Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Left Chancellor Dies

Wuming drew her flexible sword from her waist, grasped it firmly, and leapt down from the rooftop. Several allies from the Lingyu Pavilion followed in unison, springing after her.

With her lightfoot skills, Wuming swiftly reached the location of the Left Chancellor. She neither hid nor evaded; instead, she brandished her sword and charged straight at the Left Chancellor.

"Help, help!"

The Left Chancellor, startled by the sudden appearance of the black-clad woman, cried out in terror and instinctively cowered behind the two companions flanking him.

The two strongest guards of the Secret Corps, stationed at the Left Chancellor’s side, quickly drew their swords and stepped forward, shielding him behind them upon seeing the unexpected intruder.

Hidden members of the Secret Corps, alerted by the Chancellor’s cries, signaled with a wave. Heads popped out from the shadows, arrows at the ready. Yet in that instant, a figure appeared behind them, covering their mouths with a handkerchief while a dagger slashed across their throats. Twisting their necks, in a matter of seconds all the dazed and drugged guards were silently dispatched. Such was the strength of the Lingyu Pavilion—an undeniable force!

Dozens of elite guards formed a circle around the Left Chancellor, swords drawn, protecting him at the center. The two foremost guards exchanged glances, then took positions to the left and right, warily watching the motionless figure before them.

Observing their actions, Wuming pressed her lips into a thin line and shook her head with resignation. Had she been alone, the task would have required more time. But the Lingyu Pavilion was known for swift and decisive action; naturally, she had been assigned ample support. There was no need for her to worry about these men.

With a light step, Wuming dashed diagonally forward, her flexible sword flashing as she singled out a target and charged. In the next instant, he collapsed, clutching his neck in vain, and Wuming seized the opening to break into the encirclement.

As the guards turned to regroup and surround her, the black-clad members of the Lingyu Pavilion, following behind Wuming, each engaged a foe, drawing them away from the circle. Wuming could expose her back so boldly because she trusted her companions to deal with the threats behind her swiftly.

Has a single year made me trust these people so much?

Wuming was surprised by her own trust in them. Unknowingly, she had come to rely on them enough to entrust her back without hesitation.

Shaking off the stray thought, Wuming began to duel the two guards.

The Left Chancellor, seeing the black-clad woman drawing ever closer, twisted his face in terror, let out a scream, and fled in panic. But in the next moment, she appeared before him.

Wuming had been vexed by the two guards’ entanglement, but when she saw the Left Chancellor foolishly fleeing his own protection, she seized the moment. With peerless agility, she landed squarely in front of him.

She smiled faintly, swept her sword at his neck, and produced an open black sack. The Left Chancellor’s head fell neatly into the bag. Just like that, his head was taken.

Wuming held the sack in her left hand, the corners of her mouth rising. She turned, wasted no words, and kicked the two remaining guards as the Lingyu Pavilion members arrived, dispatching each with a sword thrust to the heart.

The mission was complete.

In the distance, the embroidered guards’ footsteps approached. With a casual wave of her hand, Wuming signaled the Lingyu Pavilion members, and in a heartbeat, every trace of them vanished from the palace avenue, leaving only the corpses of the Secret Corps and the headless body of the Left Chancellor.

Standing atop a tree, Wuming watched the “hurried” arrival of the embroidered guards and sneered to herself:

The master’s arrangements are always so timely—how amusing.

A day later, the severed head of the Left Chancellor hung over the city gate, a gift from Wuming. Beside it, five red characters declared: “With respects from the Lingyu Pavilion.”

The capital was instantly thrown into uproar, rumors swirling, fear gripping the hearts of all.

At court, every official who had ever associated with the Left Chancellor scrambled to distance themselves, fleeing the Chancellor’s residence as far as possible—none dared risk offending the Lingyu Pavilion.

Ji Muyu made a show of mourning at the morning court, expressing regret.

Yet his actions told a different story. Ji Muyu neglected the Left Chancellor’s household, banished the once-favored concubine—his daughter—to the cold palace. Days later, news spread of her suicide in confinement. But whether it was truly suicide, everyone understood the truth.

Seven days later, the Left Chancellor’s funeral procession was pitifully small, attended only by a few women of the household. With the Chancellor gone, those who could flee the residence did so; those who could not found ways to escape. All were desperate to leave.

Madam Zuo, upon hearing of her daughter’s death in the cold palace, collapsed in grief. When she awoke, she had lost her senses, but not a soul came to care or offer help.

In just ten days, the once-mighty Chancellor’s residence was utterly dissolved.

Such is the fickleness of the world.

When you wield power and influence, everyone flatters you. The moment you lose it, you are no longer of any use.

Within the Lingyu Pavilion, Wuming was formally admitted into the Inner Court, gaining true insight into its operations and the right to discuss major decisions with Gu Xinyu and the others regarding the pavilion’s future.

With the flawless completion of this mission, Wuming’s position soared.

Gu Xinyu’s decision to promote her came after much deliberation among his four brothers. They could not ignore Wuming’s achievements over the past year—nor the fact that she had personally slain the Left Chancellor. She deserved their full trust, not suspicion.

Wuming’s accomplishments earned the recognition of both the Pavilion Master and the Enforcer, boosting morale throughout the Lingyu Pavilion.

Indeed, had they not acknowledged Wuming even now, doubts would have festered among the members, lowering their efficiency. Gu Xinyu and the others anticipated this, making her promotion inevitable.

“Master, I have successfully entered the Inner Court of the Lingyu Pavilion.”

In the dim study, Yin Su knelt on the floor, head bowed in report.

“Very good. Continue your efforts.”

Ji Muyu’s voice drifted from the air itself.

Though his figure was nowhere in the study, Yin Su knew he was watching her from somewhere unseen.

“Yes, sir.”

“From now on, you need not concern yourself with affairs in the tower. Focus solely on your work within the Lingyu Pavilion. Matters in the tower have been entrusted to Lin and Lie.”

“Yes.”

Sensing Ji Muyu’s departure, Yin Su stood, gazing determinedly through the window into the distance.

I will prove that I am not wrong. I will not regret my choices.