Chapter 41: Mei Qianluo
This answer was beyond both Chu Qing's and the masked man's expectations.
"Utterly absurd!"
The masked man's voice turned cold, filled with disbelief.
"Who are you exactly? Why were you hiding in the Chu family? Do they know that I am now in Tianwu City?
"If you tell me the truth, I might spare your life tonight… but if not, don't blame me for being merciless."
Such words could only fool ghosts.
He had already hired assassins, concealed his face, and launched a sneak attack—how could he possibly intend to spare anyone's life?
Sister Wen's cold expression barely changed, though a faint trace of puzzlement flashed in her eyes.
"I am Wen Rou, fourth disciple under Cui Bunu, master of the Godless Divine Fist from the Taiyi Sect.
"As for hiding in the Chu family? That's not true. I went there with my third senior brother.
"He had just completed his training and was returning home. Afterward, he planned to travel the martial world to find his third junior brother, and said he could send me home on the way, so master told me to accompany him.
"Master also instructed me to listen to my senior brother's words…
"As for whether the Chu family knows you're in Tianwu City, I don't know.
"But looking at you, you don't seem like a good person, so even if I did know, I wouldn't tell you.
"Oh, right—uncle, who exactly are you?"
The masked man's gaze flickered with thought.
There was something off about this woman… Did she lack common sense? What kind of person so openly answered every question from a stranger in black?
Could she be… slow in the head?
With that thought, he decided to probe further.
"Little girl, I was only joking earlier.
"I'm actually a good person."
"…But you just said you were going to kill me."
"Eh? You and I have no grudges past or present—why would I kill you?"
The masked man continued smoothly, "Since you asked who I am, I'll tell you. But to be fair, for every question I answer, you must answer one of mine. How about that?"
Wen Rou's eyes lit up instantly.
"You mean… you want to be friends with me?"
"Friends—yes!"
The masked man nodded quickly. "Exactly, I want to be friends with you!"
Chu Qing blinked, sensing trouble.
Hadn't this Sister Wen seemed profound before? Why did she suddenly sound like a naïve fool?
Or maybe she only seemed mysterious because she spoke so little—now that she was talking more, her simplemindedness was exposed.
The masked man clearly wanted to extract information. The only question was—how much did Wen Rou actually know?
Should he intervene?
Chu Tian and the others were setting up a grand plan involving both the Ten Thousand Nights Valley and Tianwu City.
This masked man's origins were unknown, but his intent was clearly malicious.
Since Sister Wen had picked up his fan, he must have feared she'd discovered his identity—an identity he could never allow the Chu family to learn of.
That was why he'd come tonight to silence her.
Could it be that this man was the Ten Thousand Nights Valley's secret agent in Tianwu City?
If so, Chu Qing couldn't let him leave this courtyard alive.
Not only was this tied to the Chu family and the city's safety—it also concerned one of his biggest contracts yet.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, he saw Wen Rou nod.
"All right, you go first—who are you exactly?"
The masked man was secretly delighted. He intended to make up a name, confident this girl couldn't tell truth from lie.
But after a brief hesitation, he decided to be cautious and spoke gravely.
"My surname is Mei—Mei Qianluo."
Chu Qing's eyes narrowed slightly. Mei Qianluo… the Falling Leaf Sparrow Fan!
That name belonged to Mei Qianluo, Third Master of the Divine Sand Gang—known as the "Flying Cloud Falling Leaf."
But why was he here, in Tianwu City?
And during a citywide lockdown, no less?
The Divine Sand Gang bordered the Ten Thousand Nights Valley and had long been at odds with them. For one of their leaders to appear here now—what did it mean?
Wen Rou, however, widened her eyes.
"You're called… 'No Money' (Mei Qianluo)?
"That's so sad. I have some spare silver coins on me—would you like some?"
"…"
"Damn you, girl!"
Mei Qianluo's expression darkened. Though that wasn't his real name, the title Flying Cloud Sparrow Fan, Falling Leaves Thousandfold had long become a mark of renown. In the martial world, people called him simply "Qianluo," and for over twenty years, none had ever dared mock him for it.
Yet today, a girl barely sixteen or seventeen years old had ridiculed him so openly.
He drew in a deep breath, forcing down his anger.
"Little girl, enough chatter. You've asked your question, and now it's my turn."
He narrowed his eyes. "Tell me—has Chu Yunfei truly died?"
Chu Qing immediately restrained his aura even further. This question was crucial. He quietly studied Wen Rou, wondering how she would respond.
"I don't know," she said in her same calm, detached tone.
"Master said that when you're a guest in someone's home, you shouldn't cause trouble.
"So every morning, I go out walking and only return at night.
"The Chu family has been very busy lately, and no one pays attention to me. Even my third senior brother—I haven't seen him in several days.
"Eh? Are you saying Uncle Chu has died?"
"…"
Who's asking who here?
If I already knew, would I have needed to ask you?
As Mei Qianluo tried to decide on his next question, Wen Rou spoke again.
"No, that question doesn't count. I don't want to know about that. I'll ask another one.
"How many friends do you have in this city besides me?"
Chu Qing's face froze with a strange expression.
At first, he'd thought this Sister Wen was just a naïve fool—but now, he wasn't so sure.
Her first question had forced Mei Qianluo to reveal his name, exposing his identity.
And this second one? It wasn't about friendship at all.
She was asking how many members of the Divine Sand Gang were secretly hidden in Tianwu City.
"Hm?"
Mei Qianluo frowned. "Wait, your last answer was 'I don't know.' Logically, I should get to ask again."
"That's not right."
Wen Rou shook her head.
"'I don't know' is still an answer, and I answered truthfully.
"So that question is finished. Now it's your turn to answer mine.
"Or… is it that you never wanted to be friends? You were just…"
Her tone turned suddenly colder.
"…lying to me?"
Mei Qianluo's pupils contracted sharply.
"How dare you!"
A lifetime of hunting sparrows—and today, he'd been pecked in the eye by one.
The girl had pretended to be a fool, yet somehow she'd tricked him instead.
Fury erupted in his chest as he swung his arm, the sound of tearing air echoing.
With a sharp flick of his wrist, a folding fan snapped open. His finger tapped its surface, and ripples spread across it like stones striking a pond.
With a swift motion, he flicked his wrist again, the fan sweeping through the air.
Wen Rou leaned back to evade, her toes pressing lightly against the ground—Supreme Leg of Taiyi!
Yet when performed by her, the move lacked Chu Fan's raw, crushing force. Instead, it flowed light and graceful, subtle and refined—another kind of brilliance altogether.
(End of Chapter)
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