Raising Orphans, Not Assassins

"Master? Another nightmare?"

In the dimly lit room, Xiao Lian's crisp voice came from the bed opposite.

Qin Yi snapped out of her daze. Her face looked slightly pale, and she shook her head. "I'm fine. You go back to sleep. I'm going out for a walk."

She sat up, pushed aside the quilt, and got out of bed.

"Cock-a-doodle-doo..."

The sound of roosters crowing echoed throughout the city.

Hearing the unrelenting crowing, Xiao Lian sat up, gently brushing her hair behind her ears. She glanced toward the paper-covered window, where a faint trace of light seeped through.

Her delicate face bore a hint of weariness from the long journey. She murmured softly, "It’s already dawn."

Qin Yi took a deep breath and said calmly, "Let’s get ready, then. One more morning’s travel, and we’ll reach the tower."

Xiao Lian nodded without further comment.

Since the eighth day of the seventh lunar month, they had been traveling for ten days straight. Now, they were less than 45 li from Fengyu Tower’s ‘Upper Pavilion’."

One more morning, and they’d arrive.

After washing up, the two left their room and went to the inn's main hall.

Of the four other assassins in their group, only the scholarly Zhou Ba sat at a table, a paper fan in hand, reading a scripture. He seemed deeply engrossed.

Qin Yi sat on a bench with her sword and said to Xiao Lian, "In a bit, I'll take you to restock some concealed weapons. There may be a fierce battle ahead, so it’s best to poison your weapons."

After days of travel, Xiao Lian’s face was pale, lacking vitality. She nodded. "Understood."

Zhou Ba, noticing their arrival, closed his scripture and greeted them with a bow. "Miss Qin, Miss Chen."

Both Qin Yi and Xiao Lian gave slight nods in response.

After waiting a short while, the other three assassins descended from the inn’s upper floor.

After breakfast, the group decided to split up and make preparations.

Qin Yi took Xiao Lian and left the inn.

---

Walking along a cobblestone street, Qin Yi suddenly stopped and entered a grain shop.

It was still early, so the shop was empty, save for a yawning attendant.

Xiao Lian didn’t understand why Qin Yi brought her here, but as they entered, she noticed a copper coin emblem carved into the counter.

That emblem represented Wan Jin Hall.

Xiao Lian recalled information she’d heard from Huang San and the others—this was a Wan Jin Hall business?

Draped in a black dress, her figure graceful, Qin Yi’s face was veiled in black gauze. She approached the counter and tapped lightly, saying coolly, "Golden light illuminates the four corners."

The yawning attendant instantly perked up, a shrewd smile spreading across his face. "Wan Jin Hall gathers heroes."

After glancing outside, he extended his left hand to gesture politely. "This way, please."

Qin Yi followed him to a back room, Xiao Lian trailing behind while silently memorizing the code words.

"Please wait here," the attendant said, bowing before leaving.

Seated, Qin Yi explained to Xiao Lian, "Wan Jin Hall has shops all over the land.

"When you roam the Jianghu, if you see this emblem on a shop counter, say the code, and they’ll take you to a back room to trade martial goods."

Xiao Lian hesitated. "Isn’t Wan Jin Hall supposed to send experts to deal with us?"

"Wan Jin Hall primarily runs businesses. Most of their people aren’t martial artists." Qin Yi’s tone remained calm. "The warriors they hire belong to twelve branch halls and only act when necessary. So, there’s no need to worry."

Xiao Lian nodded in understanding.

Shortly after, footsteps approached from outside.

An elderly man in fine robes entered and asked, "What would you like to purchase?"

"Three bags of Tang Sect concealed weapons, any type. Four bottles each of strong poison and antidote," Qin Yi replied plainly, producing 95 taels of silver.

The old man accepted the note, nodded, and said, "Please wait a moment."

With that, he left.

---

95 taels of silver...

Seeing Qin Yi hand over the banknote, Xiao Lian’s heart raced.

Those items were that expensive?

At the orphanage, her monthly stipend was only 4 taels of silver.

This was equivalent to two years of her earnings.

Even a head maid in a wealthy household only made about 120 taels a year.

Noticing Xiao Lian’s thoughts, Qin Yi’s tone carried a faint smile.

"A bag of Tang Sect concealed weapons contains 50 pieces, each costing 100 copper coins. Strong poison and antidotes are 10 taels per bottle. Martial world goods are costly—you’ll understand in time.”

"Your current weapons, crafted by ordinary blacksmiths, may follow Tang Sect designs, but they’re inferior in weight, material, and balance. Once you have the real thing, get used to them quickly."

Xiao Lian mentally calculated the costs, her delicate face showing conflict.

Against evenly matched opponents, killing one person with concealed weapons could take 6-7 pieces.

That’s 300-350 copper coins per kill.

With her 4-tael monthly salary...

Xiao Lian puffed up her cheeks, suddenly regretting her decision to learn about hidden weapons.

Hidden weapons are really expensive.

Qin Yi sighed lightly. “It’s a pity the Tang Sect only sells concealed weapons and not their secret poisons. If they did, you could hold your own against a second-rank martial artist with weaker qinggong.”

Xiao Lian’s bright eyes widened. “The hidden weapons we’re buying are from the Tang Sect?”

“Yes,” Qin Yi confirmed. “Tang Sect hidden weapons are renowned across the Jianghu. Most of their revenue comes from selling these weapons and carrying out assassinations. But in recent years, Fengyu Tower has taken a lot of their assassination business.”

Qin Yi continued explaining Jianghu knowledge to Xiao Lian.

Before long, the elderly man returned, handing over several embroidered pouches to Qin Yi.

With the concealed weapons and poisons secured, Qin Yi and Xiao Lian left the Wan Jin Hall shop.

They returned to the inn and reunited with the other four assassins. The six of them then set off toward Jiangxia County.

---

Creak…

Chen Ye pushed open the door and stepped out.

“Foster Father!”

Sun Sheng, who had been doing push-ups in the courtyard, stopped mid-movement. Seeing Chen Ye dressed entirely in black, his expression froze.

Standing at the door in a fitted black outfit, Chen Ye’s long hair was neatly tied back, his gaze deep and unreadable.

Unlike the usual warmth in his demeanor, Chen Ye now exuded an aura Sun Sheng couldn’t quite describe.

It was like the ominous black clouds of a stormy sky—calm on the surface, yet threatening to unleash thunder, lightning, and torrential rain at any moment.

Seeing Chen Ye’s composed expression, a trace of unease stirred in Sun Sheng’s heart, as though beneath that calm exterior lay surging waves and a brewing storm.

Chen Ye nodded slightly at Sun Sheng. “I need to take care of something.

“If all goes well, I’ll be back in a day. If not, three days at the latest.”

“Da Ming has gone up the mountain to chop wood. You’ll take care of Xiao Fu for now, and once Da Ming returns, you can switch duties with him.”

Seeing Chen Ye’s calm demeanor, Sun Sheng lowered his head, feeling an inexplicable sense of intimidation. With a respectful tone, he replied, “Understood!”

Chen Ye nodded lightly and left the orphanage.

After walking a short distance, he pulled out a silver mask from his robes. The mask’s edges were engraved with a delicate leaf motif.

Chen Ye gently placed it over his face. Taking a steady step forward, he instantly appeared thirty zhang away.

Within a few strides, his figure vanished from the bustling streets.