Chapter Fifteen: The Man in the Mask

This red envelope was not as large as the one she had seen the first time, but its vivid scarlet hue still set Chu Bing’s heart racing. Without hesitation, she walked toward it, only to realize as she drew closer that the envelope was actually attached to a man wearing a mask.

The masked man slipped and darted through the crowd, vanishing swiftly into a narrow alleyway. Chu Bing gathered her lightness skill beneath her feet and gave chase without a second thought. If she let this red envelope get away, how could she ever face herself when carrying out her missions in the future?

Upon reaching the alley, Chu Bing held her breath and hid in the shadows. There, she saw not one, but two people: the masked man and a portly middle-aged man. The latter’s face was ashen, hands raised in trembling retreat, but the masked man’s hand flashed coldly and, in an instant, a short dagger plunged into the middle-aged man’s neck!

Blood gushed forth. The victim’s eyes widened in deathly shock as he collapsed, lifeless and unavenged.

He had actually killed someone!

Chu Bing clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp. It was the first time she had ever witnessed a killing up close, and her emotions were a tangled mess, verging on nausea.

After the masked man had finished, his expression remained unchanged. He tore a strip from the dead man’s clothing, wiped the blood from his dagger, and tossed the cloth aside. His actions were so practiced that it was clear this was far from his first kill.

Chu Bing watched silently from her hiding place, uncertain whether she should reveal herself. Though she trusted her own skills, her opponent was clearly a desperate criminal—a man willing to kill. Who could predict what such a person might do if cornered?

The masked man leaned against the wall for a moment’s rest, then, employing his own lightness skill, vanished above the alleyway in the blink of an eye.

Chu Bing hesitated but still decided to pursue him. She knew full well she might face danger, but the lure of the red envelope was simply too great.

She trailed after the masked man with utmost caution, careful not to get too close yet fearful of losing him if she fell too far behind. Thanks to her vigilance, the man never realized she was following him, even after he reached his destination.

The masked man leapt over a wall into a courtyard.

“System, system, do you know what’s inside the red envelope on that masked man?” Chu Bing called out in her mind.

If the envelope didn’t hold anything she needed, she would turn back at once!

The system’s voice was mechanical and unfeeling. “No comment.”

Heartless as ever!

Chu Bing muttered inwardly as she raised her head to survey the courtyard before her. It was a formidable residence.

At the gate stood two stone lions, with a massive plaque above bearing a single character: “Li.”

The Li Residence?

Could this have something to do with Li Haoran?

Chu Bing frowned imperceptibly. The surname Li was exceedingly rare—perhaps this very estate belonged to Li Haoran’s family!

She was tempted to leap in and investigate, but the Li Residence was heavily guarded. Armored sentries stood at the gate, and every ten paces along the outer wall, another guard was posted. Even if Chu Bing could get in, she would certainly alarm those within.

Not a wise gamble.

Chu Bing decided she would question Li Haoran upon her return; then she could decide whether this place was worth revisiting. After all, the red envelope was still on the masked man. Once inside, all she needed was a single glance to know where it was!

Turning to leave, Chu Bing suddenly stepped on a pebble and staggered awkwardly.

“Who’s there!”

A shout rang out as a group of black-clad men darted from the shadows, blocking her path.

Chu Bing’s expression changed. She lifted her leg to flee, but her escape was already cut off. A clawed hand shot toward her face—if it struck, she would be disfigured!

She narrowly dodged the attack, but the next blow was already upon her!

Compared to these men, the bodyguards at Li Haoran’s side earlier that morning were in an entirely different league.

She barely evaded several strikes, but her way out was firmly sealed—escape was impossible!

“Who dares cause trouble here?” one of them demanded.

“I’m just passing through…” Chu Bing tried to explain.

She hadn’t even started anything!

“Nonsense!” scoffed another.

Clearly, they didn’t believe her. Several black-clad figures attacked at once.

Realizing she was no match for them, Chu Bing dodged nimbly and took refuge atop a corner of the wall, her hand pressed to her chest. Hidden there was her secret weapon: the Rain of Pear Blossom Needles!

Anticipating danger, she had come prepared.

With a flick of her sleeve, slender silver needles whirled through the air like falling petals, piercing the flesh of her attackers.

A few shrieks rang out, and several black-clad men collapsed instantly.

The survivors, though still able, hesitated, worried for their fallen comrades and unwilling to escalate the fight.

Chu Bing clasped her fist courteously. “Forgive today’s offense. Till we meet again!”

With that, she darted away.

“Stop right there!”

Just as she was about to escape, a hand clamped down on her shoulder. Chu Bing spun around and saw a familiar mask—it was the very man she had been pursuing all day!

She froze for a split second, but he struck without mercy, a fierce palm slamming into her chest. Heat surged from her chest to her abdomen as if struck by a hammer. Her face drained of color and a mouthful of blood spattered forth.

Damn it!

Her inner energy spiraled out of control, raging within her body. As he raised his palm for another attack, Chu Bing’s mind went blank. On instinct, she gathered all her remaining energy into her hand and struck back at him.

A thunderous crash resounded as both of them were thrown several meters apart.

“Friendly reminder, host: He is not your match. Of the thirty-six strategies, retreat is best!” The system’s voice rang suddenly in her mind.

She quirked her lips. “So you only bother warning me when I’m at death’s door, is that it? Worthless system!”

“Dear, if you don’t run now, you’ll lose your life.”

“Then why don’t you lend me another hand? I can’t move!” The blow from the black-clad man had sent her inner energy into chaos—she could barely stand.

“…This is the last time!” the system replied.

As it finished, Chu Bing felt a surge of heat flow from her calf to her foot. She sprang up, and with a few quick leaps, vanished over the rooftops.

The masked man watched her disappear, his voice cold as ice. “Find out who she is!”

“Yes, sir!”