Chapter 265: Mysterious Maiden

Mysterious Maiden

As a death warrior, Shui Yun's intuition is far keener than that of ordinary people; at this very moment, the beautiful mysterious maiden that her intuition senses before her eyes carries an inexplicable danger.

Moreover, the several attendants following the mysterious maiden are even more dangerous, for Shui Yun has already seen that they, like her, are martial experts who kill without blinking.

Of course, Shui Yun herself is not afraid, but she worries about Nie Jinxuan; if anything goes wrong and Nie Jinxuan gets hurt or frightened, that is something she cannot bear.

So Shui Yun became ever more cautious and careful; but at that moment, as she reached to grab Nie Jinxuan, Nie Jinxuan instead pushed her away, stepped forward to stand before the mysterious maiden, and then shifted her gaze, giving the maiden a quick up‑and‑down look.

Nie Jinxuan's movement was obvious, yet it did not make anyone uncomfortable; seeing Nie Jinxuan scrutinizing her, the mysterious maiden's face instantly darkened, and she frowned in displeasure.

"What are you looking at?"

The mysterious maiden remained impolite. Hearing that, Nie Jinxuan's eyes narrowed, and she fixed her gaze on the maiden's face.

"I merely wanted to see, miss, why you are so arrogant. You don't even put a third‑rank magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture in your eyes!"

Nie Jinxuan remained calm and unhurried, her voice as gentle as ever. Upon hearing this, the mysterious maiden's eyes flashed sharply, but before she could speak, Nie Jinxuan stepped forward again and said to her,

"Miss, I don't care who you are or where you come from, but don't forget that this is Dongling's territory, and the place you stand is Dongling's Imperial City Street. You had better temper your lady‑like temper, otherwise if you cause any trouble, it won't be good for you either."

Nie Jinxuan deliberately lowered her voice to give the maiden some face, but even so, upon hearing her words the mysterious maiden not only failed to appreciate it, she instantly flushed with anger and, without thinking, raised her hand to slap Nie Jinxuan.

The mysterious maiden showed no mercy, not even a hint of hesitation. Though her movement was fast, someone was faster—just as she raised her hand to bring it down, Shui Yun moved in an instant and seized her wrist.

From beginning to end, Nie Jinxuan remained motionless, staring straight at the mysterious maiden, her beautiful, delicate face as calm and earnest as ever.

But at this moment everyone present was startled by the mysterious maiden's action; Pei Yaoguang's face darkened with greater anger, while Lian Feng and Huo Rong, who guarded Nie Jinxuan's rear, instantly stepped in front of her, Xiao Sa's visage tight and wary, and an indescribable malign energy surged forth uncontrollably.

On the bustling street, killing intent erupted instantly! The onlooking civilians sensed danger, gradually falling silent and ceasing their chatter, while the innkeeper Madam Sun, heart pounding, hid behind Nie Jinxuan and Pei Yaoguang, cautiously eyeing the mysterious maiden, her still‑charming face betraying obvious fear……

Thus the surroundings gradually grew quiet. At this moment, seeing her wrist seized, the mysterious maiden's face grew even uglier; she reflexively tried to pull her hand back, but could not move at all.

Moreover, seeing the maiden's arrogance, Shui Yun's eyes sank, and she suddenly exerted force with her hand; instantly a piercing pain shot through the mysterious maiden's wrist.

Shui Yun's strength is not something ordinary people can endure. Of course, the maiden's ability to stay silent is also because Shui Yun showed mercy; but seeing that the maiden refused to yield, Shui Yun added a bit more force……

If she truly kept gripping it, the maiden's wrist would surely be ruined; but just then Nie Jinxuan suddenly spoke in a low voice,

"Shui Yun, step back!"

Nie Jinxuan spoke softly, yet her eyes remained fixed on the mysterious maiden. Hearing her, Shui Yun, though unwilling, released her grip and stepped back; seeing Shui Yun let go, the maiden involuntarily shook her arm and shouted at her attendants behind her,

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and cut them down for me!"

Obviously, Shui Yun's action had utterly enraged the mysterious maiden. Yet upon hearing the maiden's order, the attendant nearest to her furtively tugged at her sleeve and whispered something in her ear.

The attendant's voice was low, and no one knew what he said; but a moment later the mysterious maiden could not help glancing at Nie Jinxuan, then suddenly her expression shifted and she broke into a smile.

"What this lady said makes sense; I was rash just now, please, lady, don't hold it against a petty person~! And also, this Magistrate of Jingzhao……"

The mysterious maiden's change left everyone present stunned; but then Pei Yaoguang gave a cold snort and turned his head aside. Nie Jinxuan's eyes flickered slightly, but since the maiden had backed down, Nie Jinxuan saw no need to say more and simply replied,

"Miss, you're being polite, but Dongling is a land of rites; we welcome every guest, so we naturally won't quarrel with visitors. However, you misspoke just now—the person you ought to apologize to is neither me nor Magistrate Pei, but the innkeeper of the Heavenly Fate Inn……"

Earlier, after Madam Sun apologized, the mysterious maiden slapped her in the street—something Nie Jinxuan witnessed herself. In Nie Jinxuan's view, though killing needs only a nod to the ground, even though Sun was at fault first, the maiden's conduct was still excessively over the top!

Upon hearing Nie Jinxuan's words, the mysterious maiden was momentarily taken aback, but instantly she laughed again and said to Madam Sun, who still hid behind Pei Yaoguang and Nie Jinxuan,

"Fine! I'll apologize…… Auntie, I truly was rude just now. I'm hot‑tempered, so please don't take it to heart~!"

The mysterious maiden's face bore a smile, yet her words still conveyed an indefinable arrogance. Meanwhile, the thoroughly frightened Madam Sun dared not mind such things; she hurriedly nodded repeatedly.

"It's all right, it's all right, it's my fault, my fault……"

Madam Sun kept speaking, yet she dared not even glance at the mysterious maiden. Seeing this, Pei Yaoguang frowned, about to speak, but Nie Jinxuan shook her head at him.

Nie Jinxuan wanted to settle the matter peacefully; after all, the maiden's origins were unknown and they were on a public street, so there was no need to insist on pursuing her. After signaling Pei Yaoguang to stay quiet, Nie Jinxuan turned her gaze to the mysterious maiden, gave a slight nod, and then walked away……

Watching Nie Jinxuan leave, Pei Yaoguang couldn't help glaring at the mysterious maiden, then clasped his hands behind his back and, with his Yamen Runners, returned to the Jingzhao Prefecture…… Meanwhile, the maiden still standing where they had been, after they departed, slightly composed her smile, and her gaze fell directly onto the carriage in which Nie Jinxuan had been sitting—now already departed—and an inexplicable eeriness flickered across her face.

"Go!"

"Sister Jinxuan, you're just letting that woman go like that? Why didn't you arrest her outright?"

Inside the carriage, Princess Qionghua Jin Jingwen asked Nie Jinxuan, somewhat puzzled,

In fact, Jin Jingwen had also been on the street just now, so she naturally saw clearly what the mysterious maiden had done. Seeing her speak rudely to Nie Jinxuan and even strike her, Jin Jingwen was understandably furious, but Ye Yushu beside her held her back.

Jin Jingwen hadn't stepped forward in time, and she never imagined that Nie Jinxuan would so easily let the maiden go; thus, as soon as she got into the carriage, she immediately raised her objection.

Upon hearing that, Nie Jinxuan glanced at the angry Jin Jingwen and then spoke softly,

"What's the point of arresting her? Giving her a bit of a hard time? And then what?"

"Um…… but, even so……"

"Jingwen, I know what you're thinking, but we should show mercy where we can—there's no need to blow this up."

Nie Jinxuan remained as calm and composed as ever; of course, her reason for not acting against the mysterious maiden involved other considerations, but the time wasn't right yet, so she didn't elaborate.

Upon hearing this, Jin Jingwen naturally understood Nie Jinxuan's thinking, but she couldn't help muttering,

"Hmph, it's not us causing trouble—it's that woman looking for trouble for no reason. Sister Jinxuan, you also saw her nasty expression; she didn't even put a third‑rank Magistrate of Jingzhao in her eyes…… So such a woman deserves to suffer a bit."

"All right, you little chatterbox, stop nagging! Besides, you're always opposing Magistrate Pei—now that people look down on him, you're feeling uneasy inside, aren't you?"

"Oh dear, Sister Jinxuan, what are you saying? Who isn't feeling uneasy?! I'm just stating the facts!"

"Heh, really?"

"Oh dear, Sister Jinxuan, I'm serious! I just feel that woman is sinister—I expect this matter isn't over yet……"

"All right, all right, I get it! I've already told Magistrate Pei to pay close attention to her~!"

Although Jin Jingwen appears straightforward and blunt, she is actually quite shrewd and capable; otherwise, how could she have, under Zhen Xiao Lian's hand, rescued Nie Jinxuan and ultimately personally intervened to find out about Han Luoxue?!

Therefore, regarding the mysterious maiden they had just encountered on the street, Jin Jingwen instinctively felt she wouldn't change so easily; and since Nie Jinxuan had thought of the same, she privately had Shui Yun inform Pei Yaoguang as they were leaving.

At that moment, hearing Nie Jinxuan's words, Jin Jingwen finally felt somewhat reassured, and afterward she and Nie Jinxuan chatted and laughed all the way back to the palace.

……

After returning with Nie Jinxuan to the palace, and only after staying until late at night did they finally depart. As for today's street incident, Nie Jinxuan did not tell Yin Fengzhan; but since Nie Jinxuan kept silent and Yin Fengzhan was nevertheless concerned, that very night, while Yin Fengzhan was handling state affairs in the Imperial Study, he summoned Lian Feng inside.

"Lian Feng, did anything happen today when you went out?"

Seated at the Dragon Desk, while reviewing memorials in his hands, Yin Fengzhan asked without lifting his head. Upon hearing this, Lian Feng recounted in full detail how he had gone to the Heavenly Fate Inn to handle a case, and then, at the inn's door, encountered the mysterious maiden.

At that moment, having originally listened to Lian Feng talk about the White Bones case, Yin Fengzhan had shown no reaction. But upon hearing that someone had actually acted so arrogantly in the street, even daring to strike Nie Jinxuan, Yin Fengzhan froze, then angrily slammed the memorial in his hand onto the dragon throne, and at the same time raised his head to look at Lian Feng.

What? They actually struck!?

Yes, Your Majesty, that girl indeed tried to strike the princess, but fortunately Shui Yun stopped her in time!

……What is her background?

Suppressing the anger in his heart, Yin Fengzhan demanded in a low voice. Because Yin Fengzhan intuitively felt that this mysterious girl's background was not ordinary. However, upon hearing this, Lian Feng shook his head.

Replying to Your Majesty, I don't know. However, judging by appearances, the other party's background is definitely not simple! That girl is followed by several attendants; although we haven't clashed, I am certain they are martial arts masters!

Experts usually have an inexplicable intuition. Since Lian Feng is the top expert under Yin Fengzhan, he therefore felt at that moment on the street that the other party was extraordinarily unusual.

Moreover, I heard the princess speaking with that person; from the princess's meaning, that girl is probably not from our Dongling, and the princess already knows the girl's background, but she hasn't spoken of it, so I didn't press further.

Although his contact with Nie Jinxuan was not as much as Shui Yun's, Lian Feng and the others still held her in great respect. Of course, part of this respect comes from Yin Fengzhan, but the majority stems from Nie Jinxuan herself.

Upon hearing Lian Feng say this, Yin Fengzhan involuntarily pursed his thin lips; after a moment, his eyes flashed.

Investigate their background immediately!

Yes!

……

Actually, Nie Jinxuan also didn't know the mysterious girl's background; she only knew she was not from Dongling.

Furthermore, judging from the mysterious girl's attire and demeanor, her background is certainly not minor. And at this critical juncture, with mysterious persons from neighboring states visiting Dongling's capital, their purpose can only be one: the imperial banquet to be held in the palace in a few days!

Acting rashly without knowing the other party's background is simply reckless. Setting that aside, Dongling is currently mobilizing troops northward, and the war with the Xidi is about to ignite; if at this time we also provoke disputes with other countries, Dongling will surely suffer.

Therefore, after considering all aspects and the long-term picture, Nie Jinxuan chose to let the matter rest, even refraining from telling Yin Fengzhan, because she knew that if Yin Fengzhan learned that someone had acted so arrogantly in the street and even dared to strike her, he would surely be furious beyond endurance.

Thus, Nie Jinxuan chose to stay silent. The next morning, since the White Bones case had just begun, she rose early and left the palace for the Jingzhao Prefecture. Only to her surprise, upon arriving at the Jingzhao Prefecture she discovered that Pei Yaoguang was not there!

Nowadays, the capital of Dongling enjoys peace and prosperity, so there are not many cases. Thus, upon hearing the yamen runners in the prefecture say that Pei Yaoguang had gone out, Nie Jinxuan was momentarily stunned and could not help but ask.

"Gone out? Could another case have arisen?"

"Yes, Princess! Early this morning someone came to report a case; I heard it's another death-related case… but as for the specifics, I don't know~!"

Everyone in the Jingzhao Prefecture knows Nie Jinxuan, so naturally they speak freely. Upon hearing that another case had occurred, Nie Jinxuan also let out a helpless sigh. But shortly after she had exchanged a few words with the prefecture's yamen runner, she saw Pei Yaoguang stride in from outside, bustling and hurried.

Pei Yaoguang's expression was somewhat solemn; seeing this, Nie Jinxuan, who had still been talking to the yamen runner, was also taken aback.

At this moment, as Pei Yaoguang strode into the room, he reached for a teacup placed nearby, poured himself a cup of tea, drank it down in one gulp, and then with a 'pa' sound smashed the teacup onto the table.

"Something has happened!"

Pei Yaoguang finally spoke. As his voice fell, he immediately lifted his gaze to look at Nie Jinxuan; upon meeting his eyes, Nie Jinxuan's heart gave a start.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

Although Pei Yaoguang is proud by nature, he is not usually hasty. Having served as an official for these years, he is normally adept at handling matters, so it is rare for him to display such a solemn expression. Thus, whatever could make him like this now must be a significant matter, or perhaps something very strange…

Thinking of this, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but press her lips together. Seeing Nie Jinxuan also tense, Pei Yaoguang saw no need to beat around the bush and spoke directly.

"Just last night, the landlady of the Tianyuan Inn, Lady Sun, was killed! Moreover, not only Lady Sun, but the eight lodgers staying at the Tianyuan Inn were also murdered!"

"What?!"

Although Nie Jinxuan had braced herself in her heart, Pei Yaoguang's words still caused her to stare wide-eyed, while the yamen runners beside her were each dumbstruck.

For a moment, everyone present was stunned by this sudden news and could hardly speak. Shortly after, Shui Yun beside them flashed a glance and then whispered to Nie Jinxuan.

"Princess, do you think it's that woman from yesterday…"

Shui Yun reflexively felt that the deed was done by that mysterious girl from yesterday. At this moment, Nie Jinxuan's eyes narrowed, and she rose directly from her seat.

"Whether she did it or not, it's too early to conclude! Let's look first and then speak! Governor Pei, let's go, to the Tianyuan Inn!"

"Mm, let's go!"

Saying this, Nie Jinxuan took Shui Yun and Pei Yaoguang and together they left the Jingzhao Prefecture, heading straight for the Tianyuan Inn!