Chuchu was seething with hatred. If Yu Jin had been standing in front of her, she might have drawn her dagger and slashed that handsome face seven or eight times without hesitation.
But no matter how much she hated him, those men still quickly took her away from the tavern, passing through one alley after another, venturing into increasingly remote areas.
The tiny spark of hope deep in Chuchu’s heart extinguished like a candle in a gale. She had been thoroughly deceived by that damned man.
The wind howled in her ears, its chill cutting across her face like a dull knife on tender skin.
Finally, her captors stopped and threw her to the ground. For a moment, she felt dizzy and every part of her body ached.
Before Chuchu could recover, a man’s voice came from above: “We’ve finally caught this little wench. She was quite troublesome.”
Chuchu instinctively looked up. A man with a full beard came into view, his eyes as fierce as a beast’s as he stared at her.
The bearded man squatted down and gripped Chuchu’s chin. “Who did you tell about what you heard that day?”
Chuchu glared at the bearded man, her eyes like daggers, filled with indescribable hatred.
Again with these nonsensical questions. She was going mad. What was all this about?
“Speak!” The bearded man increased the pressure of his grip, instantly reddening the young girl’s fair cheeks.
The man in the long robe coughed lightly. “How can she speak if you’re gripping her like that?”
The bearded man finally let go.
Chuchu turned to look at the man in the long robe.
Compared to the bearded man’s ferocious appearance, the long-robed man had a refined air, looking like a scholar. But his eyes were as cold as a venomous snake, causing Chuchu’s heart to sink completely.
Instinctively, she felt this was an even more ruthless man.
With no hope left in her heart, Chuchu let out a cold laugh. “I don’t know you, and I haven’t heard anything. So I guess you’ve got the wrong person. It’s a pity you’ve wasted so much time on me. You won’t be able to find the person who heard what you said…”
“Sharp-tongued little brat!” The bearded man raised his hand and slapped Chuchu.
Chuchu laughed even more recklessly. “That person will spread what you’re worried about. I believe you mad dogs will surely suffer…”
As long as what that person did was something they didn’t want to see, she was willing to take the blame. In any case, she wouldn’t let these bastards off easily.
The bearded man looked at the long-robed man.
Had they caught the wrong person?
The long-robed man smiled like a venomous snake. “Let’s torture her first and see if we’ve got the wrong person or if she’s just being stubborn.”
A basin of charcoal was brought over. The bearded man used tongs to pick up a red-hot coal, smiling at Chuchu. “Not going to talk?”
Terror flashed in Chuchu’s eyes. Her whole body trembled slightly, but she knew there was no escape.
She wanted to talk, but damn it, what could she say?
She had taken the blame for so many years, but this time the burden was too heavy to bear.
As if feeling the scorching heat, Chuchu closed her eyes.
A scream rang out.
Chuchu immediately opened her eyes to see the bearded man hopping on one foot, the tongs dropped on the ground.
The long-robed man reacted almost instantly, turning to run.
But it was too late. Long Dan grabbed him by the collar as if picking up a chicken, first dislocating his jaw to prevent suicide, then smiled and said, “I thought you’d be more capable. You’re so harsh to a young girl, look how proud you are.”
The bearded man caught a glimpse of his fallen comrades outside the window and his face changed dramatically.
It was over. They had all been caught in one fell swoop!
Unwilling to await his fate passively, he let out a roar and swung an iron-headed club at Cold Shadow.
The two instantly engaged in a fierce fight.
“Can you get up?” A youth’s cool voice sounded from above.
Chuchu was stunned for a moment. Catching sight of that handsome face with distinct features, her anger surged. She jumped up and swung a slap at him.
Yu Jin frowned and dodged, saying sternly, “Enough. Do you think I won’t hit a woman?”
“You… you liar…” Chuchu trembled with anger.
Yu Jin coldly smiled. “This was the most efficient way to resolve the issue.”
Chuchu was speechless, but thinking of the fear and despair she had just experienced, she wanted to cry.
What had she done to deserve this?
There was a cracking sound as one of the bearded man’s arms broke.
He let out a scream, but the next moment, instead of swinging at Cold Shadow, he smashed the iron-headed club against his head.
With a sickening thud, the bearded man’s head split open like a watermelon, red and white matter gushing out, viscous liquid splattering everywhere.
Chuchu turned away, her face pale.
Cold Shadow looked down and reported to Yu Jin, “Master, the man is dead.”
Yu Jin walked over, avoiding the spreading pool of blood as he examined the bearded man’s corpse.
This was a burly man. Such a resolute suicide indicated he was no ordinary person.
After a brief examination, Yu Jin ordered, “Strip him and check his body thoroughly.”
Cold Shadow began to undress the corpse without a word. Chuchu’s gaze towards Yu Jin changed instantly.
Is he a pervert? Stripping a dead man?
As Cold Shadow removed the bearded man’s outer garments, Chuchu coughed.
Yu Jin glanced at her and said without sincerity, “Sorry, I forgot you’re a girl. You can wait in the courtyard.”
Chuchu rolled her eyes and walked out.
Soon, the bearded man was stripped naked. Cold Shadow examined him and shook his head at Yu Jin. “Master, there are no markings.”
Yu Jin was somewhat disappointed.
The group pursuing Chuchu was indeed connected to those Ah Si had inadvertently offended. These people knew the rumors about his admiration for the Holy Maiden, so they must be related to the South. Most people from the Southern Border had tattoos, especially men, but the bearded man had none.
Yu Jin looked at the long-robed man restrained by Long Dan.
At least there was one alive. Perhaps they could get some information out of him.
“Take him back for thorough questioning. Clean up here.”
After giving his orders, Yu Jin turned and walked out.
Chuchu stood in the courtyard, looking at the bodies strewn about in confusion.
Who exactly was this Young Master Yu?
“I’ll have someone escort you back to Pine Nut Lane.”
Chuchu snapped back to reality, meeting the youth’s calm gaze. A chill ran down her spine.
He had just ordered someone to strip a corpse…
“Now that the trouble is resolved, I won’t impose any further.”
“Not acceptable.”
Chuchu was taken aback.
“If Miss Chuchu just leaves like this, I can’t explain it to my fiancée.”
Chuchu frowned. “Young Master Yu can pretend to be unaware as if I left without saying goodbye.”
She had always been unlucky. It was best to stay as far away as possible from someone who was in big trouble.
Yu Jin looked surprised. “Is Miss Chuchu suggesting I lie to my fiancée?”
Chuchu: “…” Just her luck!
Jiang Si, remembering Yu Jin’s instructions, hadn’t gone out and was anxiously waiting for news.
There were still too few people she could use. Whether it was about the person who had ransomed Yuiri or the whereabouts of Yuiri’s brother, she could only wait for news from Yu Jin and Ah Fei. Finding people wasn’t an easy task, sometimes requiring a bit of luck.
Upon receiving word from Yu Jin, Jiang Si hurriedly prepared to go out but encountered a problem.
Hong Yue, the head maid who had disappeared while accompanying Second Madam Xiao to offer incense at White Cloud Temple, had been returned.