Jianghu Demolition Squad

Like a Fish Transforming into a Dragon (Part Fourteen)

The two groups settled into separate inns. Over the first three days, Kui Shan had some brothers from Wujin City gather information about the Wenwu Sect.

Wenwu Sect had once been the leader of jianghu in Jiangnan. After Ye Ba’s death, his young son Ye Sheng took over. Although talented, he was not as formidable as his father and struggled to command the same respect from the local bandits.

Although the Wenwu Sect no longer basked in its former glory, it remained a formidable force. The two elders, brothers of Ye Ba, were masters of martial arts. Revered as the guardian lions of the sect, they effectively deterred any malevolent forces from invading.

The defense of the Wenwu Sect was not lax, and the information Kui Shan could gather was limited.

Qing Jiu was not in a hurry. She knew that to succeed in killing Qin Feng this time, she would have to confront not only Ye Sheng but also Yu’er and the others.

Further strategies needed to be considered…

Qing Jiu sat in a room on the second floor of the inn, positioned by a window that overlooked the inn across the street. As dusk fell and the lights began to glow, a table of dishes was laid out before Kui Shan, who feasted heartily. The journey had been disrupted by Yu’er and others, preventing him from enjoying a proper meal until now.

Qing Jiu had little appetite, moved her chopsticks a couple of times, and gazed out at the inn across the street. As her thoughts drifted, she dipped her finger in the tea and wrote on the table.

‘If you don’t break it off when you should, you’ll suffer the consequences.’

She stared at the characters, repeating them in her mind, feeling a heavy weight in her heart with no outlet.

‘To meet again is a blessing, but the human heart always wants more. A single glance is never enough.’

A moment of indulgence leads to greater attachment.

That night, she should have decided to escape. With her skills, fleeing was possible; had she done so, she wouldn’t have these troubles now.

But it wasn’t too late to end things now and avoid future complications.

Qing Jiu’s eyes lingered on the character ‘break,’ feeling an increasing sense of suffocation and loathing.

She couldn’t stay by her side any longer. After six years, she was becoming too clever, no longer the naive girl who believed everything she was told. Sooner or later, she wouldn’t be able to deceive her anymore.

Her thoughts spun in circles, unable to escape the maze she had created for herself. Suddenly, Kui Shan spoke from across the table, “Isn’t that Third Miss Jun?”

Qing Jiu snapped out of her reverie and looked out the window.

Yu’er, wearing a dark green silk robe, stepped out of the inn. Outside, Ye Sheng was waiting and bowed to her as they began walking down the street. Meanwhile, Yang Chun and Tang Linzhi did not follow them.

Qing Jiu frowned. Kui Shan remarked, “They must be going to visit the night market. Heh, Third Miss Jun is of marriageable age, and I heard that the Manor Master of Juxiao Manor has already expressed his intention to take in a son-in-law. Could it be that Sect Leader Ye has his eyes on…”

Qing Jiu abruptly wiped the words from the table and stood up.

Kui Shan asked, “Benefactor?”

“Join me for a walk.”

“Now?”

Before he could finish, Qing Jiu was already walking out. Kui Shan wiped his mouth, looked at the half-finished meal, sighed resignedly, and followed.

The night market in Wujin City was bustling with activity. There wine shops, gambling houses, tea houses, opera houses, street performers, and all sorts of trinkets for sale. Lanterns floated on the river, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Qing Jiu and Kui Shan started walking from one end of the street. Initially, Kui Shan found the street performers entertaining, laughing and pulling Qing Jiu to watch with him. However, Qing Jiu seemed indifferent and merely passed by without much interest.

It became clear to Kui Shan that she really was just out for a walk. They hadn’t gone far when they spotted Ye Sheng and Yu’er ahead, pausing at a stall selling masks.

Qing Jiu subtly changed direction, positioning herself beside a stall selling candied hawthorns on a stick.

Kui Shan asked, somewhat puzzled, “Benefactor, I thought you didn’t like sweets?” Then, noting the pair ahead, he suggested, “The two people in front seem to be Sect Leader Ye and Third Miss Jun. Benefactor, should we go up and greet them, and walk with them?”

Qing Jiu handed a silver coin to the stall owner, buying all the candied hawthorn sticks and tossing the bundle to Kui Shan with a cool command, “I bought these for you. Eat more and talk less.”

“Go greet and walk with them, are you familiar with them?”

“…”

Kui Shan caught the bundle and muttered, “I can’t eat this much though.”

Yu’er and Ye Sheng continued walking ahead. Qing Jiu, having finished buying the candied hawthorns, also moved forward, with Kui Shan, laden with the candied hawthorns, walking beside her.

They didn’t walk much further when Yu’er stopped at a stall displaying hair accessories. Run by a woman, the stall featured wooden hairpins—lacking gold or jade but exuding their own charm, whether boldly carefree or elegantly refined.

Yu’er took a liking to a wooden hairpin, but her gaze only swept over it briefly without lingering.

She was tempted but chose not to buy it.

For someone like her, jewelry was never in short supply. Buying it herself seemed pointless—after all, who was there to appreciate it?

Ye Sheng inquired if she had taken a liking to anything, implying he would buy it for her. Yu’er politely declined, and they continued on.

Kui Shan, still carrying the candied hawthorns, commented with a laugh, “Sect Leader Ye is quite proactive.”

A man giving jewelry to a woman often carried a special meaning.

“Come to think of it, Sect Leader Ye should be in his thirties, but he’s still handsome and has exceptional martial arts skills. He’s an outstanding man who hasn’t married yet. He and Third Miss Jun are quite a match…”

Qing Jiu suddenly turned her head to look at him and asked, “A match, you say? In what way are they suited?”

Kui Shan replied, “Sect Leader Ye is highly skilled in martial arts.”

Qing Jiu scoffed, “Highly skilled? He couldn’t even defeat me. What kind of skill is that?”

Kui Shan chuckled, “Sect Leader Ye is mature and responsible, capable of taking care of others…”

Internally, he added, “Ye Sheng is just an ordinary person. It’s not surprising that he can’t defeat you. How many ordinary people in this world can defeat you?”

Qing Jiu remarked, “He’s over ten years older than Third Miss Jun, so naturally he’s considered ‘mature and stable.'”

　

Kui Shan responded, “He is a bit older, but it doesn’t show on his face. Sect Leader Ye has a commanding presence and is remarkably handsome.”

Qing Jiu retorted, “A handsome face His face isn’t even comparable to that of the Hua family’s young master; what’s there to be proud of?”

Kui Shan thought about Hua Lian, who indeed was exceptionally charming and hard for ordinary man to match. Just as he was about to argue further, he suddenly felt a chill and wisely chose to remain silent.

Yu’er and Ye Sheng walked to the riverside, where Jun Sixue was already waiting, inviting Yu’er to release lanterns.

Releasing lanterns here was mostly for making wishes. Yu’er released a lantern, squatted by the shore with her hands clasped together, silently praying in her heart.

Jun Sixue glanced at Sect Leader Ye and smiled, “Thank you, Sect Leader Ye, for accompanying our third sister.”

Knowing the sisters had things to discuss, Ye Sheng bowed and excused himself, “No need for formalities. I need to pick up a few things and will be away briefly, but will return soon.”

“Please, go ahead.”

After Sect Leader Ye left, Jun Sixue watched his retreating figure, nudged Yu’er, and smiled, “Did you two enjoy your walk?”

Yu’er’s gaze was indifferent, “It was just a social obligation, what’s there to enjoy?” She had hardly spoken during their walk, driven by a sense of duty given the relationships between their families and considering that Hua Lian and others were staying at Wenwu Sect, she couldn’t refuse him outright.

Jun Sixue said, “Yu’er, I know Sect Leader Ye is older, but he is a fine man, and he seems interested in you, what do you think…?”

Yu’er cut in flatly, “When he returns, I’ll make my refusal clear.”

“That’s not what I meant. Sigh, you child, that’s a woman. You… how can you be so obsessed?”

Yu’er clasped her prayer beads, “In this life, I am beyond such attachments.”

“You, oh…”

“Second Sister, let’s talk about serious matters. Has Hua Lian found out anything?”

Jun Sixue sighed heavily, frustration evident, “There’s been a complication. Qin Feng has lost his mind, Hua Lian couldn’t get anything out of him.”

“What happened?”

Jun Sixue explained, “No one knows what triggered him, but he went mad and killed someone in Wujin City, and he’s been detained by Wenwu Sect for some time now. Maybe you should see him yourself tomorrow?”

Yu’er considered this, “Hmm.”

Ye Sheng casually returned to the hair accessory stall they had visited earlier. Although Yu’er had declined, he could tell she liked that hairpin. In his heart, he wanted to win Yu’er’s favor, so he planned to buy it and give it to her.

Just as he approached the stall to speak, someone else reached for the hairpin.

Ye Sheng’s heart raced, and he grabbed the person’s wrist.

A cold voice spoke, “Young Master, it’s improper for men and women to touch.”

Ye Sheng glanced to the side, where a masked figure stood, her face partially hidden yet exuding grace and strength. It was Qing Jiu, who had discreetly followed him upon his departure from the inn.

She had anticipated his intentions.

Releasing her hand, Ye Sheng offered an apologetic bow, “Forgive my abruptness. I was about to buy this hairpin, and when I saw you reaching for it, I acted on impulse. Please excuse my behavior.”

Qing Jiu teased with a smile, “Is the young master buying it to give to his lover?”

Ye Sheng’s cheeks flushed, but he offered no retort.

Qing Jiu’s smile turned cold as she said, “Unfortunately, I’ve also taken a liking to this hairpin. I can’t let you have it.”

Ye Sheng entreated, “Miss, she rarely shows interest in such trinkets. It’s rare to see her fancy anything at all. I implore you to allow me this kindness of gifting her the hairpin. Ye Sheng will be deeply grateful.”

Raising her voice slightly in mock surprise, Qing Jiu exclaimed, “Ah, so it is Sect Leader Ye.” Observing his confident stance, she jested, “I’ve heard of Sect Leader Ye’s reputation as the Gentleman of Swords, known for his generosity. How curious that you now ask me to be the generous one. I too am fond of this hairpin and cannot part with it, so I can only impose upon Sect Leader Ye.”

Ye Sheng’s expression darkened, realizing she was provoking him. He turned away, ignoring her further, and handed his money directly to the stall owner, stating firmly, “Stall owner, here is the payment.”

He waited for the stall owner to take the silver and directly claim the hairpin.

Knowing this territory belonged to the Wenwu Sect, where stall owner typically showed deference to Ye Sheng, Qing Jiu knew she needed to act swiftly.

She pulled out a banknote and tossed it to the stall owner, declaring, “Here is the payment.”

The stall owner fumbled to catch it, startled by the amount, and exclaimed, “This… This is too much…”

“It’s to compensate for your stall,” Qing Jiu stated flatly.

As Ye Sheng reached for the hairpin, Qing Jiu kicked the stall aside, leaving him grasping at air.

“You!” Ye Sheng exclaimed angrily, his face flushing, “Miss, are you here to cause trouble? Do you not realize where you are?”

Qing Jiu chuckled and slammed her hand on the stall, sending all the hairpins flying into the air. She prepared to catch them. Ye Sheng swung his palm to strike her while reaching into the air with his other hand to snatch the hairpins.

After a brief exchange of moves, the hairpin soared into the air again between them.

As Ye Sheng attempted to snatch it again, Qing Jiu deftly maneuvered her sword sheath to send the hairpin flying to the side, where Kui Shan caught it.

Distracted by the flying hairpin, Ye Sheng left himself open. Qing Jiu used this moment to sweep his arms aside and landed a kick on his chest.

Ye Sheng tumbled to the ground, clutching his chest and propping himself up on his elbows, glaring at Qing Jiu, “You…”

A chill ran through him. Despite underestimating her and being distracted, his skills should not have allowed him to be bested by an ordinary person.

Qing Jiu bowed slightly, her tone neutral, “Thank you for letting me win.” With a flick of her sleeve, she turned and walked away.

Approaching Kui Shan, Qing Jiu extended her hand. Kui Shan handed her the hairpin, chuckling, “I thought you had no interest in such things, but I forgot that even you, Benefactor, enjoy adorning yourself. To confront Sect Leader Ye over a mere hairpin truly suits you.”

The corners of Qing Jiu’s mouth twitched slightly, unbothered by Kui Shan’s comment.

Kui Shan remarked, “Benefactor seems quite pleased.” A single hairpin has brought such joy; it appears our Benefactor also has her girlish moments.

Qing Jiu toyed with the hairpin, holding it up to admire as they walked back towards the inn.

As they reached a corner of the street, Qing Jiu’s expression suddenly changed. Her fingers deftly pinched the hairpin, pointing its sharp end toward one side.

A figure appeared at the entrance of the alley, his eyes dangerously close to the tip of the hairpin. Dressed entirely in black, his face was hidden behind a ghastly white mask that clung to his features, leaving only his lifeless eyes visible through two round holes.

He emerged silently from the shadows, his hands crossed in front of him, holding a token, and bowed slightly towards Qing Jiu, saying, “The ghosts request passage.”

Qing Jiu’s mouth turned down slightly, her eyes cold, emotionlessly instructing, “Kui Shan, wait here.”

Kui Shan glanced at the figure and nodded at Qing Jiu. He had encountered these ghostly envoys from the underworld before.

When the ghosts request passage, the living must give way.

Qing Jiu followed the figure into the alley, blending into the darkness like ink dissolving into water, becoming one with the shadows.

“What message does the Judge have for me?”

“The Ghost Sect has located the Sword Saint Du Zhong. The Judge orders you to ensure his passage beyond. Du Zhong is renowned for his swordsmanship, towering above all heroes. To ensure your success, the sect has sent assistance. You will depart at the end of the month.”

“I have unresolved matters of my own.”

“This mission will not interfere with your personal affairs. The Judge believes you can handle Qin Feng within a few days. Moreover, Sword Saint Du Zhong is not only a target of the Ghost Sect but also your enemy. When you cross swords with him, you’ll understand once you witness his swordsmanship.”

After a long silence in the dark alley, a voice finally responded, “Very well, I understand.”