Chapter Nineteen: The Death Warrior

Meanwhile, back in the Great Wilderness Dynasty, inside Chu Nan’s shop, several assassins clad in black searched every corner inside and outside the building but found no trace of Chu Nan.

They stood in the empty courtyard, exchanging puzzled glances filled with confusion and disbelief.

“Where is he? This courtyard isn’t that big; he can’t have just vanished into thin air, can he?” one assassin growled impatiently.

Having ransacked Chu Nan’s dwelling without finding even a shadow of him, their frustration grew.

The leader of the assassins snorted coldly and whispered, “That brat probably fled. Since he’s not here, we’ll just set this damn place on fire and see where he can hide then!”

The others nodded in agreement, and one pulled out a fire striker from his pocket.

Just as he was about to ignite it, hurried footsteps echoed outside the courtyard, interspersed with the clashing sound of metal armor.

The assassins’ faces changed instantly; they quickly withdrew their movements, alertly staring toward the gate.

With a thunderous bang, the previously closed wooden door was smashed open, the door slab falling to the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Squinting, the assassins saw a squad of fully armored soldiers filing in one after another.

Leading them was a figure clad in black armor, gripping a long spear, his sharp gaze sweeping the entire courtyard.

“It’s the Imperial Guards from the capital!” one assassin whispered, a trace of panic flickering in his eyes.

The commanding soldier surveyed the assassins and sneered, “You vermin dare to trespass into the Royal Merchant’s residence and intend to commit arson? You truly have no regard for your lives!”

The assassins exchanged looks, and the leader made a snap decision, barking, “Retreat!”

He knew these Imperial Guards were well-trained; facing them head-on was a lost cause. Escape was the only option.

But the Imperial Guards were not about to let them slip away so easily.

At the leader’s command, the soldiers swiftly formed a tight encirclement.

They surged forward, driving the assassins into the corners of the courtyard, and the battle erupted instantly.

One assassin swung his blade fiercely, attempting to break through on the left side, but an Imperial Guard soldier stepped up immediately, their blades clashing and forcing the assassin back.

On the other side, two assassins stood back-to-back, trying to flee through the rear gate.

Yet as they turned, three Imperial Guards blocked their retreat.

Amidst the flash of steel, the assassins steadily lost ground and began to falter.

With Imperial Guards surrounding them on all sides, escape was impossible, and despair deepened in their eyes.

The leader cast a cold glance at his comrades and nodded slightly to signal something.

The others understood; a resolute gleam flashed in their eyes.

Several assassins exchanged looks, gripped their short knives tightly, and with a sharp cut to the side of their own necks, collapsed quickly to the ground.

With muffled thuds, the assassins committed suicide, ending the siege amidst the chaos.

The lead Imperial Guard officer waved his hand, and the soldiers immediately dispersed.

After confirming no one showed signs of life, they began searching the surroundings carefully for any overlooked clue.

At that moment, a tall figure entered Chu Nan’s courtyard.

She was dressed in a simple, elegant blue robe, carrying an air of cold detachment.

This was Shangguan Ya’er.

She gazed down at the assassins’ bodies sprawled on the ground, her expression frost-like, yet a trace of displeasure flickered beneath her eyes.

These assassins were clearly sent by the Yang family, yet they had dared to be so brazen.

Breaking into the Royal Merchant’s residence under cover of night was almost an open challenge to the court.

Shangguan Ya’er turned to the commanding Imperial Guard officer and ordered coldly, “Search this place thoroughly. Find out where Chu Nan is now.”

The officer saluted and immediately led his men to scour every corner.

But no matter if they searched the main hall, the backyard, or even the remote storage rooms, there was no sign of Chu Nan.

It was as if he had vanished completely before the assassins even broke in.

“Report!” an Imperial Guard soldier hurried over to Shangguan Ya’er, bowing. “We have searched both inside and outside the courtyard thoroughly but found no trace of Chu Nan.”

Shangguan Ya’er’s brow furrowed slightly, a hint of perplexity crossing her features. “He disappeared just like that?”

She pondered silently—could it be that Chu Nan had learned in advance about the Yang family’s assassination plot and escaped early?

She cast her gaze around, brows knitting as if contemplating something.

By Cheng Lingyu’s orders, she had come to ensure Chu Nan’s safety.

Yet after this confrontation, he was nowhere to be found, raising doubts in her mind.

“Continue the search,” Shangguan Ya’er instructed calmly, her tone laced with unyielding authority. “Check every nearby alley and hiding place. No matter what, we must find any trace of him.”

The soldiers nodded and spread out again for a meticulous search.

But moments later, they returned one by one, still empty-handed.

Throughout the courtyard and its surroundings, aside from the assassins’ bodies scattered about, there was no other sign of life.

Shangguan Ya’er’s gaze darkened as she murmured softly, “Chu Nan, where on earth have you gone?”

A subtle unease stirred in her heart.

Chu Nan was an ordinary merchant, yet time and again he had evaded danger.

Even when trapped between the Imperial Guards and assassins, he managed to escape unscathed.

All this seemed to hint that he was far from simple.

Gathering herself, Shangguan Ya’er ordered the soldiers, “Take these bodies away and dispose of them thoroughly. Leave no trace.”

“And seal this matter completely. No one outside must learn of it.”

Night had silently fallen, the streets of the capital bathed in the dim glow of street lamps, the air tinged with chill.

In her imperial study, Cheng Lingyu sat holding a lamp, its light casting a deep glow upon her stern face.

When Shangguan Ya’er entered the palace late at night, Cheng Lingyu was reviewing densely packed documents.

Her figure sat poised like a statue; the flickering candlelight highlighted her cold visage and shrewd eyes.

Without looking up, she listened as Shangguan Ya’er’s footsteps halted, then spoke sharply, “Come in.”

Shangguan Ya’er pushed open the door and entered, bowing her head respectfully. “Your Majesty, Chu Nan has disappeared.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Lingyu paused mid-pen, her brow knitting slightly.

She did not immediately express anger but was silent for a moment before a faint smile curved her lips.

“He’s disappeared?”

Her tone carried a hint of ease. “What, did he deliberately evade those assassins, or is Chu Nan’s skill far greater than we imagined?”

A flicker of unease passed through Shangguan Ya’er’s eyes as she replied softly, “Your Majesty, the assassins have all taken their own lives. There is no sign of Chu Nan anywhere in or around the courtyard.”

“His shop is also empty, as if he vanished into thin air.”

Her voice bore a trace of hesitation and complexity.

“Moreover, those black-clad assassins acted with extreme caution, as if well prepared in advance.”