Shu Xuan fled through the night. He had only intended to investigate Jiang Yao's death, but this investigation had uncovered something extraordinary, and everything pointed directly at Nangong Yu.
"My lord, you must leave quickly. We will cover your retreat."
Shu Xuan fled without looking back. There was no conflict of interest between Jiang Yao and Nangong Yu, yet Nangong Yu was involved in Jiang Yao's death. Or rather, Nangong Yu was concealing the true cause of Jiang Yao's death. Why?
Who was he protecting? Given Nangong Yu's temperament, only a handful of people could be protected by him. And there was only one person who had a significant relationship with Jiang Yao!
Xiao Man! Shu Xuan gritted his teeth. His master had always protected and doted on her, but she, in turn, had colluded with outsiders to plot against his master, and even killed Jiang Yao, severing his master's arm. They all said the sting of a wasp's tail was the most venomous, and it was true—a woman's heart was indeed the most treacherous!
However, Shu Xuan was deeply puzzled. Xiao Man and his master were master and disciple, their bond was extraordinary. Why would she plot against her master and kill Jiang Yao?
Was it because of Xiao Zhen's death? No, when Jiang Yao died, Xiao Zhen was still alive and well. Was she instigated by Nangong Yu? Did that woman betray her master for a man?
Shu Xuan felt he was overlooking something. Xiao Man was not easily swayed. When she discovered Nangong Yu's involvement in Xiao Zhen's death, she had unhesitatingly fought Nangong Yu. This woman was ruthless and would never do something foolish for romantic sentiment!
The more Shu Xuan thought, the more confused his mind became. Yet, his guards were dwindling, and the pursuers behind him were increasing. But he had to get the message back to his master. Xiao Man was highly likely to have betrayed his master, and his master treated her with utmost kindness. If he was unaware of the truth, he might fall victim to her treachery!
"Can you escape?" a voice echoed as if in his ear. Shu Xuan stopped abruptly and quickly retreated. The spot where he had stood moments before was pierced by a sword from the sky. If he had been a moment slower, he would have been impaled like a candied haw.
"You are..." Shu Xuan looked at the person blocking his path, a look of confusion on his face.
The person removed the mask from their face, revealing a sharply defined countenance. It was none other than the long-absent Dugu Mingyu.
"Dugu Mingyu!"
Dugu Mingyu drew the sword from the ground and pointed it at Shu Xuan, saying, "Today is the day you die."
As he spoke, Dugu Mingyu charged. Shu Xuan was both furious and anxious. Dugu Mingyu was a formidable warrior himself, personally trained by Dugu Man. His martial skills were not poor; otherwise, how could he be the only one to escape from so many people of the Dugu family!
"All the people of the Dugu family are dead, what is the point of you living alone?" Shu Xuan blocked Dugu Mingyu's sword. "Do you know how all the people of the Dugu family died?"
Dugu Mingyu's expression was cold. Every move was a killing blow, every sword stroke carried the determination to kill. The blood debt owed to their Dugu family must be repaid with blood!
Shu Xuan was forced into a desperate situation, yet he couldn't understand why Dugu Mingyu would target him and why he would be with Xiao Man.
"Dugu Mingyu, don't you want to avenge the Dugu family?" A flicker of hatred crossed Shu Xuan's eyes. "Do you know who caused the Dugu family to be annihilated?"
"You talk too much!" Dugu Mingyu did not listen to Shu Xuan. He already knew who the enemy was.
"You think it's the Young Emperor Yun Qi. I tell you, he is merely a pawn. The one who truly wanted the Dugu family to perish is Xiao Man!"
Upon hearing this, Dugu Mingyu's lips curved into a cold smile. "You can make up even more outrageous lies!"
"What I'm saying is the truth. My master is working for Xiao Man!"
"Oh, so Xiao Man ordered your master to kill General Xiao?"
Shu Xuan faltered slightly, seemingly disbelieving. "The death of General Xiao has nothing to do with my master."
"Xiao Zhen was killed by Feng Moran," Dugu Mingyu stated without hesitation. "You use Xiao Man as a shield, pushing all the blame onto her. Have you ever asked her if she is willing to bear this罪名 (guilt)?"
Shu Xuan retreated repeatedly, widening the distance between himself and Dugu Mingyu. Xiao Man and his master had indeed become estranged, but everything his master did was for Xiao Man's well-being!
"Dugu Mingyu, whether you believe it or not, the one who wanted Dugu Man dead was Xiao Man!"
The coldness in Dugu Mingyu's eyes intensified. Feng Moran had committed so many bloody debts, and they were all being attributed to Xiao Man. When Feng Moran infiltrated Yun Qi, Xiao Man was only a few years old, five or six? A five or six-year-old child wanting her sister's life—who would believe that?
Shu Xuan watched the enraged Dugu Mingyu, a faint gleam flashing in his eyes. Xiao Man was now estranged from his master and was a constant burden to him. She could not be allowed to continue like this.
"Furthermore, do you know that Xiao Man is a descendant of the ancient Qin tribe..." A sword pierced through his chest. Shu Xuan looked in disbelief. There was another hidden individual... "Xiao Luo!"
Xiao Luo quickly drew his sword and lunged at the others. This secret absolutely could not be exposed, or Xiao Man would be besieged by the four nations.
Dugu Mingyu reacted with lightning speed, parrying with a counter-stroke that instantly pierced through the person beside him. The two figures weaved through the crowd. Moments later, only the two of them remained standing.
Xiao Luo tightened his grip on his sword hilt, quietly observing Dugu Mingyu, wondering what his chances of victory would be if he attacked Dugu Mingyu.
Dugu Mingyu sheathed his sword. "Check if there are any survivors."
Xiao Luo frowned as he watched Dugu Mingyu inspect the corpses. "Dugu Mingyu..."
"I heard nothing," Dugu Mingyu said, his back to Xiao Luo. "All I know is that my life was saved by her. Others might lie to me, but she wouldn't."
Xiao Luo then released his grip on his sword and, along with Dugu Mingyu, began to check for any other survivors. After confirming that there were no survivors at the scene, the two departed.
When the people from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion arrived, they found nothing but a pile of corpses. Some belonged to enemies, and some to the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. However, both the intruders and the dark guards of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion were dead. There were no survivors at the scene, as if both sides had perished together.
Wu Chen knelt before a corpse, carefully examining the wounds. "The wounds are neat and flat. Our people seemed to have no time to resist. The attacker was likely someone they knew."
"Could it be one of our own?"
"These wounds look like they were inflicted by the Zhenwu Sword."
"Isn't the Zhenwu Sword Xiao Luo's personal sword? Why would Xiao Luo kill our people?"
Wu Chen was also quite perplexed. At the same time Xiao Man defected from Yusheng, Xiao Luo also defected from Yusheng with his men. But after Xiao Luo's defection, he disappeared. Now that he had reappeared, he had killed their people. Could it be that Xiao Man and his master had truly broken ties?
"Inform the master of what happened here," Wu Chen said with a frown. "For some reason, I have a vague sense of unease. Perhaps we should thoroughly investigate this pair of siblings!"