Xi Yue’s gaze fell upon the people in the courtyard. Xiao Man had a spy among them, but this spy had never been caught because everyone in the courtyard was impeccable. Therefore, Xiao Man and Ling Xuan’s collaboration must be to deal with this spy!
Xi Yue’s mind raced. Qiu Tong, who had just left, Yin Zhu, who was in the study, Ying Xue and Chu Xue, who were taken away by the young lady, and Xiang Xue, who was in the pharmacy—among these people, who could be the spy?
Xi Yue calmed herself. She was certainly not the spy, but for the others, no one could be sure. It could be someone who remained in the courtyard or someone taken out by the young lady. Whoever it was, they would face a grim end once caught!
Xiao Man and Ling Xuan arranged to meet at an extremely secluded tea house. The tea house had been cleared out beforehand. Ling Xuan waited alone. Upon seeing Xiao Man arrive with only two maids, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. Did she know who she was dealing with? To dare come with just two maids!
“You’ve waited long,” Xiao Man said, sitting down in front of Ling Xuan.
Ling Xuan maintained a composed expression. “I’ve brought the item. Too many people have been flocking to the Cen family, he couldn’t resist any longer and handed this over.”
Xiao Man took it. “What exactly is this item that makes those people risk their lives to storm the Cen family?”
“A deadly item!” Cen Yu opened the box. Inside was the Feng Xi.
Xiao Man glanced at it. “Isn’t this just a trinket my maid bought? Is such a small item worth those people risking their lives to storm the Cen family?”
“Yours is a plaything. This is the Feng Xi of Lan Yue Kingdom, representing supreme rule!”
Xiao Man gasped. “Is it true?”
“Cen Yu says it’s real, but I don’t know if it is. Didn’t your father have dealings with Lan Yue Kingdom? Take it back and ask your father. If it is indeed the Feng Xi of Lan Yue Kingdom…”
“Then it will be difficult to handle. The General’s residence will be in danger.” Xiao Man made a decisive statement. “Destroy it!”
“What?” Ling Xuan stared at Xiao Man in shock. Why weren’t you playing by the rules?
“I said destroy it!” Xiao Man looked at Ying Xue, asking her to fetch a hammer to destroy the item.
Ling Xuan was too shocked to speak. “Do you know the consequences if Lan Yue Kingdom finds out you destroyed this item?”
Xiao Man’s expression was calm. “As long as no one knows I destroyed it, it’s fine.”
Ying Xue handed the hammer to Xiao Man. Xiao Man took it, truly intending to destroy the Feng Xi. Ling Xuan’s shock was unconcealable. She immediately reached out to stop her. “Xiao Man, why don’t you reconsider? This is the Feng Xi, the Feng Xi!”
“It’s not from our country, why are you so nervous?” Xiao Man brushed Ling Xuan’s hand away and raised the hammer, about to strike. Ling Xuan, too anxious, snatched the Feng Xi away.
“I think you still need to consider this carefully. If the news leaks, the Empress of Lan Yue will not spare you and the General’s residence.”
Xiao Man appeared indifferent. “We are not afraid. Give me the item!”
“No, this item cannot be destroyed. If you are unwilling to take it back for the Great General to confirm, then I will have to take it to His Highness Prince Qin.” Ling Xuan put the Feng Xi back into the box and was about to leave. However, just as she stood up, a masked figure quickly flashed into the inn and snatched the box from Ling Xuan’s hand!
“Who are you?” Ling Xuan exclaimed, trying to get the item back. However, the figure was incredibly fast, snatching the item and fleeing.
But on her escape route, Xiao Man was waiting. The masked figure did not hesitate, drawing a blade to stab. Xiao Man’s expression remained calm. She grabbed the person’s hand and applied a slight force. The masked figure let out a scream, dropping the dagger. The masked figure retreated repeatedly, guarding against Xiao Man while searching for another exit.
Xiao Man picked up the dagger from the ground. “You want to kill me?”
The masked figure stared warily at Xiao Man, remaining silent. She did indeed want to kill Xiao Man. She had thought Xiao Man was frail and could be dealt with in one blow, never expecting that despite her weakness, Xiao Man’s martial arts were even better than before.
“It seems you do want to kill me.” Xiao Man placed the dagger on the table. “Since that’s the case, I’ll give you a chance. I’ll let you use one hand, and you won’t use a weapon. This is your only chance. If you can’t kill me, you’ll never have the chance to kill me again.”
The masked figure hesitated. Xiao Man’s martial arts were not bad; after all, she was meticulously trained by the State Preceptor and Xiao Zhen. In the capital over the years, she had rarely met an equal. However, seeing how Xiao Man had subdued her in one move, she might not be Xiao Man’s opponent. Moreover, if she expended too much energy on Xiao Man, she might not have enough strength to break through the encirclement later.
“If you can defeat me, I will let you go.” Seeing the masked figure’s hesitation, Xiao Man knew she was worried about her escape route.
However, the other party still hesitated, as if considering whether to accept Xiao Man’s wager. If she refused, Xiao Man would order an attack, and she wouldn’t be able to escape. If she accepted and lost, it would likely mean her life. She only needed to stall for time until her people arrived.
“Are you waiting for your people to rescue you?” A mocking smile curved Xiao Man’s lips. “You probably don’t know that since I was severely injured, no matter where I go, I am always followed by countless hidden guards. Do you think your people can break through my hidden guards and rescue you?”
“How do I know you won’t cheat?”
“You have no choice but to trust me, don’t you?” The smile on Xiao Man’s face looked exceptionally sincere.
The masked figure gritted her teeth, took out the Feng Xi, and tucked it into her embrace. She immediately assumed a stance. “It’s a deal. If I win against you, you must not only let me go, but this item must also be mine.”
“Agreed.” Xiao Man placed one hand behind her back and made a defensive gesture with the other. “Come on.”
The masked figure moved as swiftly as lightning, appearing before Xiao Man and attacking her face directly. Xiao Man remained motionless, blocking her head with her wrist. Who knew the opponent was merely feinting, and a sharp fist wind struck her abdomen.
Xiao Man’s body bent like a bow, dodging the masked figure’s attack. She reached out, grabbed the masked figure’s wrist, pulled her closer, and slammed her with her shoulder. The masked figure cried out in pain. However, Xiao Man did not release her, raising her leg and kicking the masked figure in the stomach, sending her kneeling to the ground.
“It’s still some time before the New Year. Knocking your head now seems a bit early,” Xiao Man quipped. “Continue.”
The masked figure clutched her stomach and got up from the ground, her cold eyes fixed on Xiao Man with a fierce glare, as if she wanted to devour Xiao Man alive. Xiao Man’s martial arts were far more formidable than she had imagined. Even though Xiao Man was only using one hand, she couldn’t inflict any damage on Xiao Man! The hope of defeating her was slim. If she could provoke Xiao Man into breaking the rules, there might be a chance of winning!