Chapter 178 : The Curtain Rose
Chapter 178: The Curtain Rose
In the back courtyard of the Inspector’s Residence, within a tranquil little courtyard, a graceful figure flickered from front to back. Sword light gleamed sharply—she was practicing her sword.
“Junior Sister, you’ve been practicing for two hours. You should take a break.”
A man in green stood outside the courtyard, gently advising.
The one inside said nothing, only driving the sword light faster, sharper.
Pan Dingren couldn’t help but sigh. “I know you’re upset. Master only did it for your own good.”
In the courtyard, the sword light suddenly halted. That figure revealed herself—it was Zhao Xiyan, drenched in sweat. She murmured, “How could I blame Master? I only blame myself. I didn’t work hard enough before. My strength was too weak—I couldn’t help him…”
Ever since rumors spread that Qin Changyuan sought revenge against Chen Ming, Zhao Xiyan had been confined in the courtyard by her master, not allowed to step outside.
It had been more than a month.
Seeing her like this, Pan Dingren became angry. “Junior Sister, with your background and looks, why would you worry about finding a good match? Why treat yourself this way? Do you know—”
Zhao Xiyan looked sorrowful. “I don’t even know what’s wrong with me. I know he no longer wants me, yet I still can’t forget him. Senior Brother, tell me—what should I do?”
Hearing this, Pan Dingren’s anger flared, and he blurted what he had just swallowed back. “He’s getting married.”
Zhao Xiyan froze, like a wooden statue.
Pan Dingren couldn’t bear to see her like that and sighed. “It’s with that third-ranked on the Absolute Beauty Ranking—Yu Haitang. Let it go.”
Zhao Xiyan murmured, “No, impossible. I don’t believe it…”
“It was Madam Yu who said it herself. The whole city knows. If you don’t believe me, ask my elder brother.”
“Impossible…”
Seeing her so dazed, Pan Dingren hardened his heart. “He’s marrying someone else. Why are you still thinking about him? Let it go.”
...
Knock knock knock.
Chen Ming had just eaten. Feeling bored, he was comparing Su Zhi Ning and Yu Haitang’s meridians when he heard knocking.
It was Qiuxiang again.
He asked, “What is it?”
Qiuxiang said, “Young Master Feng is here. He brought two others, one surnamed Zhou, one surnamed Gu.”
He found it odd. “What are they here for?”
“Shall I let them in?”
“Tell them to leave—never mind, let them in.”
Since Madam Yu had stepped in, Qin Changyuan probably wouldn’t dare cause trouble for now. The danger was temporarily lifted. No need to drive them away.
Besides, he truly was bored.
Su Zhi Ning and Yu Haitang usually sat quietly with eyes closed, not speaking to him.
A moment later, Feng Siyuan’s booming voice came. “Brother Chen! I heard you became Yu Family’s favored son-in-law. What, you’ve grown too proud to meet us in person?”
Chen Ming replied, “It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just inconvenient.”
Feng Siyuan shouted, “What’s inconvenient? Don’t tell me Brother Chen is hiding beauties in his room?”
“Ahem… Brother Chen must have his reasons. We can sit outside.” Zhou Weihao helped smooth things over.
Clearly, he had already noticed someone else was inside.
Then, the usually quiet Gu Yuantao suddenly asked, “Is that rumor true?”
Feng Siyuan and Zhou Weihao hadn’t expected him to be so direct and were momentarily speechless.
Chen Ming asked, “What rumor?”
Gu Yuantao said, “There’s talk in the streets that Miss Yu was gravely injured and won’t live long. Madam Yu betrothed her to you to bring her joy before death. Once you’re married and she dies, Madam Yu will kill you to accompany her.”
“……”
Chen Ming thought, while far-fetched, this rumor did fit Madam Yu’s style.
If Yu Haitang really died, that outcome wouldn’t be unlikely.
Suddenly, Yu Haitang opened her eyes and said, “Who’s been gossiping about my aunt behind her back?”
At this, the three men outside were all shocked.
It was like speaking ill behind someone’s back and getting caught red-handed. Gu Yuantao’s face turned hot—he was at a loss for words.
Who would’ve thought that this enigmatic woman, admired by countless men, third on the Absolute Beauty Ranking, would be in Chen Ming’s room in broad daylight?
Feng Siyuan stammered, “Miss… Miss Yu?”
Zhou Weihao quickly responded, “It’s just a street rumor. We didn’t expect Miss Yu to be here. Truly disrespectful.”
Yu Haitang warned, “Chen Ming is treating my injuries. All those rumors about my aunt betrothing me to him are lies.”
“Yes, yes.”
The three outside could only answer that way.
What they truly thought, only they knew.
Afterward, Yu Haitang fell silent.
The three men sat uneasily outside, unsure what to say.
Chen Ming, used to big scenes, spoke calmly. “You didn’t come just to laugh at me, did you?”
“There is something,” Zhou Weihao quickly said. “A story’s been spreading lately about the secret behind the Sea-Calming King’s death twenty years ago.”
He lowered his voice. “It’s said the Sea-Calming King died mysteriously because he held the secret of the False Tomb of Immortality—and that secret cost him his life.”
“There’s such a thing?” Chen Ming was surprised. Yu Haitang’s actions were fast.
She was so badly injured yet still spreading this—truly persistent.
Feng Siyuan added, “We didn’t believe it at first, but it’s spreading like wildfire. Too detailed to be made up.”
Chen Ming said, “Tell me in detail.”
Zhou Weihao said, “The False Tomb of Immortality was guarded by five families, each holding a key. Only with all five keys can it be opened.
“For thousands of years, three families vanished from history. Their keys are lost. About twenty years ago, the Sea-Calming King obtained one key and learned the secret. But he was betrayed by someone close. The secret leaked. On his return to the capital, he was assassinated. His wife and children all died. Even his loyal aides were wiped out.
“But the mastermind failed to get the key. It vanished with the Sea-Calming King’s death.
“Now, there’s rumor that the key is with Shang Jianfei, who once belonged to the Qinghe Sword Sect!”
Chen Ming asked, “So, what exactly is the key?”
Zhou Weihao replied, “No one knows. But many believe Shang Jianfei holds the answer.”
Chen Ming said, “Even if we get that one, there are four more. Finding them all would be near impossible.”
“True, but for the secret of immortality, many are moving. Even the Six Doors Authority is investigating the Qinghe Sword Sect’s massacre records.”
He asked again, “Where is Shang Jianfei now?”
Zhou Weihao said, “Some say he’s hiding in Qingfeng City.”
...
“Miss Su, Miss Yu, I have something to discuss.”
After Feng Siyuan and the others left, Chen Ming spoke to Su Zhi Ning and Yu Haitang.
“What is it?” Yu Haitang asked.
Su Zhi Ning didn’t speak but opened her eyes to look at him.
Chen Ming said, “I need to return to Qingfeng City. I hope you’ll both accompany me.”
“Given the situation, travel is unwise…”
“I’ll arrange a carriage and notify Madam Yu.”
Hearing this, Yu Haitang was stunned. She realized he wasn’t asking—they were being told. A trace of anger flashed in her eyes, but she stayed silent.
Now that her life was in Chen Ming’s hands, whatever he wanted to do, she couldn’t stop it.
Not being in control of her fate—it felt terrible.
...
Soon after, Madam Yu rushed in, pushed the door open, and asked, “Why suddenly go to Qingfeng City?”
Her face betrayed no emotion, yet carried authority.
Chen Ming calmly said, “Chaos is coming to Qingfeng City. I’m worried for my family.”
Madam Yu stared into his eyes. “I can send someone to bring them to Jiangzhou. They’ll be safe.”
“Thank you for your kindness. But my family has lived in Qingfeng County for generations. We cannot leave.”
“In that case, I’ll send experts to protect them.”
“No need. My family—I’ll protect them myself.”
Chen Ming stared back, unyielding.
“Fine.”
Madam Yu finally relented. “When will you go?”
“Tonight.”
...
That night, a large carriage drove into the courtyard. The gate was too small, so it was torn down.
Chen Ming supported Su Zhi Ning and Yu Haitang onto the carriage. Qiuxiang, Dongxiang, and also Mei’er and Ju’er followed. Madam Yu sent a middle-aged man as guard and an elder to drive.
Just like that, the carriage left Jiangzhou City that night, heading toward Qingfeng City.
Yu Haitang, visibly better, suddenly said, “I’m curious. You’d offend me and my aunt just to take us back to Qingfeng City. What kind of family are you protecting?”
Chen Ming said, “You’ll see soon enough.”
His decision wasn’t impulsive.
With the False Tomb of Immortality’s secret spreading, countless martial world figures would flood Qingfeng City. He feared someone might use this chance to harm his family.
He couldn’t take that risk.