Chapter 56 Extra: Wuqing if Line (2) [Extra]

It was truly an indescribable smile, so beautiful that it was almost unbelievable.

Even though Shi Qingruo had interacted with this Wuqing Chief Constable many times, he still felt the grand scene before him dazzled his mind.

Wuqing seemed to be suited to such a quiet situation, and the momentary warmth within this quietness.

"This flower—is it for me?" Shi Qingruo met his eyes.

But he suddenly lowered his eyes, letting his thick eyelashes cover the glint of color in his eyes. But it was as if the light red on the edge of the white flower in his hand had been blown onto his cheek by these words. The

corners of his lips moved, and he finally uttered the word "yes".

"Fortunately, you didn't say it, you just wanted me to see that your mechanical prosthetic hand is only a semi-finished product, but it can be so flexible. Otherwise..."

"What else?" Wuqing seemed to have regained some rationality, and his voice returned to the coldness he had when he was fiddling with those mechanisms before.

But the next moment, his breath hitched again. "...Master Alliance Leader, you're too close."

He hadn't even finished his question when Shi Qingruo rested one hand on the armrest of his wheelchair, the other still holding the small flower.

At such close proximity, a strand of her dark hair fell onto his fingers, a couple of strands slipping through, seemingly tangled between them.

For a fleeting moment, Wuqing almost forgot that he hadn't boldly taken advantage of this opportunity to offer the flower to Shi Qingruo, but rather... she

had offered it to him with a smile on her lips.

That smile wasn't the usual masterful strategist she wore, but rather a hint of playfulness. "That day, when I encouraged you, Chief Constable Wuqing, to conspire with me against Sun Qingxia, we spoke just as closely. Why didn't you say I was too close then?"

Wuqing's thin lips pursed into a line.

He'd become increasingly adept at deceiving himself lately, yet he couldn't bring himself to speak his excuses, fearing that a single wrong word would send him packing.

"Never mind, I won't tease you anymore." Shi Qingruo suddenly stepped back, kindly giving Wuqing some breathing room.

It was as if she'd actually done something else in that moment of retreat. Otherwise, the prosthetic hand he'd been holding would likely have fallen to the ground in that moment of distraction, instead of being placed back on the table before him as it was now.

It was Shi Qingruo who had helped him.

"Although Village Chief Qi has grown accustomed to having a missing hand, it's still inconvenient. If I stay here, I'm afraid I'll delay Chief Constable Wuqing's important mission."

"Or perhaps... Chief Constable Wuqing still wants me to stay?"

Wuqing wanted to respond, but in the end, he kept silent, watching Shi Qingruo leave with the flower in her hand.

A single voice, heard only by him, vanished into the smoke of the candlelight. "...I want you to stay."

...

He had something in his heart that he couldn't express, and he was already tossing and turning, but he didn't expect that the next day on his way to the camp to look for Tie Shou, he would see another heartbreaking scene.

The tall and thin man in the snow-white clothes, still looked arrogant and aloof even with his zither on his back, not like a scholar. But at this moment, because of the bouquet of flowers in his arms, he showed a little tenderness that was different from the day before.

If the woman in front of him was someone else, it would be fine.

- Wuqing knew clearly that although Sun Qingxia's reputation in the martial arts world was not good, she was just a person of temperament. He was willing to quit the Divine Spear Society in order to fulfill Gongsun Xiaoniang's reputation, and he was also willing to fight for the oppressed people and the thieves who exploited the local people. He was certainly not a bad person. Such a person may not be a bad match.

But why... why was the person in front of him Shi Qingruo!

Sun Qingxia was a striking figure, her demeanor flirtatious but not vulgar. Compared to Chu Liuxiang, she possessed a more daring air, and standing before Shi Qingruo, she looked even more handsome.

From a distance, they could truly be considered a perfect match.

But if...

"Captain, please stop looking at me like that. Someone who didn't know me would think I have some deep grudge against you." Sun Qingxia casually placed the bouquet on the roadside fence,

as if the person who had been dismissed with a few words and not even offered the flowers was not him at all.

He took two steps back, then stepped forward, adjusting the angle of one of the flowers, as if he were even more pleased with it, his smile growing even more unbridled.

After this, he turned and approached Wuqing.

Compared to his previous cold gaze, the jade-like detective had subsided a little, perhaps a sign of caution against "outsiders."

But Sun Qingxia had already made a judgment before, so how could she think that the feeling of having a thorn in her back was just an illusion?

Sun Qingxia raised her eyebrows: "If Chief Constable has anything to say, just say it directly. There is no need to hide it."

Wuqing replied: "I hope you will respect Master Alliance Leader more."

Sun Qingxia couldn't help laughing: "Captain Constable, Chief Constable, have you ever seen me disrespectful to Master Alliance Leader? It's just that everyone loves beauty, so I wanted to give her a bunch of flowers I saw outside today. Even though I was politely rejected, I didn't feel unhappy. Instead, I felt that Master Alliance Leader's ability to achieve great results with just a little effort was amazing."

"But-"

Wuqing was about to speak, but suddenly heard Sun Qingxia change the subject, "I just thought she was a peerless beauty before, so I used this northern ice flower to offer as a gift to Buddha. But now I feel that Master Alliance Leader is thoughtful in every way, and has the ability to seize opportunities to control the martial arts world. It is really moving."

Wuqing's eyebrows were slightly wrinkled.

The arrogant young man before him seemed oblivious to the irritation he had caused, continuing his calm demeanor. "Come to think of it, I, Sun Qingxia, am not entirely without advantages."

Wuqing gripped the armrest of his wheelchair as he listened as Sun Qingxia cited his advantages in age, height, physique, and martial arts skills, explaining how he had betrayed the Divine Spear Society in his early years and had roamed the martial arts world alone, without any backing from any faction, and would never bring any additional trouble to the Misty Heaven Alliance.

He then added that if he married into the Misty Heaven Alliance, he would still be considered a healthy person, at least compared to the lunatic Guan Qi of the past or Di Feijing, who followed Miss Guan. Given Madam Shi's current status, there was no guarantee that some faction wouldn't break the neck of a distinguished young man in their family to curry favor with the Misty Heaven Alliance, right?

"If I must say anything, I've noticed that Master Shi is quite interested in my firearm, but the research I conducted in my early years was far more than that. I wonder if this token of allegiance will win her favor." "

...I don't think so," Wuqing replied coldly.

If such a simple gift could earn her sympathy and commitment, the Saint Master of the Misty Heaven Alliance would have already found his match.

Compared to what Sun Qingxia suggested, the sacrifices made by Ye Gucheng and Gongzi Yu were undoubtedly far greater.

Hearing this reply, Sun Qingxia looked up at the sky, then thought of the important task Qi Shaoshang had entrusted to him yesterday, and felt a little like laughing.

This chief constable is known in the martial arts world for his self-possession and steadiness. It should be said that Zhuge Shenhou has given several of his disciples truly fitting names. Just looking at the word "ruthless" seems to be enough to outline an image.

Unexpectedly, this ruthless person, if he shows partiality due to affection, would be many times worse than someone like him who is unfettered.

But thinking about it because of that master's wife, everything seems easy to understand.

"The chief constable seems to know her very well?" Sun Qingxia folded her arms and looked back, her words revealing a hint of provocation, as if this was his natural tone.

"No, not really understanding. I just suddenly realized that you don't really have feelings for her as you said." Wuqing didn't continue speaking, and slowly pushed the wheelchair towards the other end.

What was he competing with Sun Qingxia for?

Sun Qingxia shrugged her shoulders and cast a helpless expression toward Qi Shaoshang, who was hiding in the distance. Her steps were already swiftly catching up with Wuqing. "Captain, you're jumping to conclusions a bit too quickly. Perhaps I'm simply being asked to do so today, or perhaps it's a spontaneous feeling. But who can predict the future?"

"In the underworld, no one can predict which will come first, surprise or understanding. If I become moved tomorrow, what I'll give you won't be flowers, but the heart of a playboy like me..."

Seeing a pair of sharp glares swung at him, Sun Qingxia raised her hand. "Alright, I won't say any more."

His trip north had indeed been well-placed.

Although it seemed... it had also gotten him into some trouble.

The next day, Chief Constable Wuqing summoned him, claiming to be handling some old cases involving the Heavenly King, clearly not intending to give him a chance to meet the Master.

Wuqing, however, had invited him here, not for questioning. Instead, he summoned Tieshou, with whom he had interacted in the past, to reminisce, temporarily dispelling Sun Qingxia's desire to leave.

He casually fiddled with the wooden puppet array before him, seemingly addressing Tieshou, but in reality, his question was directed to Wuqing, who sat at the other end. "I heard that Alliance Master, seeing the beautiful weather, took his men on a hunting trip toward Yunzhou. Why aren't you joining?"

Wuqing's expression spoke volumes.

Tieshou smoothed things over, saying, "The Misty Heaven Alliance seems to have some plans for Alliance Master's trip. What's the point of us interfering?"

Sun Qingxia nodded. "That's true. If it weren't for the current situation, it's best for Jianghu people to avoid getting too involved with you constables."

This was clearly a pointed remark.

Perhaps due to yesterday's exchange, Wuqing had been fully prepared for Sun Qingxia's provocative tone, and he didn't even react.

Sun Qingxia, too lazy to bother with the joke, figured provocation wouldn't work here, so she simply started a drinking contest with Tie Shou.

But before they'd even finished three glasses, hurried footsteps could be heard outside.

Tie Shou immediately looked out the window and saw that the person rushing in was one of Wuqing's four swordsmen and one knife boy.

This "Bronze Sword Boy" had a face that was clearly clever and smooth, and his slightly anxious expression was even more striking.

"What happened?" Wuqing had already asked.

The swordsman Chen Riyue quickly replied, "Young Master, something's happened! Alliance Master Shi was assassinated while out hunting, and the veterans have been summoned. I wanted to go over and inquire about the situation, but the Misty Heaven Alliance has already sealed off Alliance Master Shi's residence."

Wuqing's face instantly turned cold, "Who did it?"

"The news has been blocked from spreading. I only heard a roar that sounded inhuman. It was a bit human, but more like a beast."

This time, it wasn't just Wuqing whose expression suddenly turned cold; Sun Qingxia's was too.

He snatched up the zither beside him and started to walk out.

A voice from behind interrupted him, "Sir Sun, please come with me. I have a few questions on the way."

The boy who had brought the news earlier had already helped push his young master's carriage onto the ground, while another swordsman outside had pulled the carriage for easier travel.

It's been rumored that Wuqing, the chief constable of the Divine Marquis's mansion, could move his body with his hands, making it appear effortless. Seeing him today, Sun Qingxia was convinced the legend was true.

When he quickly stepped onto the carriage, Wuqing was already seated inside, making it impossible to tell how he had maneuvered from his wheelchair to the carriage.

Or perhaps, his speed was due to his concern for someone else.

Wuqing met Sun Qingxia's eyes, clear and sharp, as if he could see into someone's heart. "Your expression tells me that you know the origin of that roar."

Sun Qingxia had no intention of beating around the bush with Wuqing now. "Captain Wuqing must know about the Divine Spear Society. After Fu Zongshu's downfall, the mountain king Sun Jiang fled north with his men's achievements and was recruited by the Jin people. His humanoid Dangke test subjects also went north with him. Madam Shi's martial arts are unparalleled. An ordinary assassin would not have much impact on her, but the Dangke might not be the same."

His usually frivolous gaze froze like ice. "Dangke means wild beast in ancient Qiang language. These test subjects can no longer be considered human. It would be more appropriate to call them wild beasts, but they are a group of wild beasts that will obey orders. When Alliance Master is on a hunting tour, there is no more suitable assassin than Dangke."

"Their martial arts skills have greatly improved due to their focused concentration, and their special transformations have made them immensely powerful... After I defected from the Divine Spear Society, I've actually sneaked back several times, but I've never been able to reach the core area where the mountain kings are producing the donk."

Wuqing gritted his teeth.

"Don't worry," Sun Qingxia reassured her. "Master Alliance Leader isn't traveling alone. Even if the mountain king Sun Jiang and his experimental subjects truly possess such astonishing abilities, they shouldn't be able to harm her. The news is likely blocked because of the experimental subjects she intercepted."

"I hope so." Wuqing replied with these four brief words, as if Sun Qingxia had convinced him. But only he knew how his heart was clenched in his chest, as if he were back to the moment he heard Shi Qingruo had been kidnapped by Gongzi Yu.

Thanks to the Divine Marquis Mansion, his carriage had bypassed the defenses and quickly arrived outside Shi Qingruo's residence.

Even the fleeting glance he gave after disembarking made Wuqing feel as if he had plunged into an icy cave.

Blood, blood everywhere.

Basins of gore were brought out from the room. He wondered what kind of injury could have caused such a flow of blood.

He didn't even have the energy to pay attention. In a corner of the courtyard, a monster was imprisoned in heavy chains, roaring inhumanly. It was Ah Fei who pinned it down with his sword.

Wuqing saw only a blood-red coat being taken out of the room. He could tell at a glance that it was the one Shi Qingruo had worn when she left today!

But now, the once plain white garment had mostly turned blood red.

Wuqing grabbed the person who was taking the coat to be washed. He felt like he was being hit by a heavy hammer, his vision blackening for a moment. He still managed to summon the strength to ask, "She...how is Alliance Leader Shi?"

"Huh?" The man jumped in surprise, staring at his nearly torn sleeve. He quickly replied, "Alliance Leader Shi is fine. It was the girl she saved who nearly died."

"So... the girl she rescued?"

Wuqing was stunned for a moment, only to realize, a little too late, that the situation wasn't quite what he'd imagined.

He finally pulled his sleeve back and replied, "Yes, when Alliance Master Shi brought her back, she looked like she'd nearly bled out. Luckily, she'd retained some vital energy, and with the help of a miracle doctor, she was able to be saved. She was lucky."

Wuqing's cheek twitched for a moment, and it seemed as if he had spent considerable effort suppressing the involuntary tremor at the corner of his lips.

"...So the bloodstains on Alliance Master Shi's clothes were from bringing her back?"

The man gave Chief Constable Wuqing a strange look. "And from killing her."

Hmm... if those things could be considered human.

Almost the moment she finished speaking, Wuqing heard the door, which had been closed, open again. Shi Qingruo, draped in a fresh coat, emerged from the room, meeting Wuqing's face, still etched with panic.

That handsome face still held a paleness that hadn't yet fully recovered its color. Though the chill still lingered in the north, a thin sheen of sweat already formed at Wuqing's temples. It was clear that this wasn't just from his hasty arrival, but also from his recent loss of concentration.

He was oblivious to his own abnormality, only to find that Shi Qingruo's voice was now more beautiful than ever.

"Captain Wuqing, please step aside. I have something to tell you."

Wuqing walked to the side with Shi Qingruo and suddenly noticed her thoughtfully gazing at the blood on his fingertips. She quickly tucked her still-sting palm into her sleeve.

"What did Master Shi want to say?"

"The girl I rescued today is named Sun Yaohong, the daughter of the mountain lord Sun Jiang." At this point, Shi Qingruo's tone had become as sharp as a knife.

"You came here with Sun Qingxia, so you should have heard what he said. In order to get a group of thugs who would obey his orders, Sun Jiang created a group of deformed people in an inhumane way, and used drugs to stimulate their potential, which are human-shaped Dangks. Among these human-shaped Dangks, one of them had an accident." "

Perhaps it was because this Dangke mountain owl named Rust used part of the body of Sun Yaohong's lover Gongsun Yangmei during the transformation, which allowed him to preserve some of his humanity and the desire to protect Sun Yaohong. A month ago, he suddenly made a move and kidnapped Sun Yaohong."

"Because the mountain lord Sun Jiang had received an assassination order for me from his sponsor, he had no time to be distracted, so he temporarily ignored them and led his men to lurk here."

"But I didn't expect that Sun Yaohong inherited her mother's ability to hear sounds with a snap of her fingers and to call for lives with a golden hairpin. She seems like a weak lady on weekdays, but she is determined and courageous. She actually rushed in front of me and attacked the beast Sun Jiang with Rust."

"What about Sun Jiang..."

Shi Qingruo's expression lightened slightly at this point. "Sun Jiang is dead, and his men haven't escaped. But I'm worried about something. I'd like to ask Chief Constable Wuqing to bear witness and send a letter to His Majesty in Bianjing as soon as possible."

Wuqing quickly realized, "You mean, Sun Jiang's method for creating humanoid dangkes might be left in the north."

"Yes, we must prepare for this as soon as possible."

This act was so inhumane that the Jin people dared not expose it directly, but there was no guarantee that they wouldn't use Sun Jiang's method to train a group of death warriors for a final frenzy.

Regardless, preparations must be made to prevent the worst-case scenario.

"Okay, I'll do it right away."

"That's not so hasty." Shi Qingruo suddenly reached out and pressed the back of Wuqing's chair, leaning towards him.

Wuqing's heart skipped a beat, but she had straightened up again and handed him a silk handkerchief.

"Wipe your sweat off! It's bad if you catch a cold. Chief Constable Wuqing doesn't have any internal energy to rely on, so he'd better be careful."

"Also..." Shi Qingruo warned, "Before writing this report and submitting it, Chief Constable Wuqing should first meet with Sun Yaohong and Tiexiu. You're my accomplice, but not my mouthpiece."

Wuqing sighed softly and followed Shi Qingruo back, thinking to himself that while that was true, when he was losing his composure over one person, he had no time to worry about anything else.

Call it overly concerned, call it partiality, but every day, every moment, he found himself increasingly unable to deceive himself...

"Huh?" Shi Qingruo suddenly stopped.

Wuqing, distracted, nearly bumped into them, but fortunately, Shi Qingruo pulled him in, steadying the wheelchair.

The next moment, she lowered herself and gestured to him to silence him.

From their perspective, they could see the monster Tiexiu being suppressed by Ah Fei.

His previous roar seemed to have been paused suddenly, and it completely disappeared. He just stared blankly in one direction.

In the window he was looking at, a pale pretty face had appeared at some point, as if it had just woken up from a coma, and had subconsciously been looking for the monster that had taken her away.

But with the eyesight of a martial artist, at least from where Shi Qingruo and Wuqing were, they could clearly see a piece of withered red in Sun Yaohong's eyes.

How could she not know? Tiexiu was not Gongsun Yangmei, but there seemed to be a little shadow of Gongsun Yangmei. It was this state of being similar yet not, and being neither human nor inhuman, that made people feel heart-wrenching pain when they looked at each other. Wuqing

heard a voice close at hand sighing, "This feeling can be remembered, but it was already gone at that time..."