Cultivating in Different Professions

But the law allows a high-ranking official to have a side hustle in their spare time.

The Silver-faced Killer and the Taiping Captain were the same way. The two identities were completely unrelated, so of course, they could coexist.

Su Mu focused his attention on his identity as the Silver-faced Killer, and a piece of information surfaced in his mind.

The Silver-faced Killer identity, much like his previous one as the Outer City Commander, came with no base Points.

It would only award Points upon the completion of a mission.

’What a shame,’ Su Mu thought with some regret. ’I can’t just go out and kill people every day for Points, can I?’

Even if he was willing, the Golden Wind Tower didn’t have that many missions for him to accept.

If he started killing people every day just for Points, wouldn’t that make him a monster?

Su Mu wanted Points, but he wouldn’t let himself be led around by the nose for them.

A man of honor makes his fortune through proper means.

His identity as a Golden Wind Tower killer was never about the Points to begin with.

He just needed a scapegoat for something he had to do.

The Golden Wind Tower was the perfect fit.

If an Inspector died at the hands of a killer from the Golden Wind Tower, what would that have to do with the Taiping Bureau?

’Assassins and brothels are truly the oldest and most profitable trades. I’m paying myself to assassinate the Inspector, and the Golden Wind Tower gets a thirty-percent cut just for being the scapegoat,’ Su Mu mused.

He had to make the act convincing.

He had even used another identity to place an order with the Golden Wind Tower, specifically requesting the assassin Jing Ke for the job.

Even if the Inspection Bureau investigated later, they would only be able to trace it back to the Golden Wind Tower.

If the Inspection Bureau actually managed to uproot the Golden Wind Tower, it would be a service to the public anyway.

In any case, not even the Golden Wind Tower knew who the client was. No matter how they investigated, it would have nothing to do with Su Mu.

’Next, I just have to find the right opportunity to make my move,’ Su Mu thought.

Since he knew Dai Jin was coming after him, Su Mu’s only choice was to strike first and gain the upper hand.

...

「On the Inner City Moat.」

A brightly lit Tower Ship sailed slowly across the water.

Boating was forbidden on the moat, but exceptions were naturally made for certain people.

This Tower Ship was one such exception, for its guest of honor was an Inspector from the Inspection Bureau.

The Inspection Bureau’s name didn’t carry much weight yet, but this Inspector, Lu Dashou, was a Sixth-Grade Inspection Envoy, which made him a high-ranking official in Wuling City.

Inside a lavishly decorated cabin on the Tower Ship, the resonant notes of a pipa echoed through the room.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

Lu Dashou clapped his hands in applause.

"As expected of the great Miss Xiang, peerless in both beauty and art! A pipa performance like this is a rarity even in the prefectural capital. I heard that it was you who played a song from atop the city walls, stirring the blood of all the men in the city and leading to the victory over the Tier Five Demon Tide. Hearing you today, I see your reputation is well-deserved."

The surrounding dignitaries, nobles, and country gentlemen all chimed in with their agreement.

"You praise me too highly, Lord Lu. I merely did what little I could. The soldiers are the ones who truly put in the effort."

Xiang Xiaoyuan bowed slightly, her tone detached.

"Is that so?"

A faint smile played on Lu Dashou’s lips.

He was subservient in Dai Jin’s presence, but with Dai Jin absent, he was a dignified Sixth-Grade Inspection Envoy. Few officials in Wuling City outranked him.

Before these local lords of Wuling City, he, Lu Dashou, was an undeniable big shot!

"How is it that I heard the great Miss Xiang also personally slew many demonic beasts that day?"

Lu Dashou continued, "Could it be that the great Miss Xiang is also a master of the Martial Dao? I just don’t know, from whom did the great Miss Xiang inherit her Martial Dao?"

"Lord Lu must have misheard."

Xiang Xiaoyuan’s heart tightened. She said slowly, "I don’t know the first thing about the Martial Dao."

"When all the flowers wither, one alone stands radiant, bestowing all its charm upon Xiang Xiaoyuan."

Lu Dashou suddenly changed the subject, reciting the two lines of poetry. "Just as no one would expect the great Miss Xiang, peerless in beauty and art, to be a master of the Martial Dao...

Who would have thought that our Taiping Bureau’s Taiping Captain, a brute who spends his days swinging sabers and swords, could compose such a fine poem?

With this poem alone, the great Miss Xiang will be remembered for a thousand autumns, will she not?"

Xiang Xiaoyuan’s gaze grew serious. "I am unworthy of such praise.

Lord Lu, I suddenly feel unwell. I must take my leave."

"Don’t be in such a hurry to leave, great Miss Xiang. This Inspector isn’t finished speaking."

Lu Dashou sneered. "Could the great Miss Xiang perhaps clear up my confusion?

Why is it that the Taiping Captain who wrote the poem for you is so similar to you?

You both have a side to you that no one would expect.

Could it be that the two of you share some secret relationship?

The way I see it, it’s probably not as simple as him just sleeping with you."

Lu Dashou’s face was a mask of contempt.

Xiang Xiaoyuan’s expression darkened. "Lord Lu, watch your words! There is nothing untoward between Captain Su and me!"

"Lord Lu, the great Miss Xiang is one of the Cultured Courtesans..." a wealthy merchant couldn’t help but say.

"Was I talking to you?"

Lu Dashou’s face fell.

BANG!

He kicked the merchant, sending him flying out of the cabin and into the river with a loud SPLASH.

A vicious glint flashed in Lu Dashou’s eyes. "Great Miss Xiang, I am still trying to be gentle with you now, but if you remain stubborn, then don’t blame me for resorting to violence."

He rose to his feet and with a casual kick, sent the table in front of him crashing into a corner.

Cups, plates, and bowls clattered to the floor, shattering into countless pieces.

Xiang Xiaoyuan took two steps back, her eyes filled with grim apprehension.

This Inspector Lu was a Martial Artist who had reached the Great Completion of Blood Exchange. She knew she was likely no match for him.

Even if she could defeat him, she couldn’t afford to act rashly.

She had acted on impulse during the chaotic battle in the Outer City, and the repercussions were already catching up to her.

The situation in the Outer City had been so chaotic that no one had noticed her martial techniques at the time.

But now, if she fought, her Cultivation Technique and martial arts would be easily recognized.

That would spell real trouble.

Besides, every word from Inspector Lu was aimed at Captain Su. His intentions were clearly malicious.

"Lord Lu, what is your meaning? I do not understand.

You may be an Upper Official, but if you push people too far, I’m afraid you won’t be able to stop the world from talking."

Xiang Xiaoyuan glanced at the window the merchant had just been kicked through, her feet shifting slightly.

’If worst comes to worst, I’ll have to jump into the river and escape.

But then I’d be a fugitive, wandering the world. The chances of seeing Captain Su again would be next to none.’

Xiang Xiaoyuan sighed internally, but then her gaze hardened with resolve.

"Lord Lu, though I may have fallen into this life, I will not be humiliated by anyone."

Xiang Xiaoyuan’s words were firm as she prepared to leap out the window.

But Lu Dashou was prepared. He moved in a blur, striking at Xiang Xiaoyuan with his palm.

"Choosing the hard way when you were offered the easy one. You think I don’t know who you are?"

Lu Dashou sneered.

"I’d like to see if you’d rather die than use the secret techniques of the Fragrance Sect in public!"

Xiang Xiaoyuan’s expression flickered. ’So, my identity has been exposed after all?’

She forcefully threw the pipa in her hands and retreated.

CRACK!

Lu Dashou shattered the pipa with a single palm strike, the force of the blow rushing toward Xiang Xiaoyuan.

If she didn’t fight back, Lu Dashou’s palm would surely kill her.

The other Wuling City officials and merchants were frozen in terror.

They could never have imagined that a pleasant banquet would erupt into such violence.

In that split second, Xiang Xiaoyuan finally made her decision.

A flicker in her eyes showed she was about to unleash her secret technique.

Just then, there was a sudden, thunderous BOOM.

The wall of the cabin behind Xiang Xiaoyuan exploded inward.

A brilliant flash of a blade suddenly illuminated the entire room.

Lu Dashou’s expression changed dramatically as he shot backward in retreat.

He reacted quickly, but the flash of the blade was faster.

PFFT!

Lu Dashou froze, a thin line of blood appearing on his forehead.

The red line spread rapidly down his face, his eyes wide with disbelief.

THUD!

Lu Dashou collapsed backward, hitting the ground hard. He twitched a few times and then lay perfectly still.

The officials and merchants stared at each other, their faces masks of pure terror.

The figure who had vanished as quickly as he appeared had worn a silver mask and had the golden wind embroidered on his clothes.

It was him. From the Golden Wind Tower—the Silver-faced Killer!

Inspector Lu had been assassinated by the Silver-faced Killer from the Golden Wind Tower!