Stranger Danger

“Okay! I believe you!” Ye Qing said with a smirk. It was true that the group who surrounded him earlier lacked bloodthirst despite the fact that they were brimming with violence. They probably really were just gauging his intentions and of course, his strength. If he wasn’t strong enough to overcome the obstacle, then he wasn’t qualified to meet Qiao Six.

Besides that, Qiao Six’s decision was prompted by Ye Qing’s unknown origin. If he could find out exactly when Ye Qing’s had entered the county, then of course he knew about the incident at the gates and the fact that he seemed unusually close with Yan Yufei, the current magistrate of Anyang. This one connection alone guaranteed that Qiao Six would not dare to kill him even if he could, which was why he truly believed that the information broker was telling the truth.

“So, what did you find out, Master Six?”

“You haven’t shown up at my doorsteps in good will, but you do not bear any malice either. Also, I believe that you require my services!” Qiao Six declared calmly, eyes glimmering with wisdom and experience. He looked like he was perfectly sure of his deduction.

One corner of Ye Qing’s lips curled up a little. “You’re half-right, but you’re also half-wrong!”

“Oh? What did I guess wrong, pray tell?” Qiao Six exclaimed with a hint of surprise and curiosity.

Ye Qing did not keep him on tenterhooks. “You’re wrong about me not carrying good intentions. The main reason I’m here is to make sure that you’ll always be safe and healthy!”

Something flinty flashed in Qiao Six’s eyes, but his tone remained warm and amiable, “I don’t know about that, Boss Ye. A well-intentioned person would not pay someone a visit bearing their dead pet as a gift, would they? Much less a pet that they had murdered with their own two hands?”

A wicked smile spread across Ye Qing’s face. “I can see you’ve misunderstood me. Trust me when I say that what I carried wasn’t a dead pet, but a great gift that you will come to appreciate dearly once I’ve explained everything to you!”

“I am waiting,” Qiao Six responded calmly.

Ye Qing took another sip of tea and wet his throat. It was only then he gave his explanation. “Your cat is a Red-class Stranger called the Rot Eating Cat, and I am sure you know better than me what kind of creature it is. Cunning, vicious, and greedy, there is nothing it enjoys more than killing a human through the Everhungry Worm and cutting open their stomach to feast on both human flesh and rotting food alike!”

.

“Just a while ago, I saved an innocent boy who nearly died because of your cat’s actions, and I am certain he isn’t its first victim.”

“It’s one thing to keep a Stranger, but to raise one that is clearly a danger to humans and allow it to kill as it pleases… well, I shouldn’t need to tell you what would happen if the Pacification Bureau hears about this, do you?”

“Are you threatening me?” Qiao Six abruptly dropped his pleasant demeanor altogether. There was a dead silence as the atmosphere in the pavilion grew increasingly suffocating. “No one threatens me, Boss Ye. I’ve led a long, healthy life, and I can tell you now there is nothing that scares me less and angers me more than threats!”

“You do realize that I can bury you here right here and now if I give the order, right Boss Ye?”

The information broker’s bloodthirst kept growing until it encompassed the entire Rainflower Pavilion like a thick smog.

Ye Qing could not seem to feel his murderous intent, however. Still acting as casual and indifferent as ever, he shot Qiao Six a smile and said, “Nah, I think you’re delusional!”

Ye Qing raised his right foot half an inch before putting it back down on the floor. His movements were gentle, but the pavilion shuddered, and a breeze blew at the bronze bells and caused them to ring melodiously. The breeze would continue to sweep out until the blue waters of the pond rippled incessantly, and the lotuses swayed like tiny green boats atop a moving sea.

The sight was as scenic as it was poetic, but wait, that wasn’t the end of the show yet. Soft pops suddenly erupted from the pond bottom, and it sounded like spring thunder welcoming the coming of a new spring. Then—

Glug glug glug!

Bubbles started rising and popping across the whole pond. Then, a plethora of men wearing tight, waterproof outfits burst through the pond surface! Clearly, they were the hidden guards Qiao Six had prepared just in case his negotiations turned sour. Something wasn’t right about their condition, however. They didn’t look injured, but their complexions were beet red, and they looked like they were having trouble catching their breaths. It was because a shockwave had impacted their internal organs and disrupted the circulation of their vigor. Of course, it was caused by none other than Ye Qing himself.

“You dare!” Zuo Yiyan erupted in anger and tensed up. His clothes billowed without wind, and something cold and sharp peeked out from within his left sleeve. It looked like a viper ready to deal Ye Qing a fatal blow at any moment. Besides that, inconspicuous servant girl who had been serving tea until just now abruptly raised her left arm and caused her water sleeve [1] to circle around her like it had a life of its own. Gone was the beautiful but ordinary woman who had no presence whatsoever, replaced by a murderous celestial ready to rip and kill at a moment’s notice.

They were both late-stage Qi Invokers, and they were both experienced killers with a lot of blood on their hands. It was evident from the wash of their auras alone.

The two warriors did not make a move despite their intimidating posture, however. It was because a thread of blood so thin it was almost invisible had appeared around their necks before they knew it. The blood thread looked frail enough to break at the slightest touch, but both of them had a feeling that it would sever their neck like nothing if they dared to attack Ye Qing.

Even if they were successful in escaping decapitation, their senses were warning them that some sort of unknown, invisible danger was lurking around them. In this case, they were absolutely right. If they were at the Vessel Augmentation stage just like Ye Qing, they would notice that formless, shapeless Blood Shadows had been swimming throughout the Rainflower Pavilion this whole time!

“Relax. I noticed your men had been submerged in the waters for a bit, and I was worried that one of them might suffocate to death. That is why I encouraged them to catch their breaths so to speak!” Ye Qing explained with a bright smile while a wisp of red danced nimbly between his fingers like a piece of silken fabric.

For a time, the atmosphere was so suffocating one could barely breathe. Then, Qiao Six started laughing all of a sudden, “Haha! Hahaha! Impressive, Boss Ye! I dare say that I am most impressed by your skill!”

Qiao Six couldn’t quite control the shock within his pupils, but his smile was firmly affixed to his face as he said, “You’re a businessman just like me, so I’m sure you understand that violence is most undesirable when pursuing a long-lasting business relationship. Come, let’s enjoy another cup of tea!” 𝒃𝒆𝙙𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“Heh. In fact, you are completely right about my motivations, but I noticed that you needed a little… encouragement to notice my sincerity. Do forgive me for resorting to such a crude method!”

Ye Qing accepted the teacup smilingly and blew at its surface. He continued after taking a small sip, “Your pet is an evil creature who loves to kill, Master Six. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before it implicates its owner. With that in mind, killing it before the worst happens can only be a good thing, am I right? I personally think it's one of the best gifts one can receive. What do you think?”

Qiao Six stretched his lips into a smile. “Now that you mentioned it, it is a great gift. I thank you for doing me such a huge favor.”

Ye Qing pshawed and waved him away. “You’re welcome, but it’s unnecessary. I’m just a kind-hearted soul who can’t help but do good upon others!”

“Hahaha!” Qiao Six let out a hearty laugh before sighing. “I should’ve been more vigilant. If not for you, I would not have realized that that damn monster would dare to harm innocents while I wasn’t looking. I would’ve found myself an unwitting murderer if not for you, so once again, thank you!”

Ye Qing smiled. He knew that Qiao Six would insist that he knew nothing about the Rot Eating Cat’s actions, but he did not expose the lie because it benefited no one. He was here to establish a business relationship with Qiao Six. He wasn’t going to earn any favors if he kept bashing the older man’s face with the truth, no matter how satisfying it might be.

“You flatter me, Master Six. Anyway, I believe we are pretty well acquainted with each other at this point. Would you like to be my friend?”

Qiao Six looked overjoyed at the offer. “But of course! Haha! Trust me, there is no way I’m passing on a friend like you! But oh, please don’t call me Master Six in that case. That is not an appellation that should be used between friends. How about you call me Brother Six, Boss Ye?”

Ye Qing went with the flow. “Sure! On that note, you may call me Joyless!”

“Joyless? What a poetic name!” Qiao Six praised. “Today is turning out to be a most pleasant day, Joyless. Why don’t we celebrate our new friendship with a drink?”

“I will hold you to that, brother, but not today!” Ye Qing said smilingly. “I said earlier you were half-wrong and half-right. In fact, I have come to request your services!”

Qiao Six didn’t look surprised. He seemed aware that the conversation was going to take this turn. “Do not use the word ‘request’, Joyless. We are friends, no, brothers now. I will do anything to help you… as long as it is within my ability to help, of course!”

Ye Qing’s smile widened. “Don’t worry, all I ask is for you to do what you do best: gather information.”

“Very good!”

Ye Qing glanced at Zuo Yiyan and the servant girl and said, “If we can have some privacy…”

Qiao Six immediately looked at his subordinates and commanded, “Yiyan, Hong Yu, wait at the boat for the moment!”

“As you command!” Zuo Yiyan and the servant girl, Hong Yu immediately retreated to the boat. Not only that, Zuo Yiyan had steered the boat until they were about six meters away from the pavilion. It was just far enough that they couldn’t eavesdrop on the conversation, but close enough that they could rush to their master’s rescue should it turn out to be necessary!

“My apologies, brother. I would prefer to keep my business between the two of us,” Ye Qing said apologetically.

Qiao Six was perfectly fine with the arrangement. “I understand. Some secrets must remain a secret for the sake of everyone!”

“I’m glad we have an accord.” Ye Qing went straight to the point. “I want you to tell me everything you know about the Zheng Clan!”

This was why he had gone through all this trouble and even overlooked the crimes committed by his murderous cat. It was because he wished to gather information on the Zheng Clan. As the greatest information broker in Anyang, Qiao Six had to know the Zheng Clan like the back of his hand. No one’s information was more reliable than his, not to mention that he did not have to spend a single silver for the information since they were “friends” now. It would also save him the trouble of having to spy on the Zheng Clan himself.

He could be hardworking if he wanted to, but he was generally a lazy person. Since the opportunity had fallen into his lap, he would be damned if he passed it by!

“Zheng Clan? The Zheng Clan of Anyang? The one that is commanded by Zheng Feng?” Qiao Six exclaimed in surprise.

Ye Qing countered, “Is there another Zheng Clan in Anyang?”

Qiao Six scrunched up his eyebrows in puzzlement. “But why are you looking into the Zheng Clan? They’re not a family to be trifled with, you know?”

Ye Qing raised his eyebrows as if surprised that Qiao Six would ask such a question. Then, his lips spread into a positively diabolical smile. “Why, it’s because I’m plotting to destroy them and kill their patriarch, Zheng Feng, of course! Would you like to hear more, brother?”

“...”

For a time, Qiao Six was utterly speechless. Then, he let out a bitter chuckle and said, “Since the day I started my business, I’ve always obeyed one and only one personal rule: I never ask my customers why they want their information. It’s because I know that it would bring me endless trouble. I’ve never broken this rule until now, and it is thanks to it that I managed to become the biggest information broker in Anyang, and survive to this age!”

“Today is the first day I ever indulged in my curiosity, and to think that it would be my undoing! Joyless, oh Joyless, how can you ensnare your brother so?”

Ye Qing let out a mirthful chuckle. “But brother, I didn’t ensnare you. You’re the one who wanted to know the answer!”

It was a lie, of course. From the moment he heard of Qiao Six’s existence, he had been plotting to bind the information broker to his ship somehow. If he bought information from Qiao Six normally, and something were to happen to the Zheng Clan, the information broker would figure that he was the one behind the incident instantly. If Qiao Six decided to expose the truth to protect himself or earn the Zheng Clan’s favor, then he would be put on the back foot and even met with a life-threatening crisis.

This was why he didn’t want them to be business partners. No, he wanted them to be accomplices. Qiao Six would be the insider supplying him with the information necessary to kick the Zheng Clan’s teeth in, and he would be doing the kicking.

It was too late for Qiao Six to change his mind already. From the moment he learned about Ye Qing’s motive, their fates were intertwined like two grasshoppers that were tied to the same rope. If Ye Qing went down, he was going down as well. He might still be able to survive—he was one of Anyang’s most valuable assets after all—but his status would plummet, his life would be ruined, and Ye Qing was going to kill him right here and now if he dared to say no.

Qiao Six was a wise man. He might have rejected Ye Qing if he hadn’t witnessed the young man’s prowess earlier, but he had, so he knew that the best he could hope for should conflict break out was a pyrrhic victory. And what kind of idiot would bet on a pyrrhic victory where his own life was on the line?

Plus, there was a way out for him, and that was cooperating with Ye Qing and giving him what he wanted. No one would know about his involvement if they both kept their mouths shut. He wasn’t going to say anything as a matter of course, and Ye Qing sure as hell wasn’t going to make things more difficult for himself. For better or worse, it was business as usual.

From Ye Qing’s point of view, this matter was settled from the moment he determined Qiao Six’s character. The information broker was a shrewd, self-serving man. He would give him everything he wanted and keep his secret.

1. 水袖, super long sleeves you normally see in Chinese operas and court dramas 👈