Chapter 19

Su Mo left the Bai family residence, but did not run towards the street. Instead, she ran towards the back mountain.

Li Wenxuan led a group of people to chase after her.

When they reached the back mountain, Li Wenxuan was already panting and gasping for breath, bending over and breathing heavily.

Su Mo's face was not even flushed, and she stood with her hands on her hips, smiling smugly at them.

"So weak? You're out of breath already? How did Bai Yunxin fall for you? You're hopeless! Can you even last three minutes?"

"You..." Although Li Wenxuan could not fully understand, he knew Su Mo was insulting him!

"Catch her!"

A group of people rushed towards Su Mo.

"Tsk, this is the perfect chance to try out the whip I bought today. Let's see how well it works!"

Su Mo took out a whip from her waist. With a fierce crack, the dark red whip lashed out like a snake.

When Fang Qing caught up, Su Mo was tangled up fighting with them.

The whip was extremely agile in her hand, and no one could get near her.

Fang Qing immediately drew out his sword and flew to Su Mo's side, blocking her front.

"Miss Su, go ahead. I'll hold them off."

Su Mo also felt it was meaningless to continue. She just wanted to try out the whip.

These people were too weak. They only had greater numbers, unlike the more formidable black-clad men from before.

"Li...Wenxuan, right? Don't blame me for not warning you. The arrow in your arm is poisoned. If you don't get back soon to detoxify, that arm will be crippled!" Su Mo said slyly with a smile.

"What?!" Li Wenxuan cried out as he looked at the arrow in his arm.

"You...just you wait! I won't let you off!" Li Wenxuan immediately ran back down the mountain.

"Pfft...what a wimp!" Su Mo put her hands on her hips and snorted disdainfully.

Fang Qing frowned. "Miss Su, did you really poison it?"

Although the Bai and Li families were at odds, if Li Wenxuan really died from poison, it would reflect badly on the Bais.

"Don't worry, I was bluffing! It's just a small wound, some bleeding won't kill him!"

Only then did Fang Qing breathe a sigh of relief.

Su Mo looked at him, puzzled by his reaction. "Did you never suspect that Old Master Bai's death could be related to the Li family?"

"Highly unlikely. The Bai and Li families have some business rivalry, but it's just competition. And...Old Master Bai's martial arts were formidable. No one in the Li family could have killed him."

"What if the Li family hired someone else to do it?"

Fang Qing hesitated before replying, "While the Li family seems highly suspicious, the possibility is low. Businessmen won't risk being involved in murder, or they'd lose more than they'd gain if found out."

Su Mo suddenly thought of Wu Ying. He killed so easily without any fear!

Just who was that Wu Ying?

"By the way, did you see Wu Ying at all today?" Su Mo asked.

Fang Qing shook his head. "After going out with you all this morning, I've been at the master's funeral hall."

"Let's head back to the Bai residence then."

After Su Mo and Fang Qing left, two figures emerged from the nearby woods. The two men looked almost identical, with the only difference being a scar on one man's face. "Are you certain it's her?" asked the scarred man.

"It's her! I heard her say she's Wu Ying's lover. Capture her, and we can force Wu Ying to show himself. Once Wu Ying is dead, the position of master will fall to us."

"Hmm," the man coldly chuckled. "To your head? Or my head?"

"Of course to you, brother. We're twins, is there a you and me?"

"Let's go to Lan City first and find out why Wu Ying entered the Bai family. We have to kill him before he completes his mission from the master!"

"Mm!"

When Su Mo returned to the Bai residence, she saw Wu Ying emerging from the guest room.

She immediately ran up and patted Wu Ying's shoulder. "Wu Ying, were you in the guest room this whole time?"

Wu Ying glanced at her. "Mm," he quietly murmured.

"Then why didn't you answer when I knocked on your door earlier?"

"Does Miss Su think it's acceptable to disturb someone's sleep?"

"No way, you slept the whole day? Are you feeling better now?"

Wu Ying had not actually slept. He had been meditating to heal his injuries. He couldn't delay any longer.

Wu Ying ignored her and was about to head out when Su Mo grabbed his arm.

Wu Ying looked coldly at her, but she just smiled brightly at him. "I went to town today and got you a gift!"

Su Mo took out a dark sword tassel and waved it in front of him. "Look! This genuine jadeite matches your sword perfectly!"

Wu Ying looked at the tassel and had to resist smiling.

He was an assassin with blood-stained hands. What use did he have for a decorative tassel? To pretend to be a good guy?

"I don't need it."

"How unappreciative! No one has ever refused a gift from me, Su Mo!"

Wu Ying looked at her. "Who else have you given gifts to?"

"Lots of people! I only gift those I like, so you can't refuse!" Su Mo grabbed his sword and hung the tassel directly on it.

"You..." He had never met such a shameless girl!

"Miss Su, do you like giving gifts to every man you meet?" Wu Ying's tone was mocking.

Su Mo smiled at him. "Of course not! They'd have to be as tall and handsome as you!"

"..." Wu Ying suddenly moved closer, a dangerous look in his eyes. "You haven't...seen my face before, have you?"

Su Mo brushed it off with a laugh. "No need to see your face. Handsomeness can be judged from height and bearing!"

"..." Wu Ying didn't want to say more to her. He strode off, intending to leave the guest quarters.

"Where are you going?"

"To pay respects to Old Master Bai."

Right after Wu Ying left, the other three girls came out from another guest room, having changed into plain clothes.

"Su Mo, where did you go? We were thinking of going to pay respects to Old Master Bai." Xia Miaomiao said. Su Mo looked down at her red outfit. "Wait for me, I'll go change too."

The four had just entered the funeral hall when they saw Wu Ying leaving after finishing his offerings.

Su Mo glanced at him, feeling like he was being mysteriously secretive all day.

The girls went up to Old Master Bai's altar and lit incense.

Sang Li walked up to Bai Yunhan. "Master Bai, we hoped to take a look at Old Master Bai's body, if you don't mind."

"Well..." Bai Yunhan looked to Lady Bai.

"I heard Old Master Bai was a martial arts master, yet my friend said the killer's skills were quite mediocre. So I suspect Old Master Bai may have been ill before passing?"

Lady Bai noticeably hesitated before replying, "The old master did fall ill before, but it was nothing serious. Just occasional dizziness, diarrhea, and poor spirits."

Hearing this, Second Aunt's eyes clearly shifted guiltily, caught by Sang Li.

"Lady Bai, may my friend examine Old Master Bai's corpse?" Sang Li asked. Lady Bai considered that they had already hired an examiner who confirmed Old Master Bai's death by slit throat without other conditions.

"Alright, go take a look." Lady Bai said.

Second Aunt immediately threw herself on the ground, weeping.

Seeing her behavior, Lady Bai grew annoyed. "Manager Wang, Second Aunt is overly distraught. Have someone escort her back to her room to rest."

"Yes, my lady."

As Second Aunt was led away by maids, Bai Yunxin also followed tearfully back to her room.

"Humph, as soon as the old master died, Liu Meng starts acting so arrogant!" Second Aunt dabbed her tears, upset.

Xiao Han paid her no more attention and headed straight for Old Master Bai's coffin, brushing past Second Aunt.

Second Aunt collapsed to the floor, sobbing.

Lady Bai watched her and sighed in irritation. To Wang Fu she said, "Manager Wang, Second Aunt is overcome with grief. Have her escorted to her room to rest."

"Yes, my lady."

As Second Aunt was led away by maids, Bai Yunxin also followed, crying.

"Brother, you can't let them disrespect Father like this!" Bai Yunxin also ran over, weeping.

Su Mo coldly glanced at Bai Yunxin, warning in her eyes, and Bai Yunxin instantly dared not speak further.

Xiao Han ignored them and went straight to Old Master Bai's coffin.

Second Aunt threw herself on the ground, weeping.

Lady Bai watched her behavior and grew annoyed. "Manager Wang, Second Aunt is distraught. Have her escorted to her room to rest."

"Yes, my lady."

As maids led away the sobbing Second Aunt, Bai Yunxin also followed tearfully back to her room.

"Humph, as soon as the old master died, Liu Meng starts acting arrogant!" Second Aunt dabbed her tears, upset.

"Yes, dad clearly favored you the most when he was alive. Mother, as the official wife, naturally has a higher status than you. In the future, the power in the Bai family will fall into her and eldest brother's hands. Will we have good days anymore?" Bai Yunxin said cryingly.

"Back then, father knew clearly that she and Li Hong were ambiguous, so why didn't he divorce her?!"

"Mother, please allow me to marry into the Li family. This way, we will at least have some backing in the future. Wenxuan said he truly loves me and will properly marry me as his official wife!"

"You girl, how could you let Li Wenxuan take your innocence before you're even married? Now that he's gotten what he wants from you, do you think he will still cherish you? You're really muddleheaded!"

Bai Yunxin was stunned for a moment, then quickly grabbed Second Aunt's hand and said, "Mother, Wenxuan is not that kind of person, he will take responsibility for me!"

"Let's wait until after the old master's funeral to discuss this matter."

...

At the memorial hall.

After Xiao Han finished examining the body, she retreated and said a few words next to Sang Li's ear.

Sang Li looked towards Bai Yunhan, "Young Master Bai, Lady Bai, may I have a word?"

Lady Bai looked thoughtful as she gazed at Sang Li, "Miss Sang, please come with me."

The few of them left the memorial hall and went to Old Master Bai's study.

"Miss, did you discover something?" Lady Bai asked.

Xiao Han stepped forward, taking out a few silver needles, "Lady Bai, I suspect Old Master Bai was poisoned before his death. Can you tell me when he started having symptoms like dizziness, diarrhea and low spirits?"

Lady Bai thought for a moment, "I think it started over a year ago, just occasionally. He thought he was just tired and didn't take it too seriously."

"Over a year ago..." Sang Li looked pensive, as if a thought struck her. She looked at Lady Bai, "Lady Bai, forgive my boldness, but I heard that you and Old Master Bai have not been on good terms the past two years. Was there some misunderstanding between you two?"

Lady Bai did not get angry. On the contrary, she smiled, "Even you've heard about it?"

"We just overheard some idle gossip."

Lady Bai sighed, "It's true he's been cold to me the past two years. He thought I was involved ambiguously with another man, but he had no direct evidence, so he didn't divorce me either."

Sang Li understood, "I see."