C2 Investigating the Case

Villagers wanted to step in and help, but Xuanniang just glanced back, her eyes cold and sharp. That one look made many hesitate. "This is our family matter. It's none of your business."

"We're all from the same village. Mrs. Sunn's problem is our problem!" someone in the crowd shouted, though it was unclear who.

Xuanniang let out a cold laugh, kicked Mrs. Sunn into the yard, and slammed the door shut.

"What... what do you want to do?" Mrs. Sunn asked, panic in her voice.

Xuanniang held a large cleaver, her eyes icy, a smile on her lips, resembling a fierce warrior. In truth, she was running on fumes, barely holding it together. She declared, "Anyone who tries to harm me, I'll cut them down!"

With that, Xuanniang moved closer to Mrs. Sunn, brandishing the knife.

"Was it you who tricked me into leaving, hoping to have me killed? And now, seeing I survived, you try to ruin my reputation?!" Xuanniang demanded fiercely. By now, she knew her reputation in the village was already tarnished.

It was all about who was tougher.

She had already faced death once.

"I don't understand what you're saying..." Mrs. Sunn stammered, looking more terrified than ever. Her eyes darted to Xu Fangfang, and she cried out, "Fangfang, help me! This woman wants to kill me!"

A moment later, Xu Fangfang emerged from the room holding a kitchen knife, her eyes filled with fear. "Xuanniang, put down the knife..."

Xuanniang laughed loudly, striking the ground with the knife. "I'll find out who wronged me! As long as you behave, I won't harm you. I'm staying here for a while, so don't cause me any trouble!"

She returned to the room, shutting the door tightly, then checked her wound. Her face was as pale as paper, lips slightly blue, trembling uncontrollably, her body curled up in pain. The cut from the knife was deep; otherwise, the original owner wouldn't have died from it. Xuanniang had barely managed to make it back, and the wound, which had just begun to heal, was kicked open again by Mrs. Sunn.

Blood flowed continuously.

Sweating coldly, Xuanniang pressed an old piece of clothing against the wound. With no medicine in the room, she did her best to stop the bleeding while curled up on the bed, her mind racing with thoughts of the future.

She could leave this place, confident that she could support herself anywhere. But the thought of leaving made her chest tighten. She knew it was the original owner's lingering obsession. She had to avenge the original owner to truly fulfill this connection.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The old door rattled with the knocks.

Xuanniang tossed aside her bloodstained clothes and went to open it. She expected to see Mrs. Sunn or Xu Fangfang, but the face outside was somewhat unfamiliar.

“Mayor?” Xuanniang hesitated, vaguely recalling him from her memories. She hadn’t interacted with him much, so her recollection was a bit fuzzy.

The mayor seemed in a hurry, ignoring Mrs. Sunn’s questions from behind. He simply wore a serious expression and gestured for Xuanniang to follow him.

If it had been any other man, Xuanniang might have been more cautious. But the mayor was known for his integrity in the village, so she decided to go along.

The path grew increasingly desolate, making Xuanniang uneasy. “Mayor, where are we going?” she asked.

“We’re almost there,” he replied urgently, quickening his pace.

About fifteen minutes later, Xuanniang realized they had reached the mountain. A crowd had already gathered, most dressed in official uniforms. The bodies lay untouched.

“I heard from the villagers that you came down from the mountain today and didn’t return home last night,” said a man in a dark blue robe.

Xuanniang finally looked up, noticing the man’s gentle demeanor.

"Your Honor, I swear I didn't kill anyone," Xuanniang stated directly.

"Take her away," said the man standing beside the calm gentleman.

When silent, the man was unassuming, dressed in a dark, intricately embroidered robe. His expression was composed yet intimidating, with eyes that sparkled like the night sky, holding an unfathomable depth that made others wary.

This man was no ordinary person, Xuanniang thought to herself.

As they spoke, the officials surrounded Xuanniang. Two of them grabbed her shoulders, while another prepared a rope to tie her up. At that moment, Xuanniang looked up at the man in the dark robe and said, "Sir, won't you let me finish? Besides, I'm injured!"

With that, Xuanniang swiftly reached behind her, snatching a dagger from the waist of one of the men, and swung it wildly. Instinctively, they let go, and Xuanniang quickly stepped forward, reaching the side of the man in the dark robe. Her face was pale, almost lifeless, but she held her ground and said, "I didn't kill anyone. How could a woman like me overpower so many strong men? Besides, you haven't even examined the bodies before bringing me here."

The man in the dark robe glanced at Xuanniang indifferently, his gaze dropping slightly to the wound she was clutching, from which blood continued to flow.