teeth, his eyes showing a mix of admiration and resentment towards Ning Yue. Finally, he flicked his sleeve, stepped out of the courtyard gate without a word, and left.
Seeing this, Shi Lei immediately panicked and was about to rush to follow. Who knew that two iron-tipped arrows arrived instantly, plummeting right in front of his feet!
“You stay!” Ning Yue commanded powerfully.
His subordinates behind him trembled at the sound.