Bloodkiller - Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen: Three Questions

Within the Plum Manor, after the first question had been answered, Mei Xin noticed a subtle change in Yao Chuan’s expression but paid it no mind. She merely assumed he was like any other common guest, intimidated by the capable individuals within her estate.

After pausing briefly, she continued, “Now then, let the two of you answer the second question. This time, we still require Young Master Fu’s answer. Young Master Fu is a distinguished disciple of the Qingyun Sect. Though I am a mere woman, I know that Qingyun is a renowned sect in Ding Prefecture. The Qingyun Sword Technique is famed for its countless variations—each move branching into a thousand possibilities… ah, no need to look at me like that, Young Master. I’m not of the martial world and know no martial arts—I naturally have no intention of spying on your sword techniques.”

“However, I have heard that the Qingyun Sword Technique was founded by your sect’s ancestor, Daoist Xu Lin. It is said he created both an upper and lower section of the technique. The upper section is the one currently taught, but the lower half has long since been lost… and that is my second question: Do you know the whereabouts of this lower sword technique? You have the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn. Please, begin.”

Yao Chuan replied in a grave voice, “That supposed lower sword technique is mere rumor. If it truly existed, would my master or his master not have known? Such hearsay is unreliable.”

Mei Xin shook her head. “Our Plum Manor’s intelligence never errs. If I say it exists, then it does. So, Young Master, is it that you truly do not know? If that’s the case, then I will have to take your wife’s head in exchange.”

“You—!”

Before he could finish cursing, he felt Lin Yi nudge him from behind. Turning back, he saw her subtly beckoning him closer and said, “Husband, I have something to tell you.”

He was a little surprised but leaned in to listen. What she whispered to him made his eyes widen slightly.

Mei Xin, seeing the two of them whispering so intimately, felt a rush of jealousy and hatred. Her own wounds of love still fresh, she could not bear the sight of other loving couples. She wished nothing more than to kill them all.

With a cold snort, she interrupted, “Time is almost up. Do you have an answer, Young Master Fu?”

Yao Chuan gave a slight nod toward Lin Yi, then stood and replied, “I do know. The lower section of the sword technique does exist, but it was never completed by our ancestor. Striving for perfection, he considered the unfinished sword style flawed and unworthy of being passed down. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to destroy it either, so he ordered his disciples to bury it with him after his death. The lower section lies entombed with Daoist Xu Lin beneath the Broken Cliff Mountain, near the Qingyun Sect of Ding Prefecture.”

Mei Xin furrowed her delicate brows, finally shifting her gaze toward the person behind Yao Chuan. Judging by appearances, this woman seemed to be nothing more than a rustic village wife—but her composure and speech were far too polished. And how would she know such secrets of the Qingyun Sect unless…

Mei Xin let out a light laugh and said, “Mei Xiang, come forward.”

Her maid Mei Xiang stepped up again and, just like before, produced a silk scroll and recited detailed intelligence about the Qingyun Sword Technique, all of which matched what Yao Chuan had said.

Mei Xin smiled slyly and fixed her gaze on “Lady Fu” before saying, “Madam Fu is indeed a worthy wife. Very well, the third question shall be answered by the lady.”

Yao Chuan shouted, “Why drag my wife into this? You vile woman, what are you planning now?”

Lin Yi stood up, first shaking her head at Yao Chuan, then gave a polite curtsy to Mei Xin and said, “If that is the mistress’s wish, how could I refuse?”

“How straightforward! I won’t argue with Young Master Fu further. The third question concerns Madam herself. But before you answer, I ask that you remove your veil. As I understand, your illness affects your internal organs, not your appearance. Why then hide your face today? Is there some… hidden truth?”

Her gaze was sharp. Yao Chuan, afraid she might suspect something, said, “Jiao’er simply dislikes meeting strangers. There’s nothing more to it.”

Mei Xin sneered, “If that’s the case, then show us your face, Madam.”

Lin Yi frowned slightly but said nothing. She simply lifted the veil from her face and asked, “Is the mistress satisfied?”

Yao Chuan stared closely at her, afraid she would be recognized. But to his surprise, Mei Xin’s expression remained unreadable. Her eyes were fixed intently on Lin Yi, yet it was unclear what she was thinking.

After a long silence, she finally said, “Truly a beauty. Young Master Fu is a lucky man. Now then, Madam, let me ask: About seventy li south of Ding Prefecture lies a heavenly lake. Its waters are warm year-round and are said to have healing properties. As natives of Ding Prefecture, and with your strange illness, surely you’ve visited this place. Then you must know the ‘Trailing-Tail Grass’ that grows by the lake’s edge.”

Mei Xin stepped forward and asked softly, “Madam, tell me—what color is the tail of that grass?”

It was an odd question. Yao Chuan scoffed, “Did you not say the questions must relate to us? What nonsense is this about some weed? Even if we’d seen it, how could we remember its tail color? This is pure trickery!”

Mei Xin ignored him and repeated the question.

Just as Yao Chuan was about to lose his temper, the woman behind him replied calmly, “Indigo. All three questions have been answered. Now, may we collect the Red Twilight Flower?”

Her voice was icy, nothing like the gentle tone she had used earlier. Yao Chuan sensed something was off and tensed up, quietly preparing to defend himself.

But Mei Xin wore a strange expression—part anger, part amusement—as she stared at Lin Yi like a hook had caught her eyes. She said, “Of course. The Red Twilight Flower blooms the day after tomorrow at midnight. You are welcome to stay here until then, and I shall personally take you to harvest it.”

Everything going so smoothly made Yao Chuan uneasy. Just as he hesitated, Lin Yi said, “Thank you, Mistress. However, my husband and I did not come alone. We still have a child and servants waiting at the inn, so we’ll not trouble you further. We’ll return to visit you the afternoon after tomorrow.”

His tone was resolute, and though Yao Chuan did not fully understand, he could only follow his lead. Mei Xin made no move to stop them and simply had her servants escort them out.

As they crossed the threshold, Yao Chuan felt a chill on his back. Glancing back, he saw that woman still standing there, smiling as she stared at them unblinkingly.

After they were gone, Mei Xin stood silently in place for a long while. Her maids dared not speak. The grand hall was utterly silent until Mei Xin hissed through clenched teeth, “Wretched child… you’ve come right into my hands!”

After leaving the manor, Lin Yi remained silent. Perhaps unwilling to sit in the carriage again, he rode the fine horse that Yao Chuan had used earlier, leaving Yao Chuan to drive the cart alone.

Seeing his grim face, Yao Chuan held back for a while before finally asking, “What’s wrong? Why won’t you speak?”

Lin Yi turned to him, his expression cold. “She recognized me.”

Yao Chuan had suspected as much, but still frowned. “Was it the third question? Or… was it when you removed your veil?”

Lin Yi sighed deeply and said, “Both. She recognized me first, then asked the third question to confirm it. That ‘Trailing-Tail Grass’ doesn’t grow anywhere near Ding Prefecture. It grows on the back mountain of Qingfeng Fort. I used to play with it as a child, got the dye all over my clothes and hands—she always scolded me for it… That last question was just bait for me to expose myself.”

As he spoke of the past, a flash of melancholy crossed his face. Yao Chuan dared not press further, but from this he could guess: despite the current estrangement between them, there may once have been warmth in their relationship.

After a pause, Yao Chuan asked, “If she recognized you, why go along with our flower-gathering arrangement?”

Lin Yi shook his head. “Not out of goodwill. That viper likely has plans of her own. Hah—probably aimed at me. But the Red Twilight Flower must be gathered, and rushing won’t help now. Brother Yao, come back with me to Qingfeng Fort.”

Yao Chuan was stunned. He pulled the reins and asked, “Qingfeng Fort? Why? Weren’t we going back to the branch stronghold?”

The other man saw his reaction and, amused, seemed to forget his earlier frustration. “To ensure everything goes smoothly, I need to retrieve something important from the Fort. Don’t refuse me now—just come along.”

Yao Chuan said no more and followed him, driving the carriage.

The two traveled swiftly, reaching Qingfeng Fort before nightfall.

This was not Yao Chuan’s first time visiting, but it was the first time he came willingly. Standing outside the main gate, he recalled their past quarrels and felt how unpredictable life was. Thinking of his youthful temper back then, he almost laughed aloud.

A servant at the gate didn’t recognize them at first. He was about to greet them when Lin Yi chuckled and scolded, “Lin Qing! You mutt—can’t even recognize your own master?”

The servant, Lin Qing, widened his eyes. He stared at the beautiful woman before him for a long while before stammering, “Y-Young Master! Why are you back now, and… dressed like this—?”

Before he could finish, Lin Yi gave him a sharp glare. Lin Qing fell silent and led the two inside.

Though called a “Fort,” Qingfeng was not some mountain stronghold—it had a grand history. At the end of the previous dynasty, with war rampant and chaos widespread, many heroes rose in revolt. The central plains burned with battle, another era of turmoil. The city of Yao, then as now, was a critical hub, fought over by many powers.

At that time, the so-called magistrate of Yao was a tyrant named Wu Ao. He ruled with cruelty for years. When rebellions erupted, a wandering swordsman rose up, slew the magistrate, and seized control with public support.

This swordsman was named Lin Qiao, styled Zixi—a true hero of troubled times. He saw the balance of power and guessed that the empire would fall to one of three houses: Liu, Wei, or Zhao. All eyed Yao greedily. To survive, he had to surrender the city—but choose the wrong lord, and he’d doom the people.

Before he could act, the future emperor came disguised, seeking a secret audience. They met at Qingfeng Pavilion and, it’s said, hit it off instantly. Lin Qiao, moved by his noble bearing and ideals, pledged his loyalty and surrendered the city.

That pivotal act allowed the emperor to take the north. He soon crushed Wei and Zhao, unifying the land as the Qi Dynasty.

Though offered high office, Lin Qiao declined. Instead, he took the name of the pavilion—Qingfeng—and founded a martial order. Mocking his past as a “bandit,” he called it Qingfeng Fort and styled himself “Master Lin.”

The Lin clan, always free-spirited, cared little for martial fame. They stayed in Yao, passing down the Fort through generations. Lin Yi’s father, Lin Lie, was even more carefree—he gave the fort to his brother Lin Feng and rode off into the world.

Only when Lin Yi took over did Qingfeng Fort begin to re-enter the wider martial world.

Qingfeng Fort had villas on both sides of Yao city and several estates within the city itself. The home Yao Chuan now visited was one such estate, said to be personally built by the old Master Lin. Though not as grand as Mei Manor, it had a refined, Suzhou-style elegance. The rear garden bloomed with flowers, ringed by rockeries, leading to the main residence beyond.

Yao Chuan had once marveled that such a warrior hero lived in such scholarly refinement. Now, coming here again with Lin Yi, he felt this place was the perfect reflection of the man—no wonder he had turned out this way.