#144: Feng Li

After leaving her home, Yunyi didn’t head toward the Taishou’s mansion but instead turned back to visit the Fang family. The Fangs and the Wus were neighbors, so they might remember Wu Laosan’s age.

Fang Datong, who was fifty-four years old, vaguely recalled that Wu Laosan was three or four years younger than him. However, he couldn’t recall the exact year of Wu Laosan’s birth since the Wu family had moved in later. Based on rough calculations, Wu Laosan should have already turned fifty.

Upon learning that Wu Laosan was also among those conscripted, the Fang couple felt deeply saddened. In truth, there was nothing they could do except grieve or cry.

When they were two streets away from the Taishou’s mansion, Yunyi glanced at the rapidly darkening sky and said, “It’s getting dark, Father. Hurry back and be careful on the way.”

Wu Laosan forced a smile. “I’ll be fine. I’ll head back after seeing you safely into the Taishou’s mansion.”

Understanding his concern, Yunyi reassured him, “Trust me, I’ll find a way to prove you’re over fifty. Also…” She hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Be cautious of the Feng family these next few days. On our way back earlier, I noticed Feng Cheng lurking and staring at us suspiciously. It’s possible this matter is connected to them.”

Wu Laosan immediately replied, “How could such a thing involve them? I heard that Feng Cheng is also among those being conscripted.”

“Regardless, it’s better to stay vigilant,” Yunyi insisted. Nodding, Wu Laosan agreed, “Alright, I’ll try to inquire about it.”

“The night is getting darker. Hurry back. I’ll find a way to leave the mansion again tomorrow.” Under Yunyi’s insistence, Wu Laosan reluctantly turned back, frequently glancing over his shoulder until he disappeared from sight. Only then did Yunyi proceed toward the Taishou’s mansion.

In recent days, the entire Honghua Prefecture had been thrown into turmoil due to the conscription orders. The streets emptied early, with only faint lights visible through windows.

As Yunyi approached the street, a sudden gust of wind swept past her head. Her expression tightened as she instinctively crouched down. Almost simultaneously, a flash of cold steel whizzed past her head, slicing off a strand of her hair!

Yunyi broke out in a cold sweat and quickly turned to see a shadow standing just a few steps behind her.

She had been preoccupied thinking about Wu Laosan and hadn’t noticed anyone following her. Fortunately, she had dodged just in time—otherwise, she would already be dead.

While Yunyi was still shaken, the person opposite her was equally astonished. This man was Feng Li, who had secretly returned to Honghua Prefecture under Li Jiancheng’s orders to eliminate Yunyi. He had arrived in early February. Since Li Jiancheng had instructed him not to act within the mansion, he had waited until now. The strike he had just unleashed carried at least seventy percent of his strength and speed—ordinary people wouldn’t have been able to dodge it unless… they were skilled martial artists!

Realizing this, Feng Li’s heart sank. His grip on the hilt of his blade tightened, and his expression grew even more serious. How could a village girl possess martial arts skills?!

“Who are you?!” Ignoring Yunyi’s demand, Feng Li responded with sharp steel, each strike aimed at her vitals.

As Yunyi dodged, her brows furrowed in confusion. Why would someone want to assassinate her? Could it be… that the Li family had discovered her true identity? No, if it were the Lis, they would have captured her alive to interrogate her accomplices. They wouldn’t kill her outright without asking questions, especially not by sending just one person.

Yet, aside from that, she couldn’t think of any other possibility. During their struggle, she tried her best to discern her attacker’s face. Unfortunately, the dim light and his deliberate evasion made it impossible. Thankfully, the streets were deserted—anyone witnessing this scene would surely have been terrified.

Feng Li, as one of Li Jiancheng’s personal guards, was no ordinary fighter. His mastery of the blade was extraordinary, forcing Yunyi, who was unarmed, to constantly evade. If not for her exceptional agility, she would have already been injured.

Still, Yunyi wasn’t unscathed. Constant evasions drained her stamina significantly, and she was already slightly out of breath. She needed to think of something quickly—otherwise, once her strength gave out, she’d become a corpse.

With that thought, Yunyi suddenly sprinted forward as if trying to escape. Seeing this, Feng Li immediately pursued. But after only a few steps, Yunyi abruptly stopped, turned around, and extended her right hand, shouting, “Look out for the arrow!”

Instinctively believing a hidden dart was incoming, Feng Li abandoned pursuit and quickly ducked aside. After waiting a moment without hearing any sound or seeing an arrow, he realized he had fallen for a trick—but it was too late.

“Don’t move!” A cold hand wrapped around his neck, sharp nails pressing against his pulsing artery. It was clear that any sudden movement would sever the major blood vessel, ending his life instantly—no god could save him.

After subduing Feng Li, Yunyi took the steel blade from his hand and placed it against his throat. Slowly walking in front of him, she gasped upon recognizing his face. “You?!”

She had assumed it wasn’t someone from the Li family, yet here stood Feng Li, Li Jiancheng’s trusted guard. Moreover, she didn’t understand—hadn’t Feng Li left with Li Jiancheng for Hedong? Why was he here now?

A flash of realization crossed Feng Li’s eyes. Sensing Yunyi’s momentary distraction, he attempted to seize the blade. But before he could act, Yunyi snapped back to attention, tightening her grip on the weapon. Coldly, she said, “If I were you, I wouldn’t dare move.”

Realizing his plan had been seen through, Feng Li reluctantly lowered his hands and stared at her. “You’re not Wu Meixue. Who are you?” The movements she had used to evade his attacks seemed oddly familiar, though he couldn’t quite place them.

Yunyi’s voice turned icy. “I am Wu Meixue. But you—why are you here, and why are you trying to kill me?!” A sudden thought struck her, and she pressed further, “Did Eldest Young Master send you?”

Feng Li didn’t answer but instead exclaimed, “No, you’re definitely not Wu Meixue. I…” Mid-sentence, a spark of realization flashed through his mind. “I remember now! Your techniques match that assassin’s—you’re the assassin!”

Damn it, he had indeed figured it out. But… it didn’t matter anymore because she never intended to let Feng Li leave alive. With this thought, Yunyi coldly retorted, “What nonsense! Everyone knows I’ve lived in Shuangqiao Village since childhood, and my father is Wu Laosan. How could I possibly be an assassin?”

Feng Li narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know what tricks you’ve used to deceive everyone, but I’m certain you’re the assassin. If I’m not mistaken, you’ve stayed in the mansion to find an opportunity to assassinate the Taishou. Shen Yunyi, you’re incredibly bold!”

Yunyi’s eyes flickered as she demanded, “Tell me—why did Eldest Young Master send you to kill me?!”