“What do you think? In the wine you just gave me, the first cup was harmless, but the second was laced with a deadly poison—one that could kill me instantly. Yet when you heard me say I was stepping out to fetch something, you panicked, fearing the poison would take immediate effect. So you hastily administered the antidote while slipping me another toxin.”
The black-clad man’s startled question was met with Wan Qing’s icy retort. Seeing his lingering confusion and disbelief, she calmly explained the sequence of events.
“You… Then how did you neutralize the poison I gave you?”
Proud of his own toxicology skills, the black-clad man couldn’t fathom how she had not only detected his ploy but also swiftly countered it. He pressed the question again.
“That’s none of your concern. Blame your own overconfidence. Those who immerse themselves in poisons for too long develop blackened, bluish fingernails—yours betrayed you. The moment I arrived and you offered me wine, I was already wary. You slipped the poison into the second cup through your fingers while pretending to serve it. Am I right or not?”
When asked how she had detoxified, Wan Qing smiled and refused to answer. In truth, the moment she stepped out of the pavilion, she had used her Silver Snowflake Needles to neutralize the poison while also administering a counter-toxin. By chance, she spotted some herbs along the path, plucked them, and swallowed them raw, temporarily suppressing the venom.
She had no intention of harming anyone, but this villain had threatened her with the old man’s safety and poisoned her. Wan Qing had initially wanted to settle the score immediately, but having just countered the toxin, she wasn’t confident in overpowering him right away. So she bided her time.
Unexpectedly, the old man’s act of threatening him to retrieve something bought her a little more time.
Realizing the man had revealed his identity and sensing his aura, she confirmed he was the same assassin who had targeted her father earlier. His admission that everything was done for Mu Wanxia left no need for further conversation.
Seizing the moment when he was lost in arrogance, she subdued him and struck with her Silver Snowflake Needles.
“Now that I’m at your mercy, do as you please. If I so much as flinch, I’m no man.” Seeing Wan Qing lay bare his every trick, the black-clad man grew even more wary of her capabilities. Resigned to his fate, he squared his shoulders and faced her with defiance.
“To prove your masculinity, there’s no need to curse your own mother. I won’t kill you, but I have some questions. Were you the one who attempted to assassinate my father last night?”
Wan Qing scoffed at his bravado and posed her question coolly.
“Yes, it was me. What of it?”
The black-clad man admitted with shameless pride.
“Nothing much. I’m just curious—was it for an object or someone? If I’m not mistaken, you’re closely tied to Lady Liu, my eldest sister, and especially my third sister. You even kept the sachet she gave you.”
Wan Qing smiled faintly, voicing her deductions as she studied his reaction.
“You… How do you know all this?”
His face paled with shock. Aside from Lady Liu, who had only a vague idea, no one else knew these details. The fact that Wan Qing had uncovered everything left him trembling.
“How I know is irrelevant. I only ask—is it true or not?”
She met his stunned gaze with a calm retort.
“What if it is? What if it isn’t? Kill me or spare me, just get on with it.”
He glared at her, her playful yet sharp confidence only fueling his defiance.
“Given what you’ve done to me, killing you ten times over wouldn’t be enough. But death won’t come so easily. I just want to know—what is it you’ve been trying to extract from me all this time?”
Having clarified the rest, Wan Qing cut to the heart of her long-standing confusion.
“Don’t you already know what we’re after?”
His eyes narrowed skeptically at her apparent ignorance.
“I only know you seek a token from me, but I’ve no idea what it is,” Wan Qing replied honestly.
“Did your mother never give you anything valuable?”
He pressed further.
“No. So I’d hoped you could tell me. But since you’re clueless too, forget it. You may leave.”
Her sudden dismissal left him stunned.
“You…” He couldn’t believe she’d let him go after all he’d done.
“Yes, the needles will come out without pain, but your martial arts are now nullified. A man like you won’t pose any further threat to me or my father.”
As she removed the Silver Snowflake Needles, she explained with a faint smile.
“You… Without my skills, you might as well kill me! You… You venomous witch! If I die, I’ll drag you down with me—”
Enraged at the loss of his abilities—a fate worse than death—he lunged at her with a dagger from his waist. But before he could even graze her sleeve, Wan Qing spun around, her needles flying straight into his thigh, sending him crumpling to his knees.
“Even with your skills, you were no match for me. Attempting a sneak attack? Know your limits. I suggest you behave—my patience for sparing you won’t last forever.”
Watching him kneel helplessly, seething with impotent fury, Wan Qing retrieved her needles with ease and delivered a final warning before turning away.
“You… You vicious wretch! No wonder your mother died a wretched death—no wonder she took her secrets to the grave!”
His venomous words struck a nerve. Wan Qing whirled back, her composure shattered.
“What did you just say? Repeat it! Come at me all you want, but insult my mother, and you’ll pay!”
She kicked him to the ground, yanked him up by the collar, and landed several sharp slaps across his face until blood trickled from his lips. With a furious jerk, she flung him aside, snatched his fallen dagger, and pressed it menacingly against his groin.
“Speak! What is this ‘thing’? If you don’t talk, I’ll ensure you lose not just your martial arts but your manhood too!”
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