You Are the Mute [Comprehensive Martial Arts] - Chapter 6

After Qiao Yiying’s reputation soared in Jiangnan, and people realized she was a tough nut to crack, those seeking her fortune-telling services began vying to offer her gifts. From fist-sized luminous pearls to Han Dynasty white jade, and even a whole bushel of pearls dredged from the depths of the East Sea, all were presented with both hands.

Yet Qiao Yiying remained steadfast in her rules, showing no favoritism to anyone. As her demands grew increasingly bizarre, her fame only spread further, as if her words carried ever greater power.

Sometimes, when facing Qiao Yiying, people felt not admiration or reverence, but fear. How could one not fear someone who could glimpse your future? Yet beneath this fear, a burning, frenzied joy would surge.

To glimpse the future meant the power to change it. Thus, Qiao Yiying became even more sought after. However, her fame never truly escaped Jiangnan. As the people of Jiangnan realized her extraordinary abilities, they grew reluctant to share her limited daily fortune-telling sessions with outsiders. Unanimously, they began to suppress news of her existence.

This explains why Qiao Yiying felt her reputation had grown sufficiently, yet her mission progress bar remained stubbornly stagnant. She was still unaware of this at the time, but she would soon find out.

Meanwhile, the new escort, having witnessed Qiao Yiying’s prowess, whispered to the veteran escort, “If she’s so skilled, shouldn’t we call her ‘Divine Calculator’? Why does the Chief Escort keep addressing her as ‘Miss Qiao’?” Had it not been for this, he would have assumed she was just an ordinary client.

“Because she dislikes being called ‘Divine Calculator’,” the veteran escort replied. “She prefers ‘Miss Qiao.’ Perhaps truly capable people disdain ostentation.”

No, the real reason was that Qiao Yiying, having convinced herself she had outgrown her teenage phase, considered the title “Divine Calculator” far too melodramatic.

Initially, news of Qiao Yiying’s departure from Jiangnan hadn’t spread. But after two or three days, when those seeking fortunes found the Qiao Residence’s gates remained closed, they investigated and discovered she had left Jiangnan. The revelation struck them like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. Without the Dumb Divine Calculator, what would they do?

Desperate, they dispatched pursuers to track her down.

As Qiao Yiying sat in the carriage, listening to Chief Escort Wang warn that many pursuers might be coming and suggest they hasten their journey, she looked utterly bewildered. Wait, I thought only Green Robe would be after me.

Chief Escort Wang knew Qiao Yiying never spoke outside of divination, so he handed her a larger water tablet, a cloth, and a charcoal pencil. “Please use these, Miss Qiao.”

Qiao Yiying glanced at Chief Escort Wang with admiration. No wonder he’s the chief escort—he’s so resourceful. She wrote: “Why are so many people chasing us?”

“Miss Qiao, don’t you know?” Chief Escort Wang suddenly realized something. “Your reputation as the Divine Calculator has been deliberately confined to Jiangnan. The people there don’t want you to leave. I assumed you were aware of this and had tacitly approved it.”

He had always believed Miss Qiao was omniscient and must have known about this. Since she hadn’t objected, he assumed she had tacitly approved it. So she didn’t know after all. Well, doctors can’t heal themselves, and perhaps diviners are the same.

Qiao Yiying’s lips twitched, and a surge of resentment welled up inside her. How the hell would I know? I’m not going to waste my energy divining my own fate, and Green Robe—that shady character with a suspicious background—would never tell me. How could I possibly know?

With that thought, she wiped away her previous message with the cloth and furiously wrote: “So these people are trying to drag me back to Jiangnan?”

“That’s impossible,” Chief Escort Wang shook his head. “Your martial arts are unfathomable, and they’re begging you for fortune-telling. They wouldn’t dare lay a hand on you. They probably just want to stop you, then plead with you to return. Maybe you’d soften and go back.”

Soften? Soft my ass! Qiao Yiying rolled her eyes. Before, staying in Jiangnan wouldn’t have mattered—she’d adapted well to the food and climate. But now, she had to complete her mission and return to her parents.

She hadn’t known what went wrong with the mission before, but now that she did, she was determined to finish it. If she gave it her all, maybe the mission progress bar would finally move, giving the System enough energy.

Once the System had enough energy, she could go home! For that alone, she absolutely wouldn’t soften. So, Qiao Yiying wrote: “If they won’t attack, there’s no need to hurry. I don’t want to deal with them. When they arrive, you handle them. Tell them to get lost if they ever want another chance!”

Chief Escort Wang watched the words on the water tablet practically float off the surface, realizing Miss Qiao was truly furious. He nodded and replied, “Rest assured, I’ll handle this properly. I won’t let them trouble you.”

Qiao Yiying nodded in satisfaction and wrote again, “When we reach the Capital, I’ll cast another divination for you.” Not give him a divination, but cast one for him, meaning Chief Escort Wang would still have to pay for it.

Chief Escort Wang was overjoyed. “Rest assured, Miss Qiao,” he said, “this humble one will never cause you any concern.”

Qiao Yiying narrowed her eyes slightly before closing the carriage window, a faint smile curving her lips. See? she thought. From “never cause her trouble” to “never cause her concern”—the shift is subtle yet significant. Although Chief Escort Wang had been devoted to her out of gratitude, when his own interests were at stake, his devotion transformed into unwavering dedication, leaving no room for negligence.

Just as Chief Escort Wang had predicted, many people from Jiangnan pursued them, begging Qiao Yiying to stay. These individuals represented various families and factions, each vying for her attention. Yet no matter how they pleaded or threatened, the carriage door and windows remained sealed, unyielding.

Chief Escort Wang personally persuaded each group to leave, determined to spare Qiao Yiying any annoyance. The pursuers, though tempted to resort to force, knew they were no match for her. Moreover, they were seeking her favor—how could they dare resort to violence?

Thus, all those who had pursued them were forced to return empty-handed. As the caravan traveled north, the number of pursuers from Jiangnan gradually dwindled until none remained. Finally, Qiao Yiying was able to dismount the carriage and stretch her legs.

Although riding in the carriage spared her from the dust kicked up by the official road, the long hours of confinement had left her feeling dizzy and drained. She cherished these brief moments of fresh air.

Chief Escort Wang approached Qiao Yiying. “Miss Qiao,” he said, “nightfall is approaching, and rain is likely. Should we seek shelter in the town ahead for the night?”

Despite his position as Chief Escort, Wang treated Qiao Yiying with utmost respect throughout their journey. He offered suggestions but never made decisions without her consent.

Qiao Yiying wrote, “What place lies ahead?”

“Taiyuan.”

Qiao Yiying smiled and nodded to Chief Escort Wang, signaling her agreement to rest in Taiyuan. She, too, longed to avoid sleeping in the carriage. Though the layers of silk blankets made it soft and comfortable, the constant swaying reminded her of trying to sleep on a train.

Sleep was possible, but the relentless rocking made her head spin.

“Excuse me, Master,” a clear, resonant voice called out. “I’ve twisted my ankle. Would you be kind enough to give me a ride?”

Chief Escort Wang turned to see a young man standing tall and graceful in a green robe. A gentle, cultured smile played on his lips, giving him the air of a refined and courteous gentleman. After a moment’s thought, Wang approached the carriage and tapped on the window frame. “Miss Qiao?”

Qiao Yiying remained utterly still, as if the commotion outside had nothing to do with her. For a voice to carry so clearly from the front of the caravan to the back, the speaker must possess Inner Strength. A martial artist with Inner Strength, yet he’s twisted his ankle and needs a ride?

Hah! If I believed that, I’d be six feet under by now.

Seeing Qiao Yiying’s silence, Chief Escort Wang understood her meaning. He clasped his hands in a respectful bow and said, “Brother, we apologize, but we’re currently occupied and cannot afford any distractions. We’re unable to assist you at this time.”

“Very well,” the man replied with a smile, watching the entire caravan disappear into the distance. Even after the last carriage had vanished from sight, he continued to gaze in that direction.

“Yiying… we’ve finally met again.”