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 31: A Bargain of Secrets

The air in the pavilion turned heavy.

Zhao Fengyun's words had changed everything.

"What if I told you the same people who ordered Shen Liwei's death also ordered Lan Huai's?"

Ye Xian's fingers tightened slightly against the Imperial decree in her hands.

Because now—the game had shifted again.

A Test of Intentions

Zhao Fengyun watched them both, his smirk still in place. But beneath it, his eyes gleamed with calculation.

"You seem surprised," he mused. "I thought the two of you were supposed to be clever."

Han Yue exhaled sharply. "You claim to know the truth about Lan Huai's death."

Zhao Fengyun tilted his head. "I do."

Ye Xian studied him carefully. "Then why haven't you told Shen Liwei?"

Zhao Fengyun chuckled. "Because, unlike you, he has no talent for playing this game."

Then—his smirk faded slightly.

"And because if he knew the truth, he'd be dead within the week."

Han Yue's jaw tightened. "What do you want, Zhao Fengyun?"

Zhao Fengyun's expression didn't change. "A fair trade."

Ye Xian exhaled. "You want what's in the decree."

Zhao Fengyun's gaze flickered toward the parchment in her hands. "Yes."

Han Yue's fingers twitched at his side. "That's Imperial property."

Zhao Fengyun smiled faintly. "So is Shen Liwei, apparently."

Then—Ye Xian made her decision.

The Trade of Shadows

She extended the decree—but not toward Zhao Fengyun.

Instead, she handed it back to Han Yue.

"If he wants it," she murmured, "he can negotiate with you."

Han Yue took the parchment, his expression unreadable.

Zhao Fengyun exhaled in amusement. "You really don't trust me."

Ye Xian smiled faintly. "You already admitted that I shouldn't."

Then—Zhao Fengyun turned to Han Yue.

"Very well, General," he murmured. "I'll give you something for free."

Han Yue narrowed his eyes. "And what would that be?"

"The man who gave the order to kill Lan Huai is still alive."

Then—his next words sent a chill through the air.

"And he walks inside this palace."

The Enemy at the Emperor's Table

The words settled like a dagger between them.

Han Yue's expression didn't change, but Ye Xian caught the way his muscles tensed.

Someone inside the Imperial Court was responsible.

Someone with enough power to order an assassination and erase the truth for years.

Zhao Fengyun smiled faintly. "Now that information, dear Ye Xian, will cost you."

Then—Han Yue stepped forward.

Zhao Fengyun turned his gaze toward the General, his smirk deepening.

"You're the one with an Imperial decree, aren't you?"

Then—Han Yue exhaled sharply.

And then—he turned and disappeared into the night.

Han Yue remained still, his grip tightening around the parchment in his hands.

Ye Xian watched him carefully. "You believe him."

Han Yue exhaled. "I believe the possibility."

Then—he turned to her.

"You should leave the palace soon."

Ye Xian tilted her head. "And why is that?"

"Because if Zhao Fengyun is right—then the man who ordered Lan Huai's death knows that we're looking for him."

"And the longer you stay here, the easier it will be for him to strike first."

This was no longer a game of patience.

End of Chapter 31