Chapter 246: Capturing the Assassin

Jiang Jiang Mingyu had not slept all night, solely to capture that assassin and bring him to justice. He knew this was Fei Hou's conspiracy, an attempt to assassinate him and block his southern campaign to quell the rebellion. He feared no death, but he could not let Fei Hou succeed, nor could he allow his soldiers and people to sacrifice themselves in vain.

He sat in the tent at the center of the main camp, before him lay a sand table with various colored flags planted upon it, representing the different directions within the city and the distribution of the troops. His gaze was sharp as a torch, examining every single detail one by one, searching for the assassin's possible hiding place.

Standing beside him were several trusted generals, occasionally reporting the situation within the city. He could tell they were all somewhat discouraged and anxious. After all, this was a war without gunpowder smoke, with no enemy in sight, only crisis everywhere.

He too felt restless and troubled, but he could not show it. He was the backbone of the army; he must command this battle with unwavering resolve. He believed his soldiers were all loyal and brave men; as long as he was there, nothing could stop them.

He lightly tapped a flag on the sand table and said, "This is the West Gate of Chengxi, isn't it?"

One general hurriedly replied, "Yes, My Lord. This is the West Gate."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and asked again, "Is there anything special near the West Gate?"

The general thought for a moment and said, "Outside the West Gate there is a small river, with several thatched cottages and a few willow trees by its banks. The river water is clear to the bottom, and fishermen often catch fish there."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned and said, "Are there any suspicious people there?"

The general shook his head and said, "None found. We have already sent people to check."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu tapped another flag and said, "Then what about here? This is the North Gate of the northern part of the city, isn't it?"

Another general immediately replied, "Yes, My Lord. This is the North Gate."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu continued asking, "Is there anything special near the North Gate?"

The general said, "Outside the North Gate lies a wasteland, with several graves and a few withered trees on it. Wild beasts often appear on the wasteland, and human traces are rare."

A flash of cold light passed through Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes as he said, "Are there any suspicious people there?"

The general said, "None found either. We have also already sent people to check."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu fell silent for a moment, then said, "You have all done very well. But I feel the assassin is hiding in one of these two places."

All the generals were startled and asked in unison, "My Lord, how do you know?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, "It is my intuition. Since the assassin dared to attempt an assassination at Dingxuan Tower, it shows he possesses extreme courage and wit. He would not choose a bustling place within the city to hide; that would be too easy to expose. Nor would he choose a place far outside the city to hide; that would be too easy to surround and capture. He would only choose a place near the city gates to hide; that way he could escape at any time and act at any time."

All the generals nodded in admiration and said, "My Lord is wise."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, "I believe the assassin must be someone skilled at disguise; he might dress as a fisherman or a beggar, mingling among those ordinary people. We must search every single person carefully and not miss any single detail."

All the generals responded, "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, "I will go to the West Gate and the North Gate to inspect them personally. You each lead a contingent of elite soldiers to accompany me. We will act separately and not alert the assassin. If you discover the assassin, notify me immediately."

All the generals said, "As you command, My Lord."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood up, picked up a long sword, and tied it to his waist. He said to the generals, "Let us depart."

All the generals followed him out of the tent, each leading a contingent of elite soldiers, heading toward the city gates.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu walked toward the West Gate first. Along the way, he carefully observed the surroundings and found nothing abnormal. Arriving at the small river outside the West Gate, he saw several fishermen catching fish. He approached and asked a few questions, learning they were all local commoners with nothing suspicious about them.

He looked again at the thatched cottages and willow trees by the river and found nothing abnormal either. He felt somewhat disappointed in his heart, but did not give up. He said to the general beside him, "You continue searching here; I will go check the North Gate."

The general said, "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned and walked toward the North Gate. After walking for a while, he saw the wasteland outside the North Gate. Sand and wind filled the wasteland, making the graves and withered trees look gloomy and terrifying. Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt a chill rise from the bottom of his heart.

He entered the wasteland and saw several beggars begging near the graves. He approached and asked a few questions, learning they were all wanderers from elsewhere with nothing suspicious about them.

He looked again at the graves and withered trees and found nothing abnormal either. He felt even more disappointed in his heart, but did not give up. He said to the general beside him, "You continue searching here; I will return to the main camp to await news."

The general said, "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned and walked toward the main camp. After walking for a while, he heard a cry of surprise.

"My Lord!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned to look and saw a figure dart out from behind a grave, holding a dagger, rushing toward him.

That person was indeed the assassin!

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was startled in his heart, but his reaction was extremely fast; he immediately drew the long sword from his waist and met the assassin.

Seeing that Jiang Jiang Mingyu had discovered him, the assassin did not panic; instead, he let out a cold sneer and increased his speed.

The two rapidly closed the distance on the wasteland, sword light and dagger flashing and crossing in the air, emitting a series of metallic clashing sounds.

Both Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the assassin were masters among masters; every move of theirs was lethal, every technique was exquisite. Their movements were as fast as the wind, as fierce as lightning.

They fought to a stalemate on the wasteland, with no one able to intervene. The surrounding beggars and generals were stunned, able only to watch from a distance.

Although Jiang Jiang Mingyu was highly skilled in martial arts, he was after all a man of letters by origin, unaccustomed to such bloody slaughter. He felt his stamina gradually depleting, while the assassin remained spirited and showed no sign of fatigue.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu silently cursed in his heart, knowing he could not drag this out any longer. He decided to go all out and unleash his final strike with all his strength.

He suddenly sheathed his sword, turned back, jumped one step backward, then suddenly charged forward, the sword tip pointing directly at the assassin's throat.

This move was unexpected; the assassin did not anticipate Jiang Jiang Mingyu would do this. He instinctively raised his dagger to block the sword tip, but found he was already one step too late.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's sword tip had already pierced his throat, and blood gushed out.

Fear and unwillingness appeared in the assassin's eyes; he wanted to say something, but could only emit a hoarse sound.

He slowly fell to the ground, his body twitched a few times, and then there was no movement anymore.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu released the sword hilt in his hand and let out a long breath. He felt his whole body covered in sweat and blood, and his heart beat as if it were about to burst.

He barely steadied himself and looked at the assassin's corpse. He wanted to know who this assassin was and why he attempted to assassinate him.

He walked over and lifted the assassin's mask. When he clearly saw the assassin's face, he could not help but draw in a sharp breath of cold air.

It turned out this assassin was actually a woman!

She was extremely beautiful, with Bai Xi skin and clear, delicate features. Her eyes were still slightly open, seeming to retain some spirit. A faint smile hung on the corners of her lips, as if she did not care about her own death.

Looking at her face, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt a pang of heartache. He did not understand why such a beautiful woman would become an assassin. Why did she want to kill him? And who sent her?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu wanted to find the answers, but there was no way to know. This woman was already dead; she had taken all the secrets with her.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed and gently closed her eyes. He said to her, "You were a good opponent, and also a pitiful person. I will not forget your death, and I will avenge you."

Having finished speaking, he stood up and said to the generals behind him, "Bury her body properly; do not let her suffer any humiliation."

The generals looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu in surprise, not understanding why he was so merciful toward an assassin. But they dared not ask more, and could only reply in low voices, "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said no more; he turned and walked toward the main camp. His heart felt somewhat heavy, but also somewhat relieved. He had finally resolved the threat of this assassin and won a sliver of life for himself.

He knew this was only a small victory; greater challenges still awaited him. He had to head south as soon as possible to quell the rebellion, so that the realm could truly be at peace.