Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Su Qingliu Voluntarily Intercedes?
Inside the Qingshui Sect.
Su Qingliu’s head was throbbing. Dazed and groggy, she finally awoke on her bed. Her face was red and swollen, and her eyes fluttered open. Then, as if reality came crashing back, she abruptly shot up from the soft mattress.
As soon as she sat up, she couldn’t help but groan in pain and nearly fell back down.
Her stomach, arms, shoulders, back—every part of her ached.
Especially her arms.
It felt like the bones inside were fractured.
"Squad Leader, you’re awake?"
Her maid, Xiaohuan, set down her work and rushed over.
Su Qingliu leaned against the headboard, silent for a moment. The scenes of what had happened earlier finally came flooding back to her.
"Where is Chen Xuan?"
she suddenly blurted out.
"Squad Leader... Squad Leader Chen disappeared right after he left here."
Xiaohuan replied.
"Disappeared?"
Su Qingliu’s fine brows furrowed.
"Yes, Jia Gui and the others have gone looking for him several times but haven’t found him!"
Xiaohuan said.
Su Qingliu’s heart sank.
’Could it be? Is he afraid the gang will hold him accountable, so he’s already fled?’
Recalling Chen Xuan’s words and her own actions, Su Qingliu’s pretty face turned cold. She clenched her fists, an inexplicable rage bubbling up inside her.
’That damn bastard!’
’No one has ever treated me like this.’
’I’m a woman, and he still had the heart to be so ruthless?’
Although she was seething with pent-up frustration, there was no denying that she had no real grounds to refute him now.
If Liu Zifeng and his men really had started it by threatening Chen Xuan’s family and friends, then Chen Xuan beating them up was truly no big deal.
The fact that Chen Xuan hadn’t killed them on the spot was already showing them a great deal of respect.
’As for the letter I received, why didn’t it mention any of this?’
’Obviously, I was used as a pawn!’
’Someone wanted to use me to put Chen Xuan in his place!’
Having thought this far, Su Qingliu nearly jumped out of bed on the spot. She put on her shoes and said in a low voice, "Bring Jia Gui here. Tell them to gather some men. They must find Squad Leader Chen."
"Find Squad Leader Chen?"
Xiaohuan’s eyes went wide.
"You didn’t inform the gang about what happened, did you?"
Su Qingliu immediately looked at Xiaohuan.
"No, but I’m afraid someone else may have already sent a letter to the gang!"
Xiaohuan said.
"Get the ink, brush, paper, and inkstone ready. I will personally write a letter to the Gang Leader to clear this up for him."
Su Qingliu replied.
This was just the kind of person she was.
If someone was innocent, she would never let them suffer even the slightest injustice.
If she was truly the one in the wrong this time, she wouldn’t have any problem with apologizing to Chen Xuan’s face.
"Yes, Squad Leader!"
Xiaohuan responded and quickly left to do as she was told.
Before long, the ink, brush, paper, and inkstone were all prepared.
Su Qingliu lifted the brush, but hissed in pain. A cold sweat broke out on her swollen cheeks.
But she gritted her teeth, quickly wrote the letter in her own hand, and had Xiaohuan stamp it with her personal seal.
After all that was done, she immediately had Xiaohuan summon Jia Gui and the others, ordering them to mobilize their men and go search for Chen Xuan.
...
「An hour later.」
Red Sand Gang Headquarters.
Gang Leader Hong Wentong had already received Su Qingliu’s confidential letter. His eyes swept over it, and a smile appeared on his face. Looking at the crowd before him, he laughed and said, "Everyone, there’s no need to argue anymore. This whole affair was just a misunderstanding. We’ve just received a letter from Qingliu. It was all due to her own impulsiveness and has nothing to do with Chen Xuan. She implored me not to hold Chen Xuan responsible. That girl, Qingliu... it’s rare for her to be so magnanimous!"
He was all smiles, but inwardly, he seemed quite surprised himself.
In the main hall, the very people who had just been condemning Chen Xuan and demanding his capture were now rendered speechless, each of them frowning.
Su Qingliu actually took the initiative to plead Chen Xuan’s case?
’Have the pigs started flying?’
Weren’t they saying she was beaten by Chen Xuan?
And that she was beaten badly, even knocked unconscious at one point!
Why would she let it go so quickly?
Both the Left and Right Protectors were inwardly suspicious.
"Gang Leader, if it was a misunderstanding, then let’s drop it. We should focus on nurturing talent. To have such a young prodigy is truly an honor for our Red Sand Gang!"
The Right Protector, Xiang Tao, said with a smile, "We absolutely cannot be like the Left Protector, who, as soon as something happens, immediately shirks responsibility and even orders the person captured and executed according to gang rules. Acting like that will only dishearten our subordinates. If this continues, who will dare to serve us in the future!"
"Indeed, Gang Leader. The Right Protector is correct. We are in need of capable people right now. In my opinion, this Chen Xuan is an excellent asset. Although this subordinate has had his own disagreements with him, for the sake of the gang’s future, what are such petty grievances? I implore the Gang Leader to place great importance on this person."
Fang Tingyun also said, cupping his fists.
"You!"
The Left Protector’s expression changed drastically.
Just moments ago, he had indeed been advocating for Chen Xuan’s execution.
Although he had already given up on Chen Xuan after the last incident, he was still worried that Xiang Tao would use this new matter to attack him. So, from the very beginning, he had proactively drawn a line between himself and Chen Xuan, using harsh words and demanding his execution to uphold the gang’s rules.
But he never would have imagined.
Su Qingliu had taken the initiative to plead for Chen Xuan!
And now the Right Protector and Fang Tingyun had both changed their tune!
This time, he had thoroughly shot himself in the foot!
"Alright, you are both my left and right hands. What does it look like for you to be bickering every day?"
Hong Wentong chuckled. "Since Qingliu personally pleaded his case, it means everything is fine. The letter also said that if Chen Xuan returns, she will bring him along to the assembly. So we don’t need to worry too much. Let’s move on to other matters for now."
Everyone immediately nodded in agreement.
Another half an hour passed.
Finally, the crowd began to disperse.
"Xiang Protector, should we tell Chen Xuan that Zuo Qiuyun betrayed him and wanted him executed?"
Fang Tingyun’s eyes glinted as he whispered.
"Of course!"
Xiang Tao’s tone was calm, but he smiled. "I also didn’t expect this Chen Xuan to be so formidable. Even that girl Su Qingliu was no match for him. The plan to use a tiger to devour a wolf may have failed, but telling Chen Xuan about this is enough to cause a complete break between him and Zuo Qiuyun. Knowing Zuo Qiuyun, he probably won’t let Chen Xuan continue to grow stronger. Just you wait and see."
"You mean he might actually take action himself?"
Fang Tingyun asked in surprise.
"Who can say for sure? Zuo Qiuyun is a ruthless man."
Xiang Tao chuckled lightly.
No matter how the conflict between those two developed, he would be the one to profit in the end.
...
「Evening arrived.」
The setting sun stained the sky red.
The boats at the pier grew more numerous.
Gang members were everywhere, searching for Chen Xuan’s whereabouts.
Chen Xuan stood before the window of his inn room, his eyes narrowed. He observed quietly for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Only when he was sure they were looking *for* him, not looking to *arrest* him, did he finally relax.
’That girl Su Qingliu let it go so quickly?’
’Good that she did!’
’This way, I don’t have to become a wanderer of the martial world!’
With this in mind, he left the inn.
At the mouth of a narrow alley.
Jia Gui had been searching all over without finding a trace of Chen Xuan. Just as he was about to find a place to grab a couple of drinks, a figure flashed before his eyes, and Chen Xuan appeared in front of him.
"Squad Leader Chen!"
Jia Gui exclaimed with delight.
"Is Squad Leader Su alright?"
Chen Xuan asked calmly.
"Uh... she should be fine."
Jia Gui said with an awkward smile.
’At least, she seemed to be eating and drinking just fine when I saw her.’
"Did she say anything?"
Chen Xuan asked.
"Squad Leader Su said that when you get back, she wants to apologize to you personally!"
Jia Gui replied.
"Is that so? No axemen lying in ambush?"
Chen Xuan asked.
"No, absolutely not!"
Jia Gui was taken aback for a second before quickly replying.
"Hm. Then let’s go."
Chen Xuan nodded and started walking toward the sect headquarters.
