Chen Ping's Sword

Zhuang Hongyi stepped out of the Deputy Magistrate’s residence, a trace of ruthlessness appearing at the corner of her mouth.

’Since you are heartless, don’t blame me for being unrighteous.’

The experience from last night was truly unforgettable.

Since joining the Seven-Colored Hall, she had worked tirelessly for her master, always loyal, doing many significant things in secret.

Yet, as it came to an end, she was told to sever all past actions completely.

To handle the aftermath properly and not to contact them again.

After entering the city, the first thought was not to head to the Wu Mansion...

Halfway there, someone brushed past her, leaving a message.

"The dragon is about to return to the nest; the master wants all ties severed... quickly wrap things up and escape, as far as you can."

She naturally recognized the person, a trusted confidant beside her master.

If she hadn’t done a great favor for them, they wouldn’t have taken the risk to warn her.

’Indeed, the numerous covert deeds I’ve performed have already been exposed by that damn leaderboard... how ridiculous. Is this using someone until they have no use, then casting them aside?’

Zhuang Hongyi’s heart grew ruthless, thinking that if she couldn’t have it easy, then no one would.

Recalling the young man from last night, those eyes like an eagle or a wolf’s, she felt a chill all over.

It felt like a sharp blade was suspended above her head, ready to fall at any moment.

She hadn’t felt this way in many years.

She couldn’t even remember.

Yet, the near-death experience reminded her.

This matter wasn’t over...

Sooner or later, the other party would come to her, and how would she save herself then?

’Rank 305 on the Hidden Dragon List, such potential, such temperament. With him targeting me, how can I escape?’

As Zhuang Hongyi walked, her heart felt a bit desolate... she silently steeled herself and turned into the Wu Mansion.

She knew that the Deputy Magistrate of Xingqing Prefecture, though reputed as upright, was entrusted with affairs after the Prefect left, proving his good reputation.

However, this man secretly held a secret.

This news was supposed to be unknown to anyone, but unfortunately, Young Master Wu Shilong from the Wu Family had a penchant for women...

One day, after getting drunk and speaking carelessly, she overheard some secrets.

She knew what the family was thinking.

At this time, she arrived to present a painting, a piece of information.

Still worried that Tian Qi wouldn’t die?

...

After leaving the Wu Mansion, Zhuang Hongyi felt relieved, the pain in her broken arm and heart seeming to ease somewhat.

She hurried back to her residence, took medicine, changed clothes, and applied makeup to restore her cold and seductive appearance.

A young scholar was waiting outside to see her.

Zhuang Hongyi initially didn’t want to meet him.

Thinking it over, she welcomed him in.

"Young Master Tann, coming to see me so early, could it be that Miss Qingya didn’t serve you well last night?"

Zhuang Hongyi said faintly.

If one didn’t pay attention, they wouldn’t notice the slight weakness in her breath.

"No matter how good, it can’t compare to the nobility and allure of Miss Hongyi."

The elegantly dressed scholar said with a face full of excitement.

"Really?" Zhuang Hongyi chuckled, "Then when you went to find Miss Xinyue at the Jadeite Pavilion, was the person you saw really with a moon-shaped birthmark on their forehead?"

"I would stake my life on it, there’s absolutely no mistake.

That day, the young girl was writing a piece of music when the cat raised by Miss Xinyue knocked over the ink box, splattering ink on her face...

While she was cleaning it, I secretly saw it, the moon birthmark was very clear."

At this, the scholar named Tann wore an indescribable look of infatuation.

Drool quietly trickling from the corner of his mouth.

’He’s a lustful... hungry ghost.’

Zhuang Hongyi shook her head discreetly.

However, it also corroborated from the side, proving just how beautiful a girl with a painted face seemed to a man.

So much so that this fellow couldn’t help but show an unseemly look in front of her.

Such remarkable beauty, indeed matching the impression of that girl in her memory.

Who would have thought a young lady of noble birth would hide among city beggars, begging for a living?

If not for this person’s unintentional glimpse, no one would have imagined.

"So you’re saying your painting was not wrong?"

"No mistakes whatsoever, it’s a portrait I personally investigated. I memorized the appearances and figures of those people, drew it overnight, and told no one...

If you don’t believe it, Hongyi, you can come with me to see the girl and the cripple, it’s absolutely lifelike."

The scholar named Tann was very proud of his drawing skills.

Even the headmaster at the college admired him greatly.

As long as he saw a person once, he could paint them with both likeness and spirit... when it came to his professional skills, he wouldn’t tolerate others’ doubts.

"No need, I’ve already seen that person."

A trace of bitterness flashed across Zhuang Hongyi’s face.

’That cripple...’

"Since that’s the case, Mr. Tann, there’s one more thing I need your help with. I wonder if you’d be willing?"

Miss Hongyi said softly.

"I would be willing to die for Miss."

The Young Scholar, grinning, embraced Miss Hongyi’s slender waist and laughed.

"That’s very good."

Miss Hongyi reached out with her uninjured left hand, wrapping it around the Young Scholar’s neck, her fingers gently resting on the back of his neck, Inner Force activated.

"Crack..."

The Young Scholar’s eyes widened, his body stiffened, and he slowly collapsed to the ground.

"Now, no one will discover that this was orchestrated by me." Miss Hongyi released her grip and stepped back, looking at the Young Scholar’s lifeless, horrified face, a hint of mockery playing at her lips.

She took out a white handkerchief and carefully wiped her hands, lowered her head, and murmured to herself, "Master, I wonder if your sister falling into the hands of the Northern Barbarians can be put aside so easily? Can she withstand the tempest ahead? Hehe..."

The next step would be dealing with the remaining loose ends.

"The girls trained in Mingfeng Garden are still a flaw."

Those trained for a long time may unknowingly learn some secrets, unlike the newly abducted girls.

A trace of cruelty flashed in Miss Hongyi’s eyes, her expression turning extremely complex.

Though she hated her master’s ruthlessness, wanting to see him overwhelmed, she didn’t wish for him to suffer endlessly.

This journey, through storms and rains, she might never return.

Looking back at a certain place, Miss Hongyi sighed deeply.

Would he still occasionally think of me?

...

When she went out again, Miss Hongyi had transformed into a plain-looking country woman in simple clothes.

She did not notice, far behind her, a little beggar missing an arm, sniffing and quietly following.

...

Chen Ping followed the "Cyan Bird Mark," twisting and turning through five or six streets...

The marks grew increasingly hasty, the bird’s beak arrow growing longer.

He chased all the way to the south of the city, near the city wall; on a stone at the corner of a house, the mark was only half a small bird...

The bird beak pointed toward a cacophony of cries and shouts.

Someone shouted and roared loudly.

Ahead, a red light dazzled.

Fire blazed fiercely, black smoke rose into the sky.

The carved wooden tower slowly collapsed.

As doors opened, people fled, while others fought and shouted loudly.

A blue figure, like a madman bleeding, charged forward.

A short dagger in hand, it flicked out sharp shadows.

Swish, swish, swish, swish...

The robust men in black fell one by one beside him.

Zuo Duanshou advanced five steps, swiftly killing five.

Ignoring himself being stabbed and cut twice.

He charged towards the fire, also rushing towards a person dressed in gray with a mocking smile.

Despite the plain clothes, her figure was graceful and rich, the corner of her mouth slightly mocking, her eyes cold as ice.

Though her appearance seemed different.

Chen Ping instantly recognized her.

It was Miss Hongyi.

Separated by seventeen or eighteen meters.

Chen Ping saw Zuo Duanshou, like a moth to the flame, trying to bypass the woman and charge into the burning building.

A strike, swift as light, but Miss Hongyi was faster...

A short sword appeared in her sleeve, flicking away Zuo Duanshou’s dagger, a kick from her skirt...

The blue figure flew backwards, and in mid-air, five or six streams of blood spurted out.

Chen Ping shouted violently, his heart pounding, blood burst forth, Dantian Internal Qi boiling... his form surged forward, kicking dirt and stones up, shooting forward like a fierce arrow.

Within a breath, he was inside the courtyard.

"Zuo Duanshou..."

He caught the flying blue figure.

His heart filled with dread.

Zuo Duanshou was on the brink of death.

A sword had stabbed his right chest, his abdomen pierced through, the worst injury was a kick to the chest from Miss Hongyi’s skirt.

Chest bones pierced the heart, blood gushed, sticky foam spilled from his mouth.

He was on the verge of death.

"Sev... Seventh Brother, plea... please save... Xiaoyuang."

At this moment, Zuo Duanshou never looked at Miss Hongyi again, nor held any hatred.

Only stared, eyes wide and round, at the burning building, his intact right hand clutching Chen Ping’s arm with all his might.

Clutching so hard it hurt.