"That's not how it should be said," the楼主 interrupted the bearded man. "How many times have I told you, you can't be so arrogant when you speak, and you can't leave yourself no way out when you act. Your methods are all improper practices left behind by the Dark Shadow Tower! Didn't I say it? We need to be careful in everything we do from now on!"
The bearded man opened and closed his mouth, then snorted and said nothing more.
The楼主, in a rare display of kindness, continued, "Our mission this time is simply to bring the person here. The one who issued the mission said we cannot harm the Marquis's wife. Therefore, Yang Erniang, you don't need to worry about creating an irreconcilable situation with those two mansions. Although our Dark Shadow Tower does not fear the imperial court, we cannot go too far. Otherwise, if the imperial court sends troops to suppress us, our losses will be very heavy."
Hongdou nodded, cupped her hands towards the楼主, and took her leave.
Yang Erniang had a few friends in the Dark Shadow Tower. Hongdou did not return to her lodging but went directly to find them. She subtly inquired about the person who issued the mission, and surprisingly, she managed to get some information. The person who came to issue the mission wore a mask.
The area on her cheek near her ear was not covered by the mask, revealing hideous scars.
Hongdou had learned from Qi Zhenzhen that Qin Lang had disfigured himself to evade the imperial court's pursuit back then.
Therefore, it was possible that the person who issued the mission was Qin Lang.
Of course, this was not an absolute certainty.
"Erniang, why are you so interested in this matter?" someone asked Hongdou.
"I suffered a setback on this mission and even wasted the unique medicinal powder my master left me. I almost didn't make it back. Shouldn't I be interested? I was lucky to return. Those few people, I don't know how they are now," Hongdou sighed.
"Indeed, who would have thought the other party would be prepared?"
"It's more than just preparation. I suspect there were still people hidden in the shadows who hadn't made their move."
"I was thinking of taking on the mission, but now it seems I should forget it. This mission is not easy to handle."
"I can't swallow this insult, so no matter who takes it next time, I will go again. The楼主 has also agreed to this matter. Most importantly, besides the Marquis's wife, I've taken a liking to someone else," Hongdou said.
"You've taken a liking to the young master?"
"Go away, what are you talking about? Am I that kind of person? I've taken a liking to the young girl who caused me trouble. I feel a sense of appreciation for her talent and want to pass on all my lifelong learning to her. Otherwise, when I die, what I know will be buried with me. Besides, dying alone is so bleak. Having a disciple, at least someone to see me off."
As soon as Hongdou finished speaking, it evoked sighs from the others. They lived a life of living by the sword, and who knew when they might fall on a mission, which was truly pitiful.
But in their line of work, it was generally an unwritten rule not to start a family.
Taking on a mission meant gaining another enemy. Eradicating them was one thing, but if not done thoroughly, and someone managed to trace their identity, their families would be in danger.
So, finding a disciple seemed like a good idea?
"If I had the chance to choose again, I would probably choose to be an ordinary person," Hongdou sighed.
This question struck a chord with everyone. When they were young, they thought being alone was good, free and unfettered. Now, they truly felt a bit lonely.
On the other side, Qian Yuanbao received a letter from Qi Zhenzhen. After reading Qi Zhenzhen's deductions, he immediately went to his grandmother. His grandmother's generation had experienced those events back then, and if she investigated, she should have useful information.