“Master, they’re gone.” Seeing this, the Leader stepped forward. She shot a sidelong glance at Su Wei and lowered her voice. “We should return as well.”
Su He nodded. She released Su Wei’s waist, instead taking her hand. “Fine, let’s head back first.”
Su Wei’s wrist was firmly grasped in Su He’s hand. Her complexion wasn’t good, and each step seemed slightly arduous. This reaction successfully made Su He stop walking. The master released her hand and suddenly reached out towards her. In the next moment, Su Wei fell into a warm embrace.
She was lifted into her master’s arms—
“Mas—”
“Don’t speak.” Su He’s voice wasn’t heavy, but it lacked its usual gentleness, instead carrying a sharp edge.
Su Wei fell silent. She was carried in Su He’s arms the entire way. That red outer robe was exceptionally eye-catching. Her waist, whether wide or narrow, had perfect proportions; this garment suited her well.
But for some reason, Su Wei kept feeling that her master giving her this outfit and taking her out was like parading her around.
This feeling took deeper root in Su Wei’s heart, subtly making her uncomfortable.
“Master, you can put this subordinate down now.” Su Wei hadn’t lifted her head the whole time. Her hands were also awkwardly drawn up near her chest, trying her best to avoid touching her master.
Su He carried her directly into the room and steadily laid her on the bed. “You did exceptionally well today,” she said gently.
Su Wei carefully raised her eyes to glance at Su He, then swiftly averted her gaze. She sensed a probing nature behind these words; they weren’t entirely sincere.
“Thank you, Master.”
She looked listless, clearly exhausted. “Can this subordinate take off these clothes? They’re a bit uncomfortable.”
Su He let out an “Ah.” She reached out and removed the two pins at Su Wei’s chest, casually tossing them aside. “Dislike the clothes, or dislike the identity Gu gave you?”
“This subordinate is merely a Shadow Guard, at Master’s disposal.” Su Wei said quietly. “Whatever Master gives, this subordinate will naturally accept.”
“Heh.” Su He chuckled. Her fingers toyed with Su Wei’s hair as she asked casually, “That day, did you get a clear look at your assassins?”
“No.” Su Wei recalled. “Those people were tightly wrapped. The only things clearly visible were their eyes. But there were too many of them then, and this subordinate’s mind was entirely focused on fighting them, so I couldn’t pay attention.”
Su He didn’t reply immediately. Her fingertips slipped off Su Wei’s outer robe, looking at the covered scars. She sighed softly. “Su Wei, Gu is about to make a deal with Master He, and you play a very crucial role in it.”
Su Wei lowered her eyes and bit her lower lip without speaking.
“Do you want to know?”
“I do.”
Su He’s lips curved into a smile. Her fingertip pressed against Su Wei’s shoulder, using a little force to push the Shadow Guard down onto the bed. She knelt on the bed, bracing herself as she straddled Su Wei. But she didn’t put her weight down, instead holding herself up, looking down at Su Wei from above. The Shadow Guard’s build was already slimmer than her master’s, and Su He’s aura was even more oppressively powerful.
“Little Nine.” This was the first time Su He used this form of address. She bent down and kissed Su Wei’s lips, whispering, “Because you bring Gu joy.”
Su He kissed Su Wei’s neck, murmuring, “This outfit suits you perfectly.”
A flicker of panic passed through Su Wei’s eyes. “Master.”
“What is it?” Su He didn’t tease her further. Instead, she braced her hands on either side of Su Wei. “You must not disappoint Gu,” she whispered.
Su Wei raised her eyes and stared directly into Su He’s.
.
Su He’s business with Master He progressed very quickly. The goods were practically ready by the third day. Su Wei had gone with Su He to inspect them. They were all genuine grain supplies. If all of this could reach the disaster victims, it would likely save countless people from dire straits.
How could a small town have so much grain?
“Master He, this shipment absolutely must be transported safely to my estate.” Su He patted the loaded burlap sacks with great satisfaction. “If these supplies are casually discovered by government troops, it’s a matter of losing our heads.”
“Rest assured.” Master He was brimming with confidence. “I’ve already made arrangements along the waterway for transport. There will be absolutely no problems. You have to understand, the backer I rely on is—”
He stopped himself just in time, pointing a finger upward with a knowing, ambiguous smile. “That master up there.”
Su He also put on a look of understanding. She chuckled quietly, pointing at the other man in the air. “You are indeed trustworthy. I wish you ever-thriving business in the future.”
Master He let out a hearty chuckle. “Nonsense, I merely hope Manager Cheng will help me pass on my regards to Miss Lan.”
Su He readily agreed. “You can set your mind at ease. I’ve already put in good words for you long ago.”
“Well, it’s getting late. I’ll take my leave first.”
“Take care, I won’t see you off.”
Su He waved a hand behind her and strode outwards. The moment she was free of the people tailing her, the smile on her face immediately faded. She tilted her head, let out an “Ah,” and looked at the cargo ship laden with grain.
“Is everything arranged?”
The Leader hesitated for a few seconds, then answered truthfully. “Everything is arranged. But do you truly intend to do this? Shadow Nine’s health isn’t good.”
Su He turned her head and cast a bland glance at the Leader. She patted the other woman’s face and gave a short, crisp laugh. “Gu will be with her. Miss Lan, you can rest your heart entirely.”
With that, she paid the Leader no more mind and strode onto the cargo ship.
Meanwhile, the person Su He was waiting for remained completely oblivious. Su Wei sat in the inn and drained the bowl of medicine Shadow Seven had prepared.
“Little Nine, staying by Master’s side… do you feel happy?”
Su Wei set down the bowl. “I am a Shadow Guard,” she said softly. “My duty is to protect Master. What’s there to speak of happiness or not?”
Shadow Seven nodded lightly. “What you say is true. But now that your martial arts are completely crippled, perhaps you could change your own circumstances.”
“Shadow Seven.” Su Wei’s voice turned solemn. “Change what circumstances? Going to climb into Master’s bed?”
“Aren’t you insulting people a bit too much?”
Shadow Seven’s face stiffened. “That’s not what I meant. I only wanted to help you.”
Su Wei shook her head. “You can’t help me. No one can.”
“Alright, let’s not speak of this. I’m a bit tired and want to wash up and sleep.”
Just as Su Wei stood up, she heard a Palace Attendant knocking on the door. Her steps halted, and she turned around with a hint of tension.
“Shadow Guard Su, change your clothes and come with me.”
Shadow Seven whipped her head around, then immediately lowered it, saying nothing.
Hearing the Palace Attendant’s words, Su Wei found herself not surprised at all. She took the clothes the attendant handed over. They were no longer red, but pure white.
The style was also extremely simple. Su Wei felt the fabric; it seemed to be high-grade, and the size looked much more fitting, almost as if it had been rush-ordered and made.
She changed into this outfit, casually tied up her hair, and silently followed behind the Palace Attendant.
The attendant led her onto a boat. Su Wei recognized the goods prepared by Master He at a glance. She narrowed her eyes slightly and was about to question the attendant, but saw that the attendant had already disembarked. The attendant waved at her from the dock.
Then what was she supposed to do?
Su Wei clenched her fingers. Just as her fingertips were about to touch the grain sacks, she heard the whistling shriek tearing through the air. She immediately sidestepped to dodge, but because of her poor health, she nearly fell to the ground.
The arrow pierced straight through the deck, embedding itself deeply.
Su Wei retreated a few steps, leaning against the boat with practiced ease, her hand resting on the grain sacks. Without a trace of surprise, she watched the people who flipped onto the boat.
Simultaneously, panicked screams erupted outside—it sounded like an attack.
“Why not kill me?” Su Wei smiled at them. “Here to rob this shipment?”
The woman at the front scoffed. “With your current strength, who could you possibly beat?”
Su Wei let out an “Ah” and nodded. “I know. So I’m at your disposal.”
“This cargo isn’t mine either. If you want it, just take it.”
“I want the goods, and your life must be left behind too.”
Su Wei paused, finding it somewhat amusing. She tilted her head and laughed. “Is that so? Why didn’t you unify your demands between these two attempts? Oh, I forgot. They’re all dead.”
“People change.” The woman looked at her as if she were already dead. “Why not come with me? You wouldn’t be in such a wretched state as you are now.”
“You think too much.” Su Wei had no desire to engage with her whatsoever.
The woman directly tossed a sword over. “A weapon for self-defense, lest you say we bullied you with numbers.”
Su Wei felt this person had some peculiar quirks. Still, she picked up the sword and, in the next instant, charged out of the cabin without hesitation.
She could even feel the whistle of the blade slashing straight towards her back. Unflustered, she turned and countered with practiced ease, using years of experience to steady her body. Her waist was supported by the Leader, and the next second she heard the Leader say, “Go to the other boat. Do you want me to—”
After hearing this, Su Wei didn’t look back. Borrowing the momentum, she leaped onto the other small boat. The moment she steadied herself, she sensed something wrong and turned around in shock. That wasn’t the Leader. No!
“No!”
Although Su He and the Leader shared some similar moves, other differences were still discernible. She had been careless.
What about the other Shadow Guards?
Her eyes rapidly swept the surroundings. Just as she was about to shout, she was stunned into place by the deafening blast from behind.
Su Wei turned around in disbelief and saw flames erupting on that boat, as if intent on devouring everyone aboard.
“Master.” Su Wei murmured. Her foot shifted forward. Just as she was about to head over, she saw a figure emerge, silhouetted against the roaring fire. Behind the figure, several twisted forms writhed in agony within the flames.
Su He tossed aside her bamboo hat and leaped lightly onto the boat, reaching out to pull Su Wei close.
“That boat was entirely filled with weeds.” Su He drew Su Wei over. A faint trace of blood stained the corner of her lips, stark and jarring.
“Are you afraid?”
Su Wei blinked, not answering.
The next second, her waist was embraced by Su He. As she lifted her head, her master kissed her—a kiss amidst the smoke of war. And that trace of blood dissolved and vanished between their lips and teeth.
