[Bonus chapter]66th Break: Behavior

Meng Xing finished his bath and let Qiu Yi do his hair after Qiu Yi insisted. "Where did you lose that person?" he asked Qiu Si. He is referring to the practitioner who killed Mr. Xu.

Qiu Si was the one who chased after the practitioner earlier while Meng Xing took care of Lin Yao who suddenly appeared on the scene.

"Downtown area." Qiu Si answered.

"How did you lose him?" Meng Xing asked. He knows Qiu Si's skills, and it is not that easy for someone to make Qiu Si lose sight of them.

So, either that person is strong, or that they are elusive – which they concluded when they tried to catch him earlier.

"He disappeared." Qiu Si answered.

"'disappeared'?" Meng Xing and Qiu Yi muttered and looked at each other.

"He must have been wearing a human skin mask." Qiu Si explained. "Then, took off his outer clothes." He told them.

This operation is familiar. "Could it be someone from the Writhing Snake again?" Qiu Yi frowned.

But, Qiu Si shook his head. "No," he answered.

"Huh? Why?" Qiu Yi asked. Qiu Si seemed certain when he heard his tone.

"Writhing Snake doesn't indiscriminately kill and that bloodthirsty." Qiu Si answered. He is referring to killing Mr. Xu.

The practitioner could have just escaped since he actually has a human skin mask. But, he just had to kill Mr. Xu – an ordinary person.

Meng Xing's eyes narrowed, understanding what Qiu Si meant. "It is not unusual for gangs or sects to have the same operation with another gang or sect," he said.

Qiu Yi looked at him, and finally understood what they were saying. "You mean, someone is copying the Writhing Snake's methods?" he was surprised.

Meng Xing nodded in affirmation. "Qiu Si. You ask Jiang Xu about this person." He ordered.

"Yes." Qiu Si answered and then left, leaving Qiu Yi and Meng Xing alone in the room.

It was silent, but the atmosphere was very harmonious. After all, Qiu Yi and Meng Xing had known each other the longest compared with the other members of Huichen. As Qiu Yi's name* ('yi' means 'one', first), he was the first one that Meng Xing met and recruited. So, they are very familiar with each other.

"You are distracted." Meng Xing spoke when he saw that Qiu Yi's movement became slow.

"Sorry." Qiu Yi muttered and combed Meng Xing's hair, which he already dried earlier, faster.

"This is not what I meant." Meng Xing said, referring to his hair.

Qiu Yi fell silent.

Meng Xing sighed. "We have known each other for a long time… the longest time compared with the other employees of Huichen." He spoke. "Tell me if you have anything in your mind." He told Qiu Yi.

"I will." Qiu Yi answered and lowered his gaze.

Meng Xing didn't speak again. He knows that Qiu Yi wouldn't tell him what it is. He didn't force him, either, since he knows that if it is necessary for him to know it, Qiu Yi would not hesitate to tell him – even if it is a small matter, something unpleasant, or might bring unhappiness to Meng Xing. In the past, Qiu Yi naturally hid these kinds of matters from Meng Xing since he didn't want Meng Xing to feel troubled. But, when it endangered Qiu Yi, Meng Xing was extremely angry and scolded Qiu Yi.

Meng Xing's words were not unpleasant, but Qiu Yi knows that Meng Xing is very angry. So, Qiu Yi decided to never hide anything from Meng Xing. He has always been loyal to Meng Xing. But, sometimes, there are still some things that he needs to hide. For one, his affection towards Meng Xing. As for the second one…

Qiu Yi held Meng Xing's hairband tightly. He can't let Meng Xing find out about it!

The corners of Meng Xing's lips curled down. "Have you heard anything from Qiu Qi?" he asked, changing the topic.

"She said that to celebrate the 'ghost' finally leaving the inn, Mr. Yang will be holding a party in three days." Qiu Yi answered.

Meng Xing nodded in understanding. He must have missed it in the conversation downstairs earlier because he rigged the door of Lin Yao's room.

"Mr. Yang also invited Huichen to thank us." Qiu Yi continued. "The guests of the inn also are invited." He told Meng Xing.

"You show up for me." Meng Xing said. "I will attend as Meng Xing." He said.

Qiu Yi nodded. "Also..." he spoke. "Mr. Yang said that this celebration is for his son's engagement to his girlfriend." He said.

"A double celebration?" Meng Xing was surprised. "So young master Yang actually has found a girlfriend, huh? Who is it?" he asked and smiled.

"Qiu Qi said, from what she heard, young master Yang has been in a relationship with his girlfriend for three months." Qiu Yi answered. "But, he hid it from his father who was very strict with him in his studies." He explained. "As for who the woman is, Qiu Qi doesn't know." He said.

"I see. She is unimportant to us. Tell Qiu Qi to just focus on the case." Meng Xing said. He is referring to finding Xu Ran. "Also, you ask for a leave from the Xu family's restaurant on behalf of Qiu Liu." He added when he remembered that Qiu Liu was injured.

"I understand." Qiu Yi answered and tied Meng Xing's hair.

…

Imperial palace.

Jiang Yan frowned when he heard the messenger's report. "Some people from the other kingdoms were also looking for that elixir?" he scoffed.

"Yes, Your Majesty. They said that they heard the elixir was taken to the capital." The messenger answered.

"Then tell them that the elixir already has left the capital!" Jiang Yan said, which is true. "Our empire doesn't need such a dubious thing! I and mother are in good health." He smirked. "And, I don't need to rely on such a thing to achieve immortality, since I don't need to become immortal just to achieve great things!" he added.

"Your Majesty is correct!" the messenger said and prostrated before the emperor.

Their emperor and the empress dowager really don't need an elixir, nor anyone from the royal family since they all are in good health, which is a blessing from their ancestors. Not to mention that the emperor, and the empress dowager, are still young. The empress dowager even looked like she was in her thirties when she was already in her fifties.

So in the empire, there is no one who needs the elixir.