Chapter 199
The night rain suddenly intensified, pattering through the trees and leaves, and the moonlight completely disappeared, leaving only the dim light cast from the garden, illuminating the various expressions on the faces.
Qin Zheng gestured to the followers not to panic. She took two steps forward, fixed her gaze on Wen Chaoyu, and said, "What a small world, we can't believe we've run into each other here."
“It’s true that enemies always meet,” Wen Chaoyu said, hooking a throwing knife between her fingers. She glanced at Duan Ning over Qin Zheng. “I can let you go, but you have to leave the person behind.”
"What if I refuse?" Qin Zheng chuckled. "This girl is not related to you. I advise you not to meddle. The sect leader is benevolent. Since he has released you, the traitor, you should not interfere with her affairs."
Wen Chaoyu said, "Am I the one who ruined her plans, or are you the one who wants to ruin her plans?"
“Of course it’s you,” Qin Zheng said. “You are no longer a member of the sect, so you have no right to order me around. Get out of my way!”
“Yes, I am no longer a member of the sect,” Wen Chaoyu said. “Then you must understand one thing: I am not ordering you around, but forcing you. You have to keep this girl whether you want to or not.”
Qin Zheng gritted her teeth, but remained silent.
Wen Chaoyu had always been superior to her. Although they were both protectors, Nangong Min's attitude towards them was worlds apart. Qin Zheng harbored resentment but was helpless. Although Wen Chaoyu's power was not as great as before and she was no longer a protector of the Ziwei Sect, if Qin Zheng wanted to kill her, even a god couldn't stop her.
But unfortunately, Ji Wanshu was standing next to her.
Who is Ji Wanshu? She is the chief disciple of Yunhua Palace. That position is not one that just anyone can sit on. Looking at the chief disciples of Yunhua Palace throughout the years, which one of them wasn't a sword genius who earned his reputation through real battles? During the years that Ji Wanshu has been in seclusion, let alone Qin Zheng, even if Nangong Min came in person, he probably wouldn't dare to underestimate her.
Qin Zheng suppressed her anger, her gaze lingering on Ji Wanshu for a moment before she smiled and said amiably, "We've worked together for a while, so there's bound to be some friendship between us. Protector Wen, I don't want to make an enemy of you. You're a magnanimous person, please do me a favor?"
Wen Chaoyu laughed and said, "Sure, I can let you all go back unharmed, but you absolutely have to leave this girl behind."
Qin Zheng looked conflicted and hesitant.
She was about to say a few more words to Wen Chaoyu, but before she could speak, Ji Wanshu appeared in front of her without a word and slapped her hard in the chest.
In an instant, a sharp pain spread throughout Qin Zheng's body. Before she could even react, she spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground in a sorry state.
"Why waste time arguing with her?" Ji Wan said coldly. "I'll kill every single member of the Ziwei Sect I see!"
Upon seeing this scene, the believers were shocked. They dared not run away or help Qin Zheng. They stood there dumbfounded, speechless.
“Look, I have patience, but my disciple doesn’t,” Wen Chaoyu said, feigning regret as he shook his head. “Give him to me.”
Qin Zheng was still breathless for a long time. She was too weak to get up after being hit by Ji Wanshu's palm. The cultists behind her exchanged glances and had no choice but to obediently remove Duan Ning's hood and put him on the open ground next to Wen Chaoyu.
Ji Wanshu let out a cold laugh, secretly urging her true energy. Her sword instantly flew out in a circle, its silvery-white light flashing like streaks of silver dragons. After circling around, several heads rolled off, blood splattering all over the ground.
She acted so quickly that she didn't even hear the screams of the cultists. In a flash, Qin Zheng's vision blurred, and when she turned around, none of her entourage was left.
"You...!" Qin Zheng was so angry that she almost spat out another mouthful of blood. She glared at Ji Wanshu and gritted her teeth, saying, "We've already given them all to you, why take their lives too!"
Ji Wanshu's face turned cold. He caught the sword that flew back to him and pointed it at Qin Zheng, saying, "I will not only kill them, but also you. What can you do about it?"
Wen Chaoyu said, "Late submission—"
“This person in Weicheng wants to kill you,” Ji Wanshu pressed the tip of her sword against Qin Zheng’s heart. “If it weren’t for your uncle and Yin Qiu accidentally running into her, you and Xue Tan would both be dead at her hands. Don’t tell me you want to spare her life.”
Wen Chaoyu fell silent for a moment, then said, "You don't need to do it yourself. She failed in her mission, and Nangong Min won't let her off the hook. Your sword shouldn't be used against this kind of person."
"No, that's right! There's no need for my blood to stain your fine sword!" Qin Zheng, ever flexible, followed Wen Chaoyu's words and said, "Miss Ji, it's all a misunderstanding. It wasn't that I wanted to harm Protector Wen. That time in Weicheng, it was actually the sect leader who ordered me to do it! Think about it, even if I killed Protector Wen, what benefit would I gain? I was just following the sect leader's orders!"
Ji Wanshu's eyes flashed with disgust as she scoffed, "Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?"
"Wait," Wen Chaoyu stopped Ji Wanshu from making a move, and asked Qin Zheng, "Who killed Shen Mandong?"
Qin Zheng wiped the blood from her lips and said weakly, "Don't you know what kind of person the sect leader is? She is suspicious by nature and never truly trusts anyone. She told me that Seventh Young Master is Ye Zhilan only to keep an eye on you. As for who the real culprit who killed Shen Mandong is, she has never told me. I only know that such a person exists."
Wen Chaoyu believed this.
"Should we kill him or not?" Ji Wanshu asked impatiently. "My sword can cut anything. I don't have any of those taboos."
Wen Chaoyu waved his hand and asked again, "It's not that you can't live, but it depends on what valuable things you can say."
Qin Zheng immediately said, "The disciples of Mingyue Tower went to Shangyuan City a few days ago. Meng Wugui is going to attack Yunhua Palace. In addition to Mingyue Tower and Jiuxian Hall, she has other people helping her!"
"Who is it?" Ji Wanshu asked in an unfriendly tone.
"I really don't know," Qin Zheng said. "This is what the leader said himself. I really don't know anything else. Please, please let me go!"
"What are Nangong Min's plans next?" Ji Wanshu pressed. "Explain clearly!"
"The sect leader didn't say that either!" Qin Zheng was terrified when she noticed that Ji Wanshu's sword had pierced her clothes. "She only told me to capture Afu and take her back. With that girl, even if Meng Wugui is indifferent, Fu Xiang will definitely not sit idly by. We can restrain them a bit and make things difficult for Meng Wugui, making it harder for her to break into your Yunhua Palace."
Ji Wanshu knew, of course, that Nangong Min's actions were not to help Yunhua Palace, but to protect himself. She remained silent and turned to look at Wen Chaoyu.
Wen Chaoyu thought for a moment and said, "Let her go. Let Nangong Min clean up her own mess. That will be my way of repaying her kindness."
Ji Wanshu hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly sheathed his sword. As he stood up, he struck Qin Zheng with a palm, nearly killing her.
Seeing that Ji Wanshu looked unhappy, Wen Chaoyu coaxed her, "Alright, I don't hate her. Killing her won't vent my anger. Why not let Nangong Min handle it himself? What do you say?"
"I just listen to whatever you say," Ji Wanshu leaned over and picked Duan Ning up, muttering to herself, "...He may not be in the Ziwei Sect anymore, but his heart is still there."
Upon hearing this, Wen Chaoyu laughed heartily: "You're jealous over this? There's no need. It's one thing for Nangong Min to say that my heart isn't in the Ziwei Sect, but you're saying that my heart is with her. I'm caught in the middle, are you going to make me angry too?"
Ji Wanshu picked up the throwing knife from the ground, wiped it clean, and said, "Who would bear to make you suffer?" As she spoke, she glared at Wen Chaoyu and led Duan Ning over the wall into the back garden.
Wen Chaoyu watched her retreating figure, shook her head and chuckled, no longer caring about Qin Zheng, and then followed her.
The two walked through the garden and entered a long corridor to take shelter from the rain. Wen Chaoyu took out a medicine bottle from her sleeve and brought it to Duan Ning's nose to smell. Duan Ning was jolted awake.
"Ah...? Who are you?!" Duan Ning was startled and broke free from Ji Wanshu's grasp. Stars were flashing in his eyes, and his head was still spinning.
“We’re great philanthropists,” Wen Chaoyu teased her, “and you’re a little philanthropist. It’s been so long since we last met. Did you know you were almost kidnapped just now?”
Duan Ning rubbed his eyes, and it took him a while to recognize the two people. He exclaimed with delight, "What brings you to Mingyue Tower? Oh! Perfect timing, I'd like to inquire about Meng Jing..."
"Don't shout," Ji Wanshu interrupted her. "We're here on important business. Where is Fu Xiang?"
Qin Zheng's chop to the neck was no joke; Duan Ning still felt as if a weight was hanging from the back of her neck. She looked around and pointed in the direction of Zhengxin Tower, saying, "She's either practicing in the secret passage or reading memorials in that building. You're looking for her? I'll take you there!"
Wen Chaoyu gestured for silence and instructed, "I can lead the way, but please keep your voice down. After all, we're breaking in in the middle of the night, so let's not make a scene."
Duan Ning asked in confusion, "Then why didn't you use the main entrance?"
Wen Chaoyu choked for a moment: "How can you be so stupid? The people from the Ziwei Sect tried to kidnap you just now, and we saved you. Since we're already inside, why go around to the main entrance?"
"The Ziwei Sect wants to arrest me?" Duan Ning was even more puzzled. "I haven't offended them, why would they arrest me?"
Wen Chaoyu was very patient and was about to explain in detail to her, but Ji Wanshu didn't have the leisure to answer Duan Ning's questions. She shoved the two of them and said, "Can you stop talking nonsense? Business is important!"
The two, one big and one small, were shoved and stumbled. Wen Chaoyu, naturally, had no temper and happily followed her. Duan Ning, thinking that she might be able to enter Yunhua Palace in the future, and having recently heard that Ji Wanshu was already the young sect leader, fawned, "I haven't had a chance to congratulate the new leader yet. Senior Sister Ji, considering that I have saved your Yunhua disciples many times, could you allow me to enter the palace to become your disciple and learn skills?"
Ji Wanshu ignored her, but Wen Chaoyu chimed in from the side, "Yunhua Palace might be gone in a couple of days. You should switch sects and not get involved in this mess."
Duan Ning said incredulously, "Don't try to fool me! That's the number one sect in the martial arts world! How can it just disappear like that?"
Wen Chaoyu said, "You don't believe me? Then you just wait and see. In less than half a month, Yunhua Palace will be fighting with someone. You, a young lady of noble birth, will be buried alive if you go there. Why would I lie to you?"
Duan Ning said, "Fighting is great! I love fighting! I can even help Meng Jing if I go. She doesn't know any kung fu at all, so I have to go and protect her! When are you going back? Take me with you!"
Ji Wanshu felt like two flies were buzzing around her ears, making her irritable, so she whispered a rebuke to the two to shut up. Wen Chaoyu stopped talking, but Duan Ning continued to chatter. The three of them slipped into Zhengxin Tower unnoticed. Just as they climbed through the window, a long sword with a fierce aura appeared before them in the next instant.
Ji Wanshu's brows furrowed, and she used her inner energy to catch the sword with her bare hands. She then twirled the sword a few times before pushing it back. A white shadow flashed past from behind the bamboo curtain, silently moving behind the three of them. This person summoned their sword, but before they could make a move, they almost stopped.
"Senior Sister Ji... what brings you here?"
Ji Wanshu turned around, and Duan Ning was already yelling beside her: "Look carefully before you make a move! You've cut my hair off!"
Fu Xiang was still dressed in mourning clothes, looking somewhat haggard. She glanced at the three of them, then decisively extinguished two lamps with a palm strike and quickly closed the window. Soon, several disciples outside the door asked, "Master! Is there any movement inside?"
Duan Ning quickly covered his mouth, Ji Wanshu and Wen Chaoyu naturally kept quiet, and Fu Xiang, unable to hide her joy, said, "Nothing happened, you may leave."
The disciples took their leave as instructed, and Fu Xiang immediately lifted the curtain, served tea to the three of them, and said with delight, "It's been almost five or six years since we last met in the palace. What brings you here?"
Ji Wanshu took out a letter from her bosom and handed it over, saying, "This is a letter of condolence from the sect leader, which she asked me to pass on to you." She rarely showed such reluctance, "You've come all this way, though. Please... take care of your grief."
Fu Xiang was taken aback, and the light in her eyes dimmed slightly. She took the letter and looked at it, her face showing neither joy nor sorrow. Instead, she looked at Wen Chaoyu and Duan Ning and asked, "How did the three of you end up together?" She didn't know that Wen Chaoyu had left the Ziwei Sect, nor did she know the relationship between Wen Chaoyu and Ji Wanshu. She only knew that Duan Ning had saved Yin Qiu by chance before the New Year and had met the two of them at Yunhua Palace.
"Let's leave that aside for now and make a long story short," Ji Wanshu said, "Is Meng Wugui still at Mingyue Tower?"
Fu Xiang glanced at her and said truthfully, "No, Master has important guests and left early this morning."
"Distinguished guest," Ji Wanshu said, "are you here to help you deal with the people from Yunhua?"
Fu Xiang's eyes flickered, but she didn't respond.
“Meng Wugui is your master, but do you still remember that the sect leader is also your master?” Ji Wanshu frowned deeply. Hearing Wen Chaoyu cough beside her, she handed her a teacup. “Now you’re going to attack your sect for Meng Wugui’s sake. The disciples in the palace are all people who have spent every day with you, and many of them still remember you to this day. You’ve only been in the palace for a short year, yet the disciples still remember you to this day. Every time they mention your name, they praise you. Do you really want to rush into the palace and kill them?”
Fu Xiang was genuinely pleased to see Ji Wanshu unexpectedly visit tonight, but she couldn't guard against the tensions between the two fellow disciples, and they couldn't exchange even a few warm words. Fu Xiang silently observed Ji Wanshu for a while, and her joy dissipated. She said seriously, "A guest is a guest, and we are fellow disciples, so I respect my senior sister. But if you're here to act as a mediator, you'd better give up that idea."
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Wen Chaoyu drew out a "Hey" sound and then eased the tension by saying, "You are already the master of the first floor, with a noble status. We are just some nobody, and we can't be any of your advocates. You can be indifferent to the murder of your father, so what is a sect? Let's talk things out and not ruin our harmony."
Her words were clever, subtly striking at Fu Xiang's sore spot while leaving her unable to retaliate. Fu Xiang suppressed her anger and maintained her composure, saying, "Anyone can say nice things, but you've come here for more than just to comfort me. No one wants to attack Yunhua Palace. Whoever spread this fabricated news to you has ulterior motives. How my master seeks revenge is her business. I've climbed to the top of the tower only to protect the Fu family's generations of hard work, nothing more. You can't stay long. It's best to leave as soon as possible before my master returns."
Although her attitude wasn't cold, it was clear she wouldn't tell the truth. Ji Wan said coldly, "I won't say pretty words, nor will I play games with you. If you know what it means to turn back before it's too late, you should pull back from the brink. You must understand that whether it's Mingyue Tower, Jiuxian Hall, or other sects helping you, even if the Ziwei Sect is in cahoots with you, Yunhua Palace is not a place where anyone can act recklessly."
Fu Xiang clenched her fists secretly, and said expressionlessly, "I told you, no one wants to attack Yunhua Palace. Believe it or not."
“Then let’s see who comes out on the battlefield,” Ji Wanshu said. “If you dare to come, I will show no mercy. If any of my junior brothers or sisters in the palace die because of you, I will take your head. Including Meng Wugui, with her uncle here, she won’t get away with it.”
Fu Xiang wasn't angry upon hearing this; instead, she looked bewildered. She stood with her sleeves down, touched the purse at her waist, and whispered, "Stop talking. If Senior Sister can really kill me with one sword, then she'll have done a good deed. Since you've already received the news, I won't pretend anymore. Indeed, judging by the days, our people should have already arrived in Shangyuan City. Even if Senior Sister rushes back to report now, it will be too late."
Hearing her say this, Wen Chaoyu interjected, "You and Meng Wugui stayed in Jinhuai City without making a move, so what's the meaning of sending some useless subordinates over there? You wouldn't be so arrogant as to think that just anyone can take over Yunhua Palace, would you?"
“We’re staying to appease Nangong Min,” Fu Xiang said. “If she gets involved, things will become very complicated. As for whether we can take Yunhua Palace, you’ll find out then. In short, Master has been preparing for this for many years, and now the time is ripe. That’s all I can say. You don’t need to ask any more questions. As I said before, you should leave now. I won’t tell Master what happened tonight.”
After saying this, she sighed deeply: "You will never understand my situation and mission. Of course, I don't care how you see me. The arrow is on the string and has to be released. You could say I had no choice but to do it, or you could say I brought it upon myself. It's not exactly out of necessity. I'm telling you all this for no other reason than because I care about Xiao Qiu. Right now, I don't care about anyone else, except for Xiao Qiu. But I can't just give up for her sake. This is all I can do."
The room fell silent.
Ji Wanshu might not be able to understand her feelings, and Duan Ning was completely baffled, but Wen Chaoyu could understand her actions very well.
Looking back, wasn't Wen Chaoyu in the same situation as her? To repay a debt of gratitude, she had to help Nangong Min deal with Yunhua Palace. Seeing Yin Xuan deliberately getting close to her, she thought countless times about confronting Shen Mandong, but in the end, she remained silent and left on the day of the Ruyi Gate incident. Over the years, Wen Chaoyu felt guilty towards Ji Wanshu, but the person she felt even more guilty towards was actually Shen Mandong.
Fu Xiang still has a conscience and knows to be honest with them, but Wen Chaoyu didn't say a word back then. Although she didn't join Nangong Min in destroying Ruyi Sect, she also contributed to the cause without her knowledge, so she can't be said to have stayed out of it.
Shen Mandong never knew that she was an undercover agent from Ziwei Sect until her death. In Shen Mandong's heart, she was a good senior sister.
The tea was scalding hot, feeling like holding a piece of charcoal in her hand. Wen Chaoyu sighed inwardly, seeing Fu Xiang as a reflection of herself from years ago. She put down her teacup, stood up, and said to Ji Wanshu, "Alright, at least she has shown some kindness. Pressuring her here won't change anything that's going to happen. But there's still room for maneuver. If we ride back as fast as we can, we can probably still fight alongside Man Jiangxue and the others. Let's go."
Duan Ning, who was listening from the side, was completely confused. Finally, the word "horse racing" brought him back to his senses, and he hurriedly said, "I love horse racing! All the horses I brought from home are excellent steeds! Can you take me with you?"
Wen Chaoyu said, "What are you doing, little brat? If something happens to you, your Duan family will be in big trouble. Go away and cool off."
"Who do you think you are!" Duan Ning said. "Our Duan family has made connections with so many martial arts sects. If you want to fight, isn't it all about who has more people? At worst, I'll ask my father for help. Whether it's Mingyue Tower or Jiuxian Hall, we'll kill whoever comes first. Besides, my horses can travel a thousand miles a day. You could run yourself to death and they still wouldn't die. Hurry up and agree to my request!"
Wen Chaoyu said helplessly, "The Lord of Mingyue Tower is standing right in front of you, can you please not plot so loudly?"
Duan Ning said, "She's my cousin! What's wrong with that?"
Wen Chaoyu glanced at Fu Xiang, then at Ji Wanshu, finding the scene somewhat absurd. Wen Chaoyu said, "Really able to travel a thousand miles a day? That's fine too..."
Fu Xiang was filled with mixed feelings. Seeing that midnight was almost over, she could only urge, "I don't care what you're plotting. If you're going to leave, then leave quickly. I don't even know what kind of person I am now. There's no point in saying more. See you at Yunhua Mountain."
“As someone who’s been there, let me give you some advice,” Wen Chaoyu said. “Every choice has its price. You either have to be heartless and not hold a grudge against anyone, or you have to stop in time, or you’ll regret it later.”
Fu Xiang looked dazed, a flicker of pain crossing her face. Duan Ning said irritably, "Stop nagging about her, okay? If I were her, you people would have driven me to hang myself. It's easy to be a bystander, criticizing this and that, but when you're actually in her shoes, when it happens to you, who can truly be a morally upright person who sees right from wrong? If you want to fight, then fight; if you want to kill, then kill. Once all this mess is done, those who deserve to die will die, and those who deserve to live will live. Why think so much?"
Wen Chaoyu said, "You think you're so clear-headed and insightful? You're indifferent to things that don't concern you, spouting a bunch of grand principles, but in reality, you're just someone who enjoys watching the drama unfold."
"Well, I haven't harmed anyone, have I?" Duan Ning said. "Since you can't avoid this battle anyway, then stop arguing and just finish it quickly. Although I don't know the whole story, I've figured it out. It's not something Fu Xiang can just stop now. As long as Meng Wugui is still around, this is unavoidable. So let's face it head-on! What's the use of all this bitterness and resentment?"
Wen Chaoyu said, "Then stop arguing and go fetch your horse. Let's get going!"
Duan Ning understood from her words that she agreed to let him come along, so he immediately climbed onto the window and said, "Don't you dare leave me behind halfway! See you at the back door!"
Fu Xiang turned and sat down at the table, looking at Ji Wanshu and said, "If Senior Sister can make it back to the palace in time, what about Xiao Qiu..." She hesitated, then finally sighed and said, "Never mind, you'll understand when the day comes."
"Understand...understand what?" Ji Wanshu had doubts in her heart, but she saw Fu Xiang close her eyes, as if she was unwilling to talk about it anymore, so she also remained silent, climbed out of the window with Wen Chaoyu, and went to the back door to meet Duan Ning.
As the figures left one after another, the building became deserted again. Fu Xiang sat alone in the hall, waiting motionless until midnight before Meng Wugui and Gongzi Fan entered the building in the night.
As soon as the three met, Meng Wugui frowned and asked, "Has something happened?"
Fu Xiang's eyes were red and her face was still wet with tears. When she heard this, she just shook her head and didn't say anything more.
She often cried these days, and Meng Wugui didn't suspect anything when he saw it. Gongzi Fan's gaze wandered and he suddenly saw a strand of broken hair on the ground in front of the window. Just as he was about to ask if anyone had been there, Fu Xiang suddenly gave him a meaningful look.
Gongzi Fan's lips moved, but he paused and swallowed his words.
He moved two steps toward the window, blocking the light from that spot.
"How are the disciples of your Brahma Heart Valley doing?" Meng Wugui asked. "I forgot to ask earlier. Judging from the distance, they should have arrived long ago."
Gongzi Fan subtly observed Fu Xiang for a moment before saying, "We've arrived. Where are your men?"
"The people have arrived, and the goods have arrived," Meng Wugui smiled slightly. "Just wait and see."
The three sat in the hall for a while, discussing the general idea of when to set off, and then returned to their rooms one after another. Fu Xiang walked to the door, a thought struck her, and she turned around to extinguish the lanterns in the corridor. She waited in a corner for a moment, and sure enough, Gongzi Fan arrived.
"Who did you see earlier?" Gongzi Fan asked bluntly.
“It’s Senior Sister Ji and Wen Chaoyu,” Fu Xiang said without hiding anything, cupping her hands in thanks. “Thank you for your help earlier.”
Gongzi Fan sighed: "I think you've already told them, haven't you?"
“They have already received the news from elsewhere. I only confirmed the authenticity of the news,” Fu Xiang said. “I know what I can say and what I can’t say.”
“They probably won’t make it back to the palace in time,” Gongzi Fan said. “Loyalty and righteousness are hard to reconcile. You don’t need to blame yourself. Even if you don’t say it, the people of Yunhua Palace can guess that Manzhen will take action next.”
“I won’t hurt Xiao Qiu,” Fu Xiang said. “You can rest assured about that.”
Gongzi Fan smiled slightly: "In that case, I have a favor to ask of you."
Fu Xiang nodded and said, "Please speak freely."
“We all know that Xiao Qiu is a crucial person,” Gongzi Fan said. “In a few days, once we capture Yunhua Mountain, that person will have two options: either he will escape silently after hearing the news, or he may not be able to escape, but he will definitely try to capture Xiao Qiu. If Wen and Ji fail to return in time to inform her, then on the day of the battle, Man Jiangxue will be unable to spare any attention. I need you to find Xiao Qiu as soon as you arrive at Yunhua Palace, stay by her side and protect her, and not let anyone take her away. Can you do that?”
Fu Xiang replied without hesitation, "Of course there's no problem. As long as she's still willing to see me, I will certainly protect her."
Gongzi Fan said, "I had no choice but to ask for your help. If I still had my powers, I wouldn't have bothered you. I hope you will keep this in mind, and I will repay this favor in the future."
Fu Xiang agreed readily, considering it her duty. After they finished speaking in the darkness and parted ways, Meng Wugui, back in his room, opened the window and welcomed the severely injured man inside.
“Ji Wanshu and Wen Chaoyu entered Mingyue Tower before, they must have gone to see Fu Xiang,” Qin Zheng gasped for breath, blood still seeping from her lips. “Master Meng, you must trip them up on the way, you can’t let them go back.”
Meng Wugui stood by the window and glanced outside. In the building diagonally opposite, two people were walking in different directions. Meng Wugui smiled silently: "So, you were severely injured by those two, and then you told them what happened?"
Qin Zheng lied frankly, saying, "I didn't say that! I was forced into this situation by the sect leader tonight, and I planned to come and capture that Miss Duan to make up the numbers, hoping to stall for as long as possible. But I didn't expect the sect leader to distrust me. She sent other people to keep an eye on you, and she already knows that your people went to Shangyuan City."
"Guardian Qin, I'm not someone who's easily fooled," Meng Wugui said calmly, gazing at the drizzle in the night sky. "You're always two-faced, saying one thing to one person and another to another. Ji Wanshu has killed countless members of the Ziwei Cult over the years. Who doesn't know that she wipes out every member of the Ziwei Cult she encounters? The fact that you survived her means you must have said something. Wen Chaoyu spoke up and spared you. Am I wrong?"
Since she guessed so accurately, Qin Zheng admitted, "...No one wants to die. I want to live, so naturally I have to think about myself. Even if I told them, they wouldn't have time. As long as your enemy doesn't get any information from Yunhua Palace, he won't be in a hurry to escape. I didn't ruin your plans."
"Then why did you come to see me at this time?" Meng Wugui looked at her.
“I chose you as my new master. I not only told you that Nangong Min would stop you from killing Fu Cen, but also that she wanted to capture Afu,” Qin Zheng leaned against the wall, speaking with great difficulty. “Even a fence-sitter has his value. Now that I’ve failed in my duties, Nangong Min will definitely kill me. Forgive my bluntness, Master Meng, but neither of your two disciples is truly capable. You desperately need someone like me who can work for you.”
Meng Wugui chuckled softly: "Wen Chaoyu released you so that Nangong Min would execute you personally. She wanted to repay Nangong Min a small favor, which is commendable. Wen Chaoyu saved Yin Qiu for me in Weicheng before the New Year, so I also owe her a favor. In that case, it's not appropriate for me to take you in."
Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng's expression immediately changed, and she said, "Are you going to discard me after I've served my purpose?!"
"Do I look like a good person to you?" Meng Wugui said sneer. "Your first words were meant to incite me and Fu Xiang, but you think too highly of me. Even if Fu Xiang tells Wen and Ji that I'm about to take action, it doesn't matter. As you said, they won't make it back in time, and I won't let them go back so easily. Besides, do you think Nangong Min isn't watching what you did tonight? She'll stop Wen and Ji without me even having to lift a finger. As for you, you'd better run away quickly. Don't wait until Nangong Min catches up with you; I can't interfere in your family matters."
Qin Zheng roared, "You—!"
Meng Wugui snorted coldly: "I hate people like you the most in my life. The Ruyi Sect will perish because of treacherous and cunning people like you. You are Nangong Min's protector, and you should die at her hands."
After saying that, she grabbed Qin Zheng by the collar and threw her out the window, saying coldly, "Get out of here and don't dirty my place!"
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