Break This Engagment

63rd Break: Another Death

Meng Xing sighed as he looked at the unconscious Lin Yao.

"Boss... I am sorry, but we lost him." Qiu Liu said and knelt as he bowed his head.

Meng Xing waved his hand. "It's alright. I don't expect for us to catch him today." He said and glanced at the dead father of Xu Ran.

Earlier, Qiu Liu sent him a message saying that the beggars have noticed someone appeared in the capital. Then, they saw that this person is going to the direction of the clothes store which is the meet-up place of Xu father with someone. The beggars wanted to know who this person is, but they didn't dare approach since the person is obviously a practitioner, and so they only could alert Qiu Liu who is still working as a waiter in the Xu family's restaurant.

Then, Qiu Liu had them call for Meng Xing, who is free lately since he is just waiting for news from Qiu Qi, who is watching over the Yang residence and see whether Xu Ran is really not there. So Meng Xing decided to follow Qiu Liu. They didn't have their people watch near the clothes store to not alert Xu father's conspirator when he finally arrives – which is unexpectedly today. They only had the beggars watch it from the distance.

Yet, who knew that this practitioner is very alert and sensed Qiu Liu's arrival? And Xu father, who was very dissatisfied finally poured out all of his grievances and quarrelled with the practitioner, who obviously became angrier. So, the practitioner went after the soft persimmon (weaker) first – that is, Xu father. This is a wise move, since it also lured out Qiu Liu – who definitely would not stand by and just watch someone to die – albeit that person is a criminal.

So, Qiu Liu came out of his hiding to save Xu father. But how can Qiu Liu, who was just formerly a beggar, fight against the practitioner? So Qiu Liu was beaten up while doing his best to buy time for Xu father to escape, and also to wait for Meng Xing to arrive. But, before Meng Xing could, Qiu Si arrived first. That small beggar wisely came to Huichen after he notified Meng Xing since he felt worried of both Qiu Liu and Meng Xing. This saved Qiu Liu's life.

The practitioner sensed Qiu Si's dangerous aura. After all, Qiu Si was recognized by Lin Ze as his equal... well, might be stronger than him. This practitioner is actually just an elusive practitioner. Or else, he would have gone and appeared with the other practitioners present in the capital. So, he used everything that he could to escape. Qiu Si was taken aback when the practitioner threw the beaten up Qiu Liu to him so Qiu Si had to stop his attack or he would kill Qiu Liu. The practitioner used this chance to escape, and to also kill Xu father who has seen his face.

It was at this time that Lin Yao arrived and witnessed Xu father being killed in the alley. Then Meng Xing finally arrived and knocked out Lin Yao.

"I was late. If I had arrived sooner... he might still be alive." Meng Xing said and sighed as he looked at Xu father's corpse.

Qiu Liu looked at Meng Xing. "Boss... you... hey, your face is pale!" he exclaimed when he noticed Meng Xing's poor complexion. "Could it be...?!" his eyes widened in horror.

Qiu Si frowned and walked towards Meng Xing before he pulled down Meng Xing's mask unceremoniously, revealing Meng Xing's full face. "Breathe." He spoke as he pressed some points on Meng Xing's body. "Call Qiu Wu and that doctor, along with the others to clean up." This was directed to Qiu Liu.

"On it!" Qiu Liu answered and hurriedly left after wiping the blood stains on his face. He also called the beggars with him who can run faster.

Meanwhile, Qiu Si is helping Meng Xing slow down the blood flow on Meng Xing's body, thus easing the pain that Meng Xing feels. Though, after Qiu Si pressed some points on his body, Meng Xing can't move his body.

Qiu Si noticed Meng Xing's gaze and he guessed that Meng Xing must want to speak. "Endure the pain, then." He said as he pressed the points on Meng Xing's body again.

As soon as Meng Xing's meridians were released Meng Xing regretted it, since the pain became thrice the pain that he felt earlier. But, he could only grit his teeth. "Thanks." He told Qiu Si and forced a smile.

Qiu Si just nodded, ignoring Meng Xing's glare.

Meng Xing doesn't even have the strength to roll his eyes. "Return Lin Yao to Lin Ze. He must be worried that Lin Yao didn't return." He told Qiu Si.

"If he asks?" Qiu Si spoke.

"Just tell him that another practitioner killed someone again." Meng Xing answered. They can't erase Lin Yao's memories anyway.

Qiu Si nodded, then picked up the unconscious Lin Yao on the back collar like he is picking up a puppy. "Your qigong is still not enough to fight with the poison." He spoke. "Even with the help of that thing that doctor said." He said.

Meng Xing fell silent. He lied to Lin Ze. He is also a practitioner. But, for some reason, his qigong can't be detected on his body. And he found out that his qigong can't be used. He suspected it was the poison. And he thought it was so when the poison in his body recurred for five years. But, after they heard the doctor that Qiu Wu brought back said that there was another thing inside his body aside from poison and it was the one suppressing the poison, Meng Xing then knows that this thing was actually the one 'eating' his qigong.

"What can I do, then?" Meng Xing asked and helplessly sighed.

Qiu Si didn't answer, since he doesn't know, either. Meng Xing knows that Qiu Si is knowledgeable with matters of jianghu. Meng Xing also knows that Qiu Si has more secrets hidden than him.

Qiu Si hesitated for a moment. Then, finally, he sighed. "Why don't you try asking Shijiu?" he asked, referring to Qiu Shiba – who is also his archenemy.

The author has something to say:

Lin Ze: how many secrets are you hiding from me?!

Meng Xing: *clutching his vests tight. Qiu Si have them more than me! *points at Qiu Si

Qiu Si: ... (boss, be careful or I will turn against you!)

Qiu Shiba: just try it! *points sword at Qiu Si's throat.