Chapter 9: 009 Interrogation, An Unexpected Encounter

Deep in the dead of night, a dark shadow moved silently across the tiled roof of the Chen residence. In no time at all, the entire mansion had been searched, yet nothing was found.

Could it be that such a frail, sickly weakling was actually capable of staying out all night, off somewhere indulging in debauchery?

The shadow landed in the backyard. It was Ziqing, dressed in night-traveling gear, her long hair tied up, looking as sharp and capable as ever.

Someone of noble status could not be bought off by Han Xi'er; after all, this matter would inevitably cause a massive stir, and no one would be willing to wade into such murky waters. As for someone like Young Master Chen, Han Xi'er could naturally order him around, so there was no reason for her to find someone else to pose as a substitute afterward!

Therefore, even Han Xi'er had been deceived by Young Master Chen; there must have been someone else there that night!

Ziqing was deep in thought when she suddenly heard movement in the woods not far away. Could that person have returned?

She vaulted over the wall without a sound, but before she could even get close, she became alert. She was all too familiar with this scent of blood—there were quite a few people ahead!

The slaughter had just ended, and the air was thick with the smell of blood. The assassin’s figure was tall and slender, one hand behind his back, the other holding a sword that had yet to be sheathed. Against the moonlight, only the outline of his figure was visible; his face remained hidden.

Young Master Chen’s group of servants had been almost entirely wiped out, leaving only him, trembling as he knelt before the assassin.

"I told you to keep your mouth shut. Why seek death?" The man spoke, his voice as cold as ice, drifting through the dark night in a way that made one feel an involuntary chill.

What did this guy mean?

Ziqing lay in ambush to the side, her eyes cold and sharp. A faint premonition stirred within her—it might be him!

Young Master Chen was so terrified he had wet his pants, stammering, "It, it was someone from the palace, interrogating, asking. This commoner... did, did, didn't reveal your name... I just..."

Before he could finish, the sword rose and blood fell, the speed so fast that no one could see it clearly.

"It really is him!"

Ziqing immediately clenched her fists, filled with resentment. At the same time, the man in black looked over sharply. "Who’s there?"

"Han Ziqing, the second daughter of the Prime Minister's residence!" Ziqing stood up and coldly announced her identity.

"You actually came?" A flash of surprise crossed the man's sharp eyes.

"Was it you last night?" Ziqing asked coldly, stepping forward. She had no weapon; she could only rely on closing the distance for a lethal hand-to-hand fight.

"It was." The man admitted it readily.

"Who are you?" Ziqing asked again.

"You have no need to know."

As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately retreated in a defensive stance. This was the first time in his life he had taken a step back when facing an opponent; this woman’s killing intent was immense!

As he retreated, Ziqing instantly crouched and swept her leg horizontally, slamming it hard into his. It was painful—bone-piercingly painful—but he didn't move an inch, because almost simultaneously, he thrust his sword downward with both hands.

Ziqing dodged nimbly, sprang up in front of him, grabbed the clothes on his chest, and drove her knee hard toward the man’s most vulnerable spot. The sequence of movements was crisp and clean, not dragging in the slightest even under his guard!

A hint of playfulness flashed across his cold eyes. He blocked with his large hand, catching her knee. A cold sneer curled his lips, and as he increased his strength, he nearly crushed her kneecap!

The kneecap was a part of the human body that was both hard and fragile! Once injured, the entire leg would be crippled.

She was in pain, but she ignored it, still gripping his chest as she smiled. "If you don't show mercy, you'll regret it!"

"I still have some interest in you. If your leg were crippled, I wouldn't have any interest at all."

He laughed too. The woods were too dark, and with him standing against the moonlight, she truly couldn't see his face clearly, only the curve of his lips, which held a hint of playfulness amidst the coldness.

"Then how about this? Will you be even more interested?"

She sneered, her five fingers suddenly hooking into claws, stabbing straight into his chest, missing his heart by a mere hair's breadth.

"Very good, I am very interested indeed!"

He accurately gripped the old scar on her arm, forcing her strength to wane significantly.

At that moment, noisy sounds suddenly approached—night patrol guards arriving with torches.

He immediately covered her eyes. She shoved his hands away violently, but he had already retreated far into the dense forest.

"Are you from the palace?" She chased after him, demanding an answer.

"Heh, if you have the ability, find out for yourself!" Even his laughter was cold. His figure was gone in the night, and only his voice echoed all around.