Chapter 14: Yang Can’s Signature Skill

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Long-standing grudges had festered between the escort horses of the Suo and Yu families. Yet, each side harbored mutual apprehension, preventing any major conflicts from erupting. This time, however, both parties intended to cause trouble, resulting in an especially fierce brawl. When Steward Yi stormed over in anger to intervene, many were already injured, with at least three gravely wounded and on the brink of death.

Steward Yi’s fury was uncontrollable. Already distressed by the secret surrounding the young master’s death, now the two families—once bound by marriage—were drunkenly fighting, leading to such severe consequences.

“Who started this? Step forward!” he demanded. “Where is Nurse Tu? Hurry and bring Nurse Tu here!”

He issued two commands in quick succession, but before he could uncover the cause of the violent clash, a shocking piece of news arrived: Nurse Tu was dead.

Stunned, Steward Yi hurried after the messenger. Upon reaching the scene, he discovered Nurse Tu’s body lying just over twenty steps from her quarters. This spot was the center of the entire camp, yet there was no campfire nearby, and the night was dim. The uneven ground had concealed her fallen form until now.

The night wind howled mournfully, the campfire still smoldered, but the murder weapon—a bone shard—had long since turned to ash.

Nurse Tu was dead. Near her body lay a wolf-tooth arrow, but it bore no blood, and the wound on her neck was not caused by an arrow. No other weapon could be found at the scene.

Who had killed Nurse Tu? With what weapon? And why?

A cascade of questions lingered unanswered.

Except for Leopard Head Cheng Dakuan, no one suspected Yang Can, despite Yang’s previous heated conflict with Nurse Tu. Yang, a scholarly adviser with a deft hand, was one of the few Yu family members that the proud Suo family tolerated during his tenure as marriage coordinator. Both families knew Yang was a scholar without martial skills. How could a man incapable of combat kill Nurse Tu silently and unseen?

Leopard Head stood amid the crowd, his gaze fixed unnervingly on Yang Can.

Cheng Dakuan doubted anyone around Yang was of any use. Yang had only recently become the young master’s aide and had been busy arranging the marriage. He could not possibly have recruited loyal accomplices in such a short time. So, if not one of Yang’s men, then who? Could Yang himself—who supposedly lacked martial skills—have committed the murder?

The young master of the Yu family was assassinated, Nurse Tu was mysteriously killed; everyone knew the culprit was among them, yet no one knew who.

This cast a heavy, oppressive shadow over the entire wedding escort and funeral procession.

Steward Yi was overwhelmed; a resourceful man, yet unskilled in investigation. At this moment, Yang Can, filled with righteous indignation, stepped forward and pointed the finger directly at Suo Chanzhi, the bride.

“Steward Yi, I just said there’s a problem with the Suo family, and Nurse Tu was killed—clearly someone silenced her! Among the Suo family, the only person of higher status than Nurse Tu is our young mistress…”

Yang Can’s voice was loud, almost a shout that pounded inside Steward Yi’s head.

“Yang Can, shut your mouth!” Steward Yi snapped harshly. It was unclear why Yang relentlessly targeted the Suo family; after all, they had the least motive to kill the young master.

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Moreover, Steward Yi already knew the true killer; he simply did not want that forbidden name to pass his lips.

Suo Chanzhi trembled with anger at Yang Can’s accusation. She stepped forward, her voice fierce: “Steward Yi, I request that you hand Yang Can over to me for custody immediately.”

Surprised, Steward Yi asked, “Young mistress, why do you say this...?”

Suo Chanzhi was visibly agitated. “This Yang Can is stirring trouble, spouting nonsense that my family is deeply involved in my husband’s death! Now Nurse Tu has been mysteriously murdered, and there must be a traitor among us! If anything happens to Yang Can, I would be utterly helpless to explain! How can I continue to hold my position in the Yu family then?”

Her delicate form shook, tears streaming down the face of the fair and dignified widow.

Choking back sobs, she said, “Yang Can must be kept safe. Otherwise, I will have no defense. Steward Yi, I will personally be responsible for his safety until we reach Tianshui unharmed.”

Steward Yi’s expression grew troubled.

Seeing this, Suo Chanzhi bit her lip and bowed deeply. “Steward Yi, if anything happens to Yang Can during this time, I will bear full responsibility.”

“No, no, young mistress, please do not make such a grand gesture...” Steward Yi hurriedly tried to stop her, then glanced at Yang Can and steeled himself. “Very well, Yang Can, I entrust you to the young mistress.”

Yang Can’s face instantly drained of color. He shouted desperately, “No, Steward Yi, you cannot agree to this! They will kill me—I will die!”

Steward Yi had a slew of aftermath matters to handle and no time for Yang’s protests. With a wave of his hand, he ordered the Suo family to take Yang Can away.

Among the crowd, Leopard Head Cheng Dakuan was utterly baffled by Yang Can’s behavior.

“Are scholars born with nine twists and eighteen bends in their guts? Yang, I’m trusting your plan. Don’t let me down. If I become a ghost, I won’t forgive you, you deceiving fiend!”

...

Late into the night, just like that wedding night long ago.

Only then, he and she were the best man and bride.

Now, they were prisoner and judge.

Yang Can was bound by Xiao Qingmei.

The young girl exerted all her strength, tying him tightly until the ropes nearly cut into his flesh.

Once secured, Xiao Qingmei stood guard with her sword, ready to kill him on a word from her mistress.

The girl had suffered wounds all over, and Xiao Qingmei had long been disgusted by such a vile man—better to kill him outright.

“Suo Chanzhi, did you kill Nurse Tu?” she asked coldly.

At this point, if Suo Chanzhi did not suspect Yang Can’s involvement in Nurse Tu’s death, she would be foolish.

Yang Can did not hide anything from her and nodded calmly.

“How did you kill Nurse Tu?”

Yang smiled but did not answer.

No one in the world knew he possessed a unique skill: “Flying Cards.”

In fact, he could perform incredible feats with playing cards—cutting fruit, slicing water bottles, even cutting branches across the river with flying cards.

Even a screwdriver in his hands could be wielded with deadly precision.

Because of this skill, before transmigrating, he was a minor internet celebrity with fans who loved watching his dazzling trick shots.

He never showed his face; they came for his masterful “Flying Cards” technique.

After crossing into this world, his once purely performative skill finally found practical use.

During over two years of working hard on the ranch, he also learned a shepherd’s unique art from the northwest: the sling.

The sling is a vital survival skill for shepherds, essentially a slingshot made of rope and leather pouches, capable of striking targets accurately at a hundred paces.

This weapon also existed in the West; an ancient Greek proverb said: “The heavily armed infantry fear not strong enemies but ragged slingers.”

The sling works by rapidly spinning the wrist to generate explosive power. Having mastered it, Yang’s wrist strength improved, elevating his flying card skill to a transcendent level.

At times when preparation was impossible, he was unbeatable.

“How dare you? Why did you kill Nurse Tu?”

Yang first smiled wildly, then gradually suppressed it, his expression turning stern. “Why? Young mistress, you really don’t know?”

“I...” Suo Chanzhi avoided his gaze uneasily.

Tonight, she had planned to have Xiao Qingmei summon Nurse Tu to persuade her to spare Yang Can.

But she did not intend to reveal this to Yang.

First, because the plan was not yet enacted, it would lack conviction.

Second, she would not show weakness to Yang; she still had to set rules for him.

Yang said, “Young mistress, you don’t think Nurse Tu just wanted to kill me, do you?”

“I’m certain that after I die, the second person she aims to kill will be...” He glanced at Xiao Qingmei, whose round face still held some baby fat, with arched brows, almond eyes, a small well-shaped mouth, and lips naturally curved into a hint of sweetness.

Yang continued, “This young lady here.”

Xiao Qingmei’s eyes widened in surprise. What? Am I involved in this?

Yang said, “For Nurse Tu, only if both I and Qingmei die will this secret remain a secret.”

Xiao Qingmei quickly said, “She doesn’t need to worry about me; I’m tight-lipped!”

Yang replied, “I believe you are tight-lipped, but Nurse Tu doesn’t need your silence—she only needs the secret to be hers alone.”

Xiao Qingmei was momentarily confused. Yang explained, “That way, she could use this secret to control you and your child, turning you both into her puppets.”

Suo Chanzhi remained silent but had long harbored suspicions.

Just days ago, Nurse Tu told her she did not intend to report this matter to the family head.

She said it concerned her honor, and even within their own family, the fewer who knew, the better.

She also told Suo Chanzhi to warn Xiao Qingmei not to slip when speaking to Suo family members.

At the time, Suo Chanzhi was grateful for Nurse Tu’s considerate caution.

But upon reflection, she felt something amiss.

Nurse Tu had been assigned by the main branch at her wedding and had no personal bond with her—why such care?

This doubt reminded her of the night Yu Chengye died—her heart filled with panic and despair, she barely thought of anything else.

It was Nurse Tu who had devised the “stand-in groom” scheme, coercing her to comply.

If Nurse Tu truly acted for her good, why resort to threats and intimidation?

She had planned to use these doubts to persuade Nurse Tu to spare Yang Can tonight.

If Nurse Tu refused, she would expose these suspicions to force her hand. Now, that plan was useless.

Yang added, “By then, Nurse Tu would lean on the Suo family, control the Yu family’s eldest daughter-in-law and grandson, and have the leverage to oppress her masters.”

Suo Chanzhi still said nothing, but she fully believed Yang’s judgment.

After a moment of silence, she said bitterly, “Qingmei, untie him.”