Vol 8 Chapter 77 (2/2)

Just as I was preoccupied with my thoughts, the main door suddenly opened up. I was thoroughly shocked while Yun Chang stepped forward instantly and uncovered her Green Dragon Crescent Blade which she slashed down at the door. In an instant, the door split in half and fell down with 2 deep, loud thuds, sending cobwebs and dust flying about.

“Ah… Ah! Yun Chang, how could you destroy other peoples’ doors!” This was the first thing that came to mind when I recovered.

Compared to the frantic me, Yun Chang was stern and serious, “This mansion seems far too dilapidated and sinister. They should have answered when you knocked before but they didn’t. Now, they have chosen to open the door in silence. Be it human or ghost, I don’t believe the one behind the door has good intentions.”

“I… I see.”

That does seem to make sense, but is this or is this not Liu Qi’s–

“I’m really sorry for being slow and quiet.”

Eh? Just then, a familiar voice came from the other side of the dust cloud.

“Report your name immediately!”

“Wait, Yun Chang.” I hurriedly stopped Yun Chang who’d deemed this mansion as hostile grounds and squinted at the person on the other side as I tried to recall where the voice was coming from.

And just then, I was able spot her clothes and the characteristic Tao symbol on her long gown.

“Ah! Is it Yi Ji?”

“Eh? Lord Yi Ji?”

The moment I realised who it was, I called out to her. Yun Chang was rather surprised and hurriedly retracted her weapon and firmly planted it into the ground.

By this time, the dust had settled and it was clear that I was right.

“Imperial Uncle, we meet again.”

I was right, it was the slightly weird and quiet Yi Ji,

“Ah, un. We haven’t met since the banquet.” I hurriedly replied and lowered my head before looking about and continued in a much softer voice, “By the way, is this really Liu Qi’s residence?”

“It is, the young mistress practices martial arts and live shere.” Yi Ji said and smiled, “May I ask if there is any problem?”

“No, no problem at all.”

“Yes… It’s alright, just a little weird I guess.”

Yun Chang and I hurriedly responded. Yun Chang’s reply though was a little more honest than mine, though it was still miles away from what we really thought. It was also clear that Yi Ji knew what we were thinking about when she asked us if there was any problem, and that we wouldn’t be able to say what we were thinking anyway.

As I thought so, I lowered my head and looked at the door which had been split in half, “Ah… Yi Ji, I’m really sorry about this.”

“No, it’s fine. The young mistress has been meaning to change it anyway.” Yi Ji said as she shook her head, “By the way, you both are here today for…”

“Ah, this is…”

Yi Ji looked at me, and then at Yun Chang. I was still in a daze and didn’t know what to say and could only stammer as I looked inside.

“Un? Is Liu Qi not in today?”

I just realised that there were no sounds coming from the mansion at all. Additionally, Liu Qi should have come to receive me by now as well.

“The young mistress and Wen Ping are with Xiangyang city’s garrison.” Yi Ji said, “The young mistress requested our lord to appoint her as an officer within the garrison so she can serve the city.”

“Ah, un, so that’s why…”

As I listened to Yi Ji, all my carefully scripted lines I’d been practising all flew out of my mind.

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