Vol. 2 - Chapter 77 - Maid Xiaoyue

Splash—

A bucket of water splashed onto his face.

Xiao Song jolted awake as icy liquid streamed down his cheeks.

His eyes were clouded with confusion.

Looking around, Xiao Song found himself in a cramped, dimly lit room.

In front of him stood two people.

One of them was holding a bucket.

Instinctively, Xiao Song tried to move, only to realize he was bound to a wooden cross.

Both his hands and feet were tightly shackled with iron chains.

“You… who are you people?”

Xiao Song’s voice was hoarse.

His memories were muddled.

Just a moment ago, he had been standing in front of the Orphanage with Xiao Zhou, striking together at Director Chen—trying to capture him.

But in the blink of an eye, here he was.

Of the two standing before him, the woman sneered, her voice sweet and alluring: “You still dare ask who we are?”

“Let’s hear it—what’s your name?”

“Whose man are you?”

Qian Qi flicked her sleeve and sat down on a bench.

She rested one arm on the table, looking coldly at Xiao Song.

Xiao Song’s face stiffened, and he forced a smile: “I don’t know which heroes you two might be…”

“Have I somehow offended you?”

Qian Qi clicked her tongue at his polite evasion.

“You’re not as obedient as that companion of yours, Xiao Zhou.”

“I’ll give you one more chance—answer my questions.”

Her alluring voice fell.

Hiss… hiss…

A faint sound came from near Xiao Song’s feet.

A cold, slippery sensation began crawling up his leg.

A chill shot through him, and staring into Qian Qi’s eyes, he suddenly recalled something.

“You’re the Snake Concubine of Yuye Hall!”

“Oh? Sharp eyes,” Qian Qi said with a smile.

She extended a pale, slender finger and tapped him lightly.

“Since you recognize me, you should know my skills.”

“Behave yourself, and I won’t kill you.”

Hearing her soft, seductive tone, Xiao Song’s heart went cold.

The cold, slick touch on his leg kept rising—it had already reached his waist.

“I… I’ll talk…”

“I’m from Qilin Pavilion. Xiao Zhou and I took a mission from Lord Left Envoy—”

“To investigate the identity and background of White Streak in the Waves, Zhang Shun, and bring his relatives back to Qilin Pavilion.”

“We planned to use Zhang Shun’s family to pressure him into joining Qilin Pavilion.”

Like beans spilling from a bamboo tube, Xiao Song blurted everything out.

The name of Yuye Hall carried weight.

And now a Second-Rank powerhouse like the Snake Concubine was personally interrogating him—terror gripped Xiao Song’s heart.

This mission… was a trap!

Regret flooded him.

Had he known, he’d never have taken the job.

How could investigating the Lake Tai pirates have anything to do with Yuye Hall?

They weren’t even remotely connected!

Qian Qi listened quietly, a faint smile curving her charming lips.

“Not bad—matches what Xiao Zhou said.”

“You can die now.”

At her words, Xiao Song’s eyes widened in shock. “Didn’t you just say… you wouldn’t kill me?”

Qian Qi smiled: “I’m not the one killing you.”

“My little darling wants a bite—what can I do?”

As her voice fell—

Agonizing pain burst in Xiao Song’s chest.

“Aaagh!”

He screamed, body thrashing violently.

After only a few seconds, his struggles weakened.

Finally, his head slumped to the side. Silent.

Qian Qi’s eyes gleamed with charm as she said to the Yuye Hall assassin beside her: “Clean this up.”

“Yes!”

The bucket-bearing killer bowed respectfully.

Qian Qi’s red lips pursed into a sharp whistle.

From Xiao Song’s still-warm corpse slithered a red-and-green venomous snake.

It moved swiftly, winding up Qian Qi’s trouser leg.

Then it slipped into her clothes, disappearing from sight.

Qian Qi stepped out of the room.

In the courtyard, beside a stone table, sat Qin Yi in a black dress.

At the sight of her, Qian Qi’s eyes lit up.

“Sister Qin, congratulations on breaking through to First Rank.”

In Qin Yi’s autumn-water gaze flickered a faint smile.

She nodded, her cool voice touched with elegance: “What they said—was it the same?”

“The same,” Qian Qi replied, settling beside her with a smirk. “Qilin Pavilion really has guts.”

“To think they’d try to kidnap that person…”

The thought alone made Qian Qi want to laugh.

If they’d actually managed it, the entire Qilin Pavilion would probably be kneeling and calling him ‘Grandfather’ by now.

Qin Yi nodded slightly, her voice still cool yet refined: “I’ll go report to him.”

With that, she rose and left.

Qian Qi watched her departing back, a trace of envy in her eyes.

She sighed softly: “I wonder when I’ll reach the First Rank…”

As she spoke, the back of her neck chilled, and a green snake emerged from her collar.

Hiss… hiss…

“Xiao Qing, back,” Qian Qi chided.

There was a faint rustle from her neckline.

The green serpent slipped back inside.

…

“One month’s pay is two taels of silver, with room and board.”

“Your duties are to ensure the children’s safety, wash clothes when there’s time, and help feed them.”

“The work isn’t hard, but it is tedious.”

“Can you manage?”

In the Orphanage’s main hall—

Chen Ye sat in a chair, gazing calmly at Hua Xiyue.

Dressed in men’s clothing, Hua Xiyue stood before him, feeling a bit nervous.

She nodded quickly at his terms. “Yes, yes! I can!”

Chen Ye nodded. “Since you agree, then stay.”

He turned toward the courtyard and called: “Chuntao!”

Hurried footsteps approached.

A thirteen-year-old maid entered.

She bowed respectfully. “Director.”

“Take her and—”

Chen Ye paused—he didn’t know Hua Xiyue’s name.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“I’m Xiaoyue!” Hua Xiyue’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.

“Take Xiaoyue and get her familiar with the hall’s work,” Chen Ye told Chuntao.

“Yes,” Chuntao answered respectfully.

“Good. You may go.”

Chen Ye nodded lightly, dismissing them.

Chuntao bowed.

Hua Xiyue imitated her bow.

Following behind Chuntao, she left the Orphanage hall.

Yes!

She had actually been accepted!

Hua Xiyue’s heart raced with excitement, her eyes sparkling.

She’d chased the Orphanage not for the work, but because the matter seemed fun—after all, the Director was none other than the most mysterious grandmaster in the martial world.

Since a single strike two years ago, no news of him had circulated.

She’d only been testing the waters, never expecting Chen Ye to actually take her in.

Surely, no one in the world would guess that Grandmaster Donghua was the head of an orphanage!

Chuntao led her into the maids’ quarters.

“Sister Chuntao, what’s our Director’s name?” Hua Xiyue asked curiously.

Chuntao blinked, glanced at her, and replied softly: “Director’s name is Chen Ye.”

Chen Ye…

Hua Xiyue repeated it silently.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up.

Chen Ye… Donghua…

As expected!

She pieced it together, her excitement mounting.

Wow wow wow—

Interesting!

Interesting!

So very interesting!