Chapter Five: The Assassin

The arrival of this group left Lu Zhe, Old Six, and everyone else momentarily stunned. Old Six, seasoned and quick-witted, was the first to recover; he rose to his feet, clasped his hands, and addressed the men in black, “I don’t know what offense I, Old You, may have given you gentlemen, but if there’s something to be said, it’s better to sit down and discuss it calmly.”

The leader and his followers burst out laughing.

“You can discuss it calmly with the King of Hell in his palace,” the leader replied, his voice icy and murderous, undiminished by the veil covering his face.

Lu Zhe inwardly groaned, “First time I’ve dined at a rich man’s table, yet here they come—couldn’t they have chosen another time? They must be out to ruin my day.” Although he complained inwardly, his face now reflected a grave unease.

“The way they speak… this meal might well be my last,” the thought sent a chill through him.

Seeing negotiations were fruitless, Old Six, ever the veteran, clasped his hands again to the black-clad men. “Gentlemen, if there’s a grievance, let it be with me. Please, spare my family, and this young man here is my guest. I beseech you to show mercy.”

The black-clad men turned their gaze to Old Six’s daughters seated at his right. Each was momentarily taken aback, evidently surprised that such a portly, ordinary man could father daughters so striking. Their gazes lingered hungrily, and even Lu Zhe could feel the heat of their stares.

“Boss, these two women are not bad. When this is done, we should take them home and enjoy ourselves,” said a slightly plump man standing to the leader’s left.

The leader nodded, then shifted his gaze to Lu Zhe—merely a young man—and looked him over with casual indifference before turning away.

“Sorry, Old Six, but tonight everyone here must die. As for your daughters, we’ll treat them well. We’ll let them taste heaven, and then send them there for real,” the leader said, his words beginning in menace and ending in a lewd laugh.

“So, first ravish then kill, and he speaks as if he’s read some books,” Lu Zhe thought mockingly.

Old Six’s face had darkened to the color of iron. Xue Ling’er matched his expression, while Xue Fei, frightened, covered her delicate face with her hands, her eyes darting about, evoking pity. But now was no time for comfort—survival itself was in question.

“Men!” Old Six shouted.

“It’s useless, Old Six. Your dogs are either half-dead or have been dealt with by my brothers outside,” the leader sneered.

“You… what have you done?” Old Six demanded.

“Nothing much, just added a little something to their food,” the black-clad man answered carelessly.

The leader wasted no more words; he raised his knife and charged. The others followed, four men in black splitting into three groups: the leader went for Old Six, a slightly thin man lunged at Lu Zhe, and the remaining two headed for Xue Ling’er and the maids.

With a bang, the thin man’s blade crashed down on the stool Lu Zhe used to block. The black-clad man withdrew his blade, and when Lu Zhe saw the gash—over ten centimeters long—he shuddered.

Seeing Lu Zhe defending with a stool, the man thrust his knife toward Lu Zhe’s abdomen. Lu Zhe twisted, and the blade skimmed past him. He swung the stool at the man’s head, but the assailant ducked, dodging the blow, then swept his blade horizontally at Lu Zhe’s right flank.

Though young, Lu Zhe was no stranger to such scenes. He worked at the docks, where fights with thugs were commonplace. He had never trained professionally, but his brawling skills were decent, and with his strength, he could hold his own even against stronger opponents—except in special circumstances.

Lu Zhe and his adversary exchanged heated blows; Old Six’s struggle was equally intense. Old Six drew a two-foot-four sword from behind a pillar and faced off with the leader. Despite his bulk, Old Six moved with surprising agility, and the duel was evenly matched.

But Xue Ling’er’s situation was dire. She shielded Xue Fei and the two maids, retreating steadily, while the two black-clad men holstered their swords, their lecherous eyes roaming over her and Xue Fei. With each step forward, Xue Ling’er retreated, now nearly at the corner. The two men laughed wickedly, their laughter lascivious.

“Sister, we’re backed against the wall,” Xue Fei whispered behind her.

The men’s laughter deepened; the one closest advanced, hands curved into claws.

“Heh,” Xue Ling’er mimicked Old Six, drawing a sword from behind the pillar. Her left hand formed a sword gesture, her right brandished the blade at the men.

The two paused briefly, exchanged glances, then burst into laughter.

“Little girl, give up. Don’t make me hurt you,” one of the men said, grinning lewdly.

“Scoundrel, prepare to die!” Xue Ling’er shouted, lunging at him.

The two were unfazed, even amused.

Xue Ling’er struck first, targeting the man on the left. He did not defend immediately, waiting until her sword came down before raising his right hand. In a blur, he caught her sword between his middle and index fingers.

“Hmm,” Xue Ling’er tried to force the blade down, but it didn’t budge.

The man laughed, his right hand still trapping her sword, while his left arm snaked around her slender waist.

“Ah!” Xue Ling’er cried out, releasing the sword and trying to retreat, but it was too late—the man’s hand held her waist and, as she let go of the blade, he tossed it aside, freeing his right hand to grope her chest.

“Careful!” Just as the man reached for Xue Ling’er, his companion shouted.

The man abruptly loosened his grip and bent low—just as something whizzed past his head. It was a chair, the one Lu Zhe had used for defense, its seat marred by a deep gash.

“Damn you, brat!” the man cursed, still shaken. The chair had hurtled toward him too quickly; any slower, and it would have struck him. Seeing it shatter against the pillar, he realized how badly it would have hurt.

“Who is this guy?” he wondered, standing and glaring at Lu Zhe.

Xue Ling’er seized the opportunity to snatch up her sword and ready herself for defense. She cast Lu Zhe a grateful glance, then focused on her enemies.

Lu Zhe didn’t notice her gratitude—he was pondering how to face his opponent, now bereft of any defensive weapon.

“Hmm?” An idea struck him, and he darted behind the nearest pillar.

He soon emerged, empty-handed and angry.

“Why is there nothing behind my pillar?” he shouted, pointing furiously—clearly at Old Six and Xue Ling’er.

The remark amused his assailant, who quickly regained composure and came at Lu Zhe again, blade raised.

Lu Zhe dodged left, evading the blow, spun, and swung his right fist at the man’s face—a punch that, if it landed, would sting for sure.

The man did not dodge, but blocked with his left hand, surprised by the numbing jolt.

“This kid’s got strength,” he mused.

He didn’t know Lu Zhe had always been strong, among the best of his peers, and years of hauling cargo had further honed his muscles. Even older men could not match him; when he rescued Xiao Hui years ago, he’d fought off three grown men and carried Xiao Hui away.

Lu Zhe, seeing his punch blocked, quickly withdrew his fist, then unleashed it again, aiming for the man’s chest.

The man paused, left hand drawn back, right hand ready—he slid his blade up, left hand bracing the edge, right hand gripping the hilt, muscles taut, veins bulging. He intended to meet Lu Zhe’s blow head-on.

With a clang, Lu Zhe’s fist struck the middle of the blade, metal ringing. The force bent the knife into a precarious arc, stopping just an inch from the man’s chest. Seeing his steel blade nearly bent in half, he felt a chill—if that punch had landed, his ribs might have snapped.

Lu Zhe quickly drew back his fist, shook off the numbness, and kept his eyes on his foe.

“Impressive strength,” the man silently praised. He had used half his strength to block, yet his pure steel knife was bent.

“Such power at a young age—he’s a talent, but I fear he won’t live to see his potential,” the man thought, his tone admiring at first, then chilling.

“Oh? Then you’d best kill me now. I’m not one to forgive, and if you show mercy, trouble will follow,” Lu Zhe replied lightly, unfazed by the threat, rubbing his fist with a grin.

The man glanced at Lu Zhe, shook his head, dismissing it as a futile bravado before death.

He rolled his shoulders, shook his hands, and his bones crackled like beans popping.

“Warm-up’s over?” he asked calmly.

“Huh?” Lu Zhe was momentarily taken aback—warm-up? He’d been fighting for his life, yet to this man it was merely a warm-up. It was almost humiliating.

He thought so, but outwardly, he simply smiled, arching his lips, “Yes, the warm-up’s over. Time for the real thing.”

“Oh? Then please, show me,” the man said, charging in with his blade.

Now he was serious—his attacks were fierce, every move aimed at fatal points.

“His swordplay is ruthless. Damn, just dodging is exhausting,” Lu Zhe thought, seeking a flaw in the relentless assault.

Across the room, the battle had settled into its rhythm: Lu Zhe was under pressure, Old Six locked in an even struggle, unlikely to last much longer, and Xue Ling’er’s side was forced back, the situation dire.

“Where are you looking?” the man shouted, swinging his blade down at Lu Zhe.

Lu Zhe refocused, saw the descending blade, and flipped backward, evading the strike. The man twisted his blade from chopping to thrusting, aiming for Lu Zhe’s chest.

Lu Zhe paused, watched the blade draw near, then pivoted back, toes pushing off the floor, retreating rapidly to dodge.

Twice thwarted, the man grew furious. Before Lu Zhe could steady himself, the man crouched, feet pounding, knife held at his left side, and launched himself at Lu Zhe.

Lu Zhe’s pupils narrowed as the attacker closed in. He dug his feet into the floor to stabilize, but the blade was already at his chest—one step closer and he’d be skewered.

“Ha!” Lu Zhe leaned back, fell to the floor, and kicked at the man’s abdomen.

With a slap, his foot landed true, sending the man stumbling back several steps before regaining his balance.

Seizing the moment, Lu Zhe sprang to his feet.