Chapter Twenty-Nine: Another Twist

Qu Wanqing walked up to Miss Bai, brushed some non-existent dust off her clothes, and raised an eyebrow. "You’ve got decent skills, girl. Stepping in when you saw something wrong? Tell me, why did you help us?"

Looking into Qu Wanqing’s sincere eyes, a trace of helplessness flickered across the otherwise cold face of the young woman. "My name is Bai Lu. I didn’t mean to help, but those people... they are holding my sister hostage and forcing me to do things against my will."

Bai Lu recounted her story: how she had been exploited by a mysterious organization and coerced into participating in a series of supernatural incidents, with her sister being used as leverage. By nature, she was kind-hearted, but she felt powerless to resist and could only submit to their whims.

Hearing this, a wave of sympathy surged in Qu Wanqing. She detested being threatened more than anything, and, feeling a sense of shared camaraderie, she patted Bai Lu on the shoulder. "Sister, I understand your situation all too well! Don’t be afraid; I’ve got your back!"

"Wanqing, I fear there is more to this than meets the eye," Jiang Yu, always cautious, reminded her.

The three sat together, analyzing the clues they had gathered so far. From the Taoist Liu’s charlatanism and Mother Ma’s rumor-mongering to the strange symbols on the thugs' gloves and Bai Lu’s coercion—under Qu Wanqing’s meticulous scrutiny, these seemingly isolated events began to weave together into a much larger conspiracy.

"Wait!" Qu Wanqing slammed her hand on the table, making Jiang Yu and Bai Lu jump. "I think I’ve got it! Everything points to Master He!"

She laid out her deduction, analyzing the role Master He likely played in the scheme and his connections to the other parties. Her logic was clear and her evidence compelling; Jiang Yu and Bai Lu nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with admiration.

A sense of mastery over the situation washed over her. Qu Wanqing curled her lips into a confident smile. "It seems this pond is even deeper than I imagined..." She stood up, her gaze fixed firmly on the distance. "Jiang Yu, Bai Lu, let’s go!"

Bai Lu hesitated. "Go where?"

Qu Wanqing smiled mysteriously. "To pay this Master He a visit..."

With Jiang Yu and Bai Lu in tow, Qu Wanqing marched aggressively to the gates of the He estate. Before she could even speak, Steward Feng blocked their path with a squad of servants.

"Master He is indisposed and cannot receive guests. I suggest the three of you return another day," Steward Feng said, his smile not reaching his eyes, his tone laced with a warning.

"Indisposed? I think you mean guilty!" Qu Wanqing wasn't buying it and retorted sharply, "I’m seeing him today, whether you like it or not!" She started to push past, but the servants blocked her way.

"How bold! Daring to trespass on the He estate!" At Steward Feng’s command, the servants prepared to strike.

"Let’s see who dares!" Jiang Yu stepped forward, shielding Qu Wanqing, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd. Bai Lu stood her ground beside them, ready to fight at any moment.

Just as the tension reached its breaking point, an elderly voice drifted from within the estate. "Let them in."

Master He emerged slowly, leaning on a cane. His face was pale and his eyes were gloomy; he certainly looked quite ill.

"Master He, I trust you’ve been well," Qu Wanqing said, eyeing him with an enigmatic smile.

Master He gave a cold snort. "Why are you here?"

"Naturally, to ask if those supernatural stunts and rumors have anything to do with you!" Qu Wanqing went straight to the point.

Master He’s expression shifted, his eyes flickering. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"You don't? Then let me help you remember." Qu Wanqing listed the clues they had gathered—from the Taoist and Mother Ma to the thugs and Bai Lu’s ordeal—finally pointing the finger directly at him. Her analysis was logical and her evidence damning, leaving Master He speechless.

Just then, a group of figures in black descended from above, surrounding them completely.

"I take it Master He doesn't intend to talk reasonably?" Qu Wanqing sneered, a cold glint in her eyes. Jiang Yu calmly stepped to shield her, and Bai Lu assumed a combat stance.

As a vicious fight seemed inevitable, Master He suddenly spoke up. "Wait!" He looked at Qu Wanqing intently. "I can tell you some things, but you must guarantee my safety."

Qu Wanqing raised an eyebrow. "Deal."

Master He began to speak, revealing a secret hidden for many years...

At that moment, Jiang Yu gently brushed a fallen leaf from Qu Wanqing’s hair, his movement gentle and natural. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, a trace of shyness in her eyes.

Master He paused, then continued, "...Therefore, the true mastermind is someone else..." Before he could finish, a figure in black lunged from the crowd, a flash of cold light in his hand.

The assassin’s dagger struck toward Master He!

In the nick of time, Jiang Yu leaped out and kicked the assassin away.

"Master He! Are you alright?" Qu Wanqing rushed over to check on him.

Still shaken, Master He waved his hand repeatedly. "I’m fine... *cough, cough*..."

"Catch the assassin!" At Steward Feng’s command, the servants swarmed in, surrounding the assassin.

"Hey, hey, stop! Don't kill him! We need to question him!" Qu Wanqing shouted, but it was too late. The servants had been heavy-handed, and the assassin was already dead.

"I knew it..." Qu Wanqing sighed, rubbing her forehead. "These servants are useless; the training is just not up to par."

At the same time, a commotion broke out outside the courtyard wall.

A group of masked figures in black, wielding sharp blades, vaulted over the wall; it was clear they had been prepared.

"Damn it, a sneak attack? Playing dirty, are we?" Qu Wanqing grumbled.

"Protect Master He!" Steward Feng commanded the servants to engage. Jiang Yu and Bai Lu joined the fray.

The attackers were numerous and well-trained, but Jiang Yu and Bai Lu moved in perfect sync, their strikes lethal, holding their own against the onslaught.

"Wanqing, watch out!" Jiang Yu called out while parrying an attack.

Qu Wanqing was far from idle. She activated her inner senses, perceiving the surrounding danger and shouting timely warnings to Jiang Yu and Bai Lu: "Left! Behind you! Watch out for hidden weapons!"

The onlookers, initially terrified and fleeing, saw how valiant the trio were and gathered back around, cheering them on.

"Good! Well fought!"
"That girl is amazing!"
"Those moves are incredible!"

As she called out warnings, Qu Wanqing observed the attackers and suddenly noticed a detail: though their strikes were fierce, they were deliberately avoiding Master He!

"Wait!" Qu Wanqing shouted. "They don't want to kill Master He!"

Jiang Yu and Bai Lu immediately understood. They changed tactics, forcing the attackers toward Master He. Sure enough, as they drew near him, the attackers became noticeably hesitant, leaving themselves open. Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Yu and Bai Lu drove them back.

Realizing the tide had turned, the attackers leaped over the walls and fled.

"Pursue them!" Steward Feng ordered, and the servants gave chase.

When the dust settled, the courtyard was a wreck. Qu Wanqing walked over to Bai Lu...