"What about you two?" Without giving them much time to pause, Zhao Xinning asked in an easy, natural tone, "Two knights coming here in the dead of night-I imagine you're conducting a secret judgment, just as I am?"
Looking into his eyes was like looking into two pools of sweet spring water. Neither man could see the slightest hostility there. They immediately understood that this fellow was not their enemy. There was no murderous intent about him-not a trace.
The two introduced themselves in turn and explained why they had come.
Zhao Xinning showed no surprise, and his tone remained mild. "Oh? So you two were responsible for that commotion earlier? And you've already assassinated Yan Feiheng? My, my. True heroes indeed." He praised them repeatedly.
"And you? What are you doing here?" Zeng Mu asked.
"As you can see, I'm doing some cleaning, just like you. Filth needs to be washed away, doesn't it? I merely played the part of flowing water for a little while. Water comes close to the Way-that much is certainly true."
"By the way, did you happen to encounter a young woman named Hill on your way here? She's a compatriot of yours."
Kanni nodded and answered plainly, "Yes, we did. We rescued her. She's sleeping soundly now, and no one can disturb her."
"Whew." Zhao Xinning let out a deep breath, visibly relieved. "That's good. Now I can rest easy."
Zeng Mu studied him again before recalling something. "You-you're the man from the Zhao State she mentioned? The one who helped them?"
Zhao Xinning sounded a little surprised. "Oh? Miss Hill mentioned me?"
"Of course. According to her, you helped all three of them. Although tragedy struck afterward, she was truly grateful to you."
"Whew." His voice suddenly dimmed, and he waved a