“Looking at you like this… are you sick or something? Why else would you be looking for a miracle doctor?” Shi Cuiyan ran up to Luo Qingcheng and said, “How about this, I’m short on money anyway, why don’t you hire me to help you gather information? My name might not be that famous in the Jianghu anymore, but I still have some old friends.
Sending a few letters could help, right?” Luo Qingcheng raised her eyebrows slightly, considering Shi Cuiyan’s suggestion.
“The Jianghu is so vast, you can’t just wander around like a headless fly.
You’ve got a lot of enemies now, so you can’t risk exposing yourself.
If I act as your cover, things will be easier for you,” Shi Cuiyan saw Luo Qingcheng hesitating and pressed on, “I’m the best at finding people, and you don’t have to pay me right away.
Just remember to pay me when you get back to Luo Family Manor, how about it?”
“You can keep me safe on the road?” Luo Qingcheng asked.
Keep her safe? The Luo Family Head needs someone to keep her safe?
“Hey! Luo Family Head… did you forget you beat me back then? Why would you need me to protect you?” Shi Cuiyan’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
She knew Luo Qingcheng must have her reasons, but she couldn’t help but tease her, “What, does the Luo Family Head value me that much? Want me to be your bodyguard now? Fine, but about the money…”
“I’ve been poisoned with Hua Gong San.” Luo Qingcheng suddenly blurted out, her eyes icy cold.
“Hua… Hua Gong…”
“Chen Tanghe tricked me into drinking tea laced with Hua Gong San, so now I have no martial arts at all, I’m just an ordinary woman,” Luo Qingcheng said this calmly, without any emotion, “That’s why I want to find Xue Baihua.
She must have a way to restore my skills.
I happened to run into you, so I’m asking for your help.”
Shi Cuiyan was stunned.
“…Chen Tanghe? Isn’t he your senior brother? Why would he make you lose your martial arts? That’s weird, I remember he really cared about you.
Back then, for the Hulong Secret Treasure, he ran all over the place for you.
Why would he turn on you now?” Shi Cuiyan twirled a lock of hair, puzzled.
Chen Tanghe’s feelings for Luo Qingcheng were obvious; he shouldn’t have harmed someone he loved.
But lately, she hadn’t heard Leader Chen speak up for the Luo Family Head, and he’d even ordered her capture…
She had a vague guess, but it made Shi Cuiyan feel a bit cold… Could it be that Luo Family Head still can’t let go of Xi…
“Deal?” Luo Qingcheng’s eyes flashed, cutting off Shi Cuiyan’s thoughts.
“As long as I keep you safe and find the Divine Doctor, no matter how much silver I ask for, you’ll pay me?” Shi Cuiyan grinned to cover her nerves, her almond eyes narrowing as she stared at Luo Qingcheng, “Heh, ever since I left the Jianghu, I’ve spent all my savings on booze.
If I don’t make some money, I’ll really have to beg for food.”
“Deal.” Luo Qingcheng agreed without hesitation.
“Great!” That’s just like the Luo Family Head—straightforward and decisive.
Shi Cuiyan stretched lazily and flopped back onto the grass.
She was soaked through, the night wind was freezing, but she didn’t care.
Now that the alcohol was wearing off, the stars seemed especially bright.
How long had it been since she looked up at the moon? It felt like she’d spent the last three years with her head down…
Cui Ling Long… Cui Ling Long…
“Hahahaha…”
Her laughter was a little bleak, carried away by the wind.
Creak—
The old wooden door swung open, then slammed shut.
Shi Cuiyan walked in hugging a wine jar, grinning as she approached the table.
On the low couch, Luo Qingcheng was meditating.
She only opened her eyes slowly when she heard Shi Cuiyan return.
Shi Cuiyan popped the lid off the jar, didn’t bother with a cup, and just took a big swig straight from the mouth, not the least bit ladylike—more like a rough Jianghu man.
“Did you find out anything?” Luo Qingcheng asked, her low voice tinged with impatience.
Shi Cuiyan swallowed the wine, her mischievous eyes teasing as she looked at Luo Qingcheng.
“Oh, it’s big news.
The whole city’s martial artists are looking for the Luo Family Head.
If you strolled down the street in broad daylight, you’d be more popular than the top courtesan at the flower house.”
Luo Qingcheng shot her a cold glare.
“Hey, I’m just making a comparison, no need to get mad, Luo Family Head,” Shi Cuiyan ignored Luo Qingcheng’s warning and went on, “Seriously though, who did you piss off? Besides Leader Chen, there’s another faction after you.
Tsk tsk, they look fierce and mean… did you mess with someone from the Demonic Sect?”
Looks like Luo Qingcheng really stirred up a hornet’s nest this time.
“They say the Luo Family Head has become a ruthless female demon.
Want me to find you some decent clothes? If you run into trouble at night, at least you’ll look intimidating.” Shi Cuiyan kept up her mischievous tone, then sighed, “It’s funny, really.
Remember how you used to call Xi Meimei a villain? If she were still alive and knew you’re now a killer, I wonder what she’d think?”
Was it intentional? Or not?
Shi Cuiyan’s words were like a sharp blade, scraping hard against Luo Qingcheng’s heart.
Luo Qingcheng lashed out without warning, about to strike Shi Cuiyan, but Shi Cuiyan dodged to the side, grabbed her hands, and the wine jar crashed to the floor, filling the room with the smell of alcohol.
Luo Qingcheng missed, and instead Shi Cuiyan pinned her against the mud wall.
They were so close, eye to eye, nothing but anger between them.
“Don’t mention that name!” Luo Qingcheng nearly ground her teeth to dust, her aura still fierce even in defeat.
“Who? You mean Xi Fuhong, Xi Meimei? Ah,” Shi Cuiyan pretended to play dumb, grinning, “What, I’m not allowed to say it? Afraid Xi Meimei will come haunt you at night? Tsk tsk, look at you, so weak now.
Still the Luo Family Head? I lost to your whip back then, but now you can’t even dodge my counterattack…”
Luo Qingcheng’s brows knitted tight as she shoved Shi Cuiyan away with all her strength.
“Don’t mention that name again!” Luo Qingcheng insisted stubbornly.
“Is it that you won’t let me say it, or you just don’t want to hear the name Xi Fuhong ever again?” Shi Cuiyan’s smile suddenly turned a bit twisted.
“Do you know why I drink? Because only when I’m drunk do I stop dreaming about her.
Don’t you get it? This is all retribution! We’re the ones who got her killed! It’s a curse! It’s—”
“Ridiculous!” Luo Qingcheng roared in anger, cutting off Shi Cuiyan’s rant.
At that, Shi Cuiyan just gave a bitter laugh.
“I think the ridiculous one is you, Luo Da Dangjia.
You can close your eyes and pretend nothing happened, but you’re just lying to yourself! Look at you, the mighty family head, now being hunted.
You really think this isn’t retribution? After the Tiger Dragon Treasure, are you satisfied? Let me tell you… I’m not… not even a little bit!!”
“Lunatic.” Luo Qingcheng said coldly after catching her breath.
A curse? Luo Qingcheng lowered her eyes.
She understood what Shi Cuiyan meant, but she refused to show weakness in front of her.
She flicked her sleeve and walked to the bed, sitting down irritably.
Shi Cuiyan calmed down too, bending to pick up the broken jar on the floor.
Wine was everywhere, glinting in the setting sun.
This was Shi Cuiyan’s drug for three half-crazy years.
And her? Three years… what had she done? Satisfied? What did that even mean? She’d only ever lived for the Luo Family’s whip manual, never for herself…
“I found out where the Divine Doctor is,” Shi Cuiyan called out, snapping Luo Qingcheng out of her daze.
“It’s tricky.
The Divine Doctor was captured by the Demonic Sect.
The Grass and Wood Sisters are also trying to get information, but I’m afraid we’ll get noticed by the Demonic Sect before we even find her.
If we piss off the sect leader, even ten lives wouldn’t be enough.”
The Demonic Sect… huh…
Luo Qingcheng said nothing, closing her eyes to rest.
“But,” Shi Cuiyan’s almond eyes sparkled, “Luo Family Head, did you get yourself mixed up with the Demonic Sect?”
