La ville solitaire a fermé

Chapitre 4

"Don't look!" Flying Eagle tried to cover Bai Qianqian's eyes, but it was too late.

"She's been dead for a while now," Liu Xiao concluded after a glance. "She hit the corner of the table and died from excessive brain hemorrhage. It seems the culprit is a scoundrel even worse than a beast!" Anger surged to his head.

"What exactly happened? Oh, and where's Mei'er?" Bai Qianqian ran out excitedly and knocked on the door of the house across the street.

As expected, Lin Bao had come; Bai Qianqian's guess was correct. After pushing down Mei'er's mother, Lin Bao kidnapped Mei'er.

"That scumbag! Let's go save Mei'er!" After finding someone to settle Mei'er's mother's body, the three of them headed straight for Lin Family Fortress—Lin Bao's location.

After entering the fortress, the three of them charged recklessly, kicking or striking anyone who stood in their way. As for the lackeys, Flying Eagle showed no mercy.

He showed no mercy but delivered a swift and decisive blow, severing the throat with a single, clean stroke.

Inside a room in the inner courtyard of Linjiabao.

"You beast, don't come any closer!" Mei'er glared at Lin Bao with hatred. This damned man had cruelly pushed her mother down. Mei'er was incredibly worried and afraid, wondering how her mother was doing. In this world, only her mother and she had each other left to depend on.

"Hmph, you damned woman, it's one thing to jump into the river, but you even dared to take in those two people who offended me! You're courting death! Today I'll show you what I'm capable of!" With that, he pounced on Mei'er.

"No! Help!" Mei couldn't escape and was caught red-handed.

"Hmph, save it. Do you think anyone will come to save you? Let me tell you the truth, those two so-called saviors of yours are people who have been put under the execution order by His Highness Absolute Kill. I've already notified the people of Absolute Kill Hall, and they're probably already on their way to the Western Paradise by now, hahaha..." Lin Bao said smugly while tearing at Mei'er's clothes, not even noticing the approaching footsteps outside.

"So, you're saying the assassins from the Hall of Absolute Killing were sent by you?" A voice, seemingly from hell, filled with barely concealed rage, rang out behind him.

Lin Bao, who was busy with his business, shuddered—such a strong murderous aura!

"Young Master Bai! Save me!" Seeing Bai Qianqian appear, Mei'er broke free while Lin Bao was trembling and rushed towards Bai Qianqian.

Looking at the sobbing girl in her arms, Bai Qianqian helplessly hugged her tighter. Although she didn't like women crying, and even less so about women crying so closely in front of her, she would bear it for the sake of the girl's recent misfortune. However, she would find another way to vent; she wouldn't let herself suffocate.

"You deserve to die!" Thinking of Bai Qianqian's near-death experience, Flying Eagle wished he could tear Lin Bao to pieces right now.

"Stop!" Seeing Flying Eagle about to unleash a deadly attack, Bai Qianqian shouted, "Arrest him first and cripple his martial arts!" She thought of Mei'er's mother, a kind and loving woman, who had died so tragically, and of Flying Eagle and herself who had almost lost their lives. Bai Qianqian's anger surged.

"Mei'er, I have something to tell you, and I hope you are mentally prepared..." Seeing Mei'er's frail appearance, Bai Qianqian found it hard to say.

"Is something wrong with my mother? Please tell me, how is my mother? Is she badly injured?" Mei asked anxiously.

"She, your mother..." No, I still can't bring myself to say it.

"Your mother lost too much blood and died when we arrived at your house," Flying Eagle stated bluntly, his voice flat but carrying a hidden murderous intent. He stared at Lin Bao, whose martial arts had been crippled; the man was terrified and exhausted.

"What? No, this isn't real, I don't believe it! Mother!" After her initial grief, Mei'er ran excitedly to Lin Bao, punching and kicking him. "You beast, you'll die a horrible death! You bastard, give me back my mother, give me back my mother!" Until she was exhausted from beating and crying, Mei'er gradually fell into a deep sleep.

"Flying Eagle, you've dealt with him. Liu Xiao, could you hold her for me?" Seeing that Mei'er had fallen asleep, Bai Qianqian gently handed her to Liu Xiao...

Chapter Twelve: An Awkward Confession

Several days passed, and Bai Qianqian comforted Mei'er daily, telling her all sorts of jokes, finally dispelling the gloom in Mei'er's heart. Gradually, Mei'er began to smile again. However, whenever she thought of her deceased mother, she still couldn't help but shed tears. At these times, Bai Qianqian would always gently and then humorously cheer her up.

Gradually, Mei'er's gaze towards "Young Master Bai" took on a special gleam, though Bai Qianqian didn't notice.

"Don't you think Bai Qianqian is a very peculiar woman?" Liu Xiao couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Bai Qianqian playfully teasing Mei'er. In just a few days, they were like old friends. Privately, they all called her Qianqian, which sounded affectionate. Besides, Bai Qianqian truly didn't have the airs of a palace master. She was usually very lively and approachable, only putting on airs when she suddenly felt she should act like a palace master or give orders.

"Yes, she is different from others." Flying Eagle looked intently at Bai Qianqian, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

"Heh, is it just different? Nothing else?" Liu Xiao teased with a smile.

"What do you mean?" He was somewhat inclined to avoid the question.

"You know it yourself, don't you?" Liu Xiao turned to look at Fei Ying, a meaningful smile in his eyes.

The eagle fell silent, its thoughts swirling, but ultimately it remained silent.

A few more days passed, and Bai Qianqian decided to leave and go to Lengyue Manor in Yingtian Prefecture to broaden her horizons.

"Mei'er, I'm sorry, we can't stay with you anymore." Bai Qianqian felt helpless as she said goodbye when everyone was in a good mood.

"Young Master Bai, are you leaving?" Mei'er suddenly stopped smiling and looked at her benefactor with unease.

"Yes, I've been here for quite a while now, it's time to go," Bai Qianqian said apologetically.

"Young Master Bai, if, if you must leave, can you take me with you? I am willing to be your slave, just to be by your side!" Mei'er asked anxiously.

"Well, aren't you supposed to be managing the business here?" Bai Qianqian's gaze towards Mei'er seemed off, and subconsciously she wanted to decline, offering a flimsy excuse.

"Business here has been failing for a long time. Does Young Master Bai despise me?" Mei'er asked sadly, tears streaming down her face.

"No, that's not it, don't cry!" Bai Qianqian felt utterly helpless; she disliked seeing women cry the most. "I... how could I let you become my servant?" After so many days together, she already considered her a sister.

"Young Master Bai, you..." Mei'er blushed upon hearing this.

Oh no, judging from her expression, she might have misunderstood! Bai Qianqian's heart sank further. "No, it's that... I've always considered you family, like a younger sister. Hehe."

"Young Master Bai..." Despite falling from heaven to hell, Mei'er still mustered her courage and blurted out what was on her mind. "Young Master Bai, I... I actually fell in love with you the moment you rescued me from the water. And as we spent time together, my feelings for you only grew stronger. I know I am unworthy of you, so I am willing to be your servant, just to be by your side, to see you often, and to take care of you. That would be enough for me."

"I'm sorry, you've misunderstood." Bai Qianqian decided to tell Mei'er the truth quickly and decisively. "I'm actually a woman just like you."

"Huh? You, you're kidding, right?" Mei'er's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked Bai Qianqian up and down.

"I'm sorry, but it's true. Wait for me a moment!" After saying that, Bai Qianqian quickly went into the inner room to change her clothes. In order to avoid people realizing that she was not from this time or thinking that she was a monster or something, she never used modern high-tech products in front of others.

A moment later, an exceptionally beautiful woman emerged from the inner room.

"Ah! You!" Mei stared in astonishment at the stunning beauty before her, as if floating on clouds. It took her a long time to recover. "My God, you're so beautiful!"

"Thank you, it's not that exaggerated, haha." Bai Qianqian smiled shyly. But she was secretly delighted.

"Miss Bai... please take me with you and leave this place. I have no one to rely on here anymore, and this place holds painful memories for me. I... I want to leave. Please, Miss, let me be your servant!" Mei'er suddenly knelt down and pleaded. The misunderstanding was cleared up, and Mei'er, knowing that her secret crush was actually a woman, actually felt a sense of relief. Perhaps the seemingly hopeless love had put immense pressure on her.

"Well... if you insist, then I'll agree. But we might encounter danger, and I don't want to be a burden to you. Please reconsider?" Bai Qianqian reluctantly agreed, but still wanted to persuade Mei'er.

"Thank you, Miss. I will definitely take good care of you. I'm not afraid of any danger. My life was saved by you, Miss, and you even avenged my mother. I'm sticking with you. As long as you don't mind, that's enough," Mei'er said confidently.

"No, how could I possibly dislike you?" Hmm, it seems persuasion is ineffective. Looking at the pretty and sweet-looking Mei'er, Bai Qianqian started daydreaming again. (Hmm, having a beautiful woman in the gang isn't bad, but it would be even better if there was a cold, aloof, and loyal woman with high martial arts skills. She could even be paired with a handsome guy from her gang, making them even closer, hehe. Hmm, I'll have Flying Eagle teach Mei'er martial arts sometime, hehe.)

Chapter Thirteen: Leaving Xiangyang

Early the next morning, four riders sped out of Xiangyang City, heading north towards Nanjing Yingtianfu. The four handsome men, each with their own unique features, were the focus of attention for passersby. It was Bai Qianqian and her companions; even Mei'er was disguised as a man this time, all for the sake of convenience.

"Ugh, riding a horse is so tiring! Let's take a break!" Bai Qianqian exclaimed. She then reined in her horse and walked towards a shady spot by the roadside.

Does she look tired? Mei'er, on the other hand, looks pale and panting. Liu Xiao immediately knew that Bai Qianqian was resting for Mei'er's sake, and he felt even more favorably toward Qianqian. He then dismounted, helped Mei'er rein in her horse, and fed her a stimulating pill.

"Thank you, Brother Liu, I feel much better." Mei'er gratefully curtsied to Liu Xiao.

“We’re all family, no need to be so polite,” Liu Xiao replied with a smile.

The eagle remained silent throughout, its gaze sweeping over the surroundings before occasionally drifting towards Bai Qianqian.

"Come on, it's so hot, have some chilled watermelon!" It was already July or August, and the heat was unbearable. They had just come from a long journey and were feeling suffocated by the heat. Bai Qianqian took out a chilled watermelon that she had put in a compartment of a compressed bag, cut it up, and distributed it to everyone.

"Huh? Where did this iced watermelon come from?" Mei'er asked first.

"Huh? Hehe, well... I conjured it up." It's best not to explain to a curious person, lest they pry and ask endless questions. Just give them a bluff if you can.

"How did it come to be? It's amazing!" Mei'er was determined to get to the bottom of it.

"Huh? This..." Why are you asking? Bai Qianqian decided to adopt the demeanor of a palace master to suppress her curiosity. "This is a secret passed down to me as the palace master of Xiaoyao Palace. Only the next palace master has the right to know it. So..." Her expression was charming and proud.

"I'm sorry, I overstepped my bounds!" Mei'er had never seen Bai Qianqian like this before, and she was a little frightened.

"Hehe, it's okay, I was just kidding." Bai Qianqian immediately returned to her friendly demeanor.

"Palace Master, may I also ask a joke?" Liu Xiao saw that Fei Ying looked thoughtful as he looked at Bai Qianqian and wanted to tease him.

"It seems I have to answer your questions. Go ahead and say it!" Qianqian smiled at Liu Xiao.

"Is Bai Ke, who saved you that day, your lover?" Liu Xiao's direct question struck Flying Eagle like a thunderbolt, making him jump. Mei'er, who was the least able to hide her surprise, opened her mouth wide and stared at Liu Xiao with wide eyes.

"Hehe, you could say it or you could say it isn't. Why would you ask such a question?" Bai Qianqian frowned, puzzled by Liu Xiao's sudden question. Xiao Ke was the embodiment of her idol.

"Hehe, Palace Master, don't take it to heart. Just treat it as a joke." It could be said that way, or it could not... what does it mean? Liu Xiao looked at Flying Eagle with a mixture of encouragement and worry.

I, Bai Qianqian, didn't come here to find love. But... if I really meet someone even more handsome than Xiao Ke, then I might consider it, haha. (The following is a daydream...)

"By the way, from now on, you can call me Qianqian in private. Calling me Palace Master still sounds weird to me. I thought I'd get used to it after hearing it a lot, but I still don't feel comfortable with it." After saying a lot, Bai Qianqian got thirsty and started eating some cool and sweet watermelon.

"Alright, then I'll call you by your name. Qianqian, head in the direction you're going. You'll pass through Qingyang City in Zhengzhou. Qingyang City is a melting pot of all sorts of people, and its intelligence network is incredibly efficient, but it also has a lot of spies from various countries. Sometimes, dignitaries from different nations will appear there, and assassinations are frequent. Are you sure you want to go?" Those assassins sometimes prefer to kill a hundred innocent people rather than let one guilty person go free; if they were targeted, things could get very bad. It wasn't that he didn't trust his own life, but he was genuinely worried about Qianqian and Mei'er.

"Really?! Great! I definitely want to see it!" Although there were live-fire drills in previous shooting training, nothing could compare to the thrill of an assassination in the dark. Bai Qianqian's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Well... alright, let's go to Qingyang!" Liu Xiao looked at Fei Ying. But Qianqian's decision meant only hardship for them. He conveyed his message to Fei Ying with his eyes, but the eagle remained steadfastly focused on Bai Qianqian. She was his master, the person he would protect with his life; that was all he needed to know.

"How long does it take to get to Qingyang from here?" Bai Qianqian asked expectantly.

"At the current speed, it should take about two more days to arrive," Eagle replied calmly and swiftly.

"By the way, Flying Eagle. You've come here before to assassinate some dignitaries, haven't you?" Liu Xiao asked with some concern. "If they discover your identity..." He was referring to spies from various countries and the vast intelligence network of the Assassination Hall.

"Hehe, Flying Eagle, you're quite famous now?" Bai Qianqian smiled at Flying Eagle. "But it's alright, I have something that can disguise me. I can just change my appearance!" Bai Qianqian gave her body-cloning system to Flying Eagle and taught him how to transform into other people's appearances.

"Alright, let's head to Qingyang City!" Bai Qianqian pointed boldly at Qingyang and pulled on the reins.

Four fine horses galloped away, raising a cloud of dust...

Chapter Fourteen: Prosperous Qingyang

With Bai Qianqian's anticipation, they entered Qingyang City in less than two days.

"Wow! What day is it today? It's so lively!" Bai Qianqian and Mei'er looked at the festive decorations around them with delight.

"These gentlemen are visiting Qingyang City for the first time, aren't they? Hehe, no wonder you don't know. These days are Qingyang City's triennial talent selection competition. As long as you have the ability, regardless of your background, you can participate in the competition, whether it's literary or martial arts. The top three will not only receive a generous reward of one thousand taels of silver, but will also be offered an official position. If you are lucky enough to be noticed by some high-ranking official, you'll be set for life." The waiter from Xiangmanlou Restaurant introduced the competition enthusiastically, his expression as if he had been among the top three himself.

"Hehe, waiter, bring out some of your best dishes!" Although Bai Qianqian was also very interested in the talent selection competition, delicious food was more important right now. (So where did Bai Qianqian's silver come from? Hehe, of course, it came from the 32nd century. Certain planets in the 32nd century had discovered vast quantities of silver, which was considered garbage material then. Since silver was a common currency in ancient times, Bai's father packed several tons into his daughter's compression bag. If you're worried about the weight, just ask her.)

(Bai Qianqian: "What, you're asking if the compression bags are too heavy? No, thank you for your concern. There's a gravitational magnetic field inside the compression bags, so the things you put in float like they're in space, and you won't feel any weight.")

"Alright, everyone, just a moment, the food will be here soon, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!" the waiter called out loudly before leaving.

After lunch, the four of them went shopping at Qianqian's strong suggestion.

"Wow, Qingyang is much more lively than Xiangyang." In Xiangyang, I'm always dealing with Lin Bao and those assassins from the Death Hall; I don't have time to stroll around properly. However, Qingyang is indeed much more prosperous than Xiangyang.

Even the luxurious Xiangmanlou Restaurant, considered one of the best in Xiangyang, is only located on the outskirts of the city's bustling downtown area. The downtown area itself comprises nine main streets and sixteen smaller streets. The nine main streets are lined with shops selling specialty goods from various countries, as well as their own high-quality products. Domestic shops offer a wide variety of precious medicinal herbs, tea, rhinoceros horn and ivory carvings, fine silk, porcelain, and hardware. Foreign shops mainly represent neighboring Dali, Western Xia, Jin, Western Liao, and Tubo; further afield are shops from Zhenla, Arabia, Qin, Persia, Baida, and Majia. A dazzling array of specialties are available, including coral, agate, pearls, frankincense, glass, hawksbill turtle shell, northern pearls, ginseng, furs, and horses. The sixteen smaller streets are filled with mid-range goods and local snacks from various countries, as well as flea markets.