Chapter 54: Suspicion Abounds

Chapter 54: Suspicion Abounds

The moment the word "please" left his lips, Hu Tiehua sprang into action. His figure shot upward, first appearing to Yao Long Li Chaofeng’s left, then vanishing and reappearing to his right in an instant, only to return to the left again moments later.

Darting left and right like a staggering drunkard, Hu Tiehua’s steps wove a chaotic dance around Yao Long Li Chaofeng. Yet the assassin knew better—this was no drunken stumble. Every step was calculated, landing precisely where Hu Tiehua intended.

If Yao Long Li Chaofeng tried to strike now, his blade would find nothing but empty air.

Sighing, Yao Long Li Chaofeng finally spoke.
“I believe you’re truly Hu Tiehua.”

Hu Tiehua’s grin widened. In a flash, he returned to his original spot, his posture unchanged, as if he’d never moved at all.

Though Hu Tiehua’s primary technique was the Startling Dream of the Wandering Dragon, he occasionally wove in the Butterfly Weaving Through Flowers style during their duel.

Ji Bingyan narrowed his eyes, studying Yao Long Li Chaofeng. As the most cautious among them, he finally broke his silence.
“You care whether Chu Liuxiang lives or dies?”

Yao Long Li Chaofeng hesitated before nodding. “Chu Liuxiang hired me to kill the King of Kucha.”

“!!”

Hu Tiehua and Ji Bingyan paled, their eyes widening. They exchanged glances, then spoke in unison, their voices sharp.
“That’s impossible!”

Yao Long Li Chaofeng frowned. “Why? Chu Liuxiang was captured by the King of Kucha. That makes them enemies!”

Ji Bingyan exhaled slowly, his tone measured. “Chu Liuxiang wasn’t the King’s enemy before today. And since you chose tonight for the assassination, you couldn’t have been hired by him after this plan began.”

Three mentions of “today” revealed the crux of the matter. Before tonight, Chu Liuxiang had no reason to seek Yao Long Li Chaofeng’s help.

The assassin fell silent. Few knew of his bond with Chu Liuxiang. If even Hu Tiehua and Ji Bingyan were kept in the dark, who had truly sent him here? Or—had Chu Liuxiang brought his companions here not as allies, but as pawns?

Could the man they called friend truly betray them?

Yao Long Li Chaofeng, a killer by trade, knew betrayal was common. Yet as Chu Liuxiang’s friend, he refused to believe it.

Drawing a deep breath, he countered firmly. “Then why is Chu Liuxiang here?”

Ji Bingyan fell quiet. Hu Tiehua blinked, uncertain how to answer. Suddenly, Li Chaofeng interjected.
“As the world’s greatest assassin, do you know the Great Desert’s Black Pearl?”

The question was vague yet piercing. Yao Long Li Chaofeng’s mind raced. He recalled a truth he’d overlooked—Black Pearl was the third person who knew of his connection to Chu Liuxiang.

Nan Gongling and Wu Hua were dead. Su Zhenrong and Chu Liuxiang were practically one.

Yao Long Li Chaofeng’s eyes widened. “Did Chu Liuxiang come to the Great Desert for Black Pearl?”

Li Chaofeng merely smiled, offering no confirmation.

Sheathing his sword, Yao Long Li Chaofeng nodded to the three men. “I won’t kill the King until I see Chu Liuxiang.”

Li Chaofeng stroked his chin, then murmured, “You’re truly remarkable. At least more so than us. We can’t kill him. You simply won’t.”

“Because I’m an assassin,” Yao Long Li Chaofeng replied, then paused, glancing at Li Chaofeng. “You’re suggesting the King has a Martial Master guarding him?”

Hu Tiehua’s earlier display had surpassed Yao Long Li Chaofeng’s skill, yet Li Chaofeng still claimed they couldn’t kill the King.

“Is there one?” Yao Long Li Chaofeng pressed.

Li Chaofeng smiled enigmatically. Hu Tiehua scoffed. “If you truly know Chu Liuxiang, you know one thing—no one captures him easily. And whoever convinced you he’s in danger? They’re lying.”

Understanding dawned. Yao Long Li Chaofeng nodded to Li Chaofeng. “Thank you.”

The unspoken truth lingered—neither side fully trusted the other.

Once Yao Long Li Chaofeng departed, Ji Bingyan turned to the others. “Do you believe him?”

Li Chaofeng grinned. “Why not? He’s no threat to us.”

Hu Tiehua nodded. “I trust him because he never showed intent to attack.”

While Hu Tiehua danced around him with Butterfly Weaving Through Flowers, Yao Long Li Chaofeng’s blade hadn’t wavered an inch. No muscle tensed, no hostility stirred.

Li Chaofeng interrupted. “The Kuchean handmaiden’s back.”

The handmaiden, Mayisha, had been rescued by Li Chaofeng and claimed by Hu Tiehua. Now serving in the King’s camp, she’d attended to their tent since yesterday.

Hu Tiehua shifted uncomfortably. “Her name’s Mayisha.”

Li Chaofeng rolled his eyes. “Will you take her back to the Central Plains?”

“Impossible!” Hu Tiehua scoffed.

Li Chaofeng yawned, reclining. “Then forget her name. It’s cruel otherwise.”

Hu Tiehua hesitated, glancing at Ji Bingyan’s retreating back. Ji Bingyan would’ve taken her. But Hu Tiehua was no Ji Bingyan—Hu Tiehua, the wandering swordsman, never stayed.

Mayisha stood at the tent flap, her voice soft. “Are the gentlemen resting?”

“Enter, Mayisha.”

Hu Tiehua caught himself using her name, then stiffened. “Is the King summoning us?”

She shook her head, eyes lowered. “I only wished to offer water for washing. It’s late.”

Hu Tiehua blinked, then nodded curtly. “We’re tired. Leave us.”

Mayisha’s eyes glistened. She bowed, retreating silently.

Hu Tiehua had bedded countless women, only to forget them by dawn. Yet Li Chaofeng’s words lingered—cruel.

He’d have kept flirting with Mayisha until his departure, had he not realized this.

As she vanished, Hu Tiehua collapsed onto his cot, pushing the thought aside. He’d forget her soon enough.

Suddenly, he sat upright. “Li Chaofeng! Explain how you learned the Nine Manifestations Dragon Fear Lament!”

Li Chaofeng didn’t open his eyes. “Faced a foe, leapt off a cliff, found a cave, discovered a treasure, mastered a divine technique, and claimed a legendary weapon.”

With a yawn, he drifted to sleep, leaving Hu Tiehua glaring at the tent ceiling.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end