Chapter 11: Stabbing a Corpse Part 2

Feng Yun’ai did not believe for a second that this woman spoke out of kindness. She said coldly, “It would be best if Innkeeper Lin remains in her room for the time being to prevent any accidents.”

Lin Yaoyao had just escaped death and stood frozen in place, unable to move.

The man whose attack had been thwarted shouted, “This person used the forbidden arts of the Sun Chasing Cult! It’s bad enough that you won’t avenge Senior Hu Cheng, but you’re actually going to let a remnant of the Sun Chasing Cult go free?”

“I don’t know anything about the Sun Chasing Cult!” Lin Yaoyao’s voice trembled.

Several workers rushed to speak up for her, all claiming it was impossible for the innkeeper to kill anyone.

“How could it be our Innkeeper? She treats everyone so well!”

“She has no grudge against Hu Cheng. She’s never been involved in your filthy martial arts affairs!”

Someone else suggested, “Since the Innkeeper said she was out purchasing supplies these past few days, why not go to the places she visited and ask? That would clear up her movements, wouldn’t it?”

“Innkeeper Lin, do you have any leads?” Sang Chencao asked unhurriedly.

Lin Yaoyao’s stunning face suddenly darkened. She remained silent for a long time, unable to provide an answer.

“Innkeeper!” a worker cried out, frantic with worry.

Silence was a lack of defense.

Thus, Sang Chencao pressed further, “Who did you go out to see last night? The needles, the poison, and the nails on the body—have you seen them before?”

Lin Yaoyao lowered her fan, finally revealing the corners of her mouth that had been hidden for so long. Her lips were pressed tight, and after a long moment, a desolate smile escaped them. She shook her head. “Since I haven’t seen them, how am I supposed to prove I haven’t? The sun is harsh during the day, so it’s common to go out late at night. What else can I say?”

“Then please return to your room, Innkeeper,” Feng Yun’ai said.

Lin Yaoyao only replied, “Thank you.”

The hiding little maid looked up and cried, “Sister, you didn’t kill him, did you?”

Lin Yaoyao shook her head and gently pried the girl’s fingers from her sleeve one by one.

“Innkeeper Lin, after you.” Sang Chencao stood up, making a gesture as if to escort her to the room.

The crowd was dumbfounded. In particular, the one who had long admired Hu Cheng questioned sharply, “She has nothing left to say! If it’s not her, who else could it be? After all this, you’re still going to shield her?”

“Simple-minded,” Sang Chencao mocked. She raised her arm again. “Please.”

Lin Yaoyao no longer seemed afraid of a sudden attack, but her unsteady steps as she climbed the stairs betrayed her inner turmoil.

Feng Yun’ai went upstairs with the two of them. The moment the bedroom door closed, she turned to Sang Chencao and said, “If there is someone behind her, aren’t you beating the grass and startling the snake?”

“If I don’t beat the grass,” Sang Chencao said dismissively, “how am I supposed to catch the snake?”

“You’re so eager to point the finger, it almost looks like you’re trying to divert attention from yourself,” Feng Yun’ai said, blunt and icy.

Sang Chencao scoffed. “We both want to find the killer. We just have different methods.”

“How can I trust you?” Feng Yun’ai’s voice was cold.

“You suspect me. No matter what I say, I won’t be able to convince you.” Sang Chencao turned away nonchalantly, showing not the slightest intention of clearing her own name.

Feng Yun’ai watched the closed door in silence for a long time before turning to go downstairs, her white dress swaying gently.

She had a vague feeling that things weren’t this simple. Even if Lin Yaoyao really was the killer, the reason behind it couldn’t possibly be a simple vendetta.

Especially when the Sun Chasing Cult was involved.

Inside and outside the Yao Yao Inn, there was a dead silence. Everyone suspected one another, never imagining the culprit could be the innkeeper.

An old worker who had been there since the inn opened suddenly said, “I’ve never heard the Innkeeper mention martial arts matters, nor have I heard of her having disputes with people from the martial world. Though nobody would believe it now… when she first arrived at Listening Moon Sand River, she was all alone, carrying nothing but her baby sister.”

Feng Yun’ai sat back in her original spot. Her peripheral vision stayed locked on Sang Chencao, refusing to let her out of her sight for even a second.

Sang Chencao didn’t care at all. She said leisurely, “Nine years ago, the Innkeeper must have been only in her teens, and her sister was likely still in swaddling clothes. The two of them most likely met with some misfortune, a fall from grace for their family.”

“When I first heard the Innkeeper’s accent, she didn’t sound like someone from the Sand River,” the old worker sighed.

“You can’t exactly say she had ulterior motives at such a young age,” Feng Yun’ai said softly.

Sang Chencao sneered. “Should I call you empathetic, or just naive about the ways of the world?”