Show mercy
It wasn't until Ah Qiu calmly changed her clothes and came over, her unremarkable attire concealing her face and figure, leaving only the faint, yet unmistakable, alertness and strength of an assassin revealed in her every step, that Lie Changkong suddenly realized what was happening.
The man's swift, ghost-like movements and lightning-fast, rapid-fire attacks left an unforgettable and strong impression on him.
Upon first seeing A Qiu, no one could help but be amazed by her beauty. Knowing that she was Gu Yi's disciple and a female official of the Music Bureau, no one would think of connecting her with the assassin they had seen that night.
The same applies to Lie Changkong and A Qiu.
He was the only master who had escaped from her grasp in recent years, and this incident directly led to her almost completely retiring from her assassin career.
But Ah Qiu had killed many people and seen countless others. Back then, amidst the torchlight and flashing blades, he only caught a fleeting glimpse of him and didn't necessarily get a clear picture of his face.
However, based solely on his identity as "Young Master Charioteer" and the fact that he had concealed his face today, A Qiu recognized him as the young master who had escaped back then, judging from his figure, gait, and the rhythm of his walk.
For martial arts masters, the style and details of their moves are more effective at remembering and recognizing a person than their appearance. After all, techniques and weapons are deadly, while appearance is not, making it easier to forget about a person's looks.
Lie Changkong felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, and he was speechless for a moment. After a while, he could only mumble, "Thank you, Hall Master, for showing mercy back then."
At that moment, he felt extremely embarrassed.
Perhaps because he had been influenced by Gu Yi's subtle doting on A Qiu, he had more or less regarded A Qiu as a pampered girl before. Even though he had seen A Qiu fight, his first impression was always biased. Therefore, when something happened, he would always want to protect her first, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Even now, recalling the days when she slashed him with her icy blade and routed him, he still feels lingering fear. Yet now she walks beside him, making him feel as if he has been transported to another world.
Ah Qiu said softly, "Since you remember me, you don't need to worry about me."
Before Lie Changkong could react, she asked, "From Pei Yuanli's Dongguang Marquis residence to Jinling Terrace, if there are no unexpected obstacles along the way, how long would it take you, given your speed?"
After calculating for a moment, Lie Changkong replied, "About half an hour."
A-Qiu stopped and said, "After I kill someone, I will cover your escape for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Go and report to your master so that he can make preparations in advance."
Lie Changkong knew that the most dangerous moment was not when he killed someone, but when he had to escape.
The Pei residence had high walls and was heavily guarded both inside and out, with more than a dozen mastiffs.
Killing someone must be done when the other party is unprepared, but after the attack, family guards and servants will swarm in. Even if these people are not skilled in martial arts, there are still two generations of Flying Phoenix Guards, Madam Pei and Pei Yu.
As the imperial bodyguards, the Flying Phoenix Guards are arguably the strongest defensive force in the Great Yan Dynasty. The Pei family alone has two members with them, making their safety level unmatched anywhere except the imperial palace.
Knowing what Lie Changkong was thinking, A Qiu whispered, "I've inquired. Pei Yu is on duty at the East Palace today, so she won't be able to come back."
She finished speaking calmly, and Lie Changkong, who also knew about the Yuefu's rehearsal of "Yan Shining," suddenly understood. She had only been separated from Pei Yu for a short time, which was why she could make such a clear judgment. She replied, "Even if it were just Madam Pei alone, it wouldn't be easy to handle."
A Qiu said without changing his expression, "I will keep her occupied and prevent her from having time to spare. You should leave immediately. If you are captured, the consequences will be unimaginable."
The key to this mission is not only the successful assassination, but also a safe escape. Everyone knows that Lie Changkong is one of Gu Yi's men. If it is discovered that Gu Yi's men were involved in the assassination of Pei Yuanli, the court and the public will be shaken, and the situation will completely spiral out of control.
After passing through a long street, you'll reach Qinglong Lane, where the Dongguang Marquis's residence is located. You can vaguely see tall buildings with craggy corners and picturesque eaves.
Lie Changkong knew she had a point, but he still couldn't help but ask, "Is there anything you want me to tell the Young Master?"
A-Qiu asked in astonishment, "What did you say?"
Lie Changkong said patiently, "Although I have never assassinated anyone, I know that those who kill also risk being killed themselves; there is no such thing as absolute certainty. If you cannot escape and return, do you have any last words?"
A Qiu was stunned for a moment. She had attempted assassination dozens of times in her life, but this was the first time she had heard such a claim.
In the past, at Lanling Hall, there was no such thing as a last will or testament. Once someone died, they were dead, and the people of Xingfeng Hall would take care of everything. They never thought about anything else.
She thought for a moment and said, "I guess there's only one sentence: I'm sorry for the guidance and training of my two masters."
Lie Changkong pressed further: "Nothing else?"
A-Qiu said, "That's all." Then she remembered and added, "If you have anything to say, tell me so I can write it down."
Lie Changkong laughed heartily for the first time ever, and said, "A real man should die when he wants to, why waste so much time on nonsense?"
A Qiu realized that he had deliberately teased her into telling the truth, and she was so angry that she choked up. She snorted and said, "If you get chopped into mincemeat later, don't blame me for not being able to deliver a complete sentence to the 'Tianquan Family' for you."
As soon as she finished speaking, she leaped onto the courtyard wall without hesitation.
Lie Changkong was immediately filled with thoughts because of her, but he didn't have time to think about it before he immediately followed her.
The two men crouched on the beam of the most imposing main house in the back courtyard, silently moved a tile aside, and peered inside.
The sky is full of stars, but there is no moonlight, making it an excellent opportunity to conceal oneself under the cover of night.
After infiltrating the Dongguang Marquis's residence, the two first surveyed the surrounding area to test the strength of the residence's defenses, plan their escape route if the assassination succeeded, and wait for the best opportunity to carry out the assassination.
They arrived just after dinner. Servants and maids were bustling about inside the two gates, busy clearing away the food and preparing their masters for washing up. Stewards and head servants were also there to report on the day's events.
The garden of the Dongguang Marquis's residence was lush with trees, neatly trimmed, and had large areas of clean, pristine white gravel that reflected a faint light even in the dark night. A weapons rack stood nearby, fully stocked with swords and spears, suggesting it was a place where the Pei family often practiced their martial arts.
What A Qiu was thinking was that, despite both holding high positions of power, Gu Yi's lifestyle was much simpler than Pei Yuanli's; most of the time, only the master and disciple were in the vast Jinlingtai. Although the two had different personalities, their backgrounds also greatly influenced their lifestyles.
Gu Yi lived a frugal and simple life, more like a martial arts master, while Pei Yuanli, though born into a military family, also subtly exuded the air of a powerful and aristocratic clan. Five generations of military families and powerful clans were the reason why Pei Yuanli was able to firmly control the Jianzhang Division of the Southern Dynasty's central army, but it was also the reason why many of his political views and practices differed from Gu Yi's.
As night deepened, the last few maids left the main bedroom of the grand mansion, leaving two to keep watch in the outer room, while the rest went to rest. Only then did the day in this grand mansion finally come to an end.
This was the first time A Qiu had met Pei Yuanli.
Pei Yuanli was over fifty years old, with a dignified appearance and a head of white hair with distinct silver strands. His features were quite similar to Pei Yu's, except that Pei Yu was younger and more heroic, while Pei Yuanli was a deep and experienced man who commanded respect without anger.
The servants made the bed, lit incense, and then left. At this moment, the room was a peaceful and comfortable home, with wisps of smoke still rising from the incense burner on the corner table, and half a candle still burning brightly by the window.
At this very moment, Pei Yuanli, who once held great authority in the imperial court, also showed signs of exhaustion and haggardness under the candlelight in his own bedroom.
He held the dossier in his hand, but his gaze remained fixed for a long time.
Madam Pei, Mu Huaying, still wore her hairpins and jewelry, maintaining her elegant and noble demeanor as she sat quietly in a high chair a few steps away from him, drinking tea as if waiting for Pei Yuanli to speak.
Before arriving here, A Qiu had considered how Pei Yuanli and his wife would get along. Although she had never met Pei Yuanli, she knew from hearsay that he was not an easy person to get along with. Pei's wife, Mu Huaying, had once been in charge of the Imperial Prison and was known as the "Handsome Yama." A Qiu had almost died from her poisoned wine while in the dungeon, and she was deeply impressed by her ruthlessness.
Judging from their appearances alone, it was clear that Pei Yuanli was at least fifteen years older than Mu Huaying. It was quite unbelievable to A Qiu that two such equally arrogant and ruthless people could remain husband and wife.
She certainly had no intention of prying into someone else's private quarters; after all, these were Pei Yu's parents. She was simply waiting for the best opportunity.
This shows the usefulness of Lie Changkong's initiative in coming along. When she makes her move, Mu Huaying will certainly not stand idly by. With Lie Changkong there, he can block Mu Huaying for her, greatly increasing the chances of a successful strike.
Pei Yuanli remained lost in thought, while Mu Huaying did not urge him, sitting calmly, seemingly more composed and patient than Pei Yuanli.
Pei Yuanli finally put down the file in his hand, took out several account books from under the desk, and said in a hoarse voice: "These are the land deeds for the thousand acres of fertile land west and east of the city of Dongguang Marquis, which the estate has sorted out and handed over today, as well as the accounts of income and expenditure over the years."
Mu Huaying did not take it, leaving the ledger awkwardly suspended in mid-air.
After a moment, she only said stiffly, "Anything else?"
Pei Yuanli's expression softened, and he said in a consultative tone, "The indentures and money in and out of the thousands of people in the manor have always been managed by Shu'er. He is loyal and honest, and I think he is a capable person. But if you have someone you trust more, you can replace him."
Mu Huaying turned her head away, the pearl tassels under the golden sparrow swaying gently, but her expression was not visible.
She asked again, "Is there anything else?"
As A Qiu listened, it seemed as if Pei Yuanli was about to hand over all his family's assets, the entire wealth of the Dongguang Marquis's mansion, to Mu Huaying. Mu Huaying, a former heroine of the Flying Phoenix Guard and the highest judicial officer of Dayan, seemed insatiably greedy, constantly pressing him for details, as if she wouldn't stop until she had emptied his coffers.
She looked up questioningly, only to meet Lie Changkong's gaze. Lie Changkong smiled wryly and waved his hand, indicating that he knew nothing about the situation inside the room.
They came here to assassinate someone, but what if they accidentally stumbled upon Pei Yuanli and Mu Huaying discussing divorce and dividing their assets?
Pei Yuanli hesitated for a long time before finally saying in a hoarse voice, "You and Yu'er should still visit the deputy generals and military advisors of the Jianzhang Division more often. Yu'er... if I still have time, I will definitely personally help her to become the number one person in the Central Army. But right now, only the Divine Hound Battalion is her foundation. As for the rest, we can only wait for the right opportunity and military merits."
A Qiu felt increasingly uneasy as she listened. Recalling how Lie Changkong had jokingly asked her to leave a will before she and Lie Changkong entered this place, Pei Yuanli's words now clearly sounded like he was leaving a will.
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