Chapter 18: Young Lady, Wait!

That female attendant, whom Li Shixuan had earlier called "Ling'er" and who had seemed so confident, was wounded on the arm the instant she moved to engage, struck by Chen Rushuang's sword. Seizing the opportunity, and surprised at how poor the attendant’s skills were, Chen Rushuang did not hesitate—her sword flicked upward in a swift follow-through.

If I get entangled with this attendant, that wretch Bai Muge will surely take the chance to escape! And I’d waste this once-in-a-lifetime chance at assassination! So her mind raced, and she decided to employ a classic feint—an attack in one direction while striking in another.

“Have at you!” Chen Rushuang cried out with all the force of a true killer, rushing at the attendant Ling’er with such flawless aggression that not a single opening could be seen. It seemed as if her sword was aimed straight for the attendant’s life.

Ling’er’s expression darkened, inwardly realizing disaster was at hand. “So she was holding back before—her true skill was hidden!” Desperate to evade the blow, Ling’er failed to realize this was a feint, and in panicked retreat, she was struck squarely in the chest by Chen Rushuang’s spinning kick.

With a heavy thud, Ling’er crashed into the rail beside her, leaving nothing between Bai Muge and his would-be assassin.

“…” Bai Muge.

“…” Li Shixuan.

I knew it—Li Chen is never reliable when things get critical… And that attendant’s martial skills are just abysmal… Bai Muge was at a loss for words.

But there was no time for blame; Chen Rushuang was already upon him, sword flashing. Any lapse now, and he’d die by her blade.

“Brother Mu…” Li Shixuan, trembling and pale, clung to the hem of Bai Muge’s robe from behind, her face suffused with worry. This was only the second time she’d witnessed an assassination attempt; the first had been in the imperial study, when she’d seen Hai Dafu attempt to kill the Prince of Zhennan. Now, fear gripped her, and she shivered.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here,” Bai Muge swallowed hard, forcing himself to remain calm while his mind raced through every possible means of survival.

Of course! The gold bar! There was nothing nearby to use as a makeshift weapon—no lime, no dirt. He hastily pulled a gold bar from his sleeve and held it out toward Chen Rushuang.

This gold bar had been formed from an excess of odd pieces of gold he’d acquired using the “Turn Steps into Gold” card. He had no other options left.

Though Cao Zhengchun was highly skilled, he was held up downstairs by several men, who fought like rabid dogs, leaving him no chance to intervene. As for Hai Dafu, who knew where he’d gone—he was nowhere to be seen at this crucial moment.

For now, it was up to Bai Muge to rely on his wits.

“My lady, please wait!” Bai Muge brandished the gold bar, fixing Chen Rushuang with a righteous look. “Surely there’s been some misunderstanding here. You seem beautiful and kind, a true celestial maiden—not like those reckless, bloodthirsty good-for-nothings of the Azure Dragon Gang! If we have a disagreement, shouldn’t we sit down and talk it over?”

Chen Rushuang blinked in confusion, momentarily stunned. How does Bai Muge know I’m not like the others in the Azure Dragon Gang? Has he investigated me in secret? But she had no time to pull back; her sword was already thrusting toward his chest, and Bai Muge made no move to dodge—instead, he gazed at her with utter sincerity.

He was wearing the Golden Threaded Jade Garment; this stab wouldn’t hurt him. As long as it didn’t strike a vital spot, he’d be fine.

With a muffled sound, Chen Rushuang’s sword pierced Bai Muge’s chest, but strangely, he felt no searing pain—only a mild numbness and a faint ache. Chen Rushuang was aghast. She had never imagined that Bai Muge, that much-maligned official, would simply stand there and let her sword strike home, all while insisting there was some misunderstanding.

Does Bai Muge truly have no fear of death? she wondered, briefly forgetting to withdraw her sword, stunned into stillness.

“Brother Mu!” Li Shixuan, seeing Bai Muge stabbed, cried out in alarm, her concern writ clear as she rushed to check his wound.

But before she could reach him, and while Chen Rushuang was still dazed, Bai Muge made his move.

Though hardly skilled in martial arts, he was close enough—and with the gold bar in hand, he wasted not a moment. He spun and, with a heavy thud, struck Chen Rushuang on the back of the head, knocking her out cold. Only then did he pull the sword from his chest, gripping it as he glanced at the attendant beside him and ordered, “Tie her up!”

“Y-yes, sir.” Ling’er, finally recovered, pulled out a length of rope and bound Chen Rushuang tightly.

“Brother Mu, are you all right?” Li Shixuan, still shaken, rushed over at last, her gaze fixed on Bai Muge’s chest to see if he was hurt.

“I’m fine,” Bai Muge replied with a reassuring smile, patting his chest. “I was wearing a golden garment—it’s impervious to blades and arrows!”

Li Shixuan stared, wide-eyed in astonishment. A golden garment? Could it be the one taken from the Prince of Zhennan’s estate? Is it really impervious to weapons? Still worried, she reached out with a delicate hand to touch his chest; finding no blood, and seeing for herself that he was unharmed, she finally relaxed.

At that moment, Bai Muge, still shaken, glanced downstairs at Cao Zhengchun and called, “Old Cao, don’t hold back—no need to take any prisoners!”

“Y-yes, young master.” Cao Zhengchun, who had been planning to capture the attackers alive, changed his mind after witnessing the dangerous scene upstairs. After all, Bai Muge had almost been assassinated right under his nose—a grave failure.

With a series of gunshots, Cao Zhengchun, assisted by five men, quickly dispatched several foes. The young maid, however, he captured alive rather than killing.

The battle ended swiftly, and calm returned.

“Young master, it was this old servant’s error just now—I await your punishment…” Cao Zhengchun, after capturing Feng Qi, bowed low to Bai Muge at the railing above.