Семь снежных ночей

Глава 28

"What?" Ye Xiao jumped up, looking at his narrow eyes and pointed chin. Even when he was young, he didn't seem to deserve this title.

"My surname is Shuai, and my given name is Ge. I'm the eldest in the Mind Control Sect. My Mind Control Technique is exceptionally brilliant. Everyone says it's a rare talent. Put together, it's 'The Unparalleled Great Shuai Ge'..." the old watchman said with a smile, his expression unchanged.

The Tao is one foot higher

Ye Xiao accidentally bit her tongue, painfully covering her mouth, and forced a laugh as she led Shuai Ge inside.

"Last time... was it you who set up the Illusionary Flower Mind-Capturing Array?" Ye Xiao asked, his tongue swollen.

Shuai Ge squinted his small eyes and smiled: "I taught the medicine doctor to set up the array... The Illusion Flower Mind-Capturing Array needs someone to activate it... and it works best at night, so my identity is the most suitable..."

Ye Xiao gave a muffled "oh," then suddenly saw Shuai Ge's eyes light up, and he happily took small steps towards something: "Biluo? Hehe, Miss Ye is so thoughtful and meticulous, even preparing Biluo flowers for me. You know, Biluo flowers are perfect for combining with mind-controlling techniques..."

Ye Xiao was stunned for a moment: "What?"

Shuai Ge explained tirelessly, “The Azure Flower… after being dried, is ground into powder over a low flame. It is colorless and odorless… It can captivate the soul, making people speak frankly, making it perfect for coercing or inducing confessions. However, if the dosage is too high, it has an aphrodisiac effect on men, but it has no effect on women… Therefore, the Azure Flower has an elegant name, Water Hehuan…”

"Aphrodisiac effect?" Ye Xiao stared blankly at Shuai Ge, something flashing through her mind.

Shuai Ge quickly scooped the Biluo flower from the bottle, hung it up to dry, and turned back to continue his rambling: "It's... and it only works on men. This stuff... has always been a closely guarded secret of the Yuan family. The Yuan family initially made their fortune with these kinds of drugs. Miss Ye, don't you know? Yuan's Bewitching Pills. Because the annual yield of Biluo flowers is low, and the weight is greatly reduced after being made into powder, these pills are extremely expensive, twenty taels of silver per pill. It's considered a well-known secret medicine in the martial arts world..."

"□?" Ye Xiao was still not quite sure.

A clear, small voice suddenly said from the side, "You don't understand, it's just..." A soft little mouth suddenly whispered in Ye Xiao's ear, "It's a drug that makes a man suddenly very strong, so he can sit on a woman's stomach and 'hehehe' and ride a horse..."

Ye Xiao stared at Shan'er with wide eyes, a sudden image flashing through her mind of Luo Qingcheng half-naked on top of the beautiful Yuan. She vaguely understood, and finally blushed, a small pang of sadness shooting through her heart, as if bitten by something. She glanced resentfully at Luo Qingcheng's door, snorted, and tiptoed to the door. She carefully rearranged the pile of things, ensuring Luo Qingcheng would step right into them, and then called softly from the doorway, "Qingcheng, breakfast is ready!"

There was no movement from inside the door.

Ye Xiao raised his voice and called out again, "The handsome song of the Mind-Seizing Sect is here."

Still no movement. Ye Xiao finally couldn't resist cautiously entering the room. The person on the bed was still covered. Ye Xiao frowned deeply, then suddenly threw off the covers and shouted, "Luo Qingcheng! The Mind-Seizing Sect..." Suddenly, he was dumbfounded. The bed was empty, with only two pillows stuffed into the blankets to resemble a person.

"Qingcheng!" Ye Xiao felt a sudden emptiness in his heart, and an ominous feeling crept over him, making him a little panicked. Suddenly, he heard Xiao Xun's voice outside: "Boss! Something bad has happened!" The ominous premonition intensified, and he vaguely recalled Luo Qingcheng's unpleasant words from last night. He turned around and jumped out the door in a flash, his legs went weak, and his heart sank, but he still pretended to be nonchalant.

Unfortunately, Xiao Xun was oblivious to the situation, exclaiming, "Ouch! Boss, you stepped in dog poop! What kind of dog is so ungrateful, not even knowing where to poop!"

Ye Xiao looked at Xiao Xun with a heavy heart: "Third brother, one should not be bothered by trifles when it comes to great things... Let's not talk about these things for now... What happened?"

Xiao Xun gave an "oh" and looked at his calm and collected leader with admiration: "Guo Qiwu from the Martial Alliance brought several family members of the assassinated young masters to ask Master Yuan for the murderer."

Ye Xiao nodded slightly, not bothering to clean the filth off her feet, and quickly dragged Shuai Ge along to find Yuan Ruxuan.

The usually arrogant Young Master Huang didn't show up; instead, Guo Qiwu, with a gloomy expression, appeared, which surprised Ye Xiao somewhat. However, Guo Qiwu was quite polite this time, introducing the families of each of the young masters.

One of Young Master An's brothers and one of Young Master Zhang's cousins came. Young Master Xie, because he was seriously injured, had the most family members present, including several of his brothers. Yuan Ruxuan greeted them one by one.

Guo Qiwu disliked beating around the bush and quickly got to the point, wanting to uphold justice for the martial arts world and bring the murderers who harmed the young masters to justice.

Yuan Ruxuan nodded lightly and said, "That's right. We also intend to catch this murderer... Since everyone is here, why don't we all be witnesses?" With that, he waved his hand, and Chun Shun, Chun Fu, Chun Zhi and the others were brought up.

"These servants are all from my Langjing Manor and are familiar with the whole story. I'd like to invite everyone to hear their testimonies. By the way, to prevent these servants from deceiving everyone with their clever words, I've specially invited the peerless and unparalleled Master Shuai Ge of the Mind-Controlling Sect to interrogate them. As everyone knows, Master Shuai is skilled in interrogation and adept at mind-controlling techniques; almost no one can lie in front of him..."

The people who had come with such a menacing air to demand an explanation exchanged bewildered glances, unable to voice their objections yet unwilling to give in. Finally, someone spoke up, defiantly asking, "Master Shuai has a great reputation in the martial arts world, but unfortunately, he's always elusive... We've never even seen his face. Can you be sure this is Master Shuai Ge?"

Shuai Ge once again revealed his kind smile and looked at the person who asked the question: "Fourth Young Master An? You can try if you don't believe me."

An Si hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Shuai Ge smiled faintly: "Fourth Young Master An."

An Si responded and looked up, a sudden jolt running through her. She felt a captivating gaze in front of her, and couldn't help but shake her head, her mind going completely blank. Then she heard a gentle voice ask, "What's your name? Where are you from?"

“An Renjie. From the An family in the same city.” An Renjie’s voice was hollow and ethereal, as if in a dream.

"Settling down in the same city? You just joined the Martial Arts Alliance this spring... Wasn't your father always unwilling to join the Martial Arts Alliance? Why did he change his mind later?"

Guo Qiwu's eyelids twitched, and he suddenly turned to look at Shuai Ge, a sharp glint in his eyes piercing the old man's smiling face like a needle. Shuai Ge seemed oblivious, simply smiling gently and kindly, his eyes never leaving An Renjie's gaze.

An Renjie hesitated for a moment on this issue before finally speaking: "I had no choice... those bastards from the Martial Alliance bullied us with their power. At first, my father didn't agree, but my family's escort agency was robbed three times in one month, suffering huge losses. My father had no choice but to agree, but who knew that life wouldn't be easy after joining the Martial Alliance... the security fees we have to pay are also quite substantial..."

Everyone present changed their expressions drastically. Guo Qiwu felt extremely ashamed, while the others felt a pang of sympathy upon hearing about the An family's plight.

Shuai Ge gave an "oh," lowered his eyes, and stopped speaking. An Renjie's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly came to his senses. Looking at the unfriendly expressions on everyone's faces with confusion, he cautiously asked, "What did I just say? I don't remember..."

"Does anyone still have doubts about the Marshal's identity and abilities? We can try again..." Yuan Ruxuan glanced at the crowd and spoke slowly.

No one dared to raise any further objections.

Shuai Ge took out a small porcelain bottle: "This porcelain bottle contains the treasure of the Mind Control Sect, the Truth Pill. Take one, and you're guaranteed to speak the truth... Please come up and take the medicine, so I can ask you questions."

He then poured out a few pills from the bottle and distributed them to several servants. After a short while, Shuai Ge began questioning them, starting with Chunfu, who recounted in detail the events of the past two days.

When it was Chun Shun's turn, Shuai Ge smiled and looked at the girl in front of him, who was only seventeen or eighteen years old: "You're Chun Shun?"

Chun Shun nodded nervously, "Yes..." Suddenly, she cried out in surprise, watching as Shuai Ge lunged forward, striking with a palm. Driven by instinct and fear of Shuai Ge's mind-controlling technique, she dodged. But then she heard Yuan Ruxuan's sinister voice: "Chun Shun... you've been at Langjing Manor for four or five years now, and I never knew you possessed such profound martial arts skills..."

Chun Shun froze, a cold sweat breaking out all over his body. He quickly opened his mouth to explain, "Master, please understand... Chun Shun only learned a few rudimentary skills from the guards in the manor... Sigh..." Before he knew it, someone slapped him from behind, and he spat out the truth pill he had been hiding in his mouth.

Chun Shun turned around with some fear, only to see Xiao Xun flashing a bright smile at Ye Xiao: "Was my palm strike just the right weight? It didn't hurt her, and it knocked the pill out of her mouth..."

Ye Xiao nodded in satisfaction.

Yuan Ruxuan's voice seemed to be chilling: "Chunshun, why didn't you take the truth pill? Are you hiding something?"

Chunshun was covered in cold sweat, and it took him a long time to finally open his mouth: "I...I...don't like the taste of this pill..."

Yuan Ruxuan sneered: "Oh? You don't like the taste of this medicine? So you're holding it under your tongue like candy?"

Chun Shun nervously wiped his sweat and shut his mouth without saying a word.

Guo Qiwu sneered, "Handsome old man, you're quite the schemer! You put on a good show! I think... there's really no such thing as a truth pill in the world... you're just deceiving people, aren't you?"

Shuai Ge smiled and said, "Everyone in the martial arts world says that Master Guo is meticulous, and it's true. That's right, I was just putting on a show. This wasn't some kind of truth pill... it was just to trick Chun Shun. Although it was a show, the effect was remarkable, but... it was a bit difficult to persuade Young Master An to cooperate in the act, and Master Yuan went to great lengths..."

An Renjie nodded calmly: "As long as we can catch the real culprit and avenge my brother, that's all that matters."

Guo Qiwu snorted coldly, his gaze slowly sweeping over Yuan Ruxuan and An Renjie. He said in a cold voice, "Master Yuan's methods are quite good. It's understandable that he's eager to find a scapegoat to give everyone an explanation. Unfortunately, there are still loopholes in this matter. A normal person would feel some fear if they were forced to take some pills for no reason, worrying about the harm to their body... Chun Shun is a young girl, and sometimes she's a bit naive. She thinks that since she's telling the truth, she doesn't need to take any pills... It doesn't necessarily mean she has something to hide."

Yuan Ruxuan gave an "oh," his gaze suddenly sharpening: "Is Master Guo trying to exonerate Chun Shun? Why doesn't Master Guo consider why Young Master Xiao directly patted Chun Shun's back? If you really wanted a scapegoat, you could have easily used torture to extract a confession... Why go through all this trouble to put on this show? We already knew Chun Shun was the murderer... or rather, one of the murderers..." He suddenly turned his gaze menacingly to Chun Shun: "Because... Young Master Xie woke up last night and identified Chun Shun as the murderer..."

Chun Shun was still young, and his whole body was trembling uncontrollably. At this moment, he suddenly opened his mouth and said, "Impossible. Young Master Xie was pierced through the throat by a sword, he couldn't possibly be speaking..."

Yuan Ruxuan gave a meaningful "oh": "Young Master Xie was discovered by Steward Tu. After he returned, I secretly protected him. You didn't have a chance to contact him, so how would you know about his injuries?"

Chunshun opened his mouth, only to be speechless once again.

Guo Qiwu sneered: "Master Yuan is using tricks again!"

Yuan Ruxuan sneered: "Although Young Master Xie cannot speak, he can accurately express himself with his eyes. He clearly identifies Chun Shun as the murderer!"

Guo Qiwu sneered again: "Even if Chunshun is the murderer, she is from your Langjing Manor. I really don't understand why she would kill so many people. She had never met these young masters before, so why would she kill them?"

Yuan Ruxuan smiled faintly: "This is also a question I'm particularly interested in figuring out. The question is quite simple. Although what the handsome man staged today was a charade, his mind-controlling technique is indeed unparalleled. However, he still needs to prepare some things. Everyone arrived in a hurry today and didn't have time to be fully prepared to demonstrate his unique skill... In time, I, Yuan, will definitely give everyone a satisfactory answer!"

Guo Qiwu sneered: "Very well. Since Master Yuan has already found excellent helpers, we will not disturb Master Yuan's investigation and apprehension of the culprit... I, Guo, will take my leave now..."

Yuan Ruxuan smiled faintly: "Right Envoy Guo, please take care... In my entire life, I have only one precious daughter, and all my hardships and toil have been for her. I only hope that Right Envoy Guo can take care of her out of consideration for my reputation..."

Guo Qiwu suddenly turned around, his eyes gleaming: "Oh? Then I'd also like to tell Master Yuan that our Alliance Leader Huang only has one son. If anything goes wrong... I think Langjing Manor need not exist in this world!" He angrily flicked his sleeves and was already outside the door. The families of the young masters were led away to rest by Steward Tu. Only Yuan Ruxuan remained standing there, bewildered, not understanding the meaning behind Guo Qiwu's words.

Ye Xiao's eyelids twitched a few times, and he walked to Yuan Ruxuan's side as if nothing had happened: "Master Yuan, what do you think of my idea? Next, let's see if the Martial Alliance will kill us to silence us as we predicted?"

Yuan Ruxuan shook his head blankly: "I don't know... but today's situation, the other party is completely fearless, and doesn't seem to want to distance themselves from Chunshun at all... they seem indifferent..."

As dusk deepened, Shuai Ge meticulously prepared the Azure Flower. Ye Xiao, after peering through the doorway hundreds of times, finally lost her patience: "That second son! Where did he go? I've already cleared his name..."

Shuai Ge said "Oh," and then added, "Is the second brother the young master Luo who was with you? I almost forgot! I ran into him on my way here early this morning... He asked me to tell you that he's probably not coming back..."

Ye Xiao froze, her heart suddenly leaping into her throat, refusing to let out: "Where...where did he go?"

The handsome singer continued, speaking casually, "It seems I went to the Martial Alliance's headquarters last night..."

Ye Xiao couldn't help but shout, "What is he doing there? Does he have a death wish?!"

Shuai Ge continued with a faint smile: "With Miss Ye's intelligence, how could she not have thought of that?"

Ye Xiao thought about Guo Qiwu's words and actions today and exclaimed, "He... kidnapped Huang Tingfeng!"

Shuai Ge chuckled: "Miss Ye is indeed exceptionally intelligent..."

Ye Xiao was stunned for a long time, then said in a daze, "If that's really the case, I was wondering why Guo Youshi's last few words were so strange... Handsome sir, when you saw Qingcheng, was he alright?"

Shuai Ge chuckled: "Not very good..."

"...How is he?" Ye Xiao's voice was trembling.

Shuai Ge frowned: "Yeah, I was still alive back then... but I don't know if I'm still alive now..."

Ye Xiao felt a little dizzy and slowly looked at Shuai Ge: "How... is he? Where is he?"

Shuai Ge didn't say anything more, just focused on making his Biluo powder, completely oblivious to Ye Xiaoru's burning emotions.

Ye Xiao jumped up and shouted again, but received no response. Finally, he sighed and rushed over to find Xiao Xun.

In the darkness, Luo Qingcheng groggily woke up, feeling as if he were in a large cradle, the whole world gently and continuously swaying, with the sound of waves in his ears, like the soft whispers of a lover.

"Xiaoxiao." He called out, and finally heard a hissing sound. A small flame rose in the darkness, and a face appeared in front of him.

The Devil is One Step Taller (Part 1)

The doctor, a physician, wore a disdainful expression, his gaze so cold it seemed ice shards could fall from it. In contrast, the innocent black eyes of the little boy beside him appeared exceptionally endearing. "Where am I?" Luo Qingcheng asked in a low voice, his whole body aching as if it were falling apart. The physician snorted coldly and turned away, ignoring him. The little boy, however, kindly replied, "On the boat."

"Where's Huang Tingfeng?" Luo Qingcheng remembered something extremely important. The herbalist scoffed impatiently and gestured a few times: "You're such a nuisance! Always causing trouble! Why did you have to bring that hot potato into your life!"

Luo Qingcheng said calmly, "Too many women." The herbalist glared at him viciously, frowned, and pondered for a moment: "You want to use him as a hostage to make the Martial Alliance hesitate and let you off the hook?"

Luo Qingcheng remained silent. Xiaoxiao, Shen Wan, Shan'er… none of them could afford to make a mistake. It was like carrying a handful of eggs barehanded; walking on a flat road already required extreme caution, yet they were being forced to juggle them, braving fire and water. A drastic measure was necessary.

The herbalist gave another disdainful look: "Don't take on a job you're not qualified for! You don't have the skills yourself, yet you try to catch the kingpin like others! You almost got beaten to death!"

Luo Qingcheng turned his head away, and after a long while asked again, "Where is Huang Tingfeng?" The herbalist smiled disdainfully again, ignoring him. Luo Qingcheng coldly replied, "I'm disguised as a servant of Langjing Manor, and I dare not reveal my martial arts..." After speaking, he closed his eyes, and the image of Guo Qiwu's astonishing palm strike appeared before him. Because he was disguised as an unknown nobody from Langjing Manor, he shouldn't have been able to dodge this superb move, so he had no choice but to take the blow head-on, and then quickly fled with Huang Tingfeng. As a result, this herbalist, who was neither friend nor foe, suddenly appeared halfway there. Because he was too badly injured to fight back, he was knocked unconscious by Guo Qiwu's blow and only just woke up now.

"Xiaoxiao..." he called softly, scrambling to his feet, only to feel weak and sore all over. What time was it? He wondered how Ye Xiao and the others were doing.

The herbalist's piercing gaze fell upon Luo Qingcheng once more: "Holy crap! You brat, you're trying to kill two birds with one stone! Trying to stir up trouble between Langjing Manor and the Martial Alliance? So you can fish in troubled waters?"

Luo Qingcheng remained silent, Ye Xiao's bright and cheerful smile appearing before him. Xiao Xiao… the third brother… he wanted to protect each and every one of them… but he feared he lacked the strength. He could only rely on Yuan Ruxuan's power…

The doctor made no further move, but simply rose and slowly walked out of the cabin. Under the dim starlight, in the distance, a small island slowly revealed its dark outline.