Chapter 24 — News
The long sword pierced the chest, its tip protruding more than half a foot from Xin Youhen's back.
Blood dripped from the blade point by point, soaking the earth beneath.
Seeing Xin Youhen's face full of disbelief, Chu Qing felt a touch of helplessness; Xin Youhen had already become "Xin Sword," so what was impossible now?
The long sword was withdrawn from the chest, and with Xin Youhen's muffled groan it slid back into its scabbard.
"From the moment you asked me to strike first… you were already a dead man."
Xin Youhen pressed a hand to his chest and looked at Chu Qing.
"I see now… if I—if I had been at my prime and not wounded… you would not be my match. Damn it… damn it!
"If only the Ten-Thousand Nights Valley secret still remained with me…"
He reached out, whether to grab Chu Qing or to clutch at the secret he spoke of was unclear.
Before that arm could extend, there was a thud as the corpse collapsed to the ground.
[Commission Complete!]
[Successfully assassinated Xin Youhen; obtained one "Random Martial Arts Treasure Chest."]
Chu Qing glanced at the prompt, exhaled softly, then turned to look at Wu Qianhuan.
The murderous intent in his eyes chilled her; she took an instinctive step back.
Her face reflected a mixture of shock and doubt.
Is he truly Chu Qing? If so, where does this killing aura come from? What sword technique was that?
That swordplay was simple, pure, and unimaginably fast.
Beyond that were his calculations and his cunning.
Chu Qing had never been the exceptionally clever type.
If the Chu family had a prodigy, it would be Chu Tian rather than Chu Qing.
If this truly was Chu Qing, what had he experienced in the vanished seven years to become like this?
Might he hide his true face for some unavoidable reason?
Wu Qianhuan stared at him, then drew a deep breath.
"I will prepare a one-thousand-tael silver note for you, without the seal of the Tianwu City Lord's Mansion.
"You can cash it at Wanbao Money Houses across the realm.
"But you must tell me how I may find you."
Chu Qing smiled faintly; the murderous look in his eyes had completely vanished.
"Tonight at midnight, the East City Du Hua Pavilion. I will await the young lady's presence."
"Agreed."
Wu Qianhuan regarded Chu Qing a moment longer, then turned to leave.
Chu Qing suddenly called after her, "Wait."
"More to say?"
Wu Qianhuan paused in her steps.
After a brief hesitation, Chu Qing spoke: "Miss Wu, since you are one of my patrons, I have a piece of news for you.
"On the way to Tianwu City I encountered a Tianwu Guard who had both legs severed.
"He still had a breath left and he said one thing to me."
Wu Qianhuan's breath quickened. "You saw him? What did he say?"
"He said… 'Tell the qingye sword hilt tiantian tian.'"
Wu Qianhuan blinked, her expression flickering through surprise, hope, and incredulity.
Finally she asked, "What does that mean?"
"That's a question for you to answer," Chu Qing said, rolling his eyes.
"I repeated every word he spoke before dying. Interpreting its meaning is not my concern."
"All right. Thank you."
Wu Qianhuan restrained her emotions, hesitated briefly, then asked, "How should I address you?"
How to address him?
Chu Qing shifted awkwardly, then mustering boldness, said, "You may call me… Night Emperor."
After speaking he felt a shiver; the name sounded embarrassingly melodramatic once voiced.
He had no better name—he lacked talent for naming things.
Wu Qianhuan's expression flickered. "So you are Night Emperor… you were the one who killed the Iron Horse Seven Thieves?"
Chu Qing nodded and smiled. "Yes. Before they died they mentioned there is a mole for them inside Tianwu City."
Wu Qianhuan was not surprised. "Do you know who it is?"
"Yes."
Chu Qing answered without hesitation.
Wu Qianhuan was stunned—he really knew? How did he know so much?
She hurriedly asked, "Who is it?"
"Miss Wu, the first tip I gave you was complimentary. If I hand you the next piece of news for free as well, people will suspect we colluded," Chu Qing said with a grin.
"Or perhaps you, as Tianwu City's young lady, simply like getting things for nothing?" he added.
Wu Qianhuan arched an eyebrow. "Are you only after money? How much?"
Chu Qing raised five fingers.
"All right. I'll give you everything tonight—speak!" she said magnanimously.
Chu Qing nodded in approval. "Indeed, Miss Wu is decisive. The one secretly communicating with the Iron Horse Seven Thieves in Tianwu City is Liu Shijie, deputy leader of Luo Yu Hall."
Wu Qianhuan's face did not change, though her eyes clouded with thought.
Chu Qing looked surprised. "You already suspected it?"
"The origins of Luo Yu Hall seem clean on the surface but are actually strange. Today at the Chu residence I was probing Tang Xi…" she paused and shook her head. "These matters don't concern you. This information is important to me—thank you. Farewell."
"Please," Chu Qing replied, bowing slightly.
Wu Qianhuan cast him one last glance and then left for Tianwu City.
Only after she had disappeared did Chu Qing turn to Xin Youhen's corpse.
He searched briefly and frowned. Xin Youhen had come to kill; with Chu Yunfei still at home, survival was unlikely. Apart from a few scattered silver pieces, there was nothing of value on him.
Not even a silver ticket to start a fire—Chu Qing gathered some grass and used a firesteel to kindle a flame.
Watching the blaze and rising smoke, Chu Qing gazed toward Tianwu City and sighed softly.
"Ten Thousand Nights Valley, Tianwu City, Luo Yu Hall, Mirror of Retribution… Tianwu City is full of intrigues. From what Wu Qianhuan said, Chu Yunfei's banquet was not so simple. Ten Thousand Nights Valley dared to move against Wu Qianhuan—though things seem calm on the surface, the feud below is irreconcilable.
"If Ten Thousand Nights Valley hired someone to kill Chu Yunfei, the aftermath will be troublesome…"
He organized the information in his mind, then glanced toward a nearby patch of grass with some surprise.
"Leaving already? Never mind. There's one more thing I must finish."
(End of Chapter)
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