Chapter Forty-Five: Underlying Currents Surge

After tossing and turning for most of the night, she finally drifted off into a fitful sleep. It was uneasy, and not long after, she awoke suddenly. It was still deep in the night, the mountain quiet and still, save for the occasional distant call of an owl—unclear, yet undeniably present.

Beside her, the little Xie'er slept soundly, her small face buried against her chest, both hands restlessly tangled in her long hair. She reached out to gently touch the girl’s hair, then softly moved her aside and tucked the blanket around her, before donning her outer robe and stepping outside.

The little fox that had been sleeping at the head of the bed woke as well. Its dark red eyes followed Xuexue’s slow-moving silhouette, shivering and stretching before quietly leaping off the bed to trail behind the girl.

Soon, it was at her feet, mewling softly.

“Can’t sleep either? Or did I wake you?” Hearing the fox’s soft cries, she couldn’t help but crouch to stroke its warm fur.

This gesture delighted the fox; it arched its back, enjoying the gentle caress of her hand.

“Seems you’ve had your fill of sleep,” she said, her face softened with affection, as if playing with a cherished pet.

Yet her thoughts were elsewhere. It seemed the days at Wangyun Manor would not remain peaceful for long. Who were those people secretly watching? Could it be… Ji Wuqing?

The notion startled her, but instinct told her it couldn’t be Ji Wuqing.

Those people were scattered all around, far off, yet she could sense their presence clearly—a feeling like hawks watching their prey.

“You’ve noticed it too, haven’t you, Xue’er?” Qiuhua walked over, wrapped in her robe, her face carrying a weighty expression.

Meanwhile, the black-clad guards who had been secretly protecting Qiuhua swiftly acted, forcing the spies around the manor to withdraw. No, not forced—they merely departed for the time being, avoiding direct conflict.

“Mother, who do you think they are?” Xuexue asked.

“Don’t worry, it’s not Wuqing,” Qiuhua replied, her expression tinged with wry amusement. “No, perhaps it’s a pity that they’re not Wuqing. Don’t you think so, Xue’er?”

“Maybe, as you say, these people are even more troublesome…” More troublesome than Ji Wuqing.

“No matter, as long as we stay within the manor, they can do nothing to us,” Qiuhua said, confident in her black-clad guards.

As for those who had quickly left the manor, they moved deftly through the forest, clad in night gear, exuding a decisive aura of killing intent. They stopped at last, kneeling before a man who seemed to be their leader.

“You were discovered?”

“Reporting to Lord Yun, the manor’s inhabitants are formidable, their secret guards all skilled fighters.”

“Perhaps the person the master seeks is in that manor. Keep watch but avoid conflict for now,” Yunwu replied. He was to return and report to his master, uncertain what decision would be made.

The manor itself was beautiful, covered in blooming flowers—a testament to its owner’s love for them. Green vines climbed the walls, shimmering under the moonlight like waves of jade.

The courtyard was quiet, but the hidden guards lurking in the shadows were not to be underestimated, their presence tinged with lethal intent.

As Yunwu approached the courtyard, the hidden guards suppressed their aura and withdrew silently.

“Master, I’ve come to report on the situation at Wangyun Manor,” Yunwu knelt in the courtyard, facing the brightly lit window, respectful and deferential.

After he finished recounting the events, the shadow behind the window finally spoke, “So you believe these people have powerful backgrounds, and the blind girl in that manor won’t be easy to capture?”

The man behind the window raised a cup—whether tea or wine, it was unclear. His voice was as rich as aged wine, strong yet curiously mellow, mysterious and unfathomable.

“Rest assured, Master. That blind girl is only a matter of time. You won’t have to wait long,” Yunwu replied, a cold sweat breaking on his brow, fearing the casual tone that hid deeper meaning.

“That’s good. You know we don’t have much time here,” the man behind the window nodded, his silhouette faintly visible—thin, like a wraith, exuding an eerie presence.

In broad daylight, Xuexue could sense changes all around the manor. Pairs of eyes seemed to be searching for weaknesses, waiting for the right moment to strike.

What puzzled her was: who were these people? Who was the mastermind behind them?

Unable to solve the mystery, she continued with her own affairs. There was no need to waste energy on such matters; even if tranquility was about to be shattered, for now she could do as she pleased.

Such was Xuexue’s thinking, but Qiuhua was annoyed.

“If their formation draws Wuqing here, what then?” Qiuhua stood by the hall door, feeling uneasy. “Old Wu Ma, your skills are failing, it seems. How much have you actually uncovered about these people?”

“Please don’t be angry, Miss. I am doing my best to investigate,” Wu Ma Chou replied calmly, a handsome middle-aged man.

“They must be important, since you’ve found nothing after days of searching. Fine, just go out and teach them a lesson—no need for further inquiries,” Qiuhua mused, feeling it was pointless.

With their abilities, they could easily drive the intruders off…

“I obey,” Wu Ma Chou replied without hesitation, vanishing from the manor. The sound of fighting soon echoed outside.

“Mother, why be so harsh with Uncle Wu Ma?” Xuexue interjected gently.

“He always wears that deadpan face—how can I not be annoyed?” Qiuhua retorted. “Besides, these people are indeed strange. Their motives are unclear, but they seem to be waiting for something.”

At this, Xuexue’s thoughts stirred.

Not long after, Wu Ma Chou returned, and the spies seemed to have vanished completely.

“Old Wu Ma, your skills haven’t dulled after all,” Qiuhua nodded with satisfaction. The vexing surveillance was finally over.

Wu Ma Chou said nothing, instead moving to Xuexue’s side, a thoughtful look on his stern face.

“Is there something you suspect, Uncle Wu Ma?” Xuexue asked, sensing he was troubled by something connected to her.

“These are no ordinary men, but trained guards. As is known, only those with powerful backgrounds can train such men. Moreover, it wasn’t me who drove them off—they left of their own accord, not wishing to fight. Therefore, Xue’er, I suspect they are here for you.”

“What do you mean?” Qiuhua pressed, unable to sit still. “What makes you think this has anything to do with Xue’er?”

“I merely wish to warn her not to leave the manor, lest something happens,” Wu Ma Chou replied, unmoved.

“Thank you for the warning, Uncle Wu Ma. I understand,” Xuexue nodded.

Wu Ma Chou’s suspicions were not without reason. She, too, sensed that these people seemed to be after her. Why, she could not say, but it was a feeling—a gut instinct.

Intuition cannot be trusted entirely, but neither can it be ignored.

Perhaps she could test it…

Afternoon.

Without notifying anyone in the manor, she slipped out alone.

Between the trees, patches of sunlight flickered, accompanied by the melodious sound of running water—pure and elegant.

The girl stood by the stream, her reflection blurred in the rushing water. With the current so swift, it seemed as if the image would be swept away, leaving only fragmented traces. One might wonder what manner of beauty the water’s reflection held.

This was a scenic spot near Wangyun Manor. When she first arrived, she often came here to clear her mind. The air was fresh, tranquil as night, mountains and water encircling her in a sea of green.

Unconsciously, she thought of Ji Wuqing.

She recalled how he had brought her to Misty Mountain. They had stood atop the peak, gazing at the maple forest below, with weather just as fair as today.

His every word was enchanting, each phrase engraved with tenderness that seemed to settle in her bones—words that lingered in her mind, unforgettable for a lifetime.

Such feelings cannot be banished; they rise from the brow and settle in the heart.

She shook her head in self-mockery at her melancholy. At this point, why indulge in autumnal sorrow?

Besides, she had more important matters to attend to.

In the next moment, her expression grew alert. She sensed someone approaching swiftly, with no time to hide. She steadied herself, resolved to act according to circumstances.

As she deliberated, three black-clad men closed in at her side, giving her no chance to react—one struck at her nape.

She responded quickly, twisting aside to dodge, narrowly avoiding the sneak attack.

The three men were surprised by her agility, pausing in astonishment.

“Who are you, appearing before me?” Xuexue feigned innocence, as if her dodge had been accidental and not deliberate.

Hearing no response, she muttered to herself, “Perhaps I was mistaken?” She had intended to use her powers to subdue them, but reconsidered—if she acted now, the mastermind behind them might remain forever hidden.

Moreover, more black-clad figures were gathering; she alone could not handle them all.

Seeing nothing unusual about her, the three men moved again, striking her nape. Pain shot through her neck, and she collapsed, limp.

Just before losing consciousness, she managed to drop the handkerchief she had prepared in advance, leaving a clue for her mother.