Chapter 148: Close‑Quarters Assassination

"What kind of background does that kid have, even the owner got alarmed!"

Shen Bing felt puzzled, but didn't dare to let his pace slow at all.

The owner turned again toward Ye Liuyun's residence and muttered, "Old Qu, you've really given me a big trouble! The Great Zhou Dynasty posted a 30‑million Crystal Stone bounty on the black market to hunt Ye Liuyun, and you actually delivered him to me!"

Ye Liuyun wiped out the City Lord's mansion and relocated the entire Ye Clan. The Great Zhou Dynasty naturally would not ignore that.

But he is a disciple of the Holy Martial Academy, and the Great Zhou Dynasty dares not openly issue a warrant, so it placed a 30‑million bounty on Ye Liuyun's head on the black market.

In an instant, the entire black market was searching for Ye Liuyun. Especially renowned assassin groups like Night, they would not let such a deal slip.

The proprietor of Water Moon Tower worried that Ye Liuyun had already been targeted.

Their Water Moon Tower has a duty to protect all VIPs. Moreover, Ye Liuyun is a Zi Card‑level VIP.

If Ye Liuyun were to have an incident here, it would greatly affect their reputation.

Yet Ye Liuyun seemed oblivious to the danger, inviting Wu Qingcheng and the blind pianist into the Side Courtyard and arranging for Wu Qingcheng to dance in the yard.

Ru Yue and the maids all stood behind Ye Liuyun and Lei Ming, excitedly anticipating.

Wu Qingcheng did not hesitate and immediately had the pianist play.

"I, Qingcheng, present my clumsy performance. I hope Young Master Ye will watch and give feedback."

"Please, Miss Qingcheng," Ye Liuyun made a gesturing hand.

Then the piano music sounded, and Wu Qingcheng leapt up right before Ye Liuyun, swirling around him. The others had to step back a bit, their eyes reddening with envy toward Ye Liuyun.

If they could have Wu Qingcheng dance a full piece around them, even dying instantly would be a willing sacrifice.

Ye Liuyun could also feel that the pianist and Wu Qingcheng were exerting themselves even more than on stage, almost giving their all.

Although he was not beguiled by the music and dance, he still focused on appreciating them. After all, such treatment is rare.

A couple strolling in the distance, attracted by the piano, curiously peeked in from the doorway.

They saw Wu Qingcheng circling Ye Liuyun, a black robe fluttering, brushing Ye Liuyun's forehead, and the few behind her were utterly entranced.

When Ye Liuyun's sight was blocked, his Divine Sense sensed a black dagger emerging from Wu Qingcheng's sleeve, thrust straight toward his heart.

Ye Liuyun's mouth twitched upward, and with a raised hand he seized Wu Qingcheng's neck. The dagger was merely perched at the heart's spot, never actually penetrating.

Ye Liuyun's Immortal Overlord Body has been cultivated to the seventh layer. Below the Sea Transformation realm, nothing can harm him.

At the same time, the pianist's Divine Sense attacks surged into Ye Liuyun's Sea of Consciousness. The Ten Thousand Gods Command instantly eradicated those Divine Senses, converting them into Golden Light that fed back into Ye Liuyun's Soul.

Ye Liuyun's soul‑sword also shot out of his Sea of Consciousness, striking the pianist's mind; a single slash pierced the pianist's Soul, and then with thunder‑fire power, the pianist's Soul was annihilated.

The pianist vomited blood on the spot and died.

All these events unfolded in an instant. Lei Ming, Ru Yue and the others behind Ye Liuyun were still immersed in Wu Qingcheng's dance, not yet coming to their senses.

Wu Qingcheng, now seized by Ye Liuyun, felt her entire true‑qi stagnate, completely powerless to resist. Despair flashed in her eyes.

As an assassin whose killing intent had been uncovered, death was inevitable! She never expected to be caught by Ye Liuyun. She simply closed her eyes and awaited death.

Ye Liuyun's Divine Sense communicated to her: "The blind pianist's music already showed murderous intent before you acted. So I killed him for you, to protect you! Otherwise he would later expose your identity. You should put the dagger away."

Wu Qingcheng heard this, her eyes snapping open, looking at Ye Liuyun in disbelief.

"What does he mean? Is he going to spare my life?" Yet she instinctively slipped the dagger back into her sleeve.

But Ye Liuyun at that moment reached out to pluck her veil. "You were born as a treasure of the nation, why hide it?"

"You dare…" Wu Qingcheng hadn't finished speaking when the couple outside launched two attacks toward the courtyard, their bodies flying inward.

"Boom, boom!"

From the neighboring residences of Bai Hu and Shi Yuan, two powerful late‑stage Sea Transformation auras suddenly erupted.

Everyone's eyes flashed; a massive stone ape over three meters tall stood before Ye Liuyun's gate, and with only his Physical Body, he blocked the two attacks.

A three‑zhang‑long Bai Hu also leapt through the air, letting out a mighty roar toward the two.

The two were instantly shaken, spitting blood, trying to turn and flee, but the Golden Light spewed from Bai Hu's mouth pierced their hearts, and they fell limp.

The proprietor of Water Moon Tower rushed over, but was deterred by the gazes of Bai Hu and Shi Yuan, daring not to approach.

Shen Bing arrived then with a group of Sea Transformation elders, trembling in fear under Bai Hu and Shi Yuan's intimidation, unwilling to draw near.

"Young Master Ye, we came to protect you!"

The proprietor of Water Moon Tower spoke.

"Let them in!" Ye Liuyun's slow voice echoed from the courtyard. Bai Hu and Shi Yuan immediately cleared the way.

At this moment Wu Qingcheng's veil was already in Ye Liuyun's hand. Wu Qingcheng was also held in Ye Liuyun's arms, her face flushed, yet she dared not move.

The proprietor led Shen Bing into the courtyard. Lei Ming and Ru Yue only then regained consciousness, staring blankly at the chaotic scene, unaware of what had transpired.

"This is our Water Moon Tower's negligence, letting assassins slip in. We apologize for frightening Young Master Ye!" the proprietor said from afar.

"No problem, just a few assassins, all dealt with. However the pianist was killed by an assassin, and Miss Wu Qingcheng was also frightened. Please arrange to send her back to her residence,"

The proprietor was startled by the words, but immediately replied, "Very well! Since Young Master Ye ordered, we shall comply."

Wu Qingcheng's movements could not escape the proprietor's Divine Sense. Yet since Ye Liuyun did not wish to pursue the matter, she would not trouble an assassin.

In Ye Liuyun's arms, Wu Qingcheng's delicate body trembled at the words.

"He actually didn't kill me?"

She looked up at Ye Liuyun, just as he lowered his head to look at her. Their gazes met; Wu Qingcheng's face flushed, and she immediately bowed her head, burying herself in his arms.

"You didn't kill me?" Wu Qingcheng communicated via Divine Sense to Ye Liuyun.

"Killing one more or one less makes no difference to me. I just didn't want to waste your dancing talent!" Ye Liuyun replied.

Then he immediately said, "Miss Wu, the proprietor will send you back. Here is your veil!"

He handed Wu Qingcheng's veil back, a faint smile in his eyes.

Wu Qingcheng did not take the veil; instead she examined Ye Liuyun's face. Suddenly her cheeks reddened slightly, and she quickly kissed Ye Liuyun's cheek, then broke free from his embrace and ran out.

"Consider the veil a gift to you!" Wu Qingcheng's voice carried from afar.

Everyone who saw the scene exchanged bewildered glances.

Wu Qingcheng also appeared before everyone for the first time with her true face; that beauty capable of toppling a nation and a city moved everyone.

Shen Bing didn't know Wu Qingcheng was an assassin; at this moment, seeing Wu Qingcheng's veil removed, she still leaned into Ye Liuyun's arms like a little bird depending on a person, and before leaving she even kissed Ye Liuyun once, already completely dazed!

"Am I not seeing things?"

Other girls also looked at Ye Liuyun with envy, exchanging knowing smiles. Only Lei Ming pursed his lips, somewhat unhappy.