Chapter 26
Chapter 26
The curve of Shen Qingyu’s lips lifted higher and higher, his smile gentle and beautiful.
All of a sudden, Qiao Ying threw herself at him, clutching the hand he held the Blind Staff with as she said urgently, “Shen Qingyu, you are the most humble and courteous person there is. Respecting the old and caring for the young is a traditional virtue. Hold back. You absolutely have to hold back!”
Her chest brushed unconsciously against his arm, carrying the unique warmth and softness of a young girl. The sensation was unbelievably delicate, spreading up through his sleeve, and his arm actually relaxed a little in an instant.
A very novel feeling.
Shen Qingyu’s voice was low and husky, tinged with amusement. “Mm. I am the most humble and courteous person there is.”
Only belatedly did Old Madam realize that the killing intent saturating the air had vanished without a trace in an instant. Her scalp prickled. She understood now that this young man was far more terrifying than she had imagined.
On the surface, when he spoke with the girl beside him, he seemed perfectly normal. In truth, his gentleness had always been nothing more than a disguise as thin as a cicada’s wing.
Old Madam regained her composure and sat back down in her chair. When she spoke again, her voice had softened considerably. “This concerns the safety of the Zhao family. In my excessive anxiety, I inevitably lost my composure. You two must also have loved ones of your own. I hope you can understand this old woman.”
Qiao Ying was about to let go of Shen Qingyu’s arm and move away, but the young man’s slightly cold hand quickly pulled her back. Once again, she leaned against his arm and looked up at him in puzzlement.
Shen Qingyu merely lowered his head a little, smiling without a word, as though pondering something.
Qiao Ying tried to leave again.
And just like before, the next moment, she was tugged back.
She felt that this pervert had probably developed some new problem again.
Qiao Ying gave up and turned to Old Madam instead. “We’ve already said it. We can’t accept this deal of yours.”
Old Madam was silent for a moment, then said, “Why don’t the two of you listen to a story? Decades ago, there was a Demon Hunter. Though he came from an ordinary background, he was a rare genius.”
One day, the young Demon Hunter left his remote hometown and set out to make his way in the world. Young and full of ambition, he declared that he would slay demons and eradicate evil, making his name known throughout the land.
Along the way, he killed many demons and saved many people. At that time, demons and wicked spirits were wreaking havoc in Fangcun City, and the common people lived in unbearable misery. Though the Song family head was there to hold the fort, the Song family alone could hardly exterminate so many demons.
Later, for reasons unknown, those demons seemed to go mad and poured out in full force, determined to break through Fangcun City. The eldest daughter of the Song family was naturally targeted by them. Just as she was about to lose her life, that young wandering hero stepped forward.
He saved her, but was gravely wounded himself. Grateful for his life-saving grace, Miss Song ignored all gossip and criticism and personally cared for him day after day. After the young man awoke, he was moved by Miss Song’s devotion, and the two fell in love.
“Everyone knows what happened after that. With a single Qingshuang Sword, the young man slaughtered every demon in the city and protected all its people.”
As Old Madam spoke of that past, her expression softened considerably. Looking at the young Qiao Ying and Shen Qingyu before her, perhaps she thought of her own younger days, for her gaze grew much warmer as well.
“In this way, the young man became famous throughout the world. But that great battle also left irreversible damage to his body. The older he grew, the more difficult his condition became. So in our old age, we moved to Yunling Prefecture. There, the seasons are like spring all year round, and the scenery is pleasant. It is good for his health.”
“Our son also married and built a life of his own. Our son and daughter-in-law are filial, and our grandson is innocent and lively. The whole family lives in harmony. I thought perhaps Heaven knew my husband had given so much for the people in his youth, and so allowed us happiness and peace in the latter half of our lives.”
“But then something unexpected happened.”
Old Madam’s expression turned grave. “First there was the recent crisis in Fangcun City, and then someone died in Zhao Manor yesterday. There must still be a demon in the city, and that demon must be inside this manor. If it isn’t killed in time, even more people in the city will surely die.”
Shen Qingyu covered his mouth and gave a sleepy yawn.
Qiao Ying poured a cup of water and placed it in his hand.
He drank the tea in small sips, and the corners of his lips curved upward again. He seemed much more spirited.
Qiao Ying asked, “From the way Old Madam speaks, it sounds as though you know who the demon hiding in your manor is?”
The Old Madam’s tone changed. “Back then, my husband slew countless demons. He had long since become a thorn in their side. If they ever found an opportunity, they would do whatever it took to take revenge on him. Over the years, many demons have appeared in Yunling Prefecture seeking vengeance, but without exception, they all died beneath my husband’s sword. This time is different. They know they cannot get close to my husband, so they chose to strike at the people around us instead.”
“Zhiyi’s new bride is the demon who has been killing people.”
The moment the Old Madam said this, Qiao Ying froze in surprise.
Qiao Ying had met Mu Yunshu. She was a well-read, courteous young woman. No matter how Qiao Ying thought about it, she could not imagine Mu Yunshu possibly being a demon.
The Old Madam said, “Everyone in the manor has already been bewitched by her. They refuse to believe she is a demon. And now Zhiyi has eyes and a heart for no one but her. No matter what, Zhiyi is a good child. He has saved many people and has never done any evil. Even if she truly wants revenge, she should not be targeting Zhiyi!”
The Old Madam stood up again, but not to throw her weight around. To everyone’s surprise, this noble Old Madam lowered her head, bent at the waist, clasped her hands, and humbled herself as she pleaded with the two juniors.
“I beg you. Save Zhiyi. Help the Zhao family. If you are willing to lend us your aid, whatever reward you ask for, so long as I can provide it, I will not be stingy.”
For the proud and noble Old Madam, who had held her head high all her life, to lower herself and beg like this-anyone with even the slightest compassion would find it hard to remain unmoved.
Qiao Ying sighed.
The Old Madam’s heart eased. At last, she thought, she had persuaded them.
Then she heard Qiao Ying ask Shen Qingyu, “Are you full?”
Shen Qingyu nodded. “I’m full.”
Qiao Ying said, “Then let’s hurry home.”
Shen Qingyu obediently slipped his hand into Qiao Ying’s. She pulled him to his feet, walked around the Old Madam, and headed outside.
The Old Madam stood stunned for a moment before looking up at them. “You refuse to help me?”
Qiao Ying said apologetically, “I’m sorry, Old Madam. It’s not that we don’t want to help. I just remembered there’s something urgent at home, and we have to hurry back.”
The Old Madam said, “What could be more urgent than a human life?”
That was right. What urgent matter could it be?
Qiao Ying lifted her eyes and looked at the young man’s beautiful profile.
Shen Qingyu smiled faintly. “The clothes hanging outside haven’t been brought in yet.”
Qiao Ying nodded with great seriousness. “Right. The weather is about to change, and we haven’t brought in our clothes yet!”
She tugged Shen Qingyu along and hurried toward the door.
The Old Madam said, “Stop right-”
The Blind Staff in the young man’s hand dropped to the floor. He turned his face slightly, his white hair stirring, a faint smile at the corner of his lips.
A cold wind swept past, and even the air they breathed seemed to carry a chill.
The Old Madam felt as though that chill had seized her by the throat. She no longer dared say another word.
The matter of bringing in the clothes was false, but the weather changing was real.
By evening, a light rain began to fall. Lanterns lit up along the street. Pedestrians hurried down the road, and the lively smoke-and-fire atmosphere of the marketplace grew even richer.
Qiao Ying bought an umbrella. After opening it, she moved closer to Shen Qingyu to make sure his green robe would not be wet by the rain. But as they walked, she would unconsciously drift a little away from him again, then have to hurry back to his side.
After this happened several times, an arm slipped around her waist, like a rope firmly fixing the distance between them.
Qiao Ying glanced at him, then glanced again. “Shen Qingyu, what are you doing?”
“You’re too stupid. I’m keeping you from getting lost.”
“Then what do you mean by taking liberties with me?”
The fingers Shen Qingyu had resting at her waist rubbed lightly against her, as if tentatively searching for the soft sensation he had felt not long ago when Qiao Ying had leaned against his arm.
Hearing Qiao Ying’s question, his fingers paused, and the smile on his face faded a little. “Taking liberties?”
“You touched me several times just now. Are you trying to deny it?”
Shen Qingyu fell briefly silent. Who knew what he was thinking? A moment later, he smiled again. “Qiao Ying, why don’t you take liberties with me too?”
Qiao Ying’s expression went blank.
He really did seem to be sick in the head.