Meeting

Nothing happened that night.

Dawn filtered through the window lattice, turning into several mottled beams that fell across half of the sleeping girl's flawless profile. Her dense, slender lashes trembled slightly. Ruan Su instinctively reached toward the bed beside her, and the empty touch made her snap her eyes open.

Memories of yesterday surged into her mind. She stared at the familiar little house for a long while, then got up and rubbed her disheveled hair. Blinking her bleary eyes twice, she found that the cuts on her fair forearm, made by fragments of the Killing Ape's skull, had already scabbed over into hard knots. With a scratch of her hand, the bloody scabs fell away, leaving only tender red marks.

Nodding in satisfaction, Ruan Su was just about to get out of bed when she seemed to remember something. She hurriedly smoothed down her messy hair, using it to cover the half of her face that had been burned by flames.

Her gaze swept around the room, and Ruan Su tilted her little head.

Xiao Yi went out?

The door was open, and the conical wooden stake was still swinging from the doorframe like a pendulum. The house was empty, yet she did not feel much panic in her heart.

Qin Yi's descent into confusion was divided by sleep. Under normal circumstances, after waking up, he would force himself to stay awake for another day or two before sleeping again.

Stretching lazily like a mongoose, Ruan Su threw off the covers and got out of bed. Before she could step outside, however, she heard the sound of sharp blades slicing through flesh, along with hushed conversation from the courtyard beyond the door.

"...You want to modify this hand crossbow?"

"Mm."

"The Killing Ape's shin sheath would make a suitable bowstring. Its poundage should rise quite a bit, but the main body of this hand crossbow's mechanism seems to be Red Ironwood. Its strength probably won't withstand that shin sheath."

"There should be suitable timber in the mountains."

"The higher the poundage, the more troublesome it is to calibrate the mechanism."

"Mm."

"Want me to find someone... Wait, you understand this?"

"A little."

"..."

When she reached the open wooden door, a flicker of surprise crossed Ruan Su's face.

The morning mountain mist had yet to disperse, carrying the damp chill of late autumn. The mother ape's carcass had already been dragged beside the well. A brawny man was expertly working a short knife across its body, blood winding over the stone slabs and seeping into the earth. Quite a few usable materials had already been laid out on the bluestone bricks nearby.

On the other side of the stone well stood two figures who did not match at all.

One large, one small.

The old master and Qin Yi.

Her cloth shoes crossed the earth without a sound as Ruan Su walked toward Qin Yi and the old master. None of the three noticed her arrival, until a woman's voice, carrying a hint of arrogance, suddenly sounded behind her:

"That filthy little girl from back then has certainly grown up quite a bit."

Ruan Su's steps halted, and she looked back.

Beneath the old locust tree on the other side of the courtyard stood a woman leaning against the trunk. The cool mountain breeze brushed over her fitted dark-purple martial attire, outlining her exquisite curves. Before the woman spoke, Ruan Su had not sensed her presence at all.

Luo Liuyi.

Three years ago, after she had entered the old master's notice and earned his favor under Qin Yi's planning, Ruan Su had met her a few times. However, Luo Liuyi handled intelligence while Ruan Su had joined the Iron Guards, so they had little contact. When Luo Liuyi later disappeared, Ruan Su had assumed the woman died during a mission.

Ruan Su had intended to nod in greeting according to etiquette,

but Luo Liuyi's next words stopped her.

Her voice held gentle mockery:

"You really are something, little girl. If you'd obediently stayed at Fragrant Osmanthus House, with that face and figure of yours, our Immortal Guest House would surely have gained another top courtesan. You could have spread your legs in comfort instead of risking your life out here, fighting and killing. Isn't that right?"

"..."

A cold wind swept through the courtyard. Hearing the voice behind him, Qin Yi turned around as well and looked at Luo Liuyi in some surprise.

He had not realized this woman was so aggressive just now.

But why?

Did she have a grudge with Ruan Su?

As he was thinking, Qin Yi noticed that something was wrong.

Ruan Su had already turned and was walking toward the woman.

As she passed the bloodstained weapons discarded in the courtyard last night, she casually hooked up a blade and gripped it in her hand. With a turn of her wrist, she spun out a fierce flourish, and the blade flashed with cold light beneath the morning sun.

Luo Liuyi's relaxed smile instantly froze.

Not out of fear, but because she had not expected this little brat to bare her fangs at her.

Look at this girl...

Three years apart, and her wings had already grown this hard.

Beneath the locust tree's shadow, Luo Liuyi slowly straightened, casually placing her fingertips on the sword at her waist.

The relaxed atmosphere in the courtyard instantly drew taut.

"Liuyi."

A voice from nearby cut through the sword-drawn tension between the two women. Nie Junyue had turned around at some point, displeasure in his brow as he stared at Luo Liuyi.

"Ruan Su is now, like you, a retainer of my Immortal Guest House. Show some respect. Apologize."

"..."

Luo Liuyi suddenly fell silent. She looked at the old master, then at that vixen. After several breaths of eye contact, she averted her gaze and bit her red lip.

"...Yes, Master."

As she spoke, she folded her arms and leaned back against the locust tree, waving a hand carelessly.

"Sorry, little girl."

"..."

Seeing this, Ruan Su did not continue forward.

Nie Junyue sighed softly and turned toward Ruan Su.

Ruan Su stepped forward two paces, held the sword behind her back, and bowed in salute.

Nie Junyue's tone softened somewhat.

"When Xiao Yi came over earlier, he said you were exhausted from last night and still resting, so we didn't disturb you."

Though she had already seen it, Ruan Su was still somewhat surprised that Xiao Yi would take the initiative to expose himself today. However, she said nothing.

Just as Qin Yi was a fool, she was still a little mute in front of outsiders. She had to maintain her persona.

Nie Junyue chuckled.

"Heh... Are you surprised that your brother's brain illness was inexplicably cured?"

Ruan Su could naturally tell that this was sarcasm, but being a mute made it convenient for her to feign ignorance. She let out two cries of "ah, ah."

Nie Junyue did not pursue the matter further, at least not on the surface for now. He raised a hand to stop her performance and said with a light smile:

"To be honest, when I first entered your courtyard, it truly gave me quite a fright. There was a Monster Calamity, and even a girl's corpse."

At this,

Nie Junyue paused slightly. His deep, shadowed eyes shifted, and with a smile, he gave Qin Yi a long look.

Their eyes met for an instant.

Qin Yi tugged his facial muscles and returned a brilliant smile.

Nie Junyue's eye twitched. He dragged the conversation back to the point.

"I came today because of the attack you suffered last night."

Ruan Su instantly became vigilant, her delicate body tensing slightly.

Immortal Guest House had long infiltrated every corner of Yellow Bamboo Town. Peddlers, porters, merchants, and guards could all be the old master's eyes and ears. It did not surprise her that he knew about last night.

But,

Nie Junyue's next words exceeded everyone's expectations and were even shocking.

He suddenly withdrew all the authority surrounding him, slowly bowed, and solemnly saluted Ruan Su. His words were filled with apology.

"I'm sorry. This began because of me. I will take responsibility for the entire matter."

"..."

That posture of admitting fault left Ruan Su's mind blank for a moment. She instinctively looked at Qin Yi, appearing somewhat at a loss.

Qin Yi first soothed her with his gaze. Then, a grave reassessment surged through his eyes as he looked at the old master's back.

In an era where human lives were as cheap as grass, where those above could casually strip those below of everything, even their lives, apologies were actually very expensive. They were only shown to equals or those of higher standing.

Just like an emperor, for the sake of stable rule, would not easily admit his own mistakes, even if his policies left disasters blooming across the land.

What was this for?

If it was truly as Qin Yi suspected, then perhaps he had still rated this old master too low.

Amid the silence,

Nie Junyue spoke again, his voice steady as he set the tone for last night's attack.

"At its core, last night's attack was caused by certain misunderstandings. Liuyi recently returned from the Central Plains, and there were too many complicated matters requiring my personal attention. That made me somewhat overlook the aftermath of the previous marriage proposal."

As he spoke, he turned his head slightly and glanced outside the courtyard.

On the muddy path beyond the siblings' courtyard stood several Iron Guards who had accompanied him, standing watch. The armored leader immediately understood that look. He strode forward and respectfully presented an exquisitely decorated wooden box.

Nie Junyue accepted it and handed it to Ruan Su. The gentleness and pity in his eyes did not seem false.

"This is Snowfrost. It works wonders on burn scars. When I heard that you accidentally burned your face, I sent someone to the prefectural capital to purchase a box. If you apply it consistently for a year or so, it should erase quite a few of the burn marks."

"..."

After hearing this, Ruan Su's eyes widened slightly. Her dark pupils shone as she gazed longingly at the wooden box. She wanted it, but then remembered that she probably could not afford it with her salary, and she still needed to save money to treat Xiao Yi's brain illness. In the end, she shook her head.

"Take it."

Qin Yi suddenly spoke, his childish voice abruptly cutting into the conversation.

"This is all the old master's goodwill, Sister."

The moment those words left his mouth, Nie Junyue's expression remained gentle as water without the slightest change. Yet the retainers and guards of Immortal Guest House around them more or less revealed displeasure.

Especially the woman called Liuyi.

Overstepping.

Seizing the master's authority.

In this rigidly stratified world, in any other wealthy clan, this foolish, lowborn child could have been beaten to death for that single sentence.

But since the old master showed no reaction, his subordinates naturally could not say much.

"Ah... ah..."

Ruan Su called out twice, accepted the wooden box, and solemnly bowed deeply in gratitude.

Nie Junyue smiled and waved his hand.

Just as the matter was about to be put aside,

Qin Yi's childish voice sounded once more.

"Sis, shouldn't you say thank you?"

"..."

Ruan Su abruptly raised her eyes in surprise. But after meeting her younger brother's gaze for an instant, she pressed her lips together, slowly opened her mouth, and spoke in that hoarse voice—the first words she had said before outsiders in four years.

"Th... thank... you... Master."

"..."

Silence.

Shock.

Peng Jun, who had been intently dissecting the Killing Ape, stared so wide-eyed that his eyes became round balls.

Luo Liuyi's brows twisted into knots. Her arms remained folded, but her hands clenched tightly around her upper arms.

No one had imagined that someone who drank Muteheart Soup could speak again, including the old master, Nie Junyue.

The corner of his eye twitched uncontrollably, and his heart began pounding. Certain suspicions had been confirmed, but the joy in his heart was immediately doused by a basin of cold water.

That little brat's words just now had been a declaration of sovereignty to him.

Morning mist drifted through the courtyard. Nie Junyue turned back meaningfully, his gaze settling on the boy whose expression was as innocent as a blank sheet of paper.

Some things could not be mentioned to outsiders.

The variable of Qin Yi not being dead had utterly stripped Nie Junyue of control over the entire assassination.

For that reason, he had drafted countless possibilities last night. Even Ruan Su fleeing directly had been taken into account. Yet when he pushed open this courtyard gate this morning, the sight that met his eyes had still far exceeded all his expectations.

In the dim blue-gray dawn, this slender boy had simply been sitting alone on the steps before the little house.

He had been waiting for him.

There was no estrangement, no politeness, and not the slightest trace of fear. After calling him "Uncle Nie," he had asked that Nie Junyue order his men to help dismantle the mother ape's corpse.

A hand crossbow hung at his waist, and he told them to watch out for the traps in the courtyard.

There had been no attempt to conceal anything.

In the calmest manner, the boy was telling him,

that he had escaped on his own,

that he had killed this mother ape.

He knew someone had been watching this courtyard last night.

He also knew that he had been the target of last night's planned assassination.

Every excuse prepared last night, along with every plan of the past few months to win Ruan Su's loyalty, had collapsed in an instant like dry wood rotting away.

"...Master."

He had to admit that, in that moment, he had felt a long-forgotten chill crawl down his spine from this boy who had not yet reached the age of thirteen.

Because of certain experiences from the past.

And because of the other's future.

When Qin Yi first arrived in Yellow Bamboo Town, he had only been six or seven years old. Yet right beneath Nie Junyue's nose, he had pretended to be a fool for four years without revealing the slightest flaw.

"Master."

The slightly raised voice brought Nie Junyue back to himself. It was the armored leader of the Iron Guards, who said quietly:

"We should return to town."

Nie Junyue let out a breath of turbid air, nodded, and looked at Ruan Su.

"Ruan Su, last night's affair was not your fault, but after all, more than a dozen people died. At the very least, we must give the town suppression commissioner an explanation. Come back to Yellow Bamboo Town with me and describe the details, so the people below can write them into an official report and send it over."

At that, Nie Junyue paused and glanced at the cheerful little boy who seemed unaware of everything.

"Xiao Yi should come too. It is a troubled time lately, and it would not be safe for him to remain alone in this courtyard. As for you, Peng Jun... stay here for now and dissect this Killing Ape as Xiao Yi instructed."

"Yes."

Peng Jun immediately answered.

After a brief round of preparations, the mountain morning mist finally dispersed completely. All the Iron Guards and retainers of Immortal Guest House gathered on the official road, while the neatly dressed Ruan Su led Qin Yi over to them.

On the official road, two squads of Iron Guards and twenty internal martial arts experts with long, steady breaths guarded the rather luxuriously appointed carriage. Luo Liuyi, clad in a fitted dark-purple martial outfit, sat atop a fine horse at the head of the formation, the longsword at her waist swaying faintly. When she saw the siblings emerge, her narrow eyes narrowed slightly, but she did not provoke them again.

No longer needing to maintain her mute persona, Ruan Su reached out and ruffled Qin Yi's hair. Then she bent down into a crouch, turned her head halfway, and quietly ordered:

"The town... far. I... carry you."

Qin Yi was frail to begin with, and having gone without sleep, he did not refuse. He wrapped his arms around the girl's neck and pressed himself against her slender body.

But just as she had steadily lifted him onto her back, a voice drifted from inside the carriage through the swaying curtains:

"Ruan Su, Xiao Yi is weak, and his brain illness has only just been cured. The mountain wind in late autumn is bitterly cold. Let him ride in the carriage with me."

"..."

Ruan Su stiffened slightly and instinctively glanced back at Qin Yi. Her delicate, upturned nose nearly bumped into his handsome, pale little face.

Qin Yi's breath brushed against her ear, making it itch. His voice held not the slightest surprise as he whispered into her ear, "Sis, put me down. The old master has business with me."