Vol. 2 - Chapter 4 - Xiao Wang, Xiao Li, Xiao Liu

Yuhang County, Yudai Alley

The wide bluestone-paved alley was spotless and rarely saw any foot traffic.

Ten households lined the alley, each with towering vermilion doors studded with golden nails. Flanking the entrances crouched white jade lion statues.

Yudai Alley—The finest and wealthiest alley in Yuhang County.

Though only a few hundred meters long, the people living here were either rich or noble.

Behind the towering three-meter-high vermilion gates at the alley’s entrance resided the elderly mother, wife, and daughters of Zheng Zhifu from Jingzhou, Huguang Province.

It was said that Zheng Zhifu planned to move his family to Jingzhou next year.

Earlier this year, the Zheng residence had already dismissed some of its maids.

Now, the Zheng household seemed rather quiet.

…

Xiao Wang stood at the entrance of Yudai Alley, staring at the vermilion gates of the Zheng family.

He had been watching for quite some time.

But Zheng’s residence was not his target.

His target was the neighboring Wang household.

And yet, he kept his gaze fixed on the Zheng family’s door—Because he didn’t like the character Wang (王).

He’d rather look at the character Zheng (郑) than stare at Wang (王).

Qilin Pavilion had sent him to abduct someone.

A girl.

A beautiful twelve-year-old girl.

Initially, Xiao Wang had wanted to refuse.

He was an assassin with professional ethics, not some lowly kidnapper.

But Qilin Pavilion had promised that if he completed this mission, they would give him the antidote.

And a sum of money—enough to let him retire and live the rest of his life in comfort, a wealthy man in the countryside.

Faced with such terms, Xiao Wang agreed.

He had grown weary of the days of licking blood off the blade’s edge.

Back in the countryside, he could buy a few acres of fertile land, embrace two beautiful wives, and father a few children.

That was the kind of life he longed for.

Before, he had no choice.

Now, he wanted to be an ordinary man.

Xiao Wang rolled his stiff neck, lifted his gaze to the setting sun.

It was almost time.

Qilin Pavilion had given him specific instructions—He had to act precisely at sunset.

Not earlier. Not later.

Xiao Wang was a professional assassin.

So he waited until sunset.

From his robes, he pulled out a black face veil and tied it over his face.

This was his final mission.

He didn’t want anyone to remember his face.

If someone reported him to the authorities, he’d never get to be a wealthy landowner.

With the veil in place, Xiao Wang leaped into action—A few light steps onto the Wang household’s vermilion gates, then a swift vault over the courtyard wall.

The moment he landed—

A gleaming blade slashed toward him.

Xiao Wang tilted his head slightly, dodging with ease.

The second strike followed immediately.

He shifted again, avoiding it effortlessly.

The courtyard filled with the sharp whistle of a blade cutting through air.

The attacker’s technique was broad, powerful, and fast.

But Xiao Wang was light on his feet, weaving through the strikes without breaking a sweat.

His agility was exceptional—Even among third-rank assassins, he ranked among the best.

Yet, the skill behind this blade surprised him.

The style… carried the distinct flavor of an Imperial Guard.

That startled Xiao Wang.

Still, it wasn’t a major concern.

Many Imperial warriors retired, settling down in the countryside, taking wives and raising families.

Just as Xiao Wang planned to do.

A clean break from his past—Never to step into the Jianghu again.

A life of peace, with nothing but his wife, children, and warm hearth.

Dodging a final strike, Xiao Wang gathered strength in his legs, then shot forward like a swallow, heading straight for the rear courtyard.

This was his last mission.

He didn’t want to kill.

Otherwise, that so-called Imperial Guard would already be dead.

A few swift steps, and he was inside the rear courtyard.

The scent of flowers lingered in the air—light, delicate.

This was a young lady’s chamber.

By the carved redwood table stood a girl clad in a silk robe embroidered with watery cloud patterns.

She was pouring tea.

The moment she saw Xiao Wang burst in, terror flickered across her delicate face.

Xiao Wang glanced at her—A perfect match to the portrait he had been given.

Without hesitation, he moved.

A flicker of motion, and he was at her side.

His fingers, infused with internal energy, pressed against key acupoints.

The girl’s body stiffened instantly—paralyzed.

Xiao Wang grabbed her by the back of her robe and darted away.

The Imperial Guard had just reached the doorway.

Xiao Wang spared him a glance—And something felt off.

The man was young—only in his thirties.

Not an old retired guard like he had assumed.

But there was no time to ponder.

With the girl slung over his back, he launched himself over the courtyard wall and vanished into the night.

Xiao Wang carried the girl as he sprinted along the rooftops, his movements swift and precise, following the escape route Qilin Pavilion had laid out for him.

His task was simple—deliver the girl to the southern outskirts.

Someone else would take over from there.

Xiao Wang’s silhouette darted across the rooftops, his mind racing.

Something was wrong.

Why would a mere wealthy household in Yuhang have an Imperial Guard inside?

A sense of unease crept over him.

But then again…

If the family was truly connected to the royal court, would they only have one Imperial Guard?

It didn’t make sense.

Before he could puzzle it out—

There was a soft whoosh.

And in that instant, his thoughts no longer mattered.

Because the moment he leapt onto the next rooftop—

A blade shot up from below.

It sliced clean through his foot.

Then—

A figure burst through the rooftop and, in one smooth motion, severed Xiao Wang’s head.

The attacker, clad in black, gazed coldly at the fallen body.

…

Xiao Li.

He had been waiting here for some time.

Qilin Pavilion had given him a simple task—

Ambush the person passing over this rooftop at sunset. Kill them.

Then take the girl to the southern outskirts.

And the job would be done.

Once complete, he would receive a generous sum from Qilin Pavilion, retire to the countryside, buy a few acres of land, take two beautiful wives, and live a comfortable life.

Warm blood splattered the girl’s face.

Her pale complexion turned ghostly white.

Tears welled in her delicate eyes.

Xiao Li glanced at her, wondering why Qilin Pavilion wanted this girl.

She was beautiful, yes—But was that reason enough?

Without dwelling on it, he grabbed her by the back of her robe and leapt off the roof.

Qilin Pavilion had planned everything.

To ensure his success, they had even mapped out a precise retreat route.

As long as Xiao Li followed it, he would safely deliver the girl to the designated location.

He carried her swiftly toward the rear courtyard.

A carriage awaited at the gate.

Qilin Pavilion had arranged it for him, along with the coachman.

Xiao Li saw no difficulty in this mission—Everything had been planned to perfection.

All he had to do was follow the plan, complete the task, and claim his reward.

Silver in hand, he would return to the countryside to live as a wealthy man.

He climbed into the carriage with the girl.

The coachman snapped the reins.

The horses galloped forward.

Soon, they reached the southern gate.

They passed through without trouble.

Xiao Li exhaled in relief.

The coachman flicked his whip, urging the horses to run faster.

Watching the coachman’s back, Xiao Li felt… pity.

The world knew Qilin Pavilion had a 100% mission success rate—But few knew the truth.

Every assassin within the organization had been poisoned.

Only by completing a set number of tasks each month could they receive the antidote.

Otherwise, they would die.

This coachman, his comrade, likely had no idea—

That this was Xiao Li’s last job.

That after tonight, he would be free.

If he knew, he would surely envy him.

A small smile curled at Xiao Li’s lips.

…

The carriage raced down a forested path beyond the city walls.

Xiao Li checked their location and reached for the girl—

Then, suddenly—

He sat back down.

Staring in shock.

A dagger was buried deep in his chest.

The coachman had struck.

Slowly, the man withdrew the blade.

A gush of warm blood followed.

Xiao Liu gazed coldly at Xiao Li, eyes tinged with… pity.

His task from Qilin Pavilion had been simple—

Escort this comrade out of the city.

Bring him to the forested path.

Then kill him.

And take the girl into the mountains.

Once the job was done, he too would receive a generous sum, return to the countryside, buy land, take wives, and live the life of a wealthy man.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the forest path.

The air was damp with the scent of fallen leaves, the faint rustling of trees blending with the distant chirping of night insects.

Xiao Liu calmly wiped his dagger clean, watching as Xiao Li’s body slumped forward, lifeless.

His eyes held no joy—only cold indifference.

Qilin Pavilion’s orders had been simple: Escort Xiao Li out of the city, lead him to the forest, and kill him.

Then, take the girl into the mountains.

Once the job was done, the reward would be his—enough silver to buy a few acres of fertile land, take two beautiful wives, and live the comfortable life of a wealthy landowner.

The same dream Xiao Li had.

The same dream every assassin in Qilin Pavilion had.

But only one of them would live to see it.

Xiao Liu reached out and grabbed the girl’s wrist.

Her body trembled violently, eyes wide with fear.

The blood on her face had dried, leaving crimson streaks against her pale skin.

She wanted to scream.

But she couldn’t.

Xiao Liu had struck her acupoints back in the city.

She could breathe, she could think, but she couldn’t move.

Without another glance at Xiao Li’s corpse, Xiao Liu pulled the girl out of the carriage and stepped onto the forest path.

The carriage had served its purpose.

By morning, someone would find it abandoned on the roadside.

And Xiao Li’s body—Would be just another nameless corpse discarded in the wilderness.

Qilin Pavilion had no need for those who failed to see their missions through to the end.

Xiao Liu adjusted the girl’s weight and carried her into the dense forest.

His footsteps were steady.

His heart was calm.

By dawn, he would reach the rendezvous point.

Then, he would be free.

Yuyu: So, this is how Qilin Pavilion maintains secrecy, okay…

SHMOLL:This chapter was fr nuts!