Chapter Seventy-One: Prelude to Assassination

Hanshuo and Phoebe spent the entire day preparing, and as dusk fell, they took a carriage from the northern part of the city, heading south toward the Booster Trading House.

Inside the carriage, Hanshuo and Phoebe sat side by side. In front of them lay two crossbows of ancient design, their surfaces carved with intricate patterns, and a dagger that gleamed coldly in the fading light.

“These crossbows and the dagger are much better than the ones you snatched from the orc wolf riders. Consider them my gift to you, free of charge,” Phoebe said coolly, polishing her longsword with a clean silk ribbon as she spoke.

Hanshuo picked up one of the crossbows and the dagger, turning them over in his hands with evident pleasure. He was quite satisfied with Phoebe’s generosity and chuckled, “Don’t count on me too much for tonight’s assassination. I’m not as strong as you imagine. I’ll keep watch and help out, but the main task is yours.”

“I know. Just follow my instructions later. I’ll tell you exactly what to do,” Phoebe replied, shooting him an irritable look.

Hanshuo took a small vial from his spatial ring, carefully sprinkled a bit of powder onto his fingertip, and meticulously coated the tips of the dagger and crossbow bolts. Then he wiped his finger repeatedly to ensure no trace of the powder remained.

Phoebe watched with curiosity, leaning in to observe his actions before finally asking, “What are you doing?”

A subtle, intoxicating scent drifted to Hanshuo as Phoebe approached, stirring something within him. Like Hanshuo, Phoebe wore a fitted black night suit that accentuated her shapely figure. Her exquisitely sculpted face, with eyes shining like gems, was so stunning that Hanshuo found his thoughts wandering.

I already have Vannie, he reminded himself. Phoebe might be beautiful, but she’s too cold, too troublesome, and far too dangerous. Pushing the thought aside, he continued to focus on preparing the weapons, replying in a low voice, “Nothing much, just applying a little poison.”

“Despicable. Shameless. This is against imperial law—you’ll be in serious trouble if anyone finds out!” Phoebe sneered coldly.

“It doesn’t matter. What we’re doing tonight is hardly honorable anyway, and no one will ever know. Besides, you’re my accomplice. I doubt you’d turn yourself in,” Hanshuo replied with a sly laugh.

Phoebe was so infuriated she could barely speak, but since she had come to him for help, she only snorted in disdain and said nothing more.

Once Hanshuo had finished coating the crossbow bolts and dagger, he thought for a moment and drew several sharp steel needles from his thigh, patiently smearing poison on them as well. Phoebe snorted again, clearly contemptuous of his methods.

When all was ready, Hanshuo put the weapons away and glanced at Phoebe. “By the way, why not go after Grover directly? Why target two insignificant lackeys instead?”

“Grover possesses certain critical materials belonging to the trading house, but he’s hidden them with a trusted mistress. If Grover dies, she’ll make everything public, which would be catastrophic for us. So before I eliminate Grover, I have to find her and secure those materials,” Phoebe grudgingly explained.

The bigger the trading house, the more unsavory dealings they were involved in. Take the supplies Hanshuo seized from the orc wolf riders—those goods should have been returned to the shops in Dorro Town. Imperial law required citizens to hand over such items.

The transaction between Fubin and Hanshuo was already illegal. If the Empire discovered Booster Trading House’s dealings, severe punishment would follow. For a house like Booster, there were surely many other such illegal transactions. No wonder Phoebe hesitated to act directly against Grover.

The two spoke quietly about various details, and without realizing it, the carriage came to a halt. The driver’s soft voice came from the front, “Miss, we’ve reached the rear entrance of the trading house.”

“Let’s go,” Phoebe said, glancing at Hanshuo before stepping out of the carriage. Hanshuo stuck his head out, looked both ways, and then followed.

“Miss, come in quickly—be careful. Grover just left the trading house with several skilled men. I don’t know where he’s gone, but they usually return by nightfall,” an elderly servant of the Booster Trading House greeted them at the back door, stepping aside to let them in.

“Thank you for your trouble,” Phoebe replied, then looked at Hanshuo and hurried inside. Hanshuo followed closely at her heels.

“Most of the people inside now are loyal to Grover. I can only command a handful of old retainers, and only because Grover doesn’t know of my connection to them. There are many guards—we must be extremely careful. If we’re discovered, not only will the assassination fail, but we may not escape with our lives,” Phoebe whispered urgently as she led Hanshuo through the familiar corridors, deftly avoiding several groups of sentries.

Night had fully fallen. There was no moon, and thick black clouds blotted out what little light remained. The lamps along the corridors of the trading house cast only weak circles of glow, unable to pierce the darkness.

Phoebe moved with the agility of a true Swordmaster, her body swift and silent—so much so that Hanshuo was amazed. She flowed from shadow to shadow without a sound.

Hanshuo calmed himself and let his magical energy circulate. Suddenly, his senses sharpened dramatically; the night no longer hindered his vision. Even without the lamps, he could see the fish swimming in distant ponds and hear the faintest footsteps or whispers from far-off rooms.

Moving silently like a hunting leopard, Hanshuo followed Phoebe with equal stealth.

Suddenly, Hanshuo darted forward, grabbing Phoebe and pulling her into a narrow gap between artificial rocks.

The space was tight; their chests pressed together, and Hanshuo could feel the fullness of Phoebe’s body against his own. Her face darkened with anger as she glared at him, eyes blazing.

“Shh!” Hanshuo raised a finger to his lips, his eyes darting meaningfully to signal that something was amiss.

Phoebe’s anger didn’t abate, but a flush crept up her long, fair neck, betraying her embarrassment. Their legs pressed together, their chests and stomachs so close they could feel each other’s heartbeat. For a moment, a subtle, ambiguous tension filled the air.

Unable to meet Hanshuo’s gaze, Phoebe pressed her cheek close to his ear and whispered fiercely, her breath warm as she threatened, “If there’s nothing going on, I’ll kill you.”

Hanshuo grimaced, holding his breath and saying nothing more. He sensed the faintest footsteps approaching and slowed his breathing further, tilting his head slightly to warn Phoebe. But just as she leaned in to whisper, his movement brought her lips brushing against his cheek.

Phoebe, flustered and angry, barely managed to control herself as Hanshuo gave her a firm look, warning her to be cautious.

She was, after all, a Swordmaster; her composure quickly returned. She took a deep breath, steadying her rapid heartbeat. However, this only made her chest press more firmly against Hanshuo, who nearly lost control of himself.

“My wind barrier clearly sensed movement. I got here as fast as I could, but there’s nothing. Maybe I’m just being overcautious lately,” a man’s low mutter drifted nearby.

As his voice faded, the faint footsteps resumed, barely detectable even to Phoebe at such close range. If he was a wind mage, he could use wind magic to lighten his steps, making him faster and quieter than most warriors or mages. No wonder even Phoebe only noticed him when he was right upon them.

Hanshuo and Phoebe held their breath as the man circled the area, eventually slipping away without a sound.

This time, though, Phoebe didn’t dare risk another rash move. She kept her gaze fixed on Hanshuo, as if trying to read his thoughts.

After a long moment, Hanshuo exhaled softly and whispered, “He’s gone.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Phoebe scrambled out of the gap, muttering bitterly, “I’ll let it go this time. But if there’s a next time, you’d better find a more spacious hiding place, or I won’t let you off.”

With that, Phoebe skirted the area and hurried off in another direction. After a few steps, seeing Hanshuo still standing with a wry smile, she put her hands on her hips and scolded, “Don’t you want the black gold ore?”

“I’m coming!” Hanshuo replied, following with a sigh. Where am I supposed to find a spacious hiding spot in a crisis like that?

No further mishaps occurred as Phoebe led Hanshuo along a winding route, evading several patrols, until they finally reached Darnell and Yuna’s room.

“Let’s get everything ready. We’ll wait for those two traitors to return!” Phoebe hissed through clenched teeth, clearly eager to vent her earlier frustration on Darnell and Yuna.

Thus Hanshuo and Phoebe busied themselves, making their preparations for the assassination of Grover’s two most loyal hounds, who would soon return.