Chapter 7, The Assassin

Hao'er is deeply immersed in a sweet slumber

Zhao Mu silently pondered, perhaps contemplating how to respond

Zhao Mu did not suspect anything else and said in a deep voice: "You should rest well"

Zhao Mu slowly squeezed out a hint of a mocking smile, "So it turns out that King Zhao is not my father, but my uncle."

The assassin remained silent, his thoughts unknown. Suddenly, his palm pressed tightly over my mouth again

Indeed, he has long had someone in his heart, which is why he looks down upon all women. I asked, "Does this lady know of the young master's deep affection?"

Just for a moment, someone knocked on the door, "Mei Xi, have you rested?"

I calmly said: "Why I am here is none of your concern"

His expression suddenly changed, and his gaze turned unusually cold, "The quiet lady will not become my lord's wife"

I opened the door and stood under the eaves, looking around. The entire residence had returned to its previous tranquility, the moonlight draped down from the night sky like gauze, ethereal as a dream, both illusory and real.

Upon hearing these words, Zhao Xian was so enraged that smoke seemed to emanate from his seven orifices, his brows furrowed in anger as he exclaimed, "You foolish child, unaware of your own limitations! I shall inform you that if you wish to cover the sky with one hand, you must first see whether I permit it or not!"

I stubbornly insisted on bandaging him, and he could not resist me, quietly allowing me to do so

Shh ... ...

I smiled gently, "In that case, what else does the young master have to worry about?"

The exchange between the uncle and nephew was marked by sharp wit, with Zhao Xian employing both coercion and temptation, while Zhao Mu remained impervious to both soft and hard tactics. The situation was on the verge of erupting, and neither party was likely to compromise easily

In the world, it is natural for men to have numerous concubines, but a man like Zhao Mu, who is so proud, self-assured, and has few desires, is truly one of a kind, utterly astonishing

Upon reconsideration, since he has already discerned that the technique employed by Hao'er is "Ashes to Dust," how could he fail to recognize that the swordsmanship of the assassin that night, Wu Qing, is also "Ashes to Dust"? The assassin who attempted to kill him is none other than the foremost right-handed swordsman of the age, Wu Qing; he must have already suspected this.

I immediately fell silent, and sure enough, a patrol passed by in front of the house. Once the patrol had moved on, the assassin's grip relaxed slightly, and I asked, without any hint of joy or anger: "Are you going to assassinate Young Master Mu?"

It is Zhao Mu's voice. I quickly pried open the assassin's hand and said loudly: "Rest now, if the young master has matters to discuss, let us speak of them tomorrow. The young master should rest early."

Do you think this lord lacks the courage to threaten you? Or is it that this lord is not qualified enough?

He has never fought a battle without certainty of victory

King Zhao once again brought up the matter of his beloved son's marriage, insisting on selecting an unparalleled beauty for him. Faced with such pressure to marry, Zhao Mu rejected his father's proposal once more—this marked his ninth refusal of the king's insistence on marriage. The reasons for his refusals had evolved from the earlier concern of "the Xiongnu are like wolves, how can one establish a home?" to the eighth refusal of "there is not a single woman who catches my eye."

"Without a quiet woman, there will still be other women..." I felt a deep sense of curiosity

There is no need to raise my gaze, for I am aware that his eyes have never left the wound, my hands, or even my face. I do not understand why he looks at me as I bandage, nor do I know what he is thinking. To tend to his wound is merely to repay the kindness he once bestowed upon me. I can feel his breath brushing against my face, faint yet lingering, making me increasingly uncomfortable.

"Young master, you flatter me." I smiled with a raised brow, suddenly feeling a sense of unease in my heart

Zhao Xian laughed heartily several times, saying, "Your 400,000 troops cannot intimidate me, my lord. On this fine evening, where will you go to summon your troops? Your guards at home, merely a few hundred, what can they do to me?"

Are you willingly staying here

Zhao Xian was furious, "You—" His thick, dark eyebrows arched with a murderous intent, "If you insist on not handing over the person, I will not show any mercy.

Zhao Musu favored white clothing, and her fair complexion appeared even more warm and jade-like against the backdrop of her white attire. "If I am not mistaken, the sword techniques that Hao'er is displaying must have been taught by a renowned master."

Zhao Muwei squinted her beautiful eyes and said, "Do you perhaps wish to get to know Jing Nu?"

A tremor ran through my heart; Zhao Xian's arrival here at night is certainly not a good omen

I find it strange why Zhao Mu looks down on any woman. Under heaven, is there really not a single woman who catches his eye? What kind of extraordinary woman does he truly desire? Is his standard really that high? Even so, why has he not had a single concubine over the years?

My shock is beyond description

He turned his head, fixed his gaze upon me, and said, "If I am not mistaken, you met Wu Qing by chance, and later your whereabouts were discovered by Uncle Wang. You did not want to implicate Wu Qing, which is why you willingly returned to Zhao with Zhao De."

Uncle Wang is threatening me

I said coldly: "No matter where I am, they can find me. How far can I escape, how far can I hide? How many times can you protect me?"

As my mind stirred, it felt as though a hand was gripping my throat, "Why do you speak thus, young master?"

I exhaled deeply, and my tense body instantly relaxed, while my heart, which had been hanging high, returned to its original place

Ashes to dust? Could it be that the heartless swordsmanship, reaching the pinnacle of excellence, is named "Ashes to Dust"?

He looked at me and calmly said: "Although there are only three moves, they cannot escape my eyes. What Hao'er used is 'Gray Fly and Smoke Disperse'"

Hao'er practiced swordsmanship on his own, while Zhao Mu stood beside me, saying, "Hao'er is a martial arts prodigy with a strong comprehension ability"

"You flatter me," he said, a smile in his handsome eyes suddenly igniting a murderous intent. "If you dare to come again without mercy, I will not show any leniency."

Hao'er saw him approaching, immediately sheathed her sword, and asked him, "Uncle Zhao, why is it that I can never execute this move properly?"

This forced marriage was initiated by Uncle Wang Zhao Xian, who brought it up to King Zhao, and the reason Zhao Xian did this is quite evident: revenge

If there is no certainty in love, then one would not come. I intend to temper his arrogance.

Zhao Xiansen smiled mysteriously, saying, "I originally planned to inform the King of Qin in a couple of days. What about you? I fear you have ulterior motives. However, I am not interested in your intentions; as long as you hand over the person, I can delay for a few days."

It is said that the reason the King of Zhao repeatedly suppressed Zhao Mu's marriage was that he was truly fond of this son. With such a talented son in both literature and martial arts, he naturally sought a uniquely exceptional woman for him to marry, but this search has lasted for several years

For three consecutive days and nights, the unfeeling one did not appear, yet Zhao Mu became the ideal suitor in the hearts of all unmarried women in Handan City

The sound of footsteps gradually faded away, and the assassin relaxed. I launched a sudden attack, pulling down his masked black cloth—moonlight filtered through the window, casting a faint, ethereal whiteness in the room. The assassin's face was revealed in this pale light, his eyes distinctly black and white, with a sharp, knife-like gaze. This face, I will never forget, not even in the final moment of my dying breath.

With a slight frown, his voice suddenly turned cold, "We met once three years ago at the Ji residence."

Unfeeling

"Do not mention Jingnv in front of me again," he said in a cold and hard tone

Indeed, Zhao Mu possesses exceptional insight, able to discern clues with just a few moves

He was at a loss for words, his dark eyes shining like stars under the white moonlight, distant yet seemingly very close to me

Both sides are in confrontation, and the situation is urgent

"It has nothing to do with you." His gaze, as cold as frost, shifted to my face, feeling icy and harsh

No harm done, just a superficial injury

Young Master Mu, truly deserving of the title of the foremost young master of this era

Zhao Mu's intense reaction completely caught me off guard. I had anticipated that he would still refuse the forced marriage, but I did not expect him to have such an attitude towards Jing Nu. It seems that his feelings towards the beauty chosen by King Zhao are not so much disdainful as they are extremely loathsome.

Without any reservations, he sighed softly, his brows slightly furrowed, as if ripples were spreading across a tranquil lake. I simply do not know how to begin

Does the young master have any reservations about choosing not to disclose?

The young master possesses great magnanimity

Indifferent and noncommittal, with a slight movement of his thick eyebrows, he asked, "Have you been captured here by Zhao Mu?"

The foremost right-handed swordsman of the present age, ruthless

Uncle Wang possesses extraordinary courage and insight, how could I dare to show any disrespect to him! Zhao Mu spoke with a light-hearted smile, as if the gentle breeze and clear skies of early autumn surrounded him, "Tonight, Uncle Wang is determined to succeed."

Who is this person? Could it be the assassin?

I turned around and went back into the room, closed the door, extinguished the light, and as I shifted my gaze, I suddenly noticed a dark shadow on the floor. I was taken aback, my heart raced, and from the appearance of the shadow, it seemed that the person hiding in the room was on the left side.

How could what Hao'er used possibly be 'turned to ashes'? Young master, please do not joke.

The flames blazed fiercely, and the swords clashed sharply

Zhao Mu's expression gradually became serious as he said in a low voice: "You go back to the room first, and no matter what sounds you hear, do not come out."

The sword techniques employed by Hao'er, though lacking in significant power, would possess extraordinary lethality if wielded by me. The voice was as calm as a still lake, without waves or ripples, yet to my ears, it was no different from a test.

Uncle Wang seems to have underestimated me. What if you bring thousands of people here to flaunt your power? As long as I wave my hand, there will be thousands of soldiers to protect this residence. If Uncle Wang wants me to hand over someone, he may not have the capability to do so. Zhao Mu's nonchalance makes one feel that he has long been prepared for any eventuality

I never worry

Haoer was sweating profusely from practicing his swordplay, and the maid prepared soup and a bath for him. I listened carefully to the sounds outside, but the entire backyard was utterly silent. I instructed the maid to take good care of Haoer, closed the door to the room, and went to the front courtyard

My hands tremble, and I want to rush out and shout a few times, but I am worried that Hao'er is in danger. In my hesitation, the shadow swiftly steps forward, covering my mouth with its palm, preventing me from making a sound

"This marquis cannot obtain a person, then I shall wash the young master's residence with blood" Zhao Xian's tone was sinister and resolute

I have always been insincere. I do not wish to linger on the matter of the assassin, so let us change the subject. I have heard that the king has found a suitable match for the young master. Have you had the pleasure of meeting the jewel of the Ji family, Miss Jing?

If it is the command of the father king, I would ask Uncle Wang to present the bamboo slips

I shook my head, indicating that I did not know

That evening, Hao'er practiced swordplay in the courtyard while I stood quietly under the eaves, my thoughts somewhat wandering. Zhao Mu strolled over, his white robe accentuating his graceful demeanor, yet there was a lingering sorrow in his brow.

I have been restless all day, and even Hao'er has noticed my unusual behavior; Zhao Mu should have noticed it as well

Taught by esteemed masters

You are injured, let me bandage you up

I do not want to engage, nor do I know how to refute.

I was astonished, but why? Why did he react this way? Does he not want to marry Jing?

I had long heard of Young Master Zhao's arrogance and self-importance. Initially, I thought the rumors circulating among people were all unfounded, but after our recent conversation, I realized they were indeed true. His certainty left me at a loss for words, and I could only remain silent.

"Who ordered you to assassinate Young Master Mu?" I asked nervously. There should be many people who want to put Zhao Mu to death, including the State of Qin, the State of Chu, the Xiongnu, and Zhao Xian.

Assassin Binghan said: "What does it have to do with you? If you meddle further, I will kill you!"

"Silence!" Zhao Mu's face was filled with anger, his gaze cold and stern, "There is no need for you to concern yourself with my affairs."

"When Wang's nephew came to demand a person, he was also acting on the royal decree. If this marquis does not believe it, how can you take the person away?" Zhao Xian said angrily, a heavy cold snort revealing his intense fury.

It seems that the assassin has either been captured or has escaped, and Zhao Mu is unlikely to return.

I do not understand why Zhao Mu wants to provoke Zhao Xian

This statement resonates powerfully, akin to the clanging sound of swords and blades striking the ground

He gazed at me quietly, his eyes unblinking, "If you wish to leave this place, I will take you and Hao'er away."

I said: "The Ji family is a minister of the Zhao state, and a daughter of the Ji family is suitable to be matched with the royal family. I have heard that the quiet lady possesses outstanding beauty, is graceful and serene; is this truly the case?"

"Uncle Wang need not be angry," Zhao Mu said with a calm smile. "Her temporary stay in this residence does not affect my marriage in the slightest, nor is there anything inappropriate about it. Should there be any oversight, I will certainly report it to Father. Uncle Wang, you should return to the residence and rest early; otherwise, the gray hairs on your head will become even more pronounced. You have worked tirelessly for me, Zhao, day and night, for twenty years. Now that you have already begun to show gray hair, it is time for you to retire and enjoy peace. Why does Father not show any consideration for you, Uncle Wang? I will certainly advise Father on this matter another day, so that you may soon find joy and tranquility."

"Young master, I do not quite understand your words." I feigned ignorance

400,000 troops, with half stationed in the northern border to defend against the Xiongnu and the other half deployed along the borders of Qin, Zhao, and Chu. The troops that can be mobilized from Handan City amount to only a mere 30,000, and they are also stationed in the outskirts of Handan City, making it impossible to rely on distant water to quench a nearby fire. If a conflict were to truly arise, Zhao Mu would only have a few hundred guards for protection, which is vastly inferior compared to Zhao Xian's thousands of men, leaving little chance of victory.

"How did you end up here?" I seem to have asked a foolish question, "Are you going to assassinate Young Master Mu?"

The assassination attempt has failed, but I believe that Ruthless will once again infiltrate the young master's residence. However, the guards in the residence are formidable, and it is highly likely that he will be captured before he even gets close to Zhao Mu, and then tortured to death by Zhao Mu. Although he and I are not close friends who have entrusted our lives to each other, and we are not well acquainted, I do not wish to see him walk the path to the underworld. After all, he once saved me, took me in, and is also Hao'er’s master

He smiled arrogantly, his gaze shimmering with amusement, as piercing as the midday sun. "In today's world, only one person can wield the sword techniques that Hao'er employs."

Uncertain. Zhao Mu raised his head to gaze at the starry night sky, and from the side, his dark eyelashes curled up, revealing a faint sadness and loneliness that evoked a sense of compassion in others

I was just about to speak when a servant hurriedly approached to report, "Young master, the marquis has arrived at the residence"

You are acquainted with Wuqing, and Hao'er has been taught by Wuqing; what does that have to do with me? Even if you intend to harbor assassins, it is merely a common human sentiment.

I suddenly noticed a wound on his left arm, with blood oozing out

Zhao Xian came prepared, clearly determined not to rest until his objectives are achieved

I whispered, "A top-notch swordsman never indiscriminately kills the innocent, nor does he waste his energy on those who are of no consequence."

"What do you want?" I steadied my mind, various thoughts swirling in my head, and suddenly realized that the assassin's voice sounded somewhat familiar, chillingly terrifying

I have missed out, hasn't Uncle Wang also missed out

Zhao Mu's lips curled into a bright smile, "What do you think I will do to you?"

Words alone are not enough; how can I easily trust others? If someone harbors ulterior motives or has other intentions, I would still become a sinner throughout the ages

The arrogant and conceited Young Master Zhao Mu, surprisingly does not know how to express his feelings to the woman he is infatuated with, lest he fears that no one in the world would believe it

I laughed and said, "It seems that the young master has arranged everything, just waiting for the heartless one to come, to catch the turtle in the jar."

He no longer engaged in conversation, gazing at Hao'er as she danced with her sword. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of him; the corners of his mouth were perpetually adorned with a strange smile

"Am I the kind of person who enjoys making jokes?" His gaze was indifferent, yet beneath it lay a sense of pride and wildness. "All the swordsmanship in the world has never escaped my eyes"

This praise seems somewhat insincere

Zhao Muda: "Hao'er has been taught by the ruthless swordsman of the right hand, which should have happened not long ago; otherwise, Hao'er's swordsmanship would not be completely devoid of lethality"

I chuckled calmly, "If it were possible, I would certainly do so."

"If you don't want any trouble, just do as I say." This was the voice of a man, deep and magnetic

You hold the command of 400,000 troops, but so what? If you do not hand over the person, I will send someone to inform the State of Qin.

"In the near future, my nephew will be getting married. It is truly inappropriate for a foreign woman to stay at the residence of the young master. I have already reported this to the king, and he has granted me permission to take her back to the marquis's residence. Therefore, my nephew should obediently hand her over." Zhao Xian smiled, exuding a considerable charm.

Zhao Mulang laughed, his laughter sounding particularly jarring in the stillness of the night. "Although the ruthless swordsmanship is exquisite, it is difficult to achieve success alone. Can one person withstand dozens or even hundreds of swords and blades?"

Given this knowledge, how will he treat me

Suddenly, the outside fell silent, with no more unusual sounds. Could it be that the assassin has already been captured

Zhao Mu's expression turned serious as he firmly stated: "I will not give you any opportunity"

Originally, I thought that Wuqing had come to save me and Hao'er, but it turns out I was being overly sentimental. How could a renowned swordsman come out of retirement for a woman he met by chance? Swordsmen do not fall in love; friendship, familial affection, and even romantic feelings are all luxuries to them, and even more so, absurd notions.

I was filled with trepidation, "Hao'er’s swordsmanship is indeed rudimentary, hardly worthy of the grand stage."

His shock is clearly not as great as mine; perhaps he recognized me just now

From the princesses of various countries to the daughters of the nobles of Zhao, the King of Zhao always felt that none of the women were worthy to be his son's wife. Zhao Mu and Tu Shu also rejected each one, which led to a delay of ten years

After a while, he spoke: "You should be familiar with the assassin from that night"

Seeing me silent, Zhao Mu smiled and said: "'Ashes to ashes' is the lifelong ultimate skill of the right-handed swordsman, and only the 'Storm and Tempest' of the left-handed swordsman can rival it"

After a long silence, his voice resonated deeply, "In my heart, there is only one woman in the world worthy of my lifelong devotion"

After the bandaging, he got up, said thank you, and hurriedly left, his back appearing resolute yet stiff

I did not expect to find you here either said the cold and unfeeling voice as the moonlight cast upon his bronze face as if it were covered with a layer of frost

His eyes sparkled brightly, "You wouldn't be leaking information, would you?"

I declined by saying: "No need, thank you"

On the night when Zhao Mu forcefully stormed the residence of Duke Zhao Chenghou, Zhao Xian similarly intruded into the Young Master's residence. Inside the main gate, a hundred guards were arrayed, while outside, a thousand soldiers stood under the night sky, creating an astonishing display. The guards of the Young Master's residence were also lined up on one side, their blades glinting coldly in the thick darkness. Zhao Xian stood alone at the front, confronting Zhao Mu with a serious expression.

Zhao Xian is precisely calculating and scheming in this manner, which is why he has mobilized forces to come and demand the person.

This woman's identity is special; how can she be treated casually? If word gets out and the King of Qin learns of her whereabouts, with the bamboo slips as evidence, then the diplomatic relations between the states of Qin and Zhao will be harmed, and the king's nephew will become a historical criminal

Is it Zhao Chenghou Zhao Xian

Uncle Wang thinks that a mere thousand or so people can make me obedient? Zhao Mu scoffed coldly, his gaze filled with disdain

I gazed directly at him, his eyes could penetrate one's heart effortlessly amidst light-hearted conversation. "Then, how will you handle me and Hao'er, my lord?"

The assassin who stealthily entered the young master's residence is indeed peculiar. Is he here to assassinate Zhao Mu, or is he targeting me and Hao'er? I cannot ascertain this and can only remain in the room, feeling restless. If the assassin is indeed here for me, then he should be able to locate the guest room here. However, given the vastness of the estate, finding this place is not easy. Moreover, the guards have already been alerted, and it remains uncertain whether the assassin can escape unscathed.

Falling short? I have a rough understanding of Zhao Xian's intention in bringing me back, but I cannot fathom Zhao Mu's reasons for saving me or his objectives. What exactly is Zhao Mu's scheme in saving me and keeping me in the Young Master's residence?

Zhao Xian threatened, "If not, no one should expect to obtain it"

The night wind lifts their wide sleeves, black as flames, white as snow, black and white devouring each other, who can stand firm in the universe

For a moment, I fell silent, yet my curiosity grew even stronger about why he was so averse to marriage

Zhao Mu took over Hao Er's silver sword, demonstrating swordplay while explaining. Under his guidance, Hao Er understood the key points, and when he practiced again, his movements became more fluid. Zhao Mu pointed out the shortcomings in each of Hao Er's sword techniques, teaching him how to maximize their power. In less than half an hour, the lethality of Hao Er's techniques had noticeably increased

I sat on the edge of the bed, intently listening to the sounds outside. The noise seemed to grow closer, yet at times it felt distant; at one moment it was overwhelming, and at another the sounds of conflict diminished, leaving me uncertain of the situation.

Zhao Muchao gave a slight nod to me, allowing Hao'er to perform the sword dance once more. Following his instructions, Hao'er danced with the sword, but the final move was stiff and awkward, lacking fluidity

I smiled gently and said, "If possible, I would certainly like to meet the wife that Young Master Mu is about to marry."