I Demand an Explanation
As Elder Brilliant Broadsworder didn’t attack Fiends’ Genesis’ waters, Mount Lu became exponentially more suspicious.
Boss invested an immense amount of time and effort into finding out the truth, so she couldn’t stop herself from tugging up a corner of her lips. “Hence, I’m guessing the culpr-”
“I still think there’s something missing.” Only once I blurted what I had on my mind did I realise I just cut Boss off again.
“What’s… your opinion?”
I felt as though my hunter was staring at me. When Boss subconsciously touched herself, I recognised I was seconds away from clashing with the inkstone again.
“I’m just puzzled.”
“About what?”
“Well, even if Elder Brilliant Broadsword didn’t go to Fiends’ Genesis’ base, why would Wordless Sword Deity allow a junior of his to pose as Elder Brilliant Broadsworder? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial for Mount Lu’s reputation if Wordless Sword Deity crushed Fiends’ Genesis on his own?”
Boss looked somewhat annoyed that her logic was flawed. “… Only catching the important parts…”
“?”
Boss cleared her throat as she covered her rosy cheeks. “I had considered that point, and it’s the reason I said it’s very likely. At the end of the day, we’re just making conjectures. We lack evidence to verify our theories, which limits how much we can deduce and extrapolate. Shifu Shisan only got so far when he was still in office, so there isn’t much in his notebook.”
“Yan Shisan kept a notebook, as well?”
“Hmm? Of course. Principal Huang requested his aid in investigating the case, remember? You want to have a read?”
When it came to detective work, Yan Shisan was second to none in my experience. Maybe my three shiniangs were as good as he was at catching my shifu cheating, but they could never peel back layers upon layers of mystery and catch criminals tucked away almost in the depths of obscurity. Thus, it was worth taking a look at his notes.
I took the book Boss passed me.
First line: Seven Champion White Princes – suspicious.
Okay, a useless note.
Second line: stronger ones – even more suspicious.
Even more useless!
This just adds to the possibilities! What happened to promising Uncle Huang to investigate the case?! You left no stones unturned to catch me, yet you slack when it’s real work?!
I was about to scrunch the book up when Boss snatched it back.
“You want another beating?!” Boss dusted her treasured notebook and then stashed it away. “You’re the one who wanted to take a look. Even though it’s just two lines, they’re important bits of information to consider.”
If that’s considered important, I have thirty thousand more for you!
Boss pouted. “This is all I dug up after pulling an all-nighter. If you’re not happy with it, investigate it yourself.”
I smiled. “I have not a single complaint. There are just some things that I can’t wrap my head around yet. Uncle Huang entrusted this case to the two of us; I can’t let you tackle it all on your own. I haven’t contributed at all. You’ve been the one who’s had to suffer.”
“I’ve had to suffer? Do you truly feel that way?” Boss had her eyes narrowed, refusing to miss any subtle changes in my body language.
“Y-yeah, why?”
“I get the feeling you’re withholding things from me today.”
I took a step back when Boss took a step forward. She narrowed her eyes even more and said, “And, recently, you’ve…” Boss glanced in Tang Ye’s direction, but she looked at him with a firm gaze this time.
I followed suit, casting my gaze over to Tang Ye, signalling, “Help me out here!”
“I… I’m going to discuss our strategy for tomorrow with Xiao Han. You two take your time,” said Tang Ye.
Boss bobbed her head. “Remember to shut the door on the way out.”
Me: Why are you running?! Weren’t you getting by just fine under the radar?!
As soon as Tang Ye shut the door, I was sent airborne and restrained in the eight-immortals chair.
“You’ve been acting weird lately!”
“Please show mercy! I will never cut you off again!”
Boss’ arm strength had increased dramatically since the last time; she couldn’t lift me up with just one arm last time to beat me.
“That’s not my issue.” Boss leaned her face in close to mine so that she didn’t miss even the most minute changes. “Are you hiding something from me again?”
“Huh?”
“Hmm?” Boss stared straight into my eyes.
“N-no.”
“So that’s a yes! Speak!”
Due to Boss’ intimidation, I accidentally let it slip that I took kickback from Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor’s deal. To nobody’s surprise, she was livid.
“I just wanted that little bit. Besides, Her Highness was overjoyed to receive that small sum. I haven’t finished the task yet, so I haven’t done anything corrupt yet. Boss, think about it: am I that sort of person? For your sake and for Liu Shan Men’s reputation, I would never do something like that – at least not conspicuously.”
… Although I was going to say that half of it had been given to Fuma Jingan, in which case, I’d still be able to talk my way out of it if His Majesty asked even if Zuo Suniang dobbed me in. That wouldn’t stain Liu Shan Men’s reputation, right?
“Boss, I admit I’m in the wrong for taking kickbacks, but I haven’t actually received it yet. Please spare me on account of that.”
“Uhm.” Boss nodded to my surprise. “But that’s not what I was asking about.”
… What?! That’s all I’ve been hiding from you, though! What were you talking about, then?!
“Can we press reset and pretend I ever mentioned anything?”
“Sure… in your dreams! You dobbed yourself in. I see you’ve matured, huh? You’ve learnt the corrupt ways, huh?”
“No, no, it’s not something I just learnt.”
“Huh?”
The more I said, the more mistakes I made, so I needed to distract her.
“Wait! Boss, this is all I’m hiding from you. What else were you asking about?”
Boss aerated her cheeks and grabbed me by the collar. “Bold of you to bring it up. Ever since we came back from Hangzhou’s inn, you’ve been acting weird around me.”
… Why are we talking about this again?
Whenever Hangzhou’s inn was mentioned, I could hear the raindrops, smell her fragrance and feel the warmth on my lips again.
I shuffled backwards. “No, I haven’t.”
Boss pulled me forward again. “You’re doing it again! Again! This is what I’m talking about! If you don’t give me an explanation, you’re not leaving!”
Glossary
Eight-immortals chair（八仙椅) – It’s a literal translation since no English one exists. Essentially, it’s a wide wooden chair similar to ladder chairs. Here is a visual reference: http://www.yumu365.com/cantingjiaju/canyi/32.html
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