Chapter 152: Bai Yunqi Was Scared Out of His Wits

A crisp, melodious sound like birdsong rang out.

Bai Yunxing gave the signal and waited for Mu Hu to appear.

Every direct descendant of the Mu Family, regardless of gender, had to endure a period of darkness in their childhood—locked in a study and forced to memorize all the secret codes.

The smart ones took a little over two months, like Sixth Sister.

The slower ones, like Eighth Brother, took nearly a year.

But now, Bai Yunxing couldn’t help but marvel—these codes were truly brilliant.

With so many combinations, they could be used in virtually any situation.

Mu Hu, who had been waiting nearby, quickly appeared.

Seeing that no one else was around, Mu Hu looked at the child before him and finally asked the question he’d been holding back: “Which Young Master are you an informant for?”

Mu Hu wanted to know. The two big shots lurking in the shadows also wanted to know.

Under their expectant gazes, Bai Yunxing calmly opened his mouth and said:

“Mu Liu.”

Even when facing his own people, Bai Yunxing didn’t reveal his true identity outright.

This matter was far too bizarre. The fewer people who knew, the better.

Otherwise, some rotten officials in court might seize on this to accuse the Mu Family of dabbling in the occult—or worse, of deceiving the emperor¹.

When Mu Hu heard the name Mu Liu, he immediately felt that it wasn’t so strange for a child to be working as an informant.

After all, this was the same Miss who had dressed as a man to flirt with a princess and nearly married her. What else was she incapable of?

“Bei Lanfeng might be here,” Bai Yunxing continued, “but as for why he’s here, I don’t know.”

“Bei Lanfeng! What’s he doing here?”

Mu Hu was visibly shocked at the name, and his voice unconsciously carried a hint of resentment.

Bai Yunxing looked at him calmly and said in a low voice, “I told you, I don’t know yet.”

“The death of the innkeeper at Zhenxiu Restaurant was likely his doing. Whether Zhenxiu Restaurant has ties to the Northern Barbarians is still uncertain. Go back and inform Fourth Young Master. He’ll know what to do.”

Mu Hu nodded solemnly.

“Oh, and take this letter back to the capital. Deliver it to the Old Madam personally.”

Bai Yunxing handed over a letter he had prepared in advance.

Inside, he had written his current location using coded language.

Since Mu Hu was from the Mu Family, Bai Yunxing dared to use the code. The last time, when he had Liang Tian’er deliver a letter to the capital, the risks had been too great, so he hadn’t included any details.

He was determined to return to the General’s Estate. Heaven had given him a second chance, and he was resolved to continue pursuing the ideals he had left unfinished in his past life.

Mu Hu took the letter. “Got it.”

After taking a few steps back, Mu Hu paused and turned to look at the young boy who was already so calm and wise beyond his years.

“Be careful. Don’t provoke Bei Lanfeng. You’re still young, but with your intelligence, you’re bound to become someone remarkable.”

Bai Yunxing gave a small smile but said nothing. He simply clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.

Mu Hu’s figure gradually disappeared into the distance.

Hidden in the shadows, Bai Yunqi glanced at Mu Hu, then at his own little brother.

So… his second brother must’ve been replaced, right?

He couldn’t have always been some undercover agent. That just didn’t make sense. The second brother he remembered was never this sharp.

Could it be that his brother had been a local even before his soul returned to this body?

He did recall his brother mentioning the Mu Family before, saying he wanted to join the army and become a general. Could he have originally been part of the Mu Family?

As Bai Yunqi pondered this, a dark figure suddenly lunged out of nowhere.

It charged straight at his brother, who was still standing in the street and hadn’t yet returned home.

In that instant, Bai Yunqi instinctively wanted to intervene.

But he quickly reminded himself—he couldn’t act yet. He needed to see how his brother would respond.

Bai Yun’an, hiding elsewhere, had the same thought.

However, when Bai Yun’an saw the sudden attacker, his gaze instinctively flicked toward the direction Mu Hu had just gone.

Was someone going to pop out over there too, trying to eliminate all the Mu Family’s informants?

Tch…

If this black-clad man wasn’t dealt with, their family might be in trouble.

Bai Yun’an glanced toward the spot where his eldest brother was hiding. Since he was over there, things should be fine.

Then he turned and headed in the direction Mu Hu had gone, just to make sure no one targeted the old, weak, or sick back home—or harmed the little sapling he was trying to win over.

Faced with the sudden attack, Bai Yunxing was momentarily startled. But relying on his nimble and agile frame, he managed to dodge.

The black-clad man immediately gave chase. He didn’t believe he couldn’t handle a little brat.

But Bai Yunxing didn’t run toward home, nor did he flee to any open areas. Instead, he deliberately chose narrow alleys that were hard to navigate.

Watching from the shadows, Bai Yunqi smirked. He didn’t know exactly what his brother was up to.

But one thing was clear—this kid was planning something.

And as his elder brother, how could he not lend a hand?

He quietly circulated his spiritual power, preparing to intervene at a critical moment to delay the pursuer.

Bai Yunxing glanced back, finding it odd. Was this black-clad man limping or something?

But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. He gripped a sharp stone in his hand. As he neared a cluttered alley filled with miscellaneous junk, he looked like he was exhausted and about to be caught.

Then, in a sudden burst of movement, Bai Yunxing spun around and launched a surprise counterattack. Using his momentum, he aimed the sharp stone straight at the man’s legs.

He bent backward and slid between the black-clad man’s legs, then drove his stone-clutching right fist straight upward.

In a flash, a blood-curdling scream tore through the night.

Hidden in the shadows, Bai Yunqi instinctively squeezed his legs together. Damn it…

Who said men can’t empathize?

This was empathy on a whole new level!

Second Brother always seemed steady and honest on the surface, but when it came down to it, how was he this…

Bai Yunxing didn’t pause for even a second. He knew all too well what his strengths were—and what his weaknesses were.

A head-on fight was not in his favor. But agility, and the deceptive appearance of a young, underestimated body—that was where he shined.

There was no time to catch his breath. This was his one shot.

He tossed the stone aside. A small knife slipped from his sleeve and shot toward the man’s throat, now lowered and exposed as he hunched over clutching his groin.

That knife—he’d been sharpening it whenever he had spare time. It could slice through pork with ease. He’d hidden it in the courtyard at home, only bringing it tonight in case something went wrong after exchanging the signal.

In an instant, blood sprayed out. Even though Bai Yunxing dodged to the side, he couldn’t avoid getting splattered.

He stared at the black-clad man, who was still clinging to life. His eyes were calm as a deep pool. Taking a steady breath, he raised his hand and slashed the man’s throat again.

That wasn’t what truly shocked Bai Yunqi.

What really made his heart leap into his throat was what Bai Yunxing did next—he let out a terrified scream, voice cracking with panic.

“Help! Murder! Someone’s been killed!!”

Bai Yunqi in the shadows: !?

What the hell is this kid doing?!

Translator’s Notes