Chapter 64: Bait and Line

By the dark lakeshore, a solitary lantern dimly illuminated the nearby flowers and trees. The woman hid in that darkness, watching the scholar hum a tune while searching through the grass. He then picked up a large stone, tossed it lightly twice, and walked back looking quite satisfied.

From one end of the road, Ardent Wu Army soldiers gradually approached, while constables from the other side patrolled the lakeshore with lanterns, looking like they would arrive before the soldiers. Bang bang bang—sounds rang out as the scholar squatted by his carriage, using the stone to hit the carriage wheel. Something seemed to be wrong there. When he threw aside the stone, dusted off his hands and stood up, the constables had already drawn near. The woman held her breath. Of course, the constables first approached the scholar. They looked at the markings on his carriage, and conversation drifted over.

"This gentleman... is from the Imperial Son-in-law's Estate?"

"What's the matter?" The scholar's tone was indifferent as he turned to ask.

"Uh... something happened in the city just now, we're pursuing a criminal. Since you're not from the Imperial Son-in-law's Estate, may we ask why you have this carriage..."

Seeing the scholar's attitude suggested he had some background, the constables remained respectful. The scholar seemed to think for a moment, then asked in confusion: "Criminal?"

By now the Ardent Wu Army soldiers had also arrived. Seeing the situation by the carriage, they surrounded it as well, though some still looked toward the darkness by the riverbank, maintaining vigilance. The scholar turned back: "Are you all here for the same reason?"

"The Ardent Wu Army is pursuing an assassin. What are you asking about?" The leading soldier spoke steadily.

"What exactly happened?"

"An assassination just occurred in the city. The assassin should have come this way. Has this gentleman seen any suspicious persons... Also, if you don't mind, we'll need to conduct a routine search."

"Ah, I understand. Please go ahead." The scholar spread his hands in invitation, then asked, "May I know who was assassinated?"

"Where is this gentleman returning from?"

"White Egret Isle, the courtesan competition. I am Ning Liheng, not actually from the Imperial Son-in-law's Estate, but I'm acquainted with Lord Ming and borrowed his carriage to return to the city first. Lord Ming should still be behind us—he'll return by painted boat. If necessary for your duties... Oh, the one responsible for arranging my carriage is Lu Agui, the steward at the Imperial Son-in-law's Estate. You may inquire with him."

The soldiers naturally wouldn't casually reveal what had specifically happened, so they only asked about the scholar's background. After checking the carriage thoroughly and hearing him finish speaking, they became respectful. The soldier saluted: "My apologies."

One of the constables said: "Ning Liheng... could you be the Ning Liheng who wrote 'When Will the Bright Moon Appear'?"

This person seemed to have quite a reputation. As they spoke, both soldiers and constables changed their attitudes toward him. Then the leading soldier lowered his voice slightly: "Just now at Xuanling Street intersection, an assassin killed Captain Song Xian. Dozens were killed or wounded. The assassin has formidable martial arts and strikes viciously. They've likely fled to this area now. Please be careful, sir, and it would be best to return home soon."

Both groups had duties to fulfill. After exchanging a few words, they headed in one direction. At an intersection there, they met with another patrol group and pointed back while saying something. The scholar waved at the three groups in the distance, then in the night, he was heard to snort: "Heh, Song Xian..."

Then the scholar got onto his carriage and began cracking the whip, driving the carriage forward.

The carriage turned the corner ahead and moved steadily forward. Ning Yi lifted and secured the carriage curtain, watching the flickering lights around him. People returning from the courtesan competition were also passing through here. A few constables rushed in the opposite direction, and seeing the open curtain and markings on the carriage, they didn't bother with it.

The flow of people had increased after all. Those returning from the courtesan competition at this time mostly had some small background. Once out of the suspicious central area, checking each one would be too troublesome. Moreover, the available manpower wasn't sufficient right now. The most they could do was strictly check those leaving through the city gates.

The bait should have been cast—whether it would work depended on luck. According to his expectations, the assassin's most likely option at that time would have been to hide near the lakeshore. But that area was quite large after all. He had chosen what he felt was the most likely position. The surroundings were quiet, so speaking voices should carry easily over a wider range. The possibility of the fish taking the bait was still only thirty percent.

He didn't know if there was already another person on his carriage. He couldn't lower his head to check now either—otherwise what would greet him would probably be a sword to the head. He only used his eyes to watch the roads on either side of the carriage. There were still people in this area. If the other party had taken the bait, they shouldn't get off here. However, the road ahead toward the academy would be somewhat secluded. When there was no one on either side of the road, he slowed the carriage and decided to speak.

"I need to say a few words. Please don't be too sensitive, warrior. Song Xian was vicious and arrogant, stopping at nothing to advance his position. In autumn of Jinghan Year 6, he even framed people to seize their farmland in Eryue Village outside the city, killing an entire family. This matter later became widely known, but without evidence, no one could touch him. I have long heard of his evil deeds and have always admired the bold and chivalrous spirit. If you trust me, warrior, I'm willing to lend you a helping hand..."

The earlier wandering around was just skirting the edge of danger—nothing major. Speaking these words was the real gamble. Of course, combined with details from the two assassination attempts and the current situation, he was confident the risk had been minimized. However, any effect would naturally depend on the assassin having gotten on the carriage—that mere thirty percent possibility.

There were no pedestrians ahead or behind on the road. After saying this, Ning Yi waited for a possible response. However, after a long while, no response came.

Had he miscalculated?

When layouts couldn't be perfect, failure was common. After all, from the beginning, the chances weren't high. Of course, he wouldn't lose anything because of it. As time passed, Ning Yi felt a faint regret and sighed, preparing to stop and check under the carriage. With a muffled thud from behind, Ning Yi's heart jumped. He leaped from the carriage, grabbed a lantern and went over. He saw the female assassin wrapped in black cloth who had fallen onto the road, already unconscious.

From the beginning when she killed Song Xian only to be surrounded, she had expended her strength to forcibly kill Song Xian in that situation. She had already sustained many injuries. When Ning Yi secretly watched, she still appeared formidable, but running through the city being chased and blocked had naturally pushed her body to its limit. When Ning Yi suddenly revealed her hiding place, she perhaps intended to suddenly rush out, but gathering her strength at this moment caused her to faint. This woman had wrapped her body in cloth to avoid dripping blood along the way, and she still clutched it tightly. Ning Yi looked for a few seconds, then quickly picked up the woman.

There had been several mistakes, surprises and changes before, but at this juncture, it was truly a perfect turn of events.

From the beginning, the possibility of getting this woman onto the carriage wasn't high. And after getting her on, how to gain her trust in a delicate situation through step-by-step help and preparation, making her owe favors, then considering negotiation... The probability of completing each link decreased progressively. But this was indeed the most ideal result now. Simply saying a few words to gain trust had too little controllability. Now that she had fainted, it saved many subsequent matters. As long as he helped treat her injuries first and took action, when she woke she would naturally have more rational consideration of the situation and reduce suspicion.

This road was already close to the small courtyard he had rented by the academy. Turning the corner ahead would bring him to the entrance. Ning Yi checked the surroundings, then opened the door and carried the black-clothed woman inside. The outer room was where he conducted experiments. The inner room had a small storage area, though there wasn't much there yet. There was originally a bed and chairs left by previous occupants. Ning Yi placed the woman on the bed, turned and went out, checking briefly for any suspicious traces, then returned to look for medicine.

Some common medicines for injuries from falls, bandages and such—he had prepared these considering possible injuries during experiments. He also took needle and thread, and lit a crude alcohol lamp made from a porcelain bottle—since he was cooperating with Nie Yunzhu in the food business, he had made a small distillation apparatus and had already produced small amounts of alcohol. Taking these, he pushed open the inner room door and had barely taken one step when—swish—a sword blade coldly pressed against his neck.

She woke up too quickly...

Ning Yi held the alcohol lamp motionlessly, secretly grumbling to himself. The woman ahead leaned against the wall, holding the sword and watching him coldly. His words on the carriage had apparently worked after all—she didn't have immediate killing intent. After a moment, she asked: "What do you want?"

"Medicine." Ning Yi raised the small package in his right hand, slowly placed it on the small table ahead, and opened it with one hand. "Lamp." He said, then also set down the alcohol lamp and raised both hands: "To help treat your injuries."

"How can I trust you?"

"Judge for yourself."

The woman reached out and picked up a small medicine packet to smell it, glanced at Ning Yi, and tossed it aside. She opened another porcelain bottle to look, and also tossed it aside. During this process, she finally slowly lowered the sword in her hand. After a moment: "What's this fishhook for?"

"Needle, to suture your wounds."

"Suture... wounds?"

"Yes, sew the wounds closed—they heal faster."

The woman gave him a strange look: "Get out."

Then added: "Stay in the outer room only. If you try to leave or play any tricks, I'll immediately come out and kill you!"

"I'll boil some hot water for you."

This woman should have her own better medicines and wouldn't let him treat those injuries. Ning Yi nodded and withdrew, then smiled and shook his head. No matter what, the first step was complete.

"I'm called Ning Yi, courtesy name Liheng. And you, Miss?"

So he maintained his amiable manner and began chattering away to build rapport...