Chapter 114

Chapter 114

Chapter 114: Disguise

“…Also,” back at the Cheng residence, after telling his lover everything he had learned at the theater, Bai Zhengliu added, “When he grabbed me, I looked at his hands a couple more times.”

Mei Yinghan had been processing what he had heard earlier, but upon hearing this, he turned his gaze back to Bai Zhengliu.

“I had heard Uncle Cheng mention before,” Bai Zhengliu said, “that before The Dream-Seeking Tale, the Leshan Troupe didn’t have much reputation in Jingzhou City. But that’s only because they had never come to Jingzhou. In other places, the Leshan Troupe already had some renown.”

The words seemed unrelated at first. But Mei Yinghan knew Bai Zhengliu never spoke without reason.

Following this line of thought, Mei Yinghan furrowed his brows. “Zhengliu, you’re saying that the troupe leader’s hands don’t look like someone who ‘already has a reputation’?”

Bai Zhengliu nodded: “Yes. I saw many calluses on his palms, thick knuckles, wide and strong wrists… he looks more like an experienced farmer.”

Mei Yinghan’s mood sank further.

Bai Zhengliu added, “But he’s definitely alive, and he doesn’t exude yin energy like Lady Cheng. That part is certain.”

Mei Yinghan: “If the Leshan Troupe we saw is being impersonated, then their actions are meant for…”

Bai Zhengliu: “Since entering the city, they’ve only done that one thing.”

Mei Yinghan: “The Dream-Seeking Tale.”

Bai Zhengliu was silent for a moment, then said, “I suspect it’s not just one Lady Cheng in the city causing the ‘torment of lovesickness.’ Whether the Leshan Troupe people are human or ghost, they’ve been performing that play for a long time.”

Mei Yinghan: “Based on what the troupe leader told you, he wants us to go to Ducun.” (The place rumored to be where “Hengsheng” resides.)

Bai Zhengliu: “There may be a trap waiting, but it could also be just to draw us away.”

Mei Yinghan: “Regardless of the situation, we—”

Bai Zhengliu smiled: “Cannot go.”

They stayed at the Cheng residence, lying in wait.

“However,” the young man remembered something and slowly added, “Even though we stay, we need to put on a show—for them to see.”

So they acted immediately.

One dressed in black, one in white; one with a knife, one with a sword.

Travelers passed through the city streets leading horses, and by chance went past the theater. The little waiter who had served Bai Zhengliu peeked out, clearly seeing the two of them.Also, because they couldn’t ride horses freely in the city, the little waiter normally ran errands on foot. He turned his eyes, feeling clever, and discreetly followed Bai Zhengliu and Mei Yinghan from behind. Two streets passed, and he hadn’t fallen far behind.

He watched the swordman and knife expert leave the city with relief. Once past the city walls and guards, the two immediately mounted their horses. Their movements were graceful and elegant, and combined with their clear and refined faces, they almost resembled the figures in paintings.

The sight made the little waiter feel both envious and admiring. He gestured at the air a few times, but could never match their presence. He had to console himself: “Forget it! Once they’re gone, I’ll never see them again. Skilled martial artists or not, they still only serve wealthy masters.”

After thinking this way, the little waiter felt more confident. He straightened his posture, strode forward boldly, completely unaware that two shadows had quietly joined him from behind.

Facing an ordinary person with no martial arts skill, Bai Zhengliu was even a little lazy about concealing his footsteps or breathing. He simply blended into the crowd as the little waiter occasionally turned his head to glance at the nearby stalls.

This situation didn’t last long. After just half a street, the knife expert made an observation: “He really has no hidden thoughts.”

Mei Yinghan studied the little waiter’s back for a moment: “Agreed.”

Bai Zhengliu muttered to himself: “I originally thought all the members of that troupe…,” he paused, slightly doubtful, “could it be that his behavior now is just an act to deceive me?”

Mei Yinghan evaluated objectively: “Not likely. His walking posture, his facial expression, and the few words he spoke earlier all show that this little waiter genuinely believes we are sent by some master.”

“Some master.”

The four words caught Bai Zhengliu’s attention.

Mei Yinghan noticed and looked at him curiously.

Bai Zhengliu said seriously: “It seems that actually, only the troupe leader has other intentions, but his subordinates…”

Mei Yinghan: “Probably so.”

Bai Zhengliu nodded deeply, secretly relieved that he had “avoided a trap.”

At this moment, Mei Yinghan asked again: “Zhengliu, did you have something to say earlier?”

Bai Zhengliu: “…”

Bai Zhengliu, dryly: “Nothing.”

Mei Yinghan looked even more puzzled. Just as Bai Zhengliu thought he might ask again, the swordman slowly nodded: “Hmm, then let’s return to the Cheng residence.”

This attitude left Bai Zhengliu feeling inexplicably empty inside.It wasn’t that it was bad, but rather too good, making the knife expert feel a little embarrassed.

Seeing his lover already turn to walk toward the Cheng residence, Bai Zhengliu blinked, fell into step beside him, and said, “Yinghan, ask me again.”

Mei Yinghan: “Hmm?”

Bai Zhengliu smiled at him, “About what I said earlier. I suddenly remembered, there’s actually something I want to tell you.”

Mei Yinghan smiled gently. His eyes were warm, his expression soft and smiling. “Oh? Then what is it? Tell me.”

Bai Zhengliu: “Well… when I went to the theater, I said I was sent by someone. You already know that.”

Mei Yinghan nodded. Bai Zhengliu continued, “The master who sent me lives in the northwest, usually trades in medicinal herbs. He has a hobby of handling weapons and also studies medical theory.”

Mei Yinghan realized something and couldn’t help but chuckle: “So that’s how it is. And then?”

“And then,” Bai Zhengliu looked at him with a smile, “His surname is Mei. Though called ‘master,’ he’s very young, and quite handsome—” At the end, Bai Zhengliu laughed even more exaggeratedly than Mei Yinghan. His shoulders trembled, his eyes bright.

Mei Yinghan, on the other hand, didn’t move.

He watched the young man beside him with focused calm, his body unconsciously leaning forward a little. Bai Zhengliu felt the shadow falling before him, and while laughing, he turned to look at his lover.

At the moment their gazes met, Mei Yinghan paused slightly, whispering, “There’s a piece of fluff in your hair. I’ll remove it for you.”

Bai Zhengliu: “Huh? Okay.”

Sure enough, Mei Yinghan raised his hand. His fingers touched Bai Zhengliu’s hair, and his gaze rested above Bai Zhengliu’s forehead. The knife expert couldn’t help raising his eyes to look at Mei Yinghan’s fingertips.

Then, Mei Yinghan lowered his head.

Bai Zhengliu heard finer whispers of wind, felt more shadows… and finally, finally, the gentle touch of lips.

“Sorry,” the swordman whispered, “there was no fluff in your hair. I simply could not restrain myself.”

The breath of the Tianshan senior brother carried a faint, crisp scent of snow lotus. Bai Zhengliu’s eyelids twitched, still reeling from the previous events, when he heard his heart beating like thunder.

“Thump, thump!”

“Thump, thump—thump!”

His fingertips trembled, his cheeks tensed tightly. Not from displeasure, but from overwhelming joy.

In mid-late spring, a slightly chilly wind passed between him and his lover. In a few breaths, Mei Yinghan had straightened his body, returning to his original position. But from the way his gaze hung downward, at this moment, he was likely also recalling the kiss that had just passed between them.“Thump, thump!”

The heartbeat again.

Bai Zhengliu closed his eyes tightly, and when he opened them, he just happened to see the fresh green of the willow tips behind his lover.

Unconsciously, they had left the busiest, most prosperous main street of the city and reached a quiet alley. There were no prying eyes here, only willow tips gently swaying in the breeze.

Bai Zhengliu made a motion he was very familiar with.

He stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and his lover, then—

“Yinghan,” the knife expert called, “what do you mean by ‘restrain’ between us?”

…

…

One day in the future, Bai Zhengliu might regret saying this.

But now, he enjoyed it, indulged a little, and immersed himself in the moments with his lover.

…

…

The next time the knife expert and swordman were seen, Master Cheng heard the two young men ask: “Do you have servant clothing at home that fits our build?”

Master Cheng didn’t understand the meaning, but one thing was certain: his family owed their lives to the Tianshan hero, so whatever they asked, they would comply.

“Yes!” the man answered decisively. “Though not perfectly fitted, let Madam adjust them for you.”

Bai Zhengliu thought for a moment: “No need to be too tight; we also have some items to carry with us.”

The man nodded.

Soon, Brother Long brought two sets of clothing identical to what they were wearing. Bai Zhengliu and Mei Yinghan changed into them, and when they looked at each other, both showed curious expressions.

Brother Long, on the other hand, stroked his chin and mused: “Even if we wear the same clothes as me, when we stand together,” he said with a slight pout, “you can still see the difference!”

Master Cheng and Madam Cheng came to judge and agreed—it made sense.The whole family watched the two Tianshan heroes nervously. They saw them scrutinize Brother Long for a moment, then slightly bow their waists and lower their shoulders… Hey! Just a few subtle movements, and suddenly the two poised and heroic men looked like they had been cast from the same mold as Brother Long?

Master Cheng and Madam Cheng’s reactions aside, Brother Long almost dropped his jaw in shock. After a moment, picking it back up, his mind raced: “If the heroes can look like me, can I also become like them? Hehe, if that’s the case, surely others will praise me as dashing and elegant.”

His heart was full of longing.

At this time, Bai Zhengliu and Mei Yinghan began discussing the matter at hand: “That vengeful ghost will probably try to find the young lady at home again. This time, we’ll stay by her side and won’t leave her.”

Master Cheng and Madam Cheng sincerely thanked them: “You’ve truly worked too hard, heroes.”

Bai Zhengliu and Mei Yinghan only said: “As long as we can save her and rid the house of the ghost, this is only what should be done.”

Author’s note:

Today, Jiangjiang is also going out.

So I wrote this a little early.