114 Undercurrents (Part Two)

Upon hearing this, the Matriarch unexpectedly chuckled. "Old Monster Gouming, do not panic. Your master and I once crossed paths; I have no desire to make things difficult for you. I only wish to ask one thing: who severed your arm?"

At this question, the Blood Demon Gouming recalled the white-clad woman who had taken his arm that day. Although he did not know her identity, her terrifying techniques led him to suspect she was the foremost fiend of the world: the White-Clad Demoness.

Contemplating the eternal feud between the White-Clad Demoness and the Long family, the Blood Demon realized what the Matriarch was probing for. Yet, some things remained unclear. It was the Long family’s Ninth Miss, Long Lengyue, who had rescued the young boy that day. Later, however, it was that same boy who had led the White-Clad Demoness to kill him. Since Long Lengyue and the Demoness were sworn enemies, why was this little boy so intimate with both of these fearsome women?

Seeing the Matriarch waiting for an answer, the Blood Demon recounted the incident, explaining how the White-Clad Demoness had cut off his arm. He added that the Demoness was with a young boy, and had it not been for the boy holding onto her because he was afraid of wolves, he would have surely perished. He further noted the close relationship between the two.

The Matriarch pressed, "Do you know what kind of relationship exists between the White-Clad Demoness and the boy?"

"I do not know," the Blood Demon replied, "but it appeared that the Demoness was very fond of him... rather intimate." He hesitated and stopped.

Seeing his reluctance to continue, Long Hanchun interjected, "If you have something to say, speak plainly. Once you clarify the situation, we may join forces to deal with the White-Clad Demoness."

The Blood Demon thought for a moment before saying, "Matriarch, you could actually ask your own Ninth Miss. She is also very close to that boy and knows his identity best."

Hearing this, the Matriarch, Hanchun, and Hanxing all fell into deep thought. Ever since Xiao Tianfeng of the Xiao family had come to the Long estate to report that the White-Clad Demoness had been whisked away by a young boy, they had been left wondering about the nature of their connection.

Under the scrutinizing gazes of the three women, the Blood Demon, desperate to save his own life, confessed that it was Ninth Miss Long Lengyue who had rescued the boy from his hands that day.

The Matriarch seethed with resentment, wishing the Blood Demon had simply devoured the brat that day. That would have been the ideal outcome, sparing her so much trouble. Instead, she now had to agonize over the relationship between this boy and her Ninth niece.

She realized the best way to uncover the truth was to question the boy himself. However, the lad was slippery, and extracting the truth would not be easy. The most crucial step was to separate him from the Ninth Miss, leaving him isolated and helpless, at which point he would no longer be able to play his games.

After releasing the Blood Demon, the Matriarch devised a plan. She told Hanxing, "Xing'er, go to the Ninth Miss. Tell her to go to Luoyang immediately, as I am waiting for her there to discuss an urgent matter. Tell her it is of great importance and she must not delay. Do you understand?"

Long Hanxing nodded. Though she felt a twinge of doubt, she could only faithfully carry out the Matriarch's command. She spurred her horse and rode away.

Long Hanchun asked, "Matriarch, are we heading to Xianyang or returning to Luoyang?"

The Matriarch smiled. "We need not return to Luoyang, nor shall we go to Xianyang just yet. We will find an inn near Tongguan for a few days before proceeding to Xianyang."

Hanchun understood. The Matriarch intended to lure Long Lengyue away, but wanting to avoid an encounter on the road, she chose to wait at an inn. The time to strike at the boy was approaching.

Long Hanchun could not help but ask in a low voice, "Matriarch, what is your intention? Are you planning to finish the boy off?"

The Matriarch smiled. "There is no need for that just yet. Once we have clarified the situation with him, we can simply force him to leave the Ninth Miss. To have him killed would be too extreme."

Hanchun understood that the Matriarch still held reservations regarding the Ninth Miss and dared not burn all bridges. In truth, Hanchun herself felt uncomfortable at the thought of the Ninth Miss marrying the boy, but she lacked the heart to kill him. Forcing him away seemed the most suitable course of action.

At the Ruyi Restaurant in Xianyang, the Ninth Miss learned from Xing'er that the Matriarch required her presence in Luoyang for an urgent matter. Despite her suspicions, she departed with Xing'er that very night.

Before leaving, she instructed Xiao Jing and Xiao Hong to keep a close watch on Xiao Yun'er. With her gone, the Ruyi Restaurant once again became Xiao Yun'er's playground, and he spent several days enjoying himself immensely.

One day, he saw Xiao Jing enter in a panic. "Young Master Yun, the Matriarch is here. She demands to see you immediately."

Xiao Jing was terrified. She knew how formidable the Matriarch was, and the old woman’s arrival was surely no simple matter. With the Ninth Miss away, she feared that if anything happened to Xiao Yun'er, she would be unable to answer to her mistress. The Ninth Miss had told her to keep Xiao Yun'er away from the Long family, but the Matriarch had come prepared, specifically demanding to see him. Xiao Jing knew preventing the meeting was impossible; now, everything depended on Xiao Yun'er himself.

When Xiao Yun'er met the Matriarch and her companions, he feigned surprise. "Oh! Matriarch, what a rare guest! What wind has blown you here? Welcome, welcome!"

The Matriarch smiled faintly. "Child, are you living comfortably here? I wish to speak with you. Xiao Jing, you may leave."

The Matriarch spoke with a smile to Xiao Yun'er, but her tone toward Xiao Jing was full of authority. Though anxious, Xiao Jing had no choice but to withdraw, leaving only the Matriarch, Hanchun, and Long Feifeng—whom Xiao Yun'er found most irritating—in the room.

Long Hanchun said, "Xiao Yun, we have come to ask you some questions. We hope you will answer truthfully."

Xiao Yun'er was taken aback. "What could you possibly want to ask me?"

Hanchun replied, "Xiao Yun, who was with you the day you severed the Blood Demon Gouming's arm?"

Xiao Yun'er immediately realized they were asking about his Sister Snowflake. He loathed the Long family and replied coldly, "What the hell does my business have to do with you? I don't feel like talking, so what are you going to do about it?"

Hanchun said, "This matter concerns the future of our Long family, so we must get to the bottom of it."

Long Feifeng, who had always harbored resentment toward Xiao Yun'er, grew angry at his dismissive attitude. "Let me be clear: you will speak whether you want to or not. Whether you talk is not up to you, understand?"

Xiao Yun'er sneered, "Are you interrogating me? Very well, why don't you tie me up and ask then?"

Long Feifeng retorted, "That will happen sooner or later. Don't think we wouldn't dare. Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."

Xiao Yun'er raged, "What? Do you have no regard for the Ninth Miss's face? I am the person she loves!"

Long Feifeng mocked him with a laugh, "You are truly shameless. How could my Ninth Aunt truly love someone like you? She is only toying with you. You really are a fool!"