Minahiru

In the ruthless world of Jianghu, where power is measured by the strength of one’s blade, Ye Xian—a master of poisons and a top assassin for the Hidden Order—receives her latest mission: eliminate Shen Liwei, the righteous yet formidable leader of the Azure Wind Sect.

Her plan is flawless. Her poison is undetectable. Her strike is lethal.

Yet, when the toxin fails to take effect, Ye Xian is forced to confront a chilling truth—Shen Liwei is immune to all poisons but one: the very first poison she ever created.

To finish her mission, she must infiltrate his sect, uncover his secret, and strike when he least expects it. But as she gets closer, she discovers that Shen Liwei is not just a target—he is a man entangled in the same deadly web as she is. Behind his righteous reputation lie imperial experiments, hidden betrayals, and a conspiracy that reaches far beyond any one sect.

As assassins close in, enemies shift, and the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, Ye Xian faces the one truth she cannot poison her way out of—the mission was never as simple as killing Shen Liwei.

 A calculated assassin vs. an unbreakable warrior—a deadly game of deception and skill.
 Martial duels, hidden blades, and power struggles—where alliances are as fragile as life itself.
 A world ruled by strength, ambition, and shadows—where survival is the only law.

In Jianghu, trust is a weakness, love is a liability, and the only certainty is that someone must die.

Oath and Blood

Chapter 24: The Game Tightens

Ye Xian took her seat once more, smoothing the fabric of her sleeves as if nothing had happened.

The banquet had resumed, but the weight of three gazes still lingered on her.

Zhao Fengyun. Bai Zhen. Han Yue.

Three men. Three different levels of danger.

She ignored them. For now.

Instead, her thoughts lingered on the man in green.

"Your time is running out."

A warning from the Shadow Empress.

But was she running out of time to complete her mission?

Or running out of time to survive?

A Silent Battle of Words

"You were gone for quite a while," Zhao Fengyun murmured.

His tone was light, but his eyes were sharp.

Bai Zhen exhaled, tilting his head slightly. "Yes. Hopefully, nothing… troublesome happened?"

Ye Xian lifted her teacup, her expression calm.

"I was enjoying the palace's beauty," she said smoothly. "Should I have asked permission?"

Zhao Fengyun chuckled. "Not at all."

Bai Zhen sighed, muttering, "You two talk like diplomats."

Ye Xian sipped her tea. Zhao Fengyun wasn't fooled.

But he wouldn't press.

Han Yue, however—he was different.

His gaze remained on her, unreadable.

"A woman who walks alone in the Imperial Palace must either be very bold," he murmured, "or very prepared."

Ye Xian placed her cup down lightly.

"And which do you think I am, General?"

Han Yue tilted his head slightly. "I haven't decided yet."

He had already decided.

And Ye Xian knew—the next time he tested her, it wouldn't be a friendly match.

The Emperor's Next Move

A chime rang through the hall, silencing all conversation.

A servant stepped forward, pausing at the base of the dais.

Ye Xian's gaze flickered toward the raised platform.

The Emperor, dressed in deep midnight blue, sat with his expression unreadable.

Then—he finally spoke.

"The time has come," he said, his voice smooth.

A ripple of anticipation moved through the hall.

Bai Zhen exhaled softly. "So soon?"

Zhao Fengyun smirked. "Did you expect His Majesty to wait?"

And now—it was happening.

The meeting where the fate of Jianghu would be decided.

And where her enemies would strike.

As the banquet ended, guests rose, murmuring amongst themselves.

She turned slightly—and met the dark eyes of Princess Zhao Ling.

The Princess stopped just beside her, voice low.

"You need to be careful tomorrow," she murmured.

Ye Xian didn't react. "I always am."

Princess Zhao Ling's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Not careful enough," she whispered.

Then—she turned and walked away.

She had expected danger at the Imperial Meeting.

But now—it was coming faster than she had prepared for.

She placed a hand over her heart lightly, lowering her gaze in thought.

Tomorrow, the true battle begins.

And only one side would leave unscathed.

End of Chapter 24