Chapter 94: Eyes Unclosed in Death

The two stood side by side on the rooftop, exchanging barely two words when the entire Gold Pavilion force arrived in a rush.

Linghu Qingmo led the charge, his face pale, swiftly approaching Xie Jinhuan:

“Why are you outside? Are you hurt?”

Xie Jinhuan had just assassinated Han Jingchuan, but he clearly couldn’t say that outright.

“I was strolling down the corridor when I heard commotion outside, so I came out to check—and happened to see someone sneaking up to my window. Then we fought. It seemed there were two groups, both trying to kill me.”

"These scumbags!"

Linghu Qingmo burned with rage, wishing he could return and whip the corpses.

“If I’d known, I’d have stayed right by your side. Your injuries aren’t healed—you should’ve called for help when you sensed trouble, not charged out alone!”

“Sigh, I didn’t know they were assassins—it just happened, no choice…”

Linghu Qingmo genuinely feared Xie Jinhuan would be killed by demons; he’d already decided that even when sleeping, he’d sleep in Xie Jinhuan’s room from now on.

Zhang Huaiyu stood among the crowd, intending to interject, but before he could speak, a roar came from behind in the Gold Pavilion:

“These damned Chilin Guards are utterly lawless! Laifu! Go to the Imperial Court Office and summon eight hundred imperial guards to surround the Wangjing Battalion Commander’s office! Report my father’s name—!”

“Your Highness, calm down—this matter hasn’t been investigated yet…”

“What’s there to investigate? Han Jingchuan, a Battalion Commander, sneaks in wearing nightclothes with a sword—what else could he possibly be doing but assassinating you?!”

“Er…”

“I knew fame invites trouble! I’ve been hiding my true abilities and tarnishing my reputation, yet still someone’s targeting me…”

“Ah?”

…

The Gold Pavilion was eerily quiet—likely stunned into silence by the furious Dan Prince’s wrath.

Xie Jinhuan knew exactly who he’d killed; he’d risked his life for a swift kill, fearing that if he took too long, his Chilin Guard identity would be exposed and he’d lose the chance to strike again.

But now, Xie Jinhuan naturally couldn’t be too straightforward—he frowned and walked toward the Gold Pavilion.

“Chilin Guards? Impossible! The man just now was clearly a Mingshen Cult demon; the others came out from inside my room…”

Wei Lu and the others burst out of the Gold Pavilion and saw the shadowy figures and several men in nightclothes with swords; they spoke up at once:

“Exactly! How could Chilin Guards be colluding with the Mingshen Cult?”

“Master Xie, rest assured—we saw the demons surround you. We can testify for you.”

“Yes, we all fought too! Chilin Guards don’t wear official robes—they wear nightclothes, cover their faces, break in, and associate with demons. Even if it’s a mistake, they brought it on themselves.”

“This can’t be a mistake. Are we supposed to just stand there and let Chilin Guards assassinate us?”

…

In a few sentences, everyone returned to the main hall.

All guests in the pavilion had retreated to the edges of the hall; the courtesans and musicians were pale with terror.

A large hole gaped in the Gold Pavilion’s wall; Han Jingchuan, clad in nightclothes, had crashed through several tables and chairs and lay sprawled on the floor, his chest cavity crushed into pulp, his spine piercing through skin and flesh, blood staining the ground three feet around him.

Thanks to his solid foundation, Han Jingchuan hadn’t fully died yet; his face covering had been pulled off, revealing blood gushing from mouth and nose, his eyes slowly losing focus.

Zhao De had been bouncing around holding the plaque reading “Upright Gentleman,” nearly crushed by Han Jingchuan’s incoming body; now he burned with rage and demanded:

“Han Jingchuan, confess—who sent you to kill me?!”

Han Jingchuan clearly couldn’t respond.

Yang Dabiao and the others formed a human wall around Zhao De; though they remained on high alert, they knew deep down that no matter who commanded the Chilin Guards, they couldn’t possibly have been sent to kill the prince.

After all, the Dan Prince was the textbook case of “low value, high risk”—killing him would shake the court, but his death would only help the Dan Prince bypass the ancestral law of primogeniture and install a more reliable son.

Even the Dan Prince himself probably felt “both relieved and sorrowful”—what did the shadowy mastermind hope to gain?

Still, even if the chance was minuscule, protection was necessary; several Wu Zu surrounded the Dan Prince, forbidding anyone to approach.

Xie Jinhuan hurried into the hall, confirmed no children were harmed, then crouched beside Han Jingchuan and examined his wounds—the central mallet had shattered his chest and spine; no immortal could save him—he wouldn’t last a minute…

Seeing death was certain, Xie Jinhuan felt deeply satisfied.

But with so many eyes watching, he couldn’t say anything harsh—only stared into Han Jingchuan’s eyes and asked:

“Battalion Commander Han, I am Xie Jinhuan. Why were you hiding in my room?”

“If you were lying in wait for demons, and I accidentally injured you, please tell me.”

“I, Xie Jinhuan, take full responsibility—I will never evade imperial justice…”

“Huh…”

Hearing these words, Han Jingchuan’s Huansan eyes flickered with a faint glimmer, fixed on the white-clad man before him, trying to speak—but his shattered chest made even breathing a luxury.

Realizing he’d failed to ambush, had unwittingly shielded Xie Jinhuan from another assassination, and was now being killed by Xie Jinhuan himself, Han Jingchuan’s rage nearly split his eyes.

But the fleeting return of consciousness lasted but an instant—his gaze dissolved completely, his breath stilled.

Xie Jinhuan had watched Han Jingchuan’s eyes the whole time, speaking with righteous tone, yet his gaze was like a god stepping on an ant—until Han Jingchuan’s eyes lost all light in boundless resentment, then Xie Jinhuan looked away and rose to ask:

“Your Highness, what now?”

Everyone present had seen the raw hatred in Han Jingchuan’s eyes; the Dan Prince spoke coldly:

“Wearing nightclothes to sneak into your room—was he lying in wait for demons?”

“Today he kills my friend, tomorrow will he kill me?”

“Utterly lawless… Laifu, prepare the carriage—I’m going straight to the palace to petition the Emperor!”

“Yes…”

Laifu dashed off to make arrangements!

Xie Jinhuan knew Han Jingchuan had come here to die—he faced no risk at all, so he said nothing more, rising to join the others in examining the other corpses.

Lin Wanyi had dared not run out earlier; now she clutched the Zhenglun Sword and quietly approached, whispering:

“Xie Jinhuan, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Xie Jinhuan reached to take the sword—but the beautiful Lin hadn’t let go!

Lin Wanyi had been pondering the meaning for a long time and could no longer hold back; she glanced around, saw everyone focused on the corpses, leaned close, eyes sharp with suspicion:

“You gave me the sword… what does that mean?”

Linghu Qingmo, frowning over the corpses, heard the question and subtly straightened, listening in.

Xie Jinhuan had only been pretending to be cryptic—there was no real meaning. Now he thought for a moment:

“Just like last time—I saw you had no weapon, so I gave it to you for protection.”

“I felt something was off today. You’ve been close to me—I feared demons might target you. I couldn’t relax.”

This explanation was perfectly reasonable.

Linghu Qingmo suddenly understood: “So that’s why… but why not say it outright? Afraid I’d get jealous?”

Lin Wanyi blushed; touched by Xie Jinhuan’s concern, she bit her lip, unsure what to say, and finally returned the sword:

“You don’t need to worry about me—I know some self-defense techniques too. Just take care of yourself…”

Seeing no one was watching and the mood was just right, Xie Jinhuan raised his hand and gently brushed a strand of hair from the glasses-woman’s ear, his eyes holding the unspoken longing of “a day apart feels like three autumns.”

?

Lin Wanyi tensed instantly, pulled his hand down, glanced sideways, and whispered:

“What are you doing? Linghu girl is right there. It’s getting late—I should go back. You…”

Xie Jinhuan understood; he smiled warmly:

“It’s too chaotic here. Go back first. I’ll visit your Lin residence after I finish.”

Visit…

Don’t you dare use the front gate—let Old Lady see you, and even jumping into the Luo River won’t wash me clean…

Lin Wanyi pressed her lips together, dared not say more, bowed like a proper lady, and turned to leave.

Qinwen had been playing with Meiqiu; now she reluctantly followed behind.

“Gūjī~”

Meiqiu politely shook her head and swayed her tail in farewell…

(End of Chapter)