Chapter Thirty: Shrouded in Mist

"What exactly... do you know?" Qu Wanqing asked, getting straight to the point, her tone laced with inquiry.

Miss Bai sighed softly and stepped toward Qu Wanqing, her expression sincere yet tinged with helplessness. "This wooden plaque has a profound connection to me. I am a spirit from the wilderness who attained human form, but I was controlled by the Daoist Liu through dark arts. I was forced to obey his commands and spread the rumors that you are a harbinger of doom."

Miss Bai slowly recounted her background, her voice heavy with sorrow. Used by Daoist Liu as a pawn in his conspiracy, her heart was filled with regret and frustration. She had once been free, but after an accidental encounter led to her capture by the Daoist, she lost her freedom and had to act according to his every whim. She longed to break free from his control.

Listening to her story, Qu Wanqing felt a surge of sympathy. She understood the pain of being controlled and the resolve it took to resist.

"I believe you," Qu Wanqing said firmly. "Let us find the mastermind together and uncover the truth!"

Looking into Qu Wanqing’s sincere eyes, a spark of hope ignited in Miss Bai’s heart. "Very well! I am willing to work with you!"

The three returned to the inn and closed the door, the atmosphere instantly turning solemn. On the table lay two identical black wooden plaques, along with other clues they had collected: Old Mother Ma’s testimony, Master Qin’s prejudices, and Master He’s peculiar behavior.

"Let’s organize all the known clues," Qu Wanqing said, picking up one of the plaques to examine the symbols carefully. "The symbols on this plaque appear to be some form of ancient incantation. I recall seeing similar records in ancient texts..."

Jiang Yu added, "Master He’s recent behavior has indeed been highly irregular. He has been frequently meeting with strangers, and he always acts in a clandestine manner..."

Miss Bai chimed in, "Daoist Liu often visits a deserted temple outside the city. I suspect that is where they perform their dark rituals..."

Qu Wanqing connected these threads, her mind racing as a larger conspiracy began to surface. "I understand now! None of this is a coincidence. Someone is pulling the strings from behind the scenes, and my marriage to Master He is merely a part of their plan..."

A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "It seems these waters run deeper than I imagined." She tapped the table, a sense of thrill rising as she felt the scope of the situation unfolding under her control.

Jiang Yu and Miss Bai exchanged a glance, their admiration for Qu Wanqing’s wisdom and insight deepening.

"Then our next step—" Jiang Yu began, but he was interrupted by a frantic knocking at the door.

"Who is it?" Jiang Yu asked vigilantly.

A low voice came from outside: "It is I, Steward Feng..."

Steward Feng entered the room looking flustered, his tone hurried: "Something has happened to Master He!"

The three exchanged a look, an ominous premonition rising in their hearts. It seemed their investigation had touched a nerve.

"Speak slowly, what happened?" Qu Wanqing signaled for the steward to calm down.

Steward Feng took a deep breath. "This morning, Master He suddenly collapsed into a coma. The physician says he has been poisoned by some strange toxin..."

"Poisoned?" Qu Wanqing’s brow furrowed. "Take us to see him."

At the He residence, the atmosphere was heavy. Master He lay in bed, pale and breathing weakly. The physicians were at their wit’s end, pacing in anxiety. Qu Wanqing walked to the bedside, carefully observing the symptoms and questioning the physicians.

"This poison is rather peculiar..." she murmured to herself.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside. A group of people stormed in, led by a middle-aged man in official robes.

"Audacious woman! How dare you plot to harm Master He!" the official pointed at Qu Wanqing, shouting sternly.

Qu Wanqing sneered, replying with calm composure: "Where is the evidence? Your Honor should not falsely accuse an innocent person without cause."

"Hmph! Both witnesses and physical evidence are in hand! Men, seize her!" At the official's command, the bailiffs behind him stepped forward.

Jiang Yu stood in front of Qu Wanqing, his gaze icy: "Let’s see who dares!"

Miss Bai also stepped forward, unleashing a powerful demonic aura that stunned the bailiffs.

At that moment, Master Qin arrived with a crowd, righteously accusing Qu Wanqing of being a curse, bewitching people, and plotting to seize the He family fortune. The surrounding townspeople began to gossip, pointing fingers at her.

"When one wants to condemn, one can always find an excuse!" Qu Wanqing scoffed. "I’d like to see what tricks you have up your sleeves!" She scanned the room, her expression filled with disdain and defiance.

"Want to take me down? I’ll play this game to the end!"

Jiang Yu gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Qu Wanqing’s ear, his voice soft: "Don’t be afraid. I am here."

Feeling Jiang Yu’s tenderness, Qu Wanqing felt a warmth spread through her, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks. She nodded slightly, her eyes filled with firmness and trust. Watching their interaction, Miss Bai couldn't help but sigh; this was what true love looked like.

"It seems we must find another way..." Qu Wanqing said in a low voice, her gaze shifting to Steward Feng.

Steward Feng nodded slightly, appearing to understand her intent.

As night fell, the He residence was shrouded in an eerie silence. Qu Wanqing, Jiang Yu, and Miss Bai slipped out of the manor and vanished into the darkness.

"Where did they go?" A shadowy figure appeared behind the middle-aged official.

"Hmph, do you think they can escape? I have already sent men to track them..." The official sneered, "This time, they won't be able to fly away!" He clutched a black wooden plaque tightly, a sinister glint in his eyes.

After leaving the estate, the three headed straight for the deserted temple outside the city. The place was gloomy and desolate—the perfect setting for a horror film.

No sooner had they arrived than a group of thugs in black descended from all sides, surrounding the temple until not even a mouse could slip through.

Jiang Yu and Miss Bai exchanged a look. "Professionals, huh? Are we playing for real?" In the next second, they were locked in combat with the thugs.

Jiang Yu moved with agility, his strikes swift and precise, as if he were moving at double speed. Miss Bai was no less capable, light as a swallow, occasionally showing off nimble footwork that left the men in black spinning.

Qu Wanqing stood to the side, not merely to watch. She activated her "God’s-eye view," sensing danger and calling out warnings: "Left! Watch for an ambush!" "Behind you! Concealed weapons!" She acted like a human radar, providing pinpoint warnings.

Though the thugs were numerous and well-trained, the seamless coordination between Jiang Yu and Miss Bai left them helpless. With Qu Wanqing’s "divine assistance," the scene became rather awkward, as if the thugs were merely feeding moves to their opponents.

Suddenly, Qu Wanqing spotted a fatal flaw: all the thugs wore identical black gloves, and each was embroidered with the same symbol.

"Wait! Their gloves!" she shouted. "Attack the symbols on their gloves!"

Jiang Yu and Miss Bai caught on immediately and shifted their tactics. As expected, the symbols acted as a special seal; once damaged, the thugs' combat prowess plummeted. The thugs, seeing the tide turn, scattered and fled faster than rabbits.

"Running away already? They aren't very tough!" Qu Wanqing couldn't help but scoff.

The bystanders, who had been watching, cheered, praising their wisdom and skill. After the thugs fled, they left behind a mysterious box. Qu Wanqing picked it up and found it engraved with the same symbol as the gloves.

"What is this?" she whispered, her brow furrowing as an ominous feeling rose in her heart.