La lluvia escarlata inunda la ciudad

Capítulo 1

Early Spring Trip

[Synopsis]

"Although I've staked my bet on you, I'm also certain that I won't lose this round."

—But in this game, is it a gamble on past events, power struggles, or simply a genuine heart?

Content Tags: Prodigy, Unrequited Love, Martial Arts Feuds

Main characters: Jun Ye'an, Chu Xia | Supporting characters: Qinglong, Bai Xue, Su Fenghua... | Others: Jianghu (martial arts world)

【Landscape Ballad】

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"Alas, last month the bandit gang on the Gansu-Liangzhou road was wiped out! The masterminds who were executed were actually some blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigners! Those villains had strange swordsmanship and had been running rampant for over a decade, causing great suffering to merchants and travelers. This time, young master killed one person every night for ten consecutive days. At first, those foreign bandits tried to retaliate, but they couldn't even touch the hem of your clothes. In the last three days, people were in a panic and scattered like birds and beasts. But young master was not in a hurry and still killed one person every night, wiping out all the bandits."

How do you know it was the young master who did it?

"Indeed! In this world of martial arts, who else but you, young master, would act righteously and chivalrously without seeking recognition?"

"Heh... Brother, you are mistaken. I know that the task of wiping out the bandits was definitely not your doing."

"Oh? I'd like to hear more about it."

"The reason I am so certain is because... a few days ago, a family annihilation case was solved in Huzhou Prefecture, Jiangnan, and the one who brought the culprit to justice was none other than you, young master! Tell me, how did you suppress bandits in Ganliang Road and how did you apprehend criminals in Huzhou Prefecture?"

"this……"

As the year draws to a close, the teahouses in Cangzhou Prefecture are packed with customers, creating a lively atmosphere.

The young girl by the second-floor window, dressed in a slightly worn green jacket, was enjoying a snack with scalding hot tea. However, the men at the table next to her were arguing rather loudly. She smiled inwardly; having been in Cangzhou for almost a year, she noticed that in public places, the arguments always revolved around the young master.

It seems that ever since this person started calling himself "Young Master," no one else can be addressed as such.

The girl finished the last sip of hot tea, took out several copper coins from her sleeve, and was about to hand them to the waiter when she suddenly heard someone say, "The entire Baochang Inn was rented out the day before yesterday."

Who is so wealthy?

"Hehe, the Di family of Luoyang."

"Is that the Di family, the Flower Kings who monopolize the potted plants and flowers in the Imperial City?"

“Indeed. Miss Di is of marriageable age... The one who came today is her eldest brother, who went straight to the Jun residence the day before yesterday.”

"These two families are going to form an alliance?"

"Looking across the land, which young lady wouldn't want to marry you, sir..."

"Hey, did it work out?"

"These words were spoken by a distant relative of mine who works at the Jun residence. How would he know whether it will work out or not..."

The young woman happened to walk past that table and couldn't help but smile. She had heard about the young master of the Di family coming to visit, but since he wasn't at home, she hadn't heard anything about it.

In a corner of the teahouse, from who knows where, a woman's sigh drifted softly: Now that I have seen you, how can I not be happy?

Yes... Now that I have seen such a gentleman, how could I not be happy? Originally, this was a refined and literary phrase that was disliked by people in the martial arts world, but because of this young master's name, it is now known to everyone.

The term "young master" refers to only one person—the young master of the Jun family in Cangzhou, Jun Ye'an.

Chapter 1

Yin hour (3-5 AM).

Cangzhou City.

The backyard of the Jun family mansion was traditionally inhabited by the family members. The Jun family was originally from the martial arts world, and they didn't take the separation of men and women very seriously. However, the previous head of the Jun family had only been deceased for a year, and the young master was not yet married and did not live in the mansion often. The people living in the mansion now were the former master's concubines. The steward then instructed several old women to patrol in front of each room every night.

It was drizzling that night. Because it was winter, the pattering rain shrouded the city in a light mist.

The woman's scream rang out abruptly, like a sharp light piercing the stillness of the night, waking the entire mansion.

Several old women hurriedly returned. The highest point in the back garden was a rockery standing against the wind, with several small houses on it, which was also the residence of Wangyun, the most favored concubine of the previous master. Judging from the screams, they came from that place.

The old women walked unsteadily, and by the time they arrived at the small building, panting heavily, the steward of the Jun family, Cang Qianlang, had already stepped inside, his eyes gleaming as he stared intently into the inner room. Behind him, several old women, seeing this scene, dropped their lanterns with a clatter.

Wangyun, the owner of Wangyunzhai and the beloved concubine of the old patriarch of the Jun family, had her head of black hair shaved off and lay naked on the bed. There was a laceration on her neck, and blood splattered all over the headboard.

Beside the corpse, Wangyun's maid, Chuxia, stood blankly before the bed, one hand clutching a strand of long hair, the other holding a dagger as thin as a cicada's wing. Her green, slightly worn coat, stained with blood, was a gruesome sight.

Cang Qianlang's face was cold. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, adopting a defensive stance, and slowly said, "Put down your weapon."

With a clatter, the dagger in Chu Xia's hand fell to the ground, and her long black hair slowly drifted down, scattering across the floor. Only then did she realize what had happened, letting out a scream and stammering, "No...it wasn't me..."

Taking advantage of her momentary lapse in concentration, Cang Qianlang stepped forward, twisted Chu Xia's arms behind her back, and with two cracking sounds, dislocated her joints.

Chu Xia, barely sixteen, instantly contorted her expression and let out a piercing scream.

Cang Qianlang remained unmoved, tossing her to the servants behind him and coldly saying, "Lock her up first. Have someone watch over this place, and no one is allowed to enter or leave."

Immediately, someone dragged the slumped girl to her feet and carried her forward. Meanwhile, Cang Qianlang slowly bent down to carefully examine Wang Yun's corpse.

Wang Yun stared wide-eyed, her eyes filled with terror. Blood was still gushing from the wound between her legs, but it wasn't a single fatal blow. It seemed as if her killer hadn't used enough strength, slashing several times before finally cutting her throat. But the most bizarre thing was that all her black hair had been shaved off, not a single strand left.

Cang Qianlang narrowed his eyes, seemingly pondering for a moment, then turned to ask the old women on night patrol, "When did you patrol to this place? And when did you leave? Was there anything unusual at the time?"

One of the bolder ones stepped forward and replied, "I arrived here about half an incense stick ago. Everything was fine, and there was nothing unusual. Then I went to the bamboo grove and heard screams, so I hurriedly ran back."

Cang Qianlang nodded, then picked up the dagger and examined it carefully. He then ordered in a deep voice, "Get out of here first. If anything about today's events leaks out, you'll have to deal with it yourselves."

If there is anyone in the Jun family who is second only to the emperor, then it is this young steward. Since the young master of the Jun family is often away from Cangzhou, all matters, large and small, are decided by this steward. He is known for his clear distinction between rewards and punishments, and his authority is well-established. Immediately, no one dared to speak again. They responded in a low voice, and the group of old women hurriedly left.

"Light all the lamps," Cang Qianlang said calmly. "Then send some of your retainers to come here."

Someone rushed away immediately. The young steward stood by the bed, looking down at the beautiful face that was now stiff, and murmured, "How dare they commit murder in the Jun residence."

The young master of the Jun family, also known as Young Master Ye An, has taken in a large number of retainers in his mansion. These retainers are like the thieves and petty thieves under Lord Mengchang, each possessing a rare skill. The young master prefers to roam the world alone and rarely needs to use them. However, when needed, the group's abilities are boundless; whatever the young master can think of, he can accomplish.

He was extremely skilled in autopsy and forensic examination. Seeing him arrive, Cang Qianlang simply nodded and said, "This is your responsibility."

He Bu Tuo didn't say much, just nodded, and Cang Qianlang went straight ahead.

The entire mansion was brightly lit.

As Cang Qianlang walked through the winding corridor, before even stepping into the torture chamber, he could already hear soft sobbing.

He pushed open the door and saw the girl in green lying limply on the floor. Because her arms were dislocated, she was unable to support herself and was leaning against the cold wall, sobbing softly.

"Why did you kill him?" Cang Qianlang stood expressionless in front of Chu Xia, reached out and lifted her chin, and said coldly, "The sooner you tell me, the less you'll suffer."

Chu Xia shrank back in fear, tears welling in her eyes, but she dared not let them fall. She shook her head vigorously and said, "I didn't kill him! I didn't kill him! Steward, please investigate!"

Cang Qianlang sneered: "If you didn't kill him, then how come you were standing in Wangyunzhai holding a murder weapon?"

"I don't know... I really don't know!" Chu Xia shrieked. "I went to add charcoal to Madam's room, and this happened as soon as I went in! That dagger... I picked it up! I didn't make it!"

Cang Qianlang snorted coldly, clearly not believing him. He withdrew his hand, slapped the girl's cheek hard, sat down on the mahogany chair, and looked up at the servant beside him, saying, "Bring a cup of hot tea."

The servant acknowledged and hurried away. Cang Qianlang leaned back in his chair casually: "Fine, since you won't admit it, then tell me what you saw?"

Chu Xia raised her eyebrows, her small face streaked with tears. She bit her lower lip hard, clearly trying to endure the pain, and whispered, "I don't know anything... Tonight I went to Wangyunzhai to add new charcoal for Madam, and then I tripped over a dagger and picked it up... Madam, she was already like that."

She kept repeating the same few sentences, which made Cang Qianlang a little impatient. Just then, he heard footsteps at the door and a tall, thin man strode in, shivering from the cold.

"how?"

"The murderer slashed the lady's throat several times, but the force was insufficient and the method was crude, clearly the work of someone who does not know martial arts." He Butuo stroked his beard and said slowly, "Her black hair was shaved off, but there was not a single mark on the lady's scalp. The murderer did it very meticulously, and there was not a single hair left in the bedding. In my opinion, it would have taken at least half an hour to do it so carefully."

“I also checked the doors and windows of Wangyunzhai, and there were no signs of anyone breaking in. The murderer... is very likely an inside man.”

After hearing his words, Cang Qianlang's expression grew even colder. His narrow eyes glanced at Chu Xia, who was lying on the ground, a sharp glint flashing in them. He stood up, nudged Chu Xia with his toe, and said lightly, "There are no signs of an intruder breaking in, and it would take quite some time to desecrate the lady's body. Besides her personal maid, who else would have the means to do so? Moreover, I tested this girl's skills, and she certainly doesn't know martial arts..."

He slowly squatted down and grabbed Chu Xia's hair: "Did you hear me?"

Chu Xia stared wide-eyed, her blue coat soaked with cold sweat, and could only shake her head.

"Why did you kill Madam?" Cang Qianlang asked slowly again. "Would you like to witness the Jun family's methods of torture?"

Chu Xia shook her head desperately.

"So, are you going to tell me or not?"

Waves of pain washed over her arms. Chu Xia bit her tongue hard to keep herself from fainting, and whispered, "I really didn't kill anyone... Madam treated me very well... How could I kill her..."

"Alright, then tell me, when did you go to Madam's room?" Cang Qianlang released her and asked solemnly.

"I don't remember... it was around 3:45 AM."

"The third quarter of the hour of Chou? Do you even know what time it is now?" Cang Qianlang's eyes grew even colder. "The hour of Yin has already passed. You said you were going to get new charcoal, so why have you been staying for so long?"

Chu Xia paused for a moment, then murmured, "How come so much time has passed? I clearly... just went in..."

"Enter Wangyunzhai. Can you hear the old women patrolling outside at night?"

Chu Xia hesitated for a moment before saying, "I think I heard something."

Cang Qianlang sneered, casually splashing the now-cold tea on the table onto Chu Xia's face to prevent her from fainting, and continued, "The old woman patrols at night, arriving at Wangyunzhai at three-quarters of the hour of Chou. Your residence is in a side room downstairs from Wangyunzhai, isn't it?"

Chu Xia responded softly, "Yes."

Cang Qianlang's voice gradually turned cold, "The old women did see someone go to Wangyunzhai back then, so it was you?"

The cold tea sobered her up a bit in early summer, but she trembled more and more violently and shook her head, saying, "Yes."

"Then why have you stayed in Wangyunzhai for so long? What exactly have you been doing?"

Chu Xia's face suddenly showed a look of confusion, and she simply said, "Change the charcoal."