Chapter 70: Qin Daofei’s Journey—Fortunes Uncertain and Fate Unpredictable

Hu Hanzhi descended from the sky, calmly parting Linglong’s sword.

“Linglong, come back with me!” Hu Hanzhi said.

King Xiang, seeing Hu Hanzhi call Linglong’s name with such familiarity, clenched his teeth in anger and asked, “What exactly are you?”

“Let go!” Linglong ignored everyone else’s words.

Hu Hanzhi paid no heed to King Xiang. Grasping Linglong’s wrist, he said, “It’s clear that King Xiang did not kill Sister Liang.”

“Step aside!” Linglong immediately sent a poisoned hidden weapon hurtling toward Hu Hanzhi.

Hu Hanzhi easily dodged the projectile, closed the distance, and with a swift hand strike, knocked Linglong unconscious before gently cradling her in his arms.

“Let go of Linglong!” King Xiang commanded, and his guards drew their swords, encircling Hu Hanzhi.

Hu Hanzhi spoke calmly, “I have no intention of making an enemy of Your Highness, King Xiang. Linglong is in poor health, and now with her anger mounting, I fear a relapse of her old illness. I must take my leave.”

With that, Hu Hanzhi soared into the air, carrying Linglong toward Qingyun Charity Hall.

King Xiang stamped his foot in fury. “Surround Qingyun Charity Hall! I want to know who this man is. I will have him killed!”

Thus, a group hurried off toward Qingyun Charity Hall.

At Qingyun Charity Hall, King Xiang looked coldly at Hu Hanzhi, who stood on the pavilion balcony, and asked in a harsh voice, “Who exactly are you?”

Hu Hanzhi smiled faintly and replied, “Who am I? I am merely a merchant who once happened to save Linglong from a pile of corpses, almost torn apart by wild dogs.”

“You’re the one who took Linglong beyond the frontier?” King Xiang looked at him in surprise.

Hu Hanzhi’s tone remained calm. “King Xiang should be more concerned not with my identity, but with how you will explain Sister Liang’s death to Linglong.”

After speaking, Aife stepped out, carrying the coffin containing Sister Liang’s body, placing it on the ground for King Xiang to see clearly — Sister Liang was indeed dead.

King Xiang retreated uneasily a few steps. “I never thought… she really died?”

“So, Your Highness, it would be best to investigate thoroughly first. After all, Linglong’s temper is not something I can control,” Hu Hanzhi seemed to have a calming influence; with just a few words, King Xiang was appeased.

He nodded. “Yes, yes, come with me to Jingzhao Prefecture. We will investigate this thoroughly. If I find out who killed Sister Liang, I will not spare them.”

Shortly after King Xiang left, Linglong awoke. She no longer made a scene but looked at Aife calmly. “Go find Jifeng. I want to buy information from Xiaoyao Manor. I must know who killed Sister Liang.”

“All right, I’m going immediately!” Aife, unusually compliant, left.

After Aife left, Linglong donned the plain mourning clothes that Hua’er had prepared and locked herself with Sister Liang’s coffin inside the main hall, allowing no one to enter.

Aife returned to Xiaoyao Manor.

Jifeng immediately sensed Aife’s arrival. Excited like a feisty dog, he eagerly followed her to a secluded spot.

Annoyed by his enthusiasm, Aife swung her sword and stabbed at him.

Having been trained and beaten by Aife before, Jifeng easily dodged the strike, gritting his teeth. “You start off with a killing move. What grudge do I have against you?”

“Don’t you have a grudge against me?” Aife replied coldly.

Jifeng thought for a moment. “True. Since it’s a grudge, why don’t we fight it out first?”

With that, Jifeng raised his sword and tangled with Aife.

Aife blocked his blade coldly and said flatly, “Sister Liang is dead. Linglong sent me to buy information. She wants to know who killed Sister Liang, no matter the cost.”

“You said Sister Liang is dead?” Jifeng stared at Aife in shock.

Aife, unwilling to waste words, tossed a silver note onto his face. “I hope Xiaoyao Manor lives up to its reputation and quickly finds out who killed Sister Liang.”

With that, Aife left gracefully.

Jifeng muttered, “Women, they come and go as they please.”

His expression clearly showed disappointment.

Despite the disappointment, Jifeng still had to report to Qin Daofei about Linglong’s visit to King Xiang’s residence.

Meanwhile, Qin Daofei’s agents planted in King Xiang’s mansion had already informed him, far away in Suiye City, about Linglong’s sudden arrival.

When Qin Daofei received the news, it was already the next morning.

Tang Li poured him a cup of tea and cautiously asked, “Master, what’s wrong?”

Qin Daofei handed him the message. After reading it, Tang Li exclaimed, “The First Lady… she can fight?”

“I noticed it the moment she returned, though she hid it well,” Qin Daofei smiled bitterly.

Tang Li put down the note with concern. “Master, Sister Liang meant a lot to the First Lady. Could it be that she might…”

“No. The man she wants is already by her side. I understand her. As long as she is with the one she loves, she will recover quickly.” Despite his reluctance to admit it, Qin Daofei knew that the fact Linglong maintained her usual self around Hu Hanzhi meant Hu Hanzhi had already won.

Tang Li could not fathom what caused Qin Daofei’s melancholy, but seeing him say such things, Qin Daofei must be deeply hurt.

Tang Li wanted to comfort him but, knowing his own messy history with emotions, he didn’t know where to start.

They were all unfortunate souls.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door. “Master, Young Master Jifeng has sent word.”

“Bring it in!” Tang Li said.

Someone opened a hidden compartment in the door, and Tang Li reached in to grab the note.

Qin Daofei read it and placed it on the desk. Tang Li picked it up and saw it detailed Linglong’s life at Qingyun Charity Hall after leaving Xiaoyao Manor, including her conversations with King Xiang.

“How shall we respond?” Tang Li looked at Qin Daofei with difficulty.

Qin Daofei stood leisurely, pushing open the window to gaze at the snowy landscape outside. Calmly, he said, “If she’s willing to pay, take the money and do what you can to help her.”

After a moment of silence, he added, “Tang Li, come with me to the frontier.”

“Master, it’s dangerous to go to the frontier this season,” Tang Li said, aware of Qin Daofei’s troubled heart but unwilling to see him sacrifice himself.

Qin Daofei shot him a sidelong glance and said coldly, “What right does a man have to complain about hardship?”

Tang Li understood then that the Master was not running from pain but wanted to experience firsthand the suffering the First Lady had endured.

Ignoring Tang Li, Qin Daofei turned and left. Tang Li hurried after him.

As they departed, a note fluttered down from the desk, detailing Linglong’s entire life at Qingyun Charity Hall after leaving Xiaoyao Manor, including her conversations with King Xiang.

---

Two days later.

Linglong still knelt before Sister Liang’s coffin, waiting for news from Xiaoyao Manor.

At dusk, the bell at the door rang sharply.

This bell was only rung by those unfamiliar with Qingyun Charity Hall, intended to alert everyone of an intruder.

Upon hearing the sound, the strong men of Qingyun Charity Hall emerged, brandishing weapons, eyes sharp as they stared at the black-clad youth standing in the snow.

The youth was naturally Jifeng from Xiaoyao Manor.

He walked to the center of the courtyard and respectfully bowed to Linglong’s residence. “Madam, regarding your inquiry, the manor has received your request. The Master asked me to tell you to please be patient.”

“Thank you. If the culprit is found, I will not withhold any reward,” Linglong replied coolly without appearing.

Jifeng did not know how to respond, so he bowed again. “Please take care, Madam.”

As before, Jifeng turned and left calmly.

Linglong knelt at the shrine, heart heavy.

He did not even say a single word!

Across thousands of miles, through ice and snow, the hearts of these two had grown cold.

Xiaoyao Manor was fervently searching for Sister Liang’s killer. King Xiang was also relentlessly pursuing the matter, pressing Jingzhao Prefecture daily. Yet in the snowfall, the culprit’s tracks vanished at the cliff’s edge. The officials were powerless.

“Your Highness, it’s not for lack of effort. There were no witnesses, and the tracks disappeared at the cliff’s edge. I am truly helpless. Please punish me as you see fit,” the Prefect bowed before King Xiang, awaiting his judgment.

King Xiang sighed and said, “Leave.”

His guards, seeing his distress, suggested, “Your Highness, since Miss Linglong left Xiaoyao Manor, we hold no grudge against them. Perhaps…”

“I was involved in killing his child. My grudge with him can never be negated,” King Xiang said coldly, then muttered, “Now, other than Xiaoyao Manor, I don’t know where else to turn. Let’s go to Xiaoyao Manor.”

The group arrived at Xiaoyao Manor. With no one in charge, and Qin Wang Xiangyu unwilling to deal with King Xiang, Qin Wang Xiangyu sent Tan Xiyin to receive them.

Linglong’s departure brought great joy to Tan Xiyin, who cheerfully pushed a wheelchair forward and smiled at King Xiang. “Your Highness, if you seek Feng Linglong, please visit Qingyun Charity Hall.”

“I’m here to see Qin Daofei!” King Xiang was brief.

At the mention of Qin Daofei, Tan Xiyin’s expression soured. “He’s gone on a long journey and won’t be back soon.”

“I want Xiaoyao Manor to take on the task of finding Sister Liang’s killer. Will you accept the business?” King Xiang did not know that Qin Daofei was not at the manor.

Tan Xiyin asked the gatekeeper, “Ask Young Master Jifeng if he can accept the task.”

“No, Madam has already paid for the information!” Jifeng said and turned to leave.

King Xiang glanced at the manor’s sign and said quietly to his guards, “Give Linglong ten thousand taels of silver. Tell her I will cover all expenses in finding Sister Liang’s killer, as long as she doesn’t disappear on me.”

Before Linglong, King Xiang was utterly humble.

When the guards delivered the silver note, Linglong glanced at it coolly and said, “I’m not in the mood to kill today. If you’re wise, take your silver and leave quickly.”

Having witnessed King Xiang’s ruthless slaughter of his men for Linglong’s sake, the man dared not linger and returned to report.

Aife descended from the beams and looked at Linglong calmly. “Why refuse silver?”

“As long as the killer isn’t caught, I can never forgive Cheng Xiang!” Linglong replied coldly. Though uncertain if Cheng Xiang truly killed Sister Liang, she harbored resentment. If not for his confinement of Sister Liang, none of this would have happened.

Thinking she hadn’t yet had a chance to love Sister Liang properly even for a day, Linglong felt heartbreak beyond words.

“But how can your body endure this?” Aife finally spoke the tender words Linglong usually scorned.

Linglong knelt straight before the shrine, lowering her eyes. “What do I fear? Even if I die, you will still avenge me, won’t you?”

“If you wear yourself out, I won’t help you!” Aife’s face turned cold.

Normally, Linglong would joke, but not in front of Sister Liang. She simply lowered her gaze, burning paper money one by one.

In truth, she did harbor some resentment toward Qin Daofei.

He never asked a single question, never even showed concern if she had been harmed by bandits or injured, silently leaving without a word.

Knowing Sister Liang was gone, he remained silent.

What a cold man. When he needs you, you are precious; when he doesn’t, you are nothing—nothing at all!

Linglong closed her eyes tightly, and when she opened them again, there was nothing left inside.

Aife leaned against a pillar with her sword, watching Linglong coldly, wondering how long this woman intended to torment herself.

Creak!

The door was pushed open, and Hu Hanzhi, dressed in white, stepped inside.

The cold wind swept in with snowflakes, scattering the paper money beside Linglong. She lightly pressed them down but didn’t turn to look at Hu Hanzhi.

Hu Hanzhi closed the door, shutting out the wind and snow.

“Linglong, you should rest,” Hu Hanzhi said softly.

Linglong replied coldly, “I’m not tired. Don’t disturb me.”

“Your body is already hollowed out. If this continues, and Sister Liang’s killer isn’t found, you’ll collapse first,” Hu Hanzhi said disapprovingly.

Linglong looked up at Hu Hanzhi coldly. “You know I won’t fall before I achieve my goal.”

Indeed, Linglong possessed such willpower.

But Hu Hanzhi would not allow it. He signaled to Aife, who rolled her eyes and swiftly knocked Linglong unconscious with a hand strike.

She clapped her hands briskly. “Carry her back yourself.”

“When do you think Linglong will recover?” Hu Hanzhi asked, watching Linglong fall.

Aife didn’t move, smirking. “She never really recovers. She just hides her wounds well and licks them alone in the dark.”

“She can’t endure this!” Hu Hanzhi said firmly.

Aife smiled brightly. “Easy. Go call Qin Daofei back. Let him hold, comfort, and soothe Linglong. As long as she’s by his side, she’ll recover quickly.”

“Why do you all think I’m incapable of caring for Linglong? Why do you believe only Qin Daofei can heal her wounds?” Hu Hanzhi’s words seemed calm but carried bitterness.

Aife glanced at Linglong and said flatly, “Because to Feng Linglong, Qin Daofei is like a god.”

Piercing.

Hu Hanzhi approached, eyes softening as he held Linglong close. “Qin Daofei no longer wants her. That’s a fact none of us can deny. So from now on, I will take charge of her life.”

With that, he carried Linglong toward her room.

Aife looked after Hu Hanzhi, speaking to his retreating back, “Hanzhi, some people can’t be replaced, no matter what.”

Hu Hanzhi paused but said nothing, determinedly carrying Linglong away.

A day later, news of Hu Hanzhi carrying Linglong back reached Qin Daofei, who was headed to the frontier. He held the note in his palm; when he opened it, the paper had already turned to dust, scattered by the wind.

Qin Daofei looked calmly at the messenger. “In the future, don’t tell me such things unless her safety is at risk.”

“Yes, Master!” The messenger bowed and left.

Qin Daofei gazed ahead at the vast white snow and quietly urged his horse forward.

Tang Li followed behind silently, unsure how to comfort the Master.

Meanwhile, at Xiaoyao Manor.

Tan Xiyin pushed a wheelchair around the estate, directing servants in dusting and cleaning. The New Year was near, and she had always done this.

Qin Wang Xiangyu was helped out by Madam Xia and, seeing Tan Xiyin outside, felt displeased.

“Mother-in-law, the New Year is coming soon. Should we send word to call Brother Daofei home for the holidays?” Tan Xiyin asked cheerfully.

Qin Wang Xiangyu snorted coldly. “Do you think you can call him back?”

Uh…

“Of course I can’t, but Mother-in-law certainly can, right?” Tan Xiyin meant to flatter, unaware her words had struck a nerve.

Qin Wang Xiangyu looked at Tan Xiyin coldly and told Madam Xia, “Xia, that woman mocked me. Lock her up and give her a beating!”

Tan Xiyin turned pale with fear. “Mother-in-law, why?”

“You’ve been in the Qin family for years without children, yet you mock me? Do you think I can’t hit you as your mother-in-law?” Qin Wang Xiangyu vented all her resentment toward Qin Daofei and Linglong on Tan Xiyin.

Without Qin Daofei’s protection, Tan Xiyin was dragged to the cold woodshed and beaten mercilessly by the servants.

“Just wait. One day, I will make you all kneel before me. All of you!” she thought through the pain.

Having beaten Tan Xiyin, Qin Wang Xiangyu’s mood improved.

She summoned Jifeng. “The New Year is almost here, yet your Master hasn’t returned. Urge him to come back soon.”

“Madam, that may be difficult,” Jifeng said calmly.

Qin Wang Xiangyu frowned. “What, do I have to beg him personally?”

“No, I mean the Master is already on his way to the frontier. It won’t be easy to return so soon.” Everyone knew the frontier’s storms were fiercer than Suiye City.

Upon hearing this, Qin Wang Xiangyu stood up excitedly, then collapsed heavily.

“You say he went to the frontier?” she muttered.

Jifeng knew that the old Master had disappeared in an avalanche during a winter journey to the frontier, and now that Qin Daofei had retraced that path, Qin Wang Xiangyu was naturally fearful.

But he had nothing to say.

Qin Wang Xiangyu wept in Madam Xia’s arms. “What kind of disobedient child did I give birth to? He knew traveling to the frontier in this season was a death sentence, yet he still went!”

“Madam, the young master will be fine,” Madam Xia wanted to blame Qin Wang Xiangyu for forcing Linglong away, but knowing she would not listen, she remained silent.

Qin Wang Xiangyu, however, thought of this and told Jifeng coldly, “You may leave now. I am fine.”

Jifeng eagerly left at once.

After he left, Qin Wang Xiangyu cursed, “Prepare the carriage. I’m going out!”

“Madam, it’s freezing cold...” Madam Xia tried to reason but was cut off.

“I said prepare the carriage!” Qin Wang Xiangyu snapped.

Madam Xia said no more and obediently prepared the carriage.

The carriage jolted for a long time before arriving at Qingyun Charity Hall.

“Madam, we’ve arrived,” the coachman said nervously, clutching the reins and unwilling to proceed.

Qin Wang Xiangyu lifted the curtain. “Why stop?”

“Madam, the Master said this is the First Lady’s domain. No one may enter without permission,” the coachman pointed to the sign bearing Qin Daofei’s handwriting.

Following his finger, Qin Wang Xiangyu looked up at the four characters: Qingyun Charity Hall. “I told you to enter. What are you afraid of?”

She then closed the curtain coldly.

The coachman had no choice but to drive inside.

As the carriage passed through the gate, the entire hall rang with clear bells. Hearing the bells, Hu Hanzhi shot a hidden weapon to sever the connecting wires around Linglong’s room, preventing the noise from disturbing her.

Aife, annoyed by the bell, flew out and saw the Qin family’s carriage arrogantly parked in the courtyard.

The coachman bowed to the imposing Aife. “Miss, please inform the First Lady—Madam Qin is here… to see her?”

“A petty thief like her dares call herself the First Lady of Xiaoyao Manor? If I hear such nonsense again, I’ll tear her mouth apart... Let Feng Linglong come out to see me!” Qin Wang Xiangyu arrogantly declared.

Aife leapt onto the carriage board, raised her sword, and sliced the warm curtain, letting the cold wind and snow pour inside, making the pampered Qin Wang Xiangyu shiver.

“You know Linglong has nothing to do with your Qin family, yet you still swagger on our turf? I’ll tell you, we have no dealings with Xiaoyao Manor, so don’t expect us to be courteous.”

Qin Wang Xiangyu, tough when facing the strong but cowardly when confronted, lost her courage before Aife’s ferocity.

“Even if she’s no longer part of Xiaoyao Manor, as an elder, shouldn’t she come out to see me?” Qin Wang Xiangyu cautiously eyed Aife, fearing she might be killed with a wave of her hand.

Upstairs, Linglong came out calmly, looking down on Qin Wang Xiangyu. “Madam Qin, what are you doing bringing your carriage into my courtyard? If you harm anyone here, I will fight you to the death.”

“Feng Linglong, what have you done to my son?” Qin Wang Xiangyu accused, though her tone lacked its usual strength.

Heh.

Linglong smiled. “Madam Qin, your words are amusing. What could I possibly do to the mighty Qin Master?”

“If you hadn’t done something to him, why would he leave home just before the New Year, not even returning to Suiye City, and in a blizzard, insist on going to the frontier? You know his father disappeared on that road in this season!” Qin Wang Xiangyu grew angry but ended with only sorrow.

Linglong had heard of the old Master’s mysterious disappearance during a stormy winter journey to the frontier.

But why did Qin Daofei go?

After much thought, Linglong could only guess one reason: he went to investigate her connection with Hu Hanzhi.

She was not afraid of that. Crossing her arms coldly, she said, “Qin Master is an adult. Whether he goes to the frontier or elsewhere, what does it have to do with me?”

“Do you dare say he didn’t go because of you?” Qin Wang Xiangyu grew agitated.

Linglong showed no expression. “Did he tell you he went for me?”

Qin Wang Xiangyu was speechless.

“Since not, please leave quickly and stop disturbing my life. If I get angry and move back to bother Madam Qin, I’m sure you’ll hate me to death!” Linglong said coldly.

Qin Wang Xiangyu’s greatest fear might be Linglong’s return.

She said softly, “Feng Linglong, you torment my son now, but one day you will regret it!”

With that, the Qin family carriage left Qingyun Charity Hall.

Linglong gazed northward, murmuring, “Xiao Feifei, do you think the frontier’s storms… are getting worse?”

“Do you have any ambition?” Aife leapt up and pushed Linglong, exasperated.

Linglong tightened her clothes. “It’s cold. I’d better go back and hold Yixiao.”

After returning, Linglong dressed and embraced Yixiao, heading toward the shrine.

---

Hua’er was angry and blocked Linglong’s way. “Miss, I’ll guard Sister Liang’s vigil. You should rest inside.”

“She treated me like a mother. Now that she is gone, how can I entrust this to others?” Linglong said gently but firmly.

Hua’er also spoke gently and firmly. “I know Sister Liang wouldn’t want to see you like this. She liked to see you smile. All of us like to see you smile.”

“I’m not crying!” Linglong rolled her eyes.

Hua’er growled, “If you cried even once, I’d feel better!”

“Hey, Xiao Feifei, do you think Hua’er’s heart has hardened? She wants me to cry!” Linglong joked casually.

Aife ignored them.

Linglong, bored, hugged the child and headed downstairs.

Hua’er’s stubbornness flared; she grabbed Linglong, refusing to let her go.

Fearing they might hurt Yixiao, Aife took the child and held him.

Yixiao smiled at everyone except Aife, at whom he cried.

While Linglong and Hua’er tussled, Yixiao cried heartily.

“Hey, don’t pull me! Don’t you see this woman bullying Yixiao?” Linglong softly pushed Hua’er aside and held Yixiao, soothing him.

Yixiao clutched Linglong’s arm and wouldn’t let go.

After much coaxing, Linglong finally got Yixiao to smile again.

At that moment, Jifeng landed in the courtyard.

He glanced instinctively at Aife, then bowed. “Madam, there’s news!”

“How is it?” Linglong eagerly descended the stairs.

Worried she might hurt the child, Aife took him and handed him to Hua’er.

Linglong brought Jifeng inside, anxiously asking, “Have you found out who did it?”

“Our men found that on the day in question, someone hired a killer to murder a defenseless old woman. The killer’s skill was low—a small-time thug from the western part of town. He had learned some kung fu from the underworld, so dealing with ordinary people was easy,” Jifeng reported honestly.

Linglong frowned. “Do you know who hired him?”

Jifeng looked deeply at Linglong and then at Aife.

Aife snapped, “Can you skip the beating around the bush?”

“That person said someone gave him a letter and an advance payment, thrown through his window,” Jifeng handed the letter to Linglong.

Linglong glanced at it coolly. It was from Qin Daofei of Xiaoyao Manor.

For some reason, Linglong did not believe Qin Daofei was involved.

Jifeng didn’t believe it either, which was why he dared show the letter. Aife read it and laughed. “This killer murdered a defenseless woman but tried to frame both King Xiang and Qin Daofei? Feng Linglong, are you hiding some messy love affair from us?”

“I’m a decent person!” Linglong said, then turned to Jifeng. “Shall we go question that killer?”

“Madam, please follow me,” Jifeng gestured respectfully.

Linglong hesitated briefly, then said coldly, “You can call me Miss Linglong or just Linglong. Anything but Madam.”

Jifeng did not reply and stubbornly kept calling her Madam as he led her to the killer’s home.

He might not fully understand what happened between Qin Daofei and Linglong but knew Qin Daofei was not one to give up easily.

When they arrived at the killer’s house, they found all those Xiaoyao Manor had assigned to protect him were dead, killed swiftly with a single fatal blade—no chance to struggle.

Such experienced killing could only be done by a true assassin or a skilled martial artist.

Jifeng searched the area and shook his head. “Madam, no survivors.”

“Where’s the killer?” Linglong asked urgently.

“Dead. Thoroughly dead,” Jifeng said.

“This killer isn’t very clever. Trying to frame others so crudely... At first, I thought it was someone behind King Xiang and Tan Xiyin, but now, I’m not so sure,” Linglong analyzed seriously. The situation was growing more confusing.

Jifeng agreed. “Madam, do you think Tan Xiyin acted alone?”

“That’s possible. She tried to scheme against me but failed,” Linglong remembered clearly that Tan Xiyin was the most eager to see her dead. If she couldn’t kill Linglong, taking it out on Sister Liang might be her way.

Aife doubted. “Where would Tan Xiyin get the information? King Xiang’s release of Sister Liang was spontaneous, shared with no one. Tan Xiyin doesn’t have such ability. This person must be familiar with King Xiang’s every move.”

“Could there really be someone secretly fond of me, and I don’t know?” Linglong felt terrified. One King Xiang was already troublesome; if another appeared, she might die of shock.

Uh...

Jifeng was speechless.

“The trail ends here!” Linglong sighed.

Jifeng frowned, pondering. “Madam, I’ll investigate further. This killer’s methods resemble another case we’re handling. Maybe there’s a connection.”

“Be careful,” Linglong said. The matter was increasingly thorny and shrouded in mystery.

Jifeng spoke briskly, “Shouldn’t you worry more about the Master? The journey to the frontier is full of dangers, yet he insists on enduring the hardships you once suffered.”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t he going to investigate my connection with…” Linglong did not say Hu Hanzhi’s name.

But Jifeng thought, “Everything began when Hu Hanzhi commissioned us to investigate Hu Meinang. Who exactly is she? Whom did she anger in the capital?”

Seeing Jifeng lost in thought, Linglong was glad he didn’t ask about Hu Hanzhi and turned toward the door.

Aife wanted to leave too, but Jifeng suddenly grabbed her hand.

“Suicide?” Aife asked fiercely.

Jifeng, like touching a hot stove, pulled back awkwardly. “Uh… how about a fight?”

“No time!” Aife refused and tried to leave, but Jifeng grabbed her hand again. “No, if we don’t fight, I can’t eat or sleep!”

“Looks like you really want to die!” Aife said and started fighting Jifeng.

Linglong heard the clash of swords and thought they were quarreling again, worried Aife might end things with Jifeng in a fit.

But after watching a while, she was sure of one thing: these two were not fighting.

How to put it?

It was like two dogs biting each other but carefully not to harm one another.

Flirting?

Yes, flirting.

“Hey, is it really okay for you two to flirt in front of a heartbroken person like me?” Linglong held her face and asked.

Hearing this, Aife’s sword slipped from her hand, and she lost her balance, falling forward.

Jifeng saw her fall and instinctively caught her, rolling so that he was on top.

“I didn’t do it on purpose!” Jifeng explained.

Aife pushed him away coldly. “If you did, you’d be dead now!”

She then flew after Linglong.

Jifeng stayed behind, rubbing his lips, then grinned widely.

After laughing for a while, he scolded himself, slapped himself several times, and then ran off toward Xiaoyao Manor, bumping into pillars and kicking stones.

Linglong and Aife returned to Qingyun Charity Hall, where Hu Hanzhi sat in a pavilion decorated with white gauze and dark red brocade curtains, brewing tea.

Linglong glanced at Aife, who looked back at her, then said, “Ask whatever you want.”

Linglong took a deep breath and approached Hu Hanzhi.

Entering the pavilion, Hu Hanzhi poured her a cup of hot tea and asked softly, “Did you find anything?”

“No. When we arrived, the killer and those protecting him from Xiaoyao Manor were all dead. The killer’s swordsmanship was sharp and decisive; each stroke was fatal, leaving no chance to struggle,” Linglong described the scene.

Hu Hanzhi hesitated, then said, “Is Xiaoyao Manor incompetent, or is the killer too formidable?”

“Looks like the killer is formidable,” Linglong said, unsure why she spoke thus.

Hu Hanzhi comforted her, “It’s okay. Take it slow.”

“Hanzhi, I’ve always wanted to ask: is your mother really Hu Meinang? The man you asked Qin Daofei to investigate—does he really exist?” Linglong tested cautiously.

Hu Hanzhi frowned. “You doubt me?”

“Not doubt, but if your father exists, perhaps he’s too powerful. Every time Qin Daofei gets close to the truth, he’s stopped, like when I investigated Sister Liang. Could your father be immortal and have a grudge against the Qin family?” Linglong could think of no other explanation.

Hu Hanzhi sighed softly and said, “I don’t know who he is, but he toyed with my mother’s feelings, so he’s no ordinary man. If he does have a grudge against Qin Daofei, that’s interesting. Qin Daofei owes you a lot; it’s only fair you give some back.”

After all, Linglong had come for revenge at first.

Lowering her head, Linglong now doubted whether she could seek vengeance on Qin Daofei.

It seemed Qin Daofei was innocent in that matter.

“Heh, you can’t bear to let go, can you?” Hu Hanzhi set down his tea, eyes burning as he looked at Linglong.

Biting her lip, Linglong said, “I don’t know, but what I saw didn’t match what I experienced. Qin Daofei… perhaps never wanted me dead.”

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Genius remembers this site address: m. (Mobile reading site)

[End.]