Chapter 16: Surprise Attack

At this moment at the doorway, Zhang Jian hesitated slightly; behind him, a line of maidservants each held a jade tray, heads lowered.

These were not Zhang Jian's personal maidservants.

The young masters of the Zhang family had never been served by maidservants since childhood, to prevent them from being corrupted by women, drained, or becoming weak-willed and indecisive from a young age.

These maidservants also dared not lift their heads to look around; the Zhang family's control over this matter was extremely strict.

Zhang Jian looked at the food and drink on each jade tray, feeling somewhat resigned; Zhang Yi had him personally bring the food and drink—his intention was obvious without needing to be said.

This was to have him use the beauty scheme.

After a slight hesitation, Zhang Jian stepped over the threshold; at this moment he saw Gu Xiu'er sitting with eyes closed, cultivating her spirit, and he spoke first:

"Gu Xiaoniang, you look in good spirits!"

Hearing the sound, Gu Xiu'er opened her lively eyes; her fair jade-like countenance calmly said: "Zhang Dalangjun, it seems your uncle Zhang never taught you how to associate with a young lady in her prime."

A hint of mockery appeared at the corner of her mouth; she instantly saw through Zhang Jian's intention.

Zhang Jian waved his hand, signaling the many maidservants to put down their jade trays.

Zhang Jian's gaze fell on Gu Xiu'er; she was indeed a very clever young woman.

Her ability to escape with her life from Zhang Yi's hands, to be able to yield and stand firm, shows her meticulous thinking.

Zhang Jian had not thought he could deceive her.

To deal with such a clever person, only overwhelming force could crush her.

Zhang Jian smiled narrowly and said:

"Gu Xiaoniang, you are very clever; a clever person should know what will happen next."

Gu Xiu'er's bright eyes at this moment actually gained a hint of a smile.

"Young Master Zhang, you need not waste your thoughts here; you will not be able to ferret out any useful information!"

"Your Zhang family faces a double blow from the Upper Origin Sect and the Gu family; you have little chance of victory!"

"Now your only pieces are me and my senior brother; you should know my identity—I am the legitimate daughter of the head of the Gu family, indeed I have some value, but not as high as you imagine, and I do not know much information either!"

Seeing Gu Xiu'er reveal nothing, Zhang Jian immediately realized he would likely be unable to obtain any useful information from her mouth.

Moreover, Gu Xiu'er's special status meant some methods were not easy to employ directly.

Gu Xiu'er sat down openly beside the hu table, picking up the delicious dishes with her bamboo chopsticks; the beauty glanced about, her lovely appearance fit to be feasted upon.

Zhang Jian shook his head and said:

"I think the opposite is true; I have also heard something about the Gu family's situation. Consider this: if our Zhang family were to turn to the Yu family, could your Gu family withstand such a loss?"

Gu Xiu'er's jade-like countenance broke into a gentle smile.

"Young Master Zhang, do not spread alarmist talk; anyone might turn to the Yu family, but your Zhang family certainly could not!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jian blinked his eyes at Gu Xiu'er.

He did not ask further; facing a clever person, there was no need to ask more.

"Gu Xiu'er, just now my father and I said that the Gu family is an excellent marriage alliance for the Zhang family; I previously did not think so, but now I have a bit of interest!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiu'er's countenance changed, and the bamboo chopsticks holding the food nearly stiffened in midair; seeing this, Zhang Jian laughed heartily and turned to leave.

……

West of the city, Zhang's Paper Shop

At this moment, two customers of unusually distinctive temperament arrived at the paper shop's entrance; seeing these two people, the slightly hunchbacked Paper Man Zhang was momentarily startled, then he smiled and stepped forward to speak.

"Sir and madam, do you need to buy some paper ingots? Our shop has all funeral supplies in stock, plus ritual implements specially blessed by experts from the Phoenix Perch Observatory—buy more and enjoy a discount!"

Upon entering the shop, the two customers glanced at the interior layout; the handsome, clean‑shaven middle‑aged man with a pale face said:

"We won't buy the ritual implements, but we will still pay!"

Hearing this, Paper Man Zhang furrowed his brows and looked over.

The handsome middle‑aged man said in a deep voice: "We want to make a deal with you, senior—to buy a life, to purchase someone's lifespan!"

Paper Man Zhang gazed at the newcomer with a bewildered expression and said:

"What are you talking about, old man? I don't understand a thing!"

The green‑clothed scholar gently flicked his folding fan, his calm eyes fixed on Paper Man Zhang as he said:

"I have heard that in Mount Yang Commandery there once lived a folk marvel named Zhang Chuan, whose paper‑cutting art was miraculous; he moved freely between yin and yang, turning paper cuttings into generals, commanding souls and spirits, striking fear into the heart—many martial heroes have died at his hands."

"But unfortunately, twenty years ago he suffered a family calamity, was pursued by his enemies, and forced to flee to Phoenix Yang; the Gu family also expended great effort, finally confirming that this exalted person remained in this small place, Phoenix Stream County."

Hearing the green‑clothed scholar recount his life story in detail, Paper Man Zhang furrowed his brows.

"What exactly do you want to do?"

Paper Man Zhang turned around at once; instantly, the paper boys at the door and the tall paper figures inside the house followed suit, turning to stare fixedly at the two of them.

At this moment, wherever the paper figures' eyes looked, blood seeped out, gradually forming illusory blood‑red pupils, as if evil spirits were bound within, eager to pick a victim and devour.

These two were guests from Phoenix Yang Commandery; the extraordinarily handsome middle‑aged man was the West Wind Sword Guest, Wang Yuanlang.

The other person was an exalted individual invited by the Gu family of Phoenix Yang, named Ji Ming; Wang Yuanlang addressed him as Mr. Ji and held him in high esteem.

This time, finding this marvel Zhang Chuan was also one of Ji Ming's strategies.

Under these strange changes, Wang Yuanlang only felt a chill run through his body; he instinctively gripped his sword, and his innate gang qi naturally emanated outward.

The paper shop seemed to suddenly darken, blood appearing, filled with great terror.

"Senior, why be angry? I have heard that your rule is: as long as the benefit is sufficient, you do not pick and choose tasks!"

The green‑clothed scholar lightly waved his fan; only to see that the ribs of the green fan were covered with countless tiny sutras, within which a faint heavenly melody flowed, breaking a thread of darkness.

Upon seeing the jade fan in the green‑clothed scholar's hand, Paper Man Zhang's gaze shifted; he lowered his head, pondered, and ceased his action.

Wang Yuanlang hastily waved his hand; immediately outside, someone carried in a large red‑wood chest.

"Senior's rule—we dare not be negligent!"

Paper Man Zhang merely glanced at it, his expression easing, and then said.

All of these are good things—you're really generous!

Who are you trying to kill? I'm curious—given your two abilities, who in Phoenix Stream County could stand against you?

Zhi Ren Zhang's gaze came over; at this moment it was somewhat deep and gloomy, his eye sockets seemed completely filled with bloody red.

"Du Shou Zhang Yi!"

"Zhang Clan members?"

Zhi Ren Zhang shook his head: "No!"

His words were decisive and unequivocal.

"Why?" Ji Ming's eyes flashed. "Is it because the Zhang Clan possesses dragon tiger aura?"

"No reason—just no, it's not allowed!"

Ji Ming furrowed his brow and said: "What if it's just an investigation?"

"What's the difference between investigation and assassination?"

Zhi Ren Zhang snorted coldly.

Investigation is hardly not a hostile act; a rude investigation, any overlord would not allow it, and if a secret is uncovered, it's all too easy to forge a deadly feud.

"Of course they're different! Because for investigation we still pay the same price! Plus, we add another piece of news!"

"The whereabouts of your young grandson!"

Ji Ming gave a dark, grim smile.