Chapter 587: Moves Like Flowing Clouds and Water

Gu Jiu Ling coughed once, lifted her hand and lightly grasped Xiao Yin's hand. His hand was well-shaped, with long, distinct knuckles, and a thin callus had formed on the web of his thumb from constant sword practice.

At this moment, Xiao Yin's hand was very cold, probably because he was angry.

The saddest thing in this world is that the person who clearly gave their life to protect you ends up biting you back, and it hurts quite a bit.

Prince, there's no need to quarrel with those people; in this world, once you've done something, you won't regret it if you do what you believe is right.

If the Prince is still upset, I'll poison them right now and render them mute!

Gu Jiu Ling rose to her feet, but before she could take a step, Xiao Yin's long arm hooked her slender waist and pulled her hard into his embrace.

Gu Jiu Ling's nose bumped against Xiao Yin's solid chest, causing a faint soreness.

Her whole body was tightly locked in Xiao Yin's grip; she felt he was treating her as the last lifeline he could grasp when about to drown.

Gu Jiu Ling let out a soft sigh in her heart, then turned and tightly hugged Xiao Yin's firm waist.

"Are you feeling better?" Gu Jiu Ling asked, her face buried in Xiao Yin's chest, her voice muffled.

Much better! Xiao Yin's voice finally returned to calm.

Gu Jiu Ling smiled softly: "If the Prince feels a bit better, let's get down to business."

Xiao Yin blinked slightly; this woman always remained composed and unruffled by emotion, sometimes even seeming more cold-blooded than he.

Xiao Yin gathered his thoughts, slowly rose, and released Gu Jiu Ling.

Follow behind me for a while; if anything happens, you should flee and not worry about me—I'll cover the rear.

Gu Jiu Ling naturally accepted Xiao Yin's kindness; she had no martial arts skills, and she was well aware of her own limitations.

She did not want to become a burden to Xiao Yin, but she would not blindly make a pointless sacrifice.

The night outside grew darker; Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin removed their outer garments, revealing the dark-clad outfits underneath.

Xiao Yin extinguished the candles in the room, walked to the window, and listened attentively.

His hearing was excellent; he could distinguish sounds from far away.

The night outside grew ever heavier and utterly silent; since they weren't especially close, the people living in these remote houses had not gone elsewhere, but had already retired, making this place unusually quiet.

Gu Jiu Ling stared fixedly at Xiao Yin before her; she had seen his aloof, noble side and his shameless, arrogant side, but she had never seen him dressed in nightclothes, standing at the window, lost in thought.

At this moment, moonlight suffused Xiao Yin's person, giving him an air of icy nobility.

He frowned slightly, as if listening to footsteps outside, then turned and produced a handkerchief, gently helping Gu Jiu Ling put it on—only to see her smiling at him.

Those clear eyes were like a crescent moon in the sky, stirring Xiao Yin's heart and even making him want to kiss her—unfortunately, now was not the time for that.

He whispered, "Stay alert a moment longer; after all, this is the stronghold of the civil officials, and if anything goes wrong, it would be disastrous."

"With the Prince here, I fear nothing!" Gu Jiu Ling said, looking at him earnestly.

Xiao Yin sighed, raised his hand, and rubbed her soft hair bun.

Let's go!

Xiao Yin took her hand, carefully opened the door, and stepped outside.

On both sides were side rooms, from which came the heavy breathing of deep sleep and the sound of snoring.

Xiao Yin tightly held Gu Jiu Ling's waist, pressing her against his front.

Immediately, he held her and leapt up, touching the eaves with his toes; in a few motions they had swept across this area, then landed on a treetop.

Standing in this treetop, through the dense leaves they could observe the spirit hall in the Qian Ting.

It was already the dead of night; aside from the few assigned spirit-watchers, there were hardly anyone outside burning paper money.

Those guarding the spirit hall were, aside from a few of Chen Zhuo's favored disciples in life, members of the Chen family itself.

Everyone had labored all day and was now feeling drowsy.

One by one they struggled to kneel there and burn paper, but their heads drooped little by little, clearly exhausted to the extreme.

Wait here for me.

Xiao Yin lowered his voice a little.

Gu Jiu Ling nodded, but saw Xiao Yin leap down from the treetops like a wild cat, silently, and after a few steps reach the outer wall of the spirit hall.

He clung to the smooth wall like a gecko, gripping a handful of pebbles in his hand.

His long fingers slowly pinched a pebble, then suddenly exerted force; the few people kneeling with their backs to him at the spirit hall's entrance were instantly knocked unconscious by the stone.

Gu Jiu Ling was greatly astonished; knocking someone out with a stone is no surprise—let alone a martial arts master, even an ordinary person holding a stone could kill someone.

This time Xiao Yin used four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds, borrowing force to strike; he knocked them out without killing them—impressive!

"What is that?" the people inside exclaimed, instantly bewildered, and hurriedly turned around.

Just then, Xiao Yin slid down the opposite pillar and slipped into the spirit hall.

Xiao Yin swung his hand, slapping the nearest person unconscious, then stepped forward and slapped another directly on the neck.

That person winced and fainted at once, leaving only the last one, who finally reacted.

He had no choice but to turn and look at Xiao Yin; a flash of fear crossed his eyes, wondering how a black-clad figure in nightclothes had appeared in Master Chen's spirit hall.

Moreover, his face was covered; looking at those eyes gave a sense of familiarity, but Xiao Yin slapped him unconscious with another palm.

Xiao Yin swiftly felled several more, then darted up to the treetop and brought Gu Jiu Ling down.

Gu Jiu Ling stared, dumbfounded by Xiao Yin's recent actions; indeed, a master is a master—even a girl who fights often is clearly skilled.

Gu Jiu Ling had no time to admire these things; she hurried to the front of the coffin.

Since the burial day had not yet arrived, the coffin was not fully sealed, leaving a gap.

"Help me, Prince!" Gu Jiu Ling said, her strength small; she couldn't push the coffin lid.

Xiao Yin helped Gu Jiu Ling to the side, then with a heave lifted the coffin lid halfway, revealing Chen Zhuo lying inside.

Gu Jiu Ling took out the tools she carried, then focused her gaze on Chen Zhuo lying in the coffin.

Although he had been dead only two or three days, his body already showed livor mortis and signs of decay.

Gu Jiu Ling stared for a moment, then raised her hand and pinched Chen Zhuo's cheek.

Chen Zhuo's face had already become extremely stiff, but Gu Jiu Ling exerted a little force, and his mouth still opened naturally.

Gu Jiu Ling's facial expression suddenly changed slightly.

"What's wrong? What did you discover?" Xiao Yin, beside her, saw Gu Jiu Ling's expression change somewhat, and hurriedly asked in an anxious voice.

Gu Jiu Ling didn't have time to answer Xiao Yin's words, and instead took out a scalpel, instantly stabbing it into Chen Zhuo's throat.