Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Mystery of the White Shadow

Qu Wanqing stared at Miss Bai’s mysterious smile, and the alarm bells in her heart began ringing furiously. From the very first time they met, this woman had given her an inexplicable sense of oppression, as though she were hiding countless secrets. Now that Master He’s farce had just come to an end, she had popped up again with a meaningful remark. Her intentions were practically written across her face for all to see!

Looking for trouble? Fine. She would see it through to the end!

Her gaze sharpened. Radiating the confidence of a woman who was born to rule, she strode straight toward Miss Bai.

Seeing this, Jiang Yu immediately stepped forward and said in a low voice, “Wanqing, I’ll come with you.”

Qu Wanqing shook her head and gave him a look that clearly said, “Relax and enjoy the show.”

“You stay hidden and keep watch, just in case. That woman is far too sly. I’m worried she may be up to something.”

Although Jiang Yu was concerned, he still followed Qu Wanqing’s arrangement. He slipped silently behind the crowd, his eyes fixed intently on the two women.

The spectators around them began whispering among themselves, exchanging glances and murmuring in hushed voices. An atmosphere of tense excitement spread through the air.

Unexpectedly, when Miss Bai saw Qu Wanqing approach, she showed no sign of wariness. Instead, her face blossomed into a radiant smile, and she greeted Qu Wanqing with the warmth of a long-lost sister.

“Little Sister Wanqing, you truly are every bit as impressive as any man! That performance just now had my blood racing!”

Qu Wanqing’s inner thoughts were far less enthusiastic. What was this woman scheming? Was she trying courtesy before force?

“Miss Bai flatters me.”

Qu Wanqing kept her expression composed, but inwardly she raised her guard even higher.

Covering her lips, Miss Bai gave a soft laugh. A trace of slyness flashed through her eyes.

“Little Sister Wanqing, why don’t we find somewhere quiet and talk?”

The people around them instantly froze as if someone had pressed a pause button. One by one, they widened their eyes, watching as though they were witnessing the grandest spectacle of the year.

Qu Wanqing pondered for only a moment before nodding. If soldiers came, she would meet them with weapons; if floodwaters came, she would hold them back with earth. What was there to fear?

The two women walked to a secluded corner. Only then did Miss Bai’s smile fade as she lowered her voice.

“Actually…”

Seeing her deliberately put on an air of mystery, Qu Wanqing laughed inwardly. What exactly was this woman plotting?

She smiled, but her eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s.

“If you have something to say, Miss Bai, please speak plainly. I’m listening.”

Miss Bai was slightly taken aback by her calm composure, but then continued.

“Little Sister Wanqing, do you know that all the strange incidents that have taken place in this town recently are actually connected to me?”

Qu Wanqing’s heart tightened, though her expression remained unchanged.

“Oh? What exactly do you mean?”

“Little Sister Wanqing, I…”

Miss Bai hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty passing through her eyes as though she were weighing something carefully.

“The truth is, I have my own difficulties. Those strange incidents were all part of my attempt to avenge my family.”

“Revenge?”

Qu Wanqing raised an eyebrow. By now, she had already guessed most of the truth.

She smiled faintly.

“Miss Bai, perhaps you could be a little more specific.”

Seeing her sincere attitude, Miss Bai seemed to relax. She lowered her voice and said, “Many years ago, my family was framed by Master He. Our home was destroyed, and my family was wiped out. And Master He is none other than your second husband. I came here to uncover the truth and demand justice for my family.”

Qu Wanqing secretly rejoiced, but outwardly she remained calm.

“I see. I understand your troubles, Miss Bai. But why didn’t you simply tell me from the beginning?”

Miss Bai sighed.

“I wasn’t certain whether you could be trusted. But now I see that you really are a clever woman.”

She paused before adding, “I need your help. Together, we can uncover the truth.”

Qu Wanqing began weighing the matter carefully. Her eyes narrowed slightly as the various events of the past flashed through her mind—from her entanglement with Master He to the strange occurrences in the town.

This was an excellent opportunity to unravel the mystery, but she also knew she could not place her complete trust in Miss Bai.

Her fingers tapped lightly against her arm without her realizing it. After a moment, she smiled.

“Very well. Let’s work together. But I have one condition: you must tell me every detail you know.”

Miss Bai nodded.

“Agreed.”

Just then, Taoist Liu appeared from nowhere.

When he saw Qu Wanqing standing beside Miss Bai, a smug glint flashed through his eyes. He walked over with a sinister smile.

“Ladies, what a rare sight, seeing you two together. However, there is something I must say. This Madam Qu, she…”

Qu Wanqing had been prepared for him. She pulled the carefully prepared note from her sleeve, held it high, and began reading aloud.

“Taoist Liu, I have collected every piece of evidence proving that you are a fraud. If you dare continue slandering me, I’ll take it straight to the county office and report you!”

The note was densely packed with records of the times, places, and victims involved in Taoist Liu’s scams. Every detail could be clearly verified.

When the surrounding people saw the evidence, they gathered around and began pointing at Taoist Liu. His face instantly turned scarlet. He tried to snatch the note away, but the furious crowd blocked him. Under the barrage of accusations, he could only retreat step by step.

Qu Wanqing smiled faintly, savoring the sweetness of victory.

Her gaze swept across the crowd, and she spotted Jiang Yu hiding among them. His eyes were filled with relief and pride.

“Taoist Liu, your little act ends here,” Qu Wanqing said coldly.

She turned to Miss Bai with a smile.

“Miss Bai, let’s continue.”

From the shadows, Jiang Yu watched Qu Wanqing verbally overwhelm the crowd of scholars, reducing Taoist Liu to speechlessness with only a few sentences. His heart swelled with pride.

This woman was becoming more and more dazzling.

He emerged from hiding and walked to Qu Wanqing’s side, gently taking her hand and interlocking his fingers with hers.

“My wife is truly amazing!”

The affection in his eyes seemed ready to overflow, so sweet it was almost unbearable.

Qu Wanqing squeezed his hand in return, feeling the warmth of his palm. Her heart softened.

It was wonderful to have him by her side.

The tenderness between them became a spectacular public display of romance, blinding the onlookers with enough sweetness to ruin their eyes.

Suddenly, a gust of sinister wind swept through the area. The temperature dropped sharply, and an eerie presence filled the air.

That terrifying supernatural force which had appeared in the funeral hall had returned!

This time, the oppressive sensation was even stronger than before, as though some dreadful entity were about to descend upon them.

“Be careful!”

Jiang Yu’s expression changed. He quickly moved Qu Wanqing behind him, drew the dagger he carried at his waist, and scanned the surroundings warily.

A black shadow flashed.

A hideous evil spirit appeared out of thin air, shrieking with a piercing cry as it lunged straight at Jiang Yu.

The spirit clawed and snapped at him. Jiang Yu’s figure blurred, and the dagger in his hand flashed coldly as he slashed open a wound across the creature’s body.

The evil spirit let out an enraged howl and attacked even more fiercely. Jiang Yu dodged again and again beneath its assault, though several slashes tore through his clothing. His gaze remained resolute. Relying on his iron will and superb skill, he gradually discerned the pattern of the evil spirit’s attacks and began to counter.

The people around them trembled in terror and hurried as far away as possible, afraid of being caught in the battle. Watching Jiang Yu risk his life to protect Qu Wanqing, they were filled with admiration.

Now that was a real man!

At that moment, a white figure flashed past.

Miss Bai suddenly joined the fight.

A long sword had appeared in her hand at some point, and her swordplay was as powerful and fluid as a dragon surging from the sea. Every strike was aimed at the evil spirit’s vital points.

Jiang Yu grappled with the creature as its claws repeatedly swiped at him. He dodged nimbly, his dagger tracing streaks of silver through the air.

Just as the evil spirit forced Jiang Yu into a corner, a white figure streaked across the scene like lightning. Miss Bai rushed into the battle with her sword in hand.

Jiang Yu rolled across the ground, drawing the evil spirit’s attention. Miss Bai seized the opening and drove her sword into its abdomen.

The evil spirit shrieked in agony, and the air around them seemed to tremble beneath the force of the blow.

It retaliated wildly. Jiang Yu attacked from the side, and the two of them worked together flawlessly—one on the left, one on the right; one attacking, the other defending.

Under their combined assault, the evil spirit gradually fell into defeat. At last, it let out an unwilling roar before dissolving into a wisp of black smoke and vanishing completely.

A wave of astonishment swept through the crowd. The sight was seared into everyone’s memory.

Jiang Yu sheathed his dagger and hurried to Qu Wanqing’s side.

“Are you all right?”

Qu Wanqing shook her head, but her eyes remained fixed on Miss Bai.

Miss Bai put away her sword and walked up to Qu Wanqing. With a faint smile, she said:

“Actually…”