Chapter 27: Identity Revealed, Hunted Again
Following the path, crossing mountains and hills, Qiqi and Liangsheng finally reached their hiding place, exhausted, after shaking off their pursuers. Wan'er and Liang Yanyan were already waiting outside. They each helped the other into the house.
Wan'er examined their injuries, brought some medicine powder, cleaned the wounds, and applied it to them. They were bandaged and couldn't bathe, so they could only wipe off the dirt.
The first night passed peacefully.
After a few days, the owner of the house they were staying in hadn't visited them for a long time and wanted to know how they were living. Taking advantage of the fact that the busy farming season had not yet arrived, he caught a basket full of shrimps and crabs and brought it to the small house where Qiqi and the others were living early in the morning.
Liang Yanyan loves to eat shrimps and crabs and is not afraid of their fishy smell. She excitedly took the landlord's things and ran to the kitchen to give them to Wan'er to prepare together.
Qiqi had just returned from practice, sweating profusely. She greeted the host with a bow, and Liangsheng emerged into the courtyard. The three of them sat chatting and laughing over tea. The Muyan people were known for their tolerance and indifference. They disliked stirring up trouble and lived in harmony with everyone.
Therefore, they cannot tolerate any flaws in their eyes. They will never let go of anything that may affect their honor and reputation, and they may even sacrifice their own relatives for the sake of justice.
Because of the setbacks and great changes he suffered in his youth, Qiqi only knew that he might be a member of the Mu Yan tribe, but he could not remember any specific details about whose family he was. He had forgotten it himself when he was rescued by Wen Ranqi.
The host was invited to have lunch with everyone. The steamed and braised shrimp and crab were all delicious, and everyone enjoyed the meal to their heart's content. Everyone sat in the yard, chatting and laughing. Qiqi went inside to change clothes, prepare to soak in a bucket of medicinal soup, and sleep for half an hour before continuing her practice.
The thick smell of medicine permeated the room. Qiqi sat naked in the bucket, feeling comfortable and drowsy. The owner of the house, who was in a hurry to urinate, passed by Qiqi's room and smelled the strange medicinal aroma. Curious, he pushed the door open and entered.
Qiqi knew everyone in the house, and since the person who came in had no martial arts skills, he closed his eyes and continued to bathe. The owner of the house smelled the smell of medicine and came in. He saw Qiqi bathing in a bucket of murky water. He walked in and smelled the smell of medicine.
The landlord said, "Young man, you're really good at keeping fit. You're so young and already enjoying taking medicinal baths. We, old bones, haven't even started yet." Qiqi opened his eyes, but he couldn't stand up, so he half-lifted his body with his back to the landlord and replied, "Sir, you're in good health. You're healthier than us even without taking a bath."
The homeowner was amused by what he heard, but his eyes were drawn to a red mark on Qiqi's back. He took a closer look and became puzzled. He asked, "Little brother, is this a birthmark on your back, or did someone brand you? It looks quite unusual."
Qiqi couldn't see. He had never looked at his back specifically. He had just taken a quick shower and put on his clothes without paying attention. He looked back but couldn't see anything. Wen asked, "Sir, what are you looking at?"
The homeowner walked in to take a closer look, his eyes filled with surprise. He said, "It looks like a leaf, just like the red maple leaves on the slope outside the door." He was old enough to have heard a rumor about the Mu Yan tribe. As long as a person was a blood relative of the clan leader, they would be tattooed with a leaf at birth to prevent someone from replacing the clan leader's blood relative or giving away the wrong child.
Qiqi thought it was nothing and continued to soak in the bath. The landlord tightened his belt and didn't even want to go to the bathroom. He hurried to the yard, thanked everyone, and rode away.
Qiqi took a bath and took a nap, while the others cleaned up the leftovers and went for a nap.
The landlord, an old man with a body that was calculated according to ancient years, rode for half a day to his house. He hurriedly dismounted and found his wife. Before anyone could take a sip, he asked, "Old woman, your family is well-informed. Aren't they very close to the patriarch's villa? Have you heard of that rumor?"
The old woman asked anxiously, "What's the matter? You seem so anxious."
The homeowner asked, "Have you ever heard of the rumors about the clan leader's bloodline tattooing?"
"What's wrong? It's none of your business. Why are you making such a fuss? When I was young, I seemed to have heard such a rumor in Chaohai City. I heard it from the gossips of the ladies in the villa."
"That tattoo is in the shape of a leaf on the back, the kind of red leaves you see on the mountains in autumn."
The old woman frowned as she thought back. The memory was too old. She became impatient as she pondered over it. She clapped her hands and said, "Yes, I remember now. At that time, I followed the old ladies into the patriarch's villa. I was still young and followed the adults in. I remember the patriarch's son. He was really white and plump, and he smiled at everyone he saw. He was not afraid of water at all when taking a bath. Although he was young, his eyes were very impressive."
The landlord sighed deeply. He took the old woman's hand and said, "Old woman, it's already wronged you to follow me. I can't let my selfishness ruin your dignity in your later years. A while ago, a friend asked me to take care of a few people. I thought of friendship and secretly arranged for them to live in a small cabin on the slope of the dam in the woods. Today I went to see them, and who knew I would cause trouble."
The old woman said, "What's the matter? Just tell me straight." "I'm afraid we're taking in the illegitimate son of a great clan leader. I heard some rumors when I came to the city a few years ago. I didn't expect he would be in our house."
Illegitimate children are objects of contempt and scorn in the four major clans. Throughout the ages, many clan leaders have lost their positions and reputations because of illegitimate children. Those who are decisive choose to kill the illegitimate children for the sake of justice in order to preserve their power and reputation.
Upon hearing this, the old woman acted decisively. She let go of the landlord's hand, walked to the table, and asked the servant to grind ink and write on black paper. Before the landlord could understand what was happening, the letter had already been sent out.
The old woman said, "You are so foolish, old man. I have already sent a letter to my mother's family, asking them to quietly tell the patriarch that his son is with us. If we see him, we will report him. He will not blame us. If that man is really his illegitimate son, he should thank us for saving his reputation."
"Well, then we'll follow your suggestion and not alert the enemy."
"You, finally smart for once"
Five days later, a group of more than ten cavalrymen arrived at the landlord's house. The leader in disguise was Mu Sen, and the young man following him was Mu Sen's eldest son Mu Nian.
Mu Sen, riding on his horse, said kindly, "Old man, old lady, I heard that you met my evildoer. I don't know where he is, but are you willing to take us there?"
Mu Nian threw down a bag of silver and said, "This is your reward. Please help lead the way, old men.
The two old men took the money, and with joy in their hearts, they walked ahead with even greater enthusiasm. The old woman did not follow, and the landlord rode his horse in front to lead the way. Thus, the group quietly approached the wooden house.
Mu Sen winked at Mu Nian, and he turned back from the crowd and returned to the house he had just been in. The old woman thought he had some needs and wanted to try his best to cooperate, so she and her maid went to greet him with a smile on their faces.
Mu Nian took out the sharp arrows, shot one arrow, two arrows, and then pulled them out and shot again. All eight members of the family were hit in the heart by the arrows and died of horror. Mu Nian ruthlessly retrieved the arrows, and skillfully, as if he had done countless times, he moved the bodies one by one to the backyard and burned them all.
Before she died, the old woman was still looking at Mu Nian with joy in her eyes.
An hour's gallop brought them to the cabin. Qiqi was practicing swordplay on the ridge, Wan'er was preparing dinner, Liang Yanyan was still fishing, and Liang Sheng was chopping firewood. Their peaceful days were completely shattered by the sound of horse hooves.
Liang Sheng felt the sound of hurried horse hooves and hid in the backyard with the women. Qiqi also saw the horse team coming back. Mu Sen faced Liang Sheng head-on. He and Liang Sheng had only met once, and now that they were old, he couldn't remember what Liang Sheng looked like. But Liang Sheng recognized Mu Sen. As the patriarch, he naturally had more opportunities to show up. Liang Sheng had seen Mu Sen more often than Mu Sen had seen him.
Liang Sheng said respectfully, "The great patriarch has taken the trouble to come all the way here. I wonder if it's for peace or what mistakes we have made that have caused the great patriarch to come here in person."
The homeowner looked around and saw no one else. He pointed at Liang Sheng and said, "There are four people living in this house, and three are missing. The young man among them is the one the patriarch is looking for."
Liang Sheng didn't know why Mu Sen was looking for Qi Qi. He tried to stop him, but Mu Nian drew his bow and pointed it at him. No matter how fast he ran, he couldn't outrun the arrow. Mu Sen's men found Yan Yan and Wan Er in the backyard and dragged them into the yard.
Wan'er was born beautiful and had the temperament of a lady from a noble family. Mu Nian's originally cold eyes suddenly softened when he fell on Wan'er. Qiqi hid behind the wood, and Wan'er was the first to see it. She used her eyes to tell Liang Sheng and Yan Yan.
Mu Sen shouted, "Qi'er, don't be afraid. I am your father. I am here to take you home."
Liang Sheng cursed in his heart, "A sweet mouth with a sharp sword, a beast in human form."
Qiqi wanted to come out, but Wan'er shook her head slightly. After leaving the forest behind the wooden house, there were mountains and dense forests connected to the public land. If they wanted to escape, they could run behind the mountains.
Wan'er met Mu Nian's eyes. She had already guessed what he meant by the way he looked at her, because it was the same look she had seen when Yue Huainan looked at Yue Chi, which made her feel sick.
She stood up and said, "Qiqi is practicing sword in the back mountain. He doesn't know the patriarch is coming. The old man behind him is very old and his daughter is still young. How about I take everyone there to find the person you are looking for?"
Mu Sen glanced at the landlord, who nodded and said, "Yes, yes, the girl is right. Apart from eating and sleeping, the little brother spends the rest of his time practicing sword in the back mountain."
Mu Sen asked Mu Nian to stay while he personally led his men to follow Wan'er to the back mountains. Once Mu Sen was far away, Qi Qi threw her sword sheath, knocking Mu Nian off his horse. She quickly ran to Liang Sheng and Yan Yan's side, cutting the ropes and protecting them. Mu Nian had met Mu Qi in his teens, but now Mu Qi had changed significantly. His features were strong and deep, and he was about the same height as him. He had also mastered martial arts, and he no longer looked like the frail young man he had once been.
"Good brother, should I look upon you with new eyes or offer a moment of silence for you in advance?"
Mu Nian drew out the long sword from his horse and started the first fight with Qi Qi.
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