The words spoken caused everyone to fall silent.
Were it not for witnessing the methods employed by her elder brother earlier, they might have mistaken her for some worthless scion of a family, using a senior’s name to intimidate and assert dominance over Mengyin.
"Speak up, then!"
As if a precious treasure wrapped in red cloth was about to be revealed, the onlookers, eager to witness the spectacle, waited impatiently. They wished they could pry Xiaoman’s mouth open and urge her to speak quickly, to stop this teasing.
"Might I inquire about your elder brother's esteemed identity?"
Hui Jingxian, being the most perceptive, saw Xiaoman draw out her words and quickly asked.
Xiaoman raised an eyebrow at Hui Jingxian. Under Nan Shiying’s amused gaze, she declared loudly, "My elder brother is the third-generation leader of Medicine King Valley, Feng Luan."
The pronouncement was made with great flourish. Nan Shiying, having lived two lifetimes, had never felt such shame.
Feng Luan?
Feng Luan of Medicine King Valley?
The living Bodhisattva in the mouths of Yuzhou’s common folk?
The living Yama in the mouths of high officials and nobles?
How did she come to Hujian?
It was her!
How could it be her?
Hui Jingxian was initially surprised, then a trace of worry surfaced.
Feng Luan of Medicine King Valley was a follower of Regent Ji Jinmo, wasn’t he? He had previously accepted the imperial summons for pacification, specifically the Emperor's summons.
Now, for the safety of his relatives and disciples, he had publicly pledged to bring Ju De Manor under his allegiance.
So, what was his current status? An official under the Emperor's secret decree, or an official under Regent Ji Jinmo?
The moment he considered being entangled in the power struggle between the Emperor and the Regent, Hui Jingxian felt the path ahead grow dim and turbulent.
Overwhelmed by sorrow, he stumbled backward several paces.
Although Hui Ziling had some vague understanding of his father’s plans, his knowledge was not deep. Seeing his father unsteady, he mistook it for weakness and unsteadiness in his internal circulation caused by having his powers crippled earlier and then enduring that battle. He rushed forward and steadied him.
Hui Jingxian glanced at his son, his heart filled with even greater self-reproach.
"You are Feng Luan?"
Mei Sha never would have imagined that a simple extermination of a sect would lead to an encounter with Feng Luan of Medicine King Valley.
With the atmosphere so charged, Nan Shiying could only nod and smile at Mei Sha, "Indeed, it is I!"
"Speaking of which, Medicine King Valley has a long-standing relationship with your Ghost Fiend Sect. However, as Mo Xin and I are close confidants, when there are matters he finds unsuitable to handle, I simply take it upon myself to relieve him of his burdens."
"In truth, had you not hailed from the Ghost Fiend Sect, you would now be reduced to dust, along with the楼主 of Wan Ku Lou. I know nothing of matters within the martial world, nor do I wish to know. But your Ghost Fiend Sect is perhaps a bit too presumptuous, stretching your influence too far. Do not blame others for severing your fingers."
"Enough. Today is the auspicious occasion of Manor Lord Hui’s retirement from the martial world. We shall settle our affairs at another time." Nan Shiying finished speaking and turned her gaze to Hui Jingxian, "I shall not proceed to the inner courtyard. Manor Lord Hui, find one of your disciples who has been poisoned, and let me examine the poison administered by Chi Sha. If I can cure it, so be it. If not, I shall have to employ some means to make Chi Sha hand over the antidote."
"Yes, yes!"
Despite his myriad worries, Hui Jingxian recognized that the lives of his relatives and disciples were of paramount importance. Future matters could wait. Ultimately, the person his entire family pledged allegiance to was Feng Luan, not Ji Jinmo. Who could guarantee that the deep affection between these two would last a lifetime?
Hui Ziling supported a man in his thirties. Those familiar with Ju De Manor would recognize him as one of Hui Jingxian’s personal disciples.
"Young Master!"
Hui Jingxian stood by Nan Shiying's side, respectful and humble.
Nan Shiying expertly felt his pulse, then looked at Chi Sha, "You are using poison from my Medicine King Valley?"
"Who gave it to you?"
Nan Shiying’s eyes were as sharp as knives, filled with oppressive force.
Chi Sha remained silent.
Nan Shiying said to Hui Jingxian, "Rest assured, the poisons of my Medicine King Valley are curable." Then, instead of treating the poisoned individual, she stood up and walked towards Chi Sha.
"Perhaps you have never witnessed my methods, but it matters not. I have pried open mouths far more stubborn than yours."
She spoke with a smile, her voice gentle, like that of a refined scholar. Yet, her words carried a chilling malevolence, staining the smile on her face with a sinister hue.
Upon hearing her words, before Chi Sha could react, Wen Renfeng and others, who had personally witnessed his ruthlessness and madness, shivered intensely.
Was she going to interrogate someone in front of them again?
First Wan Ku Lou, then Ghost Fiend Sect.
Did she truly intend to confront all the forces in the martial world before she would be satisfied?
Her status as a direct descendant of Medicine King Valley and a close friend of the Regent naturally meant she feared neither of these sects. But they did not. They were insignificant individuals who could not afford to offend these two sects. Even if they were merely standing by as passive spectators, they might still become collateral damage.
Wen Renfeng dared not linger. He quickly cupped his fists towards Hui Jingxian in farewell, "Since Manor Lord Hui has urgent matters to attend to at his estate, I shall not impose further. I take my leave! Farewell!"
Hui Jingxian was slightly taken aback. Seeing the fear on the other’s face, he said nothing more, merely cupping his hands in return, "It is my oversight."
"Not at all, not at all!"
Wen Renfeng quickly waved his hands. After exchanging a few more courtesies, he turned and fled, holding the hem of his robe.
Seeing this, the others also took their leave.
Soon, only Nan Shiying and her companions, along with the staff of Ju De Manor, remained within the premises.
Xiaoman, hearing that her mistress was about to resort to torture, became somewhat excited. She pulled out a dagger from her怀 and handed it to Nan Shiying, "Brother, shall we try something different this time?"
Nan Shiying looked at her, "What something different?"
"Castration!"
Nan Shiying: "..."
She firmly pressed Xiaoman’s head, rejecting the suggestion.
The others present heard this and felt a chill in their lower regions. Hui Ziling’s gaze towards the siblings changed. He had heard of Feng Luan’s reputation and had some inkling of her ruthlessness. However, he had never imagined that when it came to ruthlessness, the siblings were so perverse.
The mention of torture seemed to excite them far too much.
Chi Sha’s expression shifted multiple times upon hearing of castration. Only when Nan Shiying rejected the suggestion did his look of terror begin to subside.
However, the next moment, Nan Shiying’s words caused his insides to turn to ash, "Ling Chi then!"
She spoke carelessly, as if casually deciding what to eat for dinner. Yet, the dagger in her hand was slightly raised, revealing a sharp, cold glint.