Chapter 752: 749: A Substitute_1

Chapter 752: Chapter 749: A Substitute_1

Arrows whistled through the air. In an instant, one pierced through the knee of an assassin, causing him to collapse in pain. The assassin with the sword was swiftly apprehended by the Hidden Guards of the Bai family.

The Bai family’s guards reacted with extreme speed. Without considering whether the intruders were enemies or not, they immediately shielded Bai Qingyan and promptly retreated.

In the brief moment of another assassin’s distraction, Yue Shi appeared from nowhere and pierced his abdomen with a sword. With a swift pull, blood splattered everywhere.

Bai Qingyan, standing with hands behind her back, glanced towards the distant figure standing on the eaves and, after a moment of surprise, revealed a slight smile. As the figure leaped down, her smile deepened.

After several months, as the war between Yan and the Wei Kingdom intensified, she had not expected to encounter Xiao Rongyan in this place.

The Hidden Guards of the Bai family looked at Yue Shi, surprised to see that the Hidden Guards did not raise their swords against him. Yue Shi, expecting to fend off a few attacks first, was taken aback when the Hidden Guards ignored him. Instead, they kicked the assassin’s face, dislodging his poisoned tooth and sending him sprawling far away.

The Hidden Guards sheathed their swords and hurried the assassin over to Bai Qingyan, bowing with fists clasped. “Young Lady, we captured only one alive!”

Bai Qingyan withdrew her gaze and saw Yue Shi sheathe his sword and swiftly approach her. “Yue Shi greets the Young Lady!”

Bai Qingyan nodded at Yue Shi. “Rise.”

After Bai Qingyan spoke, the Bai family guards lowered their guard towards Yue Shi, sheathed their swords, and stepped back from in front of Bai Qingyan.

“Why did you and your master suddenly appear here?” Bai Qingyan asked with a faint smile.

Yue Shi stood up and smiled. “The Master was heading to Dadu City and first went to Shuoyang. There, we learned that the Young Lady had already gone to Dadu City. By chance, we met today…”

Bai Qingyan nodded, her gaze falling once more on the captured assassin. “Is he a man of the King Xian from Nandu?”

The assassin seemed quite surprised but did not deny it after being captured by Bai Qingyan. After all, with their master gone, they, the assassins, were like rootless driftwood.

“Indeed!” The assassin raised his head and glared fiercely at Bai Qingyan.

A guard from the Bai family struck the assassin’s face with the hilt of his sword. “You don’t want your eyes?”

Bai Qingyan raised her hand, signaling the guard to stop. “The King Xian and Liu Ruofu are both dead. Under whose orders did you come here?”

The assassin spat out bloodied saliva and sneered at Bai Qingyan. “I am a Liu family assassin. The King Xian and our Commandery Princess died because of you. I naturally came for revenge!”

Bai Qingyan nodded. “A loyal one.”

“Kill me already! No need for any more chatter!” the assassin demanded.

“Very well!” Bai Qingyan nodded, understanding the importance of the assassin’s devotion. He should have died before his master. With their master dead, they could not live alone. “You are a loyal servant. I will give you a swift death. Do you have any last words?”

“I wish to end my own life,” the assassin said.

“Granted.” Bai Qingyan turned to the guard beside her and instructed, “Give him his sword.”

The Bai family guard drew his sword and handed it to the assassin with both hands.

The assassin, held down on one knee, shook off the guard restraining him and took the sword. He shouted, “Master, Young Master! I am coming!”

With that, the assassin raised his sword and leapt toward Bai Qingyan. But before he could get close, a flash of cold light, and his head rolled to the ground.

The spraying blood mist under the bright moonlight was incredibly captivating.

The Bai family guard swiftly retracted the arrow and stood beside Bai Qingyan.

“Bury these three beside Liu Ruofu,” Bai Qingyan commanded.

King Xian’s body didn’t fare well, but Liu Ruofu… was secretly buried outside the city by Lu Baohua, the daughter of Lu Jin. When Bai Jinxiu learned of this, she instructed the Hidden Guards to protect Lu Baohua.

In this world, many people capitalize on others’ downfall, adding insult to injury. Few people like Lu Baohua, who were genuinely loyal and sentimental, were rare. Bai Jinxiu was willing to lend Lu Baohua a helping hand. Later… Bai Jinxiu mentioned this in a letter to Bai Qingyan. Upon hearing it, Bai Qingyan remained silent for a long time.

Liu Ruofu, as the Princess of Nandu, was adored and surrounded by countless admirers claiming to be her intimate friends. Yet, after death… only Lu Baohua dared to take care of her remains, which earned Bai Qingyan’s respect.

After the Bai family guards dragged the bodies away, Xiao Rongyan finally entered seriously from downstairs.

He extended a formal salute towards Bai Qingyan from a distance, standing far away with a gentle smile on his face.

After not seeing each other for several months, Xiao Rongyan’s features seemed to have become significantly more rugged. Although he still appeared as a refined gentleman, the inherent decisive and ruthless nature within him began to surface, and his natural authority was becoming more evident.

As the Hidden Guards of the Bai family gradually left, seeing Yue Shi standing there without a clue, one of them asked, “What are you standing around for? Go…”

Yue Shi nodded quickly and left with the Hidden Guards.

Near the door, where blood had not yet been cleaned, Bai Qingyan took a cloak and walked outside the posthouse with Xiao Rongyan.

“Now that the Jin Kingdom is at war with Daliang, and Yan is vigorously attacking Wei, with Nanrong eyeing Beirong hungrily, even Xiliang is restless. I thought you should be in Xiliang or negotiating in Wei.”

Bai Qingyan walked quietly with Xiao Rongyan along the quiet path behind the posthouse.

“I was negotiating between the two nations. However, as King Huai of Wei knew of my friendship with the Crown Prince of Jin, he entrusted me with accompanying the Wei emissary to meet the Crown Prince. I was originally going to Shuoyang to see you. We split up midway, so the Wei emissary should have already reached Dadu City by now,” Xiao Rongyan said with a smile, holding a yellow lantern made of sheepskin. “Wei intended to join forces with Daliang to intimidate Yan. But midway, Daliang got entangled with Jin, leaving them occupied. So Wei sought help from Xiliang. However, after assessing their national strength, Xiliang chose to assist Beirong. Consequently, Wei suffered a series of defeats and had to send an emissary to Jin for help.”

“Jin is currently embroiled in a war with Daliang, and plagues in Huayang and Qinhuai have yet to be entirely eradicated. This month, Jin is starting to prepare for the construction of the Guanghe Canal. Additionally, the Emperor is focusing on building the Nine-Tiered Terrace, a grand project comparable to building the Imperial Palace.” Bai Qingyan’s tone was cold. “Currently, Jin has been recruiting soldiers, sending military forces to build the Nine-Tiered Terrace, and also conscripting civilians. Even during the epidemics in Huayang and Qinhuai, the Emperor’s concern was whether the construction of the Nine-Tiered Terrace could continue.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Rongyan was silent for a moment before asking, “If a ruler is not benevolent, those with capability can replace them.”

He suddenly halted and turned to Bai Qingyan. “Kid, when do you plan to replace?”