"What ulterior motives could I have? I just want to be friends with you." He let out a low, muffled laugh, as if his heart might burst out with it.
"Master, this man is moody and kills without mercy. One second he's chatting and laughing with someone, the next he'll slice them into mincemeat. Don't trust him at all."
Atractylodes had lived in this valley for a few years and naturally knew this Sikong Feihe. Unlike his uncontrollable bloodlust, he could kill you with an innocent smile and gentle whispers. The most terrifying part was that he wouldn't kill you in one blow but would slowly torture you to death.
"Little one, speaking ill of others like that might get your tongue cut out," Sikong Feihe said, winking at Atractylodes.
"If you want to lay a hand on my disciple, I'm afraid you won't get the chance." Ye Lanshan stepped closer to Atractylodes, blocking Sikong Feihe's gaze.
"It was just a joke. Why so tense? We're friends, after all. Why would I harm those close to you? I look forward to our next meeting." Sikong Feihe tilted his head, glanced at her, and vanished before their eyes in the next second.
"Let's go too." Ye Lanshan led Atractylodes toward the valley master's place. The courtyard, once gloomy and eerie, now sprouted vibrant green herbs, bursting with life as if they had endured hardship and suddenly erupted with a desperate will to live—so brilliant and dazzling.
"Lanshan, you're here." Yun Di, pale-faced, opened the door. A deep, unhealed gash ran along his arm, so deep the bone was visible.
"Do you know who sent the assassin to kill you?" Ye Lanshan entered the room and asked Yun Di.
Yun Di sighed, hung his head, and muttered gloomily, "No idea."
"Have you considered..."
"I know. You're thinking of the Sikong family, but they absolutely don't have time for an assassin like this." Yun Di knew exactly what she was about to say and quickly cut her off.
"Oh, how so?" Ye Lanshan asked with a hint of curiosity.
"This might have something to do with you. This assassin organization belongs to the Dark Lord. People fear the Dark Lord not just for his immense power, but because he commands the world's top assassin group—the Soul of the Night.
"On this continent, no other assassin organization can compare. You can only reach them through special channels. Sikong Cheng simply doesn't have the time to find those channels."
Even as Yun Di spoke of this man, fear flickered in his eyes. Yet he was also curious. Given the Dark Lord's feelings for Ye Lanshan, it shouldn't make sense for him to send assassins. What was really going on?
Ye Lanshan looked at Yun Di's face and said, "Are you saying the most powerful assassin organization in the world belongs to the Dark Lord—the Soul of the Night?"
"Yes, that's right." He nodded.
Right. In this disguise of mine, who besides those who know me well could guess my identity? This is my altered appearance, but why would Ye Yutian want to kill me? Ye Lanshan was utterly baffled.
But if she shifted her perspective, maybe she'd figure it out. Perhaps it wasn't Ye Yutian who wanted her dead?
"You're all a bunch of useless idiots! How long has it been? How many people have you sent? You can't even kill a woman! Did you learn all those skills for nothing?" A shrill, domineering voice screamed.
"Miss Wan, you don't understand. Ye Lanshan is incredibly formidable. It's not that easy to kill her just because we want to. But she has one weakness—she cares too much about her family and friends, and she's fiercely protective. Maybe we can use someone else's blade to do the job." Bai Yong's soothing voice chimed in.
"Oh? Then what do you suggest? I don't care how you do it, just kill Ye Lanshan for me. How dare she compete with me for Brother Ye? Even killing her a hundred times wouldn't be enough." The spoiled, willful voice rang out, clearly belonging to a pampered young lady who did whatever she pleased without restraint.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure this is handled flawlessly." Bai Yong sneered inwardly but plastered a pleasant smile on his face.
"Big brother, you're amazing! You can even charm the young lady." His subordinates looked at him with admiration.
"Enough. Didn't you hear what Miss Wan said? No matter what it takes, Ye Lanshan must die." As he spoke, a venomous glint flashed in his eyes.
I will never allow Ye Lanshan to live. If I'd known the Night King would fall for her, I should have killed her from the start.
"Yes, I'll make sure this is done perfectly." The assassin below didn't look much like a killer—more like a lackey. But in truth, he ranked among the top ten in the assassin organization, known as the Ghostly Shadow, Bamboo Slayer.
A massive crisis was brewing, but Ye Lanshan remained oblivious. She sat in the room, still pondering Ye Yutian's motives, yet no matter how she thought about it, nothing added up.
"Forget it. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Deal with things as they come. In the end, the fog will clear, and the truth will emerge." Ye Lanshan gave up guessing and shifted her focus entirely to how to seize the Sikong family.
...
"If that's the case, then rescuing this person is indeed difficult, but not impossible." Ye Lanshan suddenly thought of Sikong Feihe. Someone with his status could easily rescue Sikong Yanguang's wife, Li Lianchun.
But the question was, why would he help us?
"No one is allowed to lay a single finger on Ye Lanshan or her family." Bai Li Wumou stormed into the Soul of the Night with a token in hand, roaring with fury. It had been a long time since he'd been this angry.
Ye Yutian had only been unconscious for three days, and already someone was moving against Ye Lanshan. These internal parasites needed a thorough cleansing.
"This... Lord Wumou, we're just doing business for money. We've already taken the payment. Not following through wouldn't look good, would it? It'd damage our reputation." Bamboo Slayer frowned, smiling ingratiatingly, hoping Bai Li Wumou would be lenient.
"Do you even know who Ye Lanshan is? She's the woman the Dark Lord loves." Bai Li Wumou was furious, his lungs practically bursting with frustration over this mess.
"Bamboo Slayer, return the money. Wumou, this is my fault. I didn't pay attention to who the target was—our future Dark Lord's wife—and accepted the contract. Blame me if you must." Bai Yong hid the malice in his eyes and stepped out with a faint smile.
"Yes." Bamboo Slayer replied with utmost respect.
"I don't care what act you're putting on, but remember: if you dare harm a single hair on Ye Lanshan's head, you know what Wuxin is capable of."
Bai Yong had been acting far too suspiciously lately, getting so close to that spoiled Miss Wan Cixin. It made one wonder what unexpected things he might do.