There was a knock on A Liu's door. She thought it was Zhen Yu coming back from gambling, so she opened the door while muttering under her breath, "I've told you so many times not to go to the gambling house anymore. Did you lose all your money again today?"
Before her grumbling words could finish, she stared blankly at the person standing at the door. It wasn't Zhen Yu, but someone she had never seen before.
"Who are you? What do you want?" A Liu instantly became vigilant. She half - closed the door and looked at the person, keeping a safe distance from him.
She had already gotten into enough trouble by getting involved with the Intelligence Pavilion. After finally escaping, she didn't want to encounter any more trouble now.
The servant didn't bother to explain much. He simply held out the handkerchief in his hand and repeated exactly what Jing Hong had told him.
"If you want to see the owner of this item again, go to the villa on the outskirts of the city. Remember, go alone. Otherwise, you should know what will happen to the owner of this item."
Although the servant's words were devoid of any emotion, A Liu could still tell who had given the order.
Jing Hong.
A Liu frowned. She took the handkerchief from the servant's hand, said nothing more, and directly closed the door.
She carefully unfolded the handkerchief in her hand. After seeing what was inside, A Liu felt as if all her strength had left her.
She instinctively threw the handkerchief away. Looking at the index finger rolling on the ground, she took a few frightened steps back.
The index finger on the ground, along with the jade ring on it, fell out and rolled forward a few times before stopping at A Liu's feet. She looked down at the jade ring at her feet and covered her mouth tightly to keep herself from screaming.
She was all too familiar with this jade ring. After regaining her freedom, she had specially bought a jade ring for Zhen Yu.
She had engraved their two names on it on purpose, in case Zhen Yu sold the ring. At least then she would have a way to get it back.
But unexpectedly, now it was on a severed finger.
It was Jing Hong... She had captured Zhen Yu!
A Liu pinched her own arm. Only the pain could keep her awake.
The other party was using Yu Lang to threaten her to meet. The purpose was obviously to find out who was behind the conspiracy in the pavilion.
She had finally escaped from that troublesome place. If she went to meet Jing Hong this time, she might get involved in this incident again.
But if she didn't go...
"Yu Lang..." A Liu looked at the severed finger not far from her and shed silent tears.
On the other side, in the villa outside the city, Jing Hong looked at the small path at the door and then glanced at the new bright red nail polish on her fingertips. She looked calm and unhurried, as if everything was under her control.
"Will A Liu really come?" Ye Zhiqiu glanced at the unconscious Zhen Yu. This man was really a coward. Just cutting off an index finger had made him pass out and still not wake up.
Could such a timid and self - serving person really be used to threaten A Liu?
Jing Hong was very satisfied with her newly painted nail polish. Hearing Ye Zhiqiu's doubt, she explained with a smile, "A Liu has been by my side for several years. I know her very well."
As she spoke, she turned around and looked disdainfully at the unconscious Zhen Yu. "A Liu yearns for love the most. This man is the first person she fell in love with, so she will surely be devoted to him. Even if she knows it's a trap, she will come. She is kind - hearted and loyal, but it's a pity that her taste in men is not very good."
Just as she finished speaking, a figure appeared on the misty path. Wearing a black robe that seemed to blend into the night, without even carrying a lantern, the figure walked under the moonlight towards the villa.
"Look, she's here." Jing Hong's lips curved slightly. Then she walked towards the door.
"Where is Yu Lang?!" A Liu demanded angrily as soon as she opened her mouth. Her expression under the cloak didn't look good.
Jing Hong reached out to tidy up her hair that had been messed up by the night wind. Her expression didn't change the slightest bit at A Liu's anger, but this nonchalant look only made A Liu angrier.
But apart from glaring at her, A Liu didn't take any further action because she clearly knew that she was no match for Jing Hong.
Seeing Jing Hong standing in front of her safe and sound, A Liu also understood that there must have been a big upheaval in the Intelligence Pavilion. But she didn't care about this. She just wanted to spend the rest of her life with Yu Lang...
"Don't worry. Zhen Yu is fine. He's just sleeping. I only cut off one of his fingers. I didn't do anything else to him." Jing Hong said slowly after waiting for the other person to calm down a bit.
After hearing that Zhen Yu was okay, A Liu felt a little relieved. Looking in the other person's direction, she said coldly, "What do you want me to do to let Yu Lang and me go?"
"A Liu, you're a smart person. You should know what I want when you received the little finger. And since you've come here for the appointment, I'm sure you've agreed to my request." Jing Hong's smiling expression remained unchanged as she spoke word by word.
There was confidence on her face, and her words were beyond doubt, as if everything was within her plan.
Although she didn't want to admit it, it was true. Just as Jing Hong had said, A Liu had known the other person's purpose when she saw that finger.
She had struggled, but in the end, she had chosen to compromise.
"Yes, I've thought it through." A Liu sighed softly after a moment of silence and said this.
Jing Hong smiled and stepped aside. "It's cold outside. Come inside and we can talk properly."
After saying that, she walked into the house on her own. A Liu had no choice at this point. She followed Jing Hong's footsteps into the house.
As soon as she entered the house, she saw Song Yan, Ye Zhiqiu, and Zhen Yu lying on the bed sleeping. She quickly ran to Zhen Yu's side. After confirming that he was just sleeping, she quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Jing Hong poured a cup of tea and took a sip. Glancing in A Liu's direction, she said slowly, "Well, the person is here, safe and sound, waiting for you. It's time to give me what I want, right?"
As she said this, she paused and tapped on the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table. Then she continued, "If you haven't written it, it doesn't matter. I've prepared everything here. I don't mind if you write it now."
Hearing this, A Liu stood up from beside Zhen Yu, walked to the table, picked up the pen, and started writing on the paper.
She knew that if she didn't write this list of traitors, she and Yu Lang wouldn't be able to get out alive.
There were two people with high martial arts skills here. She didn't even know if she could escape by herself, let alone carry the unconscious Zhen Yu with her.
The chance of a successful escape was so small that it could almost be ignored. And now the only way to protect herself and Yu Lang was to write this list and all she knew about the Intelligence Pavilion.
This was the safest way and the choice of a smart person.
...
"Okay. Can you let us go back now?" A Liu handed the written letter paper to Jing Hong and said this expressionlessly.
Jing Hong glanced at the list of people on it. The more she looked, the worse her expression became. Most of the people on the list were her confidants. She never expected that they would all choose to betray her.
A Liu was just a pawn in this matter. All she knew about the plan was only on the surface. She probably wouldn't be told anything deeper.
But it didn't matter. This was enough. Jing Hong sorted out the papers, nodded, and said, "You can go."
After getting the permission, A Liu walked to the bedside, helped the unconscious Zhen Yu up, and walked out step by step firmly. But when she reached the door, she was suddenly called to a halt by Jing Hong.
"A Liu, is this man really worth doing all this for you? By now, do you have any regrets?" Jing Hong's voice was low. Now she was just looking at everything from an outsider's perspective.
A Liu was clearly a very smart person, but she had repeatedly acted stupidly when it came to Zhen Yu. She didn't understand what kind of charm this man had that could make A Liu abandon everything and go with him.
Thinking that they might not have a chance to meet again in the future, she decided to ask it all clearly here.
Hearing this, A Liu stopped in her tracks. Then she said with a smile, "By now, there's no question of whether it's worth it or not. Love is such a strange thing. When you encounter it,阁主, you'll understand."
After leaving these words, she strode out. It wasn't until her figure was out of sight that Jing Hong let out a long sigh.
But there was no time to think about other things now. Jing Hong handed the letter written by A Liu to Song Yan. "The next thing will depend on you, Director Song."
Song Yan looked at the letter in his hand, said nothing more, and just nodded.
Early the next morning, Song Yan led the investigators of the Investigation Department to the Qin Tower. Jing Hong also went with them. Today, she wasn't dressed up coquettishly. Instead, she was wearing a tight - fitting suit. Her long black hair was tied up high with only a white jade hairpin to hold it in place.
There were two scimitars on her waist. When she saw Song Yan, she waved at him with a smile. "You've come just in time, Director Song. I'll treat you to a good show for free today."
Song Yan wasn't interested in the "good show" in Jing Hong's words at all. Looking at her well - prepared appearance, he knew that the Qin Tower would be in turmoil today.
"As long as阁主 can assist me in solving the case." Song Yan said this calmly. Jing Hong didn't say anything more. Instead, she held the scimitar on her waist and stared at the door. She couldn't even maintain her smile.
Some things, once a decision is made, there's no turning back.
She knew this truth...
But since a choice had been made, there was no going back. Jing Hong took a step forward and directly opened the door of the Qin Tower.
"You are suspected of being involved in the Green Willow case. The Investigation Department has the right to take you back for investigation. If you don't cooperate, the Investigation Department has the right to execute you on the spot." Song Yan's voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet building, everyone could hear it clearly.
Song Yan had come here to help Jing Hong. The last resort for dealing with traitors was to massacre them.
Although he didn't really agree with Jing Hong's approach, it was indeed the fastest and most effective way.
Only by killing those with ulterior motives could they deter the subordinates with absolute authority. But this couldn't fundamentally solve the problem.
However, he was just here to cooperate. The affairs of the Qin Tower had nothing to do with him.
Just as he finished speaking, a person walked down from the second floor. Looking in Jing Hong's direction, he sneered, "I didn't expect you to be so lucky. If you want to regain the position of阁主, you should see if you have the ability. Do you think you can regain your position as阁主 by relying on the Investigation Department? It's just wishful thinking!"
Jing Hong looked at the person standing on the second floor. She was all too familiar with his appearance, but he was also the most unexpected person. She never expected that the mastermind behind all this would be A Yi.
But it didn't matter. At this point, it didn't matter who the mastermind was.
"I never rely on others as a backer. A Yi, I don't need to seize the position of阁主. It's originally mine." Jing Hong laughed recklessly. Her beautiful eyes squinted slightly, and her words were full of arrogance as if she had everything under control.
A Yi looked at her expression. His face gradually distorted with anger. He raised his hand. "Then I'll see how long you can be so arrogant!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand. The people hiding in the dark rushed towards Jing Hong. Song Yan wasn't interested in this fight at all. He found a safe place and watched the chaos in front of him.
Seeing this, Jing Hong took out the scimitars on her waist and simply and neatly killed the people rushing towards her. She didn't use any fancy techniques, but just one simple and direct strike at a time.
The people following her also fought with her to resist the attacks. A Yi never expected that there would still be people following Jing Hong in this situation.
But it didn't matter. Everything was under control.
But he underestimated Jing Hong after all. When the people around faced the blood - covered Jing Hong, they didn't dare to take a single step forward.
The person standing in front of them was like a Shura King. Her eyes were full of fierce killing intent. The corpses at her feet were already piled up high.
And she seemed not to know what fatigue was. The scimitars in her hands never stopped. Stared at by such a murderous look, no one present dared to rush forward rashly.
Jing Hong wiped the blood off her face and said to the people in front of her, "I know you have your own difficulties. If you put down your weapons now, I will forgive everything you've done."
Jing Hong's voice wasn't loud, but everyone present could hear it clearly. Many people hesitated at her words. Seeing this, A Yi slapped the armrest hard. "What are you standing there for! Hurry up and attack!"
Although A Yi's angry voice was repeated again and again, the people standing in front of Jing Hong didn't take any further action. Seeing this, A Yi directly jumped down from the second floor, picked up his long sword, and rushed towards Jing Hong.
He had seen clearly from the second floor that Jing Hong's physical strength wouldn't last long. Although this was very despicable, in order to get the position of阁主, he would stop at nothing.
Seeing that A Yi, who had been hiding, finally appeared, Jing Hong raised the scimitar in her hand and taunted him in the face, "The turtle with its head retracted finally shows up."
"I'll spare your whole body out of respect for you as the former阁主." A Yi sneered. As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his sword and stabbed at her.
Jing Hong raised her scimitars and blocked the long sword he swung from both sides. The distance between the two suddenly closed. Jing Hong looked into A Yi's eyes and said in a low voice.
"Really? I'm not as kind as you. I'll cut you into pieces. So." She paused here and raised the hand holding the scimitar. A Yi took a few steps back.
Jing Hong looked in A Yi's direction and smiled with her eyebrows curved.
"You'd better not die in my hands."
This fight didn't last long. Although Jing Hong had fought with no less than twenty people before, she seemed not to know what fatigue was.
She only knew to raise the sword in her hand and kill all the obstacles in front of her. It was more appropriate to call her a monster than a person.
Soon, A Yi was at a disadvantage. The long sword in his hand was knocked out by Jing Hong, and he was forced into a corner. There was a wall behind him. Now he had nowhere to retreat.
Seeing this, Jing Hong smiled. Her beautiful eyes seemed to be filled with countless stardust. She said word by word, "It's a pity. I've won this round. I'll keep my promise and cut you into pieces, A Yi. You'd better get ready to watch."
After saying that, she turned to look at the group of people standing in front of her and said loudly, "So, is there anyone else who is not convinced!"
As soon as these words were said, the people in the hall all put down their weapons and knelt on the ground, shouting, "Greetings to the阁主!"
Seeing this scene, Jing Hong didn't say anything more. Instead, she raised her scimitar and disabled A Yi's martial arts. After making him unable to move anymore, she ordered, "Take him away."
As soon as she finished speaking, a pavilion member immediately stepped forward and took the martial - arts - disabled A Yi away. Jing Hong looked at Song Yan who was slowly walking towards her and showed a tired smile. "Thank you, Director Song, for this time."
Song Yan just nodded and said nothing more. He followed her hint and took the exhausted Jing Hong back to the wing room.
After settling her down, just before he left, Jing Hong whispered a few words.
"Master Ye is not an ordinary person. There is more danger around him than you think. Countless pairs of eyes are staring at him. The assassination last time was also the same. Their target was Master Ye."
"I can see that your feelings for Master Ye are special. He needs someone to protect him."
Jing Hong half - closed her eyes and whispered these words. After saying that, she didn't say anything more. Song Yan turned back and wanted to say something, but found that she had already fallen asleep.
After a moment of hesitation, he still opened the door and stood guard outside.
Although Jing Hong seemed to have stabilized the situation in the Qin Tower for now, there were still hidden dangers everywhere. He did this just because of what she had said to him.
After that, the incident in the Qin Tower came to a successful end. Regarding the Green Willow case, Song Yan used A Liu's letter to identify A Yi as the murderer. After the murderer was identified, his body was found.
The government ruled A Yi's death as a suicide and closed the case.
Although the matter ended successfully, Song Yan still couldn't forget what Jing Hong had said to him before.
It was about Ye Zhiqiu.