Chapter 27: Falling Rain
The middle-aged man's face was full of sorrow as he spoke.
Tragedy evokes sympathy; hearing such things, one can't help but feel grief.
Even Chu Qing was shaken.
"To go to such madness? But what does that have to do with this?"
"Ah, that's where coincidence comes in."
The man folded his arms.
"That young fellow opposite—he's no ordinary person. He's the young hall master of Tianwu City's Falling Rain Hall.
"His family business is huge.
"Many nearby towns have their enterprises.
"Shili Town too… and when that girl died, Tang Shaotang was right there.
"No one knows why, but that fool Er Gou insisted that Tang killed his fiancée, and he's been after his life since.
"Tang Shaotang swore he was innocent and even pitied him, unwilling to retaliate. After finishing business in Shili Town, he hurried back to Tianwu City.
"But Er Gou followed him here.
"The matter even alarmed the City Lord's Mansion. Lord Wu investigated personally, yet no conclusion was reached.
"So Er Gou spends his days blocking the hall's gate, stirring trouble again and again. He's been caught many times, and every time Tang Shaotang releases him.
"Later, the Falling Rain Hall barred him from approaching. If they saw him, they'd chase him away—but somehow, he always found a chance to strike. This month alone makes the third attempt."
The man spoke fluently, clearly familiar with the tale.
It was evidently well-known throughout Tianwu City.
Chu Qing put on a look of amazement. "This Tang Shaotang really sounds like a good man."
"Isn't he?" the man agreed, nodding.
As they talked, Tang Xi had already left with his men, while Er Gou was thrown aside by the road.
The crowd dispersed once the excitement was over.
Er Gou sat dazed for a while, then picked up his knife and stumbled into a nearby alley.
His steps were unsteady, his face hollow with despair.
He muttered under his breath, "I'm sorry… I'm useless…"
Suddenly, his eyes hardened, a scarlet gleam flashing within.
He turned the blade toward his own throat.
Hidden in the shadows, Chu Qing tensed. He had followed out of suspicion toward Tang Xi, hoping to uncover something—or perhaps to seize a profitable opportunity.
But he hadn't expected Er Gou to be so resolute—to choose death so suddenly.
Just as Chu Qing was about to intervene, the sound of wind cut sharply through the air.
A pebble struck midflight, knocking the knife clean from Er Gou's hand.
Chu Qing narrowed his eyes, suppressing his presence. A figure flickered from the end of the alley, ghostlike in motion.
Each flash carried him forward several meters.
In moments, the figure appeared before Er Gou—it was Tang Xi.
Er Gou's eyes turned blood-red. "You bastard!"
Tang Xi smiled faintly. "Seeing you still full of spirit puts me at ease.
"But were you just trying to kill yourself? Lost all hope already?"
Er Gou roared, brandishing his knife and lunging.
Tang Xi flicked his sleeve; the knife spun away.
A kick followed—Er Gou flew back, slamming into a wall, sliding down with blood at his lips.
Earlier that day, Tang Xi had been kicked by Xin Youhen and left half-dead. At the clinic, he'd looked pale and weak.
But now he moved swiftly, his strikes sharp, his voice steady—showing no sign of injury.
"Despair suits you," Tang Xi said coldly.
"After all, the man who killed your fiancée stands before you. Yet no one will believe you, no matter what you say.
"Did you hear them today?
'The young hall master is a good man… so kind and merciful. Anyone else would've killed Er Gou long ago.'"
"Hahaha, look—interesting, isn't it?"
Tang Xi pressed his boot into Er Gou's shoulder and stepped closer.
"Clearly I'm the killer, yet no one will believe you. My Falling Rain Hall is vast; even the City Lord's Mansion can do nothing to me without evidence.
"What can you do? I pity you, truly… but wanting to die is your mistake.
"I enjoy watching you writhe in despair. If you died, how boring I'd be."
He released his foot, turned with a mocking smile, and continued.
"Every time I see you, I feel nostalgic. That girl was young but charming. When frightened, she cried like pear blossoms in rain—I felt pity at the sight.
"But she loved to resist… so I hardened my heart and cut off her arm. Don't worry—I soon gave her the best wound medicine.
"Later she couldn't push me away but still tried to run. So I cut off her legs; then she couldn't run. Sadly, she then grew numb—couldn't even make a sound. No matter how I tortured her, she was like a dead pig, and I tired quickly.
"You know what? I choked her to death. Pitifully, before she died she kept calling for her Er Gou brother."
"Ah!!!"
His words struck Er Gou like poisoned needles, sending him into a furious frenzy.
Veins bulged on his face; as if black blood flowed beneath his skin.
Tang Xi looked back at Er Gou's condition with ecstatic delight.
"Soon… very soon…"
Hidden atop a roof eave, Chu Qing's pupils tightened.
This moment, Er Gou suddenly rolled his eyes and fainted as if all strength left him.
Tang Xi's joy vanished; he snorted coldly. "Useless thing…"
Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he walked away.
Chu Qing furrowed his brow, thoughtful.
The street fell silent.
After cautiously confirming no one remained, Chu Qing moved to Er Gou's side.
He opened the youth's robe and found dense, dark blood-veins crisscrossing his chest, already fading.
Chu Qing's face chilled. "As I suspected."
He hesitated, did not touch Er Gou, and instead leaped back to the eaves to wait in silence.
As dusk fell, the previously clear sky rolled with thunder; soon heavy rain poured down.
Under the rain, Er Gou slowly opened his eyes.
Confused, he looked around; memory returned and his face darkened as he rose and picked up the fallen dagger, walking into the alley without a word.
After only a few steps, a voice dropped from overhead: "I can help you kill him."
(End of Chapter)
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