Compendio de hombres apuestos en el mundo de las artes marciales

Capítulo 41

“This morning in the plum grove, when I saw that drag mark on the snow, it suddenly dawned on me that perhaps that person did it on purpose.” Duan Chen lowered his eyes, his voice somewhat light and airy. “It’s obvious that Lou Yue Ru was strangled with a soft whip as soon as she arrived there and dragged all the way to one of the trees. In other words, that person didn’t secretly follow Lou Yue Ru into the plum grove as I had previously suspected, and then ambush her from behind. He was there waiting for her to come looking for him all along, and the whip was already in his hand.”

The two listened quietly to Duan Chen's words, suddenly recalling the scene of Duan Chen running to the cabin to check the window paper. Zhan Yun was startled and slammed his folding fan on the table: "You mean..."

Duan Chen nodded slightly: "This morning, I fought Lou Yueru in the plum grove in front of the cabin. I didn't want anyone to discover the cabin, so I fought and retreated, leading her out of the grove. Her whip was left there."

Zhao Ting then realized what was happening: "So that person was in the cabin at the time, saw you fighting, and picked up the whip after you left?"

"That should be right," Duan Chen said in a low voice.

"Could that person be the one who was in the cabin back then?" Zhao Ting asked again.

“That’s possible. He seems to know a lot of things.” Duan Chen pondered for a moment before saying, “I have a feeling right now that we’re being led by the nose. It’s like every step we take is exactly what the murderer wants. And what we know is what he deliberately made us know.”

“Whether this person is the real culprit tonight or not, we should find him.” Zhan Yun’s voice was firm. “He is an outsider. His appearance at Wanliu Manor at this critical juncture, and his elusive nature, is enough to arouse suspicion.”

"It seems we should have a serious talk with Young Master Liu first thing tomorrow morning," Zhao Ting said in a deep voice, his expression turning cold.

A hint of confusion flashed in his half-closed eyes: "We need to be quick." Duan Chen looked up at the two of them: "We must act quickly. Because the murderer will strike again soon."

Chapter Twelve: Night Watch • Flying

Duan Chen lay on the bed, closed his eyes and took a short nap, but finally couldn't resist. He sat up and lifted the bed curtain: "You should go back. He won't be coming tonight."

The room was pitch black, yet the person, dressed in pristine white, remained strikingly conspicuous. He moved a rosewood chair with a back from his own room, sat cross-legged on it, facing the bed sideways, and closed his eyes in meditation. Hearing a hint of impatience in Duan Chen's voice, Zhan Yun opened his eyes, not turning his head to look at him, but unable to conceal the smile on his lips: "Better safe than sorry."

Duan Chen pursed his lips, his hand gripping the curtain slightly tighter. After a long while, he softly said, "I can't sleep with someone here." Duan Chen felt as if a spring breeze in March in Jiangnan had swept over him, causing the green willow branches by the lake to sway. The extremely thin and sharp willow branches lightly brushed the surface of the lake, creating shallow ripples. Although the ripples were small, they still disturbed the spring water, and his heart was no longer as peaceful as it had been.

Duan Chen was annoyed by this subtle change in her heart. From the moment the two insisted on staying to keep watch for her to the moment they decided who would stay and who would leave by playing rock-paper-scissors, she couldn't get a word in edgewise. Just like she had said twice today, not to address her so affectionately when no one else was around. But one of them had a gentle expression and the other had soft eyes. No matter how cold her expression or how icy her tone was, they seemed not to have heard her words. The next thing they said was still a soft and gentle "Chen'er".

The same goes for the night watch. That person had already come once, and even if they were certain to meet again in the future, he wouldn't be foolish enough to come twice in one night. Besides, judging from his words, he only wanted to see her. Since he had already seen her, there was no need for him to return so soon. But despite her careful deduction and detailed explanation, the two seemed not to hear a word she said, and immediately started playing rock-paper-scissors, saying that to be fair, it would be best two out of three! When Duan Chen heard the phrase "best two out of three," his forehead twitched involuntarily. Were this noble and extraordinary young prince and the renowned young master Xingzhi treating her place like a gambling den, using her as a wager?

But he wasn't usually one to mince words. He'd analyzed the pros and cons with them and assured them everything would be fine that night, but they wouldn't listen. Duan Chen was truly helpless against their persistent and shameless behavior. In this situation, he couldn't leave, he couldn't run away, and if he didn't stay in this room, there was nowhere else to go. His cold and aloof words had no effect on them, as if his punches had landed on cotton. Besides withdrawing his hand, Duan Chen really didn't know what else he could do.

Hearing her soft complaint, Zhan Yun felt a surge of tenderness in his heart. His crescent-shaped eyes curved even more, and his clear voice unconsciously softened a few degrees: "Go to sleep. I'll hold my breath and won't disturb you."

In the dim light, the white figure remained motionless. Outside the window, the moonlight was hazy, and the wind rustled the shadows, creating a sense of tranquility that gradually spread throughout the room. Duan Chen half-closed her eyes, suddenly recalling her childhood when she lived near the border. On the fifteenth and sixteenth of each month, her father would hold her in a rattan rocking chair, while her mother brewed tea and peeled fruit. The three of them would chat and admire the moon under the phoenix tree in the courtyard. That bright, round moon, pure and jade-like, warm and radiant, became an indelible part of her childhood memories.

Later, there was no later. Duan Chen felt a chill in his heart, and the curtain slipped from his hand. Gently lying down on the bed, Duan Chen forced himself not to think about those things anymore, ignoring the handsome man who was only separated from him by a curtain. Slowly closing his eyes, letting the still warm tears well up in his eyes, Duan Chen placed one hand on his chest, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep. A tear, no longer restrained by his consciousness, finally couldn't be held back and slowly slid down the corner of his eye, disappearing into his dark hair.

On the wooden chair, sensing that the person inside the bed was gradually calming down, Zhan Yun opened his eyes, the warm smile on his lips never fading.

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A gentle voice called his name from beside him. Duan Chen's eyelids trembled slightly, but he suddenly opened his eyes and sat up. The person beside the bed must have heard the noise and said softly, "Don't be afraid, it's me. It's about time for breakfast. Let's eat together. We'll wait for you next door."

Duan Chen responded softly, and only after hearing the sound of the person closing the door did he lift the curtain, get out of bed, wash up, and change his clothes.

As Duan Chen put on his light blue jacket with silver trim, he tightened his brow with increasing furrow as he fastened the belt. He had actually gotten up a full quarter of an hour later than usual, and there were other people in the room. As Duan Chen sat down in front of the mirror, he saw his slightly confused expression and couldn't help but feel annoyed. He couldn't let this happen again.

Looking at the various hairpins of different materials in the jewelry box, Duan Chen frowned, picked up a white jade hairpin, simply tied her hair into a bun, and then got up and went out. Her fist, hidden in her sleeve, slowly clenched. No matter what, when she saw that person again, she had to get the hairpin back!

As Duan Chen stepped into Zhan Yun's room next door, his expression remained unchanged, but a slight tremor ran through his heart. He saw Liu Manyie sitting next to Zhan Yun. Upon seeing him enter, she quickly stood up and flashed a smile: "Good morning, Sister Chen."

Duan Chen nodded slightly and sat down between Zhao Ting and Zhou Yufei, preparing to have breakfast. Liu Mandie, however, remained standing there somewhat awkwardly, glancing at Zhan Yun before looking at Duan Chen, who was picking up his chopsticks to eat: "Sister Chen, I came today to apologize to you."

Upon hearing this, Duan Chen paused slightly, looking up at the person standing opposite him. Before Liu Mandie could speak, her eyes reddened: "Yesterday, I was a bit emotional and said many things I shouldn't have. If it weren't for Young Master Zhao stopping me, I almost fought with my sister. I was too anxious yesterday; as soon as I saw my cousin..." Liu Mandie covered her mouth and sobbed again, her beautiful eyes slightly red: "Yes, I'm sorry. Uncle scolded me last night. Sister Chen, you and the three young masters have been busy investigating the murderer, but Yiyi and I... Yiyi sprained her ankle and can't leave the house. I came here today to apologize to you. I'm sorry..."

Duan Chen remained expressionless and said softly, "It's alright."

Upon hearing this, Liu Mandie's tears flowed even more fiercely as she turned to Zhan Yun, crying, "Xingzhi, Young Master Xingzhi..."

Zhan Yun smiled slightly: "Chen'er is straightforward. When she says it's okay, she really means it's okay. Miss Liu, please don't worry about it. Sit down and have breakfast together."

Upon hearing this, Liu Mandie burst into laughter through her tears, took out a handkerchief to wipe her cheeks, sat down in a chair, and turned to look at Zhan Yun: "Young Master Xingzhi, did you not find that person at 'Xianglu Pavilion' last night?"

Zhan Yun still had a faint smile on his lips as he said gently, "We don't have any leads on the case yet. We're going to see the young master later anyway, so Miss Liu, why don't you come with us? It's not very safe in the manor right now, so Miss Liu and Miss Yue must be careful."

The group arrived at the side hall, where Liu Yichen was standing in the center of the room, quietly instructing several of his men. Upon seeing them, a smile appeared on Liu Yichen's lips, and he quickly ordered a servant to serve tea.

After greeting her uncle with a good morning, Liu Mandie turned and left the house, followed by several people who escorted her back to her bedroom. Liu Yichen sat down in the main seat, looked up at the group, his eyes bloodshot, and his face showing a hint of fatigue, as if he had stayed up all night. "You gentlemen have come so early in the morning, have you discovered any new clues?" Liu Yichen gestured for them to come, picked up his teacup, lifted the lid, and took a large gulp of strong tea.

"We've come today to ask the young master a question." Zhan Yun lowered his eyes and quietly sipped his tea, while Zhao Ting, who rarely spoke in front of others, asked the question: "Are there any outsiders in this manor?"

Liu Yichen took a few sips of tea. When he heard Zhao Ting's question, his brows furrowed deeper. Just as he was about to answer, Zhou Yufei said coolly from the other side, "Master, you should think it over before you speak. Some words, once spoken, can never be changed."

From the moment the three remaining weapons vanished from Jixian Hall the previous evening, and the conversation among the group about events from twenty years ago over the bee needles, Liu Yichen had already sensed that the two men before him were no ordinary martial arts practitioners. The Zhan family had maintained a place in the martial arts world for years, yet they had never been deeply involved in its affairs, partly due to the resistance from Zhan Yun's grandfather. Liu Yichen, having been close to Zhan Yun's father in the past, naturally knew a little about the reasons behind this. Considering everything, and given that Zhao Ting, though concealing his real name, still possessed a distinctive surname, Liu Yichen could easily guess which side Zhao Ting and Zhou Yufei were on.

Placing his teacup steadily on the table, Liu Yichen said solemnly, "To the best of my knowledge, there are no outsiders in the manor. May I ask why you two say this?"

“Alright.” Zhao Ting responded in a deep voice, his deep eyes narrowing slightly, and a slightly mocking smile appeared on his lips: “Since Master Liu says so, then if anything happens in the future, don’t blame us for being ruthless.”

Liu Yichen's face darkened, his eyes fixed on Zhao Ting, then he looked at Zhan Yun: "What do you mean by that, young master? Nephew Zhan, you don't believe me either?"

Zhan Yun put down his teacup, his expression calm, his voice clear: "Young Master, the current situation is beyond my control. If you truly do not know, then please begin a thorough investigation of the entire Wanliu Manor now. Because the man who disguised himself as a subordinate of the Left Hall Master and appeared behind the Jixian Hall reappeared in Chen'er's room last night."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yichen's expression hardened, and the frown lines between his brows deepened: "Miss, he appeared in your room last night?" Seeing Duan Chen nod, a glint flashed in Liu Yichen's eyes, and his voice rose slightly: "Did you see his figure and appearance clearly?"

Duan Chen shook his head slightly: "I can only be certain that he is definitely not from the Central Plains."

Liu Yichen jumped to his feet, rushed to Duan Chen's side, and grabbed him, pulling him up: "You lied to me!"

Zhan Yun flicked his wrist, and his folding fan struck Liu Yichen's elbow directly: "Young Master."

Ignoring the numbness in his forearm, Liu Yichen stubbornly held onto Duan Chen's wrist, his eyes gleaming with ecstasy, his face slightly flushed: "You lied to me yesterday, didn't you! Yiyi isn't dead at all! Otherwise, she wouldn't be here."