"So, there's another empire next to the Canglong Empire," Ye Fan mused. "That must be the Ice Dragon Empire. The Ice Dragon Empire is larger than the Canglong Empire, and the two are currently at war."
"This time, the Canglong Empire wants to make peace through a marriage alliance," he continued, listening to the conversations of the warriors around him.
"Too bad, the marriage won't happen," Bai Li Changqing remarked coldly.
His final target was none other than Princess Changyue of Canglong City!
...
As usual, before an assassination, Bai Li Changqing needed to thoroughly scout the target's surroundings.
This time, the assassination would take place in the royal palace, and his target was Princess Changyue.
"The map is here," a shadowy figure said one evening as Bai Li Changqing sat cross-legged in his inn room. The figure appeared through the window, and with a swift motion, tossed a red sandalwood box toward Bai Li Changqing.
Whoosh—
Bai Li Changqing instinctively caught the box.
"Changqing, did you really kill Chasing Death?" the shadowy figure asked, not leaving the room.
This man was also from Falling Moon Pavilion, specifically responsible for gathering intelligence. In the pavilion, the members were divided into two groups: assassins and those who collected intelligence. The latter provided critical information that was difficult for assassins to obtain, such as the map of the royal palace in Canglong City.
"Yes," Bai Li Changqing answered without hesitation.
The members of Falling Moon Pavilion would find out sooner or later.
"You were too reckless," the man said.
"He attacked first," Bai Li Changqing replied calmly, his voice void of any fear.
"I know, but he was the Pavilion Master's direct disciple," the man said after a brief pause.
The Pavilion Master was a powerful Martial Saint.
"Are you worried the Pavilion Master will be enraged?" Bai Li Changqing asked.
"Yes, and you know what that means. If he is displeased with you, you will die," the man said seriously.
"I'm not afraid of him anymore," Bai Li Changqing said with a faint smile, his voice calm.
The man was taken aback, confusion flashing in his eyes.
"This is my last mission. Once I complete it, I will leave Falling Moon Pavilion," Bai Li Changqing declared. "After that, no one will have the right to command me."
With those words, Bai Li Changqing stood up. Tonight, he would complete his final mission.
...
It wasn't long before Bai Li Changqing's figure could be seen moving swiftly across rooftops. His left hand gripped the sheath of Jiemie, and his body moved like a shadow, blending seamlessly into the night.
After reaching the level of Martial Saint, his speed had become incredible, making him nearly invisible to ordinary warriors.
Before long, he reached the city gates. His eyes scanned the sky, where numerous King-level warriors hovered, guarding the palace.
The palace was heavily fortified, with King-level warriors even patrolling the skies. However, these warriors were primarily focused on aerial threats and paid little attention to the ground.
Whoosh—
At the palace gates, the strong guards only felt a light breeze as Bai Li Changqing slipped past them, his figure undetected.
Following the map, he moved swiftly through the palace, heading toward his target.
...
In a pavilion, two elegantly dressed women stood outside, gazing at the distant moonlight.
"Sister, have you truly made up your mind?" one of the women, who appeared younger and more delicate, asked.
The other woman was none other than Princess Changyue, the third princess of the Canglong Empire—Bai Li Changqing's assassination target.
"I wouldn't have returned if I wasn't certain," Princess Changyue replied with a soft smile.
"But I've heard the prince of the Ice Dragon Empire has a terrible reputation, and I doubt they will give up the war so easily," the younger princess said with concern.
She didn't fully understand the complexities of politics, but she knew that the Ice Dragon Empire had been dominating the war, capturing several cities of the Canglong Empire. Could a marriage alliance alone truly stop their invasion?
"This is our last option," Princess Changyue sighed.
"You should go and rest now," she said, smiling again.
"I'll come to see you in the morning, Sister," the younger princess said reluctantly.
"Alright," Princess Changyue responded with a smile.
After sending her sister away, Princess Changyue sighed deeply. Gazing up at the full moon, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
But soon, her expression hardened with resolve. As a princess of this nation, she had a duty to return and complete the marriage alliance, no matter the cost.
"I've found her," Bai Li Changqing thought as he hid in the shadows, his eyes locked on Princess Changyue walking in the courtyard.
She was his final target.
The guards were stationed at the gate, oblivious to Bai Li Changqing's presence as he entered the courtyard unnoticed.
Gripping the hilt of his sword, Bai Li Changqing moved in an instant, his figure flashing through the darkness.
"Who's there?" Princess Changyue's senses were sharp, and she immediately sensed something amiss. Her expression changed as a cold glint appeared before her.
A sword's chilling edge was aimed straight for her brow.
She had no time to evade.
I'm dead, she thought, her eyes widening with shock and regret.
She wasn't afraid of death. But if she died, the marriage alliance would fail, and the Canglong Empire would be in a dire situation.
Whoosh—
At the very last moment, the sword veered slightly, missing its mark and grazing past her face instead.
The sharp sword energy still managed to slice off a few strands of her hair.
Princess Changyue stood frozen in place, her body unable to move.
"Ye Yaar," she muttered as she recognized the familiar figure in front of her.
It was Bai Li Changqing.
Her expression shifted slightly, but she quickly realized the truth.
The last person Bai Li Changqing had said he would kill... was her.
"How did you... recognize me?" Ye Yaar asked, calming herself and looking at Bai Li Changqing with a complicated gaze.
"Your voice," Bai Li Changqing replied.