Chapter 40: Who Is This “He”?

Ruan Xuezong had no idea that while he was eating and drinking to his heart’s content, tens of thousands of viewers were watching his every move.

After he finished his meal, two groups of players reported that they had found leads. He immediately stood up. The first group had located the deaf-mute old servant, while the second had discovered a portrait.

Ruan Xuezong pondered for a moment. Since he couldn’t use any cloning techniques, he decided to follow the order and head to the servant first.

The old servant was a hunched figure dressed in rough hempen clothes, silently sweeping the fallen leaves. Strands of white threaded his temples. Though he appeared to be a deaf-mute on the verge of seventy, when Ruan Xuezong approached the yard near Madam Qu’s residence with a group of level-20 players, the old man was the first to lift his head.

This must be what they meant by a martial artist—blind eyes didn’t mean a blind heart, deaf ears didn’t mean a deaf soul, and a lifetime of silence didn’t mean he could never voice an injustice.

As Ruan Xuezong drew near, the Sweeper Old Servant eyed him with a gaze full of unfamiliar suspicion, a strange expression creeping across his face.

Assuming Ruan Xuezong didn’t know the man, the players introduced him: “Zongzong, we asked around at Peacock Manor. The gossip says this Mute Uncle has taken care of Madam Qu since she was young. He’s part of her dowry from Peacock Manor. Then, for some reason, he became both deaf and mute… We’ve all tried probing him one by one, but this old gentleman really can’t hear or speak!”

Little did they know, Ruan Xuezong recognized the man—from the birthday banquet at Peacock Manor in his previous life.

The conflict had erupted too suddenly, and he had somehow been poisoned.

The left half of his cheek had rotted from burns, making his face a grotesque half-human, half-ghost horror. With blood constantly streaming from his nose, no one dared approach him. And then the real drama unfolded one event after another, leaving no one with time to spare for him.

Ruan Xuezong had sat in his wheelchair, his breaths feeble, on the verge of melting into a puddle of filth. Just as he thought he was about to meet his end, this Sweeper Old Servant had appeared silently.

Perhaps it was because Ruan Xuezong’s ruined face made him look like a demon, yet he was still a living being. Or maybe for some other reason, the old servant couldn’t bear to watch a life perish. He appeared without a word and saved Ruan Xuezong just as silently.

If his previous life at Peacock Manor had been filled with endless malice and indifference toward him, then the sole kindness had come from this old servant. Ruan Xuezong later learned that some peerless experts were born with unyielding pride. This man could have dominated the rivers and lakes, living freely as he pleased, yet he had chosen to confine himself to one corner of the world for certain people and matters, fading into obscurity among the masses.

Seeing the unusual look in Ruan Xuezong’s eyes but receiving no further reaction, the Sweeper Old Servant lowered his head silently once more and resumed sweeping the leaves before him, returning to his initial state as if the group had never arrived.

No matter how the players gesticulated wildly or tried sign language, the Sweeper Old Servant ignored them completely. Everyone knew the clue was right in front of them, which left the players with a frustrating sense of punching cotton.

Ruan Xuezong spoke up. “Actually… this old gentleman can hear. He can speak. He simply chooses not to listen or talk.”

Just like some people whose hearts had died from grief—they could watch love, hate, and vengeance play out before their eyes, witness an entire manor crumble, all while pretending they weren’t part of the ship.

Of course, in this life, Ruan Xuezong had no intention of repeating past mistakes and giving the Demonic Sects any more leverage. He hoped to awaken this old servant.

“This old gentleman is advanced in years. He probably knows ninety-nine percent of Peacock Manor’s secrets. If you seek his help, show him what you’re best at.” Ruan Xuezong gave the players a meaningful glance.

The players caught on instantly: Ah! What they were best at wasn’t freeloading—er, it was playing the weak card!

They rushed over one after another, bumping into the old man’s broom, stumbling with twisted steps, and collapsing dramatically. “Ouch! I’ve fallen!”

The Sweeper Old Servant: “…”

Did this group of young rivers-and-lakes heroes take him, an old man, for a fool?

No matter how the players clutched their knees, wailing and rolling on the ground, the Sweeper Old Servant remained utterly silent. Just as the plan seemed doomed to fail, one player staggered into the yard.

His condition looked dire—his face ashen, pupils dilated, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He stared at Ruan Xuezong with eyes and mumbled something incoherent before slowly collapsing.

Everyone could tell he had been poisoned. Without treatment, he wouldn’t last much longer.

The Sweeper Old Servant’s expression shifted slightly. He glanced at Ruan Xuezong, who stood with hands behind his back, his mask-hidden eyes as dark as night, showing no intention of helping.

This made the Sweeper Old Servant sigh inwardly—beauties were all cold-hearted and ruthless.

With a flash of his robe, he caught the fallen player in one hand and swiftly sealed the major acupoints around the man’s body to halt the surging poison.

Seeing the plan succeed, the Salty Fish King shot Ruan Xuezong a glance, his eyes misty like a puppy begging for a treat.

‘You did well.’ Ruan Xuezong nodded slightly and sent over ten points of favorability. The Salty Fish King pocketed the favorability, noticed he was back at the top of the leaderboard, and instantly relaxed even more, content to lie flat. His self-inflicted injury had gotten him into the Sweeper Old Servant’s yard successfully.

Yet it was precisely this glance that deepened the Sweeper Old Servant’s misunderstanding. He lamented how beauty was as sharp as a blade or a drawn bow. The young lord of Heart Washing Manor, wearing a mask and fresh to the rivers and lakes, already had people devoted to him, willing to risk their lives to help him achieve his goals.

It reminded him of Qu Tianwei back in the day. The rivers and lakes hadn’t changed in the forty years since he’d sheathed his sword. Nothing new under the sun.

Once the players had successfully infiltrated, the Sweeper Old Servant dropped his pretense of deafness and muteness.

After detoxifying the Salty Fish King, he said coldly, “I know why you’ve come—to inquire about Peacock Manor’s affairs. I can tell you, but you must absolutely not disturb Madam Qu’s peace.”

Dramatic NPCs were all proud like this, doling out information in bits and pieces. The players nodded eagerly. “Sure, sure!”

But Ruan Xuezong countered, “I’m afraid that’s impossible.”

His words instantly tensed the atmosphere, swords at the ready. The players’ scalps tingled as the Sweeper Old Servant’s suddenly released aura pressed down on the group of level-20 players, making it hard to breathe. They glanced at their health bars in shock. “Holy crap, losing 5% inner force per second—we’re internally injured!”

“As expected, you can’t underestimate any sweeper in a wuxia world!”

Ruan Xuezong continued, “Old sir, no matter how much you pretend nothing’s happening, you can’t change the movements at Peacock Manor in recent years. Surely you’ve noticed the disturbances here… When the nest is overturned, how can any eggs remain intact? If Peacock Manor—this massive ship—sinks, how will you keep up the act, ensuring Madam Qu’s peace for life?”

His words cut sharp and direct. The players half-understood, while the Sweeper Old Servant fell silent.

At that moment, a middle-aged woman’s figure emerged from behind the beaded curtain. She was past her youthful prime but retained a lingering charm, accompanied by a faint sigh.

It was Madam Qu.

The players perked up—this was it, the main event!

“Young Lord Ruan speaks truly. These years, it has been my own cowardice.” Madam Qu stepped out from the curtain, revealing her plain face. “Very well… I’ll tell you a story.”

【Task “Peacock Manor Past Events” has been triggered】

【Task Description: Madam Qu is about to recount a tale from the past, filled with tangled love and hatred, a woman’s life story. Her voice is gentle and melodic as she speaks at length. Heroes, listen carefully!】

【Task Rewards: 3000 EXP, 70% plot exploration, 10 favorability with Ruan Xuezong, 10 favorability with Sweeper Old Servant, 10 favorability with Madam Qu】

【Task Participants: Unlimited】

The players sat obediently, ears perked. Madam Qu hailed from Golden Mound. Her speech was measured and unhurried, carrying the rhythmic charm of a musical instrument. As the players listened, they were swiftly drawn back to those bygone days—

Madam Qu recalled her wedding day. She and Qu Tianwei had lived harmoniously. When she removed her red veil, her face lightly powdered, shyness tinged her brows and eyes. Her husband praised her as the world’s most beautiful woman and said the peacock was the king of birds, an auspicious divine creature. They would grow old together at Peacock Manor. He, a rough man, was willing to retire from the rivers and lakes for his gentle wife.

They had a son, Qu Qingyang.

Life had gone on smoothly until one day, a woman with a graceful, lithe figure and a veil over her face appeared. She claimed to be fleeing pursuers and sought refuge at Peacock Manor.

Madam Qu said, “I remember her first appearance—a figure in ink-wash green robes, chased by upright sect members. Clearly no good woman… From then on, Qu Tianwei changed. He grew listless and soul-lost. He said this woman had brows like distant peaks, eyes like rippling waves, like green mountains crashing into his arms. He no longer spoke of retirement. He claimed a man in the rivers and lakes must drink the strongest liquor and love the most beautiful person.”

The players could hear Madam Qu’s voice change—stiff, laced with resentment. They could guess the rest: the woman had entered the household proper.

“This woman had countless enemies and an unknown background, but Qu Tianwei didn’t mind. Even after she toyed with him and abandoned him, he held no grudge.” Here, Madam Qu gave a bitter smile. “Then one stormy night, that woman returned to Peacock Manor cradling a swaddled infant. She saw my face, smirked, and said ‘nothing special.’ Laughing wildly, she left. But the child stayed. From then on, Qu Tianwei changed completely toward her, doting on the girl as his treasure. My status plummeted, and all I received from that man was disdain and fury.”

The players: !!!

Qu Qingyang and Qu Wangshu truly weren’t full siblings!

“That woman vanished without a trace for over a decade. But recently, she sent a dashing young man with sword-straight brows and starry eyes, bearing her token. He asked Qu Tianwei if he still remembered their past bond and if he had raised their daughter well these years. After that day, Qu Tianwei became lovesick once more, determined to host this grand birthday banquet and send invitations far and wide. I could see his intentions but couldn’t stop him…”

The players: !!! So that’s how it was.

Ruan Xuezong asked, “Does Madam know who that woman is?”

Madam Qu shook her head. “I’m no rivers-and-lakes person; I don’t know her identity. But I imagine she must be stunningly beautiful to make a man live and die for her. After she left, Qu Tianwei hung a portrait on the wall, gazing at it night after night in longing. If you know of it, check the study yourselves.”

【Ding! Task “Peacock Manor Past Events” completed. Rewards distributed.】

The players immediately followed the clue. While Qu Tianwei watched the arena matches, they sneaked into Peacock Manor’s forbidden study.

Sure enough, a portrait of a woman hung on the wall. She wore vibrant green robes, appeared around twenty, and her brows and eyes somewhat resembled Qu Wangshu’s. In the painting, she smiled gracefully, her features vivid yet poised.

The only thing that puzzled the players: the woman in the portrait wasn’t all that beautiful… How strange!

They discussed it briefly, then stole the scroll and brought it to Ruan Xuezong.

Meanwhile, Peacock Manor’s prized pearl, Second Miss Qu, shook off the clamor of her suitors and headed to a secluded yard.

A man lounged there, his handsome features lazy and indolent. A black robe draped casually over him, embroidered with fierce raptors in black silk and red thread—claws outstretched, majestic and ferocious. Even the calming sandalwood incense couldn’t fully mask a hint of bloodlust, lending the attire an air of extravagant menace.

The moment Second Miss Qu entered the yard, no one else existed in her eyes. The man idly strummed a qin, its enchanting notes weaving through the air, beguiling the heart.

A sharp cry pierced the air as a Black Eagle landed precisely on his shoulder, a morsel of flesh—likely from some unlucky soul—dangling from its beak. Its ferocity sent chills down the spine.

The man said, “My bird tells me worms have slipped into your manor these past few days.”

Second Miss Qu replied without hesitation, “Those are ants not worth minding. How can mere ants rival the bright moon?” In her heart, she had long divided who was ant and who was moon.

The man chuckled coldly, his hand brushing a freshly healed wound on his chest. “Some people are different at the core. Don’t underestimate him.”

Second Miss Qu froze, a twinge of curiosity stirring. She wanted to ask who this “he” was.