269 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

"Miss, we just pulled off a big one – five carriages full of food, some silk brocades, and a dozen taels of silver. I've already detained the people in the village and demanded ransom for their release," Tang Yi reported to the veiled mysterious woman in the village hall, seeking credit for his accomplishments. "You brought them to the village?" The veiled woman raised her eyes slightly to look at Tang Yi, her imposing presence invoking an instinctive submission. "I realize I broke village rules by doing so, but rest assured, as soon as we get the ransom, I'll release them immediately," Tang Yi admitted his mistake. Tang Yi continued with confidence, "When bringing them up the mountain, we blindfolded them and took a convoluted route, so there's absolutely no chance they could find their way back." The mysterious woman responded, "This must not happen again." "If I repeat this mistake, I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit. Miss, the brothers are having a small gathering tonight. It's rare for everyone to see you. Would you join us and honor us with your presence?" Tang Yi's tone, filled with humility, carried a plea. "If I'm there, you won't enjoy yourselves. Keep an eye on those people, and remember, no drinking. I have a task for you to handle," the mysterious woman coldly stated. There was a time she had also known such lively happiness, but it had been so long that she could no longer remember the faces of her mother and father. Until she exacted her revenge, there was no place in her life for these fleeting moments of simple happiness. Tang Yi pledged, "Tell me what you need. I am ready to face any challenge." The mysterious woman instructed, "Choose some reliable and skilled brothers, with no visible scars on their faces. Meet me at the usual spot in the city two days from now." "Your current attire won't do. Disguise yourselves as scholars, and shave off that beard," the mysterious woman sized him up and down as she spoke. "Sir, I must tell you, yesterday Second Master Gu invited me for a drink. He mentioned that the young woman was ill and difficult to sell, and planned to sell her to a brothel. I only had a meal with Second Master Gu, I didn't participate in anything else. Please, spare my life!" Zhang Cheng Gu implored, his life in jeopardy. "Which brothel?" Ning Song Wu moved the blade closer to Second Master's face. Protesting, Second Master Gu argued, "He's slandering me to save himself. I swear on my honor, I didn't do it. You must believe me!" Ning Song Wu's eyes instantly grew cold, murderous intent radiating from her as if she had decided to cut down the deceitful villain in front of her. The bystanders, sensing the imminent danger, fixed their eyes on Ning Song Wu, not daring to make a sound. Ning Song Wu gripped the sharp blade tightly and swiftly brought it down toward Second Master's head. "Sir, no!" The crowd cried out in horror, but it was too late to stop her. They stood dumbfounded, hearts racing, relieved that no one was actually harmed. As the blade fell, pieces of hair floated down, and Second Master collapsed to the ground, disheveled and trembling. A wet stain spread beneath him as he had urinated in fear. "I'll deal with you later." Ning Song Wu tossed the blade to the ground and walked straight out of the Lin Manor. "Officer Ning, wait for me. You lot, take Second Master back to the precinct," Lu Jin exhaled deeply, pursed his lips, and ran after her, shocked to see this terrifying side of Ning Song Wu. "Officer Ning, there are only six or seven brothels of note in Pingyang County. Of those, only Shi Hua House and the now-fading Phoenix Call Pavilion are significant. The rest are just minor establishments." "No matter their reputation, we'll search them all until we find her." Ning Song Wu had seen for herself what brothels were like the day before, and she desperately wished she could be in multiple places at once to search them all. Each moment of delay filled her with dread, thinking of Ran Fan Yin endangered. She shuddered at the thought. "Right, right. We'll start with Shi Hua House. I'm quite familiar with Madam Yin there; she'll tell us what she knows." ＊ Inside the Shi Hua House. "Master Ning, you're back again," a girl greeted Ning Song Wu, walking towards her. "We have pressing matters to attend to today," Lu Jin explained kindly. "Who doesn't come here for urgent business, anyway?" The girl teased Lu Jin while playfully shoving him. "Step aside. We need to see your boss, Madam Yin," Lu Jin's face grew stern as he pushed her away. "Oh my, what wind brought Master Ning and Master Lu here today? Please, upstairs," Madam Yin called down from the second floor, inviting the two men up. Lu Jin asked, "Madam Yin, have you purchased any new girls in the past two days?" "Yes, but they haven't been trained yet; they can't serve customers," Madam Yin assumed the two men were seeking pleasure but their serious demeanor suggested otherwise. "Where are they? Please, Madam Yin, let us see them," Ning Song Wu's voice betrayed her urgency. "His relative's daughter was abducted. Just let us see if one of them is her," Lu Jin explained. "Certainly. You, go and bring those two new girls here," Madam Yin instructed a maid nearby. Soon, the maid returned, leading two trembling and innocent-looking girls. "These are the only two? No others?" Ning Song Wu's face showed disappointment. Madam Yin replied honestly, "That's right. I wouldn't hide anyone from you." "Thank you for your time. We'll take our leave," Lu Jin said. The two left Shi Hua House and visited five more establishments, all to no avail. Ning Song Wu's heart was filled with despair, imagining countless possible outcomes, none of which she could withstand. It felt as if a sharp sword was slowly piercing her heart, ready to push it into an abyss. She could not help but lift her right hand to cover her chest, hoping to ease the ache, while her left hand clenched into a fist within her sleeve. "Officer Ning, this is the last one," Lu Jin reminded her softly. It was nearly dusk, the setting sun gradually disappearing on the horizon, leaving a faint glow, like the fragile flame flickering in Ning Song Wu's heart. "Let's go in." Ning Song Wu raised her head to look at the signboard, which read "Phoenix Call Pavilion." [But to be fair, she did love me in her own way... Never mind, perhaps everyone shows love differently. Since I'm here, I should just enjoy the care from this mother.] [It strangely made a bit of sense.]