Chapter 400: Conjuring Cards Out of Thin Air

Sometimes, ten or twenty years pass in a flash.

The phrase "time flies like an arrow" comes from this.

Sometimes, an hour feels excruciatingly long.

The phrase "days feel like years" comes from this.

For example, Fang Chongyong, waiting for someone to arrive, feels time moving slowly.

"What's your name?"

Looking at the female assassin sitting on the bed, Fang Chongyong asked casually, feigning indifference.

"My humble name is Jiang Wuyan. What, Commander Fang, are you thinking of cherishing fragrance and pitying jade?"

The young Hu woman who called herself Jiang Wuyan spoke freely, gave Fang Chongyong a thoughtful glance, and was completely different from when she toasted at Flower Gate Pavilion earlier!

Back then she was all coy, wishing to turn into a river of spring water; now she resembles those merchants from West of the River, reeking of jianghu air.

Her speech was coarse.

"Why did you want to kill Li Guangbi? Don't say you came to kill Commander Fang; Commander Fang had originally planned to go to Sand Prefecture, but decided at the last moment not to, and changed route to Cool Prefecture."

Fang Chongyong asked calmly.

Jiang Wuyan looked at Fang Chongyong as if he were an idiot, then, as if recalling something, she sneered:

"Of course, Commander Fang knows how to wage war, but he doesn't understand us.

You pay me money, I kill people.

You won't tell me why I should kill him, and I won't ask whether that person deserves death.

We settle money and goods; it's purely a business relationship.

I don't know Li Guangbi, have no grudge against him, and I don't know who hired you; even if I killed you, I couldn't get anything out of it.

Don't you think your question just now was stupid?"

"All right, it was my stupidity. Then tell me how much you were paid for this job—you can at least say that; it shouldn't be a taboo."

Fang Chongyong asked helplessly.

Seeing him embarrassed, Jiang Wuyan was in high spirits, proudly saying: "Five thousand bolts of silk to kill Li Guangbi, deposit two thousand; whether successful or not, the deposit is non‑refundable, no balance paid if the assassination fails, and we only accept portable exchange notes from West of the River."

Tang‑era knight‑errant culture was very strong; Li Bai once spent time as a wandering knight, found it boring and returned to study. Since there are knight‑errants, there will never be a shortage of hired killers who take jobs without asking origins, even assassin organizations.

From Jiang Wuyan's words, Fang Chongyong sensed the so‑called "professionalism."

This is indeed not a dead‑man's squad but a professional who kills for pay.

Conversely, this also indeed shows some problems. Jiang Wuyan thought she had revealed nothing, but Fang Chongyong had already extracted everything he wanted to know.

As for the mastermind behind the scenes, he never expected to get any clues from Jiang Wuyan. Otherwise, he would be underestimating those who plotted the assassination. Since they hired a professional assassin, they must have considered the possibility of failure.

"I think my looks are still decent; Commander Fang, would you like to go to bed with me now to test your skills?"

"Anyway, I'm about to die; I don't know what it feels like to be with a man, and it's a bit regrettable.

With your status, sleeping with me wouldn't be a disgrace to me."

Jiang Wuyan looked at Fang Chongyong with an arrogant expression and suggested.

For people like them, many things have already been seen lightly; as long as the task requires, sharing a bed with anyone is no big deal.

As for why Jiang Wuyan is still a virgin, it's because of "work." Some men like that, so she cannot lose her "capital" for taking jobs.

She is especially skilled at using beauty for assassination and has learned many song and dance techniques; most of the time it's enough to handle ordinary social engagements. Running into Fang Chongyong this time was bloody bad luck for her.

"Go cool off; just because you have a little beauty you think you're all that, as if Commander Fang hasn't seen the world?"

Fang Chongyong waved his hand indifferently, took out a sheet of paper, then cut Jiang Wuyan's index finger with a knife and pressed a bloody handprint on the paper.

Throughout, the female assassin never furrowed her brow, extremely tough. This let Fang Chongyong understand that torturing her would probably be useless.

Jiang Wuyan's earlier remarks hinted that she fundamentally does not fear being raped; no need for weird ulterior motives—if you want to play, hurry up.

Fang Chongyong put the paper away, turned, and wrote a "confession statement" on the desk.

Not long after he finished, Che Guangqian entered quietly and said, "An Chongzhang has already arrived, he's in the courtyard."

"Mm, bring him in."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly, saying, showing no emotion on his face.

When An Chongzhang entered the side room and saw the female assassin still tightly bound, his heart gave a sudden jolt, and he silently thought, "Oh no."

"Commander Fang, why did you summon me late at night? What is the matter?"

Having received Fang Chongyong's signal, An Chongzhang sat down cautiously, uncertainly asking:

"The An clan of Cool Prefecture truly has great gall; even Commander Fang is somewhat impressed."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh, shaking his head in disappointment.

Hearing this, An Chongzhang looked puzzled; he of course knew there was more behind the words. He then followed up on Fang Chongyong's remark: "Commander Fang, what do you mean by that? The An clan's descendants are indeed brave on the battlefield; saying they have great gall is not an exaggeration."

"Whether the An clan fights bravely on the battlefield, Commander Fang has not seen with his own eyes, so he cannot comment on whether you have the gall to fight courageously.

But the An clan's dispatch of assassins to assassinate West of the River's military governor Li Guangbi shows they have gall, and a lot of it.

The assassin has confessed that he took your money, followed your arrangements, and was facilitated by you.

That's why he could smoothly enter Flower Gate Pavilion and approach Li Guangbi.

If it weren't for Commander Fang's sharp eyes, you would almost have succeeded! Think back to that moment at Flower Gate Pavilion—it was truly a hair's breadth from disaster.

Or are you going to claim that the assassin was arranged by me, someone who fled from Stone State and traveled thousands of miles over several months?"

Fang Chongyong shook his head, sighing, and gave An Chongzhang a teasing look.

"Commander Fang! You can't just spout nonsense like that!"

An Chongzhang sprang to his feet, breaking out in a cold sweat from fright. On his way to the relay station, he had felt a vague unease; he never imagined the situation would be far worse than he expected.

If the Cool Prefecture An clan really wanted to kill Li Guangbi, they could have made the newly appointed West of the River military governor die without a trace, leaving no surface evidence—why bother hiring mercenary assassins, such a boring method!

Commander Fang also greatly underestimated the Cool Prefecture An clan's resources!

It was just that the An clan had already secured connections in the court and held a seat in the central administration, so there was indeed no need for them to do anything that would burn bridges to the death. They were people who considered themselves precious and would not easily play any "jade shattering, tile surviving" game with those who had no backing.

But Fang Chongyong's words were too terrifying! They truly could not be taken lightly!

"The assassin's testimony is here, and the assassin is also here. Please do as you see fit.

This Jiedushi has always convinced people with reason, and does not use power and authority to press others down."

Fang Chongyong handed the so-called "testimony" that had been written not long ago to An Chongzhang.

Jiang Wuyan, who had been sitting to one side on the bed watching the spectacle, was completely dumbfounded. She had never imagined that Fang Chongyong could be so despicable and shameless. Unable to find the mastermind behind it all, he would simply fabricate one on the spot!

"Jiedushi Fang, this proves nothing."

An Chongzhang shook his head and returned the confession, not even glancing at it.

He naturally knew that the current situation was very unfavorable to his clan, but at this moment, he absolutely could not show weakness, could not retreat.

One retreat, and he would be backed to the edge of a cliff.

Hiring an assassin to kill a Jiedushi—and the Jiedushi of this very garrison! If word got out, the Liangzhou An clan would lose a layer of skin even if they did not die!

"General An, it seems you still do not understand the gravity of the problem."

Fang Chongyong sighed, grabbed An Chongzhang's sleeve, pulled him to the bedside, then looked at Jiang Wuyan with an expression of cold indifference.

"This Jiedushi asks you: is this man the employer who hired you to kill? Was it he who gave you five thousand bolts of silk to kill Li Guangbi?

A deposit of two thousand, a final payment of three thousand—is that so or not?"

He displayed an intellect that crushed Jiang Wuyan's, making the latter erupt with rage, turning her head away so as not to look at this detestable man!

"You see, she has tacitly admitted it."

Fang Chongyong said to An Chongzhang.

"Jiedushi Fang, I truly do not know her."

An Chongzhang was so anxious he was about to cry.

"This Jiedushi can see that General An truly does not know this assassin.

But that does not mean your An clansmen do not know her.

Even if the clansmen do not know her, it does not mean their servants and trusted aides do not.

No one ever said that handling this matter required you to show up in person.

In any case, the assassin only agreed to take this job because she heard you were the Liangzhou An clan, who could provide her with intelligence support and also handle the cleanup afterward.

She has just confessed to everything without denial, and even pressed her bloody thumbprint. One could say both the witness and the evidence are present.

Whether this Jiedushi believes it or not does not matter. What matters is whether Li Guangbi himself believes it, whether the two chancellors in Chang'an believe it, and whether the Sage believes it.

What does General An think?"

Every word of Fang Chongyong's was like a steel nail, piercing into An Chongzhang's skin, sinking deep into his marrow.

Yes, what was to be done?

An Chongzhang looked at Jiang Wuyan with a dark expression and questioned her in what was nearly a low growl: "Speak! Who told you to frame the An clan!"

He was practically beside himself with fury!

That was right—Fang Chongyong was indeed making waves now.

Yet the source of these waves was not brought by Fang Chongyong. This assassination also had absolutely nothing to do with him.

First of all, geographical barriers alone made it impossible for Fang Chongyong to plan such a meticulously crafted assassination.

That was why An Chongzhang was so angry!

"Heh!"

Jiang Wuyan gave a cold laugh and responded with silence.

She loved watching these high-and-mighty aristocrats act utterly helpless and furious, unable to do a thing about her.

The more anxious and undignified these people became, the more a morbid sense of satisfaction filled her heart.

Just as when she had learned earlier that death was certain, she had wanted to see Fang Chongyong—so aloof and superior before others—rush toward her with a face full of urgency, reduced to the base form of a beast of desire.

"Bitch!"

An Chongzhang put all his strength into a slap, but Fang Chongyong caught his wrist.

"General An, the facts of this case are not yet entirely clear.

If you damage the witness, when the Sage asks about it, it will be hard for this Jiedushi to give an account as well.

After all, I was the one who summoned you here tonight. If something happens to her under my roof, that would not be good, would it?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

Now An Chongzhang understood where the stakes lay.

"What does the Jiedushi wish to do?"

An Chongzhang asked in a low voice, clearly having already yielded.

"Well, this Jiedushi believes that this matter is of great importance and should not be easily let go.

But after all, it involves the Liangzhou An clan. The An clan is a prominent noble house in Hexi. If the case is investigated openly yet no solid proof can be found, it would be like falsely accusing someone of theft among the common folk—even if it is later proven otherwise, restoring one's honor would be nearly impossible.

Therefore, this Jiedushi believes the case should not be investigated openly, but rather secretly, so as to clear the An clan's name.

Of course, in the event—I say in the event—that this matter was truly done by the An clan, producing a result from the investigation would also give an account to the Sage and an account to Jiedushi Li.

Both publicly and privately, this matter should not be casually dropped.

What does General An think?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a beaming smile. These words concealed needles within silk and should not be underestimated!

An Chongzhang had long since experienced Fang Chongyong's prowess, and immediately showed a bitter smile: "Jiedushi, what you just said about this being a matter of great importance is indeed so. Therefore, I would like to return first and discuss it with my family before saying anything. I wonder what the Jiedushi's thoughts are? After all, the An clan is not mine to decide alone."

"That is only to be expected. However, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army will depart for Guanzhong in three days. General An, do not deliberate for too long."

Fang Chongyong said with a placid expression, his attitude most modest and amiable, yet it gave one a sense of an overbearing presence rushing head-on!

"Absolutely, absolutely. The great kindness and virtue of Jiedushi Fang—the An clan will certainly repay it in the future. This time I must also thank the Jiedushi for raising your noble hand and notifying me to come.

Otherwise, the matter would surely have ended up beyond repair."

An Chongzhang clasped his fists in a bow, practically overflowing with endless gratitude.

"We are all working for the Sage, no need to be so formal. General An, you should return home quickly and discuss this matter with your clan elders first."

Fang Chongyong said with a faint smile, already issuing a dismissal.

An Chongzhang bowed his thanks and departed, glancing back at every few steps.

After he left, a trace of fear flashed through Jiang Wuyan's eyes, and the way she looked at Fang Chongyong was no longer as haughty as before.

"You have always thought yourself very important, that the blade in your hand could determine people's life and death, isn't that so?"

Fang Chongyong looked at Jiang Wuyan and asked with a cold sneer.

"The An clan of Liangzhou wields immense power in Liangzhou—even I know that.

How were you able to make them so humble?"

Jiang Wuyan asked with a look of disbelief.

Given her experience and way of thinking, she had no idea that someone could "produce cards from thin air"! Clearly holding no chips in hand, yet able to use an unexpected event to forcibly fabricate a chip of tremendous power on the spot!

"Because they themselves are already objects of the emperor's suspicion.

Whether or not you were sent by them, they cannot clear themselves of suspicion.

To an emperor, the facts do not matter—what matters is what he himself thinks."

Fang Chongyong, in excellent spirits, explained to Jiang Wuyan why An Chongzhang would yield.

"Jiedushi Fang not only strategizes masterfully on the battlefield, but your political maneuvering is also first-rate."

Jiang Wuyan was convinced in her heart, but her mouth still fired off a relentless jab of mockery.

"Heh."

Fang Chongyong gave a faint smile, then untied the ropes binding Jiang Wuyan.

He pointed toward the door of the side room and said:

"In one hour, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army will begin hunting you. Whether you can escape will depend on your own ability. If you are caught again, then you must insist that it was people from the An clan of Liangzhou who rescued you—consider this a deal.

Of course, whether you abide by it or not is up to you. Go now."

Now it was Jiang Wuyan's turn to lose her composure!

"Jiedushi, I am an assassin, and you're just letting me go like this?"

She asked, somewhat uncertain.

"What else would I do? With your intellect, it would be very difficult for me to explain the reason. Go."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand, signaling Jiang Wuyan to get lost.

"Fine! I owe you a life. If there is a chance in the future, I will certainly repay you!"

Jiang Wuyan nodded solemnly to Fang Chongyong, no longer as defiant as before.

"Right."

Jiang Wuyan had just reached the doorway when Fang Chongyong suddenly called her back.

"Has Jiedushi Fang changed his mind?"

A trace of gloom flashed through Jiang Wuyan's eyes, and she asked, somewhat disappointed.

"No, I just wanted to ask you why you don't go by a name like Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya or Anaya, but instead use a Han name."

Fang Chongyong asked with some curiosity; he had only just suddenly thought of this.

"Jiedushi, what does it matter to you what I'm called? I like it, isn't that enough?

What a busybody!"

Jiang Wuyan turned and made a vulgar gesture at Fang Chongyong, then spun around gracefully, quickly vaulted over the wall, and vanished without a trace.

(End of this chapter)