Chapter Four: Crying Blood from the Winter Plum Chapter Twenty-Four: The Mysterious Symbol

“You are truly thoughtful, Master!” As soon as Zhang Huai left, Jade Ice rose and approached the painting, her admiration for Master Xu deepening.

“He is the Crown Prince. If he learns too much, it will only put him in greater danger,” Master Xu replied, rising from his chair and joining Jade Ice in studying the strange painting before them.

“Where did this painting come from?” she asked.

“It was hanging in Liang’er’s study.”

“Why did you summon me? I am but a woman, with no authority.”

“Someone told me to.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Jade Ice turned to him in surprise. Someone had informed him, yet he did not know who? Was there anything more bizarre?

“I truly don’t know. However…” Master Xu drew a narrow slip of paper from his breast and handed it to her.

“To solve the case, seek Jade Ice!” The note contained nothing else.

“When did you receive this?”

“The day before the Crown Prince arrived.”

“Did you not investigate the origin of the paper? Whose handwriting? Where the ink was made? What purpose?” Jade Ice sniffed the note, catching a faint scent of plum blossoms. “Why does it smell of plum?”

“Plum blossoms? Could it be referring to that case?” Master Xu shuddered. No wonder he had found nothing—the case was not about Liang’er!

“What case?” Jade Ice was intrigued. What case could baffle such a high-ranking official?

“The Bleeding Plum of the Chang Residence, eight years ago.”

“What? Eight years ago? Are you certain?” Jade Ice could no longer remain calm. Everything happening now stemmed from eight years past. If the mystery was not unraveled, who knew how many lives would be lost?

“I am certain. It happened around the time of the rains.” As Master Xu recounted, Jade Ice finally understood what transpired in the Chang Residence all those years ago.

When he finished, Master Xu lamented, “I came in haste and did not bring the case files from eight years ago! Besides, when I first saw the Crown Prince, I thought the note referred to the Ye family’s case. I never considered anything else!”

“You can’t be blamed; it was all too coincidental,” Jade Ice consoled him.

“So it was,” Master Xu echoed. After a moment, he asked, “Well? Can you discern anything from this painting?”

“Not at present. If I had paid closer attention to the painting found in Qinghe Town, perhaps I might have noticed something. With only this one, I’m afraid I cannot.” Jade Ice examined every intersecting detail of the painting, searching for clues.

Yet, she could find nothing.

“This is neither writing nor a painting. What is its intended meaning?” Master Xu was equally perplexed.

“Perhaps, once the case you mentioned is solved, the two paintings can be joined and the truth revealed,” Jade Ice guessed boldly.

“You mean, another painting like this will appear once the case is cracked?” Master Xu asked in astonishment.

“Most likely. We’ll know when we find it.” Jade Ice wasn’t certain, but since both events related to the mysterious master had left behind such paintings, it was a clue, even if she didn’t know what they might represent separately or together.

Moreover, it was the only clue linking events from eight years ago.

She had to seize it, even if it proved worthless in the end—at least she would have no regrets.

“So, you agree to go to the Central Prefecture’s magistrate’s office?” Master Xu asked again.

“Someone has issued a challenge. If I don’t go, wouldn’t it be too dull for him?” Jade Ice didn’t answer directly, but gathered up the strange painting and prepared to leave. “Oh! Remember to notify me when we depart.”

“This young lady has a strong character. I only hope the Crown Prince doesn’t meddle at the appointed time,” Master Xu sighed, shaking his head as he left the ancestral hall alone.

A few days later, Master Xu sent word that they would depart the next day.

On the morning of departure, everyone rose early, washed, and prepared for the journey.

“Jade Ice, ride with me today,” Zhang Huai waited at the door, inviting her gently as she came out with her bundle.

“Your humble servant greets the Crown Prince,” Jade Ice curtsied gracefully.

“Rise, rise!” Zhang Huai hurriedly helped her up, puzzled by her recent behavior.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” she bowed again, then returned to her usual demeanor.

“I’ve told you, no need for such formality!” Zhang Huai reminded her, continuing, “What about my suggestion? Shall we ride together?”

“No, thank you, Your Highness. There are distinctions between ranks, and besides, I asked Master Xu to prepare a carriage yesterday. Thank you for your kindness!” Jade Ice politely declined, heading downstairs first.

“I’ve said you can still call me Brother Zhang! The way you address me now feels so distant,” Zhang Huai caught up, tugging at her sleeve.

“Don’t, if Master Xu sees us, it won’t be good,” Jade Ice protested. The advice Master Xu gave seemed ineffective—he had avoided her the other day after too much courtesy, so what was happening now?

“That old stick-in-the-mud, pay him no mind!” Zhang Huai held her hand tightly, feeling the distance between them and fearing he might lose her.

“You know he’s stubborn. If he sees this, he’ll make a fuss, and that won’t be good!” Jade Ice was happy to use Master Xu as an excuse to divert the conversation.

“What does that matter? At worst…” He was interrupted by the inn’s servant rushing over.

“Are you Young Master Zhang and Miss Jade Ice? Master Xu sent me to ask if you are ready. It’s time to leave!”

Zhang Huai’s expression was priceless! Jade Ice was glad it wasn’t Master Xu himself; otherwise, she worried Zhang Huai might have devoured him alive. Even knowing the servant was only delivering a message, his fierce expression terrified the innocent lad.

Throughout the journey, the scenery was beautiful, and they enjoyed themselves, roaming mountains and rivers. The case was urgent, but after eight years, a day or two more made little difference; thus, neither spoke of it. Master Xu, fulfilling his host’s duty, took Zhang Huai sightseeing, hoping to persuade him to stay. Success seemed imminent, but then, unexpected events occurred.

That night, they rested beneath a locust tree. Near midnight, everyone slept deeply.

Suddenly, sharp sword energy slashed through the air...

“Master Xu, look out!” Jade Ice, sleeping beside him, reacted first, pushing him away from the attack. With a flick of her wrist, a flash of light shot toward the nearest assailant. As it struck, the attacker collapsed, dead beyond doubt!

“Well done!” Seeing both safe, General Zhu drew his sword and fought the black-clad attackers approaching him.

“Jade Ice, splendid!” Zhang Huai spun his folding fan, cutting down one enemy after another. A smile lingered on his lips. He had always believed her silver needles were for healing, her medical skill unparalleled—he never expected her to be equally ruthless in killing, her technique with hidden weapons extraordinary.

The clash of weapons woke everyone.

“What’s happening?” Master Xu, slow to realize, saw soldiers brandishing their weapons, nervously protecting him. He turned to Jade Ice in confusion.

“Assassins tried to kill you just now!” Jade Ice was equally puzzled—the attackers seemed vaguely familiar. Did Master Xu harbor other secrets?

“Assassins?” Master Xu stared blankly at the battlefield. He had no secrets, no ill-gotten gains—why target him?

His bewilderment seemed genuine. Jade Ice recalled the sleeping arrangement—her bed was closest to Master Xu.

Could it be...? The assassins’ true target was herself, and he was merely caught in the crossfire?

Suddenly, she felt as if something bloodthirsty had fixed its gaze on her. Jade Ice’s heart raced; she closed her eyes, sensing her surroundings. Abruptly, she opened them, flicked her wrist, and a silver streak shot toward the tree canopy above.

A faint sound came from the leaves, and a silver needle, pierced through a blood-red insect, fell to the ground, instantly crushed to pulp.

A strong scent of blood filled the air.

She pulled Master Xu back, clearing a space nearly thirty feet wide. Staring at the treetop hidden by starlight, Jade Ice called out, “One Saint, Two Deities, Seven Dragon Warriors, Ten Heaven Destroyers, Twelve Star Fiends! May I ask—where does your rank lie?”

A seductive, familiar female voice replied, “You do know a lot. Why didn’t I realize that before?” Under the moonlight, a mesmerizing figure floated down amidst swirling leaves.

“Su Liuyun?!” Zhang Huai, having just approached, exchanged a glance with Jade Ice; both saw the same incredible answer in each other’s eyes.

“Oh! So you remember me. Not bad!” Su Liuyun landed gracefully, eyeing Jade Ice with a provocative smile. “It’s only been a few months, and you seem smarter!”

“It’s only been three months, and you’ve become uglier!” Jade Ice retorted without hesitation.

“Moon Fox, the master didn’t send you here to reminisce with old friends!” Suddenly, an angry male voice sounded from beneath the tree—familiar to everyone. “Have you forgotten your mission?”

“Kishui Leopard! My affairs are none of your concern! Don’t forget—if your lust hadn’t ruined the master’s plans, would he have sent me to clean up after you?” Su Liuyun was furious at his words.