Chapter 76: The Profound-level Assassin Reveals Himself

No, not long ago we just met—you just didn’t recognize me.

Thinking of what happened at Fanlou, Ye Liuyun’s expression didn’t change on the surface; he just smiled and said,

"Governor, you’re too kind. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the chance to get involved in this kind of case."

"Hahaha, Captain Ye, no need for all that."

Qi Yuanliang’s laughter sounded natural.

If you didn’t notice anything off beforehand, with an act like this, the average person wouldn’t suspect a thing.

"Out of all the Captains in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Captain Ye is the one I admire most."

"..."

Feels like he’s painting pies in the sky.

After that, Qi Yuanliang said a bunch of flattering things about Ye Liuyun, showering him with compliments.

If it were someone else, listening to all that, being moved would be only natural—to the point that they’d probably feel the urge to die for their confidant.

"Do a good job on this, and if there are any other good opportunities in the future, I won’t forget you!"

With that,

Qi Yuanliang patted Ye Liuyun on the shoulder, then headed off toward the back garden.

The butler didn’t try to stop him.

Seems like he knows exactly who should be stopped and who shouldn’t.

Once Qi Yuanliang left,

Ye Liuyun’s smile gradually faded. He stared at Qi’s back, lost in thought.

"Hmph!"

The butler seemed to realize Ye Liuyun wasn’t just an ordinary Embroidered Uniform Guard Captain, but he gave no sign of regretting his earlier attitude.

He just snorted, glanced at Ye Liuyun, and left directly.

"That dog can’t tell good from bad."

Shi Sheng was still feeling a little pissed.

Just a butler, and he actually looks down on them like this.

"Let it go. The servants in these officials’ homes are all the same, basically."

Si Nan seemed to have expected this, so he wasn’t bothered in the slightest.

But after soothing Shi Sheng, he leaned over to Ye Liuyun’s ear and asked,

"Sir, want me to take him out?"

Sometimes, not getting mad doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you. Maybe it’s just ’cause I’m planning to kill you.

"No rush!"

When all’s said and done, it’s only a butler.

Ye Liuyun didn’t take it to heart. Killing him later works just as well.

Since we’re not allowed in the back garden, Ye Liuyun didn’t push it. I mean, what, should I shamelessly cozy up to the Minister of Revenue?

Si Nan and Shi Sheng had no objections, and just waited with Ye Liuyun in the front yard.

...

Taking this chance,

Ye Liuyun decided to ask how this Minister of Revenue got targeted by the Cyan Robe Association’s assassins.

Someone supposedly hired the Association’s Profound-level assassins—but who, exactly?

Shi Sheng kept silent, following Ye Liuyun’s gaze straight toward Si Nan.

Si Nan: ...

I don’t know every damn thing, okay?

Si Nan was a little helpless. The impression he left earlier ran so deep, the moment any question popped up, everyone just looked at him by default.

Which made him look like the best at digging up street gossip and rumors.

"Uh! I really don’t know much in this case. But since whoever’s targeted is the Ministry’s merchant, I’d guess it’s because somebody crossed the line."

Cases like this, Si Nan did actually know a bit about.

"Once there was a court official who wanted to make a quick buck, so he forcefully seized a rich merchant’s estate. At first, nobody cared."

Scholar, farmer, artisan, merchant.

Merchants’ status in this era really isn’t high.

"But what nobody expected was, the rich merchant went all in—spent his last assets to hire Cyan Robe Association killers. In the end, the official got taken out by those assassins, but the merchant lost everything too."

No wonder people say either don’t do it at all, or do it to the hilt.

Still, the Cyan Robe Association’s guts are huge.

Even assassination jobs targeting officials of the current dynasty—they dare take them on.

And they’ve got what it takes, too—survived all those purges, while other ordinary assassin groups probably got wiped out a long time ago.

But thinking of the Southern Governor who just entered the back garden,

Ye Liuyun felt there was more to this than meets the eye.

No real evidence, though, and even if I tried to analyze, I’d get nowhere. Just what is this Governor playing at?

Ye Liuyun shook his head, too lazy to keep brooding.

"Go tell them to bring a kettle of tea."

The servants here in the Minister’s house are something else.

Not sure if they really can’t read the room, or they just look down on people for fun.

"I’ll go right now!"

Si Nan didn’t hesitate, agreed, and got up to leave.

...

Time dragged on until nightfall.

The area was lit up with countless lanterns, making the Minister’s mansion brilliantly bright.

Looks like the Minister is genuinely afraid something might happen to himself.

"Hope they get here soon."

Shi Sheng couldn’t help cracking his knuckles.

Seeing this, Si Nan couldn’t help but snap,

"Is there nothing in that head of yours but fighting?"

Hearing this, Shi Sheng lost his cool a bit.

"You know nothing. For a Martial Artist, combat is the fastest way to sharpen our skills. You watch out—when I break through to Postnatal, your level still won’t have budged."

"Bullshit."

Si Nan’s face flushed red.

As if he was the useless one here.

"Just you wait—I promise, before long, I’ll break through to become a First-class Martial Artist."

Postnatal Martial Artist, maybe not, but First-class, Si Nan was at least confident about that.

Only—

"Tsk!" Shi Sheng didn’t answer, but that one little ’tsk’ said everything about his attitude.

"..."

Si Nan couldn’t help clenching his fists.

If he really wasn’t hopeless against Shi Sheng, he’d smack him right now. Tsk me one more time, I dare you.

"They’re here!"

Just as Si Nan and Shi Sheng were bickering,

Ye Liuyun sensed something, and glanced up at the courtyard wall.

Several dark shapes used Qinggong to leap in from outside.

At a glance, all Postnatal Martial Artists—and the stats looked great, at minimum blue quality. So these must be Cyan Robe Association’s Profound-level assassins.

"Go!"

Shi Sheng, who’d been itching to act, instantly charged as soon as Ye Liuyun gave the order.

So what if they’re Postnatal Martial Artists? Shi Sheng has never known what it means to chicken out.

"Come and fight!"

Their target was the Minister of Revenue, so when they saw Shi Sheng charging in,

they didn’t bother sticking around—instead, they kept fighting while pushing toward the back garden.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard stationed outside heard the commotion and rushed into the mansion. In the blink of an eye, the once quiet Minister’s mansion was thrown into wild chaos.

Ye Liuyun didn’t jump in immediately.

Instead, he led Si Nan toward the back garden.

"Help! Help!"

Just then, a cry for help rang out.

...