CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 83 YIN YIN YIN DIES AGAIN

Clang! Clang! Clang!

"I was just thinking, with your body so weak, the lights on, and not a weapon in your hand, how would you try to assassinate me, but I didn’t expect..."

Le Yuxin managed to swing the Soul Purification Demon Sword and deflect the round lead pellets that were aiming for his vitals, but his limbs still got hit—left shoulder, right arm, and left thigh all burst into blossoms of blood, streaming down in rivers.

"...They actually sent an assassin with a Divine Weapon to kill me," said Jing Zhengwei, his voice full of charm behind the veil.

Le Yuxin hadn’t expected Jing Zhengwei to pull out a personal weapon—a shotgun!

Shotguns fired cartridges packed with 8 to 12 round lead pellets, spraying out a veritable storm of bullets at short range—the one firearm that Warriors like them simply couldn’t dodge.

If they had fought in an open area, Le Yuxin might have been able to dodge the buckshot by creating a light burst or using his physical prowess, but here in a room, there was no space at all to move, and his current physical state couldn’t support any flashy maneuvers!

But because shotguns had such a short effective range, and both the guns and the ammo cost far more than regular light firearms, they were only suitable for close-quarters suppression. But in border skirmishes against the barbarians, there was seldom any need for such close-ranged firepower. So shotguns never saw much production; Le Yuxin had never even seen one in Star Engraving County.

If he tried to escape, he would still be in Jing Zhengwei’s range—the best possible outcome was a bad wound and near death.

If he looked for an opening head-on, maybe there was a sliver of hope!

He shifted his waist low, legs tensed, body ready to explode with action. Le Yuxin asked, "Switching identities—was that just something you did on a whim? Or is it some kind of special kink of yours?"

Jing Zhengwei took a step forward, seeming to enjoy the conversation too: "Of course it was a welcoming ceremony I prepared for assassins like you. Then again, calling it a kink isn’t exactly wrong; I do enjoy gorgeous clothing, but I never show that side of myself to others... Who would’ve thought these little hobbies that can’t see the light of day, don’t go on a resume, and no one mentions, would save my life tonight."

"Le Yuxin silently deleted the possibility that he’d been tricked by Yin Minghong again. If Yin Minghong had known Jing Zhengwei was a cross-dressing freak, then Le Yuxin would have been set up again this time—if that were the case, he’d have to seriously reevaluate the Nameless Organization. What the hell, why is every other spy a traitorous bastard?"

"But it looked like Jing Zhengwei had fooled everyone. Where did he get his voice disguise tricks? Le Yuxin couldn’t hear a single hint he was hiding anything—did this bastard actually train his Adam’s apple into a voice modulator?"

"You knew about me all along?"

"How could I?" Jing Zhengwei stepped closer again, "I figured, at most, they’d use the Jing Family’s Blackthorn, or maybe borrow another clan’s secret troops... From what I’ve heard, your kind isn’t supposed to target Dongyang people, right? Did you take this mission on the side?"

Sure enough, Dongyang nobility was not unfamiliar with the Nameless Organization—even a merchant’s kid knew the organization’s rule about not taking Dongyang targets... Le Yuxin raised an eyebrow, "The emperor is dead. The skies have turned traitor."

"Hm?"

"The times have changed; our organization’s rules have too," Le Yuxin cheerfully smeared Black Robe Tower’s name, "After all, being your dogs just doesn’t compare to killing you like dogs. That’s much more satisfying."

"Really?" Jing Zhengwei didn’t seem rattled at all. He stepped even closer, eyes bright with interest, "So from now on, you’ll be taking contracts against Dongyang people? Looks like I’ve caught a lucky era."

"That’s right... Closer. Just a little closer!"

"Le Yuxin calculated the furthest distance from which he could strike, slowing his breath and gathering his Spirit, taking the initiative to draw Jing Zhengwei’s attention. ’Aren’t you curious who hired us to kill you?’"

"Not curious," Jing Zhengwei shook his head, "The old man can’t get out of bed; everyone knows that if I’m dead, their shot at becoming Patriarch opens up. Zhengwu’s the most suspicious, but he never liked these underhanded tricks—he prefers a straightforward fight. Then again, his mother is sharp-tongued and mean. Wouldn’t surprise me if she snuck in one night and stabbed me to death..."

"That bastard son Zhengfeng is pretty likely too. Sure, he can’t compete for Patriarch, but if I’m dead, he gets a piece of the inheritance. Grew up on the street, plenty of shady friends—who’s to say he doesn’t know an assassin?"

"Zhengtang’s not out of the running either. He acts all dopey, but that fiancée of his is cunning as hell. She actually grew their little piece of land into something that could challenge Zhengwu... I stand in their way. If they plan to take me out, that’s just part of their plan..."

"But apart from those loving family members, there are outsiders who’d love to use my death to split the Jing Family—the other merchant houses, or maybe..."

Jing Zhengwei came another step closer, smile positively radiant, "...Radicals among the Backlight traitors, for example."

Now!

"Le Yuxin’s muscles snapped like bowstrings, and his body shot forward like an arrow at Jing Zhengwei. A thin burst of light exploded—harmless, only meant to disrupt his enemy’s vision!"

And Jing Zhengwei’s first reaction to the ambush was to jump back and dodge, not pull the trigger, thinking he was still at a safe distance!

"But Le Yuxin had been blending his real position with an ’illusion coat’ all along. It’s an Intermediate-level Battle Technique—doesn’t require much Spiritual Power and is completely silent. Even other Intermediate Martial Artists can spot it, but can’t see through it, let alone a spoiled gun-waving young master like Jing Zhengwei."

Le Yuxin’s real position had always been a step closer than anyone realized!

That one extra step was all it took for the Soul Purification Demon Sword to reach Jing Zhengwei’s shotgun!

With a light crash, Le Yuxin sliced off the shotgun’s barrel and lunged at Jing Zhengwei!

But at that exact moment, Jing Zhengwei moved with a fluid agility, not just discarding the shotgun instantly, but stepping lightly as if on air—vanishing from the tip of Le Yuxin’s blade!

This was... Lingxu Battle Technique!

"Le Yuxin suddenly realized he had a problem. If Jing Zhengwei’s brains weren’t nearly as dumb as Yin Minghong said, surely his real skills weren’t the useless trash that Yin Minghong claimed."

"But now, you’re unarmed, and all you’ve got is the weakest Lingxu Battle Technique—how are you supposed to kill me in a heartbeat!?"

Right then, Jing Zhengwei suddenly lifted his skirt, revealing his smooth, pale thigh, and then...

Pulled out a sawn-off shotgun strapped to his leg.

...

...

In the living room of No. B3 Sweetwater Alley, Yanjing, the room was as still as death.

Nai Qingni watched Qian Yuya with anxious eyes. No sooner had she spoken than she regretted it, wondering if she’d made a terrible mistake.

"She should’ve waited a few days, or even months, let them make new friends and find new support in Yanjing, and then tell them these things."

"For these two, the truth was too heavy. At their blooming age, they shouldn’t have to shoulder the weight of family feuds and national hatred. Even if their happiness was just an illusion, breaking that spell directly was just too cruel."

"But Qian Yuya’s response made Nai Qingni blurt it out."

"Unlike Kui Nianruo, who always mentioned ’missing’ family, or Li Ying, who was always giggling but never forgot to buy an old person’s gift, Qian Yuya’s heart was full of hope."

"The longer that hope brews, the stronger the taste of despair becomes after it turns sour."

"Nai Qingni instinctively felt that telling her sooner was the best support she could give."

And Qian Yuya didn’t let her down.

"So my brother never abandoned the people? He kept working for White Night, fighting bravely for justice and his ideals right up to the end?"

"Yes."

"Ying’s father died in the Star Engraving incident that night, killed for supporting White Night... What about Nianruo? I remember her father was the Statistical Department’s deputy director—was he also a member of White Night?"

Nai Qingni hesitated, then shook her head, "No, but Kui Zhao—that is, Nianruo’s father—he died that same night too."

She didn’t mention her suspicion that Kui Zhao had very likely died at the hands of Qian Yuliu—after all, it was just suspicion, and there was no reason to say it.

Qian Yuya nodded softly, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and looked calm and poised enough for royalty. "What about Sister Xue? Did she... lose her family?"

"Yes, but not the night of the Star Engraving affair." Nai Qingni paused, falling silent for a long while, before she spoke: "Lin Xue’s father was Lin Jinyao, and her uncle was Lin Xue’en."

Lin Jinyao.

Lin Xue’en.

"How could Qian Yuya not know these two names? The deaths of those two dragged Qian Yuliu into the abyss of infamy; their deaths sent Lin Xue’s happy life spinning into darkness."

"So that’s... how it is."

Qian Yuya set her teacup down and asked the one question Nai Qingni most dreaded: "Then... can you tell me how my brother died?"

Nai Qingni took a deep breath, agonizing over her answer for a while, but finally spoke plainly, "According to the survivors’ investigation, Qian Yuliu was betrayed by a White Night member. After a bloody battle, with wounds all over his body, he was stabbed in the back by a traitor and died that way."

"Bloody battle... badly wounded... stabbed in the back..."

Qian Yuya repeated the words softly, then asked, "What about my brother’s body?"

"It’s already been taken care of."

"Can you tell me who handled the body? I promised—I promised I’d take care of it myself."

You promised? ...Nai Qingni froze before responding, "I don’t know, but I’ll help you find out, don’t worry."

Qian Yuya gave a small reply and asked her final question, "Then... do you know which White Night member attacked my brother?"

Since they’d gone this far, Nai Qingni saw no reason to hide it. "According to our investigation, the traitor was very likely Yinyin Yin from White Night. Besides attacking Qian Yuliu, he’s also suspected of leaking secrets, colluding, and framing White Night outposts. We’ve already notified all departments to hunt him down. Don’t worry, we won’t let him get away."

"Good." Qian Yuya nodded. "If you can, I hope you’ll wait before telling Nianruo and Ying the news... at least until they’re used to life in Yanjing."

"We will." Nai Qingni let out a breath, "I’m just glad you could accept the news with such calm... You must be hungry, right? Let’s go to Yuqing House."

Qian Yuya politely replied, "Alright, but I want to use the restroom first. Please wait for me."

Qian Yuya turned around and walked to the bathroom off the living room. The moment the door shut, tears exploded from her eyes, running down in twin rivers and soaking her arms.

"Don’t be like this."

"Sis Nai is right outside."

"You’re about to see Ying and Nianruo."

"You can’t let them worry."

"What’s the point of crying, anyway?"

"You can’t fall now."

"There’s no one left behind you."

"There’s no home to go back to, either."

Qian Yuya gazed at her tear-streaked face in the mirror, slowly stuffed her fist in her mouth, and bit down hard.

"But oddly enough, the pain management trick that used to calm her down at a bite wasn’t working tonight—no matter how hard she bit, she couldn’t feel the pain. Even after her teeth cut into her flesh, even when blood soaked her whole hand, she still didn’t feel it."

"The blood was flowing. The tears kept falling."

"After who knows how long, she found herself dry-eyed, still numb to her hand’s pain. She wetted a towel and washed her face, and realized she felt utterly calm, as if she’d just heard a news report from a thousand miles away."

"Only she knew the truth—the news she’d just heard had changed her life forever."

Qian Yuya stared at her perfectly normal reflection and calmly said a single name:

"Yinyin Yin."

Her voice held no anger, no sadness, no complaint; it was like announcing an irrelevant detail:

"I want you dead."

...

...

Bang.

With a blast of gunfire, the shotgun went off at point-blank range. The round lead shot ripped into the target’s body, tearing his delicate, frail form into shreds.

Le Yuxin glanced at the smoke curling up from the shotgun, then looked down at the corpse on the floor.

"Bright blood, hair white as snow, a delicate figure, a face frozen in shock—all painted a picture both brilliant and tragic, so much so that Le Yuxin found it almost beautiful in its despair."

Le Yuxin crouched down, gently stroking that cold, soft face. Though he never would have admitted it before, he realized now, when this person didn’t speak, he was actually a bit handsome.

"Now, even if Le Yuxin found it hard to believe, he had no choice but to accept what he saw before his eyes:"

Once again, Yinyin Yin was dead.