Based on what Boh Tan-ping has already said, your stories contradict each other." "How so?" "He claims that Wie Ceng is not dead, and the story about him leaving the Leng Souw-hiang residence to fulfill a mission is just a fabrication.
In fact, Leng Souw-hiang intentionally obscured the truth so that Wie Ceng's movements would not be noticed by others." "Is it true that Boh Tan-ping said that?" "You should be able to see it.
I'm not someone who likes to lie." "You should trust my words as well.
If Boh Tan-ping didn't inadvertently say it to shake the truth, he must have been a victim of Cu Siau-thian's deception.
Wie Ceng is actually under Cu Siau-thian's pressure.
One day, you will understand." Tu Liong found it difficult to determine the truth.
Whose words could he trust? However, he greatly valued Thiat-yan's response, as the resolution of this issue was crucial to many things.
For now, he set aside this matter.
He then asked another question.
"Thiat-yan, when do you plan to force Cu Siau-thian to talk about the yellow leather suitcase?" "Tonight." "Are you sure you can get an answer?" "If you don't interfere, at least I won't be worried," Thiat-yan answered skillfully.
It's possible these words came from the depths of his heart.
In short, Thiat-yan's words implied a friendship intention.
"Alright, I'll use the remaining time to prove what's true and what's not.
I won't be at home tonight.
Miss, I have to tell you something.
You might not have the opportunity you imagine." Thiat-yan laughed but said nothing.
After that, the two of them leisurely ate the food in front of them.
They also lifted their wine cups and toasted each other.
"Miss, there's something that deeply bothers me." "Oh...?" "Why did you accept the two-faced Boh Tan-ping?" Thiat-yan spoke with emotion: "I've called him uncle since I was a child.
Even after I found out that he still maintained relations with Cu Siau-thian, I couldn't turn away from him.
Moreover, this isn't the right time to turn away." "True! Your last words make the most sense," Thiat-yan giggled softly.
She possessed the gentle nature commonly found among young ladies, but she also had the decisiveness of a man.
"I came to Pakhia, met you and Wie Kiehong, and I felt happy.
Unfortunately, there's a complex relationship of gratitude and revenge between us.
Each has their own stance, otherwise...." "Miss, I highly value truth and oppose those who do evil.
Don't worry.
In any situation, the three of us can always be good friends." "Really?" "I never lie." "Then I deserve to call you Tu toako." Tu Liong just laughed, and Thiat-yan joined in.
It seemed all friendship issues between them had been resolved, "Adik Yan!" now Tu Liong called her by a more familiar term.
"There's something I want to clarify.
I'm only giving you one chance to confront Cu Siau-thian about your father's legacy." "Only one chance? What do you mean by that?" "Only tonight." "Actually, I can only do it tonight too..." "Oh..?" Tu Liong noticed Thiat-yan's face suddenly became serious, and he quickly asked, "What do you mean by that?" "Toako! Don't you understand yet? Cu Siau-thian not only possesses great martial arts skills but is also a master strategist.
I'm just a young girl; how can I possibly win against him? All I have is a filial heart and hot blood.
But there will definitely be someone to help me seek revenge." Although Tu Liong was deeply moved, he did not respond.
He understood that a promise made was like a tattoo branded with a hot iron, one that could never be broken.
The lunch together had to end.
Since Thiat-yan had drunk a few cups of wine, her cheeks were flushed red.
She looked even sweeter.
Silently, Tu Liong was captivated.
However, he tried to restrain his feelings.
After finishing, the two of them stood up.
They were dining in a private dining room, and the door was tightly closed.
Tu Liong opened the door, intending to leave and settle the bill.
Unexpectedly, Hiong-ki was standing right outside the door.
"Why didn't Hiong heng come in and join us?" Suddenly, Hiong-ki fell forward with a thud, a knife stuck in his back.
Thiat-yan immediately jerked her body, intending to dash out.
But Tu Liong quickly extended his hand, stopping her movement.
He immediately asked, "Where are you going?" "To chase the perpetrator." "Adik Yan!" perhaps because of tension, he reflexively called her by the familiar term again.
"Hiong-ki's martial arts skills are very high, you already know that.
If someone could easily stab a knife into his back, even if you found the culprit, what could you do to them?" Thiat-yan just snorted loudly.
She then looked at the body lying on the ground.
She didn’t say a word.
"Adik Yan! Let’s get out of here." "Are we going to leave Hiong-ki lying here and ignore him?" "It's not about ignoring, but this isn't the right time.
The police in Pakhia are very troublesome.
How will you deal with them?" "Then... then what should we do now?" "Trust me.
I will handle all of this myself, you must leave here immediately.... come on!" Tu Liong immediately grabbed her hand, "Hurry, follow me." Coincidentally, a waiter came in with a plate of snacks.
Tu Liong quickly intercepted him: "Please lead us, we want to pay the bill." "No need to rush!" the waiter said kindly, "Why not try these snacks first; they’re special items brought from afar...." "We’ll eat them next time.
We have urgent matters!" Tu Liong worried that the waiter would discover the body on the floor.
If he shouted, they would surely have a hard time escaping.
So, he insisted that the waiter lead them downstairs.
They arrived at the cashier at the front to pay for their meal.
Tu Liong quickly settled the bill.
After that, he immediately took Thiat-yan away.
Outside the restaurant, there was a carriage waiting for passengers.
The two of them quickly got into the carriage.
Tu Liong promptly instructed the driver to leave: "To the west gate of the city." He then lowered the window curtain.
The carriage began to move.
Thiat-yan's hand was still in Tu Liong’s grasp.
They both seemed unaware of it.
"Now the situation has become dire.
There are many things I need to understand, what is Hiong-ki's relationship with you?" "It's a long story." "Then please make it short and explain it to me." "He's a famous wanderer known as 'He Who Walks Alone'...." "A wanderer? How did you come into contact with a wanderer?" "You might misunderstand.
People call him a wanderer because he has no home or family.
No father or mother.
They don’t call him a 'bandit wanderer'.
If he were ten years younger, he would have been called 'a hero from the east'.
We met by chance.
At that time, I was only fifteen years old.
Since then, he has always watched over me and taken care of me...." "Then you must have a close relationship." "Yes.
Our relationship is like that of a father to his daughter.
Like an older brother to his younger sister.
In my heart, he is like a guardian angel.” "You are very straightforward people.
The moment I saw him, I immediately admired him.... also! He had a letter, a secret letter written by Cu Siau-thian to Boh Tan-ping.
Have you seen this letter before?" "No.
He never mentioned it to me." "Strange, he should have told you." "He doesn’t like talking about others' faults.
I once asked him what he thought of Boh Tan-ping.
He just laughed and said nothing." "Strange.
In front of me, he has mentioned Boh Tan-ping’s faults several times.... Adik Yan! He cares so much about you.
If you faced a villain, he would surely warn you." "To my knowledge, he is an indifferent person.
But in front of me, he always laughs very cautiously.
When he speaks a word or does something, he always does it with care." "Alright....
now let's discuss the second question! Who do you think killed Hiong-ki?" "What do you think?" "I am sure it was Boh Tan-ping." "Why don't you suspect anyone else? Why do you immediately point to him? Don’t judge subjectively." "I say this because I have evidence." "What evidence?" "Boh Tan-ping's weapon is a serrated sword." "Correct." "Recently, he ambushed me, intending to kill me.
Luckily, before he succeeded, Hiong-ki came to my rescue." "Did this really happen?" Thiat-yan appeared truly surprised. "My right shoulder was severely injured."
---
**
Glossary:**
- **Boh Tan-ping**: A character in the story, possibly involved in deception.
- **Wie Ceng**: A character whose fate is uncertain.
- **Leng Souw-hiang**: A character who might have obscured the truth.
- **Cu Siau-thian**: A character with significant influence and martial arts skills.
- **Tu Liong**: One of the main characters, engaged in resolving a complex situation.
- **Thiat-yan**: Another main character, seeking revenge and truth.
- **Hiong-ki**: A skilled martial artist, known as "He Who Walks Alone," now deceased.
- **Adik Yan**: A term of endearment used by Tu Liong for Thiat-yan.
- **Toako**: An affectionate term for an elder brother or a close friend.