260: Chapter 40 Qin Hongmian, Mu Wanqing

Carrying an air of amusement, Meng Li brought A Bi and Wang Yuyan to Manda Mountain Villa.

After a brief inquiry, they learned that Li Qingluo was interrogating two assassins in the woodshed, so they sought them out.

The three had just reached the doorway when they heard Li Qingluo's cold laugh from inside.

"Yougu Guest?"

"I say you are clearly the Asura Blade Qin Hongmian!"

As soon as this voice faded, an unfamiliar young female voice refuted: "You are talking nonsense. My Master is Yougu Guest, not some Asura Blade Qin Hongmian."

Meng Li instantly understood; the speaker must be Mu Wanqing.

Qin Hongmian, consumed by hatred born from love, raised Mu Wanqing by her side after giving birth to her, yet concealed her own identity and their relationship, always addressing her as Master and disciple.

Furthermore, among Duan Zhengchun's many lovers, apart from the fellow disciples Qin Hongmian and Gan Baobao, the others had barely met each other, only learning some basic information about one another through hearsay.

For example, Qin Hongmian knew Li Qingluo had married into the Wang family of Suzhou, and that Dao Baifeng possessed a distinctive mark on her hand.

Li Qingluo and Dao Baifeng knew Qin Hongmian had the nickname 'Asura Blade' and was accustomed to using a specially made steel saber and sleeve arrows.

The next second, Li Qingluo's words confirmed this point.

She scoffed dismissively, stating with certainty: "She can change her moniker as she pleases, but she cannot easily change the steel saber and sleeve arrows she has used for years. Most importantly, among those who hold a grudge against me, only the Asura Blade Qin Hongmian uses this steel saber and sleeve arrows."

"Therefore, there is no mistake, she is the Asura Blade Qin Hongmian."

"You don't even know her identity, it seems the relationship between you two Masters and disciples is quite distant."

When Li Qingluo said this, Mu Wanqing instinctively looked towards Qin Hongmian.

Qin Hongmian snorted coldly, too lazy to conceal it any longer, and stated plainly: "That's right, I am the Asura Blade Qin Hongmian."

"Falling into your hands today means my skill is inferior. Whether you kill me or torture me, I accept whatever you deem fit."

With that, she turned her head away, speaking no more.

Mu Wanqing was instantly stunned.

Master was actually the Asura Blade Qin Hongmian? Why would she hide her identity from her?

Li Qingluo inwardly confirmed her suspicions but offered no comment on Qin Hongmian's words.

Given her previous behavior, these two were certainly destined to become flower fertilizer, but things were different now. Since Meng Li had made a request, she hadn't used anyone as flower fertilizer again, hadn't even planted camellias, and even her harsh temper had improved considerably.

One reason was that Meng Li disliked it.

The second reason was that Meng Li often helped her vent her emotions and clear her mind by discussing debts, leaving her with far less accumulated resentment and malice.

Li Qingluo's earlier threat to use the two as flower fertilizer was just an angry outburst, mostly intended to frighten them.

After all, she wasn't even growing flowers anymore, so she had no use for flower fertilizer.

Not to mention that Wang Yuyan had gone to find Meng Li.

If she actually turned the two into flower fertilizer, her enemy would surely be displeased upon learning of it.

As for how to deal with this pair of Master and disciple, she decided to wait until Wang Yuyan returned.

After all, they were the ones who captured them.

Just as Li Qingluo made up her mind, the woodshed door was pushed open.

Meng Li, Wang Yuyan, and A Bi stepped inside.

Seeing Meng Li, Li Qingluo was very surprised: "Why are you here?"

Meng Li replied: "I heard Auntie was assassinated, so I came over out of concern to check on you."

Hearing this, Li Qingluo felt a surge of pleasure, but showed none of it outwardly, merely saying lightly: "You are thoughtful. With Yu Yan protecting me, I am fine."

"Then I am relieved."

Meng Li responded with a smile, then looked towards the innermost part of the room.

There were two women there, their hands and feet bound by ropes.

Both wore black skirts. One was a voluptuous, mature woman with a beautiful face, her eyes revealing fierce malice.

The other was a slender, beautiful young girl with peerless grace and an icy demeanor.

Meng Li's eyes immediately locked onto them.

They were Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing.

When Mu Wanqing saw Meng Li looking at her, she was instantly startled and instinctively prepared to make a move, then realized her hands were bound and quickly turned her face away.

Seeing her reaction, Meng Li was first confused, then recalled something.

After being abandoned by Duan Zhengchun, Qin Hongmian developed a generalized hatred for all men. To prevent her daughter Mu Wanqing from repeating her own fate, she forced the girl to cover her face with a veil and swear an oath: if a man ever saw her face, she must either marry him or kill him.

Mu Wanqing's action just now must have been due to this matter.

So, I've intercepted Duan Yu's plotline?

Meng Li muttered inwardly, but outwardly asked Li Qingluo as if nothing was amiss: "Are these the assassins?"

Li Qingluo nodded: "Yes."

Meng Li continued: "I overheard a few words outside; do these two seem to be Master and disciple?"

"That's right, this is my Master."

The one who said this was Mu Wanqing, who had just turned her face back.

For some reason, she suddenly turned back, answering while sizing up Meng Li.

Qin Hongmian noticed this and frowned slightly.

Meng Li ignored it and continued on his own: "Your looks are somewhat similar, I thought you were mother and daughter."

The speaker intended one thing, but the listeners took it to heart.

As soon as these words were spoken, Qin Hongmian's face changed drastically, and panic flared in her heart.

Wang Yuyan, A Bi, and Li Qingluo subconsciously scrutinized Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing.

Especially Li Qingluo.

She knew Qin Hongmian's situation was similar to her own—both had a past affair with Duan Zhengchun and were subsequently abandoned cruelly.

Judging by her own experience, she instantly became suspicious of the relationship between Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing, connecting it to Duan Zhengchun.

Then, she thought of another problem: If Mu Wanqing was truly the daughter of Qin Hongmian and Duan Zhengchun, then she would be half-sisters with Wang Yuyan.

If that were the case, dealing with these two would indeed be difficult.

Mu Wanqing, however, was somewhat bewildered. Master is her mother? Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

Master had told her since childhood that her parents died young, and she was an orphan.

But recalling that Qin Hongmian had just admitted to being the 'Asura Blade,' Mu Wanqing's expression became strange, and doubt crept into her heart.

Master lied to her about her nickname.

Could this relationship also be concealed?

And that look in her eyes...

Noticing Mu Wanqing's gaze, Qin Hongmian snapped out of her panic and hurriedly shouted coldly: "Nonsense!"

"I have never married, how could I have a daughter?"

"Stop slandering my reputation!"

Then, she forcibly changed the subject: "Boy, who are you?"

"Isn't Manda Mountain Villa forbidden to men?"

"How could you enter? Could you be this slut's lover?"

At these words, Li Qingluo's eyelid twitched, feeling uneasy.

Meng Li's eyes narrowed slightly.

A Bi showed displeasure, flashed in front of Qin Hongmian, and slapped her hard across the face.

With a loud smack, Qin Hongmian's head jerked sideways, a handprint appearing on half her face, swelling visibly.

This slap not only stunned Qin Hongmian but also greatly surprised Meng Li, Wang Yuyan, and Li Qingluo.

In their impressions, A Bi had always been gentle and quiet, never even raising her voice, let alone slapping someone.

Mu Wanqing was equally surprised.

Was this gentle and lovely woman so violent?

Immediately after, A Bi said with a cold face: "My Young Master is the nephew of Madam Wang, so naturally, he can enter Manda Mountain Villa. Were your ears deaf just now?"

Wang Yuyan followed up: "That's right. If you dare to utter any more slander, I'll have my mother turn you into flower fertilizer!"

Li Qingluo: "..."