Chapter Forty-Two: The Female Assassin

Outside Jining City, in a dense forest.

The remnants of the White Lotus Sect, having narrowly escaped from the city, were hiding in the woods together with Li Yan and his wife, Madam Hong.

Sword in hand, Madam Hong advanced step by step toward the White Lotus Sect Master, whose face was veiled and body shrouded in a heavy cloak, demanding, "Did you know from the start that the imperial army had five thousand troops?"

Seeing the murderous intent in her eyes, Li Qingshan, Yuan Shizhong, and the newly joined Liu Badou quickly stepped forward to shield the Sect Master. Li Yan, fearing his wife might come to harm, hurried over with several dozen loyal soldiers. The hundred or so sect followers who remained also gathered quickly. Both sides stood on edge, swords drawn, the atmosphere tense and ready to explode.

The Sect Master raised a hand to halt his followers and replied coldly, "Madam Li, do you think I would bother lying to you?"

Madam Hong’s tone was harsh, her anger barely contained. "If you did not deceive us, then so be it. But if you knew all along that the imperial army had five thousand elite troops and told us there were only two thousand, then you deliberately sent us to our deaths! Those three thousand soldiers followed me, Madam Hong, through fire and blood. They cannot die in vain!"

"Madam Li, you go too far," the Sect Master retorted angrily. "It’s true your husband and you lost three thousand elite fighters, but I, too, lost a great number of our best. If my intention was merely to send you to die, why would I sacrifice my own elites as well?"

Madam Hong fell silent.

There was truth in the Sect Master’s words. If he had only wanted to send Madam Hong and her three thousand troops to their deaths, there was no need to throw in ten thousand of the sect’s own men. To Madam Hong, those ten thousand seemed little more than a ragtag mob, but to the White Lotus Sect, they were the backbone of their strength. This defeat had grievously wounded the sect.

The Sect Master continued, "If you seek vengeance, you should go after Wang Pu. It was Wang Pu who led the army that destroyed your three thousand men."

Li Yan quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "My wife is hot-tempered and wrongly accused the Sect Master. I hope you will not take offense."

The Sect Master replied, "General Li, I understand that, having suffered defeat, you and your wife are troubled. But my sect has also suffered a heavy blow. My heart, too, is heavy. Now, more than ever, we must encourage and assist each other. How can we give in to suspicion and accusation?"

Madam Hong, frank by nature, immediately apologized. "Just now, my words were rash. If I have offended, I beg the Sect Master’s forgiveness."

The Sect Master addressed them sincerely, "General Li, Madam Li, there is something I wish to say, though I hesitate."

Li Yan responded, "Please, speak freely."

The Sect Master said, "The imperial army has just won a great victory during the day. Their vigilance tonight is sure to wane."

"You mean to strike Jining by night?" said Madam Hong. "But together we number only about two hundred. Isn’t that far too few?"

The Sect Master replied, "With just two hundred, retaking Jining is out of the question. But we can take advantage of the army’s lax defense, slip inside, and assassinate Wang Pu! If we can kill Wang Pu, the remaining army will be like a snake without a head—nothing to fear. Then, when I summon followers from all around, taking Jining back will be child’s play."

Li Qingshan, the Right Envoy of the White Lotus, added, "I know a secret passage. We can slip into Jining unseen, underwater, and catch the army unprepared."

Li Yan nodded. "The Art of War says to capture the ringleader first—this could turn defeat into victory."

Madam Hong said, "For an assassination, too many people would only get in the way. I can do it alone."

The Sect Master replied, "Wang Pu has gravely harmed our sect. I must personally take this blood debt from him. If you wish to join, Madam Li, I will not stop you."

Li Yan said, "Then my wife should go together with the Sect Master. That way you can help each other."

■■■

Meanwhile, Wang Pu, though he had recaptured Jining, was still living on a boat with Chen Yuanyuan.

It wasn’t that Wang Pu refused to live in a grand mansion; it was simply that, before their retreat, the White Lotus rebels had set the city ablaze. By the time the imperial troops put out the fire, the city was almost entirely in ruins. The few official residences still habitable were reserved for wounded soldiers. Magistrate Huang Xiyong could not find a suitable place to house Wang Pu.

In the deep of night, over fifty warships lay quietly moored at the dock.

Though the imperial army had just won a resounding victory, their defenses were anything but lax. Every ship posted a sentry at the stern cabin; two squads of soldiers stood at the dock, alert in the night, watching for any movement that might betray an intruder.

Inside Wang Pu’s cabin, the oil lamp still burned. It was, after all, his wedding night—he was making the most of it.

Upon the embroidered couch, two naked bodies were closely entwined. Chen Yuanyuan’s cheeks were flushed, her breathing tremulous, her bright, alluring eyes like liquid, able to melt a man’s heart. As Wang Pu shifted, Chen Yuanyuan, lying atop him, let out a soft, sultry moan.

Reluctantly withdrawing his hands from her shapely hips, Wang Pu said, "My dear, let me fetch us a midnight snack."

"You want something to eat?" Chen Yuanyuan sat up languidly, her voice soft. "Let me get it for you."

"No, you lie down." Wang Pu gently pressed her back onto the couch, then brushed her crimson lips with a light kiss and whispered, "It’s not for me—it’s for you. Tonight, let me show you what I can do in the kitchen."

Chen Yuanyuan sat up again, protesting anxiously, "That won’t do! How could I let my husband serve me?"

"Why not?" Wang Pu feigned anger. "If I say I’ll do it, I’ll do it. Dare you disobey?"

"My love..."

Chen Yuanyuan was both overjoyed and touched. She called his name, but could say nothing more.

"Lie down, dear, don’t catch a chill. I’ll be right back with something for you."

Wang Pu helped her lie down again, threw on a pair of loose trousers, and bare-chested, made his way to the galley at the stern.

It was deep into the night; the ship’s cook was long asleep, and there wasn’t a soul in sight. Wang Pu rummaged through cabinets for some time and finally managed to prepare a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup. Suddenly, he felt a cold sensation at his neck. He looked down, startled, to see the gleam of a sharp steel sword.

"Don’t make a sound, or I’ll slit your throat."

A languid, sultry voice laced with deadly intent whispered behind him.

Wang Pu nodded vigorously, careful not to let the blade nick his neck. What misfortune—he’d only wanted to prepare a midnight snack for Yuanyuan, but ended up facing an assassin—and from the voice, a woman! She was formidable indeed; how had she slipped past all the sentries?

"Turn around—slowly. Any tricks, and you’ll lose your head!"

Another equally alluring voice commanded. Wang Pu slowly raised his hands and turned, catching a glimpse in the dim lamplight of two water trails on the floor, stretching from the hull to behind him. So that was it—the assassins had come aboard underwater, no wonder the sentries hadn’t noticed them.

"Look up!"

The icy tone of the female assassin rang at his ear once more.

Wang Pu slowly raised his head, and at the sight of his would-be killers, his heart could not help but race. The two women’s figures were truly exceptional. Encased in tight, water-soaked garments, their ample bosoms, rounded hips, and slender waists were all perfectly accentuated. The curves of their bodies were enough to make one’s blood run hot.