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Kapitel 44

Huang Jin pondered for a while, staring at the half-full glass of wine left in his cup, as if weighing the priorities. After a long while, he finally said, "Since Boss Mo is so confident, I'll give you a few more days. If Boss Mo can't do it, don't blame me for not giving you face."

"Of course." Mo Xibei smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.

Volume Two: Traces Left by the Wind, Chapter Four: Trap (Part Two)

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"You promised Huang Jin that you would lure Murong Songtao out?" Late at night, Mu Feinan leaped from the window into Mo Xibei's private room on the second floor, slapping away the ivory wine glass that flew towards him, and asked somewhat impatiently.

"Hmm, you get the news pretty quickly." Mo Xibei nodded, reached out and caught the wine glass that had been shaken back, examined it carefully and said, "I kindly invited you to drink, and you almost shattered my wine glass. This is a Southeast Asian product, the craftsmanship is exquisite, it was brought back by merchant ships from overseas, it's priceless."

"Mo Xibei, stop talking nonsense to me. Is this because of Murong Lianyun again? Tell me the truth, do you have homosexual tendencies?" Mu Feinan slammed his silver mask on the table in front of Mo Xibei, then braced himself on the table with both hands, leaning over to stare intently into Mo Xibei's eyes.

"You come to ask me this in the middle of the night?" Mo Xibei stared wide-eyed, looking innocently at the man in front of him whose eyes were like ice, yet somehow gave the impression that a flame was burning beneath the ice.

"Answer my question," Mu Feinan repeated somewhat impatiently.

“Okay, I admit it, I really like beautiful women,” Mo Xibei blinked, a sly smile on his face, pausing deliberately before continuing, “Of course, compared to beautiful women, I prefer handsome men, so I think my orientation is probably normal, it’s just…”

"What is it?" After a long pause, Mu Feinan asked, his voice slightly hoarse, but his tone was tinged with pleasure, like a little fox who had just stolen a chicken. He knew that when dealing with a woman like this who didn't know when to back down, nothing was more effective than actions. That's why he had decisively shut her up from her incessant stream of infuriating nonsense. Hmm... savoring the memory. The feeling was wonderful; her lips were incredibly soft, as if soaked in honey.

“Exactly, I generally have little resistance to beautiful things.” Mo Xibei’s answer was straightforward, and as she spoke, she forcefully pried open the arms that were holding her waist from behind.

"Woman, can't you be a little gentler at a time like this? You could at least pretend for a while." Mu Feinan withdrew her arm with dissatisfaction and gently brushed a strand of hair from Mo Xibei's forehead.

"What should I do?" Surprisingly, Mo Xibei asked very humbly.

"You should blush, look up at me, and say, 'I'm yours now, and you have to treat me well from now on.'" Mu Feinan frowned and thought for a moment, just feeling it. He couldn't quite imagine that Mo Xibei would ever say such a thing.

"Oh! This little chick knows how to talk, haha. I like her, sir." Mu Feinan had imagined many possible reactions from Mo Xibei upon hearing this, even considering the possibility that his sneak attack would succeed. He thought that once Mo Xibei came to his senses, he would likely beat him to a pulp. But he never expected that after hearing his words, Mo Xibei would solemnly extend a finger, lift his chin, look him up and down, and then say something like this, his tone and demeanor resembling that of a spoiled brat harassing a respectable young woman.

“Northwest, I’m serious.” Seeing Mo Northwest withdraw her hand and turn to leave, Mu Feinan grabbed her hand. “This isn’t a long-term solution. Marry me.”

"Is this your first time kissing a woman?" Mo Xibei didn't immediately shake off his hand, but turned around and asked him seriously.

"So what?" A faint blush flashed across Mu Feinan's face.

"This is your first time, and it's my first time too. But you're much prettier than me, so I'm not at a disadvantage, and you didn't gain anything either. Don't take it so seriously." Mo Xibei smiled and gently patted Mu Feinan's hand like a soothing child. "But there won't be a second time, or I'll definitely beat you to a pulp."

"Why are you saying that? You're clearly not such a casual woman." Mu Feinan refused to let go. He forcefully pulled the nonchalant woman in front of him back into his arms. He knew he was going crazy. His father had long ago told him to become the sharpest sword, and that emotions should never exist. But his father had never said that, and no one had ever told him that if a woman etched herself into his heart the moment they first met, how could he not love her?

“You’re really stubborn,” Mo Xibei frowned, looking at Mu Fei with difficulty. “Fine then, tell me, what do you like about me? I don’t have Lian Yun’s beauty that could topple kingdoms, I don’t know anything about needlework, and the traditional virtues of obedience and chastity are all bullshit to me. I also have a bad temper, I’m quick to resort to violence, I’m lazy and greedy, and I can’t stand not having a good meal. If I had to point out my good points, it would probably be that I can make some money. But you may be beautiful, but I have no intention of spending money to support a gigolo, at least not in the next few years.”

"Has anyone ever told you that besides the flaws you mentioned yourself, you're also very talkative?" Mu Feinan snorted, looking away slightly awkwardly, before saying domineeringly after a long while, "I really can't figure out what I like about you. I just like you, there's no reason needed. Whatever, I just like you."

Mo Xibei was stunned by Mu Feinan's words, and it took him a while to say, "Your way of thinking is really unique. Can't you say that you also like my shortcomings?"

"Hypocritical," Mu Feinan suddenly smiled wickedly, his eyes flashing, and he pulled Mo Xibei closer with force, his face pressed against hers. "Don't you like me? Isn't this face your favorite? Think about it, as long as you nod, I won't leave. You can look at me every day, isn't that great?"

"Don't try that. Don't use your seductive tricks here." Mo Xibei was caught off guard by Mu Feinan's sudden use of this tactic again. His mind raced, and he almost nodded, but fortunately, he managed to break free from Mu Feinan's gaze. He couldn't help but feel angry. How could he forget that a master of disguise, someone who could impersonate various identities at any time, could be so easily believed? Hmph! Mo Xibei's anger flared up, and he suddenly raised his leg and stomped heavily on Mu Feinan's foot.

"You woman, you—" Mu Feinan jumped back a few steps, clutching her foot. Mo Xibei's kick was quite forceful, and it only stomped on one toe, causing excruciating pain. "You really used such a ruthless method."

“I warned you, if you come any closer, I’ll make sure you’re left with your teeth on the ground.” Mo Xibei shrugged.

“Then you should use your hands, not your feet.” Mu Feinan’s wicked eyes glanced at Mo Xibei. “How come some people seem unable to distinguish between their hands and feet?”

"Say whatever you want, as long as I'm not the one who suffers a loss, that's OK," Mo Xibei wasn't angry at all, but instead smiled smugly.

"I can't be bothered with you," Mu Feinan said, completely helpless against Mo Xibei. He had proven this to himself many times. He knew that Mo Xibei was unwilling to give her feelings easily, so he didn't force her. A smart man knows when to stop and gives each other a way out. He had done everything he needed to do today, except for one sentence he hadn't had time to say: "Don't provoke Murong Songtao. You need to protect Murong Lianyun. There are many ways, but the one you've chosen now is the most dangerous."

Volume Two: Traces Left by the Wind, Chapter Four: The Trap (Part Two)

"Why don't you say that as long as Murong Songtao is alive, I'm always in danger?" Mo Xibei shook his head, then thought for a moment and said, "You're a master of disguise, aren't you?"

"What are you going to do?" Mu Feinan took a step back, adopting a defensive stance.

"Don't be nervous, it's just a small favor for me." Mo Xibei smiled. "A small favor, really, I promise."

"Boss... Boss..." Before Mu Feinan could nod, heavy footsteps sounded, and a waiter suddenly stumbled in, panting heavily as he entered, saying, "Boss, something bad has happened..."

"What's wrong? Why are you shouting like that? Be careful not to disturb the guests." Mo Xibei walked to the door and saw that the waiter was trembling, as if he had been frightened by something terrible.

"Boss, something's happened, something's happened!" The waiter's legs went weak and he sat down on the ground, repeating these two sentences over and over again.

"Wait here until he calms down before asking him. I'll go out and check first." Mu Feinan frowned, pulled the waiter blocking the doorway aside, and with a flash, he was already out.

"Take a breath, then speak slowly. What's wrong?" Mo Xibei turned around, poured a cup of tea at the table, and handed it to the waiter...

Between Chunfeng Ruyi Tower and the inner courtyard, the two connected gates, apart from the brass door knockers which still retain their original color, have had their original black paint turned blood red at some point.

When the waiter haltingly recounted how he had gone to the back to knock on the door of the inner quarters and ask his family to pick a bouquet of flowers for a picky guest from the building, he was startled by the discolored door. Mo Xibei rushed to the back and was met with this bizarre scene: against the backdrop of darkness, the color of blood was particularly glaring.

Two silent, blood-stained doors stood eerily in the pitch-black night, sending chills down one's spine.

“It seems I don’t need to put in any effort to lure Murong Songtao out; he’s probably already here.” Standing side by side with Mu Feinan, who had arrived earlier, Mo Xibei sighed, “I think you’re right; Murong Songtao is indeed not someone to be trifled with.”

"How can you be so sure it's him and not someone else?" Mu Feinan turned to look at Mo Xibei, his eyes no longer displaying their usual nonchalant and wicked charm, but instead clear and sharp.

"I don't have any enemies in the martial world. There seems to be no one else who wants to kill me or threaten me," Mo Xibei said, not wanting to talk about the knife.

“Perhaps it’s not targeted at you. Don’t forget, Chu Junfeng is staying at your house, and Murong Lianyun is also connected to the martial arts world.” Mu Feinan shook his head. “I think if it were Murong Songtao, he wouldn’t have made such a big show of it, making people wary.” Actually, I think it’s good that he’s coming like this.” Mo Xibei blinked, sighed, and said to the trembling waiter following behind, “Go and get a few people to bring water and wash the front door, so as not to frighten the guests.”

The waiter trembled and walked away. Mo Xibei pressed his finger to his head, then turned to Mu Feinan and said, "It's too late, I'm going home to sleep. If you're not leaving, you can stay. To provoke someone and still sleep soundly—I doubt there are many people like that in the whole world." Mu Feinan peered closer at the still-bleeding gate and came to this conclusion. But as he spoke, he heard a whoosh of wind beside him; Mo Xibei had already scaled the wall and entered the inner courtyard. "No one left..."

The next morning, Mo Xibei was awakened from her dream by the sound of many voices. When she got up and opened the door, Chu Junfeng, Tian Xin, Murong Lianyun, and others were all standing outside. "Good morning?" Mo Xibei was still sleepy and dizzy. "Brother!" Lianyun called out to her and rushed over, her body trembling. "Yun, are you feeling alright today?" Mo Xibei was confused and reached out to pat Lianyun's back. "I don't know who it was, but last night, they..." Lianyun choked up halfway through her sentence. "What happened?" Mo Xibei looked at Chu Junfeng with a questioning gaze. "This morning, Lianyun discovered that the parrot she kept in the porch had its neck broken. The servants then discovered that the birds in the house, along with the two large guard dogs, had all had their necks broken in the same way. On the gate connecting the back house to the front, someone had written the words 'No chickens or dogs left' in blood." Chu Junfeng frowned slightly. "Xibei, I don't know if I've implicated you."

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