Stranger Danger

Chapter 149: Seeing You Again

Ye Qing sighed and channeled his spirit and energy. The Blue Demon Hand and Lightning Bolt were shivering in anticipation as well. Go big or go home, right?

It was at this moment the soothing sound of a qin came from outside the window. Like a cool night’s breeze, it gently blew away the irritation, the tension, the bloodthirst and the promise of death.

The unnatural redness in Xue Shiwu’s eyes gradually faded away. His crimson hair and sharp fangs slowly shrank until they were completely gone as well.

Lin Yuhuai and Chu Nianjiu looked completely entranced by the musical performance. Even a thug like Wei Yueshan was closing his eyes and looking relaxed.

When the performance finally ended, and the Wen Zailai couldn’t help but praise, “What a beautiful tune! It’s almost too good for this mortal coil!”

Lin Yuhuai nodded in agreement. “Indeed. It’ll be the balm to my soul for at least a good while.”

Chu Nianjiu took a sip from his gourd and shot the two scholars a disdainful look.”Hmph! Scholars and their pretentious-sounding words! I’ll grant you the tune is very good though. At the very least, it’s far better than what the two of you can play, right Joyless?”

He waited for a response but heard nothing. When he turned around, he noticed that Ye Qing was nowhere to be seen.

“Lord Ye left just now claiming he needed to use the toilet, Lord Chu,” Xu Banren explained expressionlessly, “He also said that he’s leaving the aftermath to you and Lord Lin.”

“The toilet?”

Chu Nianjiu and Lin Yuhuai exchanged a glance with each other. Toilet break my ass, he’s paying us back for dumping everything on him earlier!

“Ye Qing? Where is he?” Xue Shiwu demanded after breaking out from the entrancing music and discovered that his hated foe was nowhere to be seen.

Chu Nianjiu sneered, “He’s using the toilet. If you’re fast enough, you might be able to catch him mid-pee!”

“You think you’re funny, Chu Nianjiu?” Xue Shiwu squinted at Chu Nianjiu dangerously, but the madness that gripped him was far milder than it was before.

The Windcatcher shook his gourd at Xue Shiwu and said in a disdainful tone, “Dude, you are such a mad dog. There is literally no one you wouldn’t bite. If you want, I can beat the madness out of you!”

Xue Shiwu burst into a crazed laugh before baring his teeth at Chu Nianjiu. “Did you only realize that now, Chu Nianjiu? I am a mad dog. Anyone who offends me will suffer a fate worse than death!”

“Don’t try to be a hero, Chu Nianjiu. Everyone and their mothers know that heroes die young! Just because you survived last time doesn’t mean you’re going to survive this time!”

Something cold and steely shone out of Chu Nianjiu’s lazy, casual eyes then. “I knew it was you two.”

Cold, white air started pouring out of the Windcatcher’s body. It felt cold enough to turn the world into ice. Lin Yuhuai had taken a stance and stood off against Wen Zailai as well.

“Customers. The Cuiwei Boat is a place of comfort and leisure, not violence.”

It was at this moment a crisp, cool voice reverberated from somewhere. “Cuiwei welcomes you if you are here to enjoy our music and dances, but if you are here to settle a score, then please kindly move elsewhere!”

As soon as she finished, countless talismans lit up and submerged the entire interior with power. While the other guests were only mildly pressured, Xue Shiwu, Chu Nianjiu, Lin Yuhuai, Wen Zailai, Yue Weishan and Xu Banren felt their hair standing on end, and an uncontrollable panic climbing up their throats.

“Calm down, Nianjiu!” advised Lin Yuhuai as he gave the Windcatcher a pat on the shoulder.

Wen Zailai also walked up to Xue Shiwu and whispered, “We have time, Little Commander!”

The Cuiwei Boat was named after its master, Cuiwei. Although Cuiwei was a woman, she possessed an extraordinary background and a wealthy amount of connections. Not only that, she was a powerful warrior in her own right.

When Cuiwei first came to Luo Shui, countless people had taken an interest in her and her business. Many of them hailed from dangerous gangs and powerful clans as well. However, every single one of them had failed in their mission, and Cuiwei was able to deal them a crippling blow at best, or wipe them from the surface of Luo Shui at worst.

Since then, every faction in Luo Shui stayed well out of Cuiwei and the Cuiwei Boat’s way. Not even powerful sects like Sunset Hill or White Horse Academy were willing to make an enemy out of them.

Technically speaking, the Pacification Bureau did not fear Cuiwei. If she dared to attack the bureau, the bureau would flatten her and her boat the next day. That said, the Pacification Bureau generally stayed out of jianghu business because their main focus was on the Strangers. It was also a fact that they were causing a huge scene in the Cuiwei Boat, and the battle between four Astral Refiners would certainly damage the ship. Rationally, killing Xue Shiwu wasn’t worth risking Cuiwei’s wrath.

In the end, Chu Nianjiu and Lin Yuhuai took their leave first. Xue Shiwu glared daggers at their backs as he let out a dark shuckle. “The Four Gentlemen of Luo Shui, my ass. One day, I will crush them all beneath my feet.”

“As for that Ye Qing, my name isn’t Xue if he doesn’t beg me to end his life by the time I’m done with him!”

Wen Zailai replied with a warm smile while fanning himself, “The day will come, and it will be sooner than you think!”

“Tsk. The kid was lucky he escaped tonight!” Xue Shiwu clicked his tongue angrily. “But it won’t be so easy next time!”

“Ye Qing doesn’t know we’re targeting him. Ye Qing is already dead, he just doesn’t know it yet!”

Wen Zailai looked out of the window with an inscrutable look. “In the end, insects cannot withstand the winter!”

……

In a suite at the top floor of the Cui Wei Boat, Ye Qing stared awkwardly at a young woman and mustered his courage, “Miss Goddess?”

The young woman looked to be twenty five or twenty six, and she possessed a cool demeanor that reminded him of a winter flower. The woman shot him an indifferent glance before answering, “You’ve gotten the wrong person, customer. I am Cuiwei, master of the Cuiwei Boat.”

“Oh… sorry!” Disappointment filled Ye Qing’s eyes immediately. Her answer aside, it was clear from her voice that she wasn’t Miss Goddess.

When he heard the qin performance earlier, he was certain that Miss Goddess was the one who played it. Overflowing with surprise and joy, he did not hesitate to ditch his pals and rush to this suite where the music was coming from. He thought he could finally meet his savior in person, or at least chat with her a little. Unfortunately, it would seem that he was mistaken after all.

Ye Qing let out a long sigh and saluted Cuiwei, “My deepest apology for disturbing you, Miss Cuiwei. I shall take my leave now.”

He turned away and was just about to leave when the bead curtain, and a teasing voice tickled his ears. “Do you have poor eyes on top of a poor singing voice? How did you mistake Cuiwei for me?”

“Miss… Goddess?” Ye Qing’s eyes widened like saucers as he stopped in his tracks. As if he was afraid he was hallucinating, he slowly turned around until his eyes caught someone stepping out of a room that was covered by a bead curtain.

The young woman looked to be in her early twenties. She wore an ink dark dress with embroidered flowers and possessed a stunning countenance that stole his breath away the second he laid his eyes on her. Her eyes were bright and clear, her smile was warm and comely, and her long hair resembled a cascading waterfall. She looked like a goddess who had stepped out of an ink wash painting.

“Who else?” The young woman smiled before walking over to Cuiwei and placing a jade plate with three bottles of medicine on it in front of her. ”I made these restoratives myself. For ten days, you will take one pill from each bottle every morning and night. You ought to recover then.”

“Remember to rest even after you’re healed, however. Otherwise, you may experience a relapse.”

“Got it!” Cuiwei nodded.

Finally, Ye Qing snapped out of his daze and exploded with joy, “It really is you, Miss Goddess! It’s so nice to finally meet you!”

“And why’s that?” The young woman asked smilingly while picking a teapot from a red mud stove and filling up a jade cup. A faint yet invigorating scent began permeating throughout the room. She then offered him the tea.

Ye Qing accepted it and took a sip, enjoying the hot yet soothing flavors that were spreading through his mouth. Feeling a lot calmer, he answered, “It’s because I can finally thank you properly for saving my life, of course!”

She smiled. “I did save your life, didn’t I? You best remember it then. I may call upon that favor one day.”

Ye Qing replied matter-of-factly, “Of course I will. I won’t forget it for as long as I live.”

“Do you know each other, Qingyou?” Cui Wei asked suddenly.

“Qingyou?” Ye Qing’s eyes lit up. “Is that your name, Miss Goddess? ‘Like a dream that lasts all autumn’? It’s a wonderful name, Miss Goddess!”

“Like a dream that lasts all autumn… huh?” The woman paused as her eyes grew long and distant. For a moment, it was like she was looking through space and time itself. Then she smiled and popped the illusion like a bubble, leaving behind only fall-like silence and calm. “My last name is Feng, and my first name is Qingyou. You may call me Qingyou.”

“Okay, Qingyou!” Ye Qing gladly addressed her by her first name. “I told you before, but my name is Ye Qing, and my moniker is Joyless. You may call me Joyless.”

“So… you live here, Qingyou?”

He was going to ask if Qingyou was working for Cuiwei Boat, but he changed his mind at the last second. Although the Cuiwei Boat was clearly a cut above its peers, there were some people who would take serious offense for being associated with an establishment like this. Just in case, he decided to go about his question in a more roundabout fashion.

Unfortunately, he did not account for another variable that was sitting right in this room. Cuiwei turned sharply in his direction and asked in a scathing voice, “Is that a hint of scorn I detect, customer?”

Ye Qing: “...” That’s not what I mean, sister. Also, I like you much better when you were roleplaying an ice queen.

Ye Qing shrugged and rubbed his nose. “Of course not! Everyone is equal in the entertainment industry!” And as a man, this is easily my favorite place, so cool your jets, alright?

His platitudes did nothing to placate Cuiwei, however. She snorted in disbelief and continued to eye him coldly and critically.

Ye Qing continued to rub his nose. For whatever reason, he felt like Cuiwei was displeased with him.

Feng Qingyou smiled and saved him from his predicament. “I am a doctor, and I’m a close acquaintance of Cuiwei. I’m currently staying at a clinic called Heavenly Heart Clinic. I came here today because Cuiwei has been feeling sick, and she invited me over to treat her ailment.”

Ye Qing exclaimed in realization and admiration, “You’re well-versed in the art of music and healing as well, Qingyou? That’s incredible!”

More importantly, Feng Qingyou was staying in the Heavenly Heart Clinic. Ye Qing immediately engraved the information into his brain.

“Fawner!” Cuiwei set down her tea cup and hmphed again.

Ye Qing: “...”

What did I do to deserve this treatment?

“You’re lucky you’re an acquaintance of Qingyou!” Cuiwei said suddenly, “Now listen well, because I’m not going to repeat myself. Wang Luori once saved Wen Zailai’s life, and Luo Shen was a pawn Wang Luori planted in the Luo Clan.”

Ye Qing immediately turned serious and stared at Cuiwei. “What? How did you know about that?”

Cuiwei’s tone turned mocking again, “Did you not know that brothels, theaters, restaurants, gambling dens and more are places where information flows the freest?”

Clearly, Cuiwei was still miffed that Ye Qing had insulted the Cuiwei Boat earlier.