By the time Qiu Zeyu arrived in Xuzhou, it was already broad daylight.
The world's number one doctor in Longyang Town is reopening! After a string of firecrackers cracked, patients who had been waiting for many days flocked into the clinic.
Xuzhou is rich in bamboo, and bamboo forests can be seen everywhere. When Qiu Zeyu arrived in Xuzhou, he couldn't figure out where the other party was, so he could only choose the busiest restaurant, have a couple of drinks, and listen to the news.
The restaurant was crowded and noisy. Qiu Zeyu glanced around as he entered, then chose a table in the middle to sit down. He ate two jugs of sake and a plate of cooked meat while listening to the conversation.
The two guests by the window said, "I'm saying, it seems like someone's been living in that haunted Bai family ancestral home lately!"
"Yeah, I think so too. People have only been here for the last few days, and I wonder who they are. They're really brave! Over a hundred people have died in that place, and it was burned down. It's haunted every night when it's quiet! They're really fearless!"
A voice from the next table chimed in, "That's right! In the past, some little beggars would sneak in to escape the wind and rain, but none of them ever came out. Most of them were killed by the ghosts inside."
"Exactly! The Bai family died unjustly back then. I wonder if the murderer was ever found out in the end?"
"How can we investigate this? They've all died out! Who will speak out for them?"
The guests at several tables all agreed.
One of the customers asked in confusion, "I heard that the Bai family's precious grandson is not dead."
"Nonsense! I was at the door when the officials were collecting the body. That child was dead too! He was cold and lifeless, his smiling face was deathly pale."
"Then he must be dead."
Qiu Zeyu never expected that his first visit to Xuzhou would be to hear about the shocking massacre of the Bai family in Xuzhou twenty years ago!
Because there were no survivors, the case remained unsolved. Surprisingly, the locals still remember it vividly and talk about it with great relish.
Qiu Zeyu recalled what Dian Huan had said yesterday and had a bold guess in his mind! That Bai family child is alive and can still cause trouble.
The Bai family ancestral home is in Xuzhou; just ask around and you'll find out.
When Qiu Zeyu arrived at the Bai family's ancestral home, he saw that the huge courtyard was dilapidated, the unattended bamboo forest was about to overflow the walls, the gate was rusty and locked with a large lock, and the whole place had a gloomy feeling.
With no one around, Qiu Zeyu leaped into the Bai family's house.
Before dawn, Lan Yamei was summoned by Nanfang Nan. As soon as she entered the room, Nanfang Nan exclaimed with delight, "My face is much better! Take a look!"
In this situation, Nanfang Nan doesn't look like a boss at all; he's more like a child.
The strategist coughed twice, and then Master Nan said seriously, "It seems your prescription is effective. Continue today."
Lan Yamei stepped forward and examined the wound closely. A thin scab had formed on her face, the edges of which had peeled back, revealing raw, red flesh. She knew that new skin would surely grow in a couple of days! So she smiled and said, "Master Nan, let Doctor Mei go back first! She's too old to withstand any more treatment. I'm fine on my own!"
"Keep you here? How can that be? You're so young, you could run away so easily. It wouldn't be difficult for me to catch you, but it would delay your treatment. With Doctor Mei here, I doubt you'd dare to play any tricks. So, Miss Lan, please understand, and healing my face as soon as possible is the best course of action." Nanfang Nan was not old, but her words were mature beyond her years.
Just then, White-haired Rat came in with a man wearing a cloth bag over his head and said, "Master Nan, we've caught a spy."
Master Nan glanced at Lan Ya Mei first, and Lan Ya Mei quickly shrugged and spread her hands, indicating that it had nothing to do with her.
Then Master Nan said, "Take off the hood."
The white-haired rat roughly ripped off its hood, and Qiu Zeyu stood there in front of it. Lan Yamei's mouth dropped open in shock; how could he be so fast!
Qiu Zeyu spotted Lan Yamei immediately and exclaimed excitedly, "Are you alright?!"
Lan Yamei nodded first, then quickly shook her head to indicate that she was fine.
"It's good that you're alright. I'll take you away in a bit," Qiu Zeyu said calmly, as if he were in an empty room.
"Leave? Where are you supposed to leave to?" Nanfang Nan scoffed.
Qiu Zeyu stared at Nan Fangnan for a moment, then said confidently, "I'm sure Master Nan has some untold stories. I'm here today to help Master Nan out of this predicament. I wonder if Master Nan would be interested in learning more?"
Nanfang Nan, who had been calm, suddenly changed her expression upon hearing this. She stared at Qiu Zeyu for a full ten seconds before asking, "Are you sure?"
"I'm absolutely certain!" Qiu Zeyu had only been guessing, but seeing the change in his emotions, he knew he was right.
The strategist spoke up, "Master Nan, this young man is none other than Qiu the Great Hero, known in the martial arts world as the Jade-Faced Scholar!" He then asked Qiu Zeyu, "Am I right or wrong?"
Qiu Zeyu didn't deny it, but just smiled and nodded.
The white-haired rat was somewhat surprised. "You're actually the Jade-Faced Scholar! Turns out your kung fu isn't all that great!" he said, then burst into laughter.
Qiu Zeyu gave an awkward laugh, then broke free of the ropes binding his hands with a slight effort, startling the white-haired rat into stopping his laughter.
Lan Yamei quickly ran over and asked, "Are you alright?"
"It's alright! Don't worry." Qiu Zeyu reassured Nan Fangnan for a couple of moments before saying, "Aren't you curious about what secrets I know about you? This secret hasn't been made public yet, so you can choose first."
Just as the white-haired rat was about to strike, Master Nan gave him a look and stopped him.
It seems Qiu Zeyu's quick capture was all an act; what a master of feigning weakness! He wanted to see what else this man could say, so he waved his hand, "Take Miss Lan downstairs and treat her well."
The strategist immediately summoned two guards, who took Lan Ya Mei away.
The white-haired rat stood guard outside the door. Inside the tightly closed hall, there were only two people, one sitting and one standing.
“Speak!” Nanfang Nan said.
"Uncle Nan, I have a story to tell you."
...
Back in her room, Lan Yamei was filled with anxiety. Aunt Guan asked, "What happened? Is your face ruined?"
"Qiu Zeyu is here," Lan Yamei said in a low voice.
"Great news! They've come to our rescue!" Aunt Guan exclaimed happily.
"What?! He was tied up and taken to Nanqian in the south. We don't even know if he's alive or dead yet."
"Tie him up?" Granny Guan repeated, then burst into laughter. "How could that be! Even if there were ten or eight more of these men around Master Nan, they might not be able to capture him! You might not know, but he is none other than the renowned Jade-Faced Scholar Qiu the Great Hero of the martial arts world!"
"What do you mean?" Lan Yamei asked, puzzled.
"Never heard of him? The Jade-Faced Scholar! The Jade-Faced Scholar who kills without blinking an eye!" Aunt Guan said excitedly, then covered her mouth and remained silent.
"Killing people without blinking an eye?" Lan Ya Mei stared at Aunt Guan and asked.
Having no other choice, Aunt Guan could only tell her the rumors circulating in the martial arts world.
Rumors in the martial arts world say that the Jade-Faced Scholar is handsome and aloof, but also a ruthless killer! He never listens to explanations when he kills; his blade falls swiftly and decisively. Therefore, everyone in the martial arts world fears nothing more than the expressionless, jade-faced scholar coming to their door!
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