Chapter 26: The Truth Revealed

The torches crackled, casting flickering light upon the path to the He residence and illuminating the stern, cold expression on Qu Wanqing’s face. Her stride was resolute, each step landing as if crushing the sins of Master He beneath her feet.

"Well, well, is Master He playing a game of double agents here?" she muttered, her tone laced with sarcasm and simmering rage.

Jiang Yu followed close behind, his face pale, yet he gripped her hand tightly, offering silent support.

Master Qin and a squad of men flanked them, the atmosphere as tense as a drawn bowstring. The gates of the He residence were shut tight, exuding a cold indifference that kept the world at bay.

"Thump, thump, thump—" The heavy knocking echoed through the silent night, jarring and harsh, like the tolling of a bell of judgment.

A moment later, the gates creaked open, revealing the terrified face of Steward Feng. Upon seeing Qu Wanqing and her party, his complexion turned deathly white, his lips trembling until he could not utter a word.

"Where is Master He?" Qu Wanqing asked, her voice cold and direct.

Steward Feng dared not block their way, trembling as he led them into the main hall.

Master He sat stiffly, a forced, composed smile plastered on his face. "Wanqing, it’s so late—what brings you here?" he asked with feigned casualness, acting as if he were entirely unaware of the situation.

"Master He, let’s skip the pleasantries," Qu Wanqing said, her gaze sharp as she stared him down. "The strange occurrences at the mourning hall and the crisis surrounding my remarriage—surely these have something to do with you?"

Master He’s expression flickered, but he quickly regained his composure. "Wanqing, what are you talking about? I don’t understand." He denied it outright, attempting to bluff his way out.

"You don’t understand?" Qu Wanqing let out a cold laugh. "Steward Feng has already confessed everything. Do you still intend to deny it?" She pulled a letter from her sleeve—a document written in Steward Feng’s own hand, detailing Master He’s conspiracy.

"And this," she added, producing a sachet. "The medicinal powder inside this sachet is the prop you used to play ghost in the mourning hall, isn't it?"

Master He’s face turned leaden, beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. He had not expected Steward Feng to betray him, nor had he anticipated that Qu Wanqing would hold so much evidence.

The air in the room seemed to solidify. Every gaze was fixed on Master He, waiting for his explanation. He took a deep breath, his eyes darting back and forth, until finally, a twisted smile curled the corners of his mouth.

"Wanqing, oh Wanqing, you truly are clever, but..." He paused abruptly, his eyes shifting toward Jiang Yu as he said with profound significance, "Have you ever considered that perhaps there is more to this than meets the eye?"

The smile on Master He’s face grew increasingly sinister, bordering on madness.

"That’s right, I did it. So what?" He stood up abruptly, staring at Qu Wanqing with venomous eyes. "I wanted to ruin your reputation! I wanted to ensure you could never rise again!"

He tore away his mask, finally revealing his true self. This sudden confession stunned everyone present; Master Qin, in particular, widened his eyes in disbelief. Having previously harbored doubts about Qu Wanqing, he now felt a surge of guilt and anger as the truth came to light.

"Why would you do such a thing?" Qu Wanqing demanded, suppressing her fury.

"Why?" Master He let out a loud, mocking laugh, his voice filled with spite. "Because you destroyed everything I had! You dragged my name through the mud and cost me everything!" He pointed at Qu Wanqing, gnashing his teeth. "I wanted to make you pay!"

Qu Wanqing scoffed. "The 'reputation' you speak of was merely a hypocritical mask built on lies and deception! As for everything you’ve lost, you brought it upon yourself!" She scanned the room, her voice clear and forceful. "Everyone, Master He’s schemes have now been laid bare! He went to such lengths to frame the innocent and destroy reputations for his own gain—should such despicable conduct not be condemned?"

Her words rang out with authority, and all present were struck by her presence. Master Qin was the first to react, stepping forward in righteous indignation to rebuke Master He: "Master He, you are truly deranged! To commit such heinous, heartless acts is simply outrageous!"

Others chimed in, condemning Master He’s vile behavior.

Seeing the public outcry, Master He’s face darkened further. He had not expected matters to reach this point. He had assumed he could easily crush Qu Wanqing underfoot, never imagining she would be so tenacious, so clever, and ultimately turn the tables on him.

Driven to a frenzy of rage, Master He bellowed hysterically, "Shut up, all of you! Men, seize them!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than a group of servants armed with staves rushed in from outside, surrounding Qu Wanqing and her companions. A battle was imminent.

Jiang Yu stepped forward, shielding Qu Wanqing. His gaze swept over the servants with piercing intensity as he said in a low voice, "Let’s see who dares move!" He drew his sword, the cold steel flashing as he pointed the blade directly at Master He.

Master Qin drew his own saber without hesitation, commanding his men to join the fray. In an instant, the hall was filled with the clash of steel and the roar of combat.

As Jiang Yu drew his sword, he thought silently to himself, *Today, I must ensure Wanqing does not suffer even the slightest harm. These servants are nothing but a disorganized rabble.* His swordsmanship was unique, each strike grounded in years of discipline. He did not slash blindly; he struck precisely at the servants' weak points. While parrying their attacks, he skillfully utilized the rebound of his blade to counter-strike. In his eyes, aside from ferocity, there was a passion for battle and absolute confidence.

"Wanqing, watch out!" Jiang Yu suddenly shouted. He lunged forward, shielding her and parrying a heavy strike from a servant. The sound of metal clashing against wood rang out, and the edge of his sword cut a cold arc through the air.

A trickle of blood escaped the corner of Jiang Yu’s mouth, but his gaze remained resolute. He protected Qu Wanqing as if she were his entire world.

Qu Wanqing’s heart ached. She pulled Jiang Yu close and whispered, "You fool, don't push yourself so hard!" Her eyes were filled with concern and tenderness.

The two shared a look, a smile passing between them that held countless unspoken promises of mutual understanding and steadfastness. Those around them were moved by the depth of their bond; Master Qin, moved to tears like an old man in a drama, muttered, "This lad... he’s a true hero!"

The battle raged on. Jiang Yu’s sword moved like the wind, fending off wave after wave of attacks.

Qu Wanqing remained focused. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on sensing the supernatural dangers nearby. Suddenly, she opened her eyes, a cold smile tugging at her lips. "Found it!"

She quickly reached into her sleeve and produced a small box filled with talismans—the very piece of incriminating evidence Master He had used to frame her. She held the box high and announced, "Everyone, this is the proof of Master He’s plot against me! He used these talismans to stage supernatural events, making everyone believe I was a harbinger of disaster!"

The crowd was struck as if by a thunderbolt. Their eyes widened, their mouths agape in shock. The previously chaotic hall fell into instant, deathly silence, followed immediately by a roar of astonishment and disgust directed at Master He.

She hurled the box toward Master He. It burst open in mid-air, scattering the talismans, each one clearly inscribed with Master He’s own name.

At that moment, a mysterious wind swept through the hall, making the clothes of those present snap in the air. The talismans danced in the gale. Standing at the center of the wind, her hair and robes fluttering, Qu Wanqing possessed a gaze so firm and cold that she looked like an emissary of justice walking out of the storm. The onlookers were deeply shaken.

The truth was laid bare, and Master He’s conspiracy had collapsed entirely.

Qu Wanqing stood there like a goddess of victory, radiating unparalleled confidence and brilliance. The people around her looked on with deep admiration.

Just when everyone thought it was over, Lady Bai appeared. She stood at the doorway, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. Seeing that smile, an inexplicable sense of unease welled up in Qu Wanqing’s heart.

Lady Bai walked slowly toward Qu Wanqing, her smile concealing some unknown threat.

"Wanqing, your story... has only just begun," Lady Bai said softly. Her voice echoed like a draft from a deep valley, sending a chill down everyone’s spine.

Qu Wanqing looked at Lady Bai’s enigmatic smile, her heart filled with vigilance.

After Master He had confessed everything, a complex emotion flickered in Qu Wanqing’s mind. Looking at the man who had once been a person of status in the town, now reduced to such a frantic and hideous state, she could not help but lament, "Master He, you didn't have to end up this way. Your greed and hatred have ultimately consumed you." In her eyes, beyond the anger, there was a trace of regret that was hard to perceive.