Ch. 1243 - Secret Assistance

The man in the bamboo hat scrambled up awkwardly, hastily trying to wipe the clothes of the man he had bumped into.

As they tangled briefly, the man suddenly turned his gaze toward Wang Shi in the middle of the group.

A powerful surge of blade intent burst from within him. Before anyone could react, the wide blade strapped to his back flashed out of its sheath and swept straight for Wang Shi’s neck.

The cold gleam of the blade sliced through the air, carrying a killing chill that seemed to pierce from ground to sky. Wang Shi froze in terror, his legs gave out, and he nearly wet himself on the spot.

Then came a sharp metallic clang.

When everyone finally came to their senses, Wang Shi’s belated scream echoed through the hall. He frantically touched his body, realizing that he was completely unharmed. Only then did he dare look up.

The attacker’s massive broadsword had somehow snapped clean in half, the broken pieces clattering to the floor.

All that remained in the man’s hand was half a hilt.

The man narrowed his eyes, staring at the empty air beside him, where a black-robed figure stood suspended, watching him impassively.

“An assassin from Sun-Moon Tower,” the man in the bamboo hat said in a low voice.

“Oh, right,” Wang Shi exclaimed in sudden realization. “I forgot, Father hired assassins from Sun-Moon Tower to protect me!”

He laughed loudly. “Don’t kill him yet! Capture him. I want to know who dared to send someone to assassinate me!”

The black-robed man glanced at the attacker with icy indifference. The bamboo hat on the man’s head shattered instantly.

The man’s face paled. He knew the assassination had failed, and that he was no match for his opponent. Without hesitation, he turned and bolted toward the nearby window, desperate to escape.

“Catch him! Don’t let him run!” Wang Shi roared.

The black-robed man lunged forward, forming a sword with his hand and striking down with lethal force.

Xu Zimo, who had been quietly eating the whole time, merely cast a sidelong glance. With a faint motion, he tapped his chopsticks lightly in the air.

The black-robed man’s charging figure suddenly froze in midair and dropped heavily to the ground.

That brief moment of disruption gave the bamboo-hatted man a chance to flee.

“Who’s there?” the black-robed man demanded, scanning the hall with cold, sharp eyes.

But there were too many diners on the first floor of Sun-Moon Tower for him to interrogate one by one.

“Useless! How did you let him escape?” Wang Shi shouted furiously.

The words had barely left his mouth before the black-robed man turned a chilling stare toward him. Wang Shi’s whole body trembled.

“I-I wasn’t talking about you,” he stammered quickly. “I meant them!”

The black-robed man said nothing. His figure faded silently into the void and vanished.

Only after calm returned did Wang Shi slump into a chair, shaking as attendants helped him sit down.

At that moment, a burly man descended from the second floor.

Xu Zimo recognized him, it was Commander Zhan, the same man who had stood in front of the frightened horse earlier that day.

“I wonder, Young Master Wang,” Zhan said calmly, “for what reason are you seeking Miss Lu?”

“I came to see my fiancée,” Wang Shi replied directly.

“The engagement ceremony will take place in a few days on an auspicious date,” Zhan said after a brief pause. “It would be inappropriate for you to meet now. Miss Lu has been traveling for days and has caught a chill. She’s resting, it’s best not to disturb her.”

“A chill? She’s not some mortal woman, how could she fall ill?” Wang Shi retorted with irritation. “That’s a pathetic excuse.”

“I’ve said what I needed to,” Zhan replied flatly. “Believe it or don’t. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

He turned and left without another glance.

“Too insolent!” Wang Shi shouted, slamming his hand on the table. “A fallen dog still dares to bark!”

“Calm yourself, Brother Wang,” one of his companions said quickly. “Their arrogance won’t last long. For now, best to endure it.”

“No! I’ll go to Father about this!” Wang Shi snapped, storming out in anger.

The sky over Royal City was dimly radiant, but now that light was fading.

Dark clouds gathered, and after a long brewing silence, rain began to fall, thick, warm drops splashing onto the empty streets.

In a narrow alleyway, the man from before, the one who had worn the bamboo hat, stood slumped against the corner.

Without the hat, his face was visible: young, ordinary in features, but with sharp, determined eyes.

He clutched his chest. When his blade had been shattered earlier, the force of his opponent’s counterstrike had surged into his body. It was a hidden internal energy, dark, corrosive, slowly ravaging his organs.

He had fled before he could dispel it, and now he was gravely injured.

“Why did you try to assassinate Wang Shi?”

The sudden voice from above made him freeze. He looked up warily.

Xu Zimo was leaning casually against the alley wall. He raised a hand, and the raindrops beading on his fingers strung together into a line of light.

“Who are you?” the young man asked tensely. “Did you come to capture me?”

“If I wanted to capture you,” Xu Zimo said evenly, “I wouldn’t have helped you escape back at Sun-Moon Tower.”

The young man’s eyes widened. “You… you helped me? Then… thank you! You saved my life, sir. Ji Changnian owes you a debt he can never repay. Perhaps in another life-”

“Stop,” Xu Zimo interrupted with a wave. “I didn’t save you for gratitude. I just want to ask some questions. You answer truthfully. That’s all.”

Ji Changnian hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“Why did you want to kill Wang Shi?” Xu Zimo asked again.

“I won’t let Nanyi marry that useless fool,” Ji Changnian said firmly.

“What’s your relationship with the Lu Heavenly Clan?” Xu Zimo asked.

“I have no ties to the Lu Heavenly Clan,” Ji replied. “I met Nanyi at the Universe God Realm. We fell in love there.”

“For love, then.” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile.

“And you? Who are you?” Ji asked in return.

“You don’t need to know that,” Xu Zimo replied. “What matters is, I can help you. More precisely, I can help the Lu Heavenly Clan.”

“How?” Ji asked cautiously.

“Follow me,” Xu Zimo said. He leapt lightly down from the wall and patted Ji’s shoulder.

A shock ran through Ji’s body, the hidden dark energy within him was instantly dispersed.

Ji stared at him in surprise and gratitude.

He quickly followed as Xu Zimo led the way back toward Sun-Moon Tower.

“What are you planning to do?” Ji asked.

“What’s your name again?” Xu Zimo countered.

“Ji Changnian.”

“Good. I’m taking you to see your beloved,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile.

“In this situation? How can I face Nanyi now?” Ji said quickly, shaking his head. “I can’t.”

“If you don’t go,” Xu Zimo said quietly, “then you’ll just stand by and watch the woman you love marry another man.”

With that, he strode back into Sun-Moon Tower.

Ji’s expression shifted again and again before he finally gritted his teeth and followed.

“Please inform the Lu Heavenly Clan,” Xu Zimo told the attendant, “that Ji Changnian of Universe God Realm requests an audience.”

Xu Zimo could tell Ji was nervous, his hands clenched tightly at his sides, his whole body tense.

“No need to be so anxious,” Xu Zimo said with a light smile.

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