Chapter 640: First Volume, Chapter 640: Overestimating One

First Volume, Chapter 640: Overestimating One's Abilities

Just as Zhao Li was hesitating, another servant ran up, panting heavily.

"Eldest Young Master, many grain merchants in the city, upon hearing Qin Feng has arrived, are demanding to terminate their cooperation with our Zhao Grain Shop."

"They say their businesses are small and they simply cannot afford to provoke Qin Feng."

"Our Second Young Master was publicly beaten by Qin Feng and didn't dare make a sound—they say our Zhao Clan is nothing but a silk-covered pillow."

"They act arrogant every day, but the moment they face Qin Feng, their true colors show."

Hearing this, Zhao Li's fury erupted instantly.

He slammed his palm onto the table.

"Unthinkable!"

"This is Yanshou County, not the Jingji Capital!"

"How dare Qin Feng come here to trample on our Zhao Clan's reputation? Does he think we're made of clay?"

"If Qin Feng wants war, then let him have war!"

Zhao Li made up his mind—even if it meant taking great risks—he must settle the score with Qin Feng.

If we lose Yanshou County, no matter how hard the Zhao Clan tries, we will forever remain a second-rate grain merchant.

"Beidi War Command! Continue the Second Young Master's strategy—keep lowering grain prices!"

"Even if Qin Feng arrives, he cannot provide financial support to our Yanshou County Branch in the short term."

"Use this window to pressure northern merchants and acquire as much grain as possible."

"I'll make sure Qin Feng has money but can't spend a single tael!"

…

On the walls of Yanshou County, Zhao Zan, his face streaked with blood.

He took the towel offered by the servant, wiping the blood from his face, then snarled fiercely at the Black-Clothed Man before him.

"I want Qin Feng dead!"

"Aren't you the Heavenly Ranking Yu-class assassin? Can't you handle this small task?"

Facing Zhao Zan's roar, the Black-Clothed Man sneered.

"Small task?"

"Second Young Master Zhao, you have quite the mouth."

"Within Shedynasty, the hardest person to kill is the Emperor; the second hardest is Qin Feng."

"To assassinate Qin Feng, Second Young Master Zhao—have you truly thought this through?"

Hearing this, Zhao Zan flew into a rage.

He hurled the towel onto the ground.

Clenching his fists, he gritted his teeth: "Enough talk!"

"Qin Feng is right here in Yanshou County—do you dare or not? If not, I'll find someone else."

The Black-Clothed Man's eyes flickered with greed.

Had he not learned Qin Feng was in Yanshou County, even if Zhao Zan offered twice the money, he would never have accepted this mission.

Now, Qin Feng had actually left Jingdu.

And he brought only Ning Hu and Qin Xiaofu with him.

Such fat prey, right in front of him—how could he let it slip away?

"Since you've made up your mind, there's nothing more to say."

"But killing Qin Feng isn't like killing anyone else—it costs more."

"Second Young Master Zhao, over the years, we've eliminated countless troubles for your Zhao Clan."

"Different difficulty, different price—you understand that, don't you?"

Zhao Zan clenched his fists—he didn't care about anything else now.

He only wanted Qin Feng dead, to vent his hatred.

As for money—

Zhao Zan had more than enough of it.

"Name your price!"

The Black-Clothed Man sneered: "Straightforward!"

"Twenty Thousand Li Silver—too much?"

"Killing Qin Feng means we'll be hunted to the ends of the earth by the Northern Border Troops."

"Only with this sum can we afford our remaining years."

Twenty Thousand Li Silver…

That's equivalent to the Zhao Clan's entire budget for grain purchases in the second half of the year.

Though it slightly exceeded Zhao Zan's capacity,

considering that with Qin Feng dead, the Zhao Clan would lose a major threat in the grain trade,

this deal was worth making!

"Fine! Twenty Thousand Li Silver!"

"I'm in full charge of business in Yanshou County—I have authority to move silver."

"But I must first confirm you truly have the ability to kill Qin Feng."

The Black-Clothed Man didn't waste words—he slowly raised his hand and waved it twice.

Zhao Zan raised an eyebrow: "What's that supposed to mean?"

The Black-Clothed Man also froze for a moment, turning to look behind him and snapping irritably, "Come out!"

"Second Young Master Zhao has agreed to our price."

The scene remained utterly silent.

The Black-Clothed Man frowned tightly, preparing to go find his men.

Then, footsteps sounded from the stairs beside the City Wall.

Along with them came a soft laugh.

"Two hundred thousand Tael? Heh. If Young Master Qin learned his head was worth so much, he'd probably be delighted."

Both the Black-Clothed Man and Zhao Zan froze.

They turned toward the sound.

There, slowly ascending the City Wall, was a man dressed in brocade robes, a short knife strapped at his waist.

His eyes, sharp as an eagle's, regarded the Black-Clothed Man with casual indifference.

"Heavenly Ranking Yu Ranking Assassin?"

"I recall that all Heavenly Ranking Assassins below the Jin Ranking are mere ants."

"Tell me, who gave you the Courage to take on my Young Master's black job?"

At these words, the Black-Clothed Man's eyes widened, and he involuntarily stepped back two paces.

A chill ran down his spine.

"Your Young Master?!"

"Are you Qin Feng's man?"

The man bowed slightly, a sly smile curling on his lips.

"I am but Liu Ming, a member of Young Master Qin's Brocade Guard, specifically assigned to covert assassination and protection as an Anwu Guard."

Brocade Guard?

The Black-Clothed Man had never heard the term "Brocade Guard."

But one thing was certain: this man was Qin Feng's covert protector.

That meant Qin Feng's entourage held not just Ning Hu—hidden masters numbered in the countless!

The Black-Clothed Man stepped back another pace, his eyes now filled with terror.

"Anwu Guard under the Brocade Guard? I've never even heard of such a thing!"

"I… I suppose you're no great threat."

"I am a Yu Ranking Heavenly Ranking Assassin, with dozens of men at my side. You alone? You've come only to die."

The Black-Clothed Man hoped to scare off Liu Ming.

But as he met Liu Ming's expression, despair filled his heart.

Because Liu Ming's eyes showed not the slightest fear—only a hint of mockery.

As if he had already seen through every move the Black-Clothed Man would make.

"Your men?" Liu Ming's lips curled slightly.

"They were already slaughtered by the Anwu Guard."

"If you don't believe me, look down beneath the City Wall."

At this, the Black-Clothed Man cautiously sidestepped a few paces and glanced sideways.

Instantly, sweat soaked his back.

Dozens of assassins he had brought lay sprawled on the ground, their blood staining the earth red.

Ten Plus men, dressed identically to Liu Ming—Brocade Anwu Guards.

They were checking the corpses, finishing off any who still breathed with a single stab.

One of the Brocade Anwu Guards looked up at the Black-Clothed Man, smiled, and waved casually—as if greeting him.

The Black-Clothed Man's DefensiveLine shattered completely.

Almost instinctively, he leapt off the opposite side of the City Wall.

Using his considerable skill, he slid down the wall and landed firmly, sprinting toward Huang Ye.

Liu Ming made no move to chase, only called out with a smile: "Don't run—below, there are worse threats than me."