Chapter 78

“…Such an influential figure, and also a spy… you must have already investigated?”

The courtyard was truly devoid of anyone else. Without their voices, silence descended, thick enough to hear a pin drop. Only faint smells lingered – perhaps floral, perhaps the scent of the wooden corridor itself, maybe the earthy aroma of morning – drifting ethereally within the few square steps of this small courtyard, slowly dissipating.

Wei Mian was silent for a moment. Shockingly, she actually lowered the dagger, though she still made no reply. She simply turned and motioned for Yun Shen to follow her into the house. Yun Shen saw this and understood immediately. Despite her stony exterior, she had softened. He offered a subtle smile and followed her silently down the corridor, stepping into the house.

The room, much like the secret room back in Mijiang Slope, was crammed with cabinets of herbs and racks of weapons – clearly not a place meant for visitors. Even in daylight, it was poorly lit. Only one candle holder was visible. A few windows facing the shaded side were open, letting in two or three weak shafts of light that couldn’t penetrate the dusty air inside. Upon entering, the gloom seemed like ink dripping into water, dissolving and spreading everywhere, managing only to gather faintly around a wooden desk beside the bed. A few pieces of paper lay on the desk. On closer look, it wasn’t correspondence, nor large calligraphy, but one prescription after another.

Yun Shen paused beside a window, glanced briefly at the papers, then looked away.

Only then did he hear Wei Mian close the door behind them. Her voice came low and strange in the sudden quiet. “I never imagined… that day, my careless words… actually spoke the truth.”

“Esteemed Lady, you’ve said many things,” Yun Shen replied easily, seeing her trying change the subject to regain control, yet feeling no irritation. He went along. “Which phrase, precisely, do you refer to?”

Her door was closed. Her next question seemed to resonate heavily within the stifling air, thick enough to settle even the floating dust. Yun Shen rested one hand on the desk touched by a shaft of weak sunlight, tapping it lightly.

“And if I said… both? Would you believe me?”

Wei Mian let out a short, derisive snort. “Hah. With your silver tongue, weaving lies as easily as breath? Nothing you say could ever merit belief.”

“That settles it,” said Yun Shen, unperturbed as he resumed their earlier conversation, gently persuading, “Regardless of whether I came to submit or spy, it was never aimed at you—given your current situation in the valley, it’s doubtful you’d fear espionage, nor likely expect anyone’s defection, yes?”

Wei Mian sauntered in languidly, returning to her desk. She lifted her gaze to Yun Shen.

“So even when begging for help, you pedantic scholars look down on others like dogs?” she drawled, eyes fixed on him while her uninjured hand steadily unwrapped the bandage.

Layer after layer of white cloth unraveled, gradually stained with a vicious crimson. The bloodstains were fresh, vivid enough to envision still-seeping blood spreading outward. As the final layer fell, pale skin gave way to a horrifying gash: unhealed flesh lay visible beneath dense, brown scars—some raw, some lacerated, and upon closer inspection, flecks of brown not scabbed but charred—

—burned deliberately days prior by Xiao Zhong’s branding iron!

That Xiao Zhong truly acted with “swift brutality.” Such a mangled hand, scarred beyond distinction between flesh and scab, made the Valley of Villains emblem vanish entirely overnight.

Yun Shen glanced down at her hand, utterly unfazed. He sighed calmly. “Harsh as it sounds, it’s undeniable truth. Even if you distrust me, I must speak plainly to show sincerity… I didn’t come just to pick fights elsewhere, did I?”

“My stance remains unchanged,” Wei Mian stated. “I know nothing of any spy at Diancang Pass—”

“‘Don’t know who it is,’ or ‘unaware such a spy exists’?” Yun Shen rapped the wooden table idly. “That distinction matters greatly.”

Wei Mian met his gaze, abruptly smirking as she retrieved medicinal powder. Unscrewing the vial single-handedly, she began applying it methodically.

“—What if I say both? Do you believe me?”

Her retort threw him off briefly; Yun Shen shook his head upon recovery. “…Meaning this spy operates not only with extensive intel in Diancang Pass but holds high rank in the Valley of Villains too. Crucially, their identity remains airtight—so impenetrable you’ve heard no whispers?”

Wei Mian offered no reply this time, perhaps startled by the bluntness. She kept applying the powder, head bowed, smoothing the last corner with her spatula before rising to fetch the loose bandage. Yun Shen watched, neither impatient nor offended, politely asked, “Shall I hand it to you?”

Wei Mian looked at him, baring her predatory fangs in a grin. “Are you truly immune to poison? Daring to move freely in my quarters, even offering help?”

“I’ve said it—I’m not here for conflict.” Yun Shen smiled back, eyes sharp, hands tucked into his sleeves as he leaned against the window frame.

“Conflict isn’t yours to decide…” Wei Mian’s cryptic statement gained clarity as she raised her bloodied hand toward the sparse sunlight, studying it intently. “I also warned you—Xiao Zhong is volatile. Never assume you can grasp his mind through words alone. Over the years, he finds new diversions constantly—humans, pigs, monkeys, nothing surprises. Yet once his mood sours, these past toys resurface first in his mind. Even distant grudges become—”

“And if no ‘foul mood’ arises?” Yun Shen arched an eyebrow.

“That might be worse.” Wei Mian flexed her fingers, engraving the injury into memory as she ground out each word. “Xiao Zhong’s torment offers swift pain. If he ignores you? The valley’s others—people like me—will seek you out. Then death by poison seems a mercy…”

“I see,” Yun Shen remarked. “That is chilling.” Yet his relaxed demeanor betrayed any fear, his nod utterly composed.

Wei Mian exhaled sharply. “Easy to doubt with mere warning—”

“No, I believe you.” Yun Shen cut in, shifting his gaze out the window. Overlapped pagodas beyond cast the courtyard in gloom. “Yet I have plans—awaiting my moment. This holds no terror for me.”

Now Wei Mian stared at him as if watching a fool, eyes wide with disbelief.

“—What plans? No rational strategy touches Xiao Zhong. Impress him? Pleasure him? Whatever spell you cast within that Small Turret, he discards it upon stepping out. Shall I spell it—”

“I await him no longer.” Yun Shen’s flawless smile softened as if warmed by sunlight. “The Yingqiu City spy—that’s known to you? No word from them recently, I presume?”

“True enough,” Wei Mian replied. She reclaimed a blood-stained old bandage, ignoring a fresh one. “But that’s no ordinary foe. Wait all you want—you’ll scatter as dust before they move.”

Yun Shen chuckled, eyes fixed outdoors.

Through this window lay the Yushui River. Though distanced from its banks and breezes, beyond Fangcheng’s dark towers stood the mountains—toward Diancang Pass.

“‘Ordinary’ or not, once Chen Shu marks them for death, Hades itself wouldn’t delay their passage.”

—

Within a day, news arrived.

Yet Yun Shen guessed wrong. His standing in the Valley of Villains still depended on Xiao Zhong’s whims. Thus, when summoned, Yun Shen presumed Shen Jie had swiftly uncovered details in Yingqiu City, rallying towns nearby under the Royal Edict.

Therefore, re-entering the Small Turret to find Xiao Zhong silently examining a notice stunned him. From afar, the inked characters displayed elegance, each stroke resonant with skillful craftsmanship.

Yun Shen, stunned for a moment, quickly regained his composure. He thought Xiao Zhong was merely toying with some document and didn’t scrutinize the large script closely, choosing only to ask aloud.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Zhong beckoned him, unfurled that large script, and waved it toward him—

The characters on the paper were written exceptionally beautifully; even someone as critical as Yun Shen couldn’t help but inwardly praise their elegance. Yet before that admiration fully formed in his heart, it was seized by an invisible hand, twisted into something between shock and bitterness.

This was none other than the bounty notice Chen Shu had tasked people with dispersing across the regions!

It detailed the sword’s appearance, omitting only a few minor specifics—yet it explicitly mentioned that trace of red on the blade. Little wonder Xiao Zhong had summoned him; through this serendipitous proof from the notice, Xiao Zhong genuinely believed him and had even grown intrigued by this “service for hire” reward.

Xiao Zhong’s voice droned on beside his ear.

But Yun Shen couldn’t absorb a word for now. Despite how long he’d schemed to take this first step into the Valley of Villains, despite Xiao Zhong’s volatile temper that would flare at the slightest hint of inattention—

He merely stared at the notice, his brow unconsciously furrowing.

This was not Chen Shu’s handwriting.