Chapter 125: Leaving Nothing Behind

Her gaze was cold as a hawk’s, fixed unblinkingly on Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan did not even know when Qin Li had died. And if he had known?

Just as he had stated: "Tower Master, I don't even know when she died, so how could I possibly know the details? Besides, this Ming Tower is filled with enemies. If one were to count everyone with a motive to kill Qin Li, the list would be endless."

"Then continue counting."

"Very well. First, the people from the Thousand Gates cannot escape suspicion. Second, Lian Bailiu. Although she was supposedly killed by Qin Li, her body suddenly vanished. I suspect she isn't dead at all—that it was a mere illusion. But that doesn't add up, because Xuanyuan Juesi personally confirmed her death. If he did, she must be dead. So, it could be someone from Lian Bailiu’s side seeking revenge. Third, what about people within the Ming Tower? Do you think that’s impossible? Someone like Bai Ming, who is always trying to sow discord between Qin Li and me, hoping to lead the other once one of us falls."

"Is that all?"

Qin Shuang lowered her eyes, refusing to look up, and pressed him further.

"Anything else? Of course there is. I know you suspect me. But it couldn't have been me. If I had killed Qin Li, would I be standing here acting like this in front of you?"

Ye Xuan offered an explanation in response to her stare.

"Heh, it is merely suspicion! Given your abilities, even if you did kill Qin Li, you would have ended up covered in wounds yourself."

"Exactly. That is why it could not possibly be me."

"What about Xuanyuan Juesi? What about Si Nuosang? Especially Si Nuosang. Xuanyuan Juesi and Qin Li were so close; they argued about her countless times. Do you think it’s possible that Si Nuosang did it?"

Qin Shuang’s sudden attack caught Ye Xuan off guard, but he immediately shook his head.

"Impossible. I know what kind of person Si Nuosang is. She would absolutely never kill Qin Li."

Si Nuosang was a truly kind person. She would never commit such an act.

"You know her very well, then."

"Of course. At least better than I know you."

"Regardless of how you feel, Si Nuosang is my target. You understand what I mean. If she didn't kill Qin Li, she might be allowed to live. But if she did... once I get my hands on that object, I will personally see to it that she is finished."

He stared at Ye Xuan, his declaration arrogant and cold.

"What object?"

"You are still playing the fool with me. That gemstone is in her possession, isn't it? I searched Xuanyuan Juesi’s estate from top to bottom and found nothing. It turns out it was in her hands all along."

"That is not the object you are looking for."

"Is that so? I saw it with my own eyes. Could I be wrong? Ye Xuan, you know full well that it is the object, yet you choose not to believe it. You truly disappoint me. But it doesn't matter; you are no longer a member of the Ming Tower anyway. You are the master of the Ye Manor now, aren't you?"

"No."

"Oh, I see. The old man hasn't died yet, so you cannot take over just yet."

As soon as Qin Shuang said this, Ye Xuan drew his sword and lunged at her. Qin Shuang stepped back several meters, startled by his sudden outburst, and nearly caught a blade.

"Shut your mouth."

Ye Xuan’s mood was already abysmal. Her constant prodding had crossed his bottom line, forcing him to act, even if he knew it was a futile effort.

However, Qin Shuang noticed something different in his martial arts.

"It seems you have been practicing the techniques of your Ye Manor."

She steadied herself and looked at him intently.

"Yes."

"If I recall correctly, you once said you would never practice them again."

"I am not a gentleman, so naturally, I do not always keep my word."

Ye Xuan didn't care about her observation, but Qin Shuang shook her head; she knew he wasn't like that at all.

"This is all for Si Nuosang, isn't it? You returned to the Ye Manor only to protect her."

It was a statement of certainty; Qin Shuang was convinced she was right. She watched Ye Xuan as she voiced her conclusion.

"Yes, you are right. I have reached the age where I will make concessions for the people I care about. So, is there a problem? If you intend to target Si Nuosang, then kill me. I guarantee our old man will come looking for you." He was, after all, the heir to the Ye Manor. If he died, the hidden power the manor had cultivated for over a hundred years would be unleashed. The days ahead for the Ming Tower would certainly not be easy.

"Do you think I am afraid? Though I truly do not wish to fall out with the Ye Manor at this time, there are ways to achieve my goals without necessarily killing." Suddenly, she moved to his side in a blur. She struck with a palm, and though Ye Xuan leaned back to dodge, he still felt the force of a powerful gust of wind.

It appeared Qin Shuang had no intention of letting him go. Instead, she entangled him in combat, though she did not use her full strength.

Watching from a distance, Yiyi saw the scene and quickly hurried back. She had to act immediately.

"Nuosang, it’s bad!"

Seeing Si Nuosang lying there, Yiyi spoke urgently.

"What happened?"

"I saw Young Master Ye fighting with a woman."

"A woman?"

"Yes."

Yiyi nodded repeatedly. Si Nuosang immediately thought of Qin Shuang. It seemed Qin Shuang had truly appeared! She rushed to the scene.

Seeing Si Nuosang arrive, Ye Xuan looked surprised. Si Nuosang drew her sword, joining Ye Xuan to fight Qin Shuang. With the two of them combined, Qin Shuang was forced to use her full strength. Although they were not her match, in such a battle, any slight carelessness could prove fatal. Someone like Qin Shuang would never lower her guard.

Soon, Ye Xuan was wounded.

It was the first time they had seen Qin Shuang’s weapon: musical strings. They were incredibly thin, yet lethally sharp.

A swipe of the strings cut deeper into Ye Xuan’s hand than a standard sword would have. Si Nuosang lunged forward, thrusting her blade and following up with a backhanded strike of a military knife.

This startled Qin Shuang; in her estimation, Si Nuosang did not possess such combat prowess.

Under their combined assault, Qin Shuang had to abandon her attack on Ye Xuan. She retreated, kicked off a tree trunk to vault a meter into the air, and struck down from above. Si Nuosang rolled to the side.

Qin Shuang’s strings embedded themselves half a meter into the ground. She quickly pulled them free, held them in both hands, and stood her ground, staring at Si Nuosang.

"Si Nuosang, you truly surprise me. Your martial arts are not high, but your movements and speed are enough to kill many masters."

"Thank you for the high praise." Si Nuosang’s combat style could not be measured by the so-called martial arts of this era; it felt like something from a different dimension. Yet, when combined, it didn't feel strange, merely novel.

"Your strength is difficult to gauge."

"Because I don't play by the rules? Not that you would understand. Now, if you want to kill us, I fear the chances of success are not very high, are they?"

"Very well. Even if the chances are slim, I shall try again another time. For today, let us end it here." Qin Shuang turned and left, as if she were merely brushing off her sleeves, leaving not a trace behind.