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

A Pact of Shadows

The courtyard was silent, save for the faint rustling of the wind.

Ye Xian held her ground, her breath even.

Ji Rui's dagger gleamed under the moonlight.

The second assassin—whoever they were—stood ready to strike.

Ye Xian had fought countless battles in the dark, but something about this one felt off.

Because she wasn't just fighting for survival.

She was fighting against the past.

A Battle That Shouldn't Be

Their blade moved like a whisper, slicing toward her ribs.

Ye Xian twisted away, countering with a sweep of poisoned needles.

But the second assassin was already moving.

She barely managed to dodge, her body bending at an impossible angle.

This was an execution.

The other assassin—someone she had never encountered before—was just as deadly.

Which meant she had underestimated her enemies.

And in Jianghu, that was how you died.

The Third Player Enters

Then—a voice cut through the darkness.

And from the shadows—Lan Yue stepped forward.

Dressed in deep blue, her posture composed, her hands folded neatly in front of her.

But her presence was like a blade in the air.

Ji Rui immediately lowered their weapon.

The second assassin hesitated—then followed.

Because Lan Yue shouldn't be here.

Not with the people trying to kill her.

And yet—the moment she spoke, they listened.

Which meant she had power over them.

Or worse—she had been planning this.

A Dangerous Offer

Ye Xian's fingers remained poised over her remaining needles. "Are you working for the Hidden Order now?"

Lan Yue let out a soft chuckle. "No. But I know how to use them."

Then—she met Ye Xian's gaze.

"I told you before," she murmured. "I want Zhao Fengyun dead."

Ye Xian's fingers twitched slightly.

Lan Yue exhaled. "You do too, don't you?"

Ye Xian didn't answer immediately.

Instead—she studied Lan Yue.

The last time they had spoken, Lan Yue had come to her, desperate for help.

Now—she was standing before her with assassins at her command.

Somewhere in the past weeks, Lan Yue had changed.

Or perhaps—she had always been like this.

"For now, we have the same goal," she murmured.

Lan Yue's lips curved faintly. "Then let's see if you can keep up."

And with that, she disappeared into the night.

Leaving Ye Xian alone with a single, undeniable truth.

She was no longer the only one hunting Zhao Fengyun.

And soon—he would find out.

End of Chapter 33

Chapter 33: A Pact of Shadows