Super Allrounder

Kapitel 36

No one likes being choked unconscious and then, after finally waking up, having to face a barrage of aggressive and relentless interrogation.

Yin Wuxiao was in the same boat, but she had no choice.

Although Shi Mansi simply tossed out a sentence:

"I need to know everything. You decide what to do."

"Um... can I have some water first?" Yin Wuxiao asked with difficulty, his lips dry, while he glanced at the teapot on the table.

However, Shi Mansi glared at her fiercely, then her eyes reddened, and she shed tears with a wronged expression.

"You heartless brat... all you wanted was water... you actually dared to drink water..."

"I... never mind." Fine, she wouldn't drink it. These days, even getting a sip of water is so difficult. Yin Wuxiao thought bitterly.

"You!" Shi Mansi gasped, staring at her with her face covered in snot and tears. Then she suddenly stood up, stamping her feet and pacing back and forth by the bed, looking utterly grief-stricken.

"Here we go again..." Yin Wuxiao rubbed his forehead, unable to bear the sight. She was a patient.

Sure enough, after walking around for no less than ten laps, Shi Mansi suddenly stopped, turned around to face the bed, and fiercely set up a teapot.

"Where do you expect me to begin? Where do I even begin?"

...How about we just not ask?

“You’ve been missing for three whole years, three whole years! Not even a single hair of yours has been brought back. I almost thought you were dead, do you know that?”

"...Don't you often pack your bags and go out for months without a word?" Yin Wuxiao really wanted to retort to her like that.

"First I heard you were seeking medical treatment at Baiwen Manor and even became Baili Qingyi's fiancée. Then, less than a month later, I heard you were getting married, to that cousin you used to refuse to marry! But from beginning to end, did you send a single message back? Did you? Such a big thing as getting married and you didn't even tell me? Do you consider me a dead friend?"

...Actually, I'm afraid I might accidentally die, so I don't dare to give you false hope.

"Yin Wuxiao! If you want to end our friendship, just give me a straight answer. I will never care about your life or death again!" Shi Mansi's eyes began to well up with tears again, but her gaze was so vicious that it seemed she wanted to tear a piece of Yin Wuxiao's flesh out.

"It was my fault, it was my fault..." Yin Wuxiao could only barely prop herself up, her body still somewhat limp, and reach out to pull Shi Mansi into her arms. Although Shi Mansi was a few months older than her, she had been fatally dependent on her since childhood, because it was she who dug Shi Mansi out of the slums and helped her prepare her mother's body for burial. Shi Mansi's dependence was not material, but a strong emotional bond. In their childhood, the two precocious girls comforted each other and grew up together; this affection was no different from that of family.

There's nothing she can do; she's been relied on since she was little, so she's used to it and won't miss out on one more.

Yin Wuxiao's eyes slowly welled up with tears. This was the first time she had clearly realized she had escaped death since the "unfulfilled desire" within her had been resolved. Her nose was filled with overwhelming emotion, and she couldn't help but hug Shi Mansi tightly, thinking: Yes, even if Aunt Nan is gone, there is still Shi Mansi in this world.

Shi Mansi seemed to sense her feelings, so she reached out and hugged her back.

"Xiao'er, you've suffered so much," she said in a hoarse voice to Yin Wuxiao.

A fatal warmth instantly seeped into Yin Wuxiao's heart. Who is depending on whom now? Yin Wuxiao smiled bitterly as he recounted everything that had happened over the past three years.

After finally hearing the whole story, Shi Mansi couldn't help but wipe her face.

“But…if…however…later…actually…” She opened her mouth wide and uttered a series of meaningless words, trying to express something.

"..." Yin Wuxiao waited patiently.

“Your cousin… Baili Qingyi… Yuwen Sanba… Qiao Fenglang…” This time it was a name.

“My cousin isn’t Baili Qingyi. The Yuwen family has two daughters, and it’s not very nice of you to call either of them ‘gossip.’” He remained very patient.

"..." Shi Mansi finally forced herself to shut her mouth and sort out her thoughts.

“I left a mark on the way here, so don’t worry, someone will come to rescue us.”

"Yes, yes," Yin Wuxiao sighed. "Don't forget that the marks you make can only be understood by one person." Fortunately, that person always manages to arrive in time to save Shi Mansi from dire straits.

"But what exactly is the purpose of 'Traceless' master using Yuwen Cuiyu to capture you here?" Could it be as she suspected...?

Yin Wuxiao saw through her thoughts and nodded slightly.

The target of the 'Traceless' master is Qiao Fenglang. After the battle at Baiwen Manor, the 'Traceless' master has realized very clearly that the one who has the greatest influence on Qiao Fenglang is not Mu Wanfeng, nor the foundation of the Qiao Gang, but her, Yin Wuxiao.

Therefore, he abandoned his previous actions against Mu Wanfeng and Qiao Bang, and instead turned his attention to her. If she was not mistaken, based on the methods that the 'Traceless' master used to treat Mu Wanfeng and Qiao Bang, he most likely intended to do the same and destroy her in front of Qiao Fenglang.

After listening to her analysis, Shi Mansi couldn't help but complain.

"I'm asking you, what deep-seated grudge did your cousin have with that warrants 'Traceless' master treating him like this?" This also caused immense suffering for the two innocent bystanders.

"I...don't know." Yin Wuxiao lowered his eyes to hide his unusual expression. "The most important thing now is how to keep ourselves safe so as not to become a burden to the people who are coming to our rescue."

Shi Mansi nodded, her playful expression unusually fading, and her eyes revealed a shrewdness like a fox.

"This arduous task is now entrusted to you."

"Hmm...what?" Shi Mansi nodded habitually, but after her brain processed Yin Wuxiao's words, she suddenly opened her mouth wide. Hey, what do you mean by "this arduous task is entrusted to you"? Does she, Miss Yin, intend to be a purely mentally challenged beauty?

“You know martial arts, you’re a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person of the martial arts world), and you’re older.” Yin Wuxiao slowly held up three fingers. “There’s no way around it, you’re more experienced in these kinds of near-death experiences.” She looked regretful, but secretly she was delighted. As usual, the scheming and intrigue would be left to the cunning Shi Mansi; she just needed to fool Shi Mansi.

Shi Mansi remained silent for a long time. How could she be so naive as to think that all the bad traits in this woman would disappear after she returned from her ordeal?

What else could she do? Who told her, this charming and shrewd young lady, to be completely dominated by her childhood sweetheart? She could only accept her bad luck.

"Alright, that's enough about life and death. Now I have three questions." Anyone who read the first half of this story would want to grab the woman in front of them, beat her up, and then brandish a hot iron in front of her while interrogating her about the following three questions.

"First, you have two older cousins? Then which one is which?"

"Secondly, what's the story between you and Baili Qingyi in the past and now?"

"Third, you actually knew the truth all along, the whole truth?"

Yin Wuxiao chuckled, suddenly feeling much better.

I'm not telling you.

Holding Shi Mansi's hand tightly, she knew that the old Yin Wuxiao had returned.

※ ※ ※

The night was dark and the wind was high.

Baili Hanyi hesitated for a moment, then gently knocked on the door with her finger bow.

"Big brother?"

There was no sound inside, then the door creaked open.

"Second brother? Didn't you say you wouldn't arrive until dawn?" Baili Qingyi, dressed in a moon-white brocade inner robe, remained calm.

"I was afraid of delaying important matters, so I rushed on the way."

Baili Qingyi nodded, stepped aside, and gestured for Baili Hanyi to come in and speak.

"How is the situation in the capital?" Baili Qingyi sat down at the table and poured a cup of tea for each of them. The flickering candlelight filled the room with a sense of uncertainty.

"As you predicted, there is indeed a 'Traceless' force within the imperial court, which is why even Manager Cen cannot mobilize the court's secret agents. In addition, I have also received news that the Nine Manor and Eighteen Sects have all sent people to help Miss Shi when they heard that she was in trouble."

"Hmm." Baili Qingyi lowered her eyes in deep thought.

“We only knew that the ‘Misty Dream’ we captured was located in the northwest of Yunshan, but we didn’t know the exact location. I left my fourth brother in the capital, and he will send us any new information as soon as possible.”

"I see." Baili Qingyi pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked up and stared at him. "How is Brother Qiyun doing lately?"

"..." Baili Hanyi was clearly not expected to be asked this question. He paused for a moment before answering, "Qiyun... has been ill since we last parted. He is currently recuperating at Chuxiu Manor. He originally wanted to send someone to help him, but I stopped him."

He paused, seemingly hesitating whether he should speak.

“Brother, in fact, this matter should have been led by the Qiao Gang. Baili Prefecture has always maintained neutrality in gang feuds, only taking on the responsibility of investigating the facts and making impartial judgments. This time should not be an exception.”

Baili Qingyi glanced at him and smiled as if encouraging him to continue: "You make a good point."

Baili Hanyi breathed a sigh of relief and then smiled frankly, "The last incident with 'Misty Dream' was because she had committed too many murders, which is why we had to take action. Therefore, I think we should stand aside for now and wait until things are clear before deciding whether to intervene." He listed his points methodically and looked steadily at Baili Qingyi.

"Brother, please don't lose your composure because of a woman."

Baili Qingyi stopped bringing the teacup to his lips. He looked down at the clear tea in the cup, looking quite moved: "Second brother, it was my oversight that made you worry."

“Brother,” Baili Hanyi replied with a look of brotherly affection, “of course it’s my duty.”

As if on cue, a series of tiny popping sounds rang out in the air.

Baili Hanyi's eyes suddenly filled with pain and terror, but the smile of brotherly affection remained unchanged on his face, making him look distorted and eerie.

"Big...Big Brother?" He tried to move his limbs, but found himself frozen in place. What made him even more anxious was that his energy was dissipating at an alarming rate.

His Qihai acupoint was punctured.

"Could it be because of that woman?" Baili Hanyi asked instinctively. He couldn't think of any other reason. Everything was fine just now, until he said those words…

Baili Qingyi still wore a gentle, spring-like expression, mysteriously shaking her finger, and then, with a force completely at odds with her current expression, grabbed his scalp...

—Tear off a piece of human skin mask.

"Number One Assassin 'Soul Hook,' it's been a long time."

Suddenly a commotion broke out outside the door, and Baili Tieyi strode in.

"Big brother, second brother has arrived!" He exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the scene in the room.

"Second brother, come look! Eldest brother caught a big fish!" Baili Tieyi shouted as he turned around.

Then stepped in, looking astonished. When he saw the captivating attire and the incredulous expression on her face, and then saw the human skin mask that Baili Qingyi had thrown on the table, he immediately understood and smiled knowingly.

"Disguised as me, huh?" He looked at Gouhun with a sympathetic expression. "Although your disguise skills are the best in the world, I still have to admire your courage. Don't you know how many secrets are hidden in Baili Prefecture? You could easily be exposed if you're not careful."

Baili Qingyi smiled and said, "Third brother, I'm leaving this person to you. Make sure you find out the true location of the 'Traceless' headquarters before dawn."

Baili Tieyi nodded, picked up the raven-faced Soul Hook and walked out, not forgetting to pat him on the shoulder: "Buddy, I have to congratulate you, you've met an expert in our line of work, this trip was definitely worthwhile."

Gouhun blinked his fearful eyes, wanting to ask him, "What do you do for a living?"

Baili Tieyi noticed his confusion and chuckled: "Interrogation."

Inside the room, Baili Hanyi leisurely took out a fan, flicked it open, and then asked with a sense of enjoyment, "You called him 'Second Brother' again, didn't you?"

Baili Qingyi nodded calmly, a slightly malicious smile playing on her lips.

Baili Hanyi sighed.

"Sigh, when will you finally call me 'Second Brother' in private?" The birth order in the Baili family was perfectly clear to outsiders—first, second, third, and fourth—but in private, Baili Qingyi stubbornly refused to call Baili Hanyi "Second Brother," insisting on calling him by his given name, Hanyi. Although Baili Hanyi occasionally complained about his elder brother's unfairness—why he addressed the third and fourth brothers as "Third Brother" without distinction, yet singled him out for discrimination—he actually understood Baili Qingyi's reasons for doing so.

Deep down, Baili Qingyi always believed that Baili Hanyi was the true eldest son of the Baili family.

"And then? Did that idiot spout off another bunch of nonsense about how the Baili Manor should handle this matter?" Baili Hanyi shook his fan and asked again.

Such a conversation is perfectly normal, but the poor man probably never imagined that Baili Mansion played a crucial role in pushing things to this point, and that Baili Hanyi was completely happy to see it happen.

Baili Qingyi nodded again: "He also advised me to prioritize the responsibilities of the Baili family and not to lose my composure for the sake of a woman."