Yin Wuxiao slowly recounted everything that had happened over the past three years.
After hearing the whole story, Shi Mansi wiped 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… Qiao Fenglang…” This time it was a name.
"..." Still 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 only one person can understand the marks you make." Fortunately, that person always arrives in time to save Shi Mansi from danger.
"But what exactly is the purpose of 'Traceless' master using Yuwen Cuiyu to capture you here?"
"The owner of 'Traceless' is Brother Fenglang."
After the battle at Baiwen Manor, the owner of "Wuhen" had realized very clearly that the person who had the greatest influence on Qiao Fenglang was 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 way the "Traceless" master treated 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?" And in the process, they, the two innocent bystanders, were also dragged into this mess.
"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 rescue us."
Shi Mansi nodded, unusually shedding her playful expression.
"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"?
“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 nothing I can do about it; you’re more experienced in these kinds of near-death experiences.” She looked regretful.
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 shrewd and charming 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?"
I'm not telling you.
Holding Shi Mansi's hand tightly, Yin Wuxiao suddenly felt a pleasure that shouldn't have been there at this moment.
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 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 poured a cup of tea for each of them, and 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 and 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, actually, this matter should have been initiated by the Qiao Gang. The Baili Prefecture has always maintained neutrality in gang feuds, and this time should not be an exception.”
Baili Qingyi gave him a smile, seemingly encouraging him to continue.
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 observe from the sidelines for now and decide whether to intervene after things are clear." He listed his points methodically and then frowned as he looked 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, only to find that his acupoints had been sealed. What made him even more anxious was that his energy was rapidly dissipating.
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 his finger, and then, with a force completely at odds with his current expression, grabbed Baili Hanyi's scalp...
—Tear off a piece of human skin mask.
"The second assassin, 'Soul Reaper,' 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 Yin Zhangzhang's attire and incredulous expression, 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 unparalleled, 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 Yin Zhangzhang, whose face was ashen, and walked out, not forgetting to pat him on the shoulder: "Little girl, I have to congratulate you, you've met an expert in our line of work, your trip was worthwhile."
Mr. Yin blinked his fearful eyes, wanting to ask him, "What do you do for a living?"
Baili Tieyi noticed his confusion and chuckled: "Interrogation."
Mr. Yin cried out in alarm, "I'm a woman! You...you self-proclaimed chivalrous and righteous people..."
Her voice faded into the distance.
Inside the room, Baili Hanyi leisurely took out a fan, flicked it open, and then asked with a sense of enjoyment, "Did that idiot spout a bunch of nonsense about how the Baili family should deal with this matter?"
Baili Qingyi nodded calmly.
Baili Hanyi sighed.
Such a conversation would be perfectly normal under normal circumstances, but the poor girl probably had no idea that the Baili family's instigation had played a significant role in how the situation had escalated to this point. And Baili Hanyi was more than 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."
Upon hearing this, even Baili Hanyi, who was unmoved by the eight winds, couldn't help but be captivated.
"The solemn facade of Baili Prefecture is indeed utterly illusory, truly illusory." Heaven have mercy, the responsibility of Baili Prefecture? The only person in the entire Baili Prefecture who cares about the responsibility of Baili Prefecture is Baili Qingyi. On the contrary, the other three people do not take the responsibility of Baili Prefecture seriously at all, let alone use such a thing to persuade their elder brother.
"The responsibility of Baili Prefecture?" Baili Hanyi couldn't help but repeat, then suddenly held the fan horizontally in front of him, trembling uncontrollably behind him.
Baili Qingyi looked at him, a warm smile appearing on her lips: "Don't take these six words too lightly. One day you'll have to work hard to make them work for you."
"Painstakingly managed?" Baili Hanyi looked up, a glimmer of tears still glistening in his eyes. "You mean working yourself to death?" He declined politely. "As a member of the Baili family, I should share the responsibilities of the Baili family, but I insist that the biggest and heaviest burden should still be borne by you, elder brother."
"Oh?" Baili Qingyi raised an eyebrow and turned around, drawing out the last syllable of her voice.
Was it just my imagination? Baili Hanyi suddenly became fully alert for no apparent reason.
"Big Brother!" Baili Tieyi burst in excitedly, "I got the results!"
"Third brother is incredibly fast." Baili Qingyi turned around, his face beaming with his signature smile. "And the result?"
"The Seven Cliffs of Zhewu Mountain." Baili Tieyi's smile was slightly cold. Why did his elder brother praise his speed in such a sarcastic way?
"..." Baili Qingyi's eyes flickered for a moment before she turned to face Baili Hanyi and solemnly instructed, "I'm going out for a bit. I'll leave this place to you for now."
Baili Hanyi nodded knowingly.
"Brother, please give my regards to Miss Yin."
Baili Qingyi narrowed her eyes: "I will."
"Big brother!" Baili Hanyi called out again from behind.
"When it comes to a woman you've been longing for for six years, just let the 'square inch' thing do whatever it wants."
Baili Qingyi's back stiffened for a moment, and then—she flew away gracefully like a startled swan.
The headquarters of "Traceless" is probably built on the cliff face, and may even be hanging from a section that extends out from the cliff.
It's really cold.
Yin Wuxiao drifted off to sleep in the night, his mind wandering aimlessly.
She wasn't sure if she was just thinking about it and the words just slipped out of her mouth, but she felt like someone heard her sigh and was pulling at her blanket. Was it Mansi, who was sleeping at the other end of the bed? That guy never sleeps peacefully.
She then hugged the blanket tightly.
However, an irresistible force lifted her hand—tucked it into the blanket, and then carefully tucked it in.
A sudden chill ran through her feet, and she frowned, about to pull her feet back, when her feet were immediately enveloped by something. The hot and slightly rough sensation made her curl up in satisfaction, and the warmth flowed continuously from the soles of her feet until it warmed her entire body.
Even in her sleep, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up. She remembered when she was little, running out to have a snowball fight with Mansi in the cold winter of the capital. Once, she accidentally lost her shoes, so Mansi separated her pair of shoes, and they each wore one back home. As a result, when they got home, their other feet were frozen solid. Aunt Nan was yelling and ordering someone to quickly fetch two basins of snow, but Cen Lu, who was only fifteen years old and standing nearby, without saying a word, pulled Mansi's feet and stuffed them into his arms to warm them.
She sat beside them, and when the servants saw this, they tried to warm her feet as well, but she refused. Looking at Cen Lu and Man Si, she felt a pang of envy. She knew that the servants' attitude towards her was different from Cen Lu's attitude towards Man Si.
When, when will she be able to have someone like Mansi, someone who will wholeheartedly protect her?
Yin Wuxiao was startled and suddenly woke up.