What is going on?
The other party’s words left Yu Qing completely stunned on the spot. He did not expect this man to be so broad minded, brushing off the grudge of his son’s murder so lightly. This caused the speech he had prepared to be completely stuck in his throat, unable to get another word out.
What else could he say? The whole point of preparing all those words was to resolve the conflict. Now that the other party had already expressed forgiveness, saying anything more would just be nonsense.
The problem was that not saying anything made him feel uneasy inside.
If he was truly so reasonable, what was with the murderous glare that made Yu Qing shiver when the man came out from the inner room?
He could not help but exchange glances with Nan Zhu.
After a brief daze, he could not help but speak up again. “Senior, your noble character is truly admirable. However, I still need to clarify the matter. That night at the Jinghong Hall, I truly never intended to implicate Brother Wentian in an unjust situation. I was simply unable to do it alone.”
Wang Xue Tang raised his hand to interrupt him again. “I said it, I am already clear about the sequence of events, and there is no need to explain anything further. I said the matter is in the past, so it is in the past. Does the Top Scholar not believe me?”
“No.” Yu Qing quickly waved his hand to show he did not disbelieve him.
Wang Xue Tang did not wait for him to explain and interrupted him again. “Alright, there is no need for the Top Scholar to worry too much. Just go back and rest in peace. I still have some sect affairs to attend to here, so I will not keep you. Elder Tu, see the guests out on my behalf.”
“Yes.” Tu Xiu Kui agreed, a smile appearing on his face. He gestured for the two brothers to leave, having clearly understood the change in Wang Xue Tang’s attitude.
Even though Yu Qing had a thousand words to say, he found it hard to utter them in the face of Wang Xue Tang’s magnanimity. It felt like throwing a fully charged punch into cotton, resulting in a completely useless effort.
This was the result he wanted, but the difference in the process made him feel like this was not the result he actually desired.
However, the other party had already done everything possible and spoken to this extent. He had no more excuses to linger, so he could only stand up, bid farewell, and follow Tu Xiu Kui to leave.
Nan Zhu followed, and Qing Ya also followed with the clattering sound of his wooden clogs.
Wang Xue Tang, however, called out. “Qing Ya, you stay behind for a moment.”
Qing Ya turned his head, slightly stunned, and had to walk back and sit down.
Outside the door, after escorting the guests past the corridor section guarded by sentries, a smiling Tu Xiu Kui cupped his hands and stopped there, not escorting them any further.
Yu Qing looked back several times, a certain feeling lingering in his heart for a long time. After waiting for so long, he was dismissed with just a few words by the other party, making him not even know if he should feel aggrieved.
Returning to the room, Tu Xiu Kui nodded slightly to Wang Xue Tang in greeting.
Only then did Wang Xue Tang speak to Qing Ya. “Why are they still dawdling here? The longer the night, the more dreams, so you need to wrap up the matter Elder Tu assigned to you as soon as possible.”
Qing Ya knew he was referring to driving that Top Scholar out of the Mirage City. He stood up and replied, “Sect Leader Wang, please rest assured. I will definitely do it as soon as possible.”
Wang Xue Tang slowly closed his eyes.
Tu Xiu Kui immediately gave Qing Ya a gesture to proceed as he wished. Qing Ya nodded slightly and then turned to leave.
The two brothers who went downstairs met the waiting Mu Ao Tie.
As soon as they met, Mu Ao Tie immediately looked the two of them up and down. Seeing that there should be no problem, he followed them.
The three of them passed through the beautiful garden and went upstairs back to their room. Only then did Mu Ao Tie ask, “Why did it take so long for you to come out?”
He had waited outside for a long time and did not expect them to stay in Wang Xue Tang’s room for half a day. He was very worried that something might have happened. If he had not occasionally seen Yu Qing wandering by the window, he would have really broken in to take a look.
Nan Zhu chuckled. “What else could happen? We were kept waiting by them for half a day.”
Mu Ao Tie naturally cared about the result. “What was the outcome?”
Nan Zhu spread his hands and smiled bitterly. “We acted like petty men for nothing. It seems we were overthinking it. The man was very open minded, stating that it was all his son’s fault and that the mistake lay entirely with his son. He said the matter was in the past and did not want to pursue it further, leaving the fifteenth brother with a belly full of prepared words that went completely unused. The matter was just settled like that. I must say, a person who can become the sect leader of such a large sect truly has a breadth of mind that small people like us cannot imagine.”
Mu Ao Tie also did not expect the matter to be so simple, and he somewhat relaxed as well.
It was naturally the best result if a big matter could be turned into a small one, and a small matter could be dissolved. Otherwise, the series of consequences caused might not end well, which was something none of them wanted to see.
However, after glancing at Yu Qing, who was sitting aside with a gloomy face and silent, he was somewhat stunned again. Why did it feel like the fifteenth brother was not happy?
Yu Qing also asked a question at this time. “Ninth brother, how is the preparation for your side of the matter going?”
Mu Ao Tie lowered his voice and replied, “The line you threw down below has been concealed, and the other fire starter has been placed in the appropriate position. There should be no problem.”
Nan Zhu said, “Ninth brother, you will have to work hard again later and find an opportunity to dismantle it. Forget it, there is no need to manage it anymore. Even if it is discovered later, it will have nothing to do with us.”
Yu Qing, with a gloomy face, suddenly blurted out, “Do you really think Wang Xue Tang will let us off?”
As he said this, the look Wang Xue Tang gave him when he came out of the inner room reappeared in his mind, a gaze filled with murderous intent!
Nan Zhu asked suspiciously, “Do you mean he will break his word?”
Yu Qing said, “I am only asking you one thing. If he truly let go of this matter, why did he keep us waiting for half a day before showing up?”
Nan Zhu was stunned and stammered for a moment. “Maybe he was somewhat uncomfortable inside.”
Although he said this, a look of suspicion also appeared on his face.
Just then, the familiar clattering sound suddenly came from outside, immediately followed by the knocking sound on the door.
Mu Ao Tie went over and opened the door. As expected, it was the guest whose footsteps could be recognised.
Qing Ya walked in with a smile and said as soon as he opened his mouth, “You gentlemen are truly…” His words suddenly stopped. His gaze quickly swept across the room, obviously discovering that the layout and furnishings of the room were almost exactly the same as Wang Xue Tang’s room. He was so dazed that he almost thought he had walked into the wrong place.
He did not think too much about it. After coming to his senses, he continued, “You gentlemen truly have good taste. You just stayed in a room that costs tens of thousands of taels a day. How extravagant.”
Yu Qing stood up and responded, “It is far inferior to the Jinghong Hall. I have heard that guests who go to the Jinghong Hall to play often spend over a million taels in a single night. It is a level of extravagance that ordinary people like us cannot even dare to imagine.”
“I am just familiar with the landlady over there and get some perks. It does not cost me anything to go.” Qing Ya walked up to Yu Qing with a beaming smile. Suddenly, his expression changed, and he asked seriously, “When is the Top Scholar planning to leave the Mirage City?”
Yu Qing was slightly stunned. “Leave? I have no plans to leave for the time being.”
Qing Ya said, “In my opinion, it is better to leave as soon as possible.”
Yu Qing was confused. “Why do you say that, Master Qing?”
Qing Ya said, “Because you easily cause trouble, and I do not really welcome you. Only when you leave early can I feel at ease.”
Yu Qing roughly understood the other party’s meaning. Both sides held leverage over each other, and the other was afraid of being implicated. However, he still had things to do and could not leave easily. Thus, he said, “Master Qing is overthinking. I have at least read some books and am somewhat reasonable. If others do not offend me, I will absolutely not offend them. I will never take the initiative to cause trouble, so Master Qing can rest assured.”
Qing Ya said, “Telling you to leave early is for your own good. You do not really think the grudge of a murdered son can be treated as if nothing happened, without even demanding a word of apology, do you? Is there such a broad minded person in the world?”
The scene instantly fell silent, and the three brothers all stared closely at him.
“I received news that the Zheluo Mountain is already secretly gathering assassins to come here. You can secretly eliminate others, so someone can secretly eliminate you. The reason Wang Xue Tang is being magnanimous is to steady you. He hopes to pin you down in the Mirage City to make it convenient for him to strike in the dark. So, hurry up and leave. Leave quickly before he is ready. Once you hide back in Youjiao Port, it will be hard for him to make a move on you.”
Qing Ya persuaded them with an appearance of good intentions. However, it seemed to go against Wang Xue Tang’s original intention. Wang Xue Tang told him to scare Yu Qing into leaving, but he actually sold out Wang Xue Tang, using Wang Xue Tang himself to scare Yu Qing instead.
There was no other way. He and Yu Qing held each other’s leverage. It would be strange if Yu Qing was scared by his fierce intimidation, so he had to be flexible.
For him, as long as he could scare the person away and give Wang Xue Tang an explanation, the method used did not matter.
He did not know that these words carried a completely different meaning in the ears of the three brothers.
Especially Yu Qing, who was just deliberating and hesitating. He was indeed somewhat relaxed in his vigilance because of Wang Xue Tang’s words, feeling somewhat in a dilemma. In short, Wang Xue Tang had made him unsure whether it was good to make a move or not.
After all, the consequences of making a move would be extraordinary, and perhaps not so easy to bear. Facing a sliver of possibility, one would easily harbour illusions.
Hearing these awakening words suddenly, Yu Qing secretly called it a close call. He was indeed too green. The fact that the other party could sit firmly in the position of sect leader of such a large sect meant that his actions were indeed much more experienced and ruthless than his own. A murderous intent suddenly surged in his heart.
At this moment, his mind was made up!
He gently breathed out and said to the person in front of him who had helped him make a decision as soon as possible, “Let us just listen to Master Qing. Is it okay if we leave tomorrow?”
Qing Ya was confused. “At such a critical moment, the earlier you leave, the better. Why wait until tomorrow?”
Yu Qing said, “This is our first time staying in such an expensive inn. If we do not enjoy it properly, we would be letting ourselves down.”
These words left people speechless, and Qing Ya could not help but take out a peanut, shell it, and chew on the kernel to comfort himself. “Are you the kind of person who lacks this bit of money or this bit of virtue?”
Yu Qing said, “I also want to leave as soon as possible, but I indeed still have some things to handle. Is it that even leaving tomorrow is too late, and staying in the Langhuan Residence is not safe either?”
Qing Ya said, “Fine, tomorrow it is. I will come over tomorrow morning and personally escort you out of the Mirage City.”
“I appreciate your trouble.” Yu Qing cupped his hands in thanks.
Nan Zhu and Mu Ao Tie also followed suit and cupped their hands in thanks.
Qing Ya said no more words. He reached out and patted Yu Qing on the shoulder, then turned and left with a free and easy manner, his wooden clogs clattering all the way.
After seeing the guest off and closing the door, Yu Qing immediately said to Mu Ao Tie, “Ninth brother, you go and keep watch over where Wang Xue Tang is staying. Once you see Wang Xue Tang’s room calling the cleaning staff of the Langhuan Residence to go over, immediately send a signal to this side, and I will rush over quickly to deal with the situation.” After finishing his words, he walked to the window, pushed it open, and looked towards the target location. “After receiving your message, this side will use closing the window as the signal.”
“Alright.” Mu Ao Tie agreed and left immediately.
Qing Ya did not go anywhere else after leaving this place. His clattering wooden clogs arrived at Wang Xue Tang’s side again. He was stopped by the guards and, after a brief announcement, was allowed to enter.
Seeing Wang Xue Tang again in the room, Qing Ya immediately took credit for his work. “Sect Leader Wang, the matter you assigned has been handled. That Top Scholar will leave tomorrow morning.”
Wang Xue Tang immediately asked, “Are you sure?”
Qing Ya smiled and said, “Rest assured. I have agreed with them. I will come over tomorrow morning and personally see them off.”
Wang Xue Tang stroked his beard. “Very good. You are truly worthy of being the local boss of the Mirage City.”
Qing Ya chuckled and said, “It is just a small matter, not worth mentioning. If there are no other orders, I will take my leave first.”
Wang Xue Tang immediately tilted his head to gesture to the person beside him.
Tu Xiu Kui saw the guest out and took out a banknote for one million taels of silver, stuffing it into Qing Ya’s hands. “A little travel expense. Do not think it is too little. There will be another thank you gift after the matter is settled.”
Qing Ya could only accept it as the enthusiastic offer was hard to refuse.
After seeing the guest off, Tu Xiu Kui returned to Wang Xue Tang’s side. “I will arrange for people to notify the Star Luo Island to make preparations later.”
Wang Xue Tang nodded. “I hope my kind words can ease the mind of that thief.”
Tu Xiu Kui understood his meaning. Making that Top Scholar feel at ease would make it easier to be discovered if he openly rushed to the Star Luo Island. If he sneaked away secretly, it would be easy for accidents to happen. After all, the deployment of a large number of people outside to surround, chase, and intercept was also a very energy consuming matter, and it was easier to cause a big commotion.