Hidden Shadow – CH 187

Chapter One-Hundred-Eighty-Seven: Dawn

Blue light once again illuminated the pre-dawn darkness, the stench of blood enveloping the town.

The assassins from Piaomiao Mountain Mansion in the alley had been wiped out twice by blue-fire crossbows, leaving only ten ninth-tier experts. Two of these ten were on the verge of breaking through, their strength comparable to the early stage of the Transcendent Realm.

The scene suddenly became tense.

Red snow swirled and fell, quickly piling up on the ground into a red sea, its chilling touch carrying the stench of blood, making one’s teeth chatter.

Sun Dixian glanced at An Jiu, a storm raging in her heart. This person had just been half-dead, yet now she was so ferocious, killing eighth and ninth-tier experts without being at a disadvantage! No wonder…no wonder this woman called her trash earlier; compared to her, was she not trash after all?

An Jiu’s sword was broken; she casually discarded it, drew a new sword from her side, and charged out without waiting for Chu Dingjiang’s order.

A chilling killing intent seemed to coalesce into a fierce wind, stirring up thick snow in its wake. The snowflakes swirled and fell densely, obscuring almost all figures. The ten men were stunned by this powerful killing intent; by the time they reacted, the twin swords were already upon them!

The assassin at the front was firmly locked onto by An Jiu’s mental power, forced to watch helplessly as the twin swords, imbued with ferocity, flashed before his eyes, his feet unable to move an inch.

An Jiu still had crossbow bolts on her person. Given the previous standoff, using a bow and arrow from a distance would have been the best strategy, but she had been driven mad by the bloodshed; long-range combat could no longer satisfy her craving for slaughter.

However, her irrational actions ignited the fighting spirit of the others.

Chu Dingjiang, worried, followed closely behind.

Li Qingzhi, witnessing the scene, spat out a mouthful of blood and roared, “I will fight you to the death!” He charged forward like a whirlwind, his muscles bulging as hard as iron. He was taller and stronger than usual, a towering figure rumbling in, locked in a fierce battle with the assassins of Piaomiao Mountain Mansion.

Lou Mingyue, already exhausted, was now unleashed, her potential ignited. Coupled with her deep hatred for these men, she followed without hesitation.

“We can get out! We can definitely get out!” Tears welled in Sui Yuntong’s eyes as he fought off his fear, determined to fight to the death!

Seven people! Clearly not particularly strong, yet they were like spears and halberds, unstoppable!

“Kill! I will take a few down with me even if I die!” Li Qingzhi’s wounds reopened, but his roar echoed through the sky like an enraged tiger unleashed.

Chu Dingjiang also did not attempt to conceal his power, displaying his full strength. His late-stage third-level Transcendent Realm strength left no survivors in his wake.

The east began to lighten.

Chu Dingjiang glanced at the sky, his attacks becoming even more ruthless.

A sudden melody rose from the distance, growing louder as the assassins from Piaomiao Mountain Mansion slowed their movements.

This created an opening. Chu Dingjiang eliminated four men with a single sword strike.

As the last man fell, a figure in red descended from the rooftop, reaching out to pull An Jiu, crying, “Sister!”

An Jiu, now blinded by rage, swung her twin swords fiercely.

Mei Ruyan could have used her zither to block, but she clutched it tightly to her chest, hastily retreating.

Chu Dingjiang flashed forward, pulling her into his arms. He used his inner strength to heal her wounds. “Ah Jiu! Wake up!” The warmth spread throughout her body, and An Jiu’s mind gradually cleared.

Chu Dingjiang breathed a sigh of relief.

“Sister!” Mei Ruyan’s face paled slightly. Still reeling from the brush with death, she was utterly shocked. Was this truly the gentle, frail Mei Jiu she remembered? Back then, Mei Jiu was a delicate young woman who could faint even while escaping!

An Jiu’s face was half-covered with a veil, but Mei Ruyan was certain she was Fourteenth Young Lady, for such beautiful features were rarely seen.

“Mei Ruyan,” An Jiu’s voice was hoarse.

“Follow me. This place is a maze. Without a guide, you will not be able to get out for ten days or half a month,” Mei Ruyan said urgently. “Sir… Wei Yuzhi has already secretly sent someone to report to the authorities. The officials are probably already on their way.”

Seeing that they did not move, Mei Ruyan said. “I am Fifteenth Young Lady Mei!”

Chu Dingjiang sized her up for a few moments, then made the decision. “Please lead the way, young lady.” He had saved An Jiu when the Mei family was wiped out, and had seen Mei Ruyan then, so he recognized her.

Mei Ruyan nodded.

The group followed her through the alleys and soon arrived at the dock. As they walked, she explained, “There’s a stable at the dock, with a few horses, enough for us to leave.”

Chu Dingjiang remained silent until he led the horse out and they rode quickly along the path for a while before he said, “Young lady, you are so kind and courageous, saving me from danger. I am deeply grateful. However, you have nothing to do with this matter, and I do not want to implicate you. Let’s part ways here. I will definitely go with your sister to find you in the future to repay your kindness.”

Hearing that Chu Dingjiang intended to abandon her, Mei Ruyan’s face turned pale. “I secretly ran away behind Wei Yuzhi’s back to inform you; if he catches me, I will certainly not meet a good end…”

Chu Dingjiang pulled out a token and tossed it to her. “Take this to Yangzhou Prefecture. The prefect will definitely protect you well. With such a major case in Yangzhou, the people from Piaomiao Mountain Mansion will not dare to commit crimes against the wind. Do not worry.”

Mei Ruyan bit her lip, looking at the semi-conscious An Jiu. “Sister said yesterday that Piaomiao Mountain Mansion was the murderer of the Mei clan. Is that true?”

“I can tell you that,” Chu Dingjiang said on An Jiu’s behalf. “Piaomiao Mountain Mansion is the culprit behind the destruction of the Mei clan. This matter is being investigated by the Konghe Army; there’s no doubt about it.”

“I understand.” Mei Ruyan gripped the reins tightly. “I will wait for you at the yamen.” With that, she decisively whipped her horse and left.

Chu Dingjiang watched her depart, then ordered everyone to ride to the official road post station.

The heavy snow quickly concealed the horses’ tracks.

Someone was already waiting at the post station. The group quickly put on clean clothes, boarded a carriage, and entered the city as soon as the city gates opened, as ordered by the government.

At the town’s dock, blood-soaked corpses were silently buried by the heavy snow.

The town was deathly silent; those unrelated to the Piaomiao Mountain Mansion slept soundly, not waking even as dawn broke.

The town, draped in silver, seemed unchanged.

A figure flashed through the streets, his toes barely touching the snow, leaving no trace. The person was wrapped in a thick cotton robe, and a falcon perched on his shoulder. The falcon’s eyes were a deep green, alertly scanning its surroundings, unlike any ordinary bird.

He surveyed the area, then took something from his robes and tossed it beside a corpse. He then tied a red ribbon to the falcon’s leg and released it.

The falcon soared into the snow-covered sky, circled once, and flew away.

The wind and snow were fierce, but the falcon’s speed was unaffected; the vast white earth receded rapidly.

The falcon followed the river until it reached a dense cluster of houses, where it circled overhead, as if finding a place in its memory, and slowly flew towards a particular house.

A pole was propped up on the veranda in the courtyard, and the falcon landed on it with practiced ease.

The person inside heard the noise, opened the window, saw the falcon, and reached out to it, saying, “Swift Wind.” The falcon flapped its wings twice, as if it understood, and flew over, gently landing on his arm.