Chapter 6: The White Huan and the Black Huan

The white-haired man seemed not to hear Murong Huan’s words. He slowly picked up the teacup again, blowing away the rising steam inside. “Clearly, you are a young lady, so why do you call yourself ‘sir’?”

“Is it that obvious? Even with a beard glued on, you can tell?” Ashu said in surprise.

The young gentleman beside the white-haired man couldn’t help but cover his mouth to stifle a laugh.

“The Creator fashioned yin and yang in heaven and earth, each with its distinct nature. It is actually quite easy to distinguish a woman from a man!” The white-haired man spoke, a faint, carefree smile curving his lips.

Ashu was stunned once more, then fiercely slapped herself across the face, warning herself not to be deceived by beauty.

At that moment, Murong Huan’s voice came again: “Please return the fish token to me!”

“If I don’t return it? What will you do?”

Murong Huan’s expression changed instantly. Her eyes, once clear and deep as a tranquil pool, suddenly turned cold and eerie. The young gentleman beside the white-haired man tightened his grip on his sword at his waist with caution.

Seeing the tension rise, Ashu hurriedly grabbed Murong Huan’s sleeve. “Ah Huan, don’t get agitated. Let’s talk calmly, talk to him properly.”

After urging her, Ashu turned to the white-haired man and pleaded, “Sir, please don’t joke around. That fish token is a vital proof for our girl to acknowledge her family back home. It means a great deal to her. You have no use for it; why not just return it to us?”

“If it’s to recognize family, is there no one in your home who knows you? People are alive, but this token is an inanimate object. How could one recognize a dead token but not a living person?”

Ashu was rendered speechless by this retort. Just then, a dull thud sounded from the room as several men dressed in black burst in, attacking anyone in sight.

“Assassins!” Ashu screamed in terror. The young man in dark clothes beside the white-haired man drew his sword and engaged the black-clad assailants fiercely.

The clang of swords and the crash of porcelain filled the air.

Suddenly, Ashu felt dizzy as Murong Huan suddenly wrapped her arm around her waist and pulled her aside. Nearby, a long blade struck a stool, cleaving it in two.

When Ashu looked up again, Murong Huan was confronting the attackers barehanded. She dodged the blades and landed a punch, knocking one assassin to the ground. A long knife then fell into her hand.

With a sharp sound, for every attacker who came, one fell.

Murong Huan’s strikes were merciless, and nearly all who lunged at her with blades fell beneath her long knife. The remaining assassins, seemingly terrified, exchanged glances and fled after a brief look at the white-haired man.

Yet the murderous intent in Murong Huan’s eyes did not subside. Once the black-clad men had fled, she leapt onto the table in front of the white-haired man and, with her right hand, gripped his neck tightly.

“Who are you?” she demanded fiercely. “Return the fish token!”

Ashu screamed again in fright.

The young gentleman in dark clothes quickly returned, drawing his sword and pointing it at Murong Huan. “Let go! If you harm him, you won’t leave this room alive!”

“Ah Huan, calm down. He’s not a bad man. Please let him go, please!” Ashu pleaded.

Ashu held Murong Huan’s hand, urging her repeatedly. Seeing no response, she quickly took a wooden doll from her cloak and presented it to Murong Huan gently. “Ah Huan, look who this is. Look at her, and you will remember yourself. Please release this gentleman; he’s not a villain...”

Murong Huan’s gaze shifted from the white-haired man to the doll. Gradually, the killing aura in her eyes receded until the deep, clear pupils regained their serene clarity.

She slowly loosened her grip.

The young man in dark clothes immediately stepped in front of the white-haired man, sword still raised.

Ashu hurried forward to explain, “I’m sorry, my girl is easily startled. When she sees swords and bloodshed, she fights desperately. She did not mean to harm you, sir. She was just too agitated!”

“Does agitation justify murder? My gentleman has not harmed her; why would she attack him?”

“She just lost control. I apologize, sir, truly. I apologize on her behalf!”

Ashu nearly knelt down. The young man seemed unwilling to let the matter drop and asked the white-haired man, “Sir, shall we take them to the officials? Or summon the Ministry of Justice?”

Ashu was about to weep in distress when the white-haired man replied calmly, “No need. Let them go.”

“Sir!”

The white-haired man took a fish token from his sleeve and gently tossed it into Murong Huan’s hand.

“You may choose to leave or stay. I will not interfere.”

“Thank you, sir! Thank you so much!” Ashu repeatedly expressed her gratitude and grabbed Murong Huan’s hand, ready to leave. But at this moment, officials burst in. Seeing several bodies lying on the floor still bleeding, their leader asked, “Who killed these people? What happened here?”

The white-haired man remained composed and replied, “Assassins ambushed us, intending to kill me. My guards killed them. Officer, do you want to take these bodies for inspection or question me?”

As he spoke, the young man in dark clothes raised a badge before the officials.

Their expressions immediately turned respectful and somewhat fearful. “Since assassins committed the crime, naturally, we will take the bodies for autopsy and questioning. Sorry to trouble you, sir!”

He then ordered his subordinates, “Quickly remove the bodies. Seal off all the neighborhood gates and search for the accomplices!”

“Yes, sir!”

The officials moved swiftly, clearing the bodies and restoring order.

The room quieted once more. The white-haired man, as if nothing had happened, continued brewing his tea. A delicate, sweet aroma filled the air.

Seeing Ashu stunned and unblinking, the white-haired man asked, “What’s the matter? Are you reluctant to leave? Or would you prefer to spend the night here?”

“No, no—we dare not disturb you, sir...” Ashu waved her hands anxiously and tried to pull Murong Huan’s sleeve, only to find her suddenly go limp, falling backward. Fortunately, Ashu caught her in her arms.

“Ah Huan—” The white-haired man’s expression also changed.

Ashu forced a somewhat embarrassed smile. “Sorry, sir, we might not be able to leave just yet. My girl spent a lot of effort treating someone’s illness earlier and hadn’t rested all night. She also fought just now and is extremely exhausted. We’ll rest here tonight. Please don’t mind us; we’ll try to be as unobtrusive as possible.”

The young man in dark clothes was about to order them out in anger, but the white-haired man raised a hand to stop him.

“No matter. Let it be.”

Ashu smiled shyly, quickly patching the paper door again before settling down beside Murong Huan to rest.

...

When Murong Huan awoke from her dream, she still caught a faint scent of tea drifting through the room. It was a special fragrance, one that seemed to dispel the shadows in one’s heart, making the mind and body feel light and joyful.

Suddenly, with a thud, Ashu fell off the edge of the bed and quickly got up, joyfully looking at Murong Huan. “Ah Huan, you’re awake! It’s alright, everything’s alright!”

Murong Huan sat up, her expression still somewhat dull. Seeing her cold, profound eyes, Ashu hesitated and cautiously asked, “Are you the White Huan... or the Black Huan?”

White Huan? Black Huan?

This was their secret code: if she herself awakened, she was White Huan; if the uncontrollable other awakened, she was Black Huan.

Naturally, the alternative answer would never come from her lips.

“White Huan!” Ashu exclaimed.

“That’s wonderful, that’s wonderful!” she said, holding Murong Huan with great joy.

Murong Huan was not as excited as Ashu. After Ashu calmed down, she said slowly, “Let’s return home today.”

“All right, all right. We’ll go back to the Su family, right away!”

...

After Ashu packed, she was about to step outside with Murong Huan when a man’s voice came from another room: “Leaving so soon?”

With a swish, the door between them was pushed open again.

Murong Huan saw the white-haired man sitting upright, still brewing tea. The tea fragrance was refreshing, invigorating the spirit.

“Sir, we are in a hurry to return home. Please forgive us if we have offended you!” Ashu hurriedly explained.

The white-haired man turned to Murong Huan with a smile. “Last night, you asked me who I am, and I have yet to answer you.”

“Remember my name: I am Xiao Mucheng!”