Chapter 138
The wind and snow were fierce, forcing back the daylight. It was only late afternoon, but the houses and buildings in Cangjun City were already lit up. Looking around, the lights were dazzling, like stars falling to earth.
People came and went in Wangchuan Palace. The maids laid out the sumptuous dishes prepared for the night. Nangong Min had just taken his seat when a follower came through the courtyard and stood outside the palace gate, saying, "Reporting to the leader, that Miss Yin has already taken the official road and is on her way to the city gate. Protector Qin ordered me to come and ask the leader if he should send someone to greet her?"
Instead of answering, Nangong Min asked, "Was she followed by anyone?"
“No,” the cultist replied. “The cultists who followed us from Wei City reported that no one was seen accompanying Miss Yin. Moreover, Man Jiangxue and the others left Wei City soon after Miss Yin set off, and it seems they were heading back to Yunhua Palace.”
Man Jiangxue was willing to let Yin Qiu come to Cangjun alone? Nangong Min chuckled to himself, "You saw Man Jiangxue leave with your own eyes?"
"Yes, the believers guarding Wei City saw it with their own eyes."
Nangong Min raised an eyebrow, his meaning ambiguous, and said, "Having just gone through the incident with the secret guards, Yin Qiu is still injured. Would Man Jiangxue abandon her and return to the palace first? You must have misjudged her. Even if Man Jiangxue didn't come, she must have sent someone to protect Yin Qiu in secret."
The believer looked troubled and hesitated before saying, "This..."
“Alright, go and invite her over here,” Nangong Min said. “Hurry up, don’t let the food on this table get cold, let her have at least a few bites of something hot.”
The follower accepted the order and quickly summoned several of his subordinates to go to the city gate to meet the person.
Incense burned in the hall, wisps of smoke rising. Nangong Min leaned against the chaise longue, taking a book to pass the time. But even after the incense in the burner had burned out, he still hadn't arrived. The maids, seeing that the food had gone cold, were about to take it away to reheat it when Nangong Min glanced at it and said, "I don't want any of it. Tell the cook to make a fresh meal."
She got up, clutching the book, and walked to the entrance of the hall. Before she could even call out, she saw the same follower rush back, looking apprehensive. "Master... Master, please forgive us! It's not that we wanted to keep you waiting, but Miss Yin refused to come and insisted that you come to fetch her in person."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Min's face showed a hint of amusement: "What, was it your attitude that was bad, or did you scare her?"
“Miss Yin is an honored guest, how dare we neglect her?” the cultist said. “She only agreed to come if you, the cult leader, personally came to fetch her. No matter how Protector Qin tried to persuade her, she wouldn’t listen. We had no choice but to come and ask the cult leader for instructions.”
Nangong Min curled his lips into a smile, drew out an "Oh," handed the book in his hand to the maid beside him, and said happily, "Then let's go."
Seeing that she was really going to pick them up in person, without even the slightest sign of reluctance, the believer was slightly surprised, but immediately ordered someone to bring a carriage. The master and servant walked around the long street for a while, and soon arrived at the city gate. Nangong Min sat in the carriage and lifted the curtain, and immediately saw the young girl standing outside the city leading a horse.
By then it was already dark, and torches were burning on all four sides of the city walls. Under the warm light of the fire, Yin Qiu, dressed in a red dress, was slender and upright. Her face was clearly delicate and bright, but her temperament was as light as smoke. The wind and snow were so fierce, but when they swirled around her, they seemed surprisingly gentle, as if even the heavens pitied her and were unwilling to let the snowflakes freeze her.
Nangong Min's eyes lit up, and she instructed the followers to stop the carriage in a secluded spot. She intended to secretly observe Yin Qiu for a while, but soon she saw Yin Qiu also look at her as if he had sensed something. The two looked at each other across a group of pedestrians, and the moment their eyes met, they both revealed faint smiles.
Nangong Min nodded slightly, greeted Yin Qiu, and then took the oil-paper umbrella prepared in the carriage and stepped out. As soon as she appeared, all the pedestrians at the city gate automatically dispersed, immediately making way for Nangong Min.
All voices fell silent at that moment, and everyone moved away in tacit agreement. Bathed in the wind and snow, the beautiful woman in red, with a smile on her face, walked through the silent crowd onto the street.
The flickering firelight and the inky darkness created a scene that was both surreal and tender, yet strangely beautiful.
·
The red figure approached, like a soft cloud. Yin Qiu loosened her grip on the reins, and when she looked up again, Nangong Min had already held the umbrella over her head, asking with a smile, "A rare guest, what brings you here?"
Yin Qiu smiled and bowed to Nangong Min before replying, "Didn't we agree before that Aunt would bring me to Cang County after the conference? But you left me behind, so I had to come by myself."
Nangong Min looked at her and said, "Nice dress, who picked it out?"
Yin Qiu said, "My martial uncle picked it out." After saying that, she deliberately added, "My aunt likes red dresses, so I specially changed into this one to see you. Does it look good?"
Nangong Min scrutinized her, as if admiring some beautiful scenery, before saying after a moment, "She looks good, but she didn't wear it for me." She straightened up, her gaze coldly sweeping over Qin Zheng and the group of followers beside her, and said, "I've already sent someone to pick you up, yet you still made me come all the way here myself. It's their fault for not treating you well."
Yin Qiu smiled faintly: "No, I just don't trust them. I need to see you with my own eyes to feel at ease."
Nangong Min then put away her previous indifference and smiled again: "Then come with your aunt. There's a meal prepared at home, all of which are your favorite dishes. You must be tired from your journey, so go back and rest as soon as possible."
Yin Qiu nodded obediently and replied "Okay". Nangong Min then took her hand and led her toward the carriage. When Yin Qiu saw the carriage, she thought for a moment and suggested, "I don't want to ride in the carriage. How about Auntie accompanies me for a walk? I'm new to Cang County and I'd like to explore a bit. Why don't we walk back? What do you think, Auntie?"
Hearing her call him "Auntie" so affectionately, Nangong Min was very pleased and in a great mood. He readily agreed, and the two of them walked along the street.
Even though it was still snowing, the city was still very lively. Restaurants and teahouses were doing brisk business, and street vendors were constantly calling out their wares. Apart from pedestrians deliberately avoiding the two people, the scene in Cangjun City was almost no different from other prefecture cities.
After galloping for several hours, Yin Qiu was actually quite tired. However, considering that Nangong Min might not easily release her after she entered the Ziwei Sect, Yin Qiu had no choice but to take this opportunity to familiarize herself with the route on foot, so that she wouldn't be unable to distinguish east from west or north when necessary.
Several children were laughing and chasing each other, running around happily in the crowd. They accidentally bumped into Yin Qiu. They wanted to run away laughing, but when they saw Nangong Min beside Yin Qiu, they all looked like they had seen a ghost and stood there in fear, not daring to move.
Yin Qiu found it amusing, patted one of the children on the head, and led Nangong Min past them, laughing, "It seems that Auntie's reputation isn't very good; the people are all afraid of you."
Nangong Min said smugly, "I've never had a reputation to speak of, so it's good that you're not afraid of me."
Yin Qiu glanced at her and said, "Then why is Aunt so eager to return to Cang County? The people in Wei City probably don't recognize you, and you didn't even show up at the government meeting. You didn't even visit me when you got to Wei City. Is that reasonable?"
Nangong Min smiled slightly: "What are you saying? With Man Jiangxue, that big shot, around, how dare I show my face? She wants to kill me."
Yin Qiu said, "Isn't there still me? As long as I plead with my martial uncle, she won't kill you. What are you afraid of, Aunt?"
“There are very few people who are not afraid of Man Jiangxue, and Aunt is no exception,” Nangong Min said, her eyes sparkling as she squeezed Yin Qiu’s hand. “I can’t beat her, so I can only try to avoid her. Besides, you are unreliable. I’ll be grateful if you don’t join forces with Man Jiangxue to deal with me.”
Yin Qiu said, "Why would I want to deal with you? There are many people who want to deal with me right now. My master is too busy to take care of me, so I can only come to Cang County to seek refuge with you, my aunt."
Nangong Min glanced at her and said, "Would Manjiangxue want you to come and rely on me? You're so young and you're already good at lying."
Yin Qiu smiled: "I'm not lying to you, it's true."
"I don't believe it," Nangong Min sneered. "Otherwise, why would she go to so much trouble to rescue you when I had Protector Wen capture you and bring you to the Ziwei Sect back then?"
“Because back then we all thought Aunt was a bad person,” Yin Qiu said earnestly, “but now it’s different. You specifically reminded me that someone would kill me. This is a great kindness. Aunt is actually a good person.”
Although Nangong Min knew that Yin Qiu was flattering her and feigning politeness, she had to admit that Yin Qiu's words were becoming increasingly eloquent, making her very happy. Therefore, Nangong Min's smile deepened. She said softly, "But you are really too stupid. Your aunt was so kind to remind you, but you still got into an accident. You don't know how to be more careful. I like smart children. If you want to rely on me, your aunt is not very willing right now."
Yin Qiu looked at her and said without hesitation, "Auntie is lying to me. You were willing, otherwise you wouldn't have come to pick me up in person."
Nangong Min smiled but didn't speak. She quickly stopped and looked around the city. Suddenly, she asked, "Where is Man Jiangxue?"
Yin Qiu blinked: "I don't know, my martial uncle went back to the palace."
“I don’t believe that either,” Nangong Min stared at her. “Let me think. She’s the one who asked you to come, isn’t she?”
Yin Qiu said, "No, I asked to come here myself."
“She must be with you,” Nangong Min said. “She might already be inside the city, secretly watching us from somewhere.”
Yin Qiu couldn't help but chuckle: "Is Aunt really that scared?"
"Of course I'm scared," Nangong Min said, seeing that her expression didn't seem fake, so he didn't press her further. He simply said, "But even if she comes, it doesn't matter. With you by my side, she won't dare to do anything to me."
“That’s it,” Yin Qiu readily agreed. “In that case, what are you afraid of, Aunt? I have come here sincerely to rely on you.”
Nangong Min looked at her and smiled meaningfully: "Have you thought it through? Once you join your aunt's Ziwei Sect, you won't be able to return to Yunhua Palace."
Yin Qiu said, "Since I came, I never thought of going back. Aunt, there's no need to test me. I'm telling you the truth."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Mincai started walking again, and replied with a smile, "That would be perfect."
·
The two traveled hand in hand, braving the wind and snow to return to the Ziwei Sect. Since the incident at the main altar in Hezhou City, Nangong Min had not deliberately set up a main altar. She set up a manor in Cang County as her residence, and the followers were scattered in various branches inside and outside the city. If other sects wanted to invade, they would have to consider the people in the city. Compared to being far away from the world, this place was naturally much safer than other places.
Stepping through the snow into the courtyard, the maids quickly came out to greet her. As soon as Yin Qiufu entered, her eyes were filled with red. She looked around and said as she entered the hall, "There are maple trees here too? They all look like they were planted a few years ago."
Nangong Min took off his cloak and sat down at the dining table with Yin Qiu. He said, "Auntie is a sentimental person. Your father used to love maple trees the most. I couldn't find his remains back then, and I didn't have any belongings to erect a cenotaph. I can only rely on these maple trees to remember him."
Yin Qiu thought of the desolation of Liucang Mountain, and then of the clearing in the forest where all the corpses were buried. She paused for a moment, then poured two cups of hot tea and asked, "Is Aunt and my father on good terms?"
Seeing that her face was pale and her lips were not red, Nangong Min called a maid to bring more charcoal fires and said, "He is my father's only adopted son and also my adopted brother. How could our relationship not be good?"
The maids served hot food one after another. Many of them recognized Yin Qiu, but dared not exchange pleasantries with her. Instead, they bowed to her with smiles, and Yin Qiu nodded in thanks. Finally, she turned to Nangong Min and said, "When I last came to the Ziwei Sect, my aunt mentioned that my father left a will instructing you to raise me personally and to keep me away from people from Yunhua Palace. Does my aunt remember this?"
Nangong Min picked up a few pieces of food and placed them on Yin Qiu's plate, then looked at her and said, "Of course I remember."
"Why would he say that?" Yin Qiu picked up her chopsticks and poked at the food in her bowl, but didn't eat. "Yunhua Palace is my mother's sect, and it used to be on good terms with Ruyi Sect. What's wrong with having contact with them?"
Nangong Min said, "Is that even a question? You are both Shen Mandong's daughter and Yin Xuan's daughter. As the saying goes, the sins of the father are visited upon the son. Of course he would worry that you would fall into the hands of a sect other than the Ziwei Sect."
“But he only mentioned Yunhua Palace and didn’t mention any other sects,” Yin Qiu said. “Even if other sects are indignant about the massacre, they have no reason to come after me. This can only mean that my father is only afraid of Yunhua Palace. I have been in Yunhua Palace for so many years, and everyone has been very kind to me. I have never seen anyone try to blame my father’s mistakes on me. This can only mean that my father is really afraid of someone in the palace.”
Nangong Min's eyes flickered, and her gaze towards Yin Qiu held an indescribable meaning. She smiled and asked, "So, who do you think this person is?"
Yin Qiu did not answer immediately. He ate a few bites of food with a calm expression, and after a while, he said, "I can only confirm that he is definitely the mastermind behind the Dark Guard disciples, but I can't guess who he is yet."
“It’s normal that you can’t guess,” Nangong Min said, “because even I don’t know who he is.”
Yin Qiu looked up at her, chuckled softly, and said, "I would never believe it, even if you killed me."
"Why don't you believe me?" Nangong Min asked with interest. "Even your aunt doesn't know everything. Of course, there are things in this world that I don't know either."
"Then how did you know someone would kill me?" Yin Qiu said. "If you didn't know who that person was, how could you know someone was going to deal with me just because Meng Wugui released information about my mother?"
“Because although I don’t know who he is, I do know that he exists,” Nangong Min said. “He has something on Meng Wugui’s hands. Seeing that Meng Wugui is showing signs of causing trouble, how could he sit still? You are a descendant of the Shen family, and Meng Wugui is an old member of the Ruyi Sect. If he wants to warn Meng Wugui not to cause trouble, he will naturally start with you.”
Yin Qiu shook her head again, showing no mercy, and said, "This statement is full of loopholes. You don't know who he is, but you know that he has something on Meng Wugui, which means you know everything about the two of them. Aunt, please stop lying to me. I'm really worried because I'm kept in the dark and can't get to the truth. Can't you just tell me a little bit for my father's sake?"
Nangong Min took a sip of tea, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "It's not that it's impossible, but what would be in my way?"
Yin Qiu smiled knowingly, “Doesn’t Aunt need someone to keep her company? If you can help me find that person, I can stay in the Ziwei Sect to accompany you and take care of you until the end.”
Nangong Min remained silent, seemingly considering Yin Qiu's words carefully. After a long while, he said, "Words are meaningless. You've been clever since you were little, and your verbal skills are not to be underestimated. You said earlier that you weren't planning to leave once you arrived, but now you're saying that I have to help you before you can stay with me. Which statement is true and which is false?"
“It was false before, but it’s true now,” Yin Qiu said gently, her tone as usual. “As long as Aunt is willing to speak frankly, I will keep my word. If you are really worried, we can sign a contract in black and white, how about that?”
Nangong Min didn't take it seriously: "A contract? It's just a piece of paper, it's useless. I want tangible benefits."
Yin Qiu said, "Then Auntie, why don't you tell me what benefits you want?"
Nangong Min looked her over for a while, then suddenly leaned closer to Yin Qiu. She raised her hand and gently touched Yin Qiu's cheek, her breath as sweet as orchids, and said, "I don't know if it's just my imagination, but this time when I see you, I feel like something about you is different from usual."
The fragrance drew near, and that beautiful face was instantly within reach. Yin Qiu frowned slightly, resisting the urge to back away, and looked back at Nangong Min, saying, "What's different?"
Nangong Min looked at her meaningfully and said softly, "I used to think you were still young, a child, but after getting to know you twice recently, I've realized that you've really grown up and blossomed into such a beautiful young lady."
Yin Qiu maintained her composure and smiled as naturally as possible: "So what?"
"I don't have any other hobbies, I just love all kinds of beautiful women," Nangong Min said with a half-smile. "If you want me to help you, you have to give yourself to me. Are you willing?"
Hearing what she said, Yin Qiu couldn't help but be surprised. She paused for a moment and said, "Give myself to you... what do you mean?"
Nangong Min said, "It means exactly what you think."
Yin Qiu paused for a moment, then subtly distanced herself and said calmly, "Are you joking with me?"
Nangong Min lowered his head slightly, sniffed Yin Qiu's hair, and said, "Do you think I'm joking?"
Noticing her breath, carrying a delicate fragrance, lingering on her neck, Yin Qiu stiffened and immediately stepped back, her eyes filled with a strange look. "You..." She paused, trying her best to calm her aversion, "Don't joke around. You have countless beauties in this palace, and you've never lacked them. Why would you even look at me?"
“Those are all vulgar women, unbearable to look at,” Nangong Min observed Yin Qiu’s reaction, as if he found it very amusing, and teased, “Besides, don’t you know very well? Your aunt has never touched them.”
Her half-serious, half-joking manner made Yin Qiu seem overly serious. Yin Qiu remained silent for a while before finally laughing again and sighing softly, "You are an elder, you can't joke with me like this. If my father finds out, he will come to bother you tonight."
Nangong Min laughed out loud, then sat up straight and said, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. There's something I can tell you."
Yin Qiu's eyes lit up, and she quickly moved a chair back to sit down: "What is it?"
Nangong Min glanced at her with a smile, leisurely ate a few bites of food, and then said, "The reason why I was able to conquer Liucang Mountain so easily back then was not entirely because your mother was giving birth that day and had no time to lead the disciples to fight. Another reason was that someone gave me a blueprint."
Yin Qiu asked in confusion: "...Blueprints?"
“There was once an underground mechanism on the mountainside of Liucang Mountain. Your maternal grandfather bought it from Jiuxiantang with all of the Shen family’s wealth,” Nangong Min said. “But not many people knew about this. Only Old Master Shen, Old Madam Shen and your mother knew about it. Of course, after your mother married your father, your father also found out about it.”
Yin Qiu asked, "What's the use of that mechanism?"
“It’s extremely useful,” Nangong Min said. “That underground mechanism was created by the nine hall masters of the Nine Immortals Hall. It’s something unique in the world. If anyone tries to attack Liucang Mountain, Old Master Shen can just sit at home and flick his fingers to kill all the treacherous people halfway up the mountain. They won’t even be able to get close to the gate of Ruyi Gate. The Nine Immortals Hall’s mechanical skills have never been passed on to outsiders, and the things they make are never traded. They’ve always only been exhibited. But why they were willing to sell such a divine weapon to Old Master Shen, I have no idea. Anyway, I only found out about this after your mother became pregnant with you.”
Yin Qiu remained silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "So, even if my mother was giving birth that day and the Ruyi Sect was missing a master who could fight a hundred men, you still wouldn't be able to destroy the Ruyi Sect if no one gave you the blueprints."
Nangong Min said, "That's right, then why don't you guess who gave me the blueprints?"
Yin Qiu said, "Is there any need to guess? Since my father knew, it must have been him who gave it to you. Wasn't it because he tipped you off that you were able to break into Ruyi Gate?"
Nangong Min smiled faintly and replied, "You're wrong. The person who truly informed me was never your father."
Upon hearing this, Yin Qiu was stunned.
“Everyone thinks your father betrayed the Ruyi Sect, but the truth is not so,” Nangong Min smiled mysteriously as he looked at Yin Qiu. “From the day your father fell in love with Shen Mandong, he never said a word to me that was detrimental to the Ruyi Sect. He not only broke with me, but also stole my Holy Sword and wanted to run away with Shen Mandong.”
"In the Ruyi Gate massacre, your father was a complete sucker."
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