The Demon Lords

Chapter 447 53 Assassin_3

Having said that, Zheng Fan bowed deeply.

"My lord, your minister has spoken all he should. Your teachings, my lord, have also been taken to heart by this servant. This servant feels it is time to depart."

"You have just rebuked me, and now you wish to leave?"

"If this servant does not leave the city tonight, then tomorrow, one hundred thousand of your subjects in the capital city will die as my escort. This servant... truly does not care."

"Haha, rest assured. When two nations are at war, envoys are not slain. I will permit you to leave. I also need you to convey a verbal message for me back to your master. The previous accounts—I will settle them with Ji Runhao, one by one, in due time."

"This servant accepts the order."

"You may leave."

"This servant takes his leave."

Stepping out of the warm chamber, a chill immediately assaulted Zheng Fan, causing him to shiver involuntarily.

He glanced back at the room, warm as spring, and sighed. After staying in the Green Willow Fortress for so long, my living conditions have truly deteriorated significantly. Back in Hutou City, I at least had two residences and could soak in a hot bath at night.

He wondered when these days of arduous struggle would finally end.

Suddenly, the words spoken by the Qian Emperor surfaced in his mind:

Not a single soldier from the Qian State's three border armies must venture south.

A sudden weight settled in Zheng Fan's heart.

Could it be that Yan would meet its end first?

Walking outside, he passed through the corridor where the Silver Armored Guard woman still stood.

Zheng Fan couldn't help but steal a few more glances at her.

Truth be told, for Chief Zheng to still find joy in adversity at a time like this... he was truly something else.

The Silver Armored Guard woman was also looking at Zheng Fan.

As Zheng Fan walked past her, she suddenly spoke, "I hear the Yan people are skilled in horsemanship and archery?"

Taking a sharp breath, Zheng Fan nodded and said, "This envoy is also skilled in horsemanship and archery."

"Truly?" Disbelief colored the woman's face.

"If there's an opportunity in the future, we can test our skills. Then, Miss, you will know this envoy was not speaking falsely."

"There is a lecherous glint in your eyes."

"You must be mistaken, Miss." Zheng Fan's heart suddenly turned cold.

"Will the Yan people attack the city tomorrow?" the woman asked.

"I don't know. Perhaps they'll make a show of it. You know, the weather is so cold; everyone needs to find something to do to warm up their bodies, don't they? Otherwise, it's easy to catch a chill."

"Then tomorrow, I shall compete with Lord Envoy."

"What?"

Zheng Fan suddenly felt that something was a little off. Had that fellow, the Qian Emperor, misspoke about something?

"Lord Envoy will also be participating in the assault on the city tomorrow, correct?"

"Barring any surprises, I should be. However, I will be outside the city walls, while you, Miss, will be within. Unless the imperial capital is breached tomorrow, it's unlikely we'll have a chance to meet."

"That's no issue. I can come down to find you, Lord Envoy."

"Miss, why are you so... fixated on me?"

"Because when you walked past earlier, Lord Envoy, the way you looked at me made me very uncomfortable. I truly wished to cut you down with a single strike. However, you are an envoy and cannot die within the imperial capital tonight. Therefore, I can only find an opportunity to kill you tomorrow."

"Miss, I believe matters between men should be settled between men. I..."

"I have no man."

"My apologies, that was a slip of the tongue."

"I am not yet wed. Therefore, my affairs can only be resolved by me personally."

"Huh?" Not married?

Suddenly, a sword floated out, appearing behind the woman. It hovered beside her cheek, emitting a soft hum as if it possessed a spirit.

What kind of incredible technique is this?! Ninth Rank martial artist, my ass! Even an Eighth Rank martial artist like myself couldn't do this; I wouldn't even dare to dream of it! What 'widow'? What 'lover'? What 'exquisite beyond words'? Qian Emperor, you old, disrespectful bastard!

"I remember your name is Zheng Fan."

"I think, we..."

"My name is Baili Xianglan."

Zheng Fan's eyes widened, and he blurted out, "Baili Sword is..."

"My elder brother."

"..." Zheng Fan was speechless.

Zheng Fan walked away in a daze. At this moment, the National Destiny and future of Yan were no longer on his mind; the course of the war had also been cast aside.

All Zheng Fan could think about now was: Baili Sword's younger sister, the sister of one of the Four Great Swordsmen, said she wanted to kill him?

Baili Sword shouldn't be any weaker than Shatuo Queshi, right? And even if his sister is weaker, she's capable enough to guard the Qian Emperor's main gate. She surely can't be that weak, can she?

In this gloomy state of mind, Zheng Fan walked a considerable distance.

What he didn't know was that after he had departed, Baili Xianglan gazed at the sword hovering before her. She frowned slightly and murmured to herself, "You're saying you sensed the final lament of those three swords on him? Was that fool, Yuan Zhenxing, killed by his hand?"

An image surfaced in Baili Xianglan's mind: from her childhood, a man with greasy hair, carrying three swords on his back, pushing a unicycle piled high with candied hawthorn sticks, approached her. He had said to her younger self, "Call me 'Uncle,' and all these candied hawthorns are yours!"

When she had called out "Uncle," the man who loved to carry three swords on his back had grinned like an idiot, as if he thought he had gained a huge advantage over her brother.

That perpetually carefree fellow, who clearly possessed an exceptional swordsman's cultivation base yet had always lived in poverty... just like that... gone?

Baili Xianglan was somewhat perplexed. Fortunately, a swordsman's way of doing things is simple. No matter how tangled the knot of confusion, one strike of the sword, and either the knot unravels, or the sword shatters. Either way, the matter is concluded.

「...」

Guided by a young eunuch carrying a lantern, Zheng Fan boarded the carriage again. Inside, the blind man was wiping his mouth, while A Ming appeared serene.

"The Qian State's cuisine is truly excellent," the blind man remarked. He then looked at Zheng Fan and asked, "My lord, how did it go?"

These exchanges all took place within the mental communication channel they had established, so there was no fear of being overheard.

Zheng Fan vigorously rubbed his face with both hands and said, "Something's gone wrong."

Within their private channel, Zheng Fan recounted everything, not forgetting to mention Baili Sword's sister.

"Heh, a widow?" A Ming was the first to chuckle.

"What's so funny? How many of her sword strikes do you think you could withstand?" Zheng Fan retorted.

A Ming shook his head. "My lord, it's simple. Just avoid going out alone. In the encampment, would she dare to barge in and try to kill you?"

At this moment, the carriage had left the palace and was traveling on the streets under curfew, heading towards the north city gate.

Suddenly, from the houses lining both sides of the street, more than a dozen figures clad in black emerged. Each brandished a crossbow aimed directly at the carriage.

The blind man's expression changed drastically. He cried out in alarm, "Assassins!"