Han Shuo and Phoebe spent the day preparing, then took a carriage at dusk from the north of the city toward the Buster Trading Company in the south.
Inside the carriage, Han Shuo and Phoebe sat side by side. Before them lay two crossbows of an antiquated design, carved with exquisite patterns, and a dagger gleaming with cold light.
"These crossbows and this dagger are much better than the ones you seized from the Orc Wolf Cavalry last time. Consider them all gifts," Phoebe told Han Shuo coldly, carefully wiping her longsword with a clean silk ribbon.
Han Shuo picked up a crossbow and the dagger, turning them over with such delight that he could hardly put them down. Quite satisfied with Phoebe's generosity, he chuckled and said, "Don't count on me too much for this assassination. I'm not as strong as you imagine. I'll mainly keep watch and lend a hand. You'll still have to do most of the work."
"I know. Just follow my instructions when the time comes. I'll tell you what to do." Phoebe rolled her eyes at Han Shuo and spoke with some irritation.
Taking a small bottle from his Spatial Ring, Han Shuo carefully poured a little powder onto his fingertip and cautiously smeared it onto the tips of the dagger and crossbow bolts. Then he hurriedly wiped the fingertip that had held the powder clean, over and over.
Somewhat curious about his actions, Phoebe leaned closer to Han Shuo and watched what he was doing for a while before asking in puzzlement, "What are you doing?"
As Phoebe drew near, a fragrance like orchids and musk drifted into Han Shuo's nose and mouth. He could not help glancing at her, and his heart fluttered for no reason. Like Han Shuo, Phoebe wore a