Chapter 21 "Chu Qing"
The moment those words were spoken, it was like a stone cast into calm waters—waves surged in every direction.
For an instant, the entire front courtyard fell silent. Then came the uproar.
"The Third Young Master? The Chu family's third son?"
"You mean Chu Qing—the one who fled from his arranged marriage seven years ago? He's actually back?"
"I thought he'd died somewhere out there. Who would've guessed he'd return alive? Is this a triumphant homecoming—or did he just fail to survive outside?"
"And what about that marriage engagement? Does it still count?"
"It should. I've never heard that the union between the Chu family and the City Lord's mansion was annulled."
The crowd buzzed with chatter, their whispers overlapping in waves.
At the head of the gathering, Chu Yunfei froze for a brief moment before hastily asking,
"Where is my son?"
"The young master is just outside," the servant replied.
"The Third Young Master said that since he left home without permission, he dares not step through the gates without the master's consent."
Chu Yunfei took a deep breath. He wanted to say something but hesitated when his gaze fell on Wu Qianhuan nearby. His face darkened.
"Outrageous! He fled from marriage and now, after seven years, returns only to linger at the door? What does he mean by this?
"Bring that unfilial son inside! I want to see what grand ambitions he's achieved after seven years away from home!"
The servant hurried off at once to fetch him.
Chu Yunfei turned to Wu Qianhuan and said,
"Qianhuan, don't worry. That ungrateful boy vanished for seven years without a word. Now that he's back, I'll make sure he gives you an explanation."
Wu Qianhuan's expression, however, was far more complicated.
Her thoughts were a tangled mess.
That man disguised as a servant earlier—the look in his eyes had been far too familiar to be mistaken.
At first, she hadn't dared to believe it, but the more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that he was Chu Qing.
She had assumed he was still hiding here in the courtyard, concealing his identity with some unknown intent.
But now, another Chu Qing had appeared at the gates.
She forced herself to calm down.
There couldn't possibly be two Chu Qings in this world.
She had searched the courtyard earlier and found nothing suspicious.
But with so many people in the front yard, could she really be sure she hadn't missed him?
Or perhaps... he had simply stopped pretending and was now returning openly under his real name?
Exhaling softly, she smiled faintly.
"Very well, Uncle Chu. I'll leave it to you to decide."
Meanwhile, hidden among the crowd, the real Chu Qing lowered his head slightly.
Something about the situation didn't feel right.
The problem wasn't the "Chu Qing" standing outside the gates.
When he'd encountered the assassin from the Mirror of Retribution in his room earlier, he had already guessed what was about to unfold.
This was all part of a carefully planned trap.
The first step was precisely this moment.
A false Chu Qing would appear first, playing the part of the prodigal son returning home in repentance.
Then, once he drew close enough, he would strike—turning the heartfelt reunion into a shocking act of patricide.
Such a scheme was sinister and flawless—nearly impossible to guard against.
Those who knew Chu Yunfei's strength understood well—wounding him might be possible, but killing him outright would not be easy.
Still, with such a disturbance in broad daylight, even if he were gravely injured, it would no doubt stir his paternal longing. That night, he would surely drag his wounded body to his son's old courtyard to reminisce—exactly as the plot intended.
And when he did, the assassins hidden in the shadows would strike without mercy. No matter how powerful Chu Yunfei was, he would have little chance of surviving.
Chu Qing had pieced this all together from the clues at hand. To see through such schemes was child's play for him.
But something still felt off.
He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, yet a faint unease prickled at his mind.
Before he could think further, the scene in the front courtyard shifted.
All eyes turned toward the entrance as a disheveled young man stumbled in, escorted by a servant.
He looked to be in his twenties, his features delicate, bearing a faint resemblance to a younger Chu Yunfei.
His eyes were full of bitterness. Without waiting for Chu Yunfei to speak, he fell heavily to his knees, knocking his forehead to the ground with a loud thud.
"Unfilial son Chu Qing pays respects to Father!"
Chu Qing arched an eyebrow and let out a cold laugh.
So, the play began.
But seeing the man's face, he grew more certain—whoever orchestrated this had no idea of his true identity.
Even so, with that resemblance to Chu Yunfei, deceiving him would be no challenge.
Seven years apart, facial features would have matured; the differences could easily be explained away.
Three parts similarity were more than enough to pass for the real thing.
Chu Yunfei exhaled deeply, then suddenly erupted, his voice trembling with fury.
"Unfilial son! You still know how to return!?"
He strode forward with surprising speed for his age, his raised palm glowing with inner power.
The surrounding wine jars and teacups rattled violently under the pressure of his qi.
The kneeling "Chu Qing" kept his head bowed low.
"Your son knows his sins. I deserve a thousand deaths. I ask only for Father's punishment!"
The raised hand trembled but did not fall.
Chu Yunfei's eyes reddened as he ground his teeth.
"You... You heartless child!
"Seven years—seven long years without a word! Do you know what your departure has done to this family?
"Your second brother at Taiyi Sect asks about you in every letter. He even begged his masters to search for you while traveling the lands.
"Your eldest brother has searched endlessly. Every rumor, every trace, he's pursued in person—each time returning empty-handed and heartbroken.
"How could you bear to leave for seven years without once returning home!?"
His gaze flicked toward Wu Qianhuan, and his fury deepened.
"And do you realize that your runaway stunt left Qianhuan to bear all the gossip?
"She is the City Lord's daughter—people may not speak openly, but do you think they spared her behind closed doors?
"You... You! Today I'll beat you to death myself!"
Wu Qianhuan had been staring at the kneeling "Chu Qing" the whole time.
From the moment he entered, he hadn't lifted his head once.
All she could see was the back of his bowed skull.
She waited, hoping he would look up—but before he could, Chu Yunfei's palm was already descending.
She quickly rushed forward, grabbing his arm.
"Uncle Chu, please—"
But her plea froze halfway through her lips.
The kneeling "Chu Qing" suddenly raised his head, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.
With a flick of his sleeves, two short blades appeared in his hands.
In the same motion, he thrust them upward toward Chu Yunfei's chest and abdomen!
Wu Qianhuan's half-spoken words turned into a sharp cry.
"Be careful!!"
Her shout rang out, but it was too late to act.
The entire crowd stood frozen, too stunned to react.
It had been a reunion between father and son—who could have expected it to turn into an ambush?
Before anyone could move, a streak of light flashed through the air.
A sword mark blazed to life—swift as a meteor, sharp as lightning—cutting through the chaos.
For an instant, every guest in the courtyard saw only that dazzling trace.
A sword scar carved across the air.
(End of this chapter)
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