The assassin effortlessly left the city with the head, even whistling as he went.

He found a sturdy willow tree and retrieved a box from a hollow. Upon opening it, a cool mist emerged. He placed the head inside and carried it away.

An Jiu locked onto his spiritual energy, following at a distance of fifty zhang.

He circled the outskirts of the city several times. As dawn approached, he retrieved a horse from a grove near the east gate and galloped northward.

An Jiu, lacking qinggong skills, struggled to keep up. Fortunately, her powerful spiritual energy allowed her to track him within five li. However, she suddenly lost his aura.

An Jiu continued forward, spotting buildings shrouded in twilight in the distance—the small town and dock.

It seemed the dock was indeed suspicious. An Jiu tried again to sense the man with her spiritual energy but failed to locate him.

However, her keen sense of blood led her towards the dock. As she neared it, she immediately turned back.

If Chu Dingjiang’s guess was correct, this dock was an assassin’s den. Even with her past-life combat skills, An Jiu wouldn’t act rashly. Moreover, her current abilities made dealing with a ninth-level expert a gamble.

As the city gates opened, An Jiu returned to the Jade Mansion’s vicinity.

She sensed Chu Dingjiang’s aura rapidly approaching. Turning, she saw him descend from a rooftop.

“Follow me,” Chu Dingjiang said.

An Jiu followed him into the Jade Mansion, through garden paths, to a two-story building.

The door was wide open. An Jiu saw Zhu Pianpian and a well-dressed young man greeting them at the entrance.

Zhu Pianpian’s survival didn’t surprise An Jiu.

“Brother Chu,” the young man bowed, then asked, “And this is…?”

“She’s called An Jiu,” Chu Dingjiang replied.

“Miss An Jiu, pleased to meet you,” he said with a slight smile. “I am Yu Pianfei.”

Yu Pianfei lived up to his name—a refined gentleman, slender and fair-skinned. His features weren’t particularly striking, but together they conveyed a sense of cultured elegance.

“This is my elder sister,” Yu Pianfei said.

Out of politeness, An Jiu responded, “You two are unique.”

Chu Dingjiang silently prayed: Please don’t ask why.

“How so?” Yu Pianfei, unable to fathom An Jiu’s frankness, courteously inquired.

An Jiu explained, “Her features are decent individually, yet somehow unappealing together. Your features aren’t great, yet somehow work well combined.”

Chu Dingjiang pressed his lips together, secretly amused. He coughed twice to smooth things over. “An Jiu isn’t skilled at conversation. Please don’t take offense, Brother Yu.”

“I most enjoy straightforward people. How could I mind?” Yu Pianfei’s expression remained unchanged, betraying no emotion. “Please, come in.”

Zhu Pianpian glared fiercely at An Jiu, only to be met with a cold stare that made her shrink back behind Yu Pianfei.

Once seated, Chu Dingjiang said, “An Jiu, I’m collaborating with Brother Yu. What’s the result of your tracking the Misty Mountain Manor assassin?”

An Jiu was surprised. Had this Yu Pianfei gone mad, cooperating with someone who’d betrayed his sister?

Yu Pianfei didn’t seem foolish. Either Chu Dingjiang was exceptionally persuasive, or Yu Pianfei had ulterior motives. Perhaps they were trying to outmaneuver each other. Regarding schemes, An Jiu had full confidence in Chu Dingjiang.

After a moment’s thought, An Jiu replied, “I followed him to the north of the city. His aura disappeared, but I traced the blood scent to the dock. I returned without investigating further.”

“It seems he’s hiding at the dock,” Chu Dingjiang said, not mentioning Misty Mountain Manor.

“Hmph!” Zhu Pianpian snorted, clearly displeased with Chu Dingjiang.

Yu Pianfei appeared not to notice. “What’s your plan, Brother Chu? That dock belongs to the Feng family. Our Yu family can’t interfere directly.”

“No need to trouble your household,” Chu Dingjiang said smoothly, his face thick-skinned enough to act friendly despite having betrayed Zhu Pianpian. “Does your family need to ship goods soon? Why not use the Feng dock? An Jiu and I could blend in and locate the assassin.”

“That’s doable,” Yu Pianfei looked at Zhu Pianpian. “Sister, can you arrange a shipment through the Feng dock soon?”

“How is this my concern?” Zhu Pianpian nearly jumped from her chair. “Let me tell you, Yu Pianfei, I’ve seen through your little schemes since we were in the womb. Don’t think you can use this chance to lure me back to the Yu family! I won’t meddle in Yu family business.”

Though Zhu Pianpian appeared to be a mature woman and Yu Pianfei a young man, the siblings were twins.

Faced with this public rebuke, Yu Pianfei didn’t anger. He sighed helplessly, “This concerns your life!”

“Then you should take care of it. I’m just a woman, and my husband died young…” Zhu Pianpian gazed at Yu Pianfei, her eyes brimming with sorrow and quickly filling with tears. “Who can I rely on if not my family? Your sister is in such a pitiful state, yet her brother still schemes against her. The world has gone to ruin, and human hearts have grown cold. I’m adrift with nothing to hold onto. In the past…”

“Alright, alright. I’ll handle it,” Yu Pianfei hastily interrupted, knowing his sister all too well and fearing she might air all the Yu family’s private matters.

Zhu Pianpian calmly wiped away her nearly-spilled tears with a handkerchief and sipped her tea. “Then it’s settled.”

Chu Dingjiang ignored this display, discussing specific strategies with Yu Pianfei.

An Jiu stared at Zhu Pianpian, curious how she could summon and dismiss tears at will.

Seeing An Jiu’s murderous aura had faded, Zhu Pianpian grew bolder and scolded quietly, “What are you looking at?”

An Jiu frowned, her gaze turning cold.

Zhu Pianpian quickly averted her eyes, edging closer to Yu Pianfei as if seeking protection.

As Chu Dingjiang and Yu Pianfei finished their discussion, An Jiu suddenly said, “Have Miss Zhu come with us. She can lure out the assassin. I’ll protect her.”

Yu Pianfei fell silent, seemingly considering An Jiu’s suggestion.

Zhu Pianpian, knowing her brother’s temperament and recalling her recent behavior, immediately teared up again. She said mournfully, “Brother, you wouldn’t put your sister in danger, would you?”

Before Yu Pianfei could respond, An Jiu added, “Never mind, I have other ways to find them.”

Zhu Pianpian turned tearfully, only to see An Jiu’s lips curved slightly, eyes bright, her face clearly showing “prank succeeded.” Zhu Pianpian’s gaze instantly turned to outrage!

Yu Pianfei observed silently.

“Nonsense,” Chu Dingjiang said lightly, his mind elsewhere. He bowed slightly, said “Farewell,” and left with An Jiu.

The pair exited the Jade Mansion and found a quiet place to eat.

Willows swayed as an old woman set up a wonton stand by the riverside. They ate bowl after bowl, watching passing pleasure boats amid the willows and river breeze.

Chu Dingjiang finished eight bowls, including the broth, before stopping. “Why did you suggest bringing Zhu Pianpian along?”

As a master schemer, Chu Dingjiang had already considered dozens of sinister possibilities.

An Jiu swallowed her last wonton. “I wanted to see if her tears were truly under her control.”

Chu Dingjiang paused. “And then?”

An Jiu replied, “Then I confirmed they were!”

Chu Dingjiang held his head. “I mean, why did you want to confirm her control over her tears?”

An Jiu hesitated unusually long, then asked seriously, “Because it was interesting. Did my actions interfere with your scheme?”

“…” Chu Dingjiang corrected, “It’s a plan, not a scheme!”

An Jiu looked grave, still awaiting an answer.

Chu Dingjiang sighed, “No, it didn’t interfere.”

An Jiu’s brow relaxed slightly. “How did you convince Yu Pianfei to collude with you?”

“It’s not collusion…”

An Jiu considered. “Conspiring together?”

“Let’s stick with collusion,” Chu Dingjiang changed the subject. “He has ambition and plans. I can tempt him with benefits.”

An Jiu wasn’t slow. With Chu Dingjiang’s hint, she realized Yu Pianfei’s goals involved Misty Mountain Manor. “He’s quite ambitious.”

Though the Yu family was powerful in Yangzhou, they paled in comparison to Misty Mountain Manor. Yu Pianfei’s aspirations seemed like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.

Chu Dingjiang seemed to read her thoughts. “He has courage and resolve. Such men either soar to great heights or shatter completely. He’s not a mere gambler. If he dares to scheme, he must have some plan.”

“Aren’t you afraid he’ll seek revenge?” An Jiu asked.

“Let him try,” Chu Dingjiang called out. “What do you think, brother drinking sweet water?”

Chu Dingjiang’s words exposed the Yu family’s hidden guard. He would dare say this to Yu Pianfei’s face, but the intimidation effect differed greatly.

The man, exposed, didn’t panic. He glanced their way before hurrying off.

Chu Dingjiang ignored him, smiling at the unique woman hidden behind an ordinary mask before him. Sometimes her thoughts were incredibly simple, yet her judgments and actions showed remarkable intelligence. He couldn’t help but marvel at nature’s wonders. Simple people often think less, while intelligent ones tend to overthink. An Jiu was a rare flower that suited his taste perfectly.

“Let’s go. I have more arrangements to make,” Chu Dingjiang said.

They paid and left.

As they walked, Chu Dingjiang bought more pine nuts. Later, they found a secret location of the Crane-Controlling Army and retrieved a letter.

“When did you contact anyone?” An Jiu didn’t believe Chu Dingjiang had done this under her nose.

“I arranged it before leaving Bianjing,” Chu Dingjiang said, reading the letter before handing it to An Jiu.

An Jiu took it, surprised by its contents.

Chu Dingjiang shelled pine nuts as he spoke, “I’ve arranged too many things to explain each one. I wasn’t intentionally hiding anything from you.”