Just as Yan Xun was gazing into the distance from the countryside roads at the border city of Great Xia, the entire Zhan Manor had fallen into chaos. A servant had just reported that the fifth young lady of the Zhan family, Zhan Ziming, had gone out to meet a guest but was intercepted and detained by the wife of the City Guardian at Wupeng City Guardian’s mansion. The reason behind this was clear to everyone.

When Zhan Ziyu heard this news, he was playing the zither in his cabin. Zhan Zikui deliberated for a long time before finally completing his sentence. The man in the white cotton robe stopped playing, then slowly, very slowly furrowed his brow.

“Ziyu, no matter how difficult Fifth Sister usually is, you must think of something. That Mrs. Tian is a well-known shrew. What if…”

“Enough, I understand.” Zhan Ziyu closed his eyes, tilted his head slightly upward, took a deep breath, and said, “Second Sister, please leave first.”

“But…”

“Go.”

The door was closed, and Zhan Ziyu sighed deeply, then slowly leaned back against the chair.

That afternoon, the atmosphere on the ship was very strange. As soon as the ship docked, Jing Han had already led people ashore and was no longer on board. An hour later, Zhan Ziyu disembarked with two servants, got into a carriage that had been waiting, and sped away.

It wasn’t until the evening when the lamps were lit and the servants gathered on the deck for dinner, that the carriage finally returned from a distance. Zhan Ziyu was carried off the carriage first by servants, followed by Zhan Ziming in full formal attire, although her hair was slightly disheveled, and her face was covered with a slightly thick face veil. The servants automatically kept their distance, but with the night breeze blowing gently, Chu Qiao still saw the swollen cheeks under her veil.

Zhan Ziming returned alone, without bringing any servants or maids, so when Jing Zisu came to visit after dinner, Chu Qiao already knew why she had come.

The ship’s cabin was very small. Jing Zisu sat on Liang Shaoqing’s bed, staring blankly, her eyes somewhat dazed. Chu Qiao poured a cup of tea and handed it to her, but she didn’t notice for a moment.

“Sister Zisu?”

Chu Qiao called softly. Jing Zisu was startled and quickly took the teacup, holding it in her hands and taking a small sip.

Chu Qiao sighed and said, “Sister Zisu, is there something wrong?”

“Ah? I… I,” Jing Zisu stammered, “I don’t have anything wrong.”

The cabin suddenly went cold, and neither knew what to say. At this moment, Liang Shaoqing suddenly knocked on the door, carrying a basin of hot water, and said, “Xiao Qiao, the water you asked for.”

“Mmm,” Chu Qiao nodded and went to take it.

Liang Shaoqing politely greeted Jing Zisu and then left.

Chu Qiao sat on the bed, placed the basin on the floor, then untied her leg wrappings and took off her shoes. Unexpectedly, when Jing Zisu saw this, she squatted down and began to help Chu Qiao remove her other shoe.

“Sister Zisu!” Chu Qiao was shocked and asked, “What are you doing?”

“I? I’m helping you wash your feet.”

Chu Qiao immediately became somewhat angry. She raised her eyebrows and said angrily, “Who asked you to do this?”

Jing Zisu was taken aback, seeming a bit scared. She awkwardly withdrew her hand and squatted on the ground, both hands wet and still dripping water, looking at her somewhat bewilderedly, not daring to move.

Chu Qiao put her shoes back on and frowned, “Sit down.”

Jing Zisu hurriedly sat back on the bed. Her cautious manner made Chu Qiao’s heartache. She frowned and said, “Tell me, what’s wrong?”

Jing Zisu bit her lower lip slightly, thought for a long time, but still shook her head, “Nothing, I… nothing’s wrong.”

With that, she stood up, but her legs gave way, and she almost fell. Chu Qiao quickly held her up. Through her clothes, she could feel that this woman was skin and bones, alarmingly thin.

Jing Zisu walked to the door and opened it. The wind on the river was strong and immediately blew her already yellowish hair into disarray. She was actually still very young, not yet twenty-five, but there were fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, and her skin was not smooth, frighteningly pale.

“Yue’er, sleep well. The wind is strong at night, remember to cover yourself with a blanket.”

Jing Zisu said this, then turned and left. Chu Qiao watched her go, seeing her in thin clothes, emaciated figures, looking as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

A wave of desolation suddenly rose from the bottom of her heart. She stood at the door for a long time before finally taking a deep breath and making this irrational decision.

She naturally knew why Jing Zisu had come. Zhan Ziming had returned to the manor alone, without bringing any servants, which meant that the servants by her side were all detained at the City Guardian’s mansion. Thinking about it, if Zhan Ziming was brought back by Zhan Ziyu, wouldn’t that leave those servants to bear the wrath of the City Guardian’s wife?

The Zhan family wouldn’t intervene again for a few small servants and maids. As such, the girl named Cai Qin, even if she didn’t die, would be beaten half to death. Moreover, these sisters from the Jing family would be separated again, whether they would have a chance to meet in the future, and what their circumstances would be, all became unknown variables.

Jing Zisu had no other options. Among the people she knew, only this sister whom she had just reunited with seemed to have some ability, not only gaining the favor of the Zhan family masters but also having some ambiguous relationship with Prince Jing.

Chu Qiao had originally not planned to handle this matter. She had a clear understanding of her capabilities, and now that she was entangled with Jing Han, she could barely take care of herself, let alone find time to create more trouble. So she hadn’t actively brought it up. However, contrary to Chu Qiao’s expectations, Jing Zisu didn’t bring it up either. She sat anxiously, trying to speak several times but ultimately not saying anything, and finally left without mentioning a single word.

Perhaps she understood too—understood what kind of power she was facing, understood how unreasonable her request was, understood that even if she spoke up, it would be in vain, understood that perhaps this newly reunited sister might bring trouble upon herself.

Chu Qiao’s brows were tightly knit as she sat on the bed, tying her leg wrappings, then inserting a sharp dagger between her boots before opening the door and walking out.

Perhaps Chu Qiao was just that kind of person. She could be rational, and shrewd, and could lay out all the pros and cons on the table, but she couldn’t bear it when others were kind to her. It was precisely this personality that had led her to follow Yan Xun through life and death for eight years, and it was precisely this personality that made her soften at the sight of Jing Zisu’s anxious expression.

The full moon was hidden by dark clouds, leaving the world in complete darkness. Chu Qiao nimbly flipped off the ship, looked back at the two of Jing Han’s sentinels who had already fallen asleep, then turned and ran away at full speed.

An hour later, Chu Qiao had already entered City Guardian Tian’s mansion undetected. If not for the occasional passing guards and the ferocious hounds, this seemingly heavily guarded ancient estate looked more like a defenseless huge playground in Chu Qiao’s eyes.

Sliding down from under a tree like a loach, the woman landed soundlessly in the back garden.

The City Guardian’s mansion was built in a connected line style, somewhat resembling a military camp. It was said that this City Guardian Tian was a famous military general, and it seemed true. Chu Qiao nimbly leaned against a rockery, her ears twitching slightly. She heard footsteps approaching from a distance, seemingly coming toward her.

The grass ahead was dense, and the trees to the right were lush, both appearing to be the best hiding spots. However, Chu Qiao firmly judged that many sentinels were hidden there. If she made one wrong step, she would be pierced by arrows with no chance of survival. This path was impassable.

Looking toward the pavilions in the southeast direction, Chu Qiao slightly narrowed her eyes, frowned, and then darted out, her feet suddenly exerting force as she ran toward the pillars of a long corridor to the right. Just as she was about to crash into the pillar, Chu Qiao lifted her foot and kicked hard against it. Her body, with the momentum, instantly shot upward. She took three steps and, just as she was losing strength, stretched out her hands and grabbed the tiled roof above, hung by her arms, trapped the pillar between her legs, quickly climbed up, and just as the lantern light was turning the corner, the woman swiftly leaped and clung tightly to the tiles of the corridor roof like a gecko!

“This way.”

A shrill voice suddenly sounded, filled with flattery and caution, full of servility. Then, the sound of chaotic footsteps arose, with about twenty people judging by the sound. Chu Qiao frowned tightly, keeping still and motionless.

“I’ve heard that the young master is brilliant, with outstanding martial arts, both wise and brave, a dragon among men. Seeing you today indeed proves that reputation falls short of reality, and rumors cannot express even a fraction of the young master’s brilliance.”

The man suddenly laughed loudly, seemingly pleased with his own words. However, the young master he was praising didn’t utter a word. Only the man’s exaggerated laughter echoed in the garden, making it extremely awkward.

After laughing for a while, seeing that no one responded, the man gave a dry laugh and stopped. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he smiled sleazily and said, “This way, we’re almost there. I just bought a female slave from Xianyang City, with unparalleled beauty, charming and alluring. She’s already been washed and dressed up, hehe, just waiting for the young master to enjoy.”

The walking footsteps suddenly paused, right under Chu Qiao. The woman immediately tensed all her muscles, gripped the dagger in her hand, held her breath, and frowned tightly.

A deep voice slowly came, the owner of the voice seeming to have a cold, with a somewhat hoarse voice and heavy nasal sounds, but it didn’t diminish his intimidating presence.

“Xianyang City?”

“Yes,” the man smiled, “Hehe, as the young master knows, your Great Xia has more relaxed control over slaves, and the price, hehe, is also much cheaper than in Biantang. Officer Cui from the Records Bureau went to Xianyang City on business a while ago and brought her back for me. Young master, would you like to?”

The young master was silent for a while, finally saying in a deep voice, “Let’s take a look.”

The official was immediately delighted and smiled as he led everyone away.

Chu Qiao slowly let out a breath. It seemed that tonight there was an important guest in the City Guardian’s mansion, no wonder the guards were not that strict. It seemed she had come at the right time. She just didn’t know what kind of guest could receive such hospitality from a local City Guardian, and from Great Xia at that.

Without thinking further, she slowly got up and walked in the opposite direction. The most crucial thing tonight was to find the prison in the City Guardian’s mansion, locate the imprisoned Cai Qin, and then rescue her.

Chu Qiao moved like a wildcat in the darkness, her steps light and movements agile. But just as she was about to pass this corridor, her foot suddenly slipped. She frowned, nimbly squatting down to stabilize herself, her fingers touching what turned out to be moss.

At this distance, no one should hear, Chu Qiao thought as her heart raced. Just as she was thinking this, a cold voice suddenly came, “Who’s there?”

The speaker’s voice was deep, and in an instant, he had arrived beneath the corridor—it was that taciturn young master!

Chu Qiao gripped her dagger, took a deep breath, furrowed her brow, and remained silent.

Seeing that she didn’t speak, the young master gave a cold laugh, leaped up, took two steps on the corridor pillar, and with a backward motion, hooked his arm around the corner of the eaves. Using only the strength of one arm, he vaulted onto the roof!

The clouds obscured the moon, leaving everything in darkness. In the darkness, one could only see that the man had a tall and slender figure, with an upright posture. His clothes fluttered, and as the long wind blew, there was a hint of a sharp edge to his presence.

Chu Qiao’s eye twitched, anger welling up from her heart. Knowing that waiting would only allow the other’s reinforcements to arrive, she didn’t waste words, leaped into the air, and with the dagger in her hand, immediately swung it upward. The other party also didn’t waste words, immediately reached out, vigorously blocked Chu Qiao’s arm, suddenly pulled, and swiftly struck Chu Qiao’s neck with his other hand. Fast! Super fast! Fast to the extreme!

However, Chu Qiao was not slow either. She leaned her body backward, dodging the attack, did a backward arch flip, and nimbly retreated. In the instant of flipping, her palm slipped into the other’s embrace like a loach, and at the same time, a gust of palm wind attacked her shoulder. Almost simultaneously, there was a “hiss” sound, and Chu Qiao’s shoulder felt a burning pain. She pulled hard, and kicked toward the other, but with a “bang,” she hit the other’s incoming leg. The two had a hard bone-to-bone collision on their shins, both with numbed leg bones, both retreating, looking at each other with cold eyes.

Chu Qiao held a smooth piece of silk fabric in her hand, not even looking at it, and threw it at her feet.

When the other hit her shoulder, she had also punched him in the chest, and they had both kicked each other, neither gaining any advantage.

The footsteps below grew closer, clearly, the guards had quickly returned. Chu Qiao cursed inwardly, frustrated that she had encountered such a skilled fighter in this City Guardian’s mansion. If they surrounded her, she would be trapped here tonight.

With phoenix eyes full of killing intent, she had just steadied herself when, without thinking, she immediately launched an attack. Her movements were extremely ruthless, swift, and fierce, aiming to kill with one strike!

However, the other was no pushover either. He gave a cold laugh and suddenly threw something up—it was a folding fan.

Chu Qiao’s attack momentarily slowed. Before she could cry out “despicable,” she saw the other quickly approaching, his hands twisting, grabbing both of Chu Qiao’s wrists, his body immediately pressing close.

Chu Qiao’s eyes turned cold, her body instantly making a strange bend, her left leg flipping up from behind, leaping over her head, and heavily kicking the other’s shoulder. The man groaned, and a strong smell of alcohol blew into her face, all over her nose and cheeks.

But the man wasn’t forced back by this kick. He took a step forward and firmly grabbed Chu Qiao’s waist. The roof was covered with moss everywhere, and the two fell onto the eaves, immediately rolling down!

This corridor was neither high nor low, at least three meters. If they fell like this, they would be injured if not killed.

With remarkable tacit understanding, they both released one hand at the same time, both grabbing the roof tiles. At this moment, the man’s leg kicked across, pressing down on Chu Qiao’s beautiful leg. Chu Qiao was about to retaliate when she saw the man flip over and press down on her, using the momentum to heavily strike her chest with his elbow!

Chu Qiao was shocked, and immediately bent her other leg, her eyes ruthless. If this man attacked like this, she would make sure he could never be a man again!

Indeed, the young master saw through Chu Qiao’s intention and adjusted his position mid-air, twisting and changing position!

Two muffled groans sounded simultaneously! Excruciating pain instantly came!

The man’s elbow hit Chu Qiao’s shoulder hard, while Chu Qiao’s leg also kicked the man’s thigh viciously.

Falling! As if struck by a hammer, the dagger in her hand made several clinking sounds as it slid down the sloping corridor roof and fell to the ground.

Chu Qiao got up awkwardly, but before she could steady herself, a gust of wind suddenly came. Chu Qiao raised her eyebrows, turned, and kicked. The other’s skill was also extraordinary, as he took the kick on his back without even a groan, pressed forward, raised his hand, and with a neat grappling technique, grabbed Chu Qiao’s chest!

In that instant, both froze!

Soft, though not very prominent, but remarkably elastic, with an exceptionally good feel!

Even if this man had no experience, he now knew the gender of the assassin before him. He was suddenly shocked, forgetting not only the hidden technique below but also that he should withdraw his hand.

“Looking to die!”

Chu Qiao shouted coldly, grabbed the man’s waist belt with one hand, and delivered an explosive whirlwind sidekick, hitting the man squarely in the side of his waist.

The man groaned and staggered back. Just as Chu Qiao was about to press her advantage, she heard the footsteps below intensifying. She gave the man a cold look, then nimbly turned, jumped down from the corridor in a few leaps, and disappeared into the darkness before the pursuers arrived.

The City Guardian’s guards climbed up the corridor with ladders. City Guardian Tian tremblingly stepped forward, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, carefully approaching and asking, “Young master? Who was it?”

Soldiers all around climbed onto the corridor, torches everywhere. The man had a handsome face, and black eyes, dressed in deep purple clothes, but strangely missing a piece of fabric on his chest. He looked full of seductive handsomeness, his lips as red as lacquer.

“An assassin.”

He slowly said in a deep voice. Tian was shocked and immediately shouted, “Ah! There’s an assassin! Notify the entire mansion, capture the assassin!”

The enormous sound of gongs echoed throughout the City Guardian’s mansion, waking the entire city. Torches were lit everywhere, and the entire estate instantly became as bright as day!

“City Guardian Tian,” the man turned his head and looked at him, saying, “Could you inform your troops that they must catch the assassin alive, no need for arrows, knives, or spears.”

Tian was stunned, then quickly replied, “I’ll follow the young master’s words.”

The night wind blew, lifting the man’s elegant clothes. He looked in the direction Chu Qiao had disappeared, recalled her movements and skills, and the fierce shout before she left, and quietly frowned.

Chu Qiao was extremely distressed. Outside was brightly lit, full of moving troops. Even with her exceptional skills, it would be difficult to escape.

Thinking of that wretched “young master,” she gritted her teeth hard.

“Don’t let me run into you again!”

Chu Qiao murmured, holding a diamond-shaped jade pendant that she had pulled from the man’s waist during the fight. Although she hadn’t seen his face clearly, she could eventually find out his identity just from this jade pendant. Besides, she only needed to ask who the City Guardian’s mansion was entertaining tonight, and the man’s identity would be immediately clear.

Thinking of how he had grabbed her chest, Chu Qiao’s face turned green with anger.

This grudge was now established.

At this moment, a coquettish voice suddenly came. Chu Qiao was hiding behind a screen in an elegant room. The mistress of this room had awakened.

The woman was dressed very revealingly, with half of her white bosom exposed. She stretched lazily and walked toward the screen.

Chu Qiao’s scalp tingled, and before she could hide, the woman was already face to-face with her.

The woman’s mouth opened wide, but before she could make a sound, Chu Qiao struck, chopping at her neck. The woman’s eyes rolled back, and she fell softly to the ground, fainting.

It seemed she would have to hide here for the night.

Just as she finished tying up the woman, she heard footsteps outside. Chu Qiao was startled, then heard City Guardian Tian’s disgusting voice outside:

“Young master, this is the room of the new female slave I bought. She’s still pure, untouched by anyone. Please enjoy yourself.”

Damn it!

Chu Qiao stared in disbelief, looking at the brightly lit exterior, completely dumbfounded.