A Visit to Minister Zhang
Li Xueyan stood outside Minister Zhang's grand estate, her heart steady but sharp like her blade. The night before, his assassins had tried to kill her. Now, she was here to return the favor—not with a sword, but with something more dangerous. The truth.
Feng Zhiwei stood beside her, dressed in dark robes, his expression unreadable. Behind them, Jin Hu and a few trusted allies waited in the shadows.
"You sure about this?" Jin Hu whispered. "If he suspects anything, we might not leave alive."
Xueyan smirked. "Then we make sure he doesn't suspect."
She adjusted her cloak and stepped forward. Tonight, she would see the face of the man who tried to silence her.
---
The Enemy in Plain Sight
The guards at the gate stiffened as they approached. "Who goes there?"
Xueyan smiled politely. "I bring urgent news for Minister Zhang. It concerns his safety."
The guards hesitated. "The Minister is not seeing guests—"
A silver token flashed in Zhiwei's hand.
The guards' eyes widened. That token meant royal authority. Even Minister Zhang couldn't ignore it.
They stepped aside. "This way."
Inside, the estate was as grand as expected—polished floors, golden lanterns, walls lined with priceless scrolls. But Xueyan didn't care for any of it. She was here for one thing.
At the far end of the hall, a man sat drinking tea.
Minister Zhang.
His face was calm, but his sharp eyes studied them carefully. "What an unexpected visit," he said, voice smooth like silk. "What brings you here at such a late hour?"
Xueyan stepped forward, keeping her tone light. "A warning, Minister. I heard someone is trying to ruin you."
Zhang raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And who would dare?"
She held out the letter she had stolen from his study. His own letter.
The Minister's fingers tightened on his teacup. Just for a second. But Xueyan caught it.
Zhiwei leaned against a pillar. "It seems someone has proof of your dealings with the Black Sun Hall."
Zhang's expression didn't change. "That is a serious accusation."
Xueyan smiled. "Yes. And if such proof were made public, it would be… unfortunate."
The room fell silent.
Then, the Minister chuckled. "I see." He set down his cup and clapped his hands.
The doors behind them closed.
Guards surrounded them, swords drawn.
Xueyan tensed. So, this was his answer.
Zhiwei sighed. "Really?"
Zhang stood. "You think you can threaten me in my own house?"
Xueyan smirked. "No. I came to make a deal."
---
A Dangerous Bargain
Zhang narrowed his eyes. "A deal?"
Xueyan nodded. "You have enemies, Minister. If this letter falls into the wrong hands, your life won't be worth much."
He scoffed. "And whose hands would those be?"
She shrugged. "The Emperor's. The Seven Great Sects. Perhaps even the Black Sun Hall itself."
His face darkened.
Xueyan pressed on. "But I don't need to send it. Not if you cooperate."
Zhang studied her. "What do you want?"
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "A name. Who is truly behind my father's death?"
For the first time, Minister Zhang hesitated.
Then he sighed. "You think your uncle acted alone?"
Xueyan's heart pounded. There was someone else?
Zhang smiled. "You are looking in the wrong direction."
Xueyan clenched her fists. "Then point me in the right one."
The Minister leaned in. "The Imperial Court is a place of secrets. Your father was not just killed for power. He knew something. Something dangerous."
Xueyan's breath caught. What had her father known?
She opened her mouth to ask more—
CRASH!
The doors burst open.
A guard ran in, panting. "Minister! The estate is under attack!"
---
Fire and Shadows
Outside, flames lit up the night sky. Shadows moved along the rooftops.
Assassins.
But this time, they weren't after Xueyan.
They were after Minister Zhang.
The Minister's face paled. "Black Sun Hall."
Xueyan cursed. They moved faster than she expected.
Zhiwei grabbed her wrist. "We need to go. Now."
Xueyan hesitated. She still had questions. But staying meant death.
Zhang turned to them. "If I die here, you will never know the truth."
Xueyan exhaled sharply. Damn it.
She turned to Zhiwei. "We take him with us."
Zhiwei sighed but nodded. "Fine. But don't regret it later."
---
Escape into the Night
Fighting through the halls, Xueyan's sword clashed with an assassin's blade. The Black Sun Hall didn't care about the Minister's guards—they cut through them like paper.
Jin Hu fought beside them, holding the attackers back. "They're everywhere!"
Zhiwei moved like a ghost, his strikes precise, deadly.
Xueyan pushed forward, dragging Minister Zhang with her.
They reached the courtyard—only to find more assassins waiting.
She gritted her teeth. "Looks like they expected us."
Zhiwei smirked. "Then we'll surprise them."
He raised his hand.
A loud whistle pierced the air.
A second later—black-clad figures dropped from the rooftops.
Zhiwei's men.
The battle turned.
Xueyan didn't stop to watch. She pulled the Minister toward the exit.
"Where are we going?" Zhang gasped.
Xueyan's eyes burned with determination.
"To someone who will answer my questions."
Because if what Minister Zhang said was true—her father's death was just the beginning.