CHAPTER 271: CHAPTER 271: ABSURD

On the outskirts of Jinxi Town, in a farmhouse.

"This humble abode is simple, no tea in the house, sorry to offer you some plain water!"

A woman in her fifties came over carrying a pot of hot water and several empty clay bowls.

"Let me do it, elder!"

Shen Qinglan rose, took the kettle from the woman’s hands, and filled the empty bowls with water one by one.

After examining Qian San’s injuries, everyone’s expressions were grave.

"Elder Mu, how long do you think he will take to wake up?" Duan Yunfei asked.

Mu Jian, who had been staying in the farmhouse, sighed softly and shook his head, "It’s hard to say."

He looked at Duan Yunfei, "Young Master Duan, there’s no need to worry too much. Although the young brother inside is severely injured, he’s not in any danger of losing his life. Waking up is just a matter of time."

"How did he get injured so seriously?" Xuan Ying frowned.

Mu Jian replied, "He was hit by the Red Fire Palm on his back."

"Red Fire Palm?" Duan Yunfei squinted, "The ultimate killing skill of Yan Lao from Haoyue Manor?"

"Exactly!" Mu Jian nodded in appreciation, "That young brother being able to escape from Yan Lao’s grasp is already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune."

Xuan Ying frowned, "Could it be that Chen Qi already knows what we are investigating?"

"I don’t know what you’re investigating?" Mu Jian questioned in confusion.

Song Ting and Lan Ruo also looked at them curiously.

Duan Yunfei looked at Mu Jian, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

"I wonder, does Elder Mu know how Xiao Wu perished in the fire back then?"

"Xiao Wu?" Mu Jian raised his eyebrows, "Isn’t this something the manor owner Duan would know better?"

Duan Yunfei shook his head, "What I’m investigating cannot be known to my father."

"I see."

Mu Jian said, "Back then, the death of Xiao Wu was a matter of varying opinions among Jianghu people. Some say Xiao Wu got drunk and accidentally knocked over a candle, burning himself, while others say he was killed by an enemy. Of course, there’s also a rumor..."

He looked at Duan Yunfei, "That the manor owner killed him."

"My father?" Duan Yunfei frowned, "That’s impossible! Xiao Wu was my father’s close friend. Though I never met Xiao Wu, I know my father treated him like a brother. They had no grievances or grudges, how could he kill him?"

Mu Jian sighed lightly, "That’s why people speculate."

"Why?" Duan Yunfei was puzzled, "Could it be that being too close is wrong?"

"It’s just vile people making wild guesses."

Some things are hard to express, and Mu Jian couldn’t discuss them with the younger generation.

Duan Yunfei said, "Please elaborate, elder!"

Mu Jian hesitated, but finally sighed ambiguously, "Some say, the manor owner was unable to bear the pain of unrequited love and hence took the lethal action."

"Ridiculous!" Duan Yunfei’s face instantly turned blue, "Xiao Wu had a beloved woman, and my father and mother were childhood sweethearts, how could it possibly... it’s utterly ridiculous!"

Under the table, Shen Qinglan reached out to place her hand on the back of his hand, signaling him not to be angry.

Duan Yunfei turned his head to look at her, and finally let out a heavy sigh, clasping her hand tightly in return, indicating she should not worry.

When Shen Qinglan withdrew her hand, her palm had gathered some sweat.

She clenched her hand slightly, saying nothing.

Duan Yunfei adjusted his breath and quickly said to Mu Jian, "I apologize for losing my manners due to my agitation. I’ve embarrassed myself in front of you!"

"No worries!" Mu Jian waved his hand, "Those people made such guesses because someone saw that Xiao Wu had been drinking merrily with the manor owner at an inn before his death."

Duan Yunfei was astonished, "Elder, you mean Xiao Wu drank with my father before his death?"