The map not only marked the positions of the assassins but also clearly indicated each assassin's rank.
Chu Dingjiang put away the letter, and when he looked up again, he saw Sang Nu leaning against the earthen temple. Her hair was disheveled, her skeletal face wide-eyed, and her cracked lips parted as if she had countless words left unspoken.
"Rest in peace," Chu Dingjiang approached and gently closed her eyes with his hand.
After burying the old woman near the earthen temple, Chu Dingjiang quickly returned with the accidentally obtained map to discuss further investigation with Gu Jinghong.
Chu Dingjiang had already pinpointed the brothel, but for the time being, he hadn't realized that the brothel was merely the Eye of the Storm, with the real tempest surrounding it. Had he not encountered Sang Nu, he might never have seen through Misty Villa's layout and could have ended up trapped like a turtle in a jar.
This showed that Wei Yuzhi, the second-in-command of Misty Villa, was indeed a far-sighted strategist.
After studying the map for a long time, Gu Jinghong said, "This is likely genuine. Such an intricate formation couldn't have been set up in just a few days. Did Wei Yunshan really have a servant named Sang Nu by his side?"
Sheng Changying opened his eyes and replied, "Indeed, there was a loyal servant named Sang Nu. This person had exceptional martial arts skills, endured countless hardships in life, and possessed Mental Strength surpassing Inner Force. She was considered one of the most promising ninth-rank martial artists in the martial world to reach the Transformation Realm. According to rumors, when Wei Yunshan later went into seclusion, this person followed him."
"If what Sang Nu said is true, then Wei Yunshan's retirement seems to have hidden circumstances," Chu Dingjiang remarked.
Since such a person truly existed, the credibility of the information increased somewhat.
Sang Nu had told Chu Dingjiang, "This is what you seek," clearly having long noticed his covert investigation of Misty Villa. The statement sounded credible, yet Chu Dingjiang still needed to verify it personally.
Chu Dingjiang was bold but also extremely cautious. "I will personally verify the authenticity of this map. Lord Gu, please proceed with the arrangements."
"Very well, but we can't take too long. The Yu family's goods have already been loaded onto the ship. Most of the attention at the dock has been drawn. Yu Pianfei conveniently played us, making Misty Villa aware that besides the Yu family, others were also investigating the dock." Gu Jinghong frowned slightly. "This person cannot be left alive."
"You want to assassinate him?" Chu Dingjiang shook his head. "No need to take it to heart. By doing this, he merely wanted to make one thing clear: even if he lacks the ability to deal with us, he can still fight to the death. He's guarding against us burning bridges after crossing the river before attacking Misty Villa."
He stroked his chin, a hint of amusement in his eyes: Yu Pianfei truly had both courage and tactics.
Having reached Chu Dingjiang's level, he no longer had the fiery passion of youth. But he took great pleasure in nurturing and supporting rising talents.
Gu Jinghong had no objections, but if the opportunity arose, he would still kill Yu Pianfei to eliminate future threats.
Through this collaboration with Gu Jinghong, Chu Dingjiang gained a deeper understanding of his methods. He could guess Gu Jinghong's current thoughts but remained silent, lowering his head to sip tea.
Once Gu Jinghong took action, the chance of failure was minimal. At that point, Chu Dingjiang could step in to save Yu Pianfei.
"The distribution of Misty Villa's forces is quite interesting." Gu Jinghong was fully focused on the map, unaware of Chu Dingjiang's calculations. His finger traced a light circle around the markings, connecting the residences of all ninth-rank experts in what seemed like a chaotic layout. Then he drew another circle, linking all the eighth-rank experts' residences.The layout was highly systematic, resembling an impregnable fortress with an empty brothel at its center. "Do you two think Wei Chuzhi and Wei Yuzhi are hiding in that brothel?"
Chu Dingjiang asked, "Brother Sheng, what do you think?"
Sheng Changying narrowed his eyes in deep thought. Just as everyone assumed he had fallen asleep, he finally spoke. "No."
"Why?" Gu Jinghong asked curiously.
"Wei Yuzhi is accustomed to wandering the world, spending barely a few days a year at the villa—something many people know. As for Wei Chuzhi..." Sheng Changying dropped a bombshell in a calm tone. "Three years ago, I heard a minor rumor that Wei Chuzhi had gone missing and was no longer in the villa."
At the time, this had caused only a small ripple before Misty Villa's subsequent major actions quickly dispelled everyone's suspicions. Now, years later, few remembered this trivial matter.
Chu Dingjiang fell into contemplation.
"Then who manages the villa?" Gu Jinghong asked.
"Not sure. Probably the second master, Wei Yuzhi?" Sheng Changying replied.
Wei Yuzhi possessed formidable mental strength but was nearly inept in martial arts—a fact even outsiders knew. Could such a man truly command so many ruthless assassins under him?
The three dropped the topic and divided their tasks. Gu Jinghong and Chu Dingjiang went about their duties, leaving Sheng Changying as the sole idler.
Accustomed to being busy, Sheng Changying would jolt awake even in sleep, haunted by unfinished tasks. Idleness didn’t improve his health; instead, he grew increasingly gaunt.
Eleven days later, the date to attack Misty Villa was set.
Gu Jinghong enlarged the map and gathered everyone to explain the strategy.
"According to Lord Chu’s ten-day investigation, Misty Villa currently has fewer than two hundred people stationed there." Gu Jinghong circled the empty buildings on the map. "These areas are uninhabited. We have a shortcut to the center, but the surrounding assassins will quickly encircle us. Moreover, the mission’s target isn’t any single individual, so we can’t avoid engaging the others."
Mo Sigui, leaning against the wall, asked, "Why?"
"Because this mission is..." Gu Jinghong said slowly, "to assassinate Misty Villa’s assassins."
Sending rookies like them to kill seasoned assassins?!
The group’s pupils dilated slightly, tension thickening the air.
"Most of the assassins left at Misty Villa are also novices," Gu Jinghong pointed at the map, trying to ease their nerves. "Among those stationed there, only about thirty are experts above the sixth tier. The rest not only have uneven internal energy but also lack much experience. So there’s no need for excessive concern."
This assessment was based on the internal energy markings on the map, though lower-tier assassins weren’t necessarily less experienced in killing.
"Misty Villa is a lackey of the Liao Kingdom. Its ties with the Feng Shipping Company are undeniable, and its intelligence network spans the entire Great Song. They’ve annihilated two Crane Controlling Families, and their masters roam our lands with impunity. If we don’t remove this malignant tumor, Great Song will forever feel a thorn in its throat!" Chu Dingjiang’s deep voice began steady and measured, growing increasingly resolute. "How can we tolerate such humiliation without retaliation?!"
Lou Mingyue’s eyes burned red as she said coldly, "Swear to slaughter every Liao dog!"
Mo Sigui immediately echoed, "Slaughter every Liao dog!"They might not have much patriotic fervor, but martial artists naturally possess some fighting spirit. Almost no one would endure attacks without retaliation or insults without response. Many were roused to anger, shouting, "Swear to kill those Liao dogs!"
Chu Dingjiang observed their rising emotions and slightly raised his hand to signal for silence.
These men were well-trained, and the room immediately fell quiet, though the atmosphere was palpably different from before.
Gu Jinghong continued, "This time, we've obtained inside information from Misty Villa. The enemy is exposed while we remain hidden. We also have a complete assault plan—our goal is to slaughter as many of Misty Villa's assassins as possible! But I won't send you to your deaths. The moment it becomes untenable to continue, I'll order a retreat. Those with the skill will naturally survive. This is the final trial—any who show cowardice will be executed without mercy!" (To be continued...)
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