Stars dotted the night sky, and the moonlight was enchanting.
By the time darkness had fully fallen and Xiao Yi Xian returned with Xiao Qin, Xia Kong and Ya Fei had resumed the way they had been before the two women left. Though they still sat close together, neither did anything improper. Only Ya Fei's lovely face looked more lustrous and flushed than it had that afternoon, her whole body radiating a relaxed glow, like parched earth blessed with sweet rain. Her entire spirit seemed to have blossomed. Xiao Yi Xian merely assumed that half a day of peaceful rest after excessive fatigue had restored her so thoroughly. She suspected nothing else and even silently offered a prayer of blessing for Ya Fei.
"Damn it, I'm furious! Those people are nothing but beasts. Every last one deserves to taste ten thousand poisons devouring their hearts!"
After entering, Xiao Yi Xian did not even stop for a sip of water before pouring out her anger. For someone ordinarily so gentle and tenderhearted to be enraged to this extent, one could only imagine the horrifyingly filthy dealings hidden within the pleasure quarters and gambling dens she had visited that afternoon.
"That's enough, Xian'er." Xia Kong stood and gently brushed the dust from her shoulder. "There's no need to get angry over people who are about to die. Everything is ready. Once we've rested a little, we'll begin tonight's operation."
"I don't need to rest. Let's leave now!" Two flames of anger danced in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes. Her entire body was taut as a drawn bowstring, and she could hardly wait to charge out and kill. "Every moment they're allowed to cling to life leaves me feeling stifled!"
Xia Kong and Ya Fei exchanged a glance, then both slowly nodded.
Ya Fei