"Qian Yuhan!"
Like a torn sack, the house servant blocking his path was flung aside. With a fierce expression, Qian Yuchuan, resembling a ravenous tiger, aggressively sought out Qian Yuhan.
"Do you really want to tear our faces apart?!"
Sitting upright in the Taishi Chair, Qian Yuhan looked at his apparently cannibalistic younger brother with an indiscernible expression and said, "Yu Chuan, what do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean? Stop playing dumb with me! Killing my junior martial sister, abducting Qi Xiu—dare you say it wasn't you who did it!"
The veins on his forehead throbbed wildly. Qian Yuchuan had never expected that in the short two hours he was at a banquet, his junior martial sister would die and Qi Xiu would disappear. For these two things to happen in broad daylight within the Qian Residence, there could only be one person capable: his own dear big brother, Qian Yuhan.
"Your junior martial sister is dead?"
Qian Yuhan's eyes flickered with surprise. This Mr. Qi really is quite inscrutable. I've met Gong Yan. She may not have been as fierce as Yu Chuan, but her martial skills were not weak; ordinary men stood no chance of getting close to her. He was able to kill her on his own. It seems this man is far stronger than he lets on.
Seeing Qian Yuhan's genuinely shocked and surprised expression, which didn't seem feigned, Qian Yuchuan's heart sank. Could it really not be him? But if not him, who else could it be?
Although his junior martial sister was killed by a surprise attack, the palms that ruined her ears struck with heavy and vicious vigor. The vigor in the punch to her chest was even more robust, its vigor twisting her clothes apart. An ordinary person without years of arduous training could never accomplish such a feat.
My eldest brother's Corpse Child is incredibly strong, yes, but it's all brute force. Such refined and experienced vigor... it couldn't possibly have used it. It seems the real murderer is indeed someone else.
Recalling the details, Qian Yuchuan never even considered Qi Xiu as Gong Yan's killer. A weak scholar with no strength to truss a chicken. Even if Gong Yan bound her hands and closed her eyes, she could still kick him to death with one foot. Qi Xiu commit murder? He would probably struggle even to kill a chicken.
After staring intently at Qian Yuhan for a long while, Qian Yuchuan snorted softly. "I just heard that Yu Ze took your seal to the accounts room to withdraw ten thousand taels of silver?"
Qian Yuhan nodded, not denying it. "Indeed, that is true. Wu needs ten thousand taels of silver to purchase medicinal ingredients to concoct Rejuvenation Medicine for Father. I permitted this."
"Hah, Rejuvenation Medicine. That charlatan's excuses are truly endless," Qian Yuchuan sneered, his eyes shifting. "My sect also has miraculous medicines that can cure people. Big Brother, could you also allocate ten thousand taels to me so I can seek medicine for Father?"
Listening to Qian Yuchuan's brazen demand, Qian Yuhan's brows furrowed. "Why haven't I heard you mention this before?"
"The past is the past, now is now. In a word, will you give it or not?"
His cheek twitched slightly. His younger brother's shamelessness made Qian Yuhan suddenly cover his mouth and cough violently. He only recovered after a long moment.
"Fine! I'll give it."
With eyes full of disappointment, Qian Yuhan threw a key and leaned back in the Taishi Chair as if drained of strength, his eyes half-closed. "Go to the accounts room and get it."
Not expecting his big brother to actually agree, Qian Yuchuan's eyes lit up with joy. He quickly picked up the key to the accounts room and left in haste.
Listening to the diminishing footsteps, Qian Yuhan wearily opened his eyes and looked down at the handkerchief. In its center was a deep red stain.
...
「Outside Baoho County.」
Qi Xiu crawled out of the secret passage, heaved a long breath of stale air, and brushed the dirt off his clothes. Finally out! Free at last, no longer under anyone's control! The freedom of escaping made Qi Xiu want to laugh out loud, but remembering he wasn't far from Baoho County, he suppressed the urge.
I can't go to the room Qian Yuhan mentioned. Although he said only he knows about it, who can guarantee it's completely safe?
He casually snapped a twig and poked at the ground with it, plotting his next move.
All of Qian Yuhan's actions proved he wasn't a bad person. He just wanted to make amends for the grave mistake he and his brother had made in trying to save their father. Still, one must not harbor the intent to harm, yet one cannot afford to be without the caution to guard oneself. For safety's sake, it's better for me to find my own place to stay.
After squatting and pondering for a while, an idea sparked in Qi Xiu's eyes.
Half a year ago, he had gone to a village outside Baoho County to write a dirge for a family. The village was very remote; at that time, even with a local guiding him, he had almost taken the wrong path. And although the place was secluded, the villagers made a living selling mountain goods and frequently visited Baoho County.
If I stay there temporarily, I can use the villagers' help to find out what's happening in the county seat, and also buy writing supplies and materials for martial arts practice.
The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Having made up his mind, Qi Xiu got up and followed the route from memory, heading towards the distant outskirts.
...
"Well, if it isn't... if it isn't... Mr. Qiao?"
Under the jujube tree at the village entrance, Lu, with only one stubborn molar left, recognized Qi Xiu, who had visited half a year earlier.
"Grandpa Lu, my surname is Qi. You still remember me, huh?" Qi Xiu smiled helplessly.
"Of course I remember! The last time you came, you helped me write a letter home for my son. You took half a pound of eggs, ten pancakes, plucked some jujubes from this tree, patted the dog at the head of the village, and then got chased for two li. I'm right, aren't I, Mr. Qiao?"
Lu stroked his silver beard proudly, his expression clearly seeking praise.
"..."
Looking at this old man who could remember everything but people's names, Qi Xiu scratched his head. "Grandpa Lu, is Sister Dongmei home?"
"What Dongmei?"
"Lu Dongmei."
"Lu what Mei?"
"Lu Dongmei."
"Lu Dong what?"
"Alright, you rest then."
It was just after the New Year, and it seemed everyone in the village had gone out to visit relatives. Qi Xiu arrived at the entrance of a small, stone-walled courtyard at the south end of the village and gently knocked on the door knocker.
"Who is it?"
The courtyard door opened to reveal a middle-aged woman in her forties or fifties, dressed in a cotton robe and apron, holding a small chicken.
"Mr. Qi? What brings you here? Quick, come in, come in."
With a surprised expression, Lu Dongmei quickly stepped aside to let Qi Xiu in.
"I'm sorry to disturb you during the New Year festivities," Qi Xiu said with a smile.
Half a year ago, it was Lu Dongmei's father who had hired him to write the dirge. The old man had cared a great deal about face in life and wanted a grand farewell in death. Feeling his health failing, he had sent someone to Baoho County to invite Qi Xiu to write the dirge. However, the funeral expenses turned out to be substantial. By the time Qi Xiu had finished writing the dirge and came to settle the account, Lu Dongmei no longer had any money. Seeing the honest and kind-hearted Lu Dongmei turn red-faced with anxiety, tears streaming down, his heart had softened. He waived the fee, taking only some pancakes, walnuts, and half a sack of buckwheat home.
"...So that's the situation. That's why I'm hoping to stay here for a while. Don't worry, I'll pay for board and lodging."
Having concocted a story about being extorted by hooligans and needing to lay low for a while, Qi Xiu handed a piece of broken silver to Lu Dongmei.
"Hey, take that silver back! What are you talking about? My home is your home; stay as long as you like. I'm going to kill a chicken now. When your brother-in-law gets back, you two can have a good drink."
Lu Dongmei pushed the silver back into Qi Xiu's hand as if it were a hot potato. She then handed him a cup of hot water to warm his hands before turning to go kill the chicken.
Holding the bowl of water, Qi Xiu took a sip and slowly exhaled a plume of frosty breath.
Next, it's time to seriously work on my skills.
...