Chapter 26

Jiang Chu Ting, with his sword in hand, pushed the door open and stepped out, followed closely by Lin Zhi. Under the moonlight, they saw a slender black figure standing in the courtyard. Although her face was covered, her posture clearly indicated she was a woman.

Seeing the two blocking the doorway, she let out a hoarse laugh, “Brought reinforcements again? Useless. I’ll kill every last one of the Huang family. If you know what’s good for you, leave now.”

Her voice didn’t sound young. Jiang Chu Ting’s dark eyes were clear and bright as he asked, “May I ask who you are? If you intend to slaughter an entire family, there should at least be a reason.”

The woman’s tone was forceful, filled with hatred, “Of course there’s a reason. The Huang family owes me! Do I really need to explain every little detail to you now? Move aside, or I’ll kill you too!”

Not wanting to say more, she angrily drew her sword.

Lin Zhi said, “So arrogant? Let’s see if you have the skills to back it up!” He was about to charge forward but was held back by Jiang Chu Ting.

Jiang Chu Ting whispered, “I’ll handle her. You stay here.”

Lin Zhi was taken aback, but before he could respond, Jiang Chu Ting had already leaped forward to engage her in combat.

After a few moves, Jiang Chu Ting noticed her martial arts style was extremely vicious, with every move aiming to kill. It reminded him of a woman named Hong Yudie, who was by Lin Xuan’s side when he went looking for Lin Zhi years ago. Her martial arts were profound and unpredictable, with every move being exceptionally ruthless and full of evil. Back then, he was defeated by her and forced to swallow a pill.

Practicing such unorthodox martial arts is like Xiao Jiu, damaging both mind and body. It’s easy to go astray during practice, even risking one’s life. It’s extremely dangerous, and unless forced, most people wouldn’t choose this path. But if one succeeds by chance, they become unstoppable and decisive in killing.

However, this woman, though formidable, was far from matching Hong Yudie’s level. Moreover, Jiang Chu Ting’s internal strength was much greater than before, so dealing with her wasn’t a problem.

The woman underestimated Jiang Chu Ting, not expecting someone so young to have such high martial arts skills, far surpassing those previously hired by the Huang family. Despite using all her strength, she couldn’t even touch a hair on his head, feeling increasingly alarmed and struggling to cope. Eventually, unable to withstand his attacks, her sword was knocked away, and she staggered back several steps before regaining her balance.

Clutching her numbed wrist, she glared at him and asked in a deep voice, “Who are you? Why are you interfering with my plans?”

Jiang Chu Ting held his sword in his right hand, the tip pointing diagonally to the ground. The powerful sword aura made the blade hum, and the cold moonlight enveloped his tall figure like frost and snow. Lin Zhi, standing at the door, watched his back and the ends of his hair fluttering in the evening breeze, feeling an inexplicable heat rising in his chest, causing him to unconsciously step closer.

“Just a nobody, not worth mentioning,” Jiang Chu Ting paused, looking at her, “Your internal strength seems strong but is flawed. Did you start practicing martial arts too late and use pills to boost your training?”

The woman was surprised he noticed, her eyes showing a hint of shock, and she replied coldly, “What’s it to you?”

Jiang Chu Ting said, “Practicing evil arts damages the body, and using pills to enhance internal strength only makes it worse. Risking your life to personally kill the people in the Huang residence, what deep-seated hatred drives you?”

Realizing she couldn’t continue her revenge with him present, the woman felt agitated, her eyes bloodshot, and she suddenly became emotional, shouting at Jiang Chu Ting, “Stop pretending to be a righteous gentleman! Do you know what their family did to me?! They ruined my life! If you haven’t experienced it, how can you understand my pain? What right do you have to question and stop me?! I want them dead, all of them!! If you stop me, you should die too!”

Standing beside Jiang Chu Ting, Lin Zhi was angered by her disrespectful words and sarcastically retorted, “We don’t know what their family did to you or how they harmed you, which is why we’re asking. Can’t you understand human speech instead of wallowing in self-pity? Who knows if you’re just making it up? And he’s not pretending to be a righteous gentleman; he is one. Watch your words.”

Jiang Chu Ting was relatively gentle, but his calm words carried a sharpness, “Even in the martial world, seeking revenge requires reason and evidence, cause and effect. If the person inside is truly guilty, I won’t stop you. But if you’re indiscriminately killing the innocent, as long as I’m here, you’ll never get past this door behind me.”

Her hatred was too intense, yet Mr. Huang clearly said they hadn’t harmed anyone. Was she truly wronged, or was Mr. Huang lying?

The woman glared at him, took a trembling breath, and sneered, “Fine, you want to know, I’ll let you know. If after hearing it, you still won’t let me in to kill, then you’re just like them!”

Jiang Chu Ting flipped his wrist, smoothly sheathing his sword, “Please, go ahead.”

At this moment, a voice from behind said, “Alright! I want to hear how our Huang family, my two brothers, harmed you!”

Huang Yu had come out, his face cold and stern. He quickly descended the steps, forcefully flicking his sleeve as he stood on Jiang Chu Ting’s other side, gritting his teeth, “At this moment, why don’t you take off your mask and let me see what kind of demon you are!”

The woman coldly chuckled, “When I left the Huang family, you were still in your mother’s womb. Even if I take it off, you won’t recognize me. But you can invite your father, Huang Zhao, to have a chat.”

Jiang Chu Ting frowned at her words, “So, you’ve never met Huang Yu, and there’s no grudge?”

Feeling her hatred denied, the woman’s eyes showed madness, and she immediately said, “Who says there’s no grudge?! None of them can escape! Huang Jiao and that old woman ruined my life, Zhou Qingqing made me lose my daughter, Huang Jiao and that old woman died cleanly, Zhou Qingqing didn’t even last until I could take revenge and died too.” She sneered, looking at Huang Yu, “Now it’s her son’s and husband’s turn.”

Huang Jiao was Huang Yu’s second uncle’s name, and Zhou Qingqing was Huang Yu’s mother’s name. Hearing her mention the old woman, Huang Yu immediately realized, shocked, “You, are you Yin Ziqiu!?”

“That’s right, I am.” Yin Ziqiu tore off her mask. She should be under forty, her face pale with a hint of blue, her lips a bit dark, but her features suggested she was a beauty in her youth. She revealed a twisted smile, “So, you know me. I thought your father and mother never mentioned me.”

Jiang Chu Ting and Lin Zhi both looked at him. Lin Zhi asked, “What’s her relationship with your Huang family?”

Huang Yu didn’t answer. His emotions surged, his face turning almost purple, eyes wide, lips trembling, pointing a shaking finger at Yin Ziqiu, “You, you killed my two brothers! You have such a cruel heart! Do you know my mother…” He clutched his chest, too pained to speak, trembling all over, nearly fainting. Jiang Chu Ting, having never seen him like this, slightly raised his hand to support his swaying body.

Yin Ziqiu shouted harshly, “So what if I killed them! She betrayed my trust, making me lose my daughter forever! So I won’t spare her children either! She should still be alive to feel the pain of losing her own flesh and blood!”

Yin Ziqiu’s pain originated from Huang Yu’s second uncle, the second young master of the Huang family, Huang Jiao.

Twenty years ago, Yin Ziqiu was an orphan performing with a traveling troupe. While performing in Jian’an, she caught the eye of Huang Jiao, who bought her freedom and kept her outside the Huang residence. Huang Jiao was charming and knew how to please women. Yin Ziqiu, with her naive heart, truly believed this man loved her and would marry her, pouring all her affection into him.

But Huang Jiao had no such intentions. Her low status meant she was just a plaything to be kept outside. When Yin Ziqiu became pregnant, she anxiously brought up marriage, but Huang Jiao told her that the custom in Jian’an was that only a son could bring her into the family. Yin Ziqiu discreetly inquired and found it to be true, so she had no choice but to wait for the child to be born. However, she gave birth to a daughter.

The old lady of the Huang family, having endured many trials to marry into the family, had a malicious heart. She believed that others should suffer the same hardships she did. So, when Huang Jiao mentioned it, she ordered him to smother the newborn and dispose of her. This suited Huang Jiao, who never intended to have a child with Yin Ziqiu. He had only made empty promises to placate her. Even if she had a son, he would only keep the child, not marry her or elevate her status.

When he ordered the child to be harmed, Yin Ziqiu discovered it. Shocked, she fought desperately to protect her child. Huang Jiao revealed his true nature, coldly telling her to hand over the child or leave.

Panicked and frightened, Yin Ziqiu fled with her child. But having just given birth, she was weak, and the child was too young. She couldn’t earn money, and after days of begging, her health failed, and the child fell ill. Returning to her previous residence, she was denied entry and couldn’t find Huang Jiao’s people.

Desperate, she was saved by Zhou Qingqing, who was still pregnant. Zhou Qingqing, not knowing Yin Ziqiu, only saw her and the child as pitiful and took them into the residence for care.

Zhou Qingqing didn’t know Yin Ziqiu, but when Yin Ziqiu was brought to the Huang residence, she was shocked to realize it was Huang Jiao’s home.

Zhou Qingqing happened to be the eldest daughter-in-law of the Huang family.

Yin Ziqiu, both hopeful and fearful, hoped to win back Huang Jiao’s heart but feared he would still harm her daughter. She decided to wait until her child’s illness was cured, believing the kind-hearted Zhou Qingqing might help her. Clinging to this hope, she stayed in Zhou Qingqing’s courtyard for about ten days. Zhou Qingqing, fond of children, took good care of her daughter, and Yin Ziqiu encouraged their interaction, even asking Zhou Qingqing to name her daughter.

During her stay, Yin Ziqiu learned about Zhou Qingqing’s life with the eldest son, Huang Zhao. Despite Jian’an’s custom of marrying after pregnancy, Huang Zhao insisted on marrying Zhou Qingqing properly before having children. She bore him two sons and served her mother-in-law well. The old lady, despite her critical nature, couldn’t find fault with her. Zhou Qingqing endured occasional scoldings silently, living a relatively peaceful life.

Grateful yet envious of Zhou Qingqing, Yin Ziqiu fantasized about marrying into the Huang family, returning to Huang Jiao, and enjoying a life of wealth and status.

Having suffered once, Yin Ziqiu hadn’t learned her lesson, still believing there was hope with Huang Jiao. After all, the child was his flesh and blood. Surely, he would accept them, especially with someone to plead on her behalf.

With hope in her heart, she was distracted, listening for news in the residence. Finally, she heard servants gossiping about the second young master’s return. Without thinking, she rushed to the front courtyard to find him, only to be caught by the stern-faced old lady.