Chapter 240

Gu Xixi still had the mood to joke, "Sure enough, Mu Nan Zhao is more hateful than your brother He Jinghui."

Translation: Gu Xixi still had the mood to joke, "Sure enough, Mu Nan Zhao is more hateful than your brother He Jinghui."

Gu Xixi still had the mood to joke, "Sure enough, Mu Nan Zhao is more hateful than your brother He Jinghui."

She sighed again, "I just don't know what's going on with Liu Fuzi's side..."

Translation: She sighed again, "I just don't know how Master Liu's side is..."

Before her words had finished, there was a clang as the door sounded.

Translation: Before her words finished, there was a clang as the door sounded.

Before her words finished, there was a clang as the door sounded.

Liu Fuzi suddenly rushed in, drenched in sweat, his face anxious, panting, and only upon seeing Gu Xixi did he barely manage to stop his steps.

Translation: Master Liu suddenly burst in, drenched in sweat, his face full of urgency, panting, and only upon seeing Gu Xixi did he barely manage to stop his steps.

and only upon seeing Gu Xixi did he barely manage to stop his steps.

Liu Fuzi gazed at the two unharmed individuals, stunned for a moment, then broke into a relieved smile, "Great, Boss Gu, you're safe, you're all safe, truly wonderful!"

Translation: Master Liu gazed at the two unharmed people, stunned for a moment, then broke into a relieved smile: "Great, Boss Gu, you're safe, you're all safe, really great!"

Boss Gu

At the same time, Gu Xixi and He Jinglan were also staring at Liu Fuzi in surprise.

Translation: At the same time, Gu Xixi and He Jinglan were also staring at Master Liu in surprise.

He wore a semi-new, semi-old indigo-blue long robe, his head wrapped in a cloth, still his usual scholar's attire, yet his right hand gripped a huge four-ringed sword, its widest blade broader than his own face.

Translation: He wore a semi-new indigo-blue long robe, his head bound with a cloth, still his usual scholar's attire, yet his right hand held a huge four-ring blade, its widest part larger than his own face.

This scene... is simply miraculous.

Translation: This scene... was simply miraculous.

Liu Fuzi whistled a few times, signaling that the people outside could withdraw.

Translation: Master Liu whistled a few times, signaling that those outside could withdraw.

Because Mu Nan Zhao had previously said not to disturb Gu Xixi's family's daily life.

Translation: Because Mu Nan Zhao had said beforehand, we must not disturb the daily life of Gu Xixi's family.

Unless absolutely necessary, the shadow guards' operations must be conducted in darkness, so that the villagers cannot notice.

Translation: Unless absolutely necessary, the Shadow Guards' operations must remain hidden, so villagers cannot notice.

In fact, assassins had been approaching the village continuously since two days ago.

Translation: In fact, assassins had been approaching the village in succession since two days ago.

However, anyone under Liu Fuzi who discovered intruders would be dealt with in advance, far from residences; the operation was basically carried out silently, cleanly and efficiently, with traces promptly cleaned up.

Translation: However, Master Liu's subordinates, upon discovering any intruders, would deal with them beforehand in places far from residences, their actions basically silent, clean and swift, with traces promptly cleared.

Therefore, the He family's shadow guards stationed around Gu Xixi's house had not noticed anything unusual.

Translation: That's why the He family Shadow Guards stationed around Gu Xixi's house had not noticed anything unusual.

Starting before dawn this morning, Liu Fuzi and his men had already caught traces of the intruders.

Translation: Starting before dawn this morning, Master Liu and his men had already caught traces of the intruders.

Unlike before, today many people came, in groups of three or two, wave after wave.

Translation: Unlike before, today many people came, in groups of two or three, wave after wave.

Moreover, some intruders took unconventional routes, but they were quickly defeated by the shadow guards.

Translation: Moreover, some intruders took unconventional routes, but they were quickly defeated by the Shadow Guards.

Originally, Liu Fuzi thought the people behind the assassins were getting desperate, so he employed a human sea wave tactic.

Translation: Originally, Master Liu thought only that the people behind the assassins were anxious, so he employed a human-sea wheel tactic.

Until he captured an assassin, whose arrogant speech revealed some clues.

Translation: Until he captured an assassin, whose arrogant speech revealed some clues.

Liu Fuzi sensed something was wrong and immediately employed the most brutal interrogation methods, causing that assassin to confess after just a few rounds.

Translation: Master Liu sensitively sensed something amiss, and immediately employed the most brutal interrogation methods, causing that assassin to confess after just a few rounds.

It turned out these people were merely smoke screens.

Translation: It turned out these people were merely smoke screens.

Their purpose was to draw fire, interfere with the shadow guards' vision, allowing the truly commanded person to sneak into the village smoothly.

Translation: Their purpose was to draw fire, interfere with the Shadow Guards' vision, and allow the truly ordered person to sneak into the village smoothly.

At that time, although Liu Fuzi's face was grim and he grabbed his knife and was about to leave, he wasn't overly panicked.

Translation: At that time, although Master Liu's face was grim, he grabbed his knife and set off, but he was not overly panicked.

Until he heard the assassin sneer behind him, "It's too late; even if you could fly now, you wouldn't make it in time!"

Translation: Until he heard the assassin snarl behind him, "Too late—even if you could fly now, you wouldn't make it in time!"

"You think the He family's shadow guards standing there could buy you some time?"

Translation: "You think the He family Shadow Guards standing guard there could buy you some time?"

"Unfortunately, they were lured away by the bait we set, in order to personally protect the He family's eldest miss, and are now following her around outside."

Translation: "Too bad they were lured away by our bait, as they were personally protecting the He family's young miss, and are now wandering outside with her,"

"Anyway, orders from above dictate that capturing the woman with the surname Gu is the priority; capturing the He family's miss is a bonus, and failing to do so doesn't count as mission failure."

Translation: "Besides, orders from above dictate that capturing the surnamed Gu woman is the priority; capturing the He family miss is a bonus, and failing to do so doesn't count as mission failure."

Liu Fuzi was filled with shock and anger, but he had no time to delay; with a grim face he left a single word, "Kill," and hurried back with a few men.

Translation: Master Liu felt both shock and anger, but he had no time to delay; with a grim face he left a single word, "Kill," and hurried back with a few men.

Even as he was dying, the assassin shouted, "That guy is the most ruthless and skilled among us; even if you all teamed up, you could only hope to fight him to a draw!"

Translation: The assassin, even as he died, shouted, "That guy is the most ruthless and vicious among us, highly skilled in martial arts; even if you all teamed up, a draw would be impressive!"

"What's more, a mere girl! Could she possibly escape?! Hahaha..."

Translation: "What's more, just a little woman! Could she possibly escape?! Hahaha..."

As Liu Fuzi pushed open the door to Gu Xixi's home, he had already resolved himself to "fight to the death today, and do everything possible to bring the person back."

Translation: As Master Liu pushed open Gu Xixi's front gate, his heart had already resolved to "fight to the death today, and do his utmost to chase the person back."

But he never expected that Gu Xixi and He Jinglan would be standing perfectly fine in the courtyard.

Translation: But he never expected that Gu Xixi and He Jinglan would be standing perfectly fine in the courtyard.

After listening to Liu Fuzi finish recounting the general events,

Translation: After hearing Master Liu finish his rough account,

Gu Xixi pondered and said, "It matches exactly what we had anticipated with Jinglan."

Translation: Gu Xixi pondered and said, "It matches exactly what Jing Lan had just anticipated."

Liu Fuzi had just been terrified; suddenly releasing his tension, his legs felt weak, so he quickly planted his large sword in the ground to use as a crutch.

Translation: Master Liu had just been terrified out of his wits; suddenly releasing his tension, his legs felt weak, so he quickly planted his big blade in the ground to use as a cane.

Then he turned his head to look at the black-clad corpse on the ground.

Translation: Then he turned his head to look at the black-clad corpse on the ground.

There were no obvious external wounds, nor many signs of struggle; it appeared he died quickly and peacefully.

Translation: There were no obvious external wounds, few signs of struggle; it appeared he died quickly and peacefully.

Liu Fuzi looked shocked at Gu Xixi and He Jinglan, his mind in turmoil.

Translation: Master Liu looked in shock at Gu Xixi and He Jinglan, his mind in turmoil.

There shouldn't be anyone else in this courtyard, right?

Translation: There should be no one else in this courtyard, right?

Who killed him?!

Translation: Who killed him?!

Isn't this guy a top-notch assassin?

Translation: Isn't this guy a top-notch assassin?

Did he just die like that?

Translation: He just died like that?

……

Translation:...

Gu Xixi seemed not to notice Liu Fuzi's questioning and shocked gaze.

Translation: Gu Xixi seemed not to notice Master Liu's inquiring and shocked gaze.

She lightly clapped her hands, "Oh right. I almost forgot."

Translation: She lightly clapped her hands, "Oh right. I almost forgot."

"This, should we treat him as a bandit and hand him over to the officials, or have Mr. Liu deal with it conveniently?"

Translation: "This one, should we treat him as a bandit and hand him over to the Government Office, or have Master Liu deal with it conveniently?"

Liu Fuzi seethed inside: "How can you forget a corpse this big lying here?!"

Translation: Master Liu seethed inside: "Such a big corpse lying here, and you could still forget it?!"

But his face remained calm as water, "I'll handle it."

Translation: But his face remained calm as water: "I'll handle it."

"This matter is inherently secret; there's no need to involve the authorities."

Translation: "This matter is inherently secret; there's no need to go through the Government Office."

He Jinglan pointed backward at the rear room, lowering her voice, "Keep the noise down; there are still children at home, don't scare them."

Translation: He Jinglan pointed backward at the rear house, lowering her voice: "Keep the movement light; there are still children at home, don't scare them."

Liu Fuzi understood.

Translation: Master Liu understood.

Soon someone came, placed the corpse in a sack and carried it away, taking only the time it takes to finish a cup of tea.

Translation: Soon someone came, placed the corpse in a sack and carried it away, taking no more than the time to finish a cup of tea.

Liu Fuzi sought Gu Xixi's consent, then decided to set up another layer of defense around her home.

Translation: Master Liu sought Gu Xixi's consent, then decided to set up another layer of defense around her home.

He said guiltily, "Today is entirely my oversight."

Translation: He apologized, "Today is entirely my oversight."

"I was entrusted by Master Mu, yet I almost caused Boss Gu to fall into enemy hands."

Translation: "I was entrusted by Master Mu, yet I nearly caused Boss Gu to fall into enemy hands."

"If Boss Gu hadn't saved herself, I would likely be unable to atone for my guilt even with ten thousand deaths."

Translation: "If Boss Gu hadn't saved himself, I would probably be unable to atone even with ten thousand deaths."

Gu Xixi waved her hand, "Mr. Liu has devoted himself these past days, allowing me to remain unaware and sleep soundly; today turned out to be a scare without harm, and I feel only gratitude toward Mr. Liu."

Translation: Gu Xixi waved her hand, "Master Liu has devoted himself wholeheartedly these past days, allowing me to know nothing and sleep soundly each night; today turned out to be a scare without harm, and I feel only gratitude toward Master Liu."

"As for how you and that person should talk, that's your own business."

Translation: "As for how you and that person should speak, that's your own business."

Liu Fuzi sighed, then bowed his hands toward Gu Xixi again.

Translation: Master Liu sighed, then bowed his hands again toward Gu Xixi.

To prevent the villagers from being frightened when he returns brandishing his knife, Master Liu's Four-Ring Sword is temporarily kept at Gu Xixi's home.

Zhang Shen rarely goes to the backyard medicine room; hiding there is very safe.

It's already nearing late morning; lunchtime has passed.

Gu Xixi calmed down, feeling panicky from hunger, "Let's go find something to eat."

She walked to the stove room, muttering, "Strange, how come Auntie went out for so long today, she's eaten but hasn't come back."

He Jinglan laughed, "You really don't know anything when you're busy."

"When I came back at noon, I just happened to meet Auntie about to go out; she went to Zhao Meipo's house to drink. She had already cooked cold noodles for us and hung them in the well. The noodle sauce and vegetables were also ready, plus Xiao Hua's cat food, all placed on the kitchen table."

"Auntie also said she greeted you; you all know."

Gu Xixi froze, raising a hand to slap her forehead.

"I remember now, she said a few words outside my window, and I just casually agreed."

The three of them and the cat ate the belated lunch.

In the afternoon Shitou went out to play with his friends, Lao Langzhong returned from seeing patients, and Gu Xixi and He Jinglan went out to help carry the medicine box.

He Jinglan laughed and asked, "Did Elder Jiang eat? We have cold noodles at home."

Lao Langzhong smiled and said, "I've already eaten; the patient's family warmly urged me to stay for a meal, I really couldn't refuse."

He walked to the middle of the courtyard, suddenly stopped, and wrinkled his nose.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan watched from the side, their hearts leaping to their throats.

Even though it had been repeatedly cleaned, mugwort water was still splashed on the ground.

Surely Lao Langzhong won't notice, someone just died on the ground, right?