Raising Orphans, Not Assassins

Bang!

A look of unwillingness appeared on Tang Feng's face as he slowly knelt to the ground. Blood did not spurt from the wound on his neck; instead, a layer of blood-coloured frost sealed it, as if frozen by ice. His eyes bulged, refusing to close in death. He still had Dragon Whisker Needles left unused and now he was dead.

Seeing the sudden fatal sword strike, Xiao Lian's face lit up with joy.

She won! The woman in the black dress won! She was saved!

But the next moment, Xiao Lian saw the black-dressed woman weaken and collapse. She leaned against the wall for support, but her left hand dropped the sword to the ground.

'What's happening?'

Xiao Lian's eyes widened in astonishment. Did she not win? Did they both perish together?

Clap Clap

Applause echoed from outside the door. Qin Yi's expression changed as she looked towards the entrance.

A man dressed in crimson silk attire stepped in. He had a handsome face and a faint smile on his lips. He had a gentle demeanour, scholarly and refined, but his eyes held a cold, snake-like malice.

Entering, the man clapped his hands a few more times and praised the barely standing Qin Yi, "As expected of Yu Luo Sha of Fengyu Tower. Killing my useless junior brother with just one sword stroke."

Seeing the man who suddenly appeared, Qin Yi's eyes narrowed, her voice icy, "Tang Hao, fifth on the Earth Ranking Kill List, Tang Sect true disciple, second-grade mid-level strength. Bounty: 1,000 taels of gold and three second-grade secret manuals."

"Indeed, it's me." Tang Hao smiled, his crimson attire and handsome looks contrasting with his snake-like, sinister gaze fixed on Qin Yi.

He glanced at Tang Feng, who was lying on the ground, and sighed, "My junior brother truly is a romantic. Seeing Miss Yu's graceful figure, he knew at a glance that you were a rare beauty, so he refrained from using the Dragon Whisker Needles out of pity."

"But I must say, my junior brother was indeed talented. In just half a month, he managed to understand the Pili Zi from Thunderbolt Hall and even cleverly replaced the gunpowder inside with Tang Sect's Soft Tendon Powder."

"What is even more commendable is that he had the audacity to use his modified Thunderbolt on Miss Yu!"

Tang Hao shook his head as he spoke, looking at Tang Feng's corpse with a hint of pity in his eyes. "Truly unaware of his impending doom."

"Facing the signature assassin of Fengyu Tower, yet still preoccupied with such thoughts. If he had used his real skills, he wouldn't have died so quickly."

Tang Hao's gaze turned mocking as he looked at Tang Feng's body.

Qin Yi's expression remained unchanged, her eyes coldly fixed on Tang Hao from behind her veil.

"You're staying in Room Two of the Earth section?"

"Smart."

Tang Hao smiled faintly.

He wasn't in a hurry to kill Qin Yi. The Tang Sect's Soft Tendon Powder caused the victim to feel weak and powerless for the duration of one tea session, and only the Tang Sect's unique antidote could cure it. {ED: And people say Americans use weird units of measurement...}

Qin Yi lowered her gaze and spoke in a calm voice, "You found Tang Feng's trail long ago?"

Tang Hao chuckled at her words. "Not found, I was always here."

Hearing this, a flicker of emotion crossed Qin Yi's eyes for the first time.

'He was always here...'

The implications of this statement were deeply unsettling. Various theories quickly flashed through Qin Yi's mind, and she eliminated them one by one.

Tang Hao had been with Tang Feng all along. If they had been together the whole time, the Tang Sect would be pursuing both Tang Feng and Tang Hao, not just Tang Feng alone. Therefore, the theft of the Dragon Whisker Needle blueprint must be a ruse.

Understanding this, Qin Yi looked at Tang Hao and coldly said, "Tang Feng didn't steal the Dragon Whisker Needle blueprint; this is a setup by the Tang Sect."

"Impressive. Miss Yu, you are indeed as clever as they say, figuring out the truth." Tang Hao's handsome face showed genuine surprise at Qin Yi's deduction.

Receiving confirmation, Qin Yi suddenly lifted her head, a ripple of emotion appearing in her cold eyes. "Is this a trap set for Fengyu Tower? Why?"

Tang Hao's smile abruptly vanished, his expression turning cold. His eyes, like those of a venomous snake, were icy and menacing.

"I originally planned to keep you alive a bit longer, Miss Yu, to let you experience what it's like to be a woman before you die. But since you've figured it out, I'll send you on your way now. My useless junior brother shouldn't have gone far."

"If you must blame someone, blame Fengyu Tower for being too ostentatious."

Tang Hao didn't say more. Instantly, he shot out five or six hidden weapons, all aimed at Qin Yi.

Just as Qin Yi had been leaning against the wall, she suddenly moved with ghostly speed, dodging all the hidden weapons. In a flash, she was in front of Tang Hao, her right hand, white as snow, striking towards his face.

Tang Hao was shocked and had no time to think. He raised his right hand to meet Qin Yi's palm. Their palms clashed, and Tang Hao's face turned red. His eyes widened as his right hand trembled slightly.

Qin Yi's eyes remained calm. Her petite, fair right hand extended forward, channelling a surge of icy internal energy straight into Tang Hao's palm. A layer of white frost quickly formed on Tang Hao's right hand.

The two were locked in a battle of internal energy.

Standing in the corner, Xiao Lian watched this sudden turn of events, her rosy lips slightly parted. The situation had changed too quickly, leaving her momentarily stunned.

'Should she take this chance to escape?'

The thought flashed through Xiao Lian's mind. But she quickly dismissed it.

She had overheard the conversation between Tang Hao and Qin Yi. The outcome of their fight was still uncertain. If Tang Hao won, her fate would be death. He would kill her to silence her. Even though she didn't know what would happen if the woman in black won, Xiao Lian had no other choice.

As she pondered, the battle took another sudden turn.

Qin Yi's body suddenly went limp. Her hand broke contact with Tang Hao's, and she collapsed, powerless. Tang Hao hastily retreated several steps and sat down cross-legged on the ground.

Xiao Lian was shocked to find that Tang Hao's face and eyebrows were covered in frost. His complexion was as pale as paper, and his teeth chattered uncontrollably. It was clearly summer, yet Tang Hao seemed to be living in the dead of winter.

The Tang Sect was renowned for its mastery of hidden weapons, but its prowess in internal energy techniques was not as profound.

Qin Yi's internal energy had a chilling quality, and her level of mastery was extremely high. In their clash of internal energy, Tang Hao felt as if his right arm had turned to ice, with every inch of skin radiating a stinging pain.

Fortunately for him, the softening powder within Qin Yi had taken effect, leaving her unable to sustain herself. Otherwise, under Qin Yi's relentless, energy-draining assault, the outcome of their battle would have been uncertain. {ED: That's what she said.}

Tang Hao sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing, using the Tang Sect's techniques to dispel the icy internal energy from his body.

"Little girl..."

Qin Yi suddenly spoke, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz. Xiao Lian turned her gaze to the collapsed Qin Yi, her pretty face expressionless. Upon hearing Qin Yi speak, Tang Hao's eyes snapped open, and he looked at Xiao Lian.

"Little girl, kill him!"

"Little girl, kill her!"

Qin Yi and Tang Hao spoke simultaneously.

"Little girl, I am a disciple of the Tang Sect. That demoness is a notorious killer in the martial world, her hands stained with countless lives. She is defenceless now. Killing her would be a great service to the people and an immeasurable act of righteousness! My Tang Sect will also reward you with 1,000 taels of silver. You'll never have to worry about money for the rest of your life."

Tang Hao, his teeth chattering, spoke slowly but persuasively. He first pointed out Qin Yi's identity, elevating his own moral standing, and then offered a lucrative reward, demonstrating exceptional rhetorical skill.

"Little girl, you heard everything just now. If he recovers, he won't spare you; he'll definitely kill you to silence you."

Qin Yi, now extremely weak and almost inaudible, spoke softly.

Both of their lives now depended entirely on Xiao Lian's decision. A single thought could lead to heaven or hell.