Chapter Forty: The Assassin

Late that night, Ye Feng sat beneath the lamplight, engrossed in his books. Recent battles weighed heavy on his mind, and he could not help but sigh. That sigh, however, drew the attention of someone outside his tent.

A soft voice called, “Commander Ye, what troubles you tonight?”

Startled, Ye Feng rose, carrying his candle, and stepped outside. At the entrance stood a man, cradling a single-edged saber in his arms. He appeared to be in his thirties, well over seven feet tall, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a lean, pale face adorned by a long beard—two feet in length at least. Yet, the beard was not his most distinctive feature; rather, it was the three strands braided with a red cord, hanging straight upon his chest, the tassel fluttering in the wind, lending him an air of rakish freedom.

“Oh, it’s Brother Mu! Please, come in!” Ye Feng hurriedly clasped his fists in greeting and invited the man inside.

The visitor was Mu Shijin, known as the “Chameleon Rogue.” Legend held that from childhood, he trained in demon-slaying arts, and as a young man wandered the underworld, reckless and untamed. Later, in Jade Harmony County—neighboring Black Earth City—he quarreled in a brothel with a wealthy scion, killed him in a jealous rage, and was sentenced to death. Yet, on the eve of his execution, he somehow escaped and sought refuge in Black Earth City.

Ye Feng, intrigued by his unusual appearance, mysterious history, and considerable skill, introduced him to Murong Yan, who appointed him as a minor officer.

“Brother Mu, what brings you to my tent tonight?” After the pleasantries, Ye Feng asked directly.

Mu Shijin replied frankly, “Commander Ye, I have been in the camp for more than half a year. Thanks to your care, my life is passable. These days, seeing you troubled, I came to visit. If there is anything I can do to serve you and ease your worries, I am at your disposal.”

Ye Feng then confided his recent frustrations. “When I returned to the ranks after recovering from my wounds, Marshal Murong asked if I had any tactics to break the enemy. I suggested sowing discord—but to do so, someone must enter the enemy camp, gather intelligence on Xiao Ling, find leverage, and force him to betray the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons. This was only a preliminary idea, as I never found a suitable candidate, and so it remains unused.”

He frowned again. “With the demon army encircling the city and no other way to defeat them, I am at my wit’s end!”

Mu Shijin responded with a hearty laugh, springing to his feet. “Commander Ye, what difficulty is this? If you trust me, I will go—will that suffice?”

Ye Feng shook his head repeatedly. “Brother Mu, your courage is admirable. But how could an ordinary man infiltrate the demon camp? Only one of exceptional intelligence and bravery could undertake such a task.”

Mu Shijin snorted, his expression darkening. “Commander Ye, are you saying you do not trust me?”

Ye Feng hurried to reassure him. “Not at all! It’s just that this task is too important—I must consider it carefully.”

Mu Shijin stood, fists clasped, and said proudly, “If that’s so, I take my leave!” With a sweep of his sleeve, he turned and departed.

Ye Feng watched his retreating figure and secretly smiled: what a strange man—quick to change attitude, and no sense of rank or decorum.

He returned to his seat and resumed reading beneath the light.

Not long after, two soft sounds came from outside the tent—“bang!” “bang!”—startling Ye Feng. He sprang up, drew his sword, extinguished the candle with a breath, and slipped into a corner.

Eyes fixed on the door, ears alert, he strained to determine how many assassins lurked outside.

Soon enough—

“swish!”—

The curtain was lifted, and a shadow slipped inside, saber in hand, feeling its way toward the bed. Its awkward, swaying gait was not at all human.

Ye Feng watched as it pushed aside the chair, circled the table, and stepped across the threshold, and wondered: where did this assassin come from, and why was he so familiar with the tent’s layout?

The shadow drew closer. Ye Feng focused his mind, channeling his thought-power to his eyes to observe closely.

The assassin was a purple-shelled pangolin, with a fearsome visage.

Ye Feng nearly laughed aloud. For such a lowly demon to attempt an assassination—the audacity!

But then he thought: something is wrong. How could such a creature overcome my two guards? Their demon-slaying skills were personally taught by me—ordinary demon officers couldn’t defeat them. For a mere demon soldier to breach my tent, this is truly extraordinary!

He worried for his guards—were they dead or alive? And his anger toward this demon surged: when you come near, I shall cut you down and avenge them!

As the demon approached, Ye Feng shouted, “Wretch! How dare you trespass in my camp? Taste my sword!”

He raised the sword and struck.

The little demon cried out, “Wali, wali, xixi bala!”—a demon tongue meaning, “Oh no, I’ve been discovered!”

Not hesitating, it raised its saber to block.

“Clang!”

Sparks flew, illuminating its face.

Its tiger eyes widened, fangs glinted coldly in its gaping maw. The kingly mark on its brow and the whiskers beside its mouth were clearly visible.

Ye Feng was startled. What a creature! It blocked my sword—perhaps I underestimated it.

He swung his sword again—

“swish!”

“swish!”

“swish!”

Each strike faster than the last, aimed for its vital points.

The demon, unhurried, cursed, “Jiji huala, mo ya isi baza!”—“You scoundrel, what hero attacks by surprise?”—and leapt aside, using nearby furniture for cover to dodge the deadly blows.

Meanwhile, it spun its saber, scattering countless feints and thrusts, mixing real and false moves, hacking at Ye Feng. The attacks were unpredictable, difficult to defend against.

“Eh?” Ye Feng was ever more perplexed: how could such a lowly demon possess such exquisite saber technique? It looked familiar, but he couldn’t recall where he had seen it.

With the demon so arrogant, Ye Feng’s anger flared.

“To think, a mere demon dares to storm my tent alone, and wields such skill—I will not let you escape easily!” He spoke as his swordplay quickened, every stroke as swift as lightning.

“Yinxi ye ma, guagua bazala la, xidong gu la ha la, gu gua gu gua!” The demon’s face twisted, growling in its tongue: “Ye, since I’ve come, I won’t leave—I will match you blow for blow!”

And its saber whirled faster, like a windmill, slashing at Ye Feng.

Blades and swords clashed—

“ding!”

“ding!”

“clang!”

“clang!”

The sounds resembled beans frying in a pan.

Soon, the commotion roused the entire camp. Soldiers, torches in one hand, weapons in the other, surrounded Ye Feng’s tent, sealing every exit.

“Marshal Ye, what’s happening?” they cried.

Others shouted, “Is it an assassin? We’ve surrounded the tent—he won’t escape!”

Ye Feng did not want the soldiers to enter. He called out, “It’s nothing. I am sparring with a friend. Return to your posts!”

After all, failing to subdue even a demon soldier—if his men saw, it would be humiliating.

The soldiers realized and withdrew, stowing weapons and extinguishing torches, returning to their quarters.

“Commander Ye, your sword technique is impressive—I am in awe!” The demon, seeing the soldiers depart, ceased fighting, leapt out of the circle, clasped its saber in both hands, and bowed, speaking in human tongue.

Ye Feng recognized the voice but was too busy to ponder it. Seeing that the demon was unwilling to continue, he felt reluctant, and shouted, “Wretch, you utter a few words of human speech—do you think I’ll spare you? Without a clear winner, don’t hope to escape!”

Sword poised, he prepared to attack again.

The other burst into laughter. “Commander Ye, there is no need to fight further. Look—do you know who I am?”

He wiped his face, and his features transformed—it was none other than the hero Mu Shijin.

He straightened, his waist no longer bent, legs uncurled, the fur receding, revealing his agile form.

“Brother Mu—you?!” Ye Feng was astounded, nearly dropping his jaw at Mu Shijin’s transformation.

“How do you rate my shapeshifting skills?” Mu Shijin asked.

“You—you—you…” Ye Feng stammered, still in shock.

“Incredible!” He slapped his thigh, unable to restrain his praise.

He thought: no wonder they call him the “Chameleon Rogue”—his demon-slaying arts have reached such heights!

It is one thing for a man to disguise himself as another man—such is not unheard of. That is mere disguise. But for a man to become a different species, perfectly imitating their movements and form, is truly rare. Without Mu Shijin’s extraordinary talent and unique approach, and meticulous practice to control every bone, muscle, and hair, he could never have achieved such supernatural skill.

“And what of my saber technique?” Mu Shijin asked.

“Superb! Exquisite!” Ye Feng raised his thumb, full of admiration.

“Commander Ye, forgive me! If we had fought longer, I fear I would have been exposed,” Mu Shijin said modestly.

“Nonsense, Brother Mu, you are too humble. Your saber is fast, accurate, and fierce—it is I who am impressed!” Ye Feng then asked, “Brother Mu, where did you learn the demon tongue?”

Mu Shijin laughed, “Commander Ye, over the years I have traveled far and wide, even ventured deep into the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons, doing some small business—so I picked up their language. Not well, perhaps, but I beg your indulgence!” He clasped his hands in salute.

Then, chest out, brimming with confidence, he declared, “But with these skills, infiltrating the enemy camp and hiding near Xiao Ling—I am fully confident!”

Ye Feng was overjoyed. “Brother Mu, I never imagined you possessed such abilities! To assign you only a minor position in our army is far too little! I apologize on behalf of Marshal Murong for underestimating you!”

He clasped his fists in apology.

Mu Shijin waved his hands, flustered. “No, no, you flatter me! I have accomplished nothing and do not dare claim high office. I am grateful to you for accepting me—otherwise, I would be begging in the streets. To be accepted is reward enough; as long as I can slay demons and destroy evil, I am content even as a common soldier!”

The two continued their secret conversation until dawn, when Mu Shijin took his leave and departed the camp.

He went straight to the city gate. By then, Ye Feng had ordered it opened.

Mu Shijin slipped out under cover of darkness, unnoticed, and transformed once more into a demon soldier, blending into the demon camp.

Within their ranks, he prepared to subvert Xiao Ling, coordinate with allies inside and outside, and capture the fierce Meng Beast alive!

——

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