Chapter 126: You Are a Talent

"Could they all be asleep already?"

Looking at the silent courtyard, Mo Ya shook his head in frustration. They had come to scout the situation, yet there didn't seem to be a single servant or guard in sight.

Sleep! The mere thought of Nong Yu made Bai Feng tremble. "Damn it! They couldn't have already..."

Mo Ya suppressed a laugh, speechless. The little guy finally realized he shouldn't have come! Women of such circumstances were accustomed to these things, and even if she were a virtuous woman, she was not someone for assassins like them to touch. The result would only be tragedy and ruin.

A pang in his heart made Mo Ya dare not dwell on it any longer. He hoped even more that Bai Feng would not end up like him, suffering a shattered home and lost life.

"Should we sneak in and take a look?" Bai Feng couldn't help but suggest.

The pitch-black courtyard was devoid of light and movement, as if it were completely deserted. In reality, the courtyard was merely a facade; Lin Shu and his companions were staying inside the carriages.

"We'll start with the side courtyard! No matter what happens, do not reveal yourself!" With no other choice, Mo Ya prepared to risk a closer approach.

Bai Feng nodded slightly, feeling an inexplicable pressure weighing down on him.

"Haha, Daddy, are they looking for us?" Watching the two stealthy figures in black, little Yan'er was eager to join in on their game.

So this was what a "live broadcast" felt like. Nong Yu understood, and she was even more astonished.

"Hehe, let them search slowly." Lin Shu was in no rush; after all, it was Mo Ya and his companion who were the anxious ones.

About ten minutes later, Bai Feng broke into a cold sweat. "Nothing! We haven't found a single person!"

Mo Ya frowned. "They can't all be staying in the main house, can they?"

They had checked every other room in the courtyard; only the three main rooms in the back and the small carriage parked by the hall remained.

"Bai Feng, stay hidden! I'll go over and check! If something goes wrong, you leave!" Mo Ya refused to give up.

"Alright! Be careful. If you can't find anything, just forget it!" Bai Feng had no objections; in this situation, his strength would be of little use anyway.

Watching Bai Feng disappear into the shadows, Mo Ya took a deep breath and crept toward the carriage, intending to see if there were any written clues inside.

"Ah, he's coming! Daddy, he's coming over." Little Yan'er was both excited and nervous, as if she herself had become the thief.

The broadcast was so clear that even the sound of Mo Ya's breathing could be heard; it felt as if he were right in front of them, making Nong Yu increasingly tense.

"Hehe, this is walking right into a trap." Lin Shu smiled, a small plan forming.

Mo Ya successfully entered the carriage, but to his dismay, there wasn't even a seat inside! "How can there be nothing at all?" He refused to believe it and continued to search.

"Hee hee, black bird monster, what are you looking for?" Little Yan'er couldn't resist stepping out of the carriage space.

"Who?" Mo Ya turned around, his scalp tingling, but there was no one around, and even the door he had entered through had vanished.

Little Yan'er tapped Mo Ya lightly before being pulled back by Xin Ying. "Hey, Sister Xin Ying, let me out."

[Alright then!] Seeing the Commander didn't stop her, Xin Ying stopped holding the baby back.

Nong Yu looked startled and couldn't help but look at Young Master Lin. "Is Yan'er alright?"

Lin Shu nodded confidently. "Rest assured, no one can hurt her inside the carriage."

In a flash, little Yan'er drifted above Mo Ya's head. "Hehe, I'm right here."

Mo Ya looked up, saw only two adorable, large eyes, and then the figure vanished again.

"Run! Bai Feng, run!" After a loud shout, Mo Ya thrust his blade with full force toward the carriage walls. He knew he was likely trapped, and his only concern was Bai Feng outside.

As soon as Mo Ya moved, Xin Ying stopped being polite.

"Aww, that's no fun at all!" Seeing Mo Ya sprawled on the ground, little Yan'er lost interest.

*How is this possible? Am I not even a match for a little girl?* Seeing little Yan'er clearly, Mo Ya began to doubt his entire existence.

Perched on the roof tiles, Bai Feng was also tense; he felt as though someone was watching him.

"Huh! When did these four arrive?" In the blink of an eye, Bai Feng saw four swordsmen slowly surrounding the small carriage.

"No! Go! Run!" Without time to overthink, Bai Feng leapt into the air, blowing the bird whistle of the Night Veil. Turning back to look, the carriage remained deathly silent, and a terrifying thought struck him.

"How can this be!"

Without hesitation, Bai Feng fled at full speed, certain that Mo Ya was doomed this time.

But before he could get far, he heard a rush of wind, and two young girls kicked him back into the courtyard.

*Thump!* A moment later, another sound followed as Mo Ya was tossed down beside him.

"Why didn't you run!" Mo Ya was so angry he wanted to curse.

Bai Feng spat out a mouthful of blood and shook his head. "I tried to leave, but I couldn't!"

While Bai Feng had been focused on the swordsmen, the two sisters had already laid an ambush, intercepting him the moment he moved. The careless Bai Feng had only watched his back, never expecting an attack from the front. Compared to the concealment arts of the Net, the methods of the Night Veil were still a bit amateurish.

The previously dim courtyard began to brighten, and the "audience" walked out of the carriage one by one.

Surrounded by six swordsmen and three experts—a man and two women—Mo Ya realized it was over. He regretted bringing Bai Feng along.

"Ah! It's her!" Upon seeing Nong Yu, Bai Feng lowered his head in shame. He didn't want her to see him in such a pathetic state.

Lin Shu waved his hand, and the two men's face masks drifted away.

"Mo Ya, Bai Feng, sit." Lin Shu had no interest in standing to speak. The sensible Xin Ying produced two rows of sofas. Once the furniture appeared, Lady Yanfei, Shaoshao, and little Yan'er sat down immediately.

Nong Yu hesitated; if she sat down, she would be in the same row as the ladies.

"Nong Yu, you sit too." Lin Shu didn't want her standing.

"Yes, Young Master!" Nong Yu nodded happily, a thousand thoughts rushing through her mind.

Looking at the seats behind him, Mo Ya smiled bitterly, then pulled Bai Feng over to sit. Watching the shy, contented look on Nong Yu's face, Bai Feng felt his heart shatter completely.

"No rush. Have some tea first, or wine if you prefer." Mo Ya was a cold-blooded yet loyal master; Lin Shu intended to recruit him.

Taking the tea cup that floated toward him, Mo Ya was even more surprised. "Th-thank you!"

Despite being in a life-or-death situation, the moment the tea touched his lips, it felt like a reunion with an old friend. Sighing deeply, Bai Feng also took a cup with a calm expression. He had never truly been close to Nong Yu, so his attachment wasn't deep.

"Young Master Lin... how will you deal with Mo Ya? Just please, let him go!" Mo Ya added, "He was forced into this!" If they had a choice, no one would want to be an assassin, and certainly no one liked being someone else's dog.

"Is the brother an assassin too?" Little Yan'er stared at Bai Feng. Bai Feng nodded sheepishly.

Lin Shu smiled. "I know Ji Wuye sent you, and I won't make things difficult for you. However, Ji Wuye will die within the year. That is my word."

Once the early stages of the plot were concluded, Lin Shu intended to have Ji Wuye meet his end early. Whether Ji Wuye died or not didn't matter to Mo Ya, but the fact that this man would spare him was significant.

"Young Master Lin, why spare us?" In the eyes of the powerful, they were nothing more than skulking assassins, rats beneath notice.

"I believe you are a man of talent, so I want you to join the Empire."

*The Empire!* Everything became clear. Mo Ya was even more shocked. So the "Lin" of Young Master Lin was the Lin surname of the Northern Kingdom!

"Hmph! So that's how it is!" Bai Feng felt even more dejected. No wonder the goddess was willing to serve him!

*Talent!* It was the first time anyone had ever described him that way.

"You don't need to answer now. When the Night Veil dissolves, if you haven't found a place to go, come to Liaodong." Lin Shu didn't intend to pull Mo Ya away from Ji Wuye just yet; he would be needed for the upcoming "Water-Dissolving Gold" affair.

Young Master Lin spoke with a frank tone, devoid of the arrogance typical of the high and mighty. As the saying went, a scholar dies for one who truly understands him. Mo Ya was genuinely moved.

"I thank you, Young Master! May I disclose your identity to Ji Wuye?" How to report back was Mo Ya's primary concern.

Lin Shu nodded. "It's fine, tell him. I will be going completely off the grid anyway."

"Thank you, Young Master!" Mo Ya bowed once more.