Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Discarding Stone (5)
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The room was filled with thick, hazy mist.
In such fog, it was impossible to read the energy of the person sitting across from you. No matter how sharp your senses, it couldn't be done.
"Come to kill me?"
The head of the Zhuge clan asked.
He was someone accustomed to commanding underlings. His voice carried an unyielding pressure.
"Might I ask who you are?"
The naked, bound man spoke politely.
"Hahaha! The man come to kill me doesn't even know who I am? Does that make sense? Do you really intend to kill me?"
"Are you the head of the Zhuge clan?"
"I am."
"Yes. I received orders to assassinate the head of the Zhuge clan."
"Here I am, like this. Can you kill me?"
"No."
"No?"
"As you can see, I carry no weapons. My hands and feet are tightly bound besides. Forget assassination—I'm in no state to even move. Assassination is out of the question."
"Is that so? Hahaha! My people think differently."
"……"
"They believe you could still pull off an assassination even in this state."
"Do you think I could assassinate you, clan head?"
"Doesn't seem like it."
"I couldn't."
"Enough of that. Let's move on……"
The Zhuge clan head waved his hand dismissively, speaking with crisp authority.
It was the tone of someone who didn't care if an attempt was made or not. Do as you please—he'd handle it confidently.
The dignity befitting a Zhuge clan head.
The clan head spoke.
"Now, let's talk about the Wraith Heart Technique. How did you learn that the main family has taken an interest in it?"
"Are you certain what I used was the Wraith Heart Technique?"
"That's for you to confirm."
"It wasn't the Wraith Heart Technique."
"What?"
"Someone I know once said the Zhuge clan has a peculiar habit. They cultivate their internal energy in sealed spaces, like tubes or caves."
"Who is this scholar?"
"You wouldn't know him even if I told you."
"Doesn't matter. Tell me."
"They call him the Village Elder."
"Are you mocking me?"
The clan head's voice carried irritation.
"I'm telling the truth."
Four Thousand Four spoke calmly.
He was stating facts. What he'd said came straight from the Village Elder who had passed down the secret executions.
The Village Elder had spoken of many sects beyond just the Zhuge clan.
Those who inherited the secret executions faced pursuit from the martial world, whether they wanted it or not. They often had to flee blindly, unaware of who hunted them or why.
Such pursuits solidified with each killing.
To evade pursuers, one needed to know as many as possible.
That's why the Elder had shared. To keep him alive.
He knew nothing of the Wraith Heart Technique the clan head mentioned. He'd merely recalled the Elder's words and mimicked their cultivation method. The clan head was sure to come.
But…… no. This man wasn't the clan head.
Still, he spoke his true thoughts plainly—for the sake of the woman listening outside.
He wanted to satisfy her curiosity.
Four Thousand Four said,
"Now, I will assassinate you, clan head."
"What!"
"My orders were to assassinate the head of the Zhuge clan. But it seems you're not him. Someone else has come in his place…… Killing you wouldn't fulfill the mission. With barely half a shichen left, summoning someone not here to assassinate is impossible. The mission fails."
"……"
The self-proclaimed clan head fell silent.
Four Thousand Four spoke methodically. Yet every word rang true. Infuriatingly precise facts.
"Mission failed. Or do you want to know how I would assassinate the clan head?"
Four Thousand Four was no longer addressing the clan head. He spoke to Zhuge Soso, watching from beyond the door—or wherever she monitored the room.
Suddenly,
Thud! Thunk!
The bindings on Four Thousand Four loosened easily.
"Ah!"
The clan head, hidden in the mist, jumped up in shock.
Not the real clan head after all. He could mimic authority, but not embody it. A true clan head wouldn't gasp in surprise here.
"Wh-where are you!"
The clan head scrambled up, drew his sword, and swung wildly around the room.
Four Thousand Four, who had been before him, was gone.
"I-I can't see!"
Those were the clan head's last words.
Crack!
The clan head's neck snapped limply.
Four Thousand Four donned the blue silk robe he'd arrived in. He was led to a clean room.
The furnishings remained intact.
Fresh flowers bloomed in the vase. Books filled the shelves densely.
Plenty of potential assassination tools.
"Shall I bring tea?"
A maid asked politely.
"No need. I'm not used to tea."
Four Thousand Four spoke politely even to the young maid.
"Please wait a moment. The young lady will be out shortly."
"Understood."
He remained polite. But it wasn't submission to the Zhuge clan's prestige. He was serene, as if alone in the mountains. Utterly still.
Moments later, Zhuge Soso entered.
She looked different from their first meeting at the gate. No armor-like garb—instead, a vibrant yet elegant dress blending pale pink and green, giving her a far more innocent air.
One change of clothes, and she transformed from warrior maiden to pure young lady.
Four Thousand Four rose and offered a clasped-hands salute.
"Sit."
Zhuge Soso sat across from him as if it were natural.
Four Thousand Four sat and looked at her.
"Impressive sleight of hand. Planning to use that on my father?"
"I don't know if assassination was feasible. But it was my best option."
"I assure you, it wouldn't work."
"I see."
Four Thousand Four nodded.
"What's that technique called? Your movement was stealth incarnate, and the strikes brutally efficient. Memorable."
"No special name."
Zhuge Soso eyed Four Thousand Four.
He met her gaze with unflinching honesty.
"You're the first I've met who seems to hide so much yet nothing at all. So, how'd you slip the bindings? Care to share?"
Suddenly, Four Thousand Four noticed Zhuge Soso was using honorifics.
She spoke gently, familiarly. But it didn't please him. It felt more distant than her blunt words. Then again…… what could he expect after coming to kill her father?
Four Thousand Four said,
"A minor trick."
"Don't brush it off."
She shook her head firmly.
"The Zhuge clan's binding techniques are renowned for their strength. Not something anyone slips casually. Can't you share even a sliver of truth?"
The Zhuge bindings…… unbreakable. Only a clan member could release them. Otherwise, severing with a blade was the only way. But with heavenly silkworm thread…… even blades failed. Only clan members could undo it.
Yet Four Thousand Four had escaped.
"That's the truth."
"Have to believe you?"
Four Thousand Four nodded.
"How'd you know Father wasn't here?"
"Didn't until I met the 'clan head.'"
"And after?"
"The Wraith Heart Technique you mentioned—the clan seems deeply invested. Sending someone else means…… the head's absence."
"Sharp mind."
"……"
"You're a real headache. If even our bindings are useless, how do we hold you?"
"……"
"Planning to seal your meridians for now. Will you submit quietly?"
"Proceed."
Four Thousand Four replied calmly.
Zhuge Soso stood and circled behind him.
"Heh, amusing. This is the finest meridian seal in the main texts, yet I wonder if it'll even hold you. Know any way around meridian seals?"
"No."
"Right…… Another thing I have to believe. You really make it hard to trust people."
Poke!
She jabbed a needle into the back of his neck.
Four Thousand Four closed his eyes, feeling the needle sink in.
Her touch came with it. So soft. Warm. Gliding over his skin.
The second contact after her slap.
He wasn't mad. He wasn't offering himself to savor a woman's touch.
His arts couldn't escape the Zhuge clan.
Mission failed anyway—escape was all that remained…… But first, flee the clan. Yet no path opened. Warriors encircled him too tightly.
He had no choice but to yield.
Submit to the meridian seal.
What he'd told Zhuge Soso was true. He knew nothing of meridian seals. No idea what restrictions they'd impose.
He memorized the needle's insertion point.
The only way to break the seal lay there.
Her touch pressed along his back.
One hand traced his spine, then jabbed with the needle.
The best way to remember needle points: associate with pleasure, joy, or the unoffensive.
He committed every bit of her touch to memory.
"Anything more on the Wraith Heart Technique?"
"I've told you everything I know. What I did was just bait to lure the clan head. I know nothing of the technique itself."
"This Village Elder intrigues me."
"All I know is the name. Nothing more about him."
"Can you meet him?"
"No. He perished by my hand."
"You killed him?"
"Yes."
"Unexpected. You spoke of him fondly. Thought he might be your master."
"We were close. Closest to me. That's why I ended his life myself."
Flash!
Light gleamed in Zhuge Soso's eyes. A subtle smile curved her lips.
"Ah! I think I know who you are."
"……"
"Didn't guess from 'Village Elder,' but that plus what you just said…… Closest bond, so you ended his life? 'Ended his life'? Not killed, but ended? Hahaha! Yes. I'm sure now. I know who you are."
She laughed.
Four Thousand Four watched her calmly, expression unchanged.
She said,
"Rumors say forbidden death arts called the Executions are circulating in the jianghu. You're their master, aren't you?"
Four Thousand Four's eyes widened involuntarily.
First time hearing "Executions" since entering the jianghu…… mingling with people……
From this woman, Zhuge Soso.