Chapter Thirty-Six: Gaining Trust

Yin Su had enjoyed a spectacular success at the Martial Arts Assembly, dazzling everyone as she overcame challenge after challenge without a single defeat. Such a record naturally drew Chu Su-yi’s attention; he thought to himself that he had to find a way to bring such a talent into Lingyu Pavilion.

A month later, the new martial world rankings were released, and as expected, Chu Su-yi claimed the top spot. If he could not secure first place, how could he live up to the title of Martial Alliance Leader? How could he command respect? As for the rest of the top ten, there were only minor adjustments, nothing too surprising. The sole regret was that the remarkable woman who had never lost before was finally defeated—at the hands of a former top-nine contender from the previous tournament. She did not appear in the new top ten list, settling instead for twelfth place.

Her performance at the assembly had truly astonished Chu Su-yi. Although she had not broken into the top ten, her strength was clear to him. Bringing her into Lingyu Pavilion would be no loss. Yet he had never heard of such a figure in the martial world before, so he resolved to investigate her background before deciding whether to recruit her.

At the Martial Arts Assembly, Yin Su both competed and gathered information, only to discover that the assembly was merely a cover. Chu Su-yi and his allies’ true aim was to recruit people for their newly established Lingyu Pavilion. This revelation left Yin Su thoroughly surprised, and she quickly reported it to Ji Muyu, who promptly issued new orders: infiltrate Lingyu Pavilion and gather the latest intelligence.

Yin Su accepted the new assignment gladly—it was precisely what she wished to do.

Gu Xinyu, following Chu Su-yi’s instructions, went to investigate the mysterious woman, but could only learn that her name was “Nameless.” This alone left Gu Xinyu unsettled, and apart from her name, there was no further information to be found. Such a mysterious and inscrutable individual made Gu Xinyu advise Chu Su-yi to give up on recruiting her, given her unknown origins.

Yet just as Chu Su-yi was about to abandon the idea, an unexpected turn presented itself.

One day, after Gu Xinyu and his team had devised a new mechanical array, Nameless was the first to ascend the loft—a feat in itself, as the mechanism had been newly modified by Muye and his companions. It was certainly no easy task.

That day, Nameless wore a conical hat with a face-covering veil. Watching her in action, Gu Xinyu could not help but applaud. Indeed, her abilities were indisputable—she was truly formidable.

As Gu Xinyu observed Nameless, for a moment she reminded him of Yin Su; perhaps it was because both were women of exceptional martial prowess. When Nameless removed her hat, however, the face revealed was utterly unfamiliar to Gu Xinyu, marred by a scar along her right cheek—perhaps the very reason she kept her face hidden. Her features were unremarkable, and her bearing was entirely unlike Yin Su’s.

Still, Gu Xinyu remained cautious and did not rush to recruit Nameless into the inner circle.

Over the next six months, Nameless did join Lingyu Pavilion, but she was not admitted to the inner ranks. In secret, Chu Su-yi and his followers gathered nearly a thousand skilled warriors, all now serving Lingyu Pavilion. Word of the organization began to spread through the martial world.

To most members of Lingyu Pavilion, save for Muye, Aishuo, and Gu Xinyu, it was only known that Gu Xinyu was the Pavilion Master, with Ghost Doctor Muye and the Venomous Enchantress Aishuo as his chief enforcers—none knew the true power behind Lingyu Pavilion.

Within a year, Lingyu Pavilion repeatedly struck down countless imperial lackeys, earning Ji Muyu’s wrath on several occasions, but also achieving widespread notoriety. Recently, a bold new proclamation was made: within three days, they would claim the life of the Left Chancellor.

In the imperial court, the Left Chancellor knelt weeping, desperately pleading with the Emperor to dispatch the Embroidered Guards for his protection. The gathered ministers watched his pitiful state, uncertain whether to gloat or to pray they themselves would not become Lingyu Pavilion’s next target.

Ji Muyu’s expression was grim as he looked at the Left Chancellor. This man had once aided him in seizing the throne; surely he possessed a formidable secret force of his own. Yet here he was, begging for help, clearly terrified by Lingyu Pavilion’s growing legend.

Moved to tears, the Left Chancellor’s pleas eventually swayed Ji Muyu, who, after some thought and a furrowed brow, agreed to his request and promptly ended the morning court session, leaving in haste.

In the Mournful Night Tower, Yin Su knelt behind Ji Muyu.

“Master, Gu Xinyu and the others refuse to trust me, keeping me in the outer circle as an ordinary member. I wish to volunteer for the mission to eliminate the Left Chancellor, both to win their trust and to remove a threat to you.”

Yin Su understood that this was her chance—a rare opportunity she could not let slip away.

“A borrowed knife to do the killing—well done,” Ji Muyu replied. “Let it be so. I hope you can soon penetrate the Pavilion’s inner circle and bring me more valuable intelligence.”

With that, Ji Muyu vanished.

Nameless volunteered to assassinate the Left Chancellor. After much deliberation, Gu Xinyu and his companions agreed.

If Nameless truly succeeded in killing the Left Chancellor—the crafty old fox who had helped Ji Muyu ascend the throne—then she could be trusted, and perhaps it would finally be time to admit her to the inner circle. After all, such a first-class expert should not be wasted.

Three days were given, and today was the final day. Should the Left Chancellor survive, Lingyu Pavilion’s reputation would suffer irreparable harm.

The Left Chancellor understood this well; after surviving the first two days unscathed, he knew that his fate would be decided today. Whether he lived or died would depend on his luck.

After leaving court, he had already mobilized his secret force, keeping them close at all times, with the strongest of them flanking him openly and even more lurking in the shadows. Ji Muyu kept his promise, dispatching a large contingent of Embroidered Guards to wait for him at the city gate—but if the Chancellor failed to reach the gate, all would be for naught. He could only hope to make it that far.

Perhaps because everyone had heard of Lingyu Pavilion’s threat, no official dared accompany the Chancellor these three days; even the usual sycophants had all gone into hiding.

Dressed in black with her conical hat, Nameless stood atop a palace rooftop, watching as the Left Chancellor hurried toward the city gate, his eyes darting in panic at every corner as if terrified of missing some hidden danger.

Nameless found his behavior absurd. For all his rank and power, the great Left Chancellor was reduced to this—a man so desperate to live, so afraid to die. Yet, the reaction was understandable; after all, Lingyu Pavilion’s threats were never empty.