Chapter 18: The Fellow Assassin
After tossing down the card, Guan Sheng strode away decisively.
The hotel bodyguards behind the old man wanted to intervene, but when they caught sight of Guan Sheng’s icy glare, they were all frozen in place, their courage to act completely drained.
Only after Guan Sheng stepped into the elevator did the oppressive atmosphere begin to dissipate.
Once he had left, the hotel manager, Li Chen, who had been in the lobby moments ago, approached the old man.
“Boss... you’re really just going to let him walk away like that?”
The old man was none other than Tang Haofeng, the true power behind Old Jiangnan.
His sharp eyes, like those of a black eagle, scanned the scene thoughtfully before he spoke. “This man’s skills are extraordinary. He’s no ordinary person. To clash with him would be to court defeat.”
Li Chen was displeased. “But... just letting him go like that—if word gets out, where does that leave the honor of Old Jiangnan?”
Tang Haofeng snorted lightly. “Letting him leave isn’t the same as letting him off the hook.”
“Old Jiangnan may be a private hotel, but the power circles behind it do not tolerate anyone trampling on them.”
“This fellow is from the Li family.”
“In that case, let the Li family bear the consequences.”
“Spread the word: the Li family is no longer a distinguished guest of Old Jiangnan. Starting tomorrow, they are expelled from the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce. No company, no family, no event associated with the Chamber shall have any dealings with the Li family.”
Upon hearing this, Li Chen’s eyes brightened and he immediately cupped his hands in salute. “Understood.”
At that moment, a series of chimes resembling ancient bells rang out—“ding ding ding.”
Tang Haofeng’s expression suddenly changed, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. This unique ringtone meant a major figure from the capital, Jingdu, was calling.
He dared not show the slightest neglect and hastily brought his phone to his ear.
As the power behind Old Jiangnan, he had assigned distinct ringtones to all top-tier officials in the imperial court, ensuring he could respond with utmost respect immediately upon their calls.
Once the call connected, Tang Haofeng’s voice took on a humble tone. “My lord, your command.”
On the other end came the voice of a delicate yet authoritative woman.
“The day after tomorrow, Elder Ji will conduct a covert inspection of Jiangcheng and will host a banquet for a guest.”
“Elder Ji has specifically requested dishes from Old Jiangnan. This banquet is at the level of a state dinner—nothing must be neglected.”
Hearing this, Tang Haofeng felt as if facing a great enemy; cold sweat trickled down his brow. His voice trembled. “Elder Ji? The Elder Ji, one of the highest-ranking officials?”
The woman’s tone was stern. “Yes.”
“My goodness!” Tang Haofeng was startled. “Wasn’t he supposed to be ill and hospitalized? Why suddenly conduct a covert inspection in Jiangcheng? My lord, surely you aren’t deceiving me!”
The woman’s voice turned icy. “Deceive you? Tang Haofeng, who do you think you are? Do I need to lie to you?”
“What are you, then?”
Tang Haofeng realized his mistake and quickly apologized, “Forgive me, my lord. It was my error. Please do not be angry.”
“I was just momentarily... flustered. Old Jiangnan has never entertained a figure of Elder Ji’s stature before.”
“Besides, it seems so odd—for such a dignitary to conduct a covert inspection and host a banquet for just one guest. It hardly fits his status.”
“Is there only one guest attending, or many?”
The woman’s impatience was clear. “Why so many questions? Just follow the instructions.”
“This is a banquet at the state-dinner level; prepare as many dishes as required. Elder Ji is inviting only one guest.”
“I will notify you of the specific time. Make arrangements accordingly.”
“Finally, this matter is strictly confidential. Do not disclose it to anyone else. If I find out you’ve leaked information, Tang Haofeng, your Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce can be dissolved on the spot!”
“No, no, no...” Tang Haofeng hastily patted his chest, pledging, “Rest assured, no one else besides me will know.”
“Good... very good. That’s all.”
“I will ensure this matter is handled properly. You have my word.”
With that, Tang Haofeng’s trembling hand ended the call, his expression one of utter shock.
He muttered quietly to himself, “This... this is unbelievable. Elder Ji personally hosting a banquet for one person, at a state dinner level...”
“What kind of major figure has appeared in Jiangcheng to warrant such treatment from Elder Ji?”
Tang Haofeng dared not speculate further; he feared for his life.
At that moment, a voice came from nearby.
Li Chen pointed toward a private room. “Boss, what should we do about Young Master Xu inside?”
Tang Haofeng’s mind was consumed with thoughts of the mysterious figure and Elder Ji; he didn’t want to deal with trivial matters.
“Send him back to the Xu family. Relay tonight’s events to them in full detail.”
“As for the rest, we need not concern ourselves.”
“Understood!”
——
Beneath the great Red Mountain in Jingdu, inside a traditional courtyard surrounded by hundreds of soldiers clad in camouflage patrolling around, a woman dressed in black professional attire and high heels slid her phone into her briefcase.
She turned and walked toward a small stream, coming before an elderly man wearing a bamboo hat.
The old man sipped a small cup of wine, holding a fishing rod, while a radio nearby played traditional opera.
Fishing by night, listening to opera, sipping wine.
The woman bowed to the old man. “Elder Ji, everything has been arranged. You should get some rest.”
The man called Elder Ji chuckled softly. “The air force is out tonight; I won’t be sleeping. Let me catch a fish.”
The woman smiled wryly. “With all this opera playing, it’s too noisy—fish will be scared away. Besides, you don’t even have a hook; it’s just a line.”
Elder Ji waved his hand calmly. “This is what we call Ji Tai Gong fishing—willing fish take the bait.”
His words held a deeper meaning.
The woman immediately understood and stood behind him. “Will that person really cooperate with you?”
Elder Ji shook his head; the smile vanished. “Not likely, but it’s an opportunity.”
——
“A few days ago, the assassin city overseas was locked down unexpectedly. That person’s name has vanished from the assassin roster. Add to that their sudden appearance in Jiangcheng... these anomalies tell me this is a once-in-a-millennium chance.”
“Though I don’t know why that person suddenly returned to the Dragon Kingdom, if I can recruit him into our Dragon Army, our nation will become unstoppable.”
“This dragon, I must tame.”
“Even if it costs this old bone its life, I will make a trip to Jiangcheng.”
“I’ll treat that person to a meal, some wine—that won’t be bad.”
Elder Ji’s eyes softened with fondness, as if gazing upon a successful grandson.
The woman sighed. “But legend says he’s cold and ruthless.”
“He prefers to be alone.”
Elder Ji smiled. “He’s been alone for over twenty years; inevitably, that breeds loneliness.”
“No one in this world can endure such solitude for so long.”
The woman found some truth in his words but worried. “But isn’t his strength due to a heart as cold as iron?”
“If he changes, will he still be as strong?”
Elder Ji affirmed, “Of course. Not only will he not weaken, but he will become even stronger!”
“He is—Guan Sheng, the God of Assassins!”
——
Leaving Old Jiangnan, Guan Sheng carried the packed food, gazing at the sun and moon. His stomach growled loudly.
When he returned to the group’s office, he found Li Yuyan asleep, head resting on a desk cluttered with documents.
Seeing her exhausted state, Guan Sheng didn’t wake her. He whispered softly, “Looks like I overexerted her yesterday.”
“Rest well, my wife. Tonight, I won’t bother you.”
He set half the food on the desk.
Taking the other half, he stepped out into the night’s cool breeze, walking to the corridor by the door to eat.
Looking out at the city’s nightscape, Guan Sheng felt an unprecedented sense of tranquility.
As the lights of surrounding buildings gradually faded, he finished his meal, stood, and carried the food container to a trash bin.
Suddenly, a cold gleam flashed.
Guan Sheng’s eyes narrowed; the long blade concealed in his sleeve slid out instantly, gripped firmly in his hand.
He looked up, scanning his surroundings.
Twelve assassins wearing black masks had already surrounded him!
Guan Sheng: “Oh?”
“Fellow professionals?”
“Come to kill me?”