Chapter 2, In the Name of the Assassin
Li Yanniang felt a bit regretful. He had always thought that it would be quite difficult for his subordinates to find over a thousand boys aged seven or eight, so they even brought back idiots to fill the numbers
They are all flowers of the motherland, learning from a young age to stab each other in the back to survive. What will happen when they grow up? However, if faced with a choice between life and death, he has no reason to let others harm him. Thus, amidst countless pairs of eyes—some timid, some fearful, some vicious—he survived. Moreover, he has never harmed a single child. His skills, whether inherited or otherwise, are superior to those of other children. Therefore, amidst countless pairs of eyes—some timid, some fearful, some vicious—he survived. Moreover, he has never harmed a single child. His skills, whether inherited or otherwise, are superior to those of other children. With just a few words of guidance from him, he led them out of the building.
The preceding words were addressed to Li Lin, while the latter sentence was a question directed at oneself
The names of the five individuals in your building are Star Soul, Moon Spirit, Rainbow Garment, Eagle Feather, and Sunlight, please choose one!
Li Er lifted the thick cotton curtain to let Li Lin in, who stood obediently with a hunched back beside Li Yanniang
Zhuan Zhu's assassination of Wang Liao, the comet striking the moon; Nie Zheng's assassination of Han Kui, the white rainbow piercing the sun; Yao Li's assassination of Qing Ji, the苍鹰 striking the hall... The names of the assassins carry the shadows of assassins, sounding glorious, yet they are all fleeting moments, leading to unfortunate ends. He does not wish to be any one of them. But does he have the choice? To choose, yet dislike it; to not choose, he must provide a reason. He used to be a fool and an idiot, so he respectfully replied: "The steward bestows the name."
He recalled that line of poetry, his curiosity piqued, his tone becoming gentler, and a glint like a blade appeared in his eyes: "Do you remember what happened before coming to the valley?"
Li Yanniann no longer spoke, the oppressive air weighed down in the room, and Li Lin felt a powerful pressure coming upon him. He was not limited to the memories of a six-year-old; in his past life, he was an assassin. Therefore, he could only straighten his body a little more, trembling slightly to let Steward Li see his fear. He tried hard to put on a facade of wanting to struggle yet being afraid.
Should I look straight ahead or lower my head? Li Lin's thoughts were in turmoil; after a brief moment of hesitation, she lowered her head at an appropriate time to show submission
A warm and pleasant heat wafted in, accompanied by a hint of fragrance. Li Lin immediately recognized the scent as that of dried tangerine peels emanating from the brazier; this steward Li truly knew how to enjoy life. Li Lin suppressed the shrewdness in his eyes. He entered silently and obediently knelt before Li Yanniang.
Li Yannian stared at him for a long time, and upon seeing Li Lin finally lower his head, his trembling body gradually softened in expression. He gently asked, "How did you come up with this idea?"
I cannot remember. Li Lin answered honestly. He only knew that after waking up, he had arrived in the valley, brought there by someone, a vague and ethereal figure, who often whispered in his ear, a shadow he did not pay attention to
Li Lin lowered his head and answered honestly. In his heart, he secretly cursed the people in the valley for being perverse. When they were sent into the building, every child knew that they would have to present a head the next day to fulfill their task, and all one hundred children in the building went mad. In just one night, more than half of them had stabbed each other, and those who were not killed and were injured would certainly not survive the second night either
Li Lin changed into a brand new outfit and followed the guard to Li Yanniang's residence. The guard walking in front of him lightened his steps upon seeing the small building. Li Lin thought to himself, this Deacon Li has the ability to calmly collect thousands of children and watch them die within a few days without showing any emotion on his face. With such ruthlessness, it is no wonder the guards are afraid.
"Sir, tomorrow..." Li Er asked cautiously
You were an idiot before you woke up! Li Yanniang glanced at the thin sheet of paper on the table. A few lines of text recorded all of Li Lin's affairs.
Li Yanniang gazed at him indifferently while holding a cup of wine
Return to Beijing
There are only five of us left in the building, which is insufficient to divide. The rule is that each person must kill one person, and it does not state that we cannot kill someone from another building
Li Yanniang glanced at him and said lightly: "Let it be the Star Soul, the light in the darkness that no one can take away. I will send you to the upper academy... You are a strange person, is it a blessing or a curse?"
The small building in front resembled a stilt house, built against the mountain, featuring a traditional wooden structure. Li Lin observed the terrain; from here, one could view the entire valley. This Deacon Li appeared indifferent, yet he actually preferred to have everything under control. He made another harsh judgment about Li Yanniann.
During the past year of training, Li Lin had been staring blankly at others practicing martial arts. After leaving him for eight or nine months, seeing that he still looked foolish, it was thought that as long as he could manage a small appearance, sending him to the Peony Courtyard would at least be of some use. Unexpectedly, three months before entering the building, he became alert. Thus, he was the last to join the training of this group, and his number became 100, the one hundredth child of Building 10
A child who trained less than others and whose skills were clearly inferior survived the brutal slaughter, and even orchestrated a black-on-black scheme. From being a fool to becoming audacious, culminating in that line of poetry, Li Yanniang could not help but be intrigued by Li Lin.
After receiving a jade tablet, the guard led Li Lin out. Li Yan Nian drank a cup of wine and murmured, "Have I made a mistake? That appearance... should I send him to die under the peony flowers in the Peony Courtyard, even in death he would be charming..." He repeated this several times, sitting there in a daze.
Upon arrival, he was given the name of a comet. Li Lin smiled wryly to himself, his face revealing joy: "Star Soul, thank you, steward."
After washing his face, Li Lin gave Li Yanniann a strange feeling, as if that face was somewhat familiar. He glanced at Li Er, who nodded and then shook his head. Li Yanniann felt a sense of relief in his heart, smiled slightly, and retracted his imposing aura. Li Lin felt the pressure on him ease, secretly marveling at the existence of true martial arts masters.