Gao Dazhuang deeply felt that sending someone like Mei Shisi—who was utterly lacking in every aspect except for looks—on a mission was like throwing a lamb to the wolves.
Zhao Ling said, "Xiao Cheng has a particular fondness for women from Jiangnan. This one is petite and has the most delicate features—she’s the most suitable."
Gao Dazhuang replied, "Forgive my bluntness..."
"Hmph." Zhao Ling snorted through his nose, thinking to himself, As if you haven’t been blunt enough already!
"The higher-ups sent us here to assist in the war effort. Planting a spy in Xiao Cheng’s residence won’t have any immediate impact on the battlefield, so I refuse to accept your order." Gao Dazhuang’s words were indeed blunt.
For a moment, An Jiu and the other two couldn’t help but glance at him. It seemed that ever since arriving in Hejian Prefecture, Gao Dazhuang had grown bolder—even his effeminate mannerisms could be overlooked now.
"You dare refuse orders?!" Zhao Ling, repeatedly thwarted, turned livid with anger and glared at him. "I’ll report this to The Emperor!"
"Tch, go ahead and try." Gao Dazhuang clicked his tongue, a faint aura of bloodlust emanating from him, his eyes gleaming with a predatory excitement. "I could also report to The Emperor that you harbor treasonous intentions. Care to bet whether His Majesty would believe you or me?"
"You—!" Zhao Ling’s hair stood on end.
The current Emperor was deeply paranoid—even loyal ministers like Ling Ziyue, who showed no signs of rebellion, were treated with suspicion. If a shadow unit member accused him before The Emperor, what would become of him? The thought sent a slight shiver down Zhao Ling’s spine.
If Zhao Ling were an upright and forthright man like Ling Ziyue, with no guilty conscience, he could stand his ground confidently. But Zhao Ling had pulled many underhanded strings to climb the ranks. Even if none of those actions were treasonous, a guilty conscience weakened one’s resolve in a confrontation.
In truth, Gao Dazhuang was bluffing. Zhao Ling didn’t know that The Emperor had already begun purging the Crane Control Army—nor did he understand the internal dynamics of the organization. Someone of Gao Dazhuang’s current rank couldn’t even petition The Emperor, let alone gain an audience.
"If you have any legitimate orders, summon us again." With that, Gao Dazhuang swayed his hips and strode out.
An Jiu followed behind, watching his figure—swaying even more than the three women—and raised an eyebrow slightly.
Lou Mingyue had always admired straightforward people and had no objections to Gao Dazhuang’s actions.
Fortunately, among them, Sun Dixian was the most level-headed. Once they left the courtyard, she murmured, "Sir, you’re playing with fire."
The duty of the shadow unit was to obey orders unconditionally. Not only had Gao Dazhuang refused a mission, but he had also disrespected his superior. If Zhao Ling realized the overwhelming power he held, Gao Dazhuang would be in grave danger.
"I used to rank in the top ten of the Crane Control List." Gao Dazhuang delicately smoothed his fine brows with a flick of his fingers, then cast a sidelong glance at them. "Do you know why I was kicked out of the Crane Control Army?"
This was the first time any of them had heard of this, and they all looked at him in shock.
"Because I crippled the Deputy Commander of the Shadows." Gao Dazhuang smirked. "And do you know why I wasn’t executed for committing a capital offense?"
The Deputy Commander of the Shadows! That was the third-in-command of the Crane Control Army...
An Jiu remarked coolly, "There’s truth to the saying ‘the wicked live long.’ The more detestable the creature, the more tenacious its vitality."
Like cockroaches and flies, for instance.
Gao Dazhuang glared at her.The others struggled to hold back their laughter, but when they saw An Jiu's serious and earnest gaze, they couldn't contain it any longer.
Sun Dixian adjusted her attitude and offered some flattery, "Sir, you're truly impressive. Could you teach us?"
Gao Dazhuang gave her an approving look, as if to say, "You're teachable." Rubbing his waist, he said leisurely, "Because I am utterly loyal to The Emperor. If The Emperor says the sky is red, I would never say it's blue. If The Emperor sentences me to castration, I would cut off my own lineage without needing anyone else to do it."
In the past, Gao Dazhuang had been one of the top assassins who could directly meet The Emperor. He was expelled from the Crane Control Army only because he made a mistake. However, instead of being reassigned elsewhere, he was transferred to the Crane Control Institute, which trained The Emperor's trusted Shadow Guards. This showed that The Emperor still had considerable faith in him.
"Never thought I’d end up circling back here, and even be reduced to this state," Gao Dazhuang said, then pointed at them one by one. "The way to survive in the Crane Control Army is absolute loyalty. Beyond that, it’s all about your own abilities."
An Jiu kept revising her impression of Gao Dazhuang. So far, she had even begun to feel a slight fondness for this eunuch.
"Sir, you initially agreed to the military supervisor’s plan. Why did you change your mind later?" Sun Dixian’s gaze flickered briefly over An Jiu.
Clearly, it was only after Zhao Ling pointed at An Jiu that he flatly refused. Sun Dixian hadn’t seen An Jiu do anything particularly likable, yet strangely, everyone seemed to protect her.
Gao Dazhuang giggled twice and waved his hand. "At first, I only thought Mei Shisi was a useless fool—toss him into a river, and he wouldn’t stop the flow or form a dam. But upon reflection, you’re not much better either! The only one who meets the criteria is also consumed by vengeance. Sent to Liao, she might fare even worse than you two fools! What a waste to die like that—better to throw her onto the battlefield to kill a few Liao soldiers."
The faint sense of being protected in the three of them instantly vanished.
"Besides, for a job like the honey trap, there’s no need to use people who’ve trained in Martial Arts for over a decade. In Wei Yue, there are plenty of cunning, venomous beauties who can stir up trouble wherever they’re thrown." Gao Dazhuang pointed at An Jiu and Lou Mingyue. "With faces like yours, looking like someone owes you two taels of silver, you’re not cut out for it. Sun Dixian’s personality is more suitable, though..."
Sun Dixian felt a little proud of this evaluation, but then Gao Dazhuang added, "But her looks are a fatal flaw."
Sun Dixian’s face stiffened. She thought her earlier flattery had been wasted and snorted lightly. "Sir, you sound just like Mei Shisi."
Though she wasn’t quite at the level to execute a honey trap, and though she couldn’t compare to Lou Mingyue or An Jiu in appearance, she was at least somewhat pretty, wasn’t she?
An Jiu didn’t retaliate at all to the criticism, which puzzled Gao Dazhuang. He glanced at the silent An Jiu.
Noticing his gaze, An Jiu said calmly, "I only speak facts. I never take pleasure in mocking others."
Her words could poison an entire village, yet here she was acting like she wanted to draw a line between them! Gao Dazhuang’s face darkened. Who’d want to be grouped with a runt like you anyway!Sui Yunzhu, Li Qingzhi, and Qiu Yunxiao overheard their conversation nearby and couldn't help but grin secretly. After laughing, they felt even more respect for Gao Dazhuang in their hearts. During their time at the Crane Control Institute, no one had ever seen the Instructors demonstrate their skills. They never dreamed that someone who appeared unimpressive and somewhat effeminate could be hiding such remarkable abilities. (To be continued...)
PS: One more chapter coming soon. Also recommending a great book - "The Grand Perfumer" by Mu Shuiyou. Though still a bit short, it's truly excellent.
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