Book 15: Chapter 21
Raging Winds as Beautiful as a Hairpin
The twenty-seven-year-old assassin had all the features to be a lady killer. The hilt of his sword planted into the floor was embellished with an egg-sized shiny pearl, while the blade itself shone brighter than jewellery.
Why the hell are you working as an assassin when you’re already so loaded?! Do you realise it’s an illegal profession?! I’ll report you to League of Assassins! God damn, have some respect for the profession!
I couldn’t put a name to his face no matter what angle I checked; I couldn’t imagine him being a part of League of Assassins, either. He was skilled enough to give Red Prince a run for his money, but I couldn’t fathom why he would use such an expensive sword… or why he had such a cold gaze… or why he suddenly tried to kill me when I didn’t recognise him.
“If you know what’s good for you, bind your own hands, kneel down, and beg for mercy, and I might consider sparing you. Actually, I can’t spare you. I’ll just make it quick.”
… Due to how menacing his threat was, I almost thought I was the one pressed down on the table.
“Brother, who are you? Why are you trying to kill me?”
“Hmph, I can tell you, but you’ll probably piss your pants and tuck tail. It’s too much of a hassle to find you.”
“Tell me, then.”
“I just explained why I wouldn’t tell you! Wait, you want to run, don’t you?! I almost fell for it! You’re conniving! Have you no shame, taking pride in fleeing from battle when you’re a martial artist? Let’s fight fair and square!”
I… didn’t know where to start with my criticisms. What tripe was he even spitting?!
Prime Minister Li whispered to me, “Are all your martial artists like this?”
The random assassin who came out of nowhere just embarrassed every martial artist in one go!
“Brother, do you not realise that you are in your current position because you lost to me?”
He had a moment of panic as it occurred to him that he was the one pinned to the table, but that was fleeting.
“Let me go if you’re a man. I’ll show you what I’m made of.”
I… I didn’t know what to say to that; I just silently set him free.
I retreated more than ten metres as soon as he was free. I thought he was going to retrieve his sword since he flitted in its direction, only to see him zip past it and towards the stairs. Had it not been for my skills with my celestial spider silk, he would’ve had me. I dragged him back, completely immobilised him with my celestial spider silk, and left just his mouth mobile so that he could speak.
“You’re shameless! Release me! I’ll call for reinforcements and come fight you to the death. You’re a spineless thug.”
I grabbed a piece of cloth to stuff his mouth. Even though Prime Minister Li wasn’t educated in the martial arts, even he could see what I saw. The guy must’ve had a screw loose.𝗯𝐞𝗱𝐧𝗼𝐯𝐞𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
“… What do you think, Prime Minister?”
Prime Minister Li eyed the assassin, then shook his head. “Mm, this old one truly does not know,” he answered, using dipping his finger into the wine and writing “Blue Prince” on the table as he spoke.
Now that was a bit of a surprise, not because Prime Minister Li didn’t explicate his identity aloud, but because Blue Prince was behind it, though it didn’t surprise me for long. After all, considering what Young Shiyi did, it was only reasonable for him to harbour a grudge against Mount Daluo. He wouldn’t attack Mount Daluo considering His Majesty’s plans for Mount Daluo, but targeting someone specifically was another story. Among all famous Mount Daluo members in the capital, I was the easiest target.
I knocked out the assassin, then queried, “Prime Minister, this guy is Blue Prince’s subordinate?”
“His name is Feng Qizhi,” responded Prime Minister Li, smiling subtly. “His nickname is Falling Phoenix, but he is also called ‘Black Crow Falling into a Phoenix Nest’. He is a descendant of Luoyang’s Feng Clan. He’s considered to be talented at swordplay and one of their clan’s martial arts prodigies. For one reason or another, he aligned with Blue Prince. This old one has never met him, but the sword gave it away. The rumours of him behaving atypically seem to have proven themselves here.”
For real…
“Would you happen to know why he tried to assassinate this one?”
“This was the third matter I was getting to.” Haplessly smiling, Prime Minister Li asked, “His Majesty asked you to take one of his sons on as an apprentice, but you appear reluctant, correct?”
“You could tell? This one is ashamed.”
“There is no need to be ashamed. Ignoring whether or not you would be successful, think about whether the proud Princes born into prestige would be willing to learn from a constable of Liu Shan Men.”
I never even thought about that! I only thought about it from my perspective! If I walked off on the job, I’d just have had to run before I got caught. If a Prince didn’t want me, though, they’d send assassins after me. Blue Prince already started. Only the other Princes knew what they were going to do.
“This… is one matter that will have an influence on the future. Their ambitions will grow as they age. Should they have good friends and mentors, they may become a good Prince, or potentially a wise monarch. This is not a matter that should be taken lightly. This old one asks that you think about it carefully.”
Prime Minister Li was right. It was important to my precious life. I didn’t expect them to send any dangerous assassins, but it would’ve annoyed the life out of me! If secrets got involved, my goodness gracious me.
“This one… will consult you on it later.” Since Prime Minister Li had been a mentor to an Emperor, I figured I could learn something from him.
“Hoho, this old one cannot promise he could teach you anything worth your time. Shall we end today’s conversation here? Thank you for the meal.”
“No, thank you for the wisdom. This one shall take this salted fish.”
Hang on.
“Uh, this one did not hit this assassin. He tripped on his own. Let this one explain this martial arts thing to you.”
Prime Minister Li wagged his hand. “No need. Though you are remarkable in academics, your martial arts skills are abysmal. This old one personally saw the assassin trip on his own.”
I flicked up a thumb. “Fantastic! Goodbye, Prime Minister!”
Once I disappeared from the stairs, Prime Minister Li shook his head jovially. “There is another remarkable man for this world now.”
When he sensed someone suddenly standing beside him, Prime Minister Li nearly jumped. “Can I help you?”
Proprietor Shi quietly passed over a sheet of paper. “The bill.”
“…” Clapping and laughing simultaneously, Prime Minister Li instructed, “Wrap up that sword and send it together with this bill to Liu Shan Men. Ask for Vice-captain Shen. This old one promises you will receive an extra two hundred.”