Vol. 1 - Chapter 52 - Arrival at Jiangxia!

Outside Jiangxia County, Ezhou.

Chen Er, the burly man with a cloak covering the Purple-Gold Hammer on his back, pulled on the reins of his red horse and softly muttered, “Whoa, whoa…”

The horse trotted a few more steps before slowly coming to a halt.

Qin Yi and Xiao Lian also reined in their horses.

In the distance, the massive characters carved into the gray-green city walls read: Jiangxia County.

“We’re finally here.”

The scholarly-looking Zhou Ba gazed at the words “Jiangxia County,” a mixture of nostalgia and sentiment in his eyes.

He looked like a wanderer returning home, his anticipation tinged with unease.

Huang San, who had been half-asleep with his arms crossed atop his horse, cracked his eyes open, a sharp glint flashing through them. Spitting out the blade of grass in his mouth, he dismounted smoothly.

Plucking another blade of grass from the roadside, Huang San placed it between his lips and chewed thoughtfully. “The grass here in Jiangxia still tastes the freshest,” he remarked.

Qian Qi, now dressed in her feminine attire and riding a yellow horse, glanced at Huang San chewing the grass. Her clear, melodious voice carried a hint of disdain. “When will you ever drop that habit?”

She wore a red dress and carried a small bamboo basket on her back. Her face was veiled, revealing only her snow-white forehead and neck.

Her brows and eyes were charming, though she still appeared a bit youthful—likely only a few years older than Xiao Lian.

“I’ll quit when you throw out all your precious treasures,” Huang San replied nonchalantly.

Qian Qi snorted softly and ignored him.

The six of them dismounted, blending in with the common folk heading toward the city gate. After paying the entrance fee, they entered Jiangxia.

Walking along the cobbled streets, Zhou Ba sighed, “It’s been so many years since I last returned…”

His eyes reflected a deep longing as he took in the familiar sights around him.

This time, even the usually gruff Chen Er did not refute Zhou Ba. Instead, he nodded, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “Ever since I became an Iron Token assassin, I’ve been out in the world fighting. Years have passed in the blink of an eye…”

Huang San, chewing his grass, remained silent, his gaze lingering on the streets as a hint of sorrow for time’s fleeting nature surfaced in his eyes.

Qin Yi explained to Xiao Lian, “Once we became Iron Token assassins, we left Jiangxia. Without the Tower Master’s orders or a Fengyu Token, we’re forbidden to return.”

Her usually calm voice carried a touch of reminiscence.

The mention of Jiangxia seemed to stir something in all five assassins.

Perhaps Jiangxia held a special place in their hearts.

For those who wandered far from home, there was always a place they yearned for.

Xiao Lian watched their expressions and couldn’t help but think of that small courtyard and Chen Ye’s gentle smile.

She pressed her lips together, suppressing her emotions. She wanted to return to the orphanage, but she had a mission. She had to kill that person.

She would kill that person.

A flash of hatred crossed Xiao Lian’s eyes.

---

“Hmm? Isn’t that King Zhentian, Li Yi, from Guandong?”

Zhou Ba’s scholarly gaze fell on a man in the inn’s main hall. The man wore simple yellow linen, his bronzed chest exposed. Beside him lay a long staff wrapped in cloth.

Li Yi, King Zhentian, sat alone, savoring a few small dishes and a jar of wine.

“The assassins from Guandong are here, so we’re not too late,” Chen Er said with a hearty laugh, striding toward Li Yi.

“King Zhentian? That’s his title?” Xiao Lian asked Qin Yi.

Qin Yi nodded. “Li Yi is the only survivor among the Li-generation assassins. His staff techniques have nearly reached the first rank. They say one strike from his staff can suppress even the heavens.”

Xiao Lian pondered this, realizing she didn’t know the titles of her companions yet.

“Big Sister Qi, what’s your nickname?” she asked Qian Qi.

After a few days together, Xiao Lian had grown close to Qian Qi, given their similar ages.

Qian Qi chuckled. “My nickname is simple: Serpent Maiden.”

“Chen Er’s is the Purple-Gold King, and Zhou Ba’s is the Precision Scholar.”

She turned to Huang San with a teasing smile. “As for your Brother Huang, his nickname is the simplest, but also the most dangerous—Swift Blade.”

“Anyone below the first rank won’t even see his blade before their head hits the ground.”

Huang San smirked lazily at her words, offering no rebuttal.

Xiao Lian nodded thoughtfully, committing their titles to memory.

In the Jianghu, titles reflected a warrior’s personality, weapon, and strengths—serving as their public label.

The group of five entered the inn, where Chen Er had already begun drinking with Li Yi.

“Brother Li, do you know why the Tower Master summoned us here this time?” Chen Er asked casually, downing a bowl of wine.

Li Yi, known as King Zhentian, was a man of few words. He shook his head, replying in a low voice, “No idea.”

As Huang San walked by, he paused, his brows furrowing slightly. The laziness in his demeanor vanished for an instant.

…

Jiangxia County.

Chen Ye stood still, sweat forming on his brow as he gazed at the three large characters carved into the distant city walls.

“Quite a trek,” he muttered.

Glancing at his watch, Chen Ye noted that the journey from Yuhang to here had taken nearly an hour.

If not for the inner strength he had cultivated, which greatly boosted his stamina, it would’ve taken even longer.

Pulling up the system map, he confirmed the red dot representing Xiao Lian was within Jiangxia County.

Chen Ye slowed his pace, circulating his internal energy to adjust his breathing.

Blending in with the commoners along the main road, he entered the city.

---

No sooner had he stepped inside than his eyes caught sight of a martial artist with a copper coin emblem embroidered on his sleeve, entering an apothecary.

On the apothecary's counter was a carved copper coin.

Wan Jin Hall?

Chen Ye recalled the ambush Wan Jin Hall had set up against Fengyu Tower assassins outside Jiangning City.

“Jiangxia is Fengyu Tower’s headquarters. Could Wan Jin Hall’s presence here mean Xiao Lian’s trouble tonight is connected to them?”

His brows furrowed as he contemplated the connection.

With a step, Chen Ye used Ground Shrinking Step to appear outside the apothecary in an instant.

Inside, he overheard the martial artist speaking with the shop clerk.

The martial artist approached the counter and said indifferently, “Gold flows through the world—where can its tracks be found?”

The clerk glanced around discreetly before replying, “As rivers meet the sea, moonlight reflects golden faces.”

Hearing this, the martial artist cupped his hands slightly, revealing the copper coin emblem on his sleeve, and added, “An ape leaps through the forest, seeking hidden paths; the moon’s golden shadow reflects upon green robes.”

Recognizing the emblem, the clerk smiled faintly and gestured, “This way, please.”

The martial artist followed him into a back room.

---

Chen Ye’s eyes narrowed as he committed the exchange to memory.

“It’s not just about the passphrase; the clothing emblem matters too.

“I wonder if tonight’s events are tied to Wan Jin Hall.”

Frowning, Chen Ye turned into a deserted alley.

When he emerged moments later, his black attire had been replaced by a plain coarse yellow robe, with a copper coin emblem now embroidered on the sleeve.

His mask had also changed to a red-and-white patterned faceplate.

“Let’s see if I can infiltrate them…”

Chen Ye had already made up his mind.

If Wan Jin Hall’s presence here had nothing to do with Fengyu Tower, he would quietly get Xiao Lian before sunset.

As for the others’ fates, they had nothing to do with him.

After all, Chen Ye currently had only two system skills: Defence and Escape—but no Combat.

If he had even one combat-related skill, he wouldn’t have to hide his identity.

“Xiao Lian’s gratitude level is already at 79%. One more percent, and I’ll get another draw,” Chen Ye mused with a sigh.

“System, could you grant me a combat skill already?”