Chapter 45: Claiming the Reward

Before claiming the reward for capturing the female assassin, some preparations had to be made.

Lu Yan first shot two arrows into the assassin’s heart and abdomen with a sleeve arrow, then took a handful of chili powder and sprinkled it over her face.

After finishing the arrangements, Lu Yan lifted the corpse and headed out.

He had barely left his lodging when three figures approached from the opposite direction.

Lu Yan frowned, not wishing for trouble, and was about to avoid them, but when he saw their attire, he changed his mind.

The three also saw Lu Yan and quickly rushed over.

“You are... a Red-Clad Guard of the Liu clan? What’s going on?” They surrounded him, eyes fixed on the corpse in Lu Yan’s hand.

“And you are?” Lu Yan asked in return.

Judging by their clothing, he had guessed their identity, but needed confirmation.

“We are members of the Zhou clan.” One of them produced a yellowish metal token engraved with the character “Zhou.”

Only those of Zhou blood possessed such tokens, and this one was of high status.

“Now, you ought to explain yourself. Why are you killing people in Qingyang City?” The leader of the Zhou clan demanded, his blood surging, making his hands glow red.

It was the mark of the Zhou clan’s renowned martial art, the Scarlet Eagle’s Fiery Claws.

“Gentlemen, this corpse is the assassin who attempted to kill Martial Marquis Zhou Hezhen,” Lu Yan replied.

The three Zhou clansmen’s expressions changed, displaying surprise and doubt.

“Is it true? Our Zhou clan’s reward is not so easily deceived,” one of them said coldly.

He was suspicious that Lu Yan was trying to claim credit for someone else’s kill.

“You’ll see for yourselves.” Lu Yan lifted the assassin’s shoulder, revealing the savage claw wounds.

“That’s the mark of the Scarlet Eagle’s Fiery Claw.”

“Bone force penetrated the body—only a Martial Marquis could inflict such a wound.”

After a few glances, the three were convinced: this was indeed the assassin who attacked Zhou Hezhen; the wound was unmistakable.

In all Qingyang City, only the two Martial Marquises of the Zhou family could leave such marks.

They exchanged glances and smiled.

“You are quite something, young man. All the great clans dispatched their experts and failed to find the assassin, yet she fell into your hands,” the leader said.

“Just luck,” Lu Yan replied.

“Capturing the assassin earns a reward of thirty thousand taels. Our Zhou clan keeps its word. Come, young man, we’ll take you to claim your reward,” the leader said.

“Thank you, gentlemen. I’ll treat you to drinks another day,” Lu Yan clasped his hands in thanks.

The three led the way, and Lu Yan followed.

In the past, he would never have been so reckless, but his strength had greatly increased and he felt more confident.

As long as a Martial Marquis did not appear, he trusted he could protect himself.

He did not fear any tricks from them.

On the way, the three introduced themselves. The leader was Zhou Zhengde. The other two were Zhou Zhenghai and Zhou Zhengshi.

“Brother Lu Yan, you’re truly formidable. This female assassin likely had the cultivation of five breakthroughs, yet met her end here. You are young, but your abilities are unfathomable,” Zhou Zhengde remarked.

He seemed to be praising but was actually probing, and Lu Yan easily caught the nuance.

“You flatter me, Brother Zhou. I am merely at the second breakthrough. Killing the assassin was pure luck—she was badly injured by Elder Zhou Hezhen, her vitality depleted, her strength less than a tenth of what it once was. And I took her by surprise…”

Lu Yan recounted how the assassin disguised herself as a maid, how he detected the abnormality by the scent of blood, then tested her with the matter of the birthmark, and finally ambushed her with chili powder and sleeve arrows.

He spoke half truth and half lies.

The beginning was true, the ending was false.

Only a lie mixed with truth could be believed.

Zhou Zhengde and his companions found his story plausible and without flaw, and praised Lu Yan for his intelligence, courage, and caution.

Along the way, they encountered members of other clans, who were curious about the female corpse in Lu Yan’s hand, but seeing the three Zhou clansmen, no one approached.

Half an hour later, they arrived before a grand mansion.

The estate was vast, with many buildings, pavilions, and towers, guarded at the entrance by four martial experts.

Zhou Zhengde’s status was clearly high; he gave instructions to the guards and led Lu Yan inside.

After winding through corridors, they brought Lu Yan to a small reception hall.

“Brother Lu Yan, please wait here. We’ll take the assassin to see the steward. Once the steward confirms her identity, you will be taken to collect your reward,” Zhou Zhengde said.

Lu Yan pondered briefly and nodded. “Very well.”

Zhou Zhengde left with the corpse, closing the hall door behind him. He quietly instructed Zhou Zhengshi and Zhou Zhenghai, “Stand guard here. Don’t let him leave.”

With that, he carried the corpse deeper into the mansion.

Lu Yan sat in a wooden chair, fingers tapping the table. After a moment, he rose and headed for the door.

Truth be told, he was uneasy.

What if the reward was embezzled?

If they claimed the kill as their own, seizing the credit, to whom could he appeal?

Thirty thousand taels was a fortune—who wouldn’t be tempted?

Lu Yan decided to secretly follow them.

But when he opened the door, Zhou Zhenghai and Zhou Zhengshi blocked his way.

“Gentlemen, what does this mean?” Lu Yan frowned.

“Brother Lu Yan, apologies. The steward’s residence is a vital place for the Zhou clan; outsiders cannot wander freely. Please understand,” Zhou Zhenghai replied with a smile.

“Just wait here. The steward will soon see you,” Zhou Zhengshi added.

Lu Yan grew more suspicious.

Were they truly planning to steal his reward?

“You misunderstand. I suddenly remembered urgent business and wish to return for now. I can claim the reward tomorrow,” Lu Yan said, testing their reaction.

Zhou Zhenghai shook his head. “Brother Lu Yan, it’s best you wait here.”

They wouldn’t even let him leave?

They not only wanted to take his reward, but planned to silence him as well?

A murderous intent rose in Lu Yan’s heart, but he kept his expression calm. “Very well, I’ll wait here.”

He clasped his hands, feigning retreat, but in the next instant, Lu Yan struck, cleaving out two lightning-quick palms.

Before the two could react, they were hit at the base of their skulls and collapsed unconscious.

Lu Yan dragged them into the hall, closed the door, and silently made his way deeper into the mansion.

Soon he spotted Zhou Zhengde’s figure.

He held his breath and followed from afar.

Zhou Zhengde carried the corpse to a large building.

Outside, two martial experts patrolled.

“Where is the steward?” Zhou Zhengde asked.

“He’s training in the exercise room,” one replied.

“Go, inform the steward—I have urgent business,” Zhou Zhengde commanded.

The two guards looked troubled.

“The steward instructed that no one disturb him while training…”

“Yes, someone interrupted his practice before and was punished,” the guards said, still hesitant.

“I’ll go with you,” Zhou Zhengde said, pushing open the building door, revealing an assembly hall.

Zhou Zhengde placed the corpse inside and instructed one of the guards, “Stay here and don’t let anyone enter. I’ll fetch the steward.”

With that, he and one guard headed left, vanishing into the darkness, leaving one on watch.

Using the cover of night, Lu Yan crept to one side, leapt onto the roof.

The glazed tiles were sturdy and quiet; Lu Yan crawled atop the assembly hall, lying motionless and waiting.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, three figures approached.

Lu Yan lifted his head slightly to observe from afar.

Two were Zhou Zhengde and the patrol guard.

The third was a burly, middle-aged man with a square face, bristling beard, and imposing brows—a figure of authority.

This must be the steward.

“Wait outside,” a deep voice ordered. The hall door creaked open; the steward and Zhou Zhengde entered and closed it behind them.

“A master of five breakthroughs, dead at the hands of a mere Red-Clad Guard—how laughable,” the steward’s low voice rumbled.

He spoke in a suppressed tone. If not for Lu Yan’s extraordinary hearing, the words would have been hard to catch.

“Steward, it’s better this way. With the assassin dead, there’s no chance of exposure, no one to betray us,” Zhou Zhengde replied in a hushed voice.

Lu Yan’s heart jolted.

Betray us?

These men were in league with the assassin.