Huanhe Great Bend, Xiuting Pier.
The hour was late. The setting sun dragged a long tail across the horizon, a single line of blood-red.
On the weed-choked riverbank before Xiuting Pier, three figures stood with heads craned, all gazing toward the city of Jiugao.
The dirt road leading to the pier could be seen in its entirety at a single glance. The shadows cast by the blood-beech trees grew deeper and heavier; night was about to fall.
Li Qiao withdrew his gaze and turned toward the tree where the horses were tethered.
"The time it takes for a stick of incense to burn has passed. I will wait no longer."
Lu Zican moved instantly, blocking his path.
"The Protector gave orders. No matter what happens, we are to meet here."
Li Qiao slowly raised his eyes, his gaze shifting from Lu Zican to Gao Quan, who stood nearby.
"You intend to stop me?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Lu Zican felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy.
Half a month ago, he would have simply drawn his twin blades to teach the boy a lesson. But after that rather unpleasant exchange at the government office, he had no choice but to be cautious. Moreover, they were short-handed now; he feared they might not be able to restrain the youth.
He blamed the Protector’s soft heart for allowing this boy surnamed Li to follow them. He was nothing but a source of trouble.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, his hand moved to his hilt. In the next moment, Gao Quan’s voice rang out, unhurried.
"If you leave now and Miss Qin arrives a moment later to find you gone, she might lose her temper."
Li Qiao fell silent for a moment before finally stepping back without a word.
Lu Zican breathed a sigh of relief. Before long, movement finally stirred in the distance. Li Qiao was the first to look up, and Lu Zican followed suit, peering into the distance.
The last sliver of light vanished from the sky. Amidst the pitch-black world, a dim oil lamp swayed as it approached. The old donkey pulling the cart was not picky about its path; it didn't even bother to avoid the potholes, jolting the passengers until they felt they might fall apart. When the cart finally rattled to a halt before them, the three men on the ground hurried forward to meet it.
The three passengers climbed down from the donkey cart, their expressions solemn. Gao Quan took one look and understood much of the situation. He spoke up immediately.
"The wind is picking up, and night has fallen early. No lamps were lit outside the shipyard, so the Vice Commander and I came out to meet you, fearing the Protector might not find the way."
Qiu Ling caught sight of the youth standing in the darkness. He walked quickly ahead with Gao Quan, putting some distance between them and the others.
"Speak. What exactly has happened?"
Gao Quan lowered his head slightly and reported in a low voice.
"Lord Song captured someone yesterday. They are currently being held in the shipyard."
Qiu Ling paused, then asked, "Is it someone from the Number One Villa under Heaven?"
"We do not know yet. Song Tuo said that when the person was discovered, they had already reached the inner chamber where the patients are kept, only to step into the empty trap we designed earlier. After the shipwrights captured him, he refused to say a word, insisting he would only speak when you arrived. Lord Song felt the matter was of great importance, so he did not conduct an interrogation without authorization. He has been waiting until now."
Qiu Ling’s pace slowed. Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed the two figures behind him walking closer and closer, almost stuck to one another. He suddenly spoke.
"Did you not want to prove your worth?"
Li Qiao looked up at the sound of his voice. Qiu Ling said coldly, "Follow me. Help identify the prisoner."
***
Thanks to Xu Qiuchi, Qin Jiuye could now say she had been on a large ship.
However, she had never been to a shipyard. As she followed Gao Quan into the structure, where the overhead canopy was as high as a three or four-story building, her eyes darted about in amazement.
The shipyard, which had been cluttered with debris just a few days ago, was now completely transformed into a secret base where "ships served as houses." A massive vessel was suspended in the center by four interlocking keels, held about thirty or forty feet off the ground. Entry and exit were only possible via fixed ladders. The ladder landings provided a high, commanding view of the surroundings, much like a strategic mountain pass. A few trained guards stationed at each ladder could easily defend against and repel most suspicious intruders.
Qin Jiuye looked around for a while, suddenly feeling that this place was less like a shipyard and more like an upgraded version of the Protector’s office—only far more hidden and secure. After all, no one would expect such a world to be hidden within a shipbuilding yard on the outskirts of Jiugao.
Noticing her gaze, Gao Quan explained, "Until we uncover the purpose and plan behind the person spreading the secret formula, all key information regarding this case must be centralized among us. Although the government office is strictly managed, coming and going through the city inevitably draws eyes. The open space around the pier makes surveillance and management easier. Most importantly, this is outside the city. Even if something goes wrong, the danger won't flow directly into the city, giving us a chance to contain it."
Not far away, Wu Bin, who was busy working, was the first to arrive upon hearing the commotion. He wiped the sand and sawdust from his hands, gave a quick salute, and got straight to the point.
"Brother Gao, you’ve come at the right time. The place is mostly ready. Let me show you around."
He led the way up a wooden ladder, with Gao Quan and Qin Jiuye following close behind. As they circled the deck, Wu Bin pointed out the spots where the intruder had broken in. Gao Quan held a set of blueprints, pondering for a moment before quietly suggesting potential improvements. Finally, he concluded, "Three days was a bit rushed; there are bound to be oversights. I’ll give you the revised drawings later this evening, and we can discuss them then."
Qin Jiuye’s eyes widened as she listened. After a long pause, she murmured, "This... this was renovated in just three days?"
Wu Bin nodded, his eyes shining with excitement. "I didn't believe it either when Brother Gao first mentioned it. But he brought in some hands to help, and seeing it today, I realize I was truly short-sighted."
Gao Quan merely offered a polite smile. "The Gao family craftsmen only care about efficiency. Everyone is eager to get back to making money, so they tend to work with a sense of urgency. Master Wu is an excellent foreman; without your personal supervision, there would have been many more flaws in the details."
Qin Jiuye glanced at Gao Quan, her desire to recruit him itching again. In the next moment, he pushed open a cabin door and gestured for her to enter.
Qin Jiuye stepped inside and found another world entirely. It felt as if she had stepped into the belly of a great fish. What looked like a small, ordinary cabin from the outside was spacious and fully furnished within, resembling the reception hall of a wealthy family. A wooden window that could be opened or closed faced east, providing a direct view of the shipyard entrance. The entire ground level of the shipyard was visible from here, making it both a place for private discussion and a lookout post—a brilliant design.
Gao Quan walked to the end of the room and pushed open an inconspicuous small door.
"The inner chamber is prepared for Miss Qin. The Protector said that researching the secret formula is a dangerous and grueling task. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, 'different professions are like different mountains.' He knows nothing of medicine and cannot help you there, so he can only try to provide as much convenience as possible. From now on, all discussions regarding the case can take place in the outer room, while your research can be concentrated in the inner chamber, saving you from traveling back and forth. If you need anything else, just speak up, and I will send someone to the city to get it for you."
Qin Jiuye leaned in to look and was momentarily stunned.
Though small, the inner chamber was fully equipped. There was nothing overly luxurious, but everything a typical pharmacy or clinic might need was present. Because it was a converted ship cabin, there were faint traces of life on the water, which added a unique charm to this unusual "pharmacy."
She liked this strange yet practical little world. It felt like a combination of her clinic, the Guoran Pavilion, and that stiff Protector’s office—the headquarters for their "special alliance."
"I like it very much. Please convey my thanks to the Protector, Vice Commander Gao."
Just as she finished speaking, a commotion erupted not far outside.
Qiu Ling was leading Li Qiao and Lu Zican to see the captured intruder. Song Tuo led the way, bringing the three of them to a dark room with iron bars before ordering the lock to be opened.
Wu Bin sighed softly at the sight. "Our Lord Song is an honest official who manages the river; he doesn't understand these underworld methods. If the Protector hadn't anticipated that someone in the know might come to investigate and set up defenses in advance, today’s events would have turned out quite differently."
Qin Jiuye gazed at the pitch-black room, her heart filled with doubt.
She wasn't as perceptive as Gao Quan, but even she could see that this shipyard was heavily guarded. Lord Song seemed like a cautious man. To say that word had leaked out in just these few days seemed far-fetched. Unless...
The intruder had known from the start and had been watching them in the shadows.
Qin Jiuye swallowed hard, her heart suddenly racing. Her mind flashed between the unpredictable Di Mo, the blind Grandmaster, and then Mr. Ding in the lotus patch.
Finally, the person in the dark room slowly stepped out.
The moment she saw the man’s face, Qin Jiuye’s eyes widened.
She wasn't the only one; everyone present was startled, their expressions turning tense.
Teng Hu cast a cold, detached gaze upon Qiu Ling and spoke tonelessly.
"So, it was the work of the Lord of Broken Jade. It seems Kunxu does not only teach swordsmanship, but also the art of treacherous ambushes."
Qiu Ling said nothing, but his gaze flickered toward Xu Qiuchi beside him. He had clearly guessed something.
Teng Hu surveyed the scene, showing no sign of being a "prisoner."
He seemed to be identifying the people present. Finally, his gaze settled on the blade at Li Qiao’s waist. His sanpaku eyes shifted as he reached a conclusion.
"Rumor has it that Li Qingdao was a lover of beauty and lived a life of absurdity. Seeing you today, it seems the rumors were true."
"Has Mr. Teng Hu lost his way and taken a wrong turn?"
The moment Qiu Ling spoke, Teng Hu violently shook off the two men beside him and raised his right hand, which had been hidden in his sleeve.
Lu Zican was alarmed and instantly drew his blade. The sound of unsheathing weapons echoed through the yard. Only Qin Jiuye had no weapon to draw; she merely squinted to see what was in the man’s hand.
It was a vermilion bottle, identical to the one found in the Su Manor.
In the next moment, Teng Hu’s cold voice rang out.
"I have come for the secret formula. Are you not going to invite me in to sit?"
***
Although Song Tuo lived in Jiugao, his meager salary as a River Embankment Envoy was not enough to afford the new tea produced in the city. Even the pot of "Pine Green" he had now was a reserve he had been saving for a long time, usually too precious to drink.
He had intended to bring the tea in himself, but for some reason, the young lady who arrived on the donkey cart refused to let him enter the room. She pulled him aside and asked in a low voice if he had come into close contact with the captured man. Upon hearing that he had personally searched the prisoner, she insisted on checking his pulse and examining him. Finally, she instructed him to gather all the shipwrights who had touched the man; she wanted to check every one of them.
Song Tuo didn't understand what there was to check, and Qin Jiuye didn't want to make things sound too sensational, but the necessary precautions and vigilance were essential.
It wasn't that she was judging a gentleman by the heart of a scoundrel; it was that Teng Hu truly exuded an aura of selfishness and malice. For his own gain, he needed no further reason to harm others.
Thinking of this, she gripped the teapot tightly and pushed open the door to the only lit cabin.
Though it was dark outside, the cabin was brightly lit.
The newly added lamp oil burned brightly, illuminating the four people in the room with stark clarity.
The four of them turned at the sound of her entry, withdrawing their mutual, measuring gazes. They had encountered one another before, but being gathered in a small, enclosed space for the same purpose was a different matter entirely.
After all, who could have imagined that the descendants of the Four Gentlemen of the Black Moon would be these individuals?
The silent testing and observation came to an end as Teng Hu spoke slowly, his tone and manner arrogant, as if he were the master of this domain.
"It is quite crowded here. I wonder if there are those among us merely fishing in troubled waters."
Xu Qiuchi laughed at the remark. "A fox that stepped into a trap has the nerve to bark like a dog here."
Teng Hu narrowed his eyes, looking Xu Qiuchi up and down. "Where did this noisy, plucked chicken come from? Oh, it’s just that drowned rat from Qionghu Island."
A brief opening exchange had managed to recreate the tension of the sword-seizing battle on Lixin Lake. Seeing the situation about to devolve into meaningless bickering, Qiu Ling spoke up to steer things back on track.
"Mr. Teng Hu, what was your intention in approaching the shipyard?"
"Is the Protector interrogating me? Why don't you ask yourself what exactly you are keeping in this shipyard?" Teng Hu countered with a question, his narrow eyes gleaming with a cunning light. "Since things have come to this, let us not speak in riddles. I only want the things you have locked in the secret room. Give them to me, and you will be rid of a burden. It is a win-win situation; surely you won't refuse?"
Qin Jiuye silently poured tea, her mind racing as she analyzed the situation.
When she had heard the news from Xu Qiuchi earlier, she could hardly believe that Teng Hu was truly Zuo Ci’s disciple. But hearing him speak so openly about the patients now, he clearly knew about the secret formula from the start, which matched his identity.
She just didn't know his true purpose, or if he was willing to stand with them.
"Is Mr. Teng Hu not being a bit too overconfident? When these 'guests' were on the Fangwaiguan ship, why didn't you go there to claim them? Now you've suddenly remembered to ask for them."
Qiu Ling’s words were blunt, and Teng Hu was just as sharp.
"Is this attitude also at the behest of Qiu Yan? It was bad enough that he failed to keep the appointment, but he had to send his two sons to interfere. If my Master knew, he would surely regret writing that letter to you."
Qiu Ling paused, instantly understanding what letter Teng Hu was referring to.
Back on Qionghu Island, Di Mo had handed him a letter. It was because he had read that secret letter from Zuo Ci that he had gone to the Haoran Grotto-Heaven to confront Di Mo.
"Does the oath from twenty-two years ago mentioned in your Master’s letter have to do with this secret formula?"
"He called it a 'lingering threat'; Zuo Ci must have anticipated this day long ago."
Xu Qiuchi interjected. Qiu Ling immediately frowned. "You received a letter as well?"
"Did you not also keep the letter you saw from me, Brother?"
Another silence fell over the cabin. Qin Jiuye felt as if the air were fracturing, the distance between everyone growing wider. She sighed inwardly. Today, they were supposed to unite against this "sanpaku-eyed dead fox," but before the battle had even begun, they were already on the verge of falling apart.
Teng Hu clearly saw the discord as well. He let out a sneer.
"Shortly after the Battle of Juchao, the Black Moon was struck from the records. Wen Dimuo turned from light to shadow, Qiu Yan was placed under house arrest in Jiugao, and Li Qingdao was captured and imprisoned by the Number One Villa under Heaven. Your current state is exactly as I expected. Back then, only my Master, with his freedom, planned for this. Naturally, only I know the full extent of the matter today. You should be cooperating with me, not trying every means to obstruct me."
This Teng Hu shouldn't be called Teng Hu; he should be called a flatfish—both eyes on top of his head, looking down on everyone as if they were fools, except for his own Master.
As Qin Jiuye thought this, Xu Qiuchi’s mouth "acted for the heavens."
"Your Master died in a foreign land, trapped in a stone chamber. Aside from a corpse, did he not leave anything behind?"
This sentence struck Teng Hu’s weak point. At the mention of "Master," his smooth, oval face instantly wrinkled with rage.
"Di Mo reached the island first; he must have already taken the key items my Master left behind. If you want to turn the tide now, help me find my Master’s notes, and then bring out the things left by Qiu Yan and Li Qingdao..."
Before he could finish, Qiu Ling interrupted him.
"Setting aside the fact that no one can prove Zuo Ci actually left records regarding the truth of the formula, if the Number One Villa is truly behind this, Di Mo would have destroyed such a thing immediately upon obtaining it. Why would he wait for us to come and steal it? As for the Qiu family’s things..." Qiu Ling paused for a moment before continuing, "...the rumored Black Moon Marching Records have never been seen, and there are no official records. If you don't believe me, go search for yourself and see if I have spent these years searching in vain."
"Wait."
Qin Jiuye, who had been silently pouring tea, suddenly spoke up. She slowly set down the teapot and looked around at the people in the room, her expression becoming one of disbelief.
"When did you all learn of the existence of the secret formula? Could it be that even before the Qingping Path and Su Manor cases, you already knew about this thing?"
The youth, who had been silent from the start, immediately denied it.
"Before the Chuanliu Academy approached me, I knew nothing of this. My Master told me nothing."
"Impossible!" Teng Hu’s voice rang out, cold and dismissive. "Li Qingdao was the most meddlesome of all; she might have even been the one to lead the whole affair. She passed her blade techniques to you; how could she have said nothing of the past? If you know nothing, why did you go to Qionghu Island to steal the blade?"
Li Qiao lowered his eyes, never once looking at Teng Hu. "I am only answering my Sister’s question. Whether you believe it or not, what does it have to do with me?"
Hearing this, Qiu Ling couldn't help but look at Qin Jiuye.
"I did not intend to hide it before. It is just that this involves the Qiu family’s past, and I have no solid evidence. It was not convenient to bring up."
Qin Jiuye opened her mouth but said nothing for a moment.
From the beginning, she had felt that Xu Qiuchi was full of suspicious points and might have known the truth all along. But she had never harbored similar doubts about Qiu Ling, simply because he had returned to Jiugao on orders to investigate, and she had predisposed herself to see him as reliable and trustworthy.
But thinking about it now, why was the first case Qiu Ling handled upon returning to Jiugao the one on Sangma Street, when he hadn't returned to the city in many years?
There could be no such coincidence in this world. Unless, from the very beginning, none of it was a coincidence.
The reason they were gathered here today was because the Four Gentlemen of the Black Moon had parted ways twenty-two years ago over this very matter.
And from the current situation, it wasn't hard to guess that they had likely witnessed the horror of that secret formula back then, which was why they had made a pact: if the past repeated itself, they would "unite their strength to eliminate the threat."
At that time, the Four Gentlemen of the Black Moon were in their prime, successful and full of spirit, their fates firmly in their own hands. There were no people more determined, sincere, or brave than they. They believed they could guard this secret, only to be swiftly broken by the cruelty of fate.
No one expected that years later, some would be imprisoned or dead, some would forget the past entirely, and some would betray their friends to become enemies. Time had eroded their bonds. Even though Heaven had somehow managed to scrape together this group of people, they neither understood nor trusted one another. They were stubborn, solitary, and ruthless. Forget about plotting great deeds; even normal communication was fraught with difficulty.
Qiu Yan’s descendants were the two Qiu brothers. Li Qingdao’s descendant was Li Qiao. Zuo Ci’s descendant was Teng Hu.
In a sense, they were all descendants of the Black Moon. Only she was an "outsider."
Standing in the center of the cabin, Qin Jiuye felt the deck beneath her feet begin to sway. Outside the window lay a vast ocean called absurdity.
It turned out she was the unlucky passerby who had her own path to walk, but because she had boarded the wrong ship, she was now caught in the current, heading straight for the deep sea.
The others were still locked in a verbal battle. Although they had confirmed each other's identities, no one could convince anyone else, and the argument grew heated.
"This is the martial world; we should act according to its rules." Teng Hu raised a thin eyebrow, his sanpaku eyes scanning the others as he made an arrogant declaration. "I entered my Master’s sect at eight and left at fifteen. I am now thirty years old, with nearly a hundred disciples and attendants. In terms of seniority and status, the three of you should naturally look to me as your leader."
Li Qiao immediately countered, "Zuo Ci was nothing more than a wandering occultist. My Master was the top of the martial rankings. In terms of seniority, the three of you should show me some respect."
Xu Qiuchi couldn't help but laugh. "The Four Gentlemen of the Black Moon were named after the Black Moon Army, and my father was the head of the Black Moon. In terms of rank and status, you should all defer to me."
Qiu Ling also couldn't help but correct them. "I am the elder brother, and you are the junior. By any logic, you should rank behind me..."
"Enough!"
Qin Jiuye shouted, slamming her hand onto the table as she stood up.
The old elm table was heavy and hard, making her palm sting with pain. She forced herself to maintain her expression, hiding her hand behind her back while using the other to point wildly at the men.
"Every one of you is a grown man, and supposedly a leader in your own field. Yet in the end, you can't even yield on a small matter like a title. You're worse than the three-year-olds in my village! How can you expect to accomplish anything together?"
The cabin fell silent. After a long pause, Teng Hu finally turned his sanpaku eyes toward her.
"And who are you? Does even a tea-serving maid speak so arrogantly?"
Thinking that she, an "outsider," was trying to help mediate only to be insulted, Qin Jiuye’s eyes turned green with rage. Sparks practically flew from her mouth as she spoke.
"I’m your great-grandmother! You black-nailed poisonous mushroom, you dog-urine fungus who only knows how to hide and release mosquitoes! You swagger about with a title you got through underhanded means; your face is as thick as a basin and your heart is as black as coal! Zuo Ci must have been blind to take you as a disciple!"
Teng Hu was stunned. He clearly hadn't expected anyone in this world to have a fouler mouth or a sharper tongue than his own. After a long moment, he turned to the Qiu brothers.
"This maid of yours has lost her mind. Keeping her is useless; you might as well sell her to me cheaply to be a human test subject..."
"Aren't you here for the secret formula?" With a loud *clatter*, Qin Jiuye slammed the teapot onto the table. "I am currently in charge of researching it. According to the rules of the trade, if you want to get involved, you have to get past me first."
Teng Hu’s gaze finally changed. "I have never needed anyone’s permission for the things I want to do."
To his surprise, the woman before him didn't back down. She shot back unceremoniously, "In that case, why waste your time here with us? You’re free to leave and walk your own narrow path."
Having said her piece, Qin Jiuye picked up a cup of tea and slowly blew on the foam, appearing perfectly composed.
Only she knew that her heart was pounding.
Her words were sharp, and they might not work on someone like Teng Hu. She had only spoken them as a gamble based on her previous observations of the man. Zuo Ci was famous, but the title of "White Ghost Umbrella" was something Teng Hu had earned himself. Such a man was proud and possessed a certain level of persistence. The fact that he had asked for the patients from the start, rather than anything else, showed that his goal was indeed the formula itself, not to use the situation to cause further trouble.
Finally, Teng Hu spoke slowly.
"I am willing to sit and discuss this with the descendants of the Black Moon only because I am following my Master’s final instructions. But if those I am working with are nothing but a rabble, I will not waste another moment."
Although the words were still arrogant and grating, they were a concession.
Qin Jiuye breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that now was the best time to get everyone to be honest.
Even though the descendants of the Black Moon had gathered, the matter was still shrouded in mystery. If the secret formula had indeed appeared years ago, why had almost no one in the world heard of it? If it was so difficult to deal with, how had it been suppressed back then? And most importantly...
"Since things have come to this, why don't we start by sharing what each of you knows?"
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 洹河大湾 | Huanhe Great Bend | A geographical location near Jiugao. |
| 秀亭码头 | Xiuting Pier | A pier near Jiugao. |
| 断玉君 | Lord of Broken Jade | Qiu Ling's title/reputation in the martial world. |
| 昆墟 | Kunxu | The sect Qiu Ling belongs to. |
| 以船作屋 | Ships as houses | A design concept for the secret base. |
| 黑月四君子 | Four Gentlemen of the Black Moon | A group of four prominent figures from 22 years ago. |
| 白鬼伞 | White Ghost Umbrella | Teng Hu's title in the martial world. |
| 左鹚 | Zuo Ci | Teng Hu's master, one of the Four Gentlemen. |
| 邱偃 | Qiu Yan | Qiu Ling's father, one of the Four Gentlemen. |
| 李青刀 | Li Qingdao | Li Qiao's master/sister figure, one of the Four Gentlemen. |
| 居巢之战 | Battle of Juchao | A historical battle mentioned in the text. |
| 黑月行军册录 | Black Moon Marching Records | A rumored record or manual related to the Black Moon. |
| 药人 | Human test subject | Someone used for testing drugs or poisons. |
| 狗尿苔 | Dog-urine fungus | A derogatory term for a worthless or common fungus. |
