Vol. 2 - Chapter 64 - What Hidden Weapon Is That? The Peacock Plume!

Hearing Lu Nuo’s voice—

Xiaolian turned to look at him.

“Originally…”

“This was your Qiong family’s internal matter. I’m only here to arrest criminals.”

“Nothing more.”

“But since you’ve come…”

“Then don’t leave.”

He tossed the iron rings in his hand, weighing them casually.

“You’ve heard of my iron rings, haven’t you?”

“I don’t want to use them.”

Lu Nuo offered her a seemingly kind smile.

“If you’d like, I can toss you in the cell with her.”

“You two can scratch each other’s faces, pull each other’s hair…”

“How about it?”

He still wore that amiable expression.

Because, by nature, he was a gentle man.

He only raised his hand when absolutely necessary.

Xiaolian didn’t respond—didn’t even glance at him.

Her frosted gaze remained fixed on the woman, narrowed slightly.

Just then—

“Xiaolian…”

A frail, weeping voice drifted from the prison cart.

The sound made Xiaolian’s body tremble.

In the blink of an eye, she leapt into the air like a wild goose, landing atop the second cart.

Inside the wooden cage sat three people.

One of them—a white-haired old woman with a weathered face—looked at Xiaolian, her eyes full of tears.

Seeing Xiaolian appear, she stretched out her wrinkled hand.

“Child…”

“These past two years… have you been well?”

Her voice rasped with sorrow, her face lined with grief.

The moment she saw the old woman, the killing intent around Xiaolian vanished like mist.

Her heart softened.

Her eyes turned clear and bright again.

For a moment, she was no longer a killing machine.

Just a girl from the neighborhood.

She stared blankly at the old woman and murmured softly:

“Grandmother…”

In that moment, she was no longer the fearsome Jade-Handed Asura—

Just a granddaughter, full of guilt.

Upon hearing that word, grandmother—

The old woman wiped away her tears, voice hoarse and choked:

“Good child…”

She reached out and gently stroked Xiaolian’s cheek.

Only now did Xiaolian notice the old woman also wore prisoner’s garb.

The spell broke.

“Grandmother, I’ll get you out right now.”

In the Qiong family…

Only her grandmother had ever truly cared for her.

Xiaolian had carried guilt in her heart all this time.

When she left the family, she hadn't said goodbye.

Now, seeing her again after so long, Xiaolian’s eyes reddened and her nose stung with emotion.

She placed her palm against the lock, inner energy flowing softly into her hand.

“Ahem.”

Lu Nuo cleared his throat twice.

Several iron rings now dangled from his fingers.

His tone calm but serious:

“If you make a move—then so will I.”

“Feel free to try me.”

Lu Nuo really didn’t like killing.

But…

Some people made it hard not to.

Xiaolian’s hand froze.

In the other prison cart, Qiong Longshan called out urgently:

“Xiaolian!”

The bruised-faced woman spat venom:

“That little bitch deserves to die!”

“Captain Lu Nuo, strike now!”

She cradled her son protectively, her hateful eyes locked on Xiaolian.

The rest of the Haijing Gang tensed.

If Xiaolian insisted on doing things her way… this could go sideways fast.

A first-rank expert didn’t speak empty threats.

Xiaolian remained calm.

She slowly turned, her eyes flicking toward Lu Nuo.

From her narrow sleeve slid a golden cylinder, around seven inches long.

She held it in her delicate, jade-like hand.

She looked at Lu Nuo quietly.

No emotion in her gaze.

Lu Nuo’s face changed instantly.

His sickly-yellow complexion went pale.

Then turned red.

He stiffened slightly, eyes locked tightly on that golden tube.

They stared at each other in silence.

A breeze rustled the leaves.

The only sound—whispers of the forest.

One stood atop the prison cart.

The other stood a short distance away.

Neither moved.

Xiaolian’s eyes were calm, utterly unreadable.

Lu Nuo didn’t budge.

But…

Beads of sweat slowly formed on his forehead and temples.

More and more…

Until they rolled together down his waxy face.

Within moments, his cheeks were soaked.

His expression tightened like facing a mortal enemy.

Everyone else looked confused.

What was going on?

Only Qiong Longshan’s eyes lit with realization—and horror.

He stared at Xiaolian in disbelief.

A whisper of understanding crossed his face.

Shhh—

The forest leaves stirred softly in the wind.

“Before I left,” Xiaolian said coldly,

“Someone told me:

There aren’t many first-rank masters in this world.

Best not to spill blood needlessly…”

“So be careful, Lu Nuo.”

Her voice carried no fear—only a chilling calm.

She gave Lu Nuo a final look.

Then turned away.

Crack!

With a single palm infused with inner strength—

She shattered the lock.

Lu Nuo still didn’t move.

He just stood there, drenched in sweat, eyes filled with complexity.

The crowd gasped.

She broke the lock…

But Lu Nuo did nothing?

Why?

What just happened?

Xiaolian pulled the chains away with ease.

Just as she was about to open the cell door—

Lu Nuo’s voice rang out, hoarse:

“What… what hidden weapon is that?”

He stood frozen, his iron rings dangling uselessly in his hand.

Sweat drenched him like he’d just walked out of a furnace.

Xiaolian reached out with her fair hands and opened the cage door.

Her voice was cold and light:

“The Peacock Plume.”

At those words—

Lu Nuo’s body froze.

He nodded stiffly.

“A fine name…”

He sighed.

Then stepped back a few paces.

And called out in a commanding voice:

“Six Gates, hold your ground!

No one is to move without my order!”

The constables looked at each other, stunned.

Lu Nuo cupped his fists toward Xiaolian, tone solemn:

“Do as you wish.”

“But I ask you to think carefully.”

“These are criminals of the Dawu Empire.”

With those words, he fell silent.

He wiped his sweaty face with his sleeve and stared at her with unwavering seriousness.

Just moments ago…

He had felt death brush his skin.

The surrounding crowd stared in utter shock.

They understood what had just happened.

Lu Nuo… had backed down?

He even called her “Your Excellency”?!

Gasp—

Constables, gang members, even the Qiong family—all turned their stunned eyes toward Xiaolian.

What on earth had just happened?

Why did Lu Nuo—a first-rank master—yield?

Was it possible…

That a Grandmaster from the Jade Leaf Hall was hiding nearby?

Whispers of speculation grew.

Constables began subtly scanning the woods for signs of another presence.

But the forest was deathly still.

The tension—unbearable.

The Six Gates… had just stood by and watched someone break a prisoner out.

Unheard of.

Unthinkable.

Xiaolian paid no mind to them.

She opened the cage door and looked at the old woman.

“Grandmother, I’m taking you away from here.”

In the entire Qiong family—

She cared for no one else.

Only the woman in front of her.

She reached out to help her.

But the old woman stopped her, eyes gentle.

She shook her head.

“No need, child…”

“Your father did no wrong. He was falsely accused.”

“These old bones still work—I’ll walk this path with him.”

Tears welled in her eyes as she caressed Xiaolian’s cheek.

“Child…”

“These past two years…”

“Have you been well?”