Yu Di looked at her and said, “What the master did for you back then, I always thought was foolish, until now, when I finally understand that the foolish one was actually me.”
Liu Banxia did not speak; at this moment, she presumably no longer knew what to say or where to begin.
Yu Di, with a weak breath, paused for a long time before saying, “The master was rescued by her disciples back then, avoiding total annihilation, but unexpectedly was used by the Holy Son, who propped her up as a puppet sect leader. When Qu Yimo infiltrated the Liu family and stole the secret manual back then, it was ordered by the Holy Son. The destruction of the Liu family, the killing of the three major families, and the upheaval in the martial arts world was not the master’s doing, but merely the Holy Son using the master’s name to find someone to blame.”
Liu Banxia had already closed her eyes, and after a long time, said, “That day when the righteous faction was going to destroy the Ink Evil Sect, it wasn’t Qian Chang who came to find me, was it?” She laughed a desolate laugh, “How ridiculous of me, unable to recognize even my childhood playmate, falling into that person’s trap.”
Xiao’er anxiously said, “Master, this is not your fault. Six years had passed since you were separated from Bai Qian Chang.”
Liu Banxia neither nodded nor shook her head. I quietly watched her face slowly becoming pained, and felt heartache.
“Dier wants to tell you, the master never betrayed you!” Yu Di suddenly became excited, “The Holy Son controlled the master with poison, violated her, causing her pregnancy, but she endured all of this. She said that if she explained to you, it would only harm you! That day she forced you to the cliff’s edge, forcing you to jump, was because she had to make the Holy Son believe you were dead to give you a chance to escape. She just didn’t expect that Qu Daren, who was arranged to rescue you at the bottom of the cliff, had already been killed by the Holy Son.”
Liu Banxia’s eyes remained closed, but two lines of tears had already fallen. This was the first time I had seen her cry in these few days, tragically and beautifully.
Liu Banxia bowed slightly, neither servile nor overbearing, yet not appearing unapproachable.
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Night had fallen, with songbirds and swallows dancing endlessly, and more guests gathered outside.
Seeing Mu Yin enter the room, I quickly stopped him: “Why are you entering a woman’s room?”
Mu Yin did not answer, but reached out and tied a red light on my wrist, looking up and saying: “No escaping.”
I looked at him, both angry and amused: “Do I look like someone who would break their word?”
Mu Yin was silent for a moment, then nodded: “Yes.”
“…”
I was rendered speechless. I had originally intended to escape after the mission, but his words made me feel blocked, realizing I had unconsciously developed a habit of lying, even forgetting it myself.
When I came out of the room, I understood why Mu Yin had suddenly become vigilant. Seeing Jiang Hu, I quickly turned and said: “Mu Yin, stay with Liu Banxia. I’ll be right back.”
“Susu…”
“Be good, or no candy.”
Though twitching, Mu Yin still nodded.
Jiang Hu, usually carefree, now had a serious expression, truly embodying a jianghu atmosphere. I marveled at his more masculine appearance. I facepalmed and floated over, glancing at the person beside him. A silver mask covered his face, revealing only a pair of black eyes and thin lips. From the exposed hand, he seemed relatively young.
This was the Drunken Immortal Tower’s best seat, directly facing the performance stage with a perfect angle, clearly not an ordinary person.
I gestured: “Who is he?”
Jiang Hu smiled: “The master of the Ink Evil Sect.”
My heart skipped a beat, and I looked at him several more times, thinking of Liu Banxia.
To gather gossip in the Jianghu without arousing suspicion, tea houses and taverns were the best places. Was Liu Banxia trying to investigate the Ink Evil Sect master? Knowing he would come to the Drunken Immortal Tower, she came to perform – was she planning to kill him?
The drum sounds entered my ears, and the guests below were already cheering. Looking from upstairs, Liu Banxia danced on stage like a celestial maiden, her red dress flowing, moving with the grace of clouds and water, her feet touching down and lifting lightly.
The guests were mesmerized, continuously applauding, but I grew increasingly nervous. Though her martial arts were not low, how could someone who could control the infamous Bai Qianshang be so easily assassinated?
After the dance, though Liu Banxia made no move, she had indeed attracted the master’s attention. He slightly tilted his head, whispered something to someone, who then ran downstairs, spoke to the madam, and returned.
Jiang Hu asked: “Is it Liu Banxia?”
“Mm.”
” My heart paused, looking at him, “Are you here because something big is about to happen in the martial world?”
Jiang Hu smiled: “When is the Jianghu not stained with blood?”
“Go wash your face.”
“…Rebirth, you’re no fun. Don’t misunderstand my meaning.”
I chuckled. The man had entered the room, and moments later, Liu Banxia stood at the door. I quickly grabbed her, saying seriously: “If you die before midnight tonight, I can’t help you be reborn. So, be careful.”
Liu Banxia nodded: “Thank you.”
“Susu.” Mu Yin rushed over, his tone as if we’d been apart for three years, “Where did you go? Did you see Liu Banxia’s dance? Will you dance for me in the future?”
Before I could explain, Jiang Hu’s expression had changed: “Someone from the Ghost Domain…”
Mu Yin suddenly became alert, pulling me behind him: “An immortal? Are you trying to take Susu?” He spoke coldly, “Even if ten more come, they can’t take her.”
I quickly said: “Mu Yin, don’t misunderstand. He’s just a god doing a task here.” I told Jiang Hu, “Mu Yin is not a bad person.”
Jiang Hu looked suspicious but then relaxed his immortal aura.
When a sound of clashing weapons came from the room, Jiang Hu and I simultaneously entered. Liu Banxia held a short dagger, fighting the barehanded Ink Evil Sect master, her moves ruthless but deftly dodged.
Throwing her blade, Liu Banxia retreated to the wardrobe, taking out a jade flute and playing a tune.
The flute’s melody seemed normal, but suddenly transformed into silver blade-like sounds, striking at the man. He gathered power in his palms, creating a whirling wind that dissolved the blade sounds. Liu Banxia was surprised; before she could retract her flute, she was struck in the chest.
After the battle, Liu Banxia stopped struggling, holding her jade flute, her beautiful eyes fixed on the man: “Qu Yimо, your methods are indeed vicious.”
I was stunned, and so was the man. Moments later, he removed his silver mask, revealing an exceptionally cold face, his pupils now showing a hint of playfulness: “When did you know it was me?”
Liu Banxia wiped blood from her lips: “The jade flute has been with me since childhood. I know its power best. But since you arrived, it lost its spirit. You must have interfered. Only when the jade flute told me that Qianshang never came to seek martial world’s support against the Ink Evil Sect did I confirm that the person who impersonated her that day was you. Because only you would know about our relationship. Sadly, Qianshang trusted you, dying without knowing her killer was you.”
Qu Yimo was slightly puzzled: “Did Yu Di tell you? Is it truly a divine object?”
Suddenly he laughed, “I soaked the jade flute in blood water, damaging its spiritual energy. I also similarly damaged Yu Di, destroying both divine artifacts. With your martial arts, you are not worth fearing at all.” He furrowed his brow, “Since you know the jade flute is destroyed, why did you still come?”
