The train bound for Yanjing, as nightfall arrives, gradually slows down to its minimum speed, and will only speed up after sunrise tomorrow. This is because it is not solely powered by steam; the solar luminous stone panels on top of the train are also a crucial energy source.
During this deceleration period, the bumps of the train are significantly reduced, making it a good ti to eat. Although the preservation technology of this era isn’t too advanced, since this is the first al after boarding, we can still eat sothing nice.
"Wow... where did you buy your al, Nianruo?" Li Ying stared at Kui Nianruo’s lunch box with sparkling eyes. Her al was purchased from Star Engraving Mirror Lake Restaurant, packed in a double-layered box to extend freshness, with fish, shrimp, beef, and chicken, yet its aroma was far from matching Kui Nianruo’s lunch box.
"My dad made it," Kui Nianruo grinned and said, "Do you want to share?"
"I think I’ll pass," Lin Xue pulled out a large pancake with crisp, browned edges and shook her head slightly: "I just prepared pancakes."
Qian Yuya also shook her head: "I prepared my own al, I also..."
Kui Nianruo shook her head, "Don’t be like that, I suddenly feel like having pancakes too."
"Exactly, exactly, and I can’t actually finish all this, Snowy, Rainy, if you don’t help eat, it’ll go to waste," Li Ying pointed at her double-layered lunch box: "The food will spoil overnight, let’s eat together."
Li Ying initially planned to share with Qian Yuya, so when she asked soone to buy from Mirror Lake Restaurant, she specifically instructed to buy a double portion, making her lunch box quite compelling.
Qian Yuya glanced at Lin Xue, nodded, and said, "Then I’ll thick-skinnedly eat your al."
"If you don’t eat my al, I’ll have no face to eat Nianruo’s al," Li Ying grinned, picked up a piece of chicken from Kui Nianruo’s lunch box with chopsticks, and imdiately showed a blissful expression on her face: "Mmm mmm mmm mmm—it’s so good even when cold, I want to go to your place, Nianruo, to eat!"
Kui Nianruo shrugged, feeling a bit down, "I wanted to bring friends ho to eat before, but my dad never cooks for outsiders."
Hearing their conversation, Lin Xue stopped insisting on her little pride, took the wooden chopsticks Li Ying passed over, and began to eat. Hearing Kui Nianruo’s words, she calmly said, "It’s normal, if others knew the Statistical Departnt’s deputy director secretly loves cooking, many would be shocked."
"Statistical Departnt’s deputy director?" Li Ying was taken aback, "No wonder you look familiar... Nianruo, your dad is Kui Zhao?"
Kui Nianruo imdiately tensed up, nervously stamring: "Yes... yes, my dad is Kui Zhao."
Kui Nianruo had transferred schools three tis, attending all three national high schools in Star Engraving County. There was only one reason for transferring: her father’s identity was exposed. Once her classmates found out her father was the deputy director of the Statistical Departnt, they either kept a respectful distance or stuck closely, ultimately making school life unsustainable.
She felt quite fond of her new friends t on the train; Li Ying was warm and generous, Qian Yuya gentle and ladylike, Lin Xue mature and kind, and all were companions going to study in Yanjing. For Kui Nianruo, who had fears about Yanjing, the friendships were like clutching at a lifeline, and she naturally longed to be friends with them. However, as her father’s identity was exposed, she felt this brief friendship would end.
She also understood the reputation of the Statistical Departnt in Star Engraving County, these three natives must certainly know of it, and even more so when her father is the deputy director... She was already prepared to be despised or even insulted by them.
She didn’t hold it against them; the dislike for the Statistical Departnt by Star Engraving residents was well-founded; she also didn’t resent her father; she could feel his love for her. She resented nothing, because she was used to it.
"The deputy director of the Statistical Departnt..." Li Ying murmured, "Nianruo, I want to ask you sothing."
"Wh-what?"
"How does your dad usually take care of his hair?"
Kui Nianruo was stunned: "Huh?"
Li Ying touched her chin and said, "Your dad’s braid is so long! It looks so smooth and beautiful. Is there any secret to hair care? How do you keep it so long?"
Lin Xue said, "Look at Nianruo’s hair, it’s great too, probably inherited."
Qian Yuya touched her own hair, shook her head, and stayed silent.
Realizing they seed not to dislike her for this, Kui Nianruo blinked, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears, she sniffed and smiled, saying, "I, I don’t know either, I’ve seen my dad’s hair that long since I was little..."
Lin Xue and Qian Yuya exchanged glances; they could sowhat understand Kui Nianruo’s feelings, whereas Li Ying was still curious and asked, "Then why does your dad keep such a long braid? Is it a cultural custom? Or a romantic secret with your mom?"
"I don’t know..."
"Ah!" Li Ying suddenly clapped heavily: "Could it be that your father’s tribulation—"
"Li Ying!"
Qian Yuya suddenly stopped Li Ying in a low voice, and Li Ying snapped back, apologetically sticking out her tongue: "My bad, my bad, pretend I said nothing."
Tribulation is a critical secret for everyone; asking about soone’s tribulation is akin to demanding their bank card password, which is extrely impolite and malicious behavior, leading to nurous brawls over such indiscreet inquiries.
However, Kui Nianruo didn’t mind much, smiling, "It’s fine, Xiao Ying, your thoughts are very normal. Actually, since I was little, many have secretly asked if my dad’s tribulation is related to his braid."
The three nodded, not continuing the topic, intending for it to end here. But Kui Nianruo glanced out the car window toward the direction of Star Engraving County, thinking that they shouldn’t be involved with her father any ti soon, and continued, "However, I think... in my opinion, my father’s tribulation shouldn’t be the braid."
"What?" Lin Xue was stunned.
"How to explain it?" Kui Nianruo scratched her head: "Because... it’s too obvious?"
"My father even conceals the fact that he knows culinary skills. If his tribulation is truly the braid, would he reveal it so obviously?"
Li Ying looked puzzled: "If it’s not the tribulation, then why does he keep such a long braid?"
"Because it would make enemies misunderstand." Qian Yuya said calmly, "When enemies believe the braid to be Kui Zhao’s tribulation and attack him based on that, they fall into the psychological trap Kui Zhao designed. The enemy only sees the first layer, but Kui Zhao is actually on the second layer."
"This isn’t Kui Zhao’s tribulation; it’s the tribulation Kui Zhao prepared for the enemy."
...
...
Slash.
The light explosion of Desolate Bite swept over the top of Kui Zhao’s head, tearing at his scalp, causing the braid over one ter long that he had maintained for over a decade to unravel and fall heavily to the ground.
Le Yu’s left hand was only an inch away from Kui Zhao’s abdon; his light explosion even tore Kui Zhao’s clothes, yet that inch seed like an insurmountable chasm.
His left wrist and arm were tightly gripped by both of Kui Zhao’s hands. Kui Zhao didn’t defend against the attack on his braid but fully intended to counter the assault on his abdon, and then with a sudden lift!
Le Yu, whose left hand was caught, flew up in the air, crashing heavily onto the ground like a sack of potatoes, the intense impact making him cough up blood, but before he could rise and retaliate, Kui Zhao continued to swing him by his left hand, smashing him around like a human club!
"Ever since Nianruo was born, I’ve been constantly thinking about how to ensure others believe she’s not my Tribulation Master, how to keep danger away from her." Kui Zhao said while tornting Le Yu, "My hair used to be long; Nianruo’s mother loved to braid it, so I devised a thod: maintain a conspicuously long braid, so others won’t focus on Nianruo."
"The facts have proven the effectiveness of the strategy, even providing additional benefits. I’ve killed over ten people like you, who thought the braid was my Tribulation Master."
At this mont, Kui Zhao suddenly stopped, allowing Le Yu so ti to catch his breath.
He said coldly, "Tell where your companion is, and I can make your death quicker."
Le Yu coughed up blood mixed with organ fragnts, feeling several ribs had snapped. But beyond these, he was shocked by Kui Zhao’s words: "You... recognized !?"
Kui Zhao suddenly talked about his daughter again and asked about Le Yu’s companion, clearly proving one thing — he had recognized Le Yu as the assassin who had killed the Director of the Imprisonnt Departnt Dong Heng that night, and the sa assassin who had hard his daughter!
That’s why he was so sure Le Yu knew his daughter, and that’s why Le Yu had a companion skilled in the Hidden Sword Technique!
That’s why he didn’t kill Le Yu outright but swung him around in this manner to torture him!
"Wrong answer!"
Kui Zhao swung harshly, slamming Le Yu against the wall, causing it to collapse!
Le Yu seemingly heard the crisp sound of his spine breaking; even with the ’Ice Blood Physique’ suppressing the pain, the severe injuries still left him no energy for counterattacks!
"Although I’d love to capture and torture you and that white-haired bastard for three days and nights, the ti is running short..." Kui Zhao glanced at the darkened slaughterhouse building: "You shall take the place of that bastard for punishnt."
"That bastard was stabbed with a knife... aning his hand."
What did this an?
Le Yu hadn’t recovered his senses yet but felt the terrifying and teeth-gritting sound of his arm bones, flesh, and nerves breaking.
"It’s quite amusing." Kui Zhao’s voice carried a cruel smile:
"If it’s a leg, break a leg."
"If it’s a hand, break a hand."
Flesh torn, bones shattered.
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