Jianghu Demolition Squad

Moving Like the Stars (Part Ten)

Tang Biao pointed at Tang Linzhi, addressing the injured disciple of Qixian Palace, “You see, I told you my foolish disciple was here, but you wouldn’t believe it and had to learn the hard way.” The disciple’s face flushed with a thin anger, ready to retort.

Gong Shang raised his hand, signaling him to step back, and said to Tang Biao, “Guests are welcome here. If the Shadow Marquis had entered through the main gate in a proper manner, the Qixian Palace would have warmly received you with due courtesy. But you chose to act like a thief in the night, so how could one not be suspicious.”

Tang Biao chuckled dismissively, “The Tang Sect never uses the front door.”

His statement was matter-of-fact. Tang Linzhi knew his master’s roguish nature well enough to foresee trouble if he kept provoking Gong Shang. They were still guests here, and Yu’er relied on Gong Shang’s zither therapy for healing. A fallout would indeed be problematic.

Tang Linzhi stepped forward and bowed to Gong Shang, apologizing, “Palace Master Gong Shang, my master’s manners are lacking. I apologize on his behalf. I hope the Palace Master can be generous and overlook his manners.”

Tang Biao, as if seeing something amusing, walked over to Tang Linzhi, clapping her on the shoulder with a smack that echoed painfully to all who heard it.

His voice still booming, Tang Biao teased, “When did my foolish kid start speaking so formally?”

Gong Shang had previously heard about the reputation of Qing Jiu’s group in jianghu. He had been skeptical of Tang Linzhi’s title as the ‘Shadow Marquis’ because he had met Tang Biao and knew Tang Linzhi was not the real Shadow Marquis. However, he suspected that the two had a close relationship. Seeing them together now, he realized they were master and apprentice.

“Since it was a misunderstanding, the Qixian Palace will not pursue the matter further. As a guest, Shadow Marquis, please come to the hall for some tea,” Gong Shang said.

Gong Shang was a man of refined and leisurely demeanor, something Tang Biao found most annoying to deal with. He hooked his arm around Tang Linzhi, pulling her close, and declared, “Keep the tea for yourself. I’m going to drink with my apprentice.”

Without waiting for a response, Tang Biao dragged Tang Linzhi away. They truly arrived like the wind and departed just as quickly.

Yan Li frowned and called out, “Linzhi.”

Tang Linzhi gave Tang Biao a kick. Tang Biao dodged to the side, posing dramatically, “Oh, the little rabbit’s skills have improved.”

Tang Linzhi told Yan Li and the others, “Yan Li, I’m going to the Tiandi Tavern in the southern part of the city with my master.”

After all, Tang Biao was Tang Linzhi’s master, and she was still a member of the Tang Sect.

Yan Li considered that the two might discuss secret sect matters; it wasn’t their place to interfere too much. But Tang Biao’s sudden appearance was surprising, prompting her to ask, “Do you need someone to pick you up later?”

Tang Linzhi thought for a moment. Her master came and went without a trace. They might be talking one moment, and then he could disappear the next. There was no guarantee he would bring her back, and it would take a lot of effort for her to find her way back on her own. So, she nodded.

“Alright,” Yan Li said.

Tang Linzhi followed Tang Biao, who glanced back at Yu’er and the others.

Tang Biao patted Linzhi’s head, laughing, “It’s only been a few years, and you’ve grown some fat, you little rabbit.”

Tang Linzhi swatted his hand away. Tang Biao circled his hand back, placing it again, “The little rabbit has grown taller too.”

Watching them, everyone felt as if they were seeing a father and son. Tang Biao treated his apprentice like a doting father raising his child, teasing and joking around.

It was hard to imagine that this man was the ‘Shadow Marquis,’ a ruthless assassin known for killing from ten steps away without a drop of blood staining his clothes.

It was still the first month of the year, and the streets of Yangzhou City were somewhat deserted, but the Tiandi Tavern was well-known and always bustling with patrons, even on New Year’s Eve.

The two of them went to the second floor and chose a spot on the terrace. Although the wind and snow had stopped, the air remained bitterly cold. However, both of them had resided in the Sichuan region for many years, harboring strong inner heat, so they weren’t afraid of the cold.

After downing a cup of hot wine, Tang Linzhi asked, “Master, you never show up unless there’s something important. What’s the matter?”

Tang Biao held his wine cup and let out a cold laugh, “You little rabbit, using my name to stir up trouble in jianghu. What do you think I’m here for?”

Tang Linzhi responded nonchalantly, “That’s what others started calling me. What does it have to do with me? Just tell me straight.”

Tang Biao cut straight to the point, “There’s trouble at the sect, I’m here to take you back.”

Tang Linzhi frowned, “I was at the city outpost on New Year’s Eve, picking up a mission. I didn’t hear anyone from the sect mention anything. How did this big issue suddenly come up, requiring you to personally come and get me?”

Impatient, Tang Biao snapped, “When I tell you to go back, you go back. Why all these questions? Don’t you trust me?”

Tang Linzhi grew more suspicious, giving him a sidelong glance, “I still have a mission to complete.”

“What mission?” Tang Biao scoffed. “Yuan Wenliu and Meiren Gu are both dead. What kind of mission did you take on? Besides, you’ve been wandering outside for a few years. Shouldn’t you at least check in with the sect.”

Tang Linzhi’s face darkened, her voice low, “Master, if you don’t explain clearly, I won’t go with you.”

After downing another drink, Tang Biao clicked his tongue and cursed, “Stubborn brat!”

He stood up, looking down at Tang Linzhi. In an instant, his demeanor changed, the roguish and unruly air completely vanishing, replaced by the sharpness of a drawn blade, “Someone wants the life of one of the people you’re with. The sect leader has some ties with the client, and the person involved is entangled in a big matter. Although the clan didn’t accept the mission, they still want sect members to provide information. With your temperament, I don’t expect you to provide any useful information. Just stay quietly in the sect until the heat dies down. It’ll save me a lot of headaches!”

Tang Linzhi stood up abruptly, her mind racing, “Are you talking about Yu’er?”

Tang Biao remained silent.

“Is it Qing Jiu?” she pressed.

Among their group, Yu’er and Qing Jiu were the most coveted. Following Yu’er’s recent troubles with the Moonless Sect, the actions of Mingjian Manor and Jiuxiao Manor had deterred minor threats for a while, making it unlikely for anyone to target her again soon.

But Qing Jiu’s situation was a different story. Although Tang Linzhi wasn’t the most observant, she had observed enough of Qing Jiu’s behavior over time to know that her situation was even more troublesome. If Qing Jiu were targeted, the mastermind behind it would be no ordinary foe, and it wouldn’t be a situation they could handle easily.

Seeing her master’s expression shift, Tang Linzhi knew she had guessed correctly. Her face paled, having never expected such a situation. She immediately turned to leave. If they could catch up with Yan Li and the others and reach Hangzhou now, they might still make it in time.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Tang Biao’s voice deepened.

Determined, Tang Linzhi declared, “I’m going to inform Qing Jiu so she can be on guard.”

Tang Biao’s face hardened, “You little rabbit, what did master teach you?”

Hearing him refer to himself as ‘Master,’ Tang Linzhi knew he was serious, and there was no hint of joking in his words.

Tang Biao continued, “I’ve warned you before. As an assassin, the first rule is to be ruthless. If you can’t cut ties when needed, it’ll only bring you trouble! Look at you, drowning in sentiment. Have you forgotten how to kill?”

“I haven’t,” said Tang Linzhi.

“An assassin hanging out with others all day, playing around and trying new things, that’s fine. But getting emotionally involved, creating so many weaknesses for yourself, isn’t that just asking for death?” Tang Biao continued, her silence confirming his words.

“You have no right to interfere in this matter. With your measly skills, getting involved will only get you killed, and you won’t even know how you died! I put in so much effort to raise you. Was it so you could throw your life away for others? Wait until you’ve earned enough retirement money for me, then you can go die wherever you want!” His tone softened from its earlier severity.

Tang Linzhi stared at Tang Biao, resolute, “I’m not going back.”

She knew her master’s temperament well; if he wanted to leave now, it wouldn’t be a peaceful parting.

Tang Linzhi’s right hand stealthily reached towards the Chini on her back.

Tang Biao gave a cold chuckle, “What did I teach you? Don’t reveal your intentions before making a move!”

Before his words even fell, two wine cups on the table leaped up, shooting straight for Tang Linzhi’s eyes.

Tang Linzhi dodged to the side, but Tang Biao quickly followed up with an attack, his movements sharp and powerful like a black panther. Tang Linzhi couldn’t face him head-on and could only evade, appearing increasingly frantic.

Once Tang Biao gained the upper hand, Tang Linzhi lost even the chance to draw her Chini.

The space on the terrace was limited, and within a few moves, Tang Linzhi was cornered.

She couldn’t draw her Chini, and Tang Biao hadn’t used his curved knife either. The two exchanged blows with their hidden daggers, and after more than a dozen moves, half of the terrace was destroyed.

Tang Linzhi’s dagger was exceptionally sharp, having been reforged from a divine weapon. Tang Biao recognized this and met her strikes without concern, his own dagger clashing against hers. When the blades met, her enhanced dagger cut through his like slicing through fat, snapping it in two.

Seizing the moment, Tang Linzhi moved to press her advantage. Tang Biao caught the broken blade and deflected her onslaught with a flick of his wrist, still holding the broken dagger.

Tang Biao’s deflection was unexpected and incredibly fast.

The dagger in Tang Linzhi’s left hand was ordinary, and as she met his strike, she realized the profound internal force behind it.

The impact numbed her left hand and exposed an opening. Tang Biao quickly pressed his advantage, striking her acupoint with precision.

Instantly, Tang Linzhi was immobilized, her forehead veins throbbing as she was about to curse. Tang Biao was quicker, and he pressed her mute acupoint as well.

After their intense exchange, neither was out of breath.

From nowhere, Tang Biao produced a rope and tied Tang Linzhi up tightly, commenting, “You’ve improved, little rabbit, but you’re still far from matching me.”

Laughing heartily, he looked up to see Tang Linzhi glaring at him, and slapped her head, chiding, “What are you glaring at? I’m worried sick about you, and this is how you repay me.”

After securing her, Tang Biao hoisted her onto his shoulder, tossed a silver coin behind him, and leapt down from the terrace. He retrieved his horse at the city gate, placed Tang Linzhi on another horse, mounted his own, and led both horses out of the city.

The snow had stopped for three days, but the roads were still challenging due to the deep snow. Tang Biao didn’t get far with Tang Linzhi before the sky darkened and snow began to fall again. They took shelter for the night at an inn in a small town.

With snow drifting outside and the window half-open, Tang Biao warmed some wine and drank, eyeing Tang Linzhi uncomfortably.

All of Tang Linzhi’s hidden weapons and blades had been confiscated by Tang Biao. Everything she knew had been taught by him, and he was well aware of her capabilities.

Although he had released her acupoints, he wasn’t worried about her running away.

Tang Linzhi was fuming inside. She couldn’t beat him in a fight, so she sat in her spot, glaring at Tang Biao in frustration.

Tang Biao passed her a cup of wine and said, “There’s no way I’m letting you go back unless you can defeat your master.”

Tang Biao poured her another drink, clucking his tongue disapprovingly, “Those little tricks of yours are nothing to speak of; you’d need at least another ten or twelve years to even think about matching your master in a fight. Only your reckless temper thinks you’ve beaten all under heaven.” Unbeknownst to him, Tang Linzhi’s notorious temper was a trait she had inherited directly from him.

“Come on, we haven’t seen each other in a long time, drink with your master.”

Tang Linzhi’s face still sullen, showed reluctance, yet she still picked up her cup and clinked it against Tang Biao’s, drinking it all in one go.

“There, that’s more like it,” Tang Biao remarked.

As they continued to drink, one cup after another, Tang Linzhi’s expression gradually softened. She began pouring drinks for Tang Biao herself, offering him several toasts.

Tang Biao laughed, “Little rabbit, don’t think about getting your master drunk so you can run away. I know exactly what you’re capable of.”

Tang Linzhi snorted coldly, “Drink it or not, I don’t care.” Ignoring him, she downed another cup, her demeanor one of drowning sorrows in alcohol.

Tang Biao watched her with a hearty laugh, leisurely sipping his drink. After several bottles were emptied, Tang Biao collapsed onto the table.

Tang Linzhi pushed him slightly and tentatively called out, “Master.”

Seeing no response, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced at her left sleeve, where a small patch of black fabric was sewn in, barely noticeable unless closely examined.

This small patch had been soaked in some herbs by Mo Wen, potent enough to knock out even the most resilient like Jie Qianchou.

Tang Linzhi quickly recovered all her weapons from him, and also emptied his pockets of all his money, murmuring, “Old man, you’re craftier than you appear.” With everything in order, she headed downstairs.

The inn had just opened, and the streets were quiet. It was still early, and being the first month of the year, Tang Linzhi stepped out, only to turn back and grab the young server. She demanded, “Do you know the way to Yangzhou?”

Tang Linzhi lifted him up by one hand. The server, clutching her arm and seeing her fierce demeanor, nodded tremblingly in fear.

Without hesitation, Tang Linzhi dragged him by the collar to the stable, pulled out a horse, threw him on it, and mounted herself, commanding, “Lead the way.”

As the young server was about to cry out for help, he hesitated, fearing the consequences of angering this hardened traveler. Terrified, he dared not speak.

Tang Linzhi tossed a silver coin into his chest, “Behave, and I won’t hurt you. Keep this for now, and once we reach Yangzhou, you can go back. I’ll pay you the other half then.” The young server, clutching the silver coin, stared at her in shock.

Tang Linzhi frowned and demanded sternly, “Do you understand?” The server hurriedly nodded.

“Lead the way!” Tang Linzhi commanded.

The server shivered and obediently gave Tang Linzhi directions bit by bit. The city’s roads were complex, and it took a while for them to navigate out of the city gates. Once they did, Tang Linzhi immediately spurred her horse towards the south.