Feng Jiu’er was a little slow to process — how had the conversation circled back to that same point no matter what was said?

What “right to chase someone away”? She genuinely didn’t have that right.

And he wasn’t anything to her, either.

“Where you go is your own business. I…”

“I am the same as them.” Jian Yi’s face was expressionless, yet deep within his eyes flickered something barely perceptible — unease.

“I am also a member of Tianji Hall. You were the one who asked me to stay and work.”

“Didn’t you say yourself that you had nowhere to go?” What did that have to do with whether he stayed or left now?

“I still have nowhere to go.” Jian Yi pressed his lips together. Those eyes of his — as beautiful as a sky full of stars — actually seemed to ripple with… a thread of grievance?

“You want to follow me?” What kind of joke was this? It felt inexplicably as though she had somehow picked up a stray child.

“Do you know where I’m going? That place is very dangerous…”

“I know martial arts. At the very least, I’m stronger than every guard in your courtyard.”

She certainly knew that. The number one assassin of the Bei Mu nation — not just a little stronger, but a great deal stronger.

But taking him along on this journey — that was never part of her plan.

Moreover… she instinctively drew her hand behind her back.

A flicker of guilt crossed Jian Yi’s face, and he said quietly, “I frightened you before. I’m sorry. I swear that for the rest of my life, I will never harm you again.”

“Then how will you repay the favor you owe Feng Qingyin?” Feng Jiu’er knew — if he didn’t repay that debt, he would never find peace of mind.

“I’ll find a way. Once we return…”

“You truly won’t set your eyes on my hand again?” She still held a thread of uncertainty.

Jian Yi immediately raised his right hand, his voice sincere: “I, Jue Yan, swear…”

“Oh, never mind — just stick with Jian Yi. Jue Yan… hmm. The number one assassin of Bei Mu Nation — that title alone is enough to earn you countless enemies. Better not to make a show of it.”

Either old enemies would come seeking vengeance, or someone ambitious would come to challenge the title of number one assassin.

After all, there were far too many glory-hungry people in this world. Kill Jue Yan, and they’d become the number one assassin themselves — their fees and reputation would skyrocket overnight.

Fame was a double-edged blade. “Number one” was no blessing — every second and third in line was always waiting to cut you down.

Jian Yi glanced at her, then said anew: “I, Jian Yi, swear to the heavens — if I ever harbor the thought of harming Feng Jiu’er again, may I be struck by five bolts of lightning and die without a good death.”

Jiu’er had no intention of stopping him. Ancient people took oaths very seriously. His swearing was a safeguard for her.

Only a fool would hypocritically wave it off and say, Oh, don’t bother, I believe you.

Hmph. With her, she wasn’t nearly so naive.

She turned it over in her mind, her expression giving nothing away: “But the place I’m going really is very dangerous.”

Jian Yi said nothing. Dangerous or not — for an assassin, the word seemed somewhat redundant.

“Then… I can’t pay you much of a wage, either.”

“My demands have always been simple.” Hadn’t they already discussed this back at Tianji Hall?

More importantly, he had drunk her blood. Even without wages, that meant nothing to him.

“Just enough to keep me fed.”

“Alright, then it’s settled!” Feng Jiu’er’s heart swelled with glee she couldn’t quite contain.

The number one assassin of Bei Mu Nation! First-rate lightness skill and swordsmanship! And most crucially — barely any cost!

This was undeniably a tremendous bargain.

Jian Yi, however, looked at her reaction and found himself momentarily unable to respond: “You… you’re still going to chase me away?”

He truly didn’t know where to go right now, but he had drunk Feng Jiu’er’s blood — which meant he was obligated to ensure her safety.

At the very least, for this journey, he had to see her come back unharmed.

As for what came after — once she returned, he would think about where to go next.

Most likely, he would still have to return to the imperial capital. After all, he still owed Feng Qingyin.

Once he found a way to repay that debt… perhaps he would simply go back to wandering the world alone.

“Why would I chase you away? Aren’t you a supreme expert? Right now, the one thing I’m most short of is exactly that — a top-tier fighter.”

She called out toward the door: “Qiao Mu!”

Before long, Qiao Mu walked in. She seemed to be in better spirits: “What is it?”

“Find a proper place for Jian Yi. He’s joining our group as well. As for compensation… well, just enough to keep him fed.”

“Just enough to keep him fed?” Qiao Mu startled, looking at Jian Yi. “Is that true?”

Though she now knew Jian Yi had been concealing his true abilities during their time at Tianji Hall, anyone Jiu’er was willing to bring along on a journey was unlikely to be a bad person.

Still — was this treatment not a little too poor?

“What’s wrong? It’s what he asked for himself. I haven’t docked him of anything.”

Feng Jiu’er tilted her head toward Jian Yi and asked earnestly: “I’ve met all your conditions, haven’t I?”

Jian Yi inclined his head. “Yes.”

“There, you see — I didn’t lie to you.” She waved her hand at Qiao Mu. “Go make the arrangements. And of course, get him a couple sets of clothing.”

Feng Jiu’er spread her hands with quiet satisfaction. Trading just enough food for the number one assassin of Bei Mu Nation — a fine deal, indeed.

Travelling with her was not a bad thing for him either. It was certainly better than wandering out there as an assassin, killing people wherever the wind took him.

She had said it before — this man was not a bad person at heart. Killing people… he probably didn’t enjoy it either.

“I’m going to find Jiu Qing to spend some time with.”

“You… aren’t you going to rest?” Jian Yi quickly stood as well, his eyes on her pallid face.

Her complexion was still so poor — why wasn’t she staying in her room to rest, rather than running around outside?

Besides, that man called Jiu Qing — not only was his face ruined, he was cold as ice. Anyone could see he was difficult to be around.

What could Feng Jiu’er possibly find entertaining about seeking him out?

“You’re the one who should be resting. Look at yourself — your face is worse than a sheet of white paper.”

Jian Yi’s complexion truly was poor. He had, after all, been struck by a severe poison the night before.

Though the poison had been purged afterward, the meridians and blood that had suffered its damage couldn’t possibly recover all at once.

“Qiao Mu, find him a room and let him rest first.”

“Alright.” Qiao Mu looked at Jian Yi. “The rooms are already arranged — the third room in the east wing. Head on over.”

Jian Yi glanced at Feng Jiu’er. She said, “If you drag around that sickly body of yours, how do you expect to protect me?”

Jian Yi gave a small nod and said nothing more. He turned and walked out the door.

By the time Qiao Mu and Feng Jiu’er stepped through the doorway, Jian Yi had already pushed open the third room in the east wing.

“Jiu’er — are you truly keeping him?”

Qiao Mu knew that Feng Jiu’er never easily took someone along on a journey. Bringing Jian Yi this time must have some purpose she had yet to reveal.

“If I didn’t bring him along, this fellow would probably have gone back to the imperial capital to find Feng Qingyin.”

“He’s Feng Qingyin’s man?” Feng Qingyin’s man — how could she bring someone like that along? What was Jiu’er thinking?

“He is the number one assassin of Bei Mu Nation. Jue Yan.”

“Of all the people — him!”

The name Jue Yan thundered like legend.

Qiao Mu simply hadn’t imagined that the famously cold and ruthless number one assassin — would turn out to be such a charmingly oblivious, beautiful young man.