Chapter 21
"Is Moyuntang involved in the sale of Gu worms? How come there are so many victims?"
Shen Yu pursed her lips. There are many strange and wonderful things in the world, but she particularly dislikes evil things like Gu worms.
Putting aside the cost of raising them, this method is far too insidious. Those afflicted with the Gu are often completely unaware in the early stages, and by the time their bodies begin to show abnormalities, it is often too late to save them.
Alternatively, one might be kept alive on the verge of death, taking medication to alleviate symptoms as prescribed.
"Their business dealings are far too complicated, and their private transactions are difficult to trace. Putting that aside, what if this poison wasn't an afterthought of their business, but rather a means for them to control and threaten others?"
Qiu Chiyan pressed the papers under the inkstone. The candlelight flickered, and his eyes were also dark and unfathomable: "That day I suddenly remembered that there was also a case of poisoning in Sanhe Town a year ago. I saw the report file in the capital. I remember that the person died tragically, but he was just a small business owner with a small business volume. I found it strange at the time."
"Ah... how can you remember a case you didn't even handle for so long?" Shen Yu sighed silently.
“Unusual things are just more memorable than regular cases. I’ve investigated that person thoroughly these past two days. He had business dealings with many large merchants during his lifetime, including Moyuntang.”
"You wouldn't be reopening an old case just because you suspect this, would you?" At first glance, Shen Yu felt that the case seemed to have nothing to do with Mo Yuntang.
It seems that Qiu Chiyan was reminded of the Gu poison incident, and he took on the case with remarkable efficiency.
Or perhaps…
Shen Yu looked up and saw his slightly lowered eyelashes casting a faint shadow in the candlelight, and her mind went blank for a moment.
She wasn't sure if she was overthinking things.
Is this extra effort somewhat a case of favoritism?
"Don't squat, come sit down." Qiu Chiyan made room for her on half a chair and asked her how her wound was and how the competition went.
Shen Yu didn't stand on ceremony, leaning closer and brushing her robes against his knees: "Of course I won. It's just that Yi Feng didn't go all out; he's not good with a sword. He's very skilled too. And..."
Even though no one was around, Shen Yu still lowered her voice and told him about it.
"Really?" Qiu Chiyan hadn't expected that such a young man would become the leader of a notorious assassin organization.
"Hmm..." Shen Yu rested her chin on her hand, "He doesn't hide anything, talking about murder and usurpation as casually as eating and drinking tea. Tell me, is such a person dangerous or honest?"
Qiu Chiyan chuckled softly, but his smile was very faint: "I have no right to comment. Different positions. According to the government, all cases involving human lives must be treated with caution, but for people in the martial arts world, human lives must be repaid with human lives. They seem the same, but the methods of handling them are worlds apart."
Shen Yu blinked: "I thought you were going to say that everyone in the Moon Shadow Sect treats human life like dirt."
"In essence, they are merchants who buy and sell human lives, and I really don't know how to evaluate them. Some sell swords, and some sell their lives; some sell their skills for a living, and some sell their bodies as slaves. Whether they live or die, they are never treated as real people. If we were to rank these professions, I think it would be unnecessary. The principle of punishing the guilty is rarely used in the current martial arts world."
He spoke very softly, his voice hoarse and restrained, his expression indifferent yet revealing a hint of melancholy.
Shen Yu tilted her head to look at him, then suddenly smiled and said, "Don't let anyone else hear you say that."
"Then I'll have to rely on the shopkeeper to keep this a secret."
The candlelight flickered on the table, casting the shadows of the two figures overlapping on the wall. Several stacks of files lay on the table, the scent of ink and old paper mingling in the night.
Qiu Chiyan continued to peruse the files, his gaze sweeping over the lines of small regular script. Shen Yu had only intended to look for a short while, as she was extremely sleepy, but unknowingly she moved closer, leaning her body to gently rub his arm.
Qiu Chiyan's fingers paused.
"Shopkeeper," Qiu Chiyan called softly.
"Hmm?" Shen Yu didn't look up, still staring intently at the pages.
"It's too late, I should go back to sleep."
"You still have a stack of books you haven't finished reading."
"Actually, I still have three stacks." Qiu Chiyan pointed helplessly to the chair next to him. "You can go back first."
"Then why aren't you going back!"
Qiu Chiyan chuckled and noticed a strand of hair that had slipped from her forehead during her brief nap, so he gently tidied it back up for her.
Only after he finished did he realize what he had done.
"I'll try to get things moving quickly tomorrow. Once I have a chain of evidence, I won't have to sit on the sidelines anymore."
"Oh well…"
Shen Yu found the job of a constable tedious and boring. He originally thought that as long as he was good at kung fu, he would be fine. He didn't expect that he also needed a good brain, a pair of good eyes, and an iron butt that could sit still.
Qiu Chiyan is really amazing.
Shen Yu disappeared into the night. Qiu Chiyan touched the shoulder she had just leaned on, his fingertips still retaining a trace of warmth.
She smiled softly, a slight curve to her lips.
.
Even during the day, Shen Yu still has to deal with some clueless江湖人 (jianghu people).
After Shi Yang's outburst, everyone thought Mo Yuntang would have a backup plan, but it turned out there was nothing; all they had were martial arts fanatics who came because of its reputation.
Upon hearing that there was a local person who was keeping a low profile, all those who were not qualified to participate in the Hundred Gates Sacrifice came.
They weren't even willing to spend money on tea and sit down; they came up immediately, brandishing knives and gesturing wildly. To bolster their momentum, they even kicked a few stools.
Shen Yu naturally lacked patience; as they kicked the stools, she kicked each of them in return.
All this pent-up resentment was vented on Yifeng.
Yi Feng also found it strange. This person didn't need any adjustments at all. He had just been poisoned by the Gu poison two days ago, yet his strength was still increasing every day.
His short sword was becoming increasingly difficult to parry, and on the third day, he failed to catch the opponent's attack properly, and the sword flew out of his hand.
"You're so angry, did I provoke you?"
"Sigh, it's alright, it's alright, let's try again." Shen Yu calmed herself down, reflecting on her own impatience, and decided to cheer up and give him some pointers.
"Never mind." Yi Feng didn't insist. After using the sword for a few days, he still felt it wasn't as good as his short dagger. It's good to have a hobby; there's no need to master it.
"Is that all?" Shen Yu wasn't quite done yet.
"Are you going to let me continue to humiliate you?" Yi Feng glanced at her coldly. "I keep my word. You just want to know who killed Xuan Che, right? Actually, it was..."
Before he could finish speaking, a person rushed in through the back door, panting heavily.
Shen Yu felt that the man looked familiar; he seemed to be a junior constable under Yan Rifu.
"Manager Shen, Lord Zhao asked me to pass on a message to you. Many people from Moyuntang have come to town today. Although we do not yet know their purpose, please be careful."
"Okay, I understand. Thank you."
"Here we go again? What businessmen are doing getting involved in a martial arts tournament like the Hundred Gates Sacrifice? After the people left, Shen Yu muttered to himself.
"Come make money, of course. At times like these, information, weapons, and medicine are all gold." Yi Feng said speechlessly, "Or perhaps, has your constable discovered something?"
“…”
Shen Yu recalled the clue Qiu Chiyan had mentioned that night and was momentarily speechless.
She pursed her lips and remained silent.
Although Yifeng was just watching the show, he didn't dislike Shen Yu, so he added, "The Moyuntang internal strife killed their own people. They wanted to find a scapegoat, but you guys stirred things up and made a big fuss."
"Xuanche is...?"
Yifeng tilted his head, everything was understood without words.
Seeing that Shen Yu was deep in thought, he took the opportunity to run upstairs.
Everything else was fine, except that the people at the inn were wary of him and Yao Liuliu being alone together, as if they were guarding against thieves.
He also knew that Yao Liuliu often stayed upstairs to avoid him.
As soon as she pushed the door open, Yao Liuliu jumped in fright.
"Why are you here! Where is Shen Yu?!"
"What are you yelling about? I'm not a plague. Is it really necessary?"
Yi Feng leaned lazily against the door frame and sighed, saying that he had also been putting up with the other party for a long time.
"Three days have passed, it's time for you to leave." Yao Liuliu looked at him warily.
"And what about you?"
"I'm doing just fine at this inn, what else could I possibly do?"
Yifeng decided to patiently talk to her again.
"You didn't like Moonshadow Sect, so I helped you leave as you wished. Years have passed, and I've taken over Moonshadow Sect. What are you still afraid of? Nobody can do anything to you now."
Yao Liuliu lowered her eyes and smiled softly after a long while.
"I don't like killing."
"Then we won't kill them."
"I don't like a messy life either."
"Isn't the money from Moonshadow Sect enough for you to live a comfortable life?"
"I dislike places where you have to live off the kindness of others even more."
She looked up at him, her gaze no longer darting away. Sooner or later, they would have to talk things out.
"Moonshadow Sect... it's a set of rules, a cage. The air there is thick with killing intent. If you're not careful, others will come to kill you. I've been there for so many years, can you believe I've only spoken to five people?"
As she spoke, she laughed out loud.
Yi Feng frowned: "Is it alright now? Being bossed around and served tea and water in this little inn? I can protect you."
"How long can you protect her?" Yao Liuliu was caught up in his words and answered unconsciously, then raised her hand to brush a strand of hair from her temple, her tone softening, "Whether I protect her or not isn't really that important. Do you know what it was like when Shen Yu and I first met?"
"...They got into a fight?"
"Yes, at that time, I found everyone suspicious. When Shen Yu saw that I hadn't eaten for a long time, she gave me a chicken that she had roasted in the wild. I thought she was crazy, so I started fighting with her."
"How could you possibly beat him?"
"Of course, I lost quickly, but she still insisted on feeding me, saying that she was too hungry to fight."
Yifeng raised an eyebrow; that was more like her style.
"Someone like her, who doesn't want anything, yet likes everything and can accept anything, was completely unimaginable when I was at Moonshadow Gate."
“There are many people like that in the world,” Yi Feng said calmly.
"Maybe. But this is just the beginning of my life."
Yi Feng's Adam's apple bobbed, and he felt a tightness in his chest, a long-forgotten emotion mixed with anger and helplessness.
Yao Liuliu continued, "You're much more capable than me, so all I can do is complain verbally. I was genuinely grateful to you for helping me fake my death and escape back then. But now, I'm truly terrified."
Are you afraid of me?
"I'm afraid of my past."
"But I'm here too."
Yao Liuliu met his deep, almost swallowing eyes, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on her lips: "Yes."
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