A Big Order

Chu Qing ultimately resisted the temptation deep within his heart, retracting his restless feet.

Miss Wu finally sensed something was wrong behind her.

She spun around abruptly, meeting Chu Qing's half-smiling gaze.

"The esteemed eldest daughter of Heavenly Dance City, are you stealing in broad daylight?

"Trying to snatch something good? Need my help?"

Wu Qianhuan's face darkened. This guy walked without a sound, his Internal Energy steady and hidden. He truly lived up to his reputation as an Assassin.

"Why didn't I sense you?"

"If you could sense me so easily, how could I make a living killing people?"

Chu Qing shook his head:

"Moreover, your alertness is far too lacking.

"This is Heavenly Dance City, and no one is assassinating you. Otherwise, at that distance just now, ten of you would be dead."

"..."

Wu Qianhuan shot him a glare, took a sword from her waist, and tossed it to Chu Qing.

Chu Qing caught it casually, looking at Wu Qianhuan in surprise:

"What do you mean?"

"My father asked me to prepare a generous gift for you.

"After thinking it over, your sword was broken last night. Just before the new year, my father obtained a treasure sword. He originally intended it for me... but I'm used to this sword and don't plan on switching.

"So I'll give it to you. This sword is named 'Xuan You,' rumored to be forged from Outer Heavenly Meteorite Iron..."

As she spoke, Chu Qing suddenly interrupted:

"Does this sword bring misfortune to its owner?"

He didn't ask how Wu Qianhuan knew he would be here.

Knowing Tang Xi practiced the Hate Heart Demonic Art, it was obvious who the "hate heart person" was.

And from whom Chu Qing received the commission was also self-evident, given how much noise Er Gou's matter had caused.

That was why she was waiting here.

"..."

Wu Qianhuan had no idea why Chu Qing suddenly asked that. After thinking carefully, she finally said:

"It's fine."

"That's good, it shouldn't be radioactive."

Chu Qing mused inwardly, these divine weapons and sharp tools made from Outer Heavenly Meteorite Iron couldn't be used carelessly.

Things that fell from the sky often had radiation. These people, not knowing any better, used them to forge swords and knives. One strike would inflict radiation damage, which would be passed off as divine power.

However, such weapons often carried rumors of bringing misfortune to their owners.

After all, carrying a radioactive sword every day, even with strong Internal Energy Technique for ten or twenty years, would be unbearable.

You'd die from radiation sooner or later...

But if there were no rumors of misfortune, then it was likely fine.

He took the sword in his hand and gave it a gentle twirl. The Long Sword spun in his hand, and then, with two fingers on the sword's guard, he lightly drew it outward.

With a hum, the Long Sword was half drawn from its scabbard.

A faint green light emanated, chilling to the bone.

Chu Qing's pupils contracted slightly, and he nodded:

"Indeed, a fine sword."

Wu Qianhuan smiled:

"I'm glad you're satisfied. You killed Tang Xi and injured Tang Yinfeng, making the process of my City Lord's Mansion taking over Luoyu Hall extremely smooth. So, don't refuse this sword..."

Before she could finish, Chu Qing had already sheathed the sword and held it in his hand, as naturally as if the sword had always belonged to him.

Wu Qianhuan felt that her remaining words were unnecessary.

This fellow had no virtue of modesty... nor did he possess any sense of shame.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions.

Then she said:

"I came this time mainly to deliver this sword to you.

"Besides that, there's one more thing..."

Chu Qing looked at her with slight surprise:

"Tell me about it."

Wu Qianhuan spoke softly:

"I want to hire you to kill someone!"

"Oh?"

Chu Qing's lips curved:

"That's good news. Come, Miss Wu, shall we find a nice place to sit and talk?"

"No need."

Wu Qianhuan shook her head:

"We can talk here. You wouldn't want me to discuss assassination matters with you in public, would you?"

"That's not necessarily true."

Chu Qing smiled:

"But it doesn't matter. Who is it that Miss wants dead?

"As you are my regular customer, I can charge you a little less."

"...Lord Night Emperor is known for being greedy and valuing money above all else. It surprises me to see a miser plucking his own feathers."

Wu Qianhuan suddenly laughed:

"Did the sun rise from the west today?"

"Miss... can't you tell I'm just being polite? Please don't take it seriously."

Chu Qing said helplessly:

"You don't actually expect me to give you a discount, do you? Has the City Lord's Mansion run out of money?"

"I knew it..."

Wu Qianhuan snorted:

"You really are a money-grubber. Please don't be so insincerely polite in the future, lest others take you seriously.

"Enough small talk... I told you before that Heavenly Dance City and Ten Thousand Night Valley will inevitably go to war soon."

"You want me to help you kill someone from Ten Thousand Night Valley?"

Chu Qing smiled. This was a big job.

Moreover, this matter hadn't been easy to handle before. But after talking with Chu Tian last night, he knew a trap had been set for Ten Thousand Night Valley.

Now that Wu Qianhuan had come to him, it was basically like she was delivering rewards.

Thinking of this, Chu Qing felt that Heavenly Dance City was truly a blessed land.

Two orders yesterday, and today a big deal was rushing to his doorstep. If he stayed here for ten or eight years, wouldn't he become invincible?

"That's right."

Wu Qianhuan didn't deny it:

"But I can't tell you the time, place, or how to proceed for now.

"In short, you can't leave Heavenly Dance City these few days."

"Heavenly Dance City is under strict lockdown. Can't even a fly get out now?"

"...Flies can't get out, but you can."

Wu Qianhuan glanced at him:

"Also, tell me a way to contact you.

"I'll notify you before we start."

Chu Qing rubbed his chin, feeling this was a bit difficult.

He was currently fighting alone. No one helped him find orders, nor did he have anyone to relay messages. Some things had to be done himself, which was too troublesome.

But when he glanced at Er Gou, who was sitting on a rock in the earth temple, he suddenly smiled:

"Okay, like this, I'll tell you a Secret Letter Writing Method.

"It's... hmm, do you know the Records of the Strange?"

"...Of course, I know."

Wu Qianhuan frowned:

"But you should read fewer of these works about strange powers and supernatural beings."

"Mind your own business..."

Chu Qing rolled his eyes:

"Like this, the secret letter will be based on the Records of the Strange.

"You pick the words you want from it. You can directly write 'the first line, fifth character,' 'the second line, third character,' and so on...

"But when writing, don't write the actual content you want directly. Instead, push it forward by two characters."

Wu Qianhuan pondered for a moment and understood Chu Qing's meaning:

"You mean, what I truly want to tell you is the seventh character on the first line, but the letter says the fifth character on the first line?"

"Precisely, Eldest Young Lady is indeed as clever as ice and snow."

Chu Qing smiled:

"There are thousands upon thousands of miscellaneous books in the world. Even if someone discovers the secret letter and finds the Records of the Strange, they will get nothing by following the clues."