Jianghu Demolition Squad

Like a Fish Transforming into a Dragon (Part Twelve)

Saying that she was dead, reduced to a handful of yellow soil, returning to the earth.

Wasn’t she the person everyone had been desperately searching for, for six years?

Qing Jiu inwardly chuckled bitterly. Kui Shan noticed her silence and thought, “There must be difficulties involved, those people, upon hearing of the Benefactor’s death, were so enraged, they couldn’t wait to seek revenge. This suggests they were more than just acquaintances.”

Feeling a sudden impulse, he couldn’t help but advise, “Benefactor, please don’t misinterpret my words as interference. In my opinion, surviving in the jianghu depends on having friends, and true friendships should be built on a foundation of honesty. I am just a straightforward man, and I don’t claim to know much about grand principles, but I do know this: ‘Brothers with one heart, together can cut metal.’ No matter how big the problem may seem, it can be solved if you share it with your friends.”

“Any disappointment can be drowned out with a good drink and a fight among brothers, and soon forgotten. Benefactor, if you have any difficulties, you should speak openly with them. Many minds work faster than one, and problems can always be solved. Benefactor, you really shouldn’t curse yourself to death in front of your friends…”

However, Qing Jiu shook her head, gazing down the empty road ahead with a light sigh, “Life is mostly filled with disappointments, and there are few you can truly confide in.”

“Benefactor…” As Qing Jiu spurred her horse to move faster, Kui Shan was left behind, unable to finish his sentence, only managing to utter a sigh, “Ah…”

The journey to Wujin City was long and could not be completed in a day. As the weather turned hot, everyone changed into lighter clothing, except for Qing Jiu who wore a black long robe that made her pale complexion stand out, seemingly unaffected by the heat, not breaking a single drop of sweat.

On this particular day, the group rested in a town. They were only a day or two away from Wujin City. The sun had already set in the west, but the residual heat lingered.

By sheer coincidence, there was a market in the town that day. As they passed by, Yu’er caught a whiff of a familiar fragrance. She immediately summoned Jun Suyue and Jun Jimo. After giving them instructions, the two left.

Qing Jiu and Kui Shan found an inn, and no sooner had they sat down than Yu’er and the others followed suit.

Tang Linzhi, Yang Chun, Qi Tianzhu, and Jun Sixue naturally took a table next to theirs. As they were about to invite Yu’er and Hua Lian to join them, the two nonchalantly took seats at Qing Jiu and Kui Shan’s table instead.

Kui Shan said, “Third Miss Jun, we’re not familiar with each other. Why not sit with your own people instead of joining us?”

Yu’er replied, “There’s no room at that table.”

Kui Shan glanced over and saw that there were clearly two empty seats at the other table.

Just as he was about to speak, Jun Jimo and Jun Suyue arrived at the inn, each carrying a paper-wrapped package. “Third Miss, we bought what you asked for,” they said, handing it over to Yu’er.

Yu’er took it and gave a subtle signal. While Jun Jimo was still confused, Jun Suyue understood and pulled him to sit down at Tang Linzhi’s table.

Yu’er calmly sat down, unwrapping the package, and stated, “At the very least, we’re fellow travelers. Surely you wouldn’t refuse to share a table and make us two stand while eating?”

Her demeanor indicated she had no intention of moving to another table. Kui Shan forced a laugh and remained silent.

Hua Lian asked, “Little Yu’er, what did you buy?”

Yu’er opened the package, revealing a chestnut. Hua Lian paused, a wistful smile crossing his face.

Yu’er pushed the package toward him, asking, “Do you want some?”

Hua Lian picked up a chestnut, toying with it in his hand, then opened another package containing candied fruit.

Yu’er skillfully cracked the chestnut shell, and the kernel fell neatly into her palm.

Kui Shan remarked, “I didn’t expect Third Miss Jun to enjoy snacks like these.”

Yu’er chewed on the chestnut, which was from last season’s harvest, slightly dry and tough, but fortunately sweet enough, “I don’t really like them…”

As she said this, Yu’er paused, her gaze sweeping over the person next to Kui Shan, and slowly added, “The person I love likes them.” At that moment, the person’s index finger twitched slightly.

With this revelation, Hua Lian accidentally crushed the chestnut in his hand. Qi Tianzhu, who was drinking tea, choked, spilling it all over his face. Jun Sixue’s hand trembled, and her chopsticks fell to the ground.

All eyes suddenly turned towards Yu’er.

Hua Lian, Tang Linzhi, and Qi Tianzhu, who had been with Yu’er for so long, understood her words on a deeper level. They knew most of the people Yu’er had come into contact with, and among them, there was only one person who fit the description of loving sweets and chestnuts.

Hua Lian and Qi Tianzhu had a flood of questions rushing to their lips, eager to ask but restrained by the crowded setting, they fidgeted uncomfortably in their seats. Yang Chun, who wasn’t entirely clear about the situation, sat next to Tang Linzhi, unable to contain his curiosity and probed her for answers. Tang Linzhi coughed a couple of times, her expression peculiar.

Jun Sixue, unfamiliar with the group’s dynamics and unaware of whom Yu’er was referring to, opened her mouth several times wanting to clarify things with Yu’er but eventually decided it was better to think through how to delicately broach the subject.

Yu’er’s expression remained unchanged, as if she hadn’t said anything at all, quietly peeling the chestnut shells.

She pushed the paper package towards Qing Jiu, offering, “Miss Zhi Huan, would you like to try some?”

Qing jiu lowered her gaze and glanced at the package. Yu’er hadn’t eaten much but had peeled all the chestnuts. “No, I don’t like sweets. Thank you for your kindness, Third Miss Jun.”

Before she could finish her sentence, when Yu’er pushed the paper package over, she accidentally touched Qing Jiu’s fingers on the table. It was a scorching hot day, but her hands were very cool.

Yu’er suddenly grasped her hand, asking, “Why are your hands so cold?”

Qing Jiu stiffened, her masked face hiding most of her reaction except for the tight press of her lips. She quickly tried to withdraw her hand.

Yu’er, however, held on tighter, her fingers moving up to check her pulse, “Health is important. I have studied medicine before. Let me take a look for Miss Zhi Huan…”

Qing Jiu forcefully kicked the table up. Yu’er had no choice but to withdraw her hand as the table spun in the air and landed firmly back on the ground, although food, chestnuts, and candied fruit were scattered all across the floor.

The four at the table had swiftly moved away to avoid getting splashed by the food.

Qing Jiu rebuked, “Offering help without being asked. Third Miss Jun and I are not familiar with each other; how can you grasp my meridians and acupoints at will? Third Miss Jun, you seem very eager. Is it because you want to take advantage of my unpreparedness to launch a surprise attack?”

Hearing her suspicion and accusation against Yu’er, Jun Sixue angrily said, “My third sister was simply showing concern for you, and you respond with rudeness! The Jun family always acts openly and honestly. Why would we fear confronting you directly, or need to resort to a surprise attack? Who are you underestimating?”

Qing Jiu scoffed, “Not looking for a sneak attack, but a fair fight? Then why have you all been following me? While there’s no deep friendship between the Ghost Sect and Juxiao Manor, I’ve tried to avoid trouble and not be a burden to you by yielding wherever possible. I dislike trouble, but that doesn’t mean I can’t handle it.” Her voice dropped, each word marked with a forceful tone, her speech imposing.

Jun Sixue had drawn her sword halfway, ready to step forward and challenge Qing Jiu, but Qi Tianzhu held her back.

Yu’er looked down at the mess on the floor, chestnuts and candied fruit mixed with bits of food, and spoke, “I apologize for any offense caused to Miss Zhi Huan just now. I hope you won’t misunderstand. Our destination is Wujin City; we are not intentionally following you. It just happens that we are traveling the same path.”

Kui Shan expressed his surprise and skepticism at the coincidence, muttering, “The same path?”

Qing Jiu, hearing Yu’er’s soft voice and seeing her slightly lowered head, resembling her past submissive demeanor, Qing Jiu’s defiant posture softened considerably. After a long silence, she replied coldly, “I don’t like being close to others. Third Miss Jun, please don’t get too close to me.”

With that, she bowed to everyone, “Forgive me for the offense,” and asked the innkeeper to show her upstairs to her room. Kui Shan, left sitting awkwardly alone, followed shortly after.

That evening, everyone’s rooms were, as usual, arranged around Qing Jiu’s. Yu’er was on the east side, and shortly after settling in, there was a knock on the door. When she opened it, Hua Lian, Qi Tianzhu, and Tang Linzhi were standing outside in a row.

Yu’er had anticipated their visit and stepped aside to let them in. Hua Lian stood in the middle, seemingly chosen by the three as the most eloquent to lead the discussion.

As Yu’er poured tea for the three of them, before they could ask anything about the day’s events, when Yu’er calmly stated, “It wasn’t a joke.”

The three exchanged looks, their expressions varied, seeing Yu’er’s still calm demeanor, as if the matter was so ordinary and natural, they were shocked.

Hua Lian sighed deeply and asked, “Does Qing Jiu know?” His initial guesses had turned out to be correct, and though his emotions were complex, he didn’t find it difficult to accept, perhaps because he had already mentally prepared himself.

Yu’er replied, “She knows, and she has agreed to my proposal.”

Qi Tianzhu asked, “Agreed to what?” He had seen Yu’er utterly devastated by the news of Qing Jiu’s death and had assumed Yu’er was deeply dependent on Qing Jiu. Now, seeing them together had made him realize something was amiss, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

Yu’er said, “She has agreed to marry me.”

Tang Linzhi expressed surprise, “She’s marrying you?!” Perhaps influenced by Liu Xiu’s constant teasing, she felt this development was somewhat typical. She was just curious about when Qing Jiu and Yu’er had gotten together, as both had always been under their watchful eyes without any hint of a romance brewing.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, I think that Qing Jiu, no matter what, should be the one to marry you.”

Yu’er smiled, “What does it matter? Either way works for me.”

Hua Lian playfully smacked Yu’er on the head with his folding fan, scolding, “Be serious, are we really discussing your marriage here?”

Tang Linzhi interjected, “What are you getting worked up about? Isn’t it bound to happen sooner or later?”

Hua Lian pointed his folding fan at Tang Linzhi and said, “You…”

He couldn’t find the words to say and held back for a while, but then burst out laughing, finally feeling relieved: “Forget it. Yes, why are we getting so worked up? This is Yu’er’s own matter.”

After the three left, Yu’er had not yet closed the door when Jun Sixue approached, calling out, “Yu’er.”

“Second Sister.”

The two entered the room, where the three cups of tea were still warm. Jun Sixue pulled Yu’er to sit beside her on the bed, saying, “Yu’er, Second Sister has something to ask you.”

Yu’er responded, “Second Sister wants to know who it is?”

Jun Sixue laughed, “Second Sister isn’t old-fashioned. If you tell me, I’ll give you some advice. If he’s talented and handsome, you can confidently bring him back to the manor to meet Third Uncle.” A few years ago, Yun Wangran had discreetly investigated men who had a close relationship with Yu’er. She had thought Yun Wangran was being overly suspicious, but now it turned out to be true. After much consideration and unable to think of a subtle way to inquire, she decided to be straightforward.

“Is it Sect Leader Ye from the Wenwu Sect? I heard that you two had a memorable first encounter in Jiangnan.”

Yu’er shook her head. Jun Sixue pressed further, “Then, is it Zixia of Qixian Palace? At the martial arts competition that year, you two seemed to get along well. He was among the top young disciples, handsome too, although a bit too effeminate. I wonder if he has changed over the years.”

Yu’er continued to shake her head, “Second Sister, you’ve met that person before.”

“I have?” Jun Sixue’s expression changed, “It can’t be that young master from the Hua family, right?” She felt he was too frivolous and unreliable.

Yu’er replied, “It’s Qing Jiu.”

It took a moment for Jun Sixue to match the name with the face she remembered; she had been so focused on imagining this person’s appearance that she momentarily forgot more crucial details. When she did recall who Qing Jiu was, her face went blank, and it took her a moment to show a shocked expression before exclaiming, “But she’s a woman!”

Jun Sixue stared at Yu’er for a long time, making sure it was the person she thought, convinced Yu’er was not joking.

“She… she’s dead, isn’t she?” Jun Sixue suddenly remembered, her shock subsiding as she let out a sigh of relief, relieved that she wouldn’t have to see her third sister led astray.

However, upon seeing Yu’er’s expression, she realized something was off. The Jun family had always been known for their deep affection—whether it was her grandfather, her father, or her third uncle.

She grasped Yu’er’s arms with both hands, her heart aching. “Foolish sister, you’re not planning to remain a widow for her, are you?”

Wave after wave of shock hit her, and she was temporarily unable to concern herself with whether Qing Jiu was a woman. She was only afraid that Yu’er would dedicate her heart to a dead person for the rest of her life.

Yu’er reassured her, “I won’t be a widow. She’s not dead.”

Jun Sixue sighed in relief, “That’s good, that’s good. You won’t have to be alone.”

Yu’er said, “Second Sister, I’m tired and want to sleep.”

Jun Sixue’s mind was in a state of chaos from the shocks, and she hadn’t yet come to her senses. She muttered in agreement, “Alright, get some rest.”

Yu’er escorted Jun Sixue to the door, with Jun Sixue insisting, “No need to see me out, go rest.”

Jun Sixue headed towards her own room, lost in thought along the way, feeling that something wasn’t right. She wondered if she had missed something.