Hidden Shadow – CH 166

Chapter One-Hundred-Sixty-Six: Yu

“I do have some methods, but you two brave men might not trust me.” Zhu Pianxian lowered her eyes, concealing her calculating gaze.

Chu Dingjiang observed her expression. “Tell me, whether we believe me or not, I will make my own decision.”

“I also have a hidden residence, perhaps where I can stay.” Zhu Pianxian quickly glanced at Chu Dingjiang.

That place was not only a residence but also her last resort. Grabbing this lifeline might lure these two into a trap, preventing her from being in such a passive position.

“Lead the way,” Chu Dingjiang said.

Zhu Pianxian was initially delighted, instructing the coachman to head to a certain location. However, as the carriage moved, she gradually calmed down. Thinking carefully, she realized that the Piaomiao Mountain mansion would not do just any business; once a deal was made, they would only stop when they had the target’s head. She could not possibly escape their pursuit on her own.

However, Zhu Pianxian was also familiar with the rules of the Piaomiao Mountain mansion. Generally, unless the buyer had special requests, they would set a payment deadline based on the difficulty of the transaction. If the task was not completed within the deadline, they would compensate the buyer tenfold. The Piaomiao Mountain mansion had not been without failures over the years; they always valued their reputation, and if they failed to kill the target, they would compensate tenfold.

If she could escape this deadline… Zhu Pianxian began to consider a deal. To do this deal, she first needed to know how long the Piaomiao Mountain mansion would pursue her.

The carriage circled Yangzhou City several times before slowly entering a large mansion.

An Jiu looked out through the window. The mansion had a black wooden gate, and a tall courtyard wall stretched east and west, obscured by lush trees, making its size unknown. A plaque above the gate read: Yu Mansion.

“So this is your mansion.” Chu Dingjiang also saw everything.

The Yu Mansion was also a merchant family, with a history of over a hundred years in Yangzhou City and considerable influence.

“You do not know?” Zhu Pianxian was slightly surprised. She thought Chu Dingjiang’s straightforwardness in coming along meant he had already thoroughly investigated her background.

Zhu Pianxian looked at the two men up close. Her heart skipped a beat. Both had dark eyes, but the man’s eyes were like a black abyss, like the night sky, mysterious and unfathomable, their depths unfathomable, while the other’s gaze was like a blade, exuding only coldness and a dangerous aura.

At the same time, she suddenly understood that all they needed to know was that she had no connection to the Piaomiao Mountain mansion; they did not care about anything else.

The carriage stopped.

“Master,” someone outside said.

An Jiu got out of the carriage first and saw that the person who came to greet her was a man in close-fitting clothes, around thirty years old. He was only two inches taller than her, but very strong, with broad shoulders and muscular arms that strained his sleeves to the point of tearing. His face was ordinary, but his eyes held a sharp, piercing light. An Jiu could sense his strong mental power but could not detect his internal energy, thinking that this person was most likely an external cultivator like herself.

The man’s gaze lingered on An Jiu for a moment, then, seeing Zhu Pianxian emerge, he immediately lowered his eyes, his expression very respectful.

“Cao Rui, these two will be guests in the mansion for now. Please make arrangements,” Zhu Pianxian said.

“Yes!” Cao Rui replied, turning away but unable to resist glancing at An Jiu a few more times.

Zhu Pianxian led the two to the main hall, and after they were seated, tea and snacks were served.

Zhu Pianxian held her teacup, her eyes lowered, and gently skimmed the floating tea leaves with the lid. She repeated this several times, then suddenly covered the cup, as if making a firm decision. Looking up at Chu Dingjiang, she said, “Let’s be frank. If you two gentlemen can state your purpose, I might be willing to cooperate, on the condition that the compensation from Piaomiao Mountain mansion be split 20/80, with me taking the lion’s share.”

It was true that her life was currently in someone else’s hands, but if she insisted on fighting to the death, no one could gain the upper hand.

“40/60,” Chu Dingjiang said unhurriedly. “I get 60%; you get 40%.”

Zhu Pianxian frowned, gently placing her teacup on the table, and said lazily, “That’s rather pointless, gentlemen. I am gambling with my life.”

Chu Dingjiang smiled faintly. “Then think it over carefully. We will talk again tomorrow.”

Zhu Pianxian gritted her teeth, her face grim.

An Jiu finally understood. This woman was not willing to risk her life. Her willingness to cooperate was partly for money and partly to find a way to survive. Because of this “desire to survive,” she would remain in a passive position. Zhu Pianxian was clearly outmatched by Chu Dingjiang in terms of skill, a fact Chu Dingjiang had long anticipated.

Cao Rui, who had been waiting at the door for some time, had overheard everything inside. Seeing Zhu Pianxian’s displeasure, he stepped forward to block Chu Dingjiang and An Jiu’s path.

An Jiu immediately perked up. She had wanted to fight this man since she first saw him, but had been waiting for an opportunity.

Her killing intent erupted suddenly, like an arrow released from a bow, and in the blink of an eye, he was upon her.

Cao Rui was indeed no ordinary person. He was momentarily stunned, but as An Jiu’s palm strike approached, he suddenly moved, quickly retreating several steps, then unleashed a burst of power, fiercely counterattacking.

“Stop!” Zhu Pianxian shouted.

Cao Rui’s movements halted abruptly, having taken the full force of An Jiu’s palm strike aimed at his left ribs.

He retreated to the side without changing expression, but inwardly he was horrified—the Severing Meridian Palm!

Fortunately, his opponent was not skilled enough; otherwise, his martial arts would have been ruined! Thinking this, Cao Rui’s gaze towards An Jiu grew even colder.

An Jiu met his gaze without flinching.

The two passed each other.

After they left, Zhu Pianxian beckoned Cao Rui into the house and asked in a low voice, “Are you alright?”

“I am fine; I will recover in a couple of days,” Cao Rui said in a deep voice. “Master, what happened?”

Zhu Pianxian briefly explained what had happened, gritting her teeth. “Hmph, I, Zhu Pianxian, have never suffered such a loss! If I get the chance, I will make those two pay a thousandfold!”

Cao Rui’s expression was complicated. His old master had always said she had business acumen and drive but lacked ruthlessness. He sighed and advised, “If Master could spare even a fraction of the ruthlessness she wields in business for killing, she could surely ensure the longevity of the Yu family.” Having money but no means of self-defense was like a pig waiting to be slaughtered; sooner or later, it would be meat on the chopping block.

Zhu Pianxian glared at him. “There is Yu Pianfei, is there not? We agreed I’d only make money; should the Yu family not protect me if anything happens?”

“Master is also a member of the Yu family,” Cao Rui said helplessly. The other master could indeed be ruthless, but unfortunately, he lacked business acumen. Everyone in the Yu family wanted to bring Zhu Pianxian back to assist Yu Pianfei in managing the company.

“I married into the Zhu family; I am a member of the Zhu family in life and in death!” Zhu Pianxian stormed out, angrily declaring, “I will see if Yu Pianfei will care about me!”

Just as Cao Rui was about to chase after her, a maid rushed in. “Steward, I led the two guests to their rooms, but when we got to the garden, I realized they were gone.”