Chapter 64 Still Kill Without Exception

Throughout the entire academy, only Ma Wencai knew my true identity, yet I was certain he would never breathe a word of it. As for this Sima Chenfeng, what kind of person was he really? Would he end up betraying me?

If others were to discover that I was a woman, the consequences would not stop with me alone; the Liu Family Manor and the Liu Yitang would undoubtedly be implicated as well.

No, I could not allow such a thing to happen.

Seeing how much effort it cost Sima Chenfeng to speak, I poured a cup of water from the table and handed it to him. "I am a student of Nishan Academy, Sima Chenfeng. In light of the fact that I saved your life, I hope you can keep my secret."

"A student? Being a woman, you actually disguised yourself as a man to study at the academy. You certainly have a great deal of nerve. Once this matter is exposed, the consequences are far beyond what a single person can bear."

Damn it, was he trying to intimidate me? If the stakes weren't so grave, why would I be humbling myself before him right now?

"I am well aware of the gravity of the consequences, which is why I am asking you to keep my secret. I trust that you, Sima Chenfeng, are not an ungrateful person?"

Sima Chenfeng, I had praised you to this extent; surely you wouldn't be shameless enough to let me down?

Sima Chenfeng chuckled lightly. "A drop of water received in need should be repaid with a gushing spring, let alone a life-saving grace." He paused for a moment in thought before continuing, "I also wish to implore Young Master Liu for a favor."

Well, at least you have some conscience. The gushing spring can be spared; all I need is for you to keep your mouth shut.

"You want me to help? Help with what?" For a man being hunted down, a favor requested of others could only mean one thing—providing cover. The price for that was simply too high; harboring a criminal was a crime punishable by imprisonment.

"As you already know, I am being pursued by assassins. Miss Wang saved my life, and I do not wish to drag her into this. Therefore, I lied to her, telling her my surname was Ma and my given name was Chen. Once my injuries heal, I will leave the mountain. So, I also wish to ask you to keep this secret for me."

That was easy enough. I agreed without a second thought, provided it didn't involve murder, arson, or acting as a getaway accomplice.

Who on earth was this Sima Chenfeng, that someone would go to such desperate lengths to have him killed? Still, living in such turbulent times, it was better to know as little as possible.

To my mind, Liang Shanbo and Wang Lan made a truly fitting pair. Both were overly generous, warm-hearted fools. They had rescued a stranger without knowing the first thing about his background or pedigree. Wasn't she afraid that keeping such a ticking time bomb by her side would cost her dear life at any moment?

***

I still harbor some unease regarding Sima Chenfeng, which is why I report to the infirmary every day to check on his recovery and, incidentally, to remind him of his promise to me.

For the past few days, Zhu Yingtai has seemed quite pleasant toward me. Moreover, I have noticed a significant change: previously she addressed me as Brother Yiqing, and later she used my full name, Liu Yitang. Yet lately, for reasons unknown, she has taken to calling me simply Yiqing. When she first addressed me thus, I was left stunned for half a day, unable to react.

The relationship between Ma Wencai and Zhu Yingtai appears to be growing increasingly close. Although Zhu Yingtai has moved back into her own quarters, she and Ma Wencai are constantly together, chatting and laughing.

Even Ma Wencai has transformed remarkably. In the past, he never gave Liang Shanbo the time of day, but now, upon meeting, he no longer glares with hostility; instead, he appears much gentler and more amiable.

Wang Lantian has yet to return, and I continue to reside alone in his quarters. Wang Lan mentioned that Sima Chenfeng's injuries have healed considerably and that he ought to walk about outside more often to breathe in some fresh air. To prevent him from coming into contact with outsiders, I volunteered to take on the task of escorting him out for a breath of spring air.

Two kites hang on the bedroom wall, crafted by Wang Lantian before his departure. His kites bore no conventional shapes, featuring instead peculiar patterns that I could not decipher, resembling the intricate markings of some exotic creature.

I took down the kites, but my gaze lingered on the umbrella resting in the corner. Ma Wencai was right: things that are broken cannot be mended. It was merely an umbrella, hardly worth my time.

I handed the umbrella to Yezi, instructing her to throw it away. Retaining things that ought not be kept merely consumed space.

Peaceful days passed one by one. Sima Chenfeng kept his promise to maintain my secret, while I refrained from exposing his true identity. Just as it seemed his wounds had healed sufficiently for him to descend the mountain, fate intervened.

On this particular day, as we sat in the classroom listening to the master's lecture, a violent commotion of clashing weapons suddenly erupted from outside the window, immediately followed by Wang Hui's terrified shrieks: "Help! Murder..."

Hearing the cries, we instantly surged out of the classroom, crowding at the doorway to observe, though none dared to step a foot outside.

Four masked figures clad in black were locked in fierce combat with Sima Chenfeng. Truly, one could hardly imagine that even hiding in such a secluded mountain retreat, he would still be tracked down by these men.

What on earth was the background of these masked assassins, that they sought his life repeatedly in broad daylight?

Sima Chenfeng was entirely surrounded by the four masked figures. Wang Lan and Wang Hui had pursued them all the way, lingering at a distance, too terrified to draw near.

Outnumbered, especially against four highly skilled professional killers, Sima Chenfeng's chances of survival tonight appeared extremely slim.

***

"Brother Ma, be careful... I'm coming to help you!" Liang Shanbo snatched up a wooden club from the corner and charged straight out.

"Shanbo..."

"Shanbo, you cannot go out there..."

Neither Zhu Yingtai nor I could hold him back. For Liang Shanbo to rush out was tantamount to walking straight to his death. If even Zhu Yingtai was no match for such men, what business did he have meddling in this? It was nothing short of a death wish.

Seeing Liang Shanbo charge out with his wooden club, Xun Jubo and Zhu Yingtai followed suit. Unable to restrain them no matter how I tried, I had no choice but to chase after their heels.

At a time like this, looking out for oneself might have been the prudent choice, but hanging back felt dishonorable. Yet I could not rush out empty-handed either. Sweeping my gaze across the surrounding area for a suitable weapon, I sprinted up to the podium, snatched the master's wooden pointer, and prepared to heroically charge into battle, only to be intercepted midway by Ma Wencai.

Ma Wencai, how long had it been since you last spoke a single word to me? Why the sudden show of solicitude? I glared at him and demanded coldly, "What are you doing? Let go of me!"

Ma Wencai pointed a single hand toward the fray outside. "Do you have any idea what you're worth? Are you planning to throw your life away just like Liang Shanbo?"

"Zhu Yingtai is out there! Are you prepared to let her walk to her death?" I shoved Ma Wencai aside, gripped the wooden rod tightly, and dashed out.

In truth, the master's wooden pointer carried virtually no weight at all.

Whether they deemed the four of us too utterly lacking in martial arts to bother with, the masked assassins ignored us entirely. Their relentless focus remained fixed on Sima Chenfeng, every single blade stroke aimed directly at his life.

Suddenly, one of the masked men lunged forward, pressing the edge of his sword sharply against Zhu Yingtai's neck, and snarled viciously, "If any of you dare to interfere again, even if you are students of this place, I will slaughter you just the same! Get lost!"