Chapter 129: Who Is the Assassin?

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Chu Bing had no time to think and immediately slipped into Li Haoran’s room. Her clothes were already soaked with fresh blood, the metallic scent thick and pungent. Suppressing the urge to vomit, Chu Bing tore the hem of her skirt and quickly fashioned a makeshift bandage for her wounds.

“...System, thank you this time,” she said weakly, leaning against the wall after tending to her injuries.

Today, she had said thank you twice already, which made the system momentarily unaccustomed.

The system replied indifferently, “It’s what I’m supposed to do; after all, I rely on you to complete the missions.”

In the past, Chu Bing might have found the system heartless, but after so many encounters, she had long seen through it—it was merely stubborn but soft-hearted. Every time she faced danger, it never failed to intervene.

It constantly muttered about execution but never truly caused her harm.

Chu Bing let out a light laugh. “Anyway, I appreciate your kindness. I will work hard to complete the missions and repay you.”

“From now on, let’s cooperate well and stop bickering.”

In this unfamiliar era, having someone to fight alongside her was already a luxury.

The system acknowledged with a sound and suddenly said, “Someone’s coming.”

Chu Bing instantly held her breath cautiously, looking toward the door and clutching the soft whip in her hand.

A figure quickly entered the room, searching briefly before their gaze landed on Chu Bing, curled in the corner.

“Miss Chu, are you alright?” Li Haoran quickly approached her.

He half-knelt before her, pulling out some healing salve from his pocket. Frowning, he examined her wounds carefully and applied the medicine with great care.

Chu Bing was taken aback, a complex feeling surging in her heart.

She opened her mouth, “Aren’t you going to ask why I appeared in your father’s room?”

Wouldn’t he suspect that she was an assassin sent to kill his father?

And yet here he was, unguarded, kneeling before her and tending to her wounds...

Watching Li Haoran’s actions, a bittersweet sensation welled up within her.

Without looking up, Li Haoran continued his ministrations. “The Miss Chu I know would never commit such an act of assassination. There must be some misunderstanding. Once your wounds heal, we’ll find the right time to explain everything to my father...”

For a moment, Chu Bing didn’t know how to face Li Haoran.

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She had thought Li Haoran had changed, which made her so wary of him. Yet unexpectedly, his heart remained sincere toward her!

Chu Bing took a deep breath and looked at Li Haoran seriously, “Li Haoran, I promise you, I will train you to become a master of martial arts!”

Li Haoran was momentarily stunned, then a smile appeared on his handsome face, making his features seem unexpectedly earnest.

“I believe you.”

His gaze burned steadily into hers, making Chu Bing slightly uncomfortable. She awkwardly turned her head to change the subject. “What’s the situation outside?”

“My father has summoned all the soldiers of the manor—they’re searching everywhere for the culprit. But don’t worry, they won’t dare come near here,” Li Haoran reassured her.

No one could have imagined that the youngest son, whom Chancellor Li dearly loved, was sharing a room with the very assassin who tried to kill his father.

“All right,” Li Haoran said, sprinkling some hemostatic powder on Chu Bing’s wounds before wrapping them with bandages.

“This will only stop the bleeding temporarily. At dawn, I’ll take you to see a doctor.”

“You can even go out?” Chu Bing held her shoulder, smiling bitterly. “I know Chancellor Li watches you closely. There’s no way he’ll let you leave once he knows an assassin is around.”

Li Haoran’s expression darkened.

But when he saw the bloodstained clothes on Chu Bing, a flicker of determination appeared between his brows. “At worst, I’ll face my father’s reprimand when I return. Your injuries cannot be neglected.”

He looked deeply into Chu Bing’s eyes and said slowly, “Miss Chu, you have done me a great favor. Rest assured, I will never abandon you.”

Hearing such a solemn declaration, Chu Bing burst into laughter. “Don’t joke around. People who don’t know us might think we have some special relationship!”

Li Haoran was taken aback, then his expression shifted, avoiding her gaze.

Chu Bing didn’t notice his odd behavior. She propped herself up on her legs and looked out the window, wondering how Li Mohan was doing now.

She hoped he hadn’t been implicated because of her.

Outside, Li Mohan stood in the courtyard wearing a simple garment, watching the soldiers rummage through his room with a cold expression. “Are you finished searching?”

“Young Master, we’re doing this for your safety,” said a masked man, stepping forward and bowing slightly to Li Mohan.

Li Mohan’s eyes narrowed upon seeing him. “What kind of assassin is so cunning that even you, my father’s chief guard, had to intervene?”

“My men stabbed her twice in the shoulder, but she still escaped,” the masked man shook his head gravely. “The only thing certain is that she’s a woman and highly skilled in lightness techniques. She broke through our encirclement in the blink of an eye.”

“A woman?” Li Mohan’s pupils contracted sharply, a figure flashing through his mind.

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He paused briefly, then said casually, “This assassin is truly cunning. I wonder if there are any other clues. If I find her, I will take her life.”

“She wields a fine whip and... seems very familiar with the manor. She should be someone from inside,” the masked man added.

Li Mohan’s gaze gradually chilled. He knew exactly who the assassin was.

Who else but that audacious and reckless woman!

His entire aura became heavy and oppressive. The masked man thought he was worried for Chancellor Li and admired the young master’s filial devotion, so he promptly gathered the soldiers and called them back.

“Young Master, sorry for the disturbance today. I will take my leave.”

“Go,” Li Mohan said.

Li Haoran watched the group leave the courtyard, casually shutting the gate behind them. His face darkened completely.

“Young Master, what’s wrong?” Old Zhao was tidying up the mess the soldiers had made and turned to see Li Mohan’s furious expression.

Li Mohan changed into his night clothes. “Hong Xiu is the assassin.”

“What?” Old Zhao’s eyes widened. “That girl’s crazy! Isn’t she looking for death?”

“Stay here in the courtyard. I’m going to find her,” Li Mohan said calmly, grabbing his long sword and preparing to leave.

Old Zhao reacted quickly, blocking his way in just a few strides. “No, Young Master! If you’re discovered, you won’t be able to explain it to the lord!”

“She has two wounds on her shoulder. I don’t know where she’s hiding now. I can’t rest until I find her.”

Though he resented Chu Bing’s recklessness, Li Mohan couldn’t let her go.

Just thinking of her suffering alone somewhere, enduring pain, filled his heart with unease.

Li Mohan activated his lightness skill and vanished into the night.

Old Zhao watched his retreating figure and sighed deeply.

Young Master is probably truly caught in Hong Xiu’s grasp.