Hidden Shadow – CH 219

Chapter Two-Hundred-Nineteen: Sister

“Because I want to,” An Jiu said succinctly.

Mei Zhengjing said, “It’s good to have a powerful backer. The Mei family has not fallen yet. Are you sure you will not regret leaving so hastily?”

An Jiu replied without hesitation, “No.”

There was no such thing as a free lunch. Relying on a family meant following its rules and contributing to it. An Jiu could survive on her own; why burden herself with family responsibilities? She did not want any connection with the Mei family.

“Good.” Mei Zhengjing could tell the truth in her words.

He had always been groomed to be the next head of the Mei family, so he knew the secret of the Loyalty and Righteousness Pavilion. Even Mei Tingzhu and the others were unaware of this. Fourteenth Young Lady had only recently returned to Mei Mansion; if it were not for the family head’s dying wish, he would have had no way of knowing.

“Go and get the martial arts manual,” he said to Mei Tingzhu.

Mei Tingzhu glanced at An Jiu, then got up and left. She naturally understood that An Jiu did not want to bear the burden of family responsibilities, but she could not understand how that frail woman could be so confident in surviving alone in the Konghe Army. How could she transform into a peerless master in such a short time? Or perhaps, she found a better place…?

The Plum Blossom Fist was always displayed in the study, not deliberately hidden, firstly because external cultivators were rare these days, and even fewer could infiltrate the Mei Clan; secondly, it was both the most dangerous and the safest place.

The hall was silent, and Mei Tingyuan’s eyes reddened.

She had no real affection for An Jiu, but she could not bear to see the Mei Clan in ruins. Although the Mei Clan was a shadow family, often living in danger, they had a patriarch, elders, and familiar relatives from childhood, naturally providing a sense of belonging.

“Elder Zhi is considered your master. Now that you are in the Konghe Army, do you not plan to pay him a visit?” Mei Zhengjing broke the silence.

An Jiu’s expression remained unchanged. If it were not mentioned, she would have almost forgotten about this person. Back then, her meridians were completely destroyed. Partly due to her own actions, but a larger part was due to Elder Zhi’s stubbornness. It was not hard to imagine that, given Elder Zhi’s obsession with archery, he would not care about her wishes. The result would be the same; it was just a matter of whether she cooperated or not.

In short, the enemy was strong, and she was weak. An Jiu lost without complaint, and her feelings towards that old man, like those towards this incident, were all things of the past.

An Jiu said, “He destroyed my meridians, and teaching me a little something is my payment. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other.”

Mei Zhengjing’s expression changed slightly, a look of surprise appearing on his face for the first time. “Then what happened just now…”

How could someone with completely destroyed meridians remain silent?

An Jiu interrupted him, “The secret of the Loyalty and Righteousness Pavilion, in exchange for Plum Blossom Fist and for my mother and me severing all ties with the Mei family. This deal is a win-win for you.”

“Since I promised you, I will not go back on my word.” Mei Zhengjing did not press further. “If you ever change your mind, the Mei family welcomes you back.”

Always leaving room for maneuver. This was the way the previous head of the Mei family handled things. Mei Zhengjing used to think it was indecisiveness, but now that the Mei family had suffered a major blow, it had not collapsed or been taken advantage of. It was all thanks to the previous head of the family.

An Jiu was somewhat moved, as if a lone boat adrift at sea had finally found a harbor, and she almost could not resist agreeing. However, she pursed her lips slightly, not answering but telling herself in her heart not to look back.

Mei Tingzhu brought in a box and placed it on the table next to An Jiu.

“Take a look,” Mei Zhengjing said.

An Jiu opened the box and saw several worn-out books inside.

Mei Zhengjing explained, “To avoid damaging the original scroll, the clan made three copies. This is one of them; you can take it.”

An Jiu glanced at it and asked, “Is this the complete scroll?”

“Perhaps it is, perhaps it is not.” Mei Zhengjing did not hide anything. “I can promise that if it is not the complete scroll, I will have someone deliver any other contents I find to you.”

An Jiu had read many external martial arts manuals and had a certain ability to identify them. She put away the scroll and took out a piece of jade from her bosom, placing it on the table.

The three people in the room saw it, and their expressions instantly darkened. They all recognized it; it was the item the previous patriarch had worn at his waist. Especially Mei Tingzhu and Mei Tingyuan, who saw it almost every day; seeing the jade was like seeing their father.

“Farewell.” An Jiu got up and left.

Her back was tense, constantly on guard that they would try to take back the Plum Blossom Fist manual if they got the jade pendant. However, no one followed her until she reached the gate.

Inside the hall, Mei Tingyuan rushed over and grabbed the jade, tears streaming down her face, a suppressed sob escaping her throat.

“Ah Yuan,” Mei Tingzhu hugged her, closing her eyes and gently stroking her back.

Mei Tingyuan suddenly burst into tears.

Mei Zhengjing turned his face away, gripping the armrest of his chair tightly.

After Mei Tingyuan finished crying, she remembered to ask, “Sixth Uncle, Fourteenth Young Lady is eager to sever ties with us; why are you still so good to her?”

“She’s not simple,” Mei Zhengjing said, gazing at the bright moonlight outside the door. “She was able to sneak in here silently, without any of us noticing. She’s no ordinary person. That martial arts manual…”

He looked at Mei Tingzhu; this niece had always been very clever, and he did not need to explain many things to her.

“I kept the last copy,” Mei Tingzhu said.

Mei Zhengjing nodded. Giving this scroll to An Jiu again would be a favor; even if she was not moved, at least she’d do something for the Mei family in return.

“Uncle, what’s in the building? Could it help us rebuild the Mei family?” Mei Tingzhu asked.

Mei Zhengjing sighed, “Yes, it is. Not only does it contain the vast wealth accumulated by the Mei family over the past century, but also contains a secret scroll recording the forces the Mei family has secretly cultivated.”

Hearing this, Mei Tingyuan could not help but say, “Fortunately, Fourteenth Young Lady did not have any selfish motives!”

“Even if she did, she would not be able to get in. I’ve been going back and forth through that secret passage since I was a child, and now it takes me several days to figure it out.” Mei Zhengjing recalled the past, a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes. “I was away from home for several years, and you all thought I had gone traveling again. Actually, I was trapped inside for several years. There are dense forests, fruits, and wild animals and birds; food is not a problem. However, if you are unlucky, you might be trapped there for life.”

“Eldest brother also went traveling; could he have gone there too…” Mei Tingyuan thought of Mei Tingjun, her face turning pale and her eyes filled with pain.

In the temple, Mei Tingjun was shot by a blue-fire crossbow while trying to push her away, turning into a pool of flesh and blood. This scene, Mei Tingyuan would never forget in her lifetime. In the dead of night, it would all be vividly clear in her mind; even many details she had forgotten at the time would become increasingly clear.

Time blurred many things, but also made some things more profound.

The moon sank in the west.

An Jiu wandered through the city. Just before dawn, He Cai came to tell her that the mission was complete.

She could rest for a few more days and practice her Plum Blossom Fist. An Jiu sighed inwardly.

“Sister?”

An Jiu was about to quicken her pace when a familiar voice sounded behind her.