You Are the Mute [Comprehensive Martial Arts] - Chapter 11

With just the slightest push of the fan in Qiao Yiying’s hand, Yuan Suiyun would meet his end here and now, forever unable to harm another soul. It was a simple act, requiring nothing more than that.

Yet, no matter how cold and detached Qiao Yiying appeared, she couldn’t bring herself to move the fan forward even an inch. She had never taken a life, and she had no desire to start now.

At that moment, a hand reached out from beside her, gripping the exposed portion of the fan’s handle. Qiao Yiying looked up to see Young Master Wang smiling at her. Having already cast his fortune twice, she merely stared back at him.

Young Master Wang’s smile remained gentle, his voice soft as he said, “Allow me, Miss Qiao. The poison on this fan is quite potent; I wouldn’t want you to be harmed.”

Qiao Yiying withdrew her hand and rose to her feet, her gaze fixed on Young Master Wang. Her fingers twitched slightly. “Wang Lianhua,” she murmured.

“That’s me.” Wang Lianhua swept his sleeve across his face, and the mask vanished, along with the gentle, scholarly features of Young Master Wang. In their place appeared another face: jade-like skin, crimson lips, and a pair of peach blossom eyes that seemed to smile even when they didn’t, brimming with such deep affection that anyone who met his gaze might believe themselves to be the love of his life.

Only those who truly understood him knew that his heart was a deep, still pool, so serene that even he could only glimpse fragments of his true self.

The Thousand-Faced Young Master Wang Lianhua was known for his capricious nature and impulsive actions. Some called him cunning and ruthless, a master of opportunism, while others saw him as a brilliant eccentric, flawed yet endearing—a gentleman among villains, a king among demons.

Different people saw different versions of Wang Lianhua, but one thing remained consistent: he acted on a whim, capable of great kindness one moment and ruthless decisiveness the next. Thus, everyone present believed he would immediately slaughter Yuan Suiyun.

Yet at that moment, Wang Lianhua turned to Qiao Yiying, his eyes brimming with delight. “I knew you’d recognize me.”

Qiao Yiying wanted to retort, “How could you possibly know that?” But remembering she had already used up her three chances to speak today, a flicker of annoyance crossed her eyes. Damn it! I forgot to ask what Wang Lianhua wanted the divination for first, and now I’ve been penalized for using my third chance to speak.

Ugh! Qiao Yiying glared at Wang Lianhua and returned to her seat, falling silent. Not that she could speak even if she wanted to now.

If anyone else had treated him this way, Wang Lianhua would have been furious. But this was Qiao Yiying, and he couldn’t possibly be angry with her. Instead, his face lit up with a radiant smile.

The bond between them was different, naturally setting her apart from others.

“Wang-xiong, it’s you!” Master Li’s initial reserved demeanor vanished the moment he saw Wang Lianhua. “Long time no see! You’re still as radiant as ever.”

Wang Lianhua responded with equal warmth, “Li-xiong, it’s been too long.” He and Master Li were peers, addressing each other as brothers.

Li Laoda and Li Xunhuan exchanged helpless glances. Their father was always like this—treating anyone he liked as an equal, resulting in them having several younger “uncles” despite their own youth.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Lianhua turned to Qiao Yiying. “Yiy… Miss Qiao, how do you wish to deal with the Yuan Family father and son?”

A pang of regret tugged at his heart. Their special bond should have warranted a more intimate form of address. But Yiying still regarded him as a stranger. Wang Lianhua felt a momentary pang of disappointment, but quickly composed himself. We’ll become close soon enough, he thought.

Qiao Yiying frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then wrote two characters on the Water Tablet.

Chief Escort Wang was about to glance at the Water Tablet when Wang Lianhua glared at him. The icy, piercing gaze pinned him to the spot.

Wang Lianhua kicked Yuan Suiyun, just as he had his father, Yuan Dongyuan, breaking his ribs and rendering him completely immobile. He strode over to Qiao Yiying and took the Water Tablet. “Hand them over to the authorities? Fine by me.”

He didn’t care what happened to the father and son. He would do whatever she wanted. “But do you want me to hand them over to the Taiyuan authorities or the Divine Marquis Manor?”

Qiao Yiying looked up at Wang Lianhua and blinked.

“You’re wondering why I mentioned the Divine Marquis Manor, aren’t you?” Wang Lianhua chuckled.

Yes. Qiao Yiying nodded.

Wang Lianhua smiled. “I’m quite friendly with Iron Hand of the Divine Marquis Manor. He mentioned a few days ago that he’d be passing through Taiyuan. Judging by the timing, he should be nearby.”

The Thousand-Faced Young Master Wang Lianhua, friends with Iron Hand, the Divine Marquis Manor’s divine constable? Qiao Yiying found the idea darkly humorous. But considering his friendships with Shen Lang and Xiongmao’er, it wasn’t entirely surprising. He was an incredibly complex person, defying conventional understanding.

Qiao Yiying wrote, “Hand them over to Iron Hand.” Given the choice between the completely unfamiliar Taiyuan authorities and Iron Hand of the Divine Marquis Manor, she naturally chose the latter.

“He’s one of the Four Great Constables,” Wang Lianhua said, smiling. “Choosing him is definitely the right move. I’ll send word immediately to have him come and take custody of the prisoner.”

Master Li, however, looked troubled. “But we have no evidence,” he said. “Wouldn’t that make things difficult?” Though he trusted Qiao Yiying, not everyone would share his faith. Without proof, many complications could arise.

Wuzheng Manor was indeed in decline, but many still owed it and Yuan Dongyuan a debt of gratitude. If these people came in waves to try and rescue the prisoner, it would create endless trouble. They might even target Qiao Yiying herself.

Though Master Li wasn’t a member of the Jianghu, his martial artist son, Li Xunhuan, had given him a decent understanding of the martial world. As for him and Wang Lianhua, their conversations revolved around astronomy, geography, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—never touching upon Jianghu affairs.

Qiao Yiying continued writing: “Bat Island is the evidence. His subordinate, Ding Feng, is the witness.” After a moment’s thought, she added, “The women in Bat Cave are also witnesses.”

Wang Lianhua reread the words on the Water Tablet, then handed it back to Qiao Yiying. “This tablet is too rough,” he said. “It’s hurting your hand. Let me make you a better one.”

Chief Escort Wang, standing nearby, desperately wanted to retort but dared not.

Qiao Yiying pretended not to hear Wang Lianhua’s words, but her confusion deepened. How strange, she thought. I’ve never met Wang Lianhua before, yet he treats me with such warmth and familiarity, as if we were old friends.

She began to doubt her own memory, wondering if she had forgotten something important.

Wang Lianhua ignored Qiao Yiying’s puzzled gaze. This wasn’t the time for explanations; he would explain everything to her later. He continued, “With me here, you don’t need to worry about anyone causing trouble. They won’t even get close to you.”

This wasn’t an empty boast. Wang Lianhua commanded a vast network of subordinates, their influence stretching across the Thirteen Provinces. His organization numbered at least a thousand members, meticulously structured and rigidly disciplined. Known for his fair rewards and punishments and his masterful command, he exuded the aura of a rising martial arts overlord despite his youth.

At his command, he could easily block anyone seeking trouble over Wuzheng Manor or Yuan Dongyuan, preventing them from even catching a glimpse of Qiao Yiying. Moreover, while Wang Lianhua’s martial arts were diverse, his sharp wit and ruthless tactics allowed him to see through opponents before they even made a move.

With him around, Qiao Yiying was indeed safe and sound.

However, she couldn’t bring herself to accept his protection. His sudden appearance and peculiar behavior made her uneasy, and she didn’t want him to stay. Besides, with the System at her disposal, she didn’t need anyone’s protection. Even if those people came, they would be nothing more than annoying flies, a minor inconvenience rather than a real threat.

But Wang Lianhua gave Qiao Yiying no chance to refuse. He immediately sent messages outward, first to Iron Hand, instructing him to come and take Yuan Suiyun away—Yuan Dongyuan was essentially a “buy one, get one free” deal. Then he sent orders to his subordinates to intercept any troublemakers, while Wang Family servants rushed over with various items to redecorate the inn.

He found the inn too crude and unworthy of Qiao Yiying’s presence. If he weren’t aware that she didn’t yet trust him enough to leave with him, he would have moved her to a better place long ago.

Qiao Yiying sat there, watching Wang Lianhua bustle about, putting the Escort Agency members through their paces. As for the Li family, Master Li had taken his eldest son home to punish the younger one, not wanting to risk staying and facing Wang Lianhua’s wrath.

She stared at Wang Lianhua, puzzled. How could he be so familiar with everyone?

Wang Lianhua walked up to Qiao Yiying, smiling. “I haven’t wantonly killed the innocent in years,” he said, “and my conduct has always been upright.”

His expression was full of pride, as if he were waiting for her praise. But Qiao Yiying only grew more puzzled.