TGCFNM -Chapter 419 Someone Took Action First

Chu Ling arrived a step too late. Seeing the empty main seat and hearing the chaotic sounds of people playing drinking games, she frowned. “Where’s Si Yuanqi?”

Bai Su had Chu Ling hide first, then, after calculating the distance, stepped straight into the main hall.

Inside, the people were lost in illusions, constantly drinking and playing games, the atmosphere wild and frenzied. Only a rare few who were somewhat clear-headed spoke incoherently.

Bai Su listened for a while and, upon hearing that Si Yuanqi had some matters to attend to and hadn’t returned yet, frowned and went back to inform Chu Ling.

“He’s been gone for about a quarter of an hour,” Bai Su said.

Chu Ling glanced carefully and frowned. “What’s going on with them? Zhang Dong and Xiao Hua already put the drugs in so quickly? And the opera troupe hasn’t even come out yet, yet they’re already this drunk?”

Ghost Scholar shook his head. “Too little time. Even if Xiao Hua and Zhang Dong acted fast, they would be in the second wave. But these people here clearly have already been affected.”

“Also, judging by their appearance, it seems the effect is very similar to the intoxicating powder Su He concocted—but stronger,” Bai Su frowned. “Could someone else make this poison? Did the old weirdo Meng Jiang leave a branch of his technique behind?”

“That’s not it. Someone else took action!” Chu Ling’s expression changed sharply, ignoring everything else. “Aunt Su, Master, Cui Xi, Wangcai, Wu Huan—within your range, help me find Si Yuanqi. He’s wearing a deep crimson-purple robe, very recognizable.”

Several spirits nodded and immediately began searching.

Chu Ling frowned tightly. Someone had acted before her?

Besides her investigating the case, who else would think of moving against Si Yuanqi…

Wu Ting!

Chu Ling froze. Wu Ting came to Feima Villa?

Ghost Scholar assessed the direction and said, “Master, leave here first and move forward.”

Chu Ling nodded and followed the instructions of Ghost Scholar and Bai Su, moving along the corridor, past the garden, until they reached a secluded area. Suddenly, the sound of clashing weapons rang out.

“Who sent you? How dare you attack me!” Si Yuanqi shouted angrily, clenching his fists and attacking.

Chu Ling quickened her pace, following the source of the sound, and finally saw two figures fighting inside a pavilion.

“Should I intervene…” Chu Ling began to speak, but Bai Su grabbed her, using a large viewing rock as cover, and they hid.

“Xiao Ling, look over there,” Bai Su said.

Chu Ling followed the direction Bai Su indicated and saw a tall figure casually sitting on the roof tiles, watching the fight below with keen interest.

The person wore a mask with a green face and fangs, and loose clothing that concealed gender and intentions. But when Si Yuanqi was injured, the figure suddenly acted, firing a dart and saving him.

Si Yuanqi looked back, eyes gentle. “Thank you. I owe you again.”

Meanwhile, the one fighting Si Yuanqi glanced at the masked figure with surprise, then quickly pulled another dart from a pillar and shot it at Si Yuanqi.

Si Yuanqi, caught off guard, was injured and struggled to defend.

Soon, the Si household servants rushed in to protect him. The hidden figure lightly tapped their toes and left quietly.

Si Yuanqi ordered his men to capture the black-masked assailant.

The masked man tried to fight back but found no opportunity and had no choice but to leave angrily.

“Someone, catch him!” Si Yuanqi shouted. After bandaging his arm casually, he chased after the figure with his men.

Watching this play within a play, Chu Ling was dumbfounded. “That person… who were they trying to help?”

“Perhaps they wanted to see the two of them tear each other apart,” Bai Su frowned.

The Ghost Scholar spoke up to warn, “Sir, there’s no time. Once things break out, the authorities will surely be called here.”

Chu Ling nodded. Just as she was about to look for the others, a cluster of blue ghost flames suddenly exploded in midair.

Immediately, black smoke began to rise from the four corners of the mountain villa, and the place caught fire.

Chu Ling was stunned. “Is this what they mean by plans not keeping up with changes? They’re moving so fast?”

“No, the arson couldn’t have been us,” the Ghost Scholar said, frowning. “Starting a fire risks harming innocents, and ghost flames are only meant to frighten. Someone is targeting Si Yuanqi.”

Chu Ling immediately realized what was happening. She looked toward the direction the ghost flames had appeared and quickly led the ghosts to fly over.

At the same time, Zhang Dong, who had released the ghost flames, carefully hid with Xiao Hua, avoiding everyone from the Si family. Only when Chu Ling arrived did he bring Xiao Hua out.

“Sir, something’s wrong tonight,” Zhang Dong said anxiously.

Chu Ling nodded. “I know. Someone else chose tonight to act, so I didn’t even get a chance to question Si Yuanqi.”

The Ghost Scholar’s eyes narrowed. “Sir, it’s chaos out there.”

Chu Ling’s expression stiffened as she listened to the heavy footsteps just beyond the wall. A team carrying torches passed swiftly, the firelight flickering across Xiao Hua’s face.

More and more people were now chasing the fugitives. If they stayed, they would surely be mistaken for accomplices.

At that moment, ghost flames appeared again in midair, then more and more, until it seemed as if the entire Si residence would be covered.

It must be that Wan Sanjin and Su He sensed something was wrong and had begun to act.

Chu Ling took out the ghost flame powder package given by Su He and looked at Zhang Dong and Xiao Hua. “Make more ghost flames. The messier, the better. Once it’s done, we leave immediately.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Chu Ling parted ways with them again and carefully followed her original route, occasionally hiding when encountering people, then finding chances to scatter the powder and ignite it with fire tongs.

The flames raging in the four corners, combined with ghost flames scattered throughout the Si residence, caused panic. Even the pursuers couldn’t help but become nervous.

Seeing an opportunity, Chu Ling had Bai Su guide the way. They successfully reached the stables and were about to climb over the wall to escape when Chu Ling’s sharp eyes caught a figure hiding in the shadows.

The person clutched a wound and watched Chu Ling warily. Without hesitation, Chu Ling grabbed them, grit her teeth, and carried them over the low wall, running desperately.

“Don’t struggle. I know it’s you!”

“Head Warden!”

The person froze for a moment before stumbling forward as Chu Ling led them along.

After running a long distance, Chu Ling finally saw Wan Sanjin and Su He. She waved weakly, and they immediately dashed over, taking the person with them as everyone continued to run.

When they reached the carriage, Zhang Dong quickly got down and helped everyone aboard one by one. “Sir, we brought back some questionable alcohol.”

Chu Ling supported her knees, panting. “Well done!”

Wan Sanjin pointed not far away, eyes wide in shock. “Can it not be well done? Look—over there’s on fire!”

Chu Ling looked into the distance. Amid the red blaze, the faint blue flames were still somewhat visible, but they were quickly swallowed by the real fire. In an instant, the area became a sea of flames.

“Someone struck before us and, without regard for innocent lives, set the fire directly…” Chu Ling said coldly, then turned to the pale-faced Head Warden.