Chapter 102
A few days later, Man Jiangxue, dressed in a brocade robe, galloped along the mountain road, rushing to the gate of Yunhua Palace amidst the dazzling wind and snow.
She returned silently, without any prior notice in writing. The gatekeepers were overjoyed and came to greet her. Man Jiangxue did not have anyone announce her arrival. She dismounted and, without stopping, rushed through the palace gates to the Mingguang Hall.
The stone steps were covered with thick snow, and many disciples were clearing it. Man Jiangxue's skirt was soaked through. She lifted her skirt and entered the corridor, where she heard several sounds of objects breaking coming from inside the hall.
Several panicked disciples ran out one after another, but when they saw Man Jiangxue, they all stopped in their tracks.
"What's wrong?" Man Jiangxue loosened her brocade robe, loosened the slightly tight collar, and asked casually.
The disciples bowed and replied in a low voice, "Since you have returned from outside the palace, you should know what has happened in the major cities these past few days. The palace only received the news today. The sect leader is currently in a bad mood after hearing about the poisoning of the refugees."
Man Jiangxue understood, gestured for the disciples to step back, and stepped into the hall.
As always, bright lamps were lit throughout the Mingguang Hall, making it as bright as day. Xie Yijun, dressed in a crimson robe, stood with her back to the hall's entrance, the prayer beads in her hand clicking.
Shards of broken porcelain lay scattered at her feet, and scalding hot tea was spilled all over the floor, still steaming.
"You seem quite angry," Man Jiangxue said as she walked, draping her brocade robe over her arm. "You smashed the teacup, what am I supposed to drink?"
Xie Yijun paused in her actions, turned around while still holding the beaded string, and stared at Man Jiangxue as if she had seen a ghost, asking in surprise, "Why are you back?"
A disciple stepped forward to take Man Jiangxue's brocade robe and quickly brought a broom to clean up the mess on the ground. Man Jiangxue picked up a chair and sat down, saying, "Naturally, I came back for the refugee issue. Since you know that, I won't say any more."
"What exactly does Nangong Min want?" Xie Yijun asked angrily, her anger rising again. "I have no intention of fighting with her all these years, and I have lived a few peaceful years. Now she has come back with a vengeance, killing so many people and disgracing Yunhua's reputation. She must have some purpose!"
During her journey over the past few days, although Man Jiangxue did not linger in the streets, she heard many rumors along the way. Now, the news of the refugees being poisoned has spread throughout the martial arts world, causing a great uproar. Everyone knows about it and is discussing it. As the number of deaths increases, the reputation of Yunhua Palace is also plummeting.
It's understandable that Xie Yijun was so angry.
With Ye Zhilan absent, there was no one in charge of Mingguang Hall. Furthermore, Xie Yijun was furious, and the disciples dared not show themselves rashly for fear of incurring her wrath. Man Jiangxue could only take the initiative to ask someone to brew hot tea again and ask for a set of clean clothes. She went into the bedroom, changed her clothes behind the screen, and talked with Xie Yijun through the beaded curtain.
"I thought about it on the way. Although Nangong Min has not made any moves on the surface in the past few years, she has secretly taken over Cang County and expanded the sphere of influence of the sect. After all, the Ziwei Sect was also weakened when the main altar in Hezhou City was destroyed. She patiently regrouped and must have come prepared. Using the deaths of refugees to damage the reputation of Yunhua is just the beginning. She must have other plans next."
Xie Yijun frowned deeply, pacing back and forth in front of the desk, and said in a deep voice, "The prestige that our ancestors have built up over generations is about to be destroyed in my hands. As long as Nangong Min is not eliminated, I will not be able to sleep, for fear that I will dream of my master at night. How can I face her? Jiang Xue, you've come back just in time. Let's talk this over. We can't let Nangong Min continue to run rampant!"
The beaded curtains rustled crisply in the wind. After dressing, Man Jiangxue washed her face with the readily available cold water. Holding a handkerchief in her hand, she looked over the screen at Xie Yijun and said, "Before that, there is something else you need to know."
Xie Yijun looked back at her, gesturing for her to speak.
Man Jiangxue then said, "In the middle of next month, Jiuxiantang will hold a general meeting in Weicheng."
As she spoke, she took out an invitation from her removed dress and presented it to Xie Yijun in mid-air.
Xie Yijun reached out and took it, glancing at the contents before frowning and saying, "This is addressed to Yin Qiu."
“Not bad,” Man Jiangxue walked around the screen and poured herself a cup of hot tea. “Meng Wugui’s disciple, Afu, has approached Xiao Qiu and asked her to come next month. She said that she can see her senior sister when she goes there.”
Xie Yijun's expression faltered slightly, and the fingers gripping the invitation tightened a little: "Mandong?"
Man Jiangxue nodded: "Do you still remember Zhu Bing? Ever since Senior Sister disappeared, Zhu Bing has also vanished without a trace. I even searched for her for a while in Liucang Mountain back then."
"How could I not remember?" Xie Yijun said, "Master gave you and Mandong each one of his most treasured twin swords. What, is Zhubing in Meng Wugui's hands?"
Man Jiangxue said, "She handed it over to Xiao Qiu."
"As long as the sword is there, the man is here," Xie Yijun's eyes lit up upon hearing this, "Mandong is still alive!"
Man Jiangxue took a few sips of hot tea, then sat back down in her chair and said calmly, "Not necessarily."
Xie Yijun was overjoyed, but after hearing Man Jiangxue's words, she looked doubtful: "Why not? Since Meng Wugui can produce Zhu Bing, it proves that Man Dong has been with her all these years. Back then, when Meng Wugui broke into the Ziwei Sect headquarters for Yin Qiu, we had imagined many reasons. Now that I think about it, wasn't that Man Dong's idea?"
"We can't draw any conclusions based on just one sword," Man Jiangxue said calmly. "Besides, the Ziwei Sect has reappeared in the martial world, and at this crucial juncture, Meng Wugui has released news about my senior sister. Don't you find that suspicious?"
Xie Yijun thought for a moment and replied, "If you put it that way, there is indeed something strange about it."
The tea steamed, and Man Jiangxue's face appeared somewhat inscrutable in the white mist. She lightly tapped the rim of the cup with her fingertips and said, "In short, I will personally attend the trip to Weicheng next month. I will also take this opportunity to find out clearly whether Senior Sister is alive or dead."
Sixteen years have passed. In the past, there were many rumors in the martial arts world that Shen Mandong was still alive, but those were all unfounded rumors. But this time is different. Man Jiangxue saw Zhu Bing with her own eyes. Regardless of whether Shen Mandong is still alive or not, the fact that Meng Wugui was able to obtain Zhu Bing's sword proves that she and Shen Mandong must have some unknown connection.
If Shen Mandong is alive, it means she and Meng Wugui were both in the Nine Immortals Hall. If Shen Mandong is dead, it means Meng Wugui saw her one last time.
“I can now conclude that Meng Wugui is definitely a former member of the Ruyi Sect,” Xie Yijun narrowed her eyes, a deep glint in them. “Meng Wugui is not someone the Nine Immortals Hall has always known. She is a rising star. But I can’t understand why Man Dong has refused to show herself for so many years, nor has she returned to Yunhua to acknowledge us. What is her reason? Or… is it that Meng Wugui has kidnapped her for some purpose and forced her to stay in the Nine Immortals Hall?”
Upon hearing this, Man Jiangxue remained silent for a moment: "If what you said is true, if Senior Sister was held hostage by Meng Wugui, then why did Meng Wugui go against Nangong Min to rescue Xiao Qiu back then? Who would risk going against Nangong Min for the daughter of a prisoner? Isn't that a contradiction?"
Xie Yijun nodded slowly, pondered for a while, and then said, "But ever since she first appeared that year when she helped Huaiwei defeat Qin Zheng, she has always worn a veil and refused to show her true face." Xie Yijun continued to analyze, "If she wasn't afraid of being recognized by us, why would she do this?"
Man Jiangxue did not answer.
Everything seemed like a thick fog, trapping people within it and leaving them unable to find their way.
At this point in the conversation, both of them fell silent. After a long while, Xie Yijun spoke again: "I have a feeling that Meng Wugui is more unfathomable than Nangong Min. She is an unpredictable and dangerous person with an unknown origin and purpose. Jiang Xue, when you go to Weicheng next month, in addition to finding out whether Mandong is alive or dead, you must find out Meng Wugui's true identity."
Man Jiangxue hummed in agreement: "I know what I'm doing."
Xie Yijun followed up, saying, "Aside from these two matters, you have another crucial task. You are the only person I can trust in the palace right now, and only you can accomplish this task."
Man Jiangxue looked up at her: "What is it?"
Xie Yijun sneered, gazing at the flying snow outside the palace, and gritted her teeth, saying, "If Nangong Min also arrives in Weicheng, such a great opportunity, you must do everything in your power to kill her and eliminate any future troubles!"
A sudden gust of wind swept over the eaves and into the hall, causing the bright lights in the room to flicker and cast swaying shadows everywhere.
Man Jiangxue reached out and took Ning Shuang off, holding it up to her eyes to examine it closely.
She said softly, "I'll do my best."
·
Icicles hung from the corner of the corridor, the winter scene was desolate, with withered branches scattered all over the courtyard, and a few red plum blossoms. A delicate hand gently picked up the fallen petals and placed them in the palm of her hand. A woman dressed in purple and with her face covered by a white veil lowered her head under the eaves and gently smelled the lingering fragrance of the remaining plum blossoms.
A green figure was hiding on the beam in the distance, concealing its voice. Meng Wugui straightened up, his palm slightly turned to the side, watching the petal fall into the soil. Without turning his head, he said, "I asked you to go to Yaodingcheng to deliver an invitation. You've been doing this for so long. The older you get, the more playful you become. I've spoiled you too much."
As soon as she finished speaking, the figure on the beam floated down lightly. Afu put her hands behind her back, walked slowly, and said with a smile, "There is only Liaoping County between Yaoding City and Jinhuai City. I love riding horses and I am not afraid of traveling, so I went to Jinhuai City for a look. Why are you being so stingy, Master? Anyway, I have done what you asked me to do."
The courtyard was filled with the fragrance of plum blossoms, but Meng Wugui had no interest in admiring the vibrant red blossoms. She simply repeated the act of picking up fallen petals and casually tossing them away, seemingly finding it amusing. Yet, her exposed eyes and brows remained calm and indifferent. Meng Wugui asked, "Did you see your senior sister?"
Afu rushed back to Weicheng, having skipped breakfast and lunch. She bought two steamed buns at the market and was now squatting on the steps, taking big bites. She mumbled, "She's such a busy person, how could I possibly see her? Has Master Fu finally taken a liking to her? He keeps her locked in the Fu family's secret passage day and night to practice her inner cultivation techniques. I've been staking out Mingyue Tower for days, but I haven't seen her come out once. I had no choice but to come back."
Meng Wugui glanced back at her, the plum blossom in her hand was crushed and juice was released, the fragrance mixed with a bit of bitterness. She paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "After you finish the steamed buns, go to Jinhuai City again."
Afu said, "Oh...ah?"
“Send a letter to your senior sister,” Meng Wugui said, standing with his hands behind his back, his tone steady. “Tell her to come to Weicheng next month to participate in the Mozi Terrace. I will write an invitation and send it to Mingyue Tower. You must tell her to persuade Fu Cen to stay, and it would be best if she came herself.”
Afu's face was full of doubt: "But didn't you say before that you wouldn't let Senior Sister get involved? She's doing just fine at Mingyue Tower. Mozi Terrace has nothing to do with her. Master Fu hasn't stepped down yet. It's a once-in-a-decade conference. So many people want to see the mechanical skills of our Nine Immortals Hall. How did she manage to convince her father not to come?"
“That’s your senior sister’s business,” Meng Wugui said. “If the young master doesn’t even have this much say, then all her efforts over the past few years have been in vain.”
Afu seemed to understand but not quite, scratching her head as she asked, "What if she asks me why?"
“Mission,” Meng Wugui said, “She will understand.”
Afu said "Oh," finished the bun in her hand in a few bites, stood up and said, "Alright then, I'll be on my way now."
"One more thing, tell her not to make a big fuss," Meng Wugui added. "Try to keep a low profile. This time is different from the past, and some people are starting to get restless."
Afu's eyes flickered as she realized the meaning behind her words, and she smiled, "Don't worry, I understand!"
After she finished speaking, she leaped onto the wall and jumped outwards, quickly disappearing from sight.
Meng Wugui lifted her skirt and went up the steps. The withered plum blossom in her hand was swept away by the wind and fell weakly to the ground. Then, in the next moment, it was gently lifted up by the wind and floated into the sky in a whirl.
·
A tattered red shadow came from the distance, perhaps covered in snow, making it appear somewhat heavy. Yin Qiu stood under the eaves, looked up and reached out her hand towards the red shadow. When she brought her nose close, she smelled a very faint floral fragrance, as well as a scattered, faint bitterness.
The red plum blossoms looked as if they had been rubbed and mangled by someone; the broken petals were covered with scars. When laid out in the palm of my hand, the white skin and the red of the blossoms complemented each other, creating a poignant sense of brokenness.
Yin Qiu looked up at the dome, where snow was falling everywhere. She then looked at the streets on both sides, but she didn't see any red plum blossoms climbing the walls. She wondered where these little plum blossoms came from.
She stood silently under the eaves, staring at the plum blossoms involuntarily. After a while, Bai Ling came out with Meng Jing, carrying a bundle on her back. Both of them had their brows furrowed, looking frustrated and suppressing their anger.
"Still not willing?" Yin Qiu turned her head and asked.
"This is outrageous!" Bai Ling said, her hands clasped behind her back, her expression unfriendly. "How many inns have we tried? Is business really that good in this snowy weather? Every single one of them says they're fully booked, and no matter how much we plead, they won't let us stay!"
Yin Qiu looked past the two women into the hall. There were clearly few customers inside, with empty tables everywhere. Business was not booming. The waiter and the manager in front of the counter were obviously pretending to be busy. On the surface, they were tidying up the accounts, but in reality, they were secretly sizing up Yin Qiu and the other two, with slightly arrogant expressions.
Even the few diners whispered among themselves, their gazes falling on Yin Qiu and his companions with a hint of contempt and disgust.
They pointed and whispered, neither daring to express themselves nor afraid of missing the opportunity to do so.
Yin Qiu saw it all, but didn't care. She turned her gaze away, smiled slightly, and said to the two people behind her, "Let's go."
Since Yao Dingcheng left, they have been subjected to a lot of scorn and contempt from the people. The news of the refugees has spread throughout the martial arts world, and Yunhua Palace has become the target of public criticism as expected.
In the past, Yunhua disciples were respected wherever they went. However, the situation is different now, and their treatment is also different. Although the disciples in the various prefectures are indignant, they are helpless and can only be more humble and try to avoid friction and disputes with others, so as not to worsen the current reputation of Yunhua Palace in the eyes of the world.
It wasn't until nightfall that the three of them finally found an inn to stay in in the most remote part of the area. The three second-class rooms cost more than the first-class rooms. If it weren't for the cold winter weather, Bai Ling would never have been able to swallow this insult. Who would want to stay in this shabby inn? With the sky as their blanket and the ground as their mat, they slept comfortably!
After resting for a while, the three of them were about to go downstairs for dinner when they were told that the cook had gone home and they would have to cook for themselves if they wanted to eat. Bai Ling was furious and almost hit someone, but fortunately Yin Qiu and Meng Jing stopped her and apologized profusely before she was kicked out.
"The smell of food from next door is wafting into my room!" Bai Ling said, hands on her hips, still furious. "They're clearly doing this on purpose! Deliberately making things difficult for us! Yes, the refugees are dead, but it wasn't Yunhua Palace that killed them. We're victims too! It's infuriating!"
"Things are different now, just bear with it," Yin Qiu said, holding a spatula and looking at the vegetable basket. She smiled gently. "Senior Brother Meng, Senior Sister Bai, what would you like to eat?"
Seeing her nonchalant demeanor, Bai Ling, who had been holding her breath in her chest, finally sighed and said in complete admiration, "How did you develop such a calm and collected attitude, even if the sky were to fall?"
“What’s the rush? I’ve been through even more malice before,” Yin Qiu said, rummaging through her vegetable basket. “I want to eat shredded potatoes. What about you? Three dishes and a soup are enough.”
Bai Ling then leaned closer and said, "Then...then I'll have some shredded pork with green peppers. I won't have the strength to walk if I don't eat meat."
The two huddled together discussing what to eat, but Meng Jing didn't participate. Because of Yin Qiu's words, "I've endured even the greatest malice," she suddenly became preoccupied.
Only two small oil lamps were lit in the kitchen. Yin Qiu tilted her head in the dim light, her smile as warm and gentle as spring sunshine. She said to Meng Jing, "Your diet should be light. I'll cook you a vegetarian dish."
Meng Jing subconsciously clenched his sleeves, looked away, and said, "Okay."
The three of them set up a small table in the kitchen. After eating and drinking their fill, they fetched some hot water and went back to their room. Yin Qiu pushed open the wooden door and saw Meng Jing standing silently in the corridor watching her as she lifted her leg. She asked, "Is something the matter?"
Meng Jing hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "Go to sleep early," before entering his room.
Meng Jing often gave the impression that he had many unspeakable worries. Yin Qiu was already used to it and didn't pay any attention to it at the moment. She closed the door, washed up with hot water, took off her clothes, lay down on the couch, and began to sleep.
In the middle of the night, a cold wind suddenly swept in from outside the window, startling Yin Qiu awake. She immediately reached for Zhu Bing under her pillow and, in the dim light, quietly looked out the window.
The night was still and quiet. No one was moving around in the inn. Only a few lanterns hung under the eaves, their lights flickering on and off. Yin Qiu had deliberately closed the window before going to bed, but it was wide open at this moment.
Yin Qiu squinted and breathed softly, staring at that spot. After a long time, she heard no sound and no one appeared. She waited for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before she relaxed a little, got up gently, walked to the window, and glanced at the scenery outside.
Could it be that she misremembered and forgot to close the window before going to bed?
Yin Qiu frowned, about to return to the bed to continue sleeping, when she turned around and suddenly heard a slight noise behind her.
It sounded like someone had moved a step.
Yin Qiu's eyes sharpened, and she immediately gripped the Zhubing sword tightly. A chill ran down her spine in an instant. She remained calm and stood by the window without turning around rashly.
Unexpectedly, the person behind him spoke up, "What are you standing there for? Guess who I am?"
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