"Yuanwei, do you know where the largest assassins' pavilion in this county town is?"
"Mistress, a-assassins..."
Yun Manman's gaze swept over Yuanwei's astonished expression, and she knew the girl must have misunderstood her.
She looked toward the distant lights, her purple eyes appearing even clearer beneath their glow, yet her voice carried a trace of helplessness.
"I'm not an assassin. I happened to hear you playing the zither at the Fragrant Guest Pavilion today, and that scumbag insulted women, so I went to that residence to save you.
"I intended to teach that bastard a lesson, but I never expected him to challenge my understanding of human beings."
Yuanwei looked at Yun Manman's profile. Suddenly, the corners of her lips lifted, and she too looked toward the distant lights.
She had never imagined her own zither playing would actually save her.
Back when she had learned it, it had been to please those men, yet now it had bought her a new life.
Then she thought of Master Wang's influence and spoke with some worry.
"Mistress, that old man does business in both countries along the border. Even the county magistrate shows him deference. Once he comes to his senses, he'll definitely seek revenge on you. I'll drag you into trouble if I stay with you. Without me, he couldn't possibly find you."
At that thought, Yuanwei's face filled with remorse.
Her fingers brushed her cheek. She certainly wasn't willing to leave her mistress's side, so her only choice was to ruin this face. That way, no one would recognize her.
Unaware of the young woman's thoughts, Yun Manman spoke plainly and directly.
"Don't worry. His future will be the same misery those women suffered. He won't have time to seek revenge on me. Just put your mind at ease."
Surprise filled Yuanwei's eyes. Although she didn't know what method her mistress had used, all that mattered was that she wouldn't bring trouble upon her.
"Mistress, the Southern Mo Kingdom's largest assassins' pavilion is the Ten Cold Gate. They have a branch on Clear Brightness Street in Wuliang. Is there someone you want killed? If so, could you take me to the Flower-Filled House first? All my silver is in my room. The Ten Cold Gate charges very high prices."
Yun Manman's lips curved slightly. This girl had such a straightforward nature that she didn't mind explaining a little.
"Lead the way. I'm not going there to spend money. I'm going there to earn it."
Although Yuanwei didn't understand what her mistress meant, she said nothing more and walked quietly beside her, pointing the way.
After walking for roughly a quarter of an hour, they stopped at the entrance to a deserted alley.
Yun Manman looked at Yuanwei, who nodded to indicate this was the place.
Yun Manman pulled Yuanwei behind her and walked inside. Before she even approached the pavilion, she sensed the killing intent from multiple pairs of eyes. It was a blood-soaked killing intent born of years of killing.
Abruptly, Yun Manman looked toward the third floor, her purple eyes narrowing slightly. That was the dangerous aura of a true expert.
Eagerness filled Yun Manman's eyes. She truly wanted to exchange moves with the experts of this world and see exactly where she fell short.
The man seated on the third floor wore dazzling red robes, and his slightly upturned peach-blossom eyes brimmed with interest.
"A woman? Interesting!"
With perception that keen, it seemed there would be a good show to watch today.
Yun Manman withdrew her gaze from the third floor. She knew that if she wanted to negotiate, she would have to let the person upstairs see her strength.
Her eyes swept over her surroundings, and her clear, light voice carried a hint of mockery.
"Come out. The illustrious Ten Cold Gate amounts to no more than this. The ten of you are terrible at hiding. I don't know how you became assassins. I heard the Ten Cold Gate's assassins take lives with a snap of their fingers. Apparently, it was all boasting."
The instant Yun Manman's words fell,
the surrounding black-clad figures dropped down in unison, encircling Yun Manman and Yuanwei. Yuanwei's face paled, and she hurriedly raised her arms to shield Yun Manman behind her.
Amused by Yuanwei's behavior, Yun Manman caught her arm and pressed it down, a little more warmth entering her voice.
"Don't worry. These people aren't enough to hurt me."
The black-clad leader opposite her had a cold, fierce gaze. He pointed his sword at Yun Manman and spoke icily.
"Such shameless boasting. Who are you? How dare you run wild on the Ten Cold Gate's territory!"
Yun Manman instantly released her aura, sending a wave of cold rushing toward them.
She raised her eyes. Beneath the light of the night, those pale purple eyes stole the soul, as though a shattered river of stars had been scattered within them.
"I hate being threatened more than anything. Today, I'll teach you how an assassin should kill!"
Yun Manman launched herself off the ground in an instant.
With a gentle push of her internal energy, she sent Yuanwei to land in a safe spot at the pavilion's entrance.
With a soft snort, she let the blade at her waist slide into her hand.
"A qualified assassin shouldn't waste words. The moment you discover an enemy, strike immediately and cut down the threat!"
With that, she moved like a phantom, gathering internal energy in her hand and knocking the two men charging at her away with the back of her blade.
At the same time, she swiftly drove power into her legs, spinning rapidly and kicking the two behind her away, one to either side.
"Only experts deserve to fight one-on-one. You need teamwork. That's the best way for you to subdue an enemy quickly."
As she finished speaking, silver needles shot from her hand, and she flew backward, landing beside Yuanwei.
Watching the black-clad men fall one after another and fail to rise, Yun Manman spoke languidly.
"Underestimating an enemy is an assassin's fatal weakness. Your speed and martial arts aren't enough to qualify you as assassins. You're only fit to guard the door."
"Hahaha... What fine skills, miss. I, Han Yu, have truly had my eyes opened today. May I ask what brings you to honor our Ten Cold Gate with your presence?"
Only then did Yun Manman turn to look at the newcomer.
He wore red brocade robes embroidered with cloud patterns in silver thread and held a folding fan that carried a bloody chill. His slightly upturned peach-blossom eyes held a smile, yet it could not conceal the indifference in their depths.
A flash of amazement crossed the newcomer's eyes when he saw Yun Manman.
Her beautiful purple eyes were as clear as a mirror, like lotus blossoms. Even with her features concealed, he could still tell from the air surrounding her,
this woman was surely a remarkable beauty. Those eyes would make quite a match for his master's blue ones.
"I want to work with you for one year, taking on missions you can't complete. I'll only kill those guilty of unforgivable evils who deserve to die. If you agree, young master, we can keep talking. If not, we'll part ways here."
The red-robed man's hand paused around his folding fan.
How... She actually wants to work with our Ten Cold Gate and become an assassin?
He gathered his thoughts and stopped dwelling on it. The languid air on his face faded as well, and a trace of curiosity entered his peach-blossom eyes.
"Part ways here? Miss, you injured ten experts of my Ten Cold Gate. How should we settle that debt?"
"What I taught them today will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Isn't that enough?"
"Hahahaha... I like your temperament, miss. Please, come inside!"
Yun Manman pulled Yuanwei, who still hadn't recovered, into the Ten Cold Gate.
Outside, starlight twinkled as the black-clad men exchanged glances.
"Say, when did a woman like that appear in the northwest?"
"No idea. In any case, she's no ordinary person."
When Yun Manman emerged again, there was no longer any contempt in the eyes of the black-clad men at the entrance, only admiration and respect they could not conceal.
To them, whether someone was a man or a woman didn't matter. Anyone strong enough was worthy of their respect.
Yuanwei remained dazed throughout the journey, seemingly never having imagined that things would actually turn out this way.
Yun Manman looked toward the distant Flower-Filled House. "I'll take you to the Flower-Filled House to collect your things first."
"Oh, all right!"
Yuanwei nodded in bewilderment, then Yun Manman took her and flew straight toward the back entrance of the Flower-Filled House.