Nan Hai City

As Xin Long slowly opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a familiar ceiling. He realized he was lying on a bed in a small room. Turning his head slightly, he noticed Wei Wei beside him, watching him with a playful smile.

Seeing her smile so brightly, he couldn't help but smile back. On a whim, he leaned over and gently kissed her cheek. Wei Wei's soft laughter filled the room, a sound that seemed to make the space a little warmer.

"Hehe..."

Wei Wei chuckled, clearly pleased with Xin Long's playful gesture. Yet, her thoughts wandered back to the stern words of Murong Jing, the sect leader, spoken just the day before.

"Since you insisted, I'll let you bring Xin Long along," Murong Jing had said. "But remember this—outside, you're just siblings… What I want to see in Xin Long's eyes is the drive to succeed, not the comfort of relying on you... If anything goes wrong, Wei Wei, I'll hold you solely responsible… And you know what that means..."

Murong Jing's words were cold and clear. Wei Wei had made many promises to have Xin Long by her side. She wanted him with her always, believing that deep down, he shared the same desire. More than that, she wanted him to gain knowledge and experience. After all, only with experience could he handle the job of killing people with ease. And only then would they be able to avoid another unforgettable night like that one.

With those thoughts lingering, she gazed at Xin Long with deep, unreadable eyes.

Xin Long, however, was unaware of Wei Wei's inner turmoil. He knew only that they were in a small building—a meeting point for their next job. Smiling faintly, he sat up and glanced around the room. On a nearby desk, he noticed a small leather pouch and a scroll. Without hesitation, he got out of bed and walked toward them. Even before he unrolled the scroll, he knew what it would be—a sketch of their next target. The pouch would contain the payment.

He opened the scroll.

"Master Rui, Kunming City."

A stern face stared back at him, with sharp, piercing eyes and a mouth set in a thin, decisive line. Below the portrait were the words: "Master Rui, Kunming City."

Their target was Master Rui. More precisely, it was a kill order for seductress Wei Wei.

Xin Long glanced over at her again. She was still lounging on the bed, resting her chin on her hand, watching him with a faint smile.

"Sister Wei," he called out softly, walking back toward her and handing her the scroll.

Wei Wei took it, her expression unreadable as she opened the scroll and stared at the target's face. After a moment, she smiled.

"Well then, my handsome little apprentice, let's get going. The horses are ready outside."

With that, she climbed out of bed, tossed the scroll into the fire of a nearby candle, and watched it burn to ashes. The faint scent of smoke filled the room as she turned toward the door.

Xin Long gave a small nod, picked up the leather pouch, and followed her out into the early morning light.

…

"Gather and learn everything the world has to offer, my son. What you learn now will become useful one day. When that time comes, do not hesitate—use everything you've learned with confidence."

As Xin Long rode alongside Wei Wei, entering the bustling city of Nan Hai, his father's words echoed in his mind. He could almost see his mother back then, smiling gently and nodding in agreement with his father's advice.

That memory, vivid and comforting, accompanied him as he considered their current position. He estimated that their sect's hideout must be within a day's travel from Nan Hai. This was the first tangible benefit of leaving the hideout—a realization that felt like progress. Once, he had no idea where their base was; now, at least, he could make an educated guess. And that, in itself, was an advancement. Knowing a little was better than knowing nothing. And knowing everything, of course, was the ultimate goal.

With a small, satisfied smile, Xin Long glanced sideways at Wei Wei and asked,

"Sister Wei, how many days' journey to reach Kunming City?"

"At most, a week," she replied calmly, her voice steady and composed. "From now on, little brother, we change how we speak and act."

Xin Long noticed the seriousness in her tone, a reflection of her dedication to their mission. That unwavering focus made him silently admire her more. With a slight grin, he nodded and replied,

"Yes, big sister."

As he spoke, the heavy sound of approaching hooves reached his ears—not just one horse, but at least ten, their pounding gallop unmistakable.

"Thud, thud, thud..."

The sound of galloping hooves grew closer. Xin Long instinctively glanced to the side. A woman dressed in flowing white robes, her hair neatly coiled in a single loop, was guiding her horse toward the crowd, just as he had done. It was evident that she, too, had heard the approaching riders and was trying to avoid trouble. However, she was not him, and he was not her.

Xin Long rode forward at a steady pace, his eyes scanning the rows of buildings and eateries along the street. He was searching for an apothecary.

Just then, the thunderous sound of horses pulling to an abrupt stop echoed through the street.

"Hah!"

"Hey, little girl! Don't you see the young miss riding through? Move aside unless you want trouble!"

A loud, arrogant voice, full of self-importance, boomed from behind. It was followed closely by a mocking sneer. Xin Long smirked slightly and turned to see who had spoken.

Sangguan Yun'er was the only daughter of Sangguan Jin Hu, the powerful lord of the Golden Tiger Fortress on the outskirts of Nan Hai City. The mere mention of the Golden Tiger Fortress was enough to remind the townspeople of its extensive web of underground gambling dens, opium houses, and illicit dealings. Though some spoke of it in hushed tones, no one dared to criticize it openly.

To do so meant risking one's life—anyone who uttered a word against the fortress would soon find themselves hunted down by its enforcers and martial artists, ultimately meeting a fiery end.

Sangguan Yun'er, as the daughter of such a notorious and domineering lord, was known for her unchecked arrogance and reckless behavior. The people of Nan Hai City regarded her with a mix of fear and resentment, seeing her as an untouchable tyrant.

She treated the city as if it were her own playground. After spending time hunting in the forests on the outskirts, she and her entourage of guards would gallop back into town, trampling through the streets without a care for the common folk.

It was during one of these reckless returns that she now crossed paths with Xin Long.

End - 8