Ch107 - Murder

Mu He rushed over at the sound of commotion and was shocked by the scene. Yin Wushuang turned towards her father and burst into tears before burrowing into his chest. “Father, they died! There’s so much blood!”

Yin Cangshan patted her comfortingly while looking towards Xie Zhiwei. “What’s going on here?”

Before Xie Zhiwei could speak, Mu He cut in. “We’ve all just arrived. King Yin’s question seems rather inappropriate.”

“This…” Yin Cangshan was surprised to see Mu He so ardently defending someone else. Xie Zhiwei remained staring at the bed, completely oblivious to him and Mu He’s conversation.

Mu He stepped forward to tug at him. “Shizun, it’s too noisy here. Let’s eat somewhere else.”

But Xie Zhiwei didn’t move. Only then did Mu He discover he looked rather pale. He softened his tone and said, “Shizun, don’t look anymore. You can’t revive the dead.”

Xie Zhiwe finally shut his eyes briefly before looking towards him. “Was it you?”

Mu He gave a start before his voice grew heavy. “Shizun suspects I killed them?”

Xie Zhiwei gripped him by the upper arm and said firmly, “As long as you say it’s not, Master will definitely believe it.”

Mu He looked at Xie Zhiwei deeply before saying, word by word, “It wasn’t this disciple.”

“Good, then it wasn’t you.” The knot in Xie Zhiwei’s heart eased, then tensed again.

Maozi and Old Du could be considered friends with him. Although the two were only grave robbers, they weren’t crooks, especially Maozi who was still in love a few days ago and didn’t give up pursuing his crush despite his humble origins. Xie Zhiwei had a very good impression of the lad. More importantly, these were two human lives, not just a few insignificant words crossed out in a book.

Xie Zhiwei had seen his share of dead people in this life. Four years ago, Shen You had killed those two disciples at Ashen Cloud Sword Sect. Then Dog had torn that Demonic Sect member to shreds. But he used to consider them just part of the cast of characters, nothing more than props to the story. Now things had long changed in his heart.

He couldn’t stand it when Chu Zhishi had his arm broken or Mu He’s spiritual energy weakened, much less see two living beings lie so stiffly on the bed in a pool of their own blood.

…who could it be?

Whose way did this two minor figures block that warranted their quick deaths?

“Shizun really believes that disciple wasn’t responsible this time?” Mu He scooted over to ask in a small voice. Xie Zhiwei could clearly see his eyelashes trembling. Such a timid, insecure attitude made Xie Zhiwei want to knock him on the head.

But he saw Yin Cangshan and Yin Wushuang out of the corner of his eye and lowered his voice to reply, “What, you don’t like it?”

“No no,” Mu He replied hastily. “Disciple is just too happy.”

Even though he had done plenty of work outside and had all sorts of methods to bribe people’s hearts, none of it was authentic as shizun’s genuine trust. After witnessing all his bad deeds, shizun was still so kind-hearted and chose to believe him without hesitation. This feeling was even more exhilarating than taking over an entire world.

“Wait a minute,” Yin Cangshan stepped forward. “If I heard correctly, Nephew Mu He just called him shizun?”

Yin Wushuang wiped her tears away and choked out, “I heard it too. He called him shizun.”

Yin Cangshan gaped. “That’s wrong. As far as I know, isn’t Nephew Mu He’s master’s Bixu zhenren Xie Zhiwei? He, didn’t he pass away long ago? How could he…”

“This…” Xie Zhiwei was hesitant. Was he supposed to explain his “ascension” openly in public? Wasn’t that too high-profile?

No wait. I have five stars. Who cares if I’m acting high-profile?

“This matter seems to have no relation with King Yin,” Mu He neither bothered to deny or explain the accusations. He pulled at Xie Zhiwei and said, “Shizun, let’s go.”

That’s good too. They couldn’t stay at a murder scene any more. Since the hero didn’t kill them but the two still died, the plot might have gone out of control. Who knows what other mischief would come from sticking around?

Xie Zhiwei murmured, “Afterwards, let’s give those two a burial.”

Mu He was about to agree when another question reached them.

“Though this matter has nothing to do with King Yin, it should have something to do with this father, correct?”

Xie Zhiwei blanched. He looked up in time to see the King of Nine Provinces appear with an unpleasant expression at the door. Behind him was a contingent of personal guards. As his trump card, Faceless didn’t usually appear in public, so he wasn’t present.

Mu He’s heart jumped before he nodded. “Royal Father.”

The king slowly strode inside. “Royal Son, where did you go in the past few days? Father was worried.”

Mu He’s expression didn’t change. “I was simply wandering about. Royal Father doesn’t need to worry.”

Xie Zhiwei noticed that today’s King of Nine Provinces was treating Mu He with a slightly different attitude than last time. At the side compound, he was coaxing Mu He even when the youth was creasing his brows the entire time. Mu He didn’t have to say a thing before his father stuffed the military command token over to show him face.

But today…he was inexplicably stern, as if Mu He had committed some great betrayal.

Mu He too. Shouldn’t he be rushing to coax his old man after seeing him like that?

Yin Cangshan raised a hand towards the King of Nine Provinces as he smiled and tried to smooth things over. “Blame me for saying too much. Your Royal Majesty needn’t fret, Nephew Mu He is young and talented. He has long been capable of taking charge on his own and has his own sense of right and wrong.”

“Is that so?” the King of Nine Provinces looked towards Xie Zhiwei with a faked smile. “But can Royal Son distinguish between the right and wrong right in front of you?”

Xie Zhiwei flinched at the hidden needles in his gaze.

What’s going on?

Four years ago, the King of Nine Provinces already had all sorts of objections, but only requested for Mu He to keep his distance from him. Now he was showing undisguised hostility.

Mu He took a step forward and shielded Xie Zhiwei behind him. “Royal Father’s words are too profound. Forgive me for not quite understanding.”

“Don’t understand?” the King of Nine Provinces narrowed his eyes and moved forward. “Then father will explain it plainly.”

Shit, shit, the most harmonious father and son pair in the original novel are suddenly acting off? Xie Zhiwei was still thinking to himself when the King of Nine Provinces pointed a finger at him.

“So you really didn’t die. Not only did you kidnap my Royal Son, you even committed murder in the capital city. You are simply heinous!”

Xie Zhiwei almost choked on his spit. Kidnapping?

The hell, who kidnapped whom? Big bro, do you know it was your precious son who set up the illusion, overpowered me, and screwed me to death and back for three days straight?!

…forget it. It’s better if you don’t know.

Xie Zhiwei could rant about “abduction” for an entire day, but he didn’t have time to care about wording. He was more concerned about the second half of the sentence. Looking up, he met the king’s gaze squarely. “Is there proof that I killed anyone?”

The King of Nine Provinces smiled coldly. “There will be. Someone come, get the coroner to examine the body.”

Mu He finally creased his brows. “Royal Father is going a bit too far.”

The king sighed and furrowed his brows in turn. “Royal Son never used to speak to father like this in the past. You must have been led astray by that man.”

Before Mu He could retort, Xie Zhiwei tugged at him. “Don’t argue with your father. There’s too much attention here, why don’t we leave first?”

“Xie Zhiwei, you are guilty of a crime yet still want to leave,” the king said icily. “All of you, apprehend him.”

His guards drew their swords and blocked the door. Yin Cangshan and Yin Wushuang were both astonished. They backed away to the sidelines to stare, unsure why people were suddenly at arms. Xie Zhiwei was lost in a fog as well.

Perhaps he shouldn’t have come to the inn today. Maozi and Old Du might have died for their own reasons, but it’s also likely someone wanted to frame him and set up this trap. Who was it? The King of Nine Provinces? Why would he target him at every turn and even the daoist sect?

Full of doubts, Xie Zhiwei felt a pressing need to discuss matters with Gallant Outlaw. At this point, Mu He spoke up. “No one here is capable of stopping shizun. Why does Royal Father persist?”

The king’s gaze grew heavy. “Royal Son, apprehend him for father.”

Mu He remained unruffled. “Royal Father should know that is impossible.”

“Good! What a good ‘impossible!'” The King of Nine Provinces suddenly lost his temper. Veins popped out on his forehead as he tossed his sleeves. “Xie Zhiwei, do you dare to meet someone?”

Balderdash. This is already so obvious. Who’s idiotic enough to deliver themselves like that?

Xie Zhiwei remained sincere. “This surnamed Xie has few friends in life. I’m afraid I don’t know him, so it’s better we don’t meet.” He disentangled his sleeves from Mu He’s grip and headed for the door, intending to force a way through. The guards obeyed orders to block him with his swords, but their strength was at Faceless’s level at best. Xie Zhiwei didn’t even need to unsheathe Qingping Sword, but simply used a palm strike before leaving the room in the blink of an eye.

Then he stopped.

Downstairs in the lobby was a huge crowd of people. Behind him, the King of Nine Provinces said morosely, “You definitely know him, right?”

He walked to the railing and shouted at the man in plain daoist robes downstairs. “Sect Leader Yan, have you taken a good look?”

Xie Zhiwei was shocked. What the hell is going on?

Yan Zhifei’s eyes fixated without blinking on Xie Zhiwei as he slowly stepped forward from the crowd. With a tap off the ground, he flew to the second floor and landed in front of him. Xie Zhiwei realized that besides the big group of strangers in the mob below, there was also a small batch of disciples from the daoist sect. Even Xia Zhiqi had come along this time. He shifted his gaze to Yan Zhifei. To put it plainly, Yan Zhifei was a stern type who never smiled.

Xie Zhiwei was a little scared. He didn’t fake his death, much less intend to conceal his resurrection, but even so, Chu Zhishi’s questions had left him conscience-stricken. Now he was faced with Yan Zhifei and Xia Zhiqi—the two hardest people to talk to in the daoist sect. No wonder the King of Nine Provinces was so confident about calling his name today without worrying about misidentification. Hell knows what happened behind the king’s back while he and Mu He were stuck in an illusion for the past three days.

Mu He walked over and bowed. “Disciple greets Sect Leader Martial Uncle.”

Yan Zhifei looked at him coldly without acknowledgment.

Xie Zhiwei braced himself and began, “Eldest senior—” Before he could manage “brother,” Yan Zhifei suddenly cut him off.

“Who are you?!” he demanded.

Xie Zhiwei gave a start.

Yan Zhifei summoned Taisu Sword and unsheathed half the blade, its light hovering between them like cold ice. His voice towards Xie Zhiwei was grim. “How dare you impersonate Zhiwei. Hurry and scram!”

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Translator’s Note: Whatever happens, I’m confident these two can face it as long as they’re together! So I have faith in them ahhhh

Yesterday I saw this Ultimate Wuxia/Xianxia Tropes Bingo going around Twitter courtesy of nonbinarystarz and tried it out with Too Bad Master Died Early.

The results I got were…

(If you don’t see some of the tropes here, I believe a couple show up later on, haha. Also I couldn’t decide whether Qiu Chongyun counted as “assassin on rooftop” when she was eavesdropping on Mu He and his father’s convo in black ninja clothes. But since she never planned to kill anyone, I didn’t checkmark it.)

Ahaha. If you want to give it a try yourself for your favorite wuxia/xianxia series, here’s a blank version! The Chinese in the top left corner reads: “Aish, you’ve suffered grievances.”

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