Chapter 3 The Truth
Another day passed, and the officers' search became more intense.

Even Xiao Yan was hidden in the secret room and could no longer see the snow scene outside at will.

During this period, the lady came once and gave him some homemade cakes, telling him not to panic and that she would let him go after the storm died down.

Xiao Yan had no objection. He would feel embarrassed to eat and drink so well here.

At night, although it was already midnight, the underground secret room was too dark, so candles were still lit.

Under the aperture, Xiao Yan, who was sitting at the table, turned around with the book with the page turned and looked towards the door in surprise.

Ji Ruxue was holding an oil lamp and looking at him with a cold expression.

"Miss Ji, this is..."

"Are you really losing your memory?"

Xiao Yan was somewhat puzzled and frowned, "Why should I lie to you?"

Ji Ruxue walked over with a cold face, took out a portrait from her arms and slapped it on the table.

Xiao Yanxu covered his eyes, picked it up, and looked at it carefully in the candlelight.

The painting shows a handsome young man of about fifteen or sixteen years old, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. The painting is very good.

Ji Ruxue glanced at his profile, carefully observing his expression, and said solemnly: "But as far as we know, your surname should be Li, not Xiao!"

But the latter showed no strange expression, instead he chuckled.

Then, she heard Xiao Yan say, "I have to thank Miss Ji very much. If it weren't for this painting, I wouldn't know what I look like now."

Ji Ruxue was a little suspicious.

Could it be that what he said was true?

Sitting back on the wooden chair, Xiao Yan picked up the scroll and said, "Whether the lady believes it or not, my name is indeed Xiao Yan."

The girl frowned and looked into his eyes carefully, but she only saw calmness.

She hesitated for a moment, folded the portrait again and put it in her arms, then walked out reluctantly.

But immediately, she gritted her teeth, suddenly stopped, and looked back at Xiao Yan.

"I have sent everyone outside away. You and I are the only ones left here."

She met his eyes and said word by word, "You can rest assured to tell me the truth, and I will tell you what you want to know."

"Miss Ji, do you want to make a deal?"

"Yes."

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, put the book down, looked at the determined look on the girl opposite him, and said, "I don't want to know anything, I just want to ask Miss Ji for one thing. If you agree, I will do it without reservation."

"You said we could discuss it."

"I want to go out." Xiao Yan looked into Ji Ruxue's eyes calmly and said, "I know you have put me under house arrest. I want Miss Ji to take me out secretly."

"Absolutely impossible!"

The latter rejected it outright, and then said solemnly: "When the dust settles, we will take you away from here."

"I am afraid that by then, I will truly become a bird in your cage."

"..."

"I went out just to verify whether what I knew was the final truth."

"the truth?"

Ji Ruxue's ears twitched, but Xiao Yan had already stopped talking and said no more.

She felt a little alert and asked, "What do you know?"

But Xiao Yan just sat there and didn't reply to her.

In the secret room, the silent silence lasted for a long time. The candle flickered slightly, making a slight burning sound.

Ji Ruxue bit her lower lip until it turned white, and finally said, "Okay! I promise you... but after that, you must come back with me!"

"nature."

Xiao Yan spread out his clean palms and chuckled:
"And given Miss Ji's ability, are you afraid that I can escape from you?"

----

In the silence of the night, Miao Chengtian gently put the lampshade on the candlestick, then turned around and pushed open the wooden window, allowing the wind and snow outside to whistle inside, and just looked down at the city shrouded in night fog without changing his expression.

The maid who rushed in from outside was surprised, but she just bowed and said, "Reporting to the Madam, Ji Ruxue has indeed secretly left through the secret passage with her people."

"When did you leave?"

"Yin hour three quarters."

"Okay, let the sisters below act according to the plan. Remember, don't reveal your tracks unless it is absolutely necessary."

"Follow the order."

The maid respectfully withdrew, and Xuan Jingtian, who was carrying a bow and arrows, stood up and said, "It's just as you expected, sister. There's something wrong with that boy."

Miao Chengtian shook his head. "In fact, Ji Ruxue thinks too highly of the sisters. If you and I were to negotiate with Xiao Yan, I'm afraid it wouldn't be so effective."

Xuan Jingtian hid a blade in his sleeve and said, "Don't worry, sister. I will not only bring Miss Xue'er back to you safely, but I will also dig out the truth behind the scene!"

Having said that, she strode away.

Miao Chengtian looked at the abyss-like night, frowned, and said softly:

"Just hope that everything will be fulfilled."

----

----

The cold wind was like a blade, carrying the snow particles all over the sky and drilling straight into my neck. The heavy snow in the fog blurred my eyes. Even in my ears, it seemed that only the whistling sound was left.

After coming out of the secret passage in Zuiyin Tower, this was the scene all the way.

Ji Ruxue walked in front holding a sword, the cold wind blowing the fur on her collar to keep her warm. Looking from behind, her figure seemed quite slim.

Xiao Yan, wearing a hooded robe, followed behind. When he was about to leave the alley, the girl in front of him suddenly raised her hand to stop him.

He raised his eyes and saw the tip of the girl's ear moved slightly, and then she whispered vigilantly: "Go this way."

When he followed him out, he really didn't see any movement. There was only a broken bamboo basket that was blown by the wind and rolled in the snow from time to time.

Although everyone was exhausted and the horses were exhausted at this time, Ji Ruxue did not neglect to be vigilant.

The two men's boots made slight crunching sounds as they stepped on the snow. Although they had no means of illumination, the girl's sense of direction seemed to be extremely strong, and she moved forward without any hesitation.

At the end, she slowed down a little, walked side by side with Xiao Yan, and asked in a low voice: "Are we really going to Gusheng Hall?"

"That's right. My grandfather is there."

Ji Ruxue tilted her head to glance at the latter, only to see that his face was hidden in the hood and she couldn't see his expression clearly.

But at this moment, he suddenly turned around and said softly: "Trust me."

Ji Ruxue was startled, subconsciously retracted her gaze, and replied coldly: "I didn't say I don't believe you."

Xiao Yan looked at her figure returning to the front again and his brows furrowed.

He inherited the memories of his original youth, so he was also affected by his original emotions.

Moreover, this world is too complicated. He can feel that there are many things that his original body has not come into contact with. If he wants to break through, he needs to start with others.

"Grandpa..."

He uttered such a soft sound, but it was immediately blown away by the wind and snow.

The two figures were gradually hidden in the fog, and their footprints were also slowly covered by the heavy snow.

……

Outside the Gusheng Hall, a banner with the word "Medicine" written on it kept swaying in the snow, making a rustling sound.

The two watched from a distance and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Climb over the wall." Ji Ruxue immediately came up with an idea and wanted to go into the alley.

"Wait," Xiao Yan immediately pulled her back, glanced around outside, and said, "Go through the main door and knock on it."

Ji Ruxue frowned and pulled her arm out of his hand, "What do you mean?"

"I'm worried that there are secret guards around here. Climbing over the wall will arouse suspicion. It will be better to go through the main entrance to ask for medicine."

"Can……"

Xiao Yan had already lowered his body, and said without question: "You come here to pretend to be a patient, even if there are secret sentries, their attention will be focused on you first."

Ji Ruxue felt resistance in her heart and wanted to find another way, but seeing him urging her, she could only bite her lip and gently lie on Xiao Yan's back.

Although the girl was light, Xiao Yan was still a little surprised by the sudden weakness from behind. He hid his sword under his robe and walked towards Gushengtang.

Ji Ruxue quickly glanced around and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that there was no one around.

She was worried that the hood would block Xiao Yan's vision, so she reminded him in a low voice.

"I didn't see any officers, so I'm safe for now."

"Ah."

Xiao Yan knocked on the doorknob soon, but there was no movement from inside, so he knocked again.

This time there were dissatisfied shouts and curses coming from inside, and then the sound of someone walking out in slippers was heard.

Soon, with a creaking sound, an angry face appeared along with the light.

"Who is it? What's the matter that can't wait until dawn?"

"Don't blame me, old man. My sister's condition is really serious. She just vomited blood and couldn't stop. That's why I had to brave the snow late at night to ask Dr. Lin for medicine."

The old man at the door was still dissatisfied, especially when he saw that there were only two young men. He opened his mouth and wanted to scold them: "Don't you see what time it is? And haven't you heard that the miracle doctor has been ill these two days? You..."

But his voice soon stopped, because something came out from under the young man's robe and gently pressed against his abdomen.

Xiao Yan's eyes sparkled under his hood, and he gently advised: "Old sir, my sister's illness is indeed very urgent."

The sharp object in front of his abdomen immediately reminded the doorman of his duties. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He nodded subconsciously and welcomed the two men in.

Ji Ruxue got off Xiao Yan's back and locked the door.

The concierge was dumbfounded and kept smiling at the two of them: "My dear, my dear, do you have any misunderstandings?..."

Xiao Yan asked in a deep voice: "How many people are there in the clinic now?"

"Including me, there are only four of us."

"I remember there was a middle-aged man in the hall some time ago. Where is he now?"

"My dear, are you talking about the Xiao family?"

The wrinkles on the doorman's face were piled up with fear. He was shivering all over and said with a sad face: "I don't know. He went to the palace with Dalang a few days ago and never came back."

Throwing the sword to Ji Ruxue, Xiao Yan took off his hood and grabbed the doorman's collar with a slightly angry look.

"How could he not come back!?"

The doorman saw his face clearly and was stunned for a moment. A name lingered on his lips, but he couldn't call it out.

Ji Ruxue watched coldly from the side. She didn't expect that Xiao Yan, who had been so kind to others in the past few days, would behave like this.

Moreover, judging from his appearance, he doesn't seem to have any signs of amnesia.

An indigo light flashed across Xiao Yan's eyes, calming him down and loosening the doorman's collar.

"Lead the way, and go find your Dalang."

The concierge, shivering, led the way.

Ji Ruxue tapped her thumb lightly on the hilt of the sword and followed the two men, thinking that if the old man was not honest, she could kill him with one sword.

And if Xiao Yan makes any unusual movement, she will be able to capture him immediately.

……

After passing the pharmacy, go through the hanging flower gate and walk through a short corridor, you will arrive outside a row of side rooms.

"Knock on the door."

The old man at the door turned around and looked at Xiao Yan pleadingly, but the latter remained unmoved.

The old man had no choice but to knock on the door a few times and called out, "Da Lang, there's an emergency patient outside, do you want to go and see him? Ah Lang is not in good health..."

But there was no movement inside for a long time.

The old man was a little worried and wanted to knock again, but Xiao Yan pushed him aside and looked towards the main room with squinted eyes.

He turned around and said to Ji Ruxue, "Break open the door of the main room."

The latter ignored him and drew his sword instantly. He took a step forward and with a flash of cold light, the wooden bolt of the door broke into two pieces.

Carrying the old man, Xiao Yan pushed the door open and walked in.

Beside the bed, a figure was sitting leisurely, blending into the shadows.

Picking up the oil lamp in the old man's hand, Xiao Yan sneered: "Brother, we meet again."

At the same time, the figure said with a smile: "Brother Yan, you have been waiting for a long time."

After hearing the noise, the concierge couldn't help but ask in surprise: "Da Lang? Why are you in A Lang's room?"

"The old man can't hold on any longer, so I will naturally take over this main house."

The man called "Da Lang" stood up from the bedside, ignoring the panicked look of the old man at the gate, and said to Xiao Yan with a smile: "Knowing that you are not dead, I expected you to come back, and I have been waiting for two nights."

Ji Ruxue frowned slightly, stood beside Xiao Yan with a sword in hand, and whispered, "Who is he?"

"Lin Xiuzhi." The latter spoke briefly and asked the man, "Where is my grandfather?"

"Oh, you mean Uncle Xiao? He came back before you and asked me to help find you. I was afraid he would cause trouble, so I sent him to see the late emperor."

Lin Xiuzhi slowly emerged from the shadows, revealing his slightly pale and very gentle face.

He watched Xiao Yan's expression change with interest, and smiled slowly: "Uncle Xiao did not doubt me at all, and drank my poison in one gulp. Otherwise, I would not have been able to capture him. Unfortunately, I wanted to capture him alive, but he insisted on seeking death."

"Did you kill him?"

"nature."

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression turn extremely ugly, Lin Xiuzhi grinned and laughed gently: "Otherwise, with Uncle Xiao's strength, how can I ..."

But before he could finish his words, a ball of light flew out from Xiao Yan's hand and appeared in front of Lin Xiuzhi in the blink of an eye.

The latter was stunned for a moment, but when he dodged to the side it was too late. The oil lamp brushed past his hair and crashed into the bed behind him.

But in the blink of an eye, the fire started.

Lin Xiuzhi's face turned pale, and he immediately touched his hair in panic, but he heard a cracking sound coming from the other side.

He looked up in horror and saw Xiao Yan kicking the table leg next to his feet and breaking it, causing it to rush towards his throat.

Alarm bells rang in his heart, so he no longer hesitated. He waved his sleeve at the few people, and a cloud of black mist instantly covered the room, obscuring everyone's vision.

Ji Ruxue was shocked and wanted to pull Xiao Yan back, but the latter had already leaped into the black fog.

"'Sword Intent' activated."

"The target has been locked, the target kill rate is 100%, and it can be killed instantly... The target has been detected to have escaped, and has been re-locked."

Mechanical sounds continued to ring in his head. Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with indigo blue light. He glanced over and saw a piece of bloody cloth stuck in the wooden table leg on the wall, dangling in the firelight.

In the middle of the bed, there was a dark hole that led straight down, and its bottom was unknown.

He jumped down without even looking.

Behind, Ji Ruxue saw Xiao Yan's figure disappear, and her steps that had already retreated to the door suddenly stopped. She was very anxious, and instantly tore off a piece of clothes to wrap her nose and mouth, and rushed in with her eyes closed.

On the way here, Xiao Yan never said the truth he wanted, which was to take revenge!
As the fire grew, the old concierge, who had no martial arts skills, staggered out while covering his bleeding mouth, but he stumbled on the stone steps and fell down.

After a long time, the blood flowed all over the snow, dyeing it red.

(End of this chapter)