Chapter Forty-Nine: Do You Wish for My Death?

“Li Su, come with me to kill a few people.” Yin Yao said it with seeming carelessness, almost casually, yet a shimmering trace of sorrow flickered at the corner of her eye, a sadness that would not easily fade.

Li Su, far from surprised, seemed even more eager than Yin Yao herself. “Alright, let’s go at once!”

The two vanished swiftly from the inn.

In a grand courtyard, Yin Yao stood upon the eaves, gazing coldly down at the people below. Li Su lounged behind her, his posture almost roguishly relaxed, finding the torch-wielding crowd below amusing, as if he were watching a gathering of puppets.

“Who are you?!”

“Me? You can’t tell with such an obvious mask? That hurts my feelings!” For the sake of recognition, Yin Yao had deliberately donned the red mask she’d worn at the gathering, yet not one among them recognized her quickly—how disappointing, after all her careful planning!

With a gust beneath her feet, she lightly touched down, body plunging towards the crowd. The black whip in her hand lashed out; in the martial world, she was still the Snake Lady, Yin Yao, and of course wielded her black whip. Years of cultivation at the mountain estate had allowed her to conceal the aura unique to her Void Realm, so that ordinary people could not even sense whether she possessed any mysterious power.

“Snake Lady Yin Yao, here for the Silver Fox, come to claim your lives!”

The chilling words drifted to the ears of the crowd, but in the next instant, they fell as one, eyes wide in disbelief as they stared at the red-clad woman soaring through the air—a death that left them unavenged.

Li Su applauded her swift and decisive movements, but found it all too easy—disappointingly so! He pouted in complaint, “Yao’er, let’s go. This is too simple, it’s boring! Let’s move on to the next place. Tonight, we must erase every last one who ever plotted against Silver Fox Aunt—leave not a single soul!”

Yin Yao nodded slightly. For the next several hours, the entire Jin City fell into a deathly silence. Tonight, the capital had endured too much. Without a sound, Yin Yao had single-handedly dealt with hundreds—only one household remained.

Li Su, all the while, stood aside like an onlooker at a play, wishing for a table and a bench—and a few dishes with a jug of fine wine to complete the show! At the most exciting moments, he would not forget to clap and cheer.

Yin Yao had no need of his help; dealing with these people herself better soothed the hatred in her heart. Thus, she paid little mind to Li Su’s bored grumblings.

On their way to the final target, the two flitted through the woods, moving so fast they left only afterimages.

Yin Su took her duty seriously. At the first opportunity, she reported to Ji Muyu that the person at the assembly was indeed Yin Yao herself! Though Ji Muyu harbored doubts, he could not afford hesitation. He ordered Yin Su to take ten of their best men to test Yin Yao’s strength—he wanted to see for himself what changes and improvements three years had brought her. It would also aid their future actions; after all, to know your enemy is to guarantee victory.

This was exactly what Yin Su had intended to do.

In the woods, Yin Su and her ten men waited for Yin Yao’s arrival. Based on the latest intelligence and her own understanding of Yin Yao, she knew Yin Yao would pass through here. She eagerly anticipated their next bout, curious to see, after three years, whose skills had grown stronger. Now, having reached the peak of the Illusion Level, she was waiting for her chance to break through into the Void. But what about Yin Yao?

“Good dogs don’t block the road!” Confronted by ten black-clad figures suddenly barring her path, Yin Yao frowned in annoyance and spoke with cold indifference. Inwardly, she thought them truly ignorant of death.

Seeing this, Li Su realized the main event had arrived. He found himself a tree with the best vantage point, leaped up, and reclined comfortably, ready to enjoy the show.

“Yin Yao, it’s been a long time.” A familiar voice sounded. The next moment, Yin Su stepped out from behind the black-clad men, a faint smile on her lips as she slowly entered Yin Yao’s line of sight.

“Oh, Yin Su, it has been a long time.” At the sight of Yin Su, Yin Yao’s irritation faded. She was curious as to Yin Su’s intentions—by the look of things, quite well-informed—was this yet another assassination attempt? Ji Muyu was certainly impatient. She didn’t mind dispatching a few more eyesores.

“Attack!” Yin Su, true to form, wasted no words. This suited Yin Yao just fine.

At the command, swords gleamed coldly under the moonlight as the black-clad men rushed at Yin Yao. She remained perfectly calm, standing her ground until they drew near before snapping her whip, catching them completely off guard.

Yin Su, sword in hand, lunged for Yin Yao’s back. Sensing the movement, Yin Yao bent low, her whip slicing a circle as she leapt upward, instantly soaring above the group. The black-clad men attacked in pairs, taking turns, but Yin Yao handled them with remarkable ease—and not a drop of blood had yet been shed.

“Left.”

A lazy voice whispered in her ear. Yin Yao, distracted for a moment, instinctively flicked her whip to the left. Yin Su’s sword had not yet reached her, but Yin Yao had already defended, forcing Yin Su to retreat.

The ten men attacked together, hoping numbers would prevail. They were well-coordinated, their moves not mere display.

“Above.”

“Behind.”

“Below…”

Li Su’s every warning was succinct, just two words, each worth its weight in gold. With his guidance, Yin Yao struck preemptively, foiling Yin Su’s every ambush. Yin Su grew frustrated—how could this mysterious man anticipate her next move with such precision? He was truly infuriating.

“Right—no, Yao’er, behind you! Yin Su, why did you change direction!” Li Su suddenly shouted, childlike, from the tree, even pointing at Yin Su.

Yin Yao found Li Su’s personality truly odd, as though two entirely different souls inhabited his body at once—distinct and yet simultaneously present.

Hearing his words, Yin Su wanted nothing more than to kill him—always guessing right! Even when she changed direction at the last second, he saw through her. Who was this man, really?

“Li Su, you truly are a gentleman!” Yin Yao said helplessly, flicking out a few fox-emblazoned throwing knives to intercept those attempting to attack from behind.

Pleased by her words, Li Su sought confirmation, “Really? Hehe!”

“Of course—using your mouth, not your hands!” Yin Yao sent out a few more knives, venting her exasperation. Dealing with a suddenly silly Li Su gave her a headache. With a snap of her whip, she hooked the tree where Li Su reclined, gave it a sharp tug, sending leaves swirling as she vanished from the encirclement in a blink.

Watching Li Su tumble awkwardly from the tree, Yin Yao smiled. “The rest is yours—leave Yin Su alone.”

Li Su cast her a resentful look, but obediently set to work.

In the span of a few heartbeats, only three people remained alive in the woods. Li Su, eager to please, flew to Yin Yao’s side and waited quietly. Yin Su watched in astonishment—clearly, this man was also a rare master.

Yin Yao glanced at Li Su, and with a wordless understanding, the two turned and left.

“Tell him—if he wants me dead, it won’t be so easy!”

Yin Yao’s bold voice echoed from afar.