You Are the Mute [Comprehensive Martial Arts] - Chapter 3
“Young Manor Lord of Embracing Jade Villa,” Qiao Yiying announced.
She knew this plot well enough; no need for the plugin. After all, it required energy to operate, so she’d conserve it whenever possible. Use it only when absolutely necessary.
Although the System’s mission required Qiao Yiying to become a world-renowned Diviner, she had no actual divination skills. When she first read the novel, she’d been awed by the protagonist’s divination prowess and tried to learn by buying a copy of the Book of Changes.
The result, of course, was nothing. The Book of Changes became just another decoration on her bookshelf. So, when she initially received the mission, she was completely overwhelmed and immediately gave up. Qiao Yiying had never been one for perseverance; otherwise, she wouldn’t have repeatedly failed to keep her promise to go to the library at 8 AM.
Perhaps the System felt guilty for dragging her into this unfamiliar world, so it spent a small amount of energy to install a plugin. This plugin transformed her into a genuine Diviner, skilled in divination, and also offered life-saving abilities.
While using the divination function always cost energy, she earned some back by performing readings for others, creating a sort of balanced exchange. However, since she needed to accumulate energy to return home, Qiao Yiying always avoided using the plugin unless absolutely necessary.
Fortunately, this world was composed of elements familiar to her, otherwise Qiao Yiying would have been completely lost. It was precisely this familiarity that allowed her and the System to survive, albeit clumsily, in this world.
In truth, the System had been good to Qiao Yiying. To conserve energy, it often remained offline for centuries, unable to offer her much advice or assistance. Yet she regarded the System as a dear friend and felt deeply grateful. Without it, she doubted she would have survived.
So, while Qiao Yiying often grumbled about refusing missions, it was merely venting her frustration. Even if she didn’t want to return herself, she needed to gather enough energy for the System to go home. After all, her home…
Qiao Yiying lowered her gaze, her thick eyelashes trembling slightly.
“Miss Qiao, are you saying the Young Manor Lord of Embracing Jade Villa took my three sisters?” Chu Liuxiang’s face was etched with disbelief. “How could that be possible?”
Qiao Yiying looked up at Chu Liuxiang. Perhaps recalling past events, her mood suddenly shifted, and her tone turned cold. “If Commander Chu doesn’t believe me, so be it.” After all, neither he nor Su Rongrong and the others would come to harm. They were the protagonists and their group; no matter what happened to others, they would always be safe.
Moreover, Liu Wumei wouldn’t let Chu Liuxiang off so easily. She had lured Su Rongrong and the others away precisely to draw him out. How could she not come after him? It wouldn’t be long before he found a trace of Su Rongrong and the others.
“My apologies,” Chu Liuxiang said, sensing Qiao Yiying’s sharp tone. He assumed she was offended by his skepticism. “I don’t doubt Miss Qiao’s abilities, but I have no prior dealings with the Young Manor Lord of Embracing Jade Villa. Why would he target Rongrong and the others? It’s truly baffling.”
Qiao Yiying chuckled softly, a hint of mockery in her voice. “It’s only natural for those with weak minds to be easily led astray, wouldn’t you agree?”
Chu Liuxiang exchanged a glance with Hu Tiehua before turning back to Qiao Yiying, his expression earnest. “If Miss Qiao would be so kind as to share her insights, I would be eternally grateful.”
Qiao Yiying had initially intended to remain cryptic. After all, a Divine Calculator who revealed everything plainly would lose her mystique. But something shifted her resolve. She twirled the jade flute in her hand and said, “Since Commander Chu has spoken so earnestly, I suppose I must show some courtesy.”
Chu Liuxiang smiled, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. Miss Qiao’s earlier behavior made it clear she was no gentle soul, so he didn’t believe her words for a moment. However, he couldn’t show his skepticism; if she grew angry and left, he’d be in a real bind.
He bowed respectfully to Qiao Yiying. “I thank you, Miss Qiao.”
“Hold your thanks,” Qiao Yiying raised an eyebrow. “You’ll need to offer an additional exchange.” Her divination fees weren’t always monetary; sometimes she accepted objects—like her Jade Flute—or conditions, depending entirely on her mood.
It had started as a casual remark, but the client had actually presented her with the Jade Flute, a priceless treasure. Afterward, her reputation as the Divine Calculator only grew more legendary in the Jianghu. She realized that in this martial world, a Diviner with an eccentric temperament better fit their image of a truly divine calculator.
From then on, Qiao Yiying stopped accepting only money, sometimes demanding other forms of payment. Now, she wanted Chu Liuxiang to do something else for her.
Chu Liuxiang paused, recalling the rumors circulating about her in the Jianghu. He immediately understood. “As long as it doesn’t involve murder, arson, or violating the principles of Jianghu justice, I will gladly assist.”
Hearing this, Qiao Yiying rolled her eyes at Chu Liuxiang. What are you thinking? she thought. I’ve never killed anyone, nor have I ever asked anyone else to kill for me.
Chu Liuxiang caught her expression and chuckled awkwardly.
“Since you’ve returned from Stone Guanyin’s domain, you must have met Qu Wuyong and formed some acquaintance with her,” Qiao Yiying remarked.
Chu Liuxiang was stunned. He instinctively glanced at Hu Tiehua, noticing his expression mirrored his own. While many knew they had met Qu Wuyong, few were aware of their friendship. How could Qiao Yiying, who had never left Jiangnan, know this? Her intelligence was truly extraordinary.
“Yes, we do have some acquaintance with Miss Qu,” Chu Liuxiang admitted.
Qiao Yiying pretended not to notice the silent exchange between the two men. “Stone Guanyin also had a disciple named Liu Wumei. You’ve likely crossed paths with her as well.”
Wumei, Wumei… Chu Liuxiang recalled the massacre in Stone Guanyin Valley, where all the disciples had their eyebrows shaved off—truly no eyebrows. “Yes,” he confirmed.
Qiao Yiying said, “Liu Wumei married Li Shaohan and became the young mistress of Embracing Jade Villa. She completely controls Li Shaohan, who obeys her every command. Even his father can’t influence him.”
Chu Liuxiang was puzzled. “Why would she take Rongrong and the others?”
“That’s your concern now,” Qiao Yiying replied, glancing at Chu Liuxiang.
Chu Liuxiang understood this was all she was willing to reveal. He pulled out a stack of silver notes and handed them to Qiao Yiying. “Thank you, Miss Qiao.”
Green Robe, who had appeared silently, placed cups of tea on the table beside each of them. She then took the silver notes from Chu Liuxiang and handed them to Qiao Yiying.
Qiao Yiying didn’t bother counting the notes and simply tucked them away. She nodded approvingly at Green Robe, clearly pleased with her efficiency and attentiveness. Hiring her had been an excellent investment. Turning back to Chu Liuxiang, she said, “Now it’s your turn, Commander Chu.”
“What do you require of me, Miss Qiao?” Chu Liuxiang asked.
Qiao Yiying waved her hand, dismissing Green Robe. “I want you to destroy the sea of flowers in Stone Guanyin Valley, ensuring they can never bloom again.”
The thought of that vast sea of flowers filled her with unease. Having been raised on anti-drug education since childhood, she couldn’t remain indifferent to the existence of such a field. She couldn’t go to the desert herself, but someone else could.
It was a stroke of luck that Chu Liuxiang had come to her door, prompting Qiao Yiying to propose this condition.
Chu Liuxiang, puzzled, asked, “May I inquire as to the reason behind this request?”
Qiao Yiying merely glanced at him coldly, offering no explanation.
Chu Liuxiang understood. “In that case, thank you, Miss Qiao.”
Qiao Yiying set down her jade flute, picked up her teacup, and drank in silence.
Serving tea to signal departure—how could Chu Liuxiang not understand? He smiled. “If that’s the case, I’ll take my leave.”
Qiao Yiying nodded. “No need to see you off.”
Hu Tiehua had wanted to ask more questions, but seeing Qiao Yiying’s demeanor, he had no choice but to follow Chu Liuxiang out. He felt a deep sense of regret; having finally met Qiao Yiying, he didn’t know when he’d have another chance to ask about that matter. Sigh.
Watching the two men depart, Qiao Yiying set down her teacup and let out a long, drawn-out sigh. She really wanted to keep them and talk, but she couldn’t. It would ruin her image as the Divine Calculator.
Ugh, she wanted to say something! QAQ