Chapter 187

Huangshang had already been loudly scolded as a great villain by the black‑clad girl, feeling bewildered; seeing her mother also come to ask him for advice only deepened his confusion, so he could only utter an "Oh" and say: "My daughter has always been mischievous and unruly; I cannot control her either. As for what just happened, this old man is also at fault. Please, madam and your precious daughter, do not take offense." He then made a bow.

The two women turned their bodies sideways, refusing to accept his bow.

Huangshang then said: "I simply do not understand, madam, why you would come to me for advice; please enlighten me."

The older woman gave a cold snort, raised her elegant brows, and said: "Now that it's come to this, you still pretend to be mad and foolish—if you want to know, meet the blade!" As she spoke, with a swish she drew two blades from her waist.

Everyone saw that the blades were as thin as willow leaves, emitting a blue‑tinged gleam that, in the firelight, looked even more dazzling.

But everyone from the Qin family stronghold and the Qingcheng Sect knew this was clearly a poisoned blade that kills on contact with blood.

Feng Yi grew more certain of the two women's identities, secretly speculating that this mother‑daughter pair had suddenly appeared perhaps to seek out Duan Zhengchun.

Without Qiao Feng's protection this time, wouldn't Duan Zhengchun be done in by Duan Yanqing?

Feng Yi's guess was correct.

This mother and daughter were none other than Qin Hongmian, lover of the Dali Prince of the South, and her daughter Mu Wanqing.

Qin Hongmian did not blame Duan Zhengchun for his philandering, but she hated the other women who were seductive and licentious, who had stolen her lover. After receiving a message from her junior sister Gan Baobao, she and her daughter Mu Wanqing went together to assassinate another of Duan Zhengchun's lovers, Lady Wang, as well as his wife Dao Bai Feng, but both attempts failed.

Instead, it caused her daughter Mu Wanqing to develop feelings for Duan Yu, which has now become a karmic entanglement, since Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing are actually siblings.

Upon learning that Duan Zhengchun had yet another lover named Ruan Xingzhu, who lived in seclusion in a square bamboo grove by the Small Mirror Lake in Henan, she again brought her daughter to kill him, not expecting to encounter a heavy rain; while taking shelter from the rain, she actually ran into Huangshang, this "arrogant" person.

Since Mu Wanqing had practiced martial arts for ten years yet could not defeat Huang Wan'er, who was only a year or two younger, Qin Hongmian felt utterly humiliated; to her surprise, Huangshang claimed his daughter had only recently taken up martial arts, which, in her view, was a blatant slight against her own skill and teacher—that is, against herself.

This is outright humiliation!

Huangshang felt a jolt of shock, then composely said: "Madam, what do you mean by this? I don't even know you—how could I be pretending to be mad and foolish?"

Though these words came from the heart, to Qin Hongmian's ears they sounded like ridicule and mockery.

Because Qin Hongmian roamed the jianghu with this pair of blades, felling anyone who saw them, the jianghu called her the "Asura Blade"; she had already drawn her weapons, and someone of Huangshang's age ought to have heard of her.

Feng Yi also suddenly understood why Huangshang had provoked martial‑arts figures to disregard righteousness and attack him en masse: it was his experience and the blunt truth he spoke, which to others felt like a stab to the lung.

Qin Hongmian coldly snorted: "Old thief, open your eyes and watch." Suddenly there were two clangs, sparks flying, as she thrust both blades forward and lunged at Huangshang, delivering two swift cuts.

Burning with anger, she struck with fierce speed, her movements clean and swift like a gust of wind and lightning, evoking the Asura; this "cross chop" was her signature killing move, unknown how many jianghu heroes have fallen beneath her poisonous Asura Blade technique.

Huangshang had no grasp of jianghu customs at all; he did not realize that jianghu people love to speak in opposites—sometimes they forge a grudge, then claim they've come to repay a kindness when they actually seek revenge.

For example, someone might say, "How could I ever forget this favor and virtue? I have come today specially to repay this great kindness."

According to Huangshang's understanding, he would surely take it at face value, never suspecting a revenge motive, and would inevitably say, "How could I dare accept this? This old man feels unworthy of it."

Though the words are ordinary, the other party would hear them as sarcasm, meaning "you are not worthy of taking revenge."

Likewise, when bandits rob a convoy, they usually say, "Brothers are short on food and clothing; I ask you, elder brother, to lend us a few tens of thousands of silver taels to get by."

It sounds like a plea, but in fact it is outright robbery.

Even though Feng Yi had explained to Huangshang that jianghu people live on a single breath, his understanding remained shallow.

Seeing the blades approach, Huangshang remained frozen, staring wide‑eyed at Qin Hongmian; suddenly he felt a chill at his shoulders and chest, and when he came to, her twin blades were already touching his clothing.

Huangshang was horrified; his body did not move, yet he shot backward like something pulling him from behind—before anyone could blink, he had retreated eight feet.

Qin Hongmian's first strike missed; she planted her feet, gave a dainty shout, and flew forward blade‑level, blue light flashing, then surged after the retreating Huangshang, releasing a chilling killing intent that instantly filled the air.

Huangshang, already unaware why he was attacked, and seeing that his opponent was a woman, merely defended without attacking, deploying his lightness skill to dodge left and right.

The lightness skill from the Nine Yin True Classic, when employed by Huangshang, flowed like drifting clouds and running water—his feet barely moved, only his body swayed, producing endless variations within a space of half a foot square.

Were it not for the firelight in the hall, where one could see Qin Hongmian's blade glint and hear the swish of air split, one might think she had not moved at all; this spectacle left all onlookers wide‑eyed.

Who would have thought this old man possessed such ability.

Although Qin Hongmian had been famous for years, her martial prowess was not particularly high—how could she match Huangshang, a natural genius?

Feng Yi knew well the character of Qin Hongmian and her daughter; he found their conduct unsurprising, after all they were the sort who would dare draw a blade even against Qiao Feng. Thus he did not intervene, but rather thought it a good thing.

Because martial arts can be taught, but the ways of the jianghu are not learned from person to person—they don't stick; they are learned from events, once and for all.

This also lets them avoid detours in the future.

But seeing Huangshang unleash the Nine Yin True Classic, his bearing ethereal, Feng Yi felt a silent assent, nodding repeatedly—this was more graceful than his own flamboyance.

Huang Wan'er clapped her hands repeatedly, cheering nonstop, her little hands wishing they could break from applause.

Upon hearing this, Qin Hongmian's eyes turned red with fury; she attacked desperately, every move aimed at Huangshang's vital points, yet each strike fell short.

Huangshang again said: "Madam, why must you be so unyielding over a mere verbal dispute?"

He had never encountered such an unreasonable person, and anger welled up in his heart.

Feng Yi's voice suddenly rang out: "Die under the Asura Blade, and even as a ghost you'll be suave!"

As soon as he spoke, Qin Hongmian startled, her blades hanging in midair—one halted, the other raised high—her body stiffened, her eyes widened, and her facial muscles twitched uncontrollably.

Everyone present also felt astonished; Huangshang hurriedly retreated to Feng Yi's side, realizing that he himself did not know how to deal with jianghu folk, and watching to see how Feng Yi would handle it.

Qin Hongmian stared at Feng Yi and asked, "Who are you?" Without waiting for his reply, her whole body trembled, she choked out, "Do you know Duan Zhengchun?" She lowered her blades, her eyes brimming with tears.

Both Huangshang and Huang Wan'er were greatly astonished.

It turned out that back then Qin Hongmian roamed the jianghu with her pair of Asura Blades, earning the nickname "Asura Blade"; the night she gave herself to Duan Zhengchun, she merely kissed his cheek and slapped him, and the words Duan Zhengchun spoke then were exactly "Die under the Asura Blade, and even as a ghost you'll be suave."

Those ten words had echoed in her heart and ears thousands upon thousands of times, yet they were also a private utterance between her and Duan Zhengchun; now that this person knew them, her heart flooded with mixed feelings.

Feng Yi chuckled: "I have long heard the great name of the Dali Prince of the South; we have been spiritually acquainted for ages, merely lacking the fate to meet—today to see both of you is a three‑lifetime blessing."

Feng Yi loves beauty, most enjoys looking at lovely women, and greatly admires Duan Zhengchun's conduct, once exclaiming that he truly is a model for our generation.

And whether it was Duan Zhengchun's methods of winning women's affection or his final, clean suicide for love, Feng Yi could never match him—people merely needed to kill themselves to pin the scoundrel to the pillar of shame, something they could not do.

Feng Yi values his life highly, and knowing he could not do the same, his words were spoken sincerely.

Only then did Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing focus their gaze on Feng Yi; they saw his face icy, like a corpse, yet not even as stiff as "the world's number one villain" Duan Yanqing, but he bore an air of effortless composure, his eyes especially bright, giving him extraordinary confidence.

Mu Wanqing involuntarily turned her face away to avoid Feng Yi's gaze, which seemed both offhand and intensely focused.

Qin Hongmian raised her elegant brows, moved her lips, but held back her words.

Feng Yi laughed: "This young lady and my disciple are both childish; I was just joking. If you're dissatisfied, the fault lies with me as their master!" Saying this, he clasped his fists toward the two women.

Huang Wan'er's heart jolted; she stared at Feng Yi, eyes wide and mouth agape, thinking: "How did I become his disciple?"

Mu Wanqing said resentfully: "You admire my father, yet you let her make things difficult for me, and you say this person is your disciple—just looking at him you can tell he's no good!"

Mu Wanqing grew up with her mother in a deep valley, untamed by nature; when she went with her mother to Suzhou to kill Lady Wang, on the road she generally spoke with men only through the sword. She was rude in speech to the Dali emperor and empress, and even more so had no good words for Feng Yi, this bragging liar.

Seeing Feng Yi's jet-black hair, clear voice, and young age, Mu Wanqing wondered how he could possibly be the master of someone her own age.

Qin Hongmian thought: "This person knows my private words with Duan Lang—how could I not know his name?"

"Swish", the double blades returned to their sheaths, he clasped his fists and said: "Since you say so, may I ask your esteemed name?"

Feng Yi smiled and said: "I am surnamed Feng… given name Qingyang, a nobody—you wouldn't know me."

Feng Yi originally intended to give his name, but thinking that there were people from the Qin family stronghold and Qingcheng Sect here, once his name was revealed it would cause an uproar within days, which would be disadvantageous, so he fabricated the name Feng Qingyang.

Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing had complex expressions in their eyes, each thinking differently.

Feng Yi's name itself is unimportant, but Qin Hongmian, seeing that her private words with Duan Lang have been exposed, must find out; later she will use this to settle accounts with Duan Zhengchun.

"Can such a thing even be said?"

But upon hearing the name Feng Qingyang, she immediately sneered: "Feng Qingyang? I've never heard of it—you must know our mother-daughter identities and are deliberately giving a fake name to humiliate us, right?"

Duan Yanqing once brought Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing to Wan Jie Valley, feeding them the "Yin-Yang Harmony Powder" so that the Dali Duan clan would commit incest, thereby losing reputation and virtue.

The master of Wan Jie Valley, Zhong Wanchu, even more extensively invited Dali martial artists so that the news would spread.

Thus the "Battle of Wan Jie Valley" made it known throughout Dali that the Asura Blade was Duan Zhengchun's lover and Mu Wanqing his daughter, spreading his reputation for licentiousness, which even people of the Song dynasty had heard of.

Yet it wasn't that Duan Zhengchun's licentious reputation was unknown; everyone already knew. After all, when he flirted with these women, who would know he was a passionate lover?

Thus the nobody Feng Qingyang made Qin Hongmian believe he had long known their identities and was deliberately spouting nonsense to humiliate them mother and daughter.

After all, Mu Wanqing is ultimately an illegitimate daughter—hard to speak of pleasantly.

The so-called princess may be spoken of, but in reality she requires formal investiture by the emperor.

Then, since the legitimate consort Dao Bai Feng disagreed, none of Duan Zhengchun's daughters could obtain a title, because Emperor Duan Zhengming also had to consider the views of the great Bai tribe.

Feng Yi thought a moment, also able to guess Qin Hongmian's thoughts, and gave a slight smile: "Madam, rest assured, I harbor no grudge against either of you, and certainly no such intention."

Although Qin Hongmian was somewhat afraid of Huang Shang's martial arts, the more Feng Yi concealed himself, the more she doubted; suddenly she raised both hands, three black lights shot from her sleeves, rushing straight at Feng Yi.

Her dart-shaped projectiles were the same as those Mu Wanqing had fired, but her technique was far superior; the three darts shot left, right, and center, making it hard for the opponent to dodge.

Moreover, as the first darts were just released, another three darts came flying, having already calculated Feng Yi's possible escape routes.

At that moment the two were not far apart; these several hidden weapons came suddenly, extremely hard to dodge; even if Feng Yi could block and avoid them all, the hidden weapons would easily wound others by mistake.

From this we can see that the "Asura Blade" is indeed a domineering, overbearing woman who acts tyrannically, lashing out to hurt people at the slightest disagreement.

Huang Shang stepped forward half a pace, sleeves spread; he was not at all worried about Feng Yi's safety, merely shielding Huang Waner, his wife, and the servants and guards behind him.

At such a critical juncture, Feng Yi actually remained calm and uttered a single "Good."

It was not praise for Qin Hongmian's hidden-weapon skill, but praise for Huang Shang's extremely quick response and thorough foresight.

Because Huang Shang had calculated the directions in which the deflected hidden weapons could injure their side; for someone like him who does not wander the jianghu, this is no small feat.

No sooner spoken than done—before Feng Yi's words finished, the poison darts came flying; he casually grabbed a stool leg from beside the firewood pile, pinched off a handful of wood shavings, and flicked them. With a swish, three wood shavings struck Qin Hongmian's sleeve darts, swift as meteors, sending the three darts bouncing back to strike the three darts she had fired afterward.

Everyone only heard three "clangs"; the six sleeve darts were all pinned before Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing, forming a semicircle, with the first three darts each pierced through a wood shaving.

This sight left everyone stunned; Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing exchanged a glance, both turning deathly pale, their hearts pounding.

The sleeve darts were iron; at first glance it looked as if the darts had pierced the wood shavings, but everyone understood that Feng Yi had used the wood shavings to rebound the iron darts and knock them away.

With such rotten wood-like splinters, inner strength that lets soft wood overcome hard iron, and unmatched precision, who could resist if he released hidden weapons?

Qin Hongmian dared not press further, softened her tone, and said: "Thank you, sir, for your mercy; my daughter and I just acted rashly and truly offended—this is our fault. Please be magnanimous and do not hold it against us."

Seeing the hidden weapons Feng Yi had rebounded, neatly pinned, she could tell he had held back his power—his martial arts were unfathomably deep.

Mu Wanqing, however, said: "Mom, I think he probably knows some evil art. We lost, we lost—why beg for mercy?"

And she said to Feng Yi: "If you've got the guts, just kill the girl with one slash—I wouldn't care."

Feng Yi knew she was a hot-headed little pepper, deeply anguished by the pain of her lover being her brother—she truly wished to die, so he merely smiled and said nothing.

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Huang Waner coughed, then, imitating jianghu speech, said: "Little sister Huang Waner, but I don't know how to address this elder sister."

She had originally wanted to add some nickname before her name, but for the moment there seemed to be no impressive-sounding alias for "Asura Blade," so she gave up.

Madame Huang pointed a finger at Huang Waner's head: "It's all your meddling that brought this trouble!"

Huang Waner covered her mouth and giggled, muttering: "It's not that I've seen this elder sister so extraordinarily beautiful—have you ever seen such a delicate girl?"

Madame Huang lightly struck her daughter, then gave Qin Hongmian a graceful bow, speaking softly: "Your daughter is truly outstanding—she really takes after her younger sister; my girl is just fond of play, with no ill intent."

No woman dislikes being praised for her beauty, especially when the praise comes from another beauty—it makes one even happier.

Qin Hongmian's tone became much more courteous this time, and she said: "Elder sister, you're being polite; it's just that my daughter's temper has flared a bit."

Mu Wanqing huffed: "My temper is bad, but it's not like certain people who are clearly overbearing and unreasonable, yet give themselves a gentle-sounding name."

Huang Waner chuckled: "Then let me hear your elegant name—I'll see if it's gentle enough!"

"Listen up!" Mu Wanqing pressed a delicate scallion-shaped finger to her own nose tip: "I'm called Mu Wanqing; my mother also calls me Waner."

She had lived in seclusion with Qin Hongmian in a mountain valley since childhood, inexperienced in worldly affairs, free of scheming; seeing that Huang Waner was a year or two younger than her yet possessed martial arts even Deng high than hers, having just been teased by her, she felt greatly resentful, but still told her her name.

Huang Waner's eyes shot out with delighted light as she asked: "Mu Wanqing?" Then she murmured: "In the lotus pond birds gather, water and wood luxuriantly clear and splendid"—indeed, elder sister, you are exactly as your name suggests!

The meaning of this verse is that the garden's flowers, trees, and pond water are exceptionally secluded and beautiful; Mu Wanqing's figure is graceful, tall and slender, exquisite and unworldly, her complexion white and moist, smooth and crystal clear, agile and proper—this poem truly fits her name.

From the moment Mu Wanqing saw Huang Waner remove her hat, she found her playful and cute, and her martial arts equally exquisite; now seeing her compose poetry on the spot, she felt half delighted, half wistful.

That day Duan Yu also blurted out that his name fit the phrase "Water and wood splendid, graceful and refreshing"; thus Feng Yi saying he was called Feng Qingyang made Mu Wanqing unable to help but lose herself in thought, recalling Duan Yu.

However, Mu Wanqing did not want to dwell on this karmic bond, merely feeling that the jianghu is vast and talents abound.

Previously she only thought her master's martial arts were already among the top few in the world; after seeing the South Sea Crocodile God's skills, she thought them extremely formidable, and as a result found that several of Duan Zhengchun's subordinates could match him.

As for her own father Duan Zhengchun, he even surpassed the South Sea Crocodile God.

Later Duan Yanqing proved even more formidable, believing this man worthy of the title of number one under heaven.

Now in the ruined temple, even a timid little girl must not be taken lightly—how laughable that I once boasted of having slaughtered my way from Jiangnan to Dali. If we judge only by the subtlety of martial skill, she is actually far inferior to Huang Waner, leaving me inevitably disheartened and chilled.

Huang Wan'er seemed to know what Mu Wanqing was thinking, and she said solemnly: "Mu Sister, don't think that because I bested you in one move you are inferior to me. Du Zimei once wrote: 'Once there was a lovely lady, Gongsun the Maiden; one dance of her sword moved the four directions; spectators stood like mountains, dim and sorrowful; heaven and earth lingered low for her.'"

Mu Wanqing asked: "What does that mean?"

Huang Wan'er said: "This is a famous line by the great poet Du Fu praising Lady Gongsun's sword dance; yet why is there no heir of Lady Gongsun seen in the martial world?"

"Why?"

Not only Mu Wanqing, but even the people of the Qin Clan Stronghold and the Pure City Sect pricked up their ears.

Huang Wan'er said: "Because true masters do not seek empty fame. Only in lofty mountains and vast marshes do dragons and tigers hide."

"Those with real ability may not necessarily have fame!"

Mu Wanqing sneered: "Are you trying to teach me martial arts, thinking you're so capable?" She said, pursing her lips at Feng Yi.

Although she admired Feng Yi's martial arts, she refused to concede to him verbally.

Huang Wan'er saw that although her tone was harsh, she still understood clearly in her heart, and said: "The way of martial arts lies in the interplay of emptiness and substance."

"You may seem to have relentless ferocity and fierce strength, but if applied wrongly, it is useless."

"Think about how strong a bull is, yet can it defeat a tiger?"

"Some people always think martial arts need the courage to break the cauldrons and sink the boats, to place oneself in a desperate situation and then survive, without worrying too much about the complexity of techniques."

"Little do they know that this is the way of attacking the weak with the strong; naturally one only needs to strike at a single point, ignoring the rest."

"But when the two opponents are evenly matched, or even inferior to the opponent, one must rely on the intricate variations of techniques to lure the opponent into revealing a flaw, or wait for the opponent's strength to wane, seize the opportunity, and strike with a single blow; thus, being agile without losing ferocity, and being simple yet not losing ingenuity, is true mastery."

"Especially for us women, who are naturally weaker in strength than men, we cannot rely solely on fierce strikes to win."

Mu Wanqing, too, was naturally clever, and she naturally knew that Huang Wan'er was giving her pointers on the martial way, yet why did she do so?

But hearing Huang Wan'er's sincere tone, not feigned, she could no longer fathom her intentions toward her at this moment.

And these words struck Qin Hongmian's heart like a heavy hammer, like sweet dew dripping onto the crown, a single sentence that awakened one from a dream.

Whether in martial arts or in conduct, she was too rigid.

She only knew how to charge straight ahead, and thus suffered this loss.

If she had not stubbornly forced Lord Duan, what would have happened?

Huang Wan'er had a lively personality; the official's daughters she saw in the capital were all affected and refined, observing the decorum of aristocratic young ladies, but Mu Wanqing's straightforward nature made her extremely fond, drawing her in involuntarily; this was a spiritual resonance, also known as instant affinity, which is why she intentionally gave her martial arts guidance.

Feng Yi was a rare martial arts master of the world, his theoretical knowledge unparalleled; Huang Wan'er received his personal instruction, ear-to-ear and face-to-face; although her martial arts cultivation could not be achieved overnight, her rich theoretical knowledge was enough to see the flaws in Mu Wanqing's martial arts.

Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing both listened attentively, gaining insight in their hearts. They were not usually expressive, but although they felt grateful, they merely kept it in mind and nodded slowly.

Seeing Feng Yi's group's martial arts superiority, the people of the Qin Clan Stronghold and Pure City Sect had originally been thinking of seeking aid again.

But seeing Qin Hongmian and her daughter so arrogant, they would surely suffer a great loss; they did not expect that the situation, which had been on the verge of erupting, would dissolve into nothing; they immediately thought of Feng Yi's group giving silver to the Star Concealment Sect, whether true or false, proving they did not want trouble, so the intention to seek aid need not be spoken.

Qin Hongmian suddenly stepped forward, bowed to Huang Shang, and said: "Senior, I was momentarily confused and misunderstood you; I beg your forgiveness for my offense!"

At this moment she also realized that Huang Shang had not looked down on her earlier; rather, his gentle nature and infrequent wandering in the jianghu were the cause.

Huang Shang smiled and said: "You're welcome."

Qin Hongmian then bowed to Feng Yi and said: "Many thanks, young hero, for letting your disciple instruct me and my daughter; I thank you here..."

Feng Yi waved his hand and laughed: "As the saying goes, the best friendships are formed at first meeting; indeed, it is true. The two Wan'ers are also fated, which is not bad!"

He did not mind Huang Wan'er's actions.

The principles of martial arts are hard to say they are hard, easy to say they are easy; the rare thing is to put learning into practice.

Daoist and Buddhist scriptures are seen everywhere; they are public property; some can comprehend martial arts from them, while others cannot even understand their meaning.

If Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing could truly grasp Huang Wan'er's words and integrate them into their martial arts, it would naturally benefit their cultivation; if they cannot integrate them into their martial arts, it would be useless.

However, Feng Yi also saw and learned much from the Huang father and daughter.

From Huang Shang he saw how a martial arts prodigy is accomplished, and Huang Wan'er also made him understand instant affinity.

Upon hearing this, Mu Wanqing's heart warmed, and she said: "Can I become sisters with the Huang family maiden?" Once people feel close, their forms of address change.

Huang Wan'er said: "Mu Sister, when were you born?"

Young ladies are naturally shy, and Mu Wanqing was no exception; how could she speak her birthdate to outsiders? She pulled her aside, and the two girls talked affectionately, leaving the others aside.

The thunderstorm came and went quickly; in the midst of speaking, the rain had stopped, but the darkness lingered, so they had to rest here for the night.

The next day, before the sun rose, the people of the Pure City Sect and Qin Clan Stronghold immediately left; their two families were fighting each other, and the Pure City Sect's leader did not know how to settle things, still unresolved, so they could only go look for help.

After Feng Yi and his companions had packed up, they also prepared to set out.

At this time it was July weather; the air after the rain was fresh and cool, the icy breeze truly made one feel refreshed and delighted, suitable for traveling.

Qin Hongmian bowed to Huang Shang, Feng Yi, and the others, saying: "Everyone, my daughter and I have pressing matters; we take our leave now; we shall meet again."

Feng Yi glanced at Mu Wanqing and said: "You'd better not go."

He thought that in the original plot, Xiao Feng had resolved Duan Zhengchun's peril, but now Xiao Feng and Ah Zhu were nowhere to be found, Duan Zhengchun was extremely dangerous, and if they went, it would only give Duan Yanqing more leverage.

Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing's faces flushed, yet they did not know how to begin.

Feng Yi saw that they wanted to speak but held back, realizing the principle that shallow acquaintance precludes deep talk, and he smiled: "Alright, do as you wish!"

Qin Hongmian bowed with both hands and was about to leave, but after just a few steps Mu Wanqing suddenly stopped, turned, and asked Huang Wan'er: "Wan'er sister, you grew up in the capital; do you know the way to Little Mirror Lake?"

Huang Wan'er was momentarily stunned, while Huang Shang said: "Do you want to go to Little Mirror Lake?"

Qin Hongmian, hearing his tone as if he knew, felt a surge of joy and said: "Don't blame me, senior, I have a… a friend who recently went to Little Mirror Lake, and now his whereabouts are unknown; I… I am a bit worried about him."

Feng Yi gave a faint smile: "That person is probably Prince Duan, right?"

Before Qin Hongmian could speak, a faint voice suddenly echoed from the air: "You also know?"

(End of chapter)