Chapter Eleven: An Unexpected Encounter During an Outing
It was another day off.
Chu Lianmo suggested a trip to the outskirts of the capital with Qi Xiaojun.
Qi Xiaojun didn’t understand why Chu Lianmo had been so unusually enthusiastic lately, nor did he know when this fervor would cool down. However, he had little say in the matter, so he agreed.
The two, as usual, went out incognito, guarded by Murong Ying.
But ever since the incident, Murong Ying’s gaze towards Qi Xiaojun had been as cold as ice.
Qi Xiaojun wanted to mend their relationship. After all, they were both working for Chu Lianmo; maintaining such strained relations wasn’t ideal.
So, when Chu Lianmo pulled him to sit by a stream in the suburbs, with Murong Ying standing behind them, Qi Xiaojun suddenly turned and said, “Lord Murong, why don’t you sit down? Standing for so long must be tiring.”
Murong Ying froze, then sneered, “Whether I’m tired or not is none of your concern.”
“Murong Ying,” Chu Lianmo frowned, his voice deep, “Wasn’t the previous punishment insufficient? Can’t you tell if Ajun’s intentions are good or bad?”
“…You’re taking his side again, aren’t you?!” Murong Ying had already reasoned things out after the last incident, and he’d been able to get along with Chu Lianmo these past few days. But some residual resentment lingered, and he finally couldn’t contain himself. “We grew up together. When have you ever punished me so readily? Have you been bewitched by this Zhou Jun?!”
Chu Lianmo had always been very lenient with Murong Ying. In fact, when Murong Ying had offered to be his bodyguard, he’d even worried about whether the work would be too hard for him.
However, Murong Ying had already mastered the skills of a bodyguard under his father’s strict training, his every word and action impeccable, so Chu Lianmo had no choice but to agree to his request.
Since Murong Ying had started serving at the Rui王府 (Rui Wangfu – Rui Prince’s Mansion), Chu Lianmo had hardly punished him. The last time he made him kneel was the first.
“Audacious!” Chu Lianmo raised his voice. “Listen to what you’re saying! Lately, is it I who’s acting strangely, or are you?”
“…” Murong Ying fell silent.
Yes, he himself had been acting strangely lately.
If his father knew that he’d thrown all his training and etiquette out the window and dared to speak to his master like this, he’d be furious and beat him severely.
It was because he hadn’t seen Chu Lianmo care so much about someone in a long time. And that someone was merely a humble male concubine.
“Your Highness, Zhou Jun isn’t the person you have in your heart! He just looks…”
“Enough!” Chu Lianmo roared, standing up and slapping Murong Ying. “If you utter another word, get out!”
“You hit me?!” Murong Ying touched his swollen face, incredulous and heartbroken. “Fine! I’ll leave! It’s not like I can’t live without the Rui Wangfu!”
With that, Murong Ying stormed off.
“…” Qi Xiaojun found the situation both comical and frustrating. He hadn’t expected his well-intentioned attempt at reconciliation to worsen things. “Your Highness, I think Lord Murong acted impulsively. Perhaps you should call him back and talk it over.”
“No.” Chu Lianmo said irritably. “Let him go. Such a pampered young master shouldn’t be a bodyguard; I’m not going to put up with it.”
“Sigh…” He sighed again, pulling Qi Xiaojun onto his shoulder. “Really, I just wanted to spend some peaceful time with you, and he ruined it. Look, isn’t this a beautiful place?”
Qi Xiaojun then noticed the gurgling stream, the birdsong, the wildflowers, and a small waterfall in the distance—it was indeed a perfect spot for an outing.
Chu Lianmo’s tone softened, “Beautiful scenery, few people… I loved this place as a child…”
Before he could finish, two men in black jumped out from behind the bushes, simultaneously raising their swords to strike Chu Lianmo.
“…!” Chu Lianmo quickly dodged their attack, then drew his sword and engaged them in battle.
Qi Xiaojun could only watch helplessly as Chu Lianmo fought the two men in black.
He used to be a skilled fighter, but this body had never practiced martial arts, and he had no weapons.
Concerned for Qi Xiaojun’s safety, Chu Lianmo subconsciously glanced at him.
One of the men in black, realizing Qi Xiaojun was Chu Lianmo’s weakness, immediately turned his sword towards him!
Qi Xiaojun sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the attack, but his left arm was still grazed, causing him to break out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, he wasn’t completely unskilled in combat.
Seeing Qi Xiaojun injured, Chu Lianmo flew into a rage, thrusting his sword into the assassin’s heart. The man screamed and fell into a pool of blood.
The remaining assassin, outnumbered, was quickly defeated.
This time, Chu Lianmo didn’t kill him but instead immobilized him with acupuncture.
“Ajun, are you alright?!” Chu Lianmo’s first concern was Qi Xiaojun’s arm.
Qi Xiaojun, relieved the crisis had passed, breathed a sigh of relief—fortunately, these weren’t top-tier assassins, and Chu Lianmo’s skills were high; otherwise, their situation would have been extremely dangerous. “I’m fine, just a minor wound.”
Seeing that the blood was bright red, indicating no poison on the sword, Chu Lianmo also relaxed, and without hesitation, tore a piece from his expensive robe to bandage and stop the bleeding on Qi Xiaojun’s arm.
Then, Chu Lianmo pointed his sword at the captured assassin, “Speak. Who are you? Who sent you?”
“I… I’m Ying Dong…” the assassin stammered. “I’m from the Ling Ying Pavilion…”
“Ling Ying Pavilion?” Qi Xiaojun frowned. He had heard of it—a notorious assassin organization with branches in Qi, Chu, and other countries.
“You know of the Ling Ying Pavilion?” Chu Lianmo looked at him.
“…Yes, I’ve heard a little.” Qi Xiaojun felt weary; he had to discuss serious matters with Chu Lianmo while simultaneously ensuring he didn’t reveal his identity. “I like to read miscellaneous books, including things like records of strange events from the Jianghu (the martial arts world). I’ve read about the Ling Ying Pavilion.”
Chu Lianmo didn’t press him for details, turning back to the assassin, “Answer my second question—who hired you to assassinate me?”
“It… it was Jiang Ruijin, the young master of General Jiang’s manor.”
Qi Xiaojun was startled, “The young master Jiang we met on the street that day? He actually harbored resentment and sent assassins after you?”
“…” Chu Lianmo frowned even deeper. “Ajun, have you heard that Ling Ying Pavilion assassins are highly trained and follow very strict rules?”
“Yes.” Qi Xiaojun nodded. “I’ve read that if they fail a mission, they commit suicide by poison and won’t reveal any information. So, I also find this strange.”
“Heh,” Chu Lianmo sneered at the assassin. “Since you’re so fond of babbling, I’ll take you back to the Rui Wangfu for a more thorough interrogation.”
The assassin’s face turned pale. He knew the Rui Wangfu’s methods wouldn’t be gentle.