Chapter 25: Not a Pawn in Your Hand

Chapter 25: Not a Pawn in Your Hand

The assassination attempt occurred, but the target survived, which means it’s far from over.

This matter is not yet resolved; it can only be said to have just begun.

However, before any further developments arrived, Yang Xiaoyun appeared first.

This did not surprise Su Mo; rather, it confirmed certain suspicions he had.

At this moment, Yang Xiaoyun was at the Ziyang Escort Agency, sitting right across from Su Mo.

But she did not look pleased.

She frowned at Su Mo and asked, "Why didn’t you tell me immediately?"

"Shh!"

Su Mo glanced at Uncle Fu, who was approaching with a smile, signaling Yang Xiaoyun to calm down.

"Uncle Fu doesn’t know yet?"

Yang Xiaoyun was taken aback and fell silent.

Uncle Fu walked over with two cups of tea. "Miss Yun, here, have some tea. It’s not the best, so please don’t mind."

"No, thank you, Uncle Fu."

Yang Xiaoyun stood up. "You don’t need to be so formal with me. When I come here, it feels like home. Your formality makes me feel like an outsider."

"Hahaha, yes, yes."

Uncle Fu laughed heartily. "When you were little, Miss Yun, you came here often, running around with our young master. I remember how you suddenly got into a fight, and the young master came back crying, saying that Sister Xiaoyun bullied him... Hahaha, even now, those words still ring in my ears."

"..."

Su Mo’s lips twitched as he glanced at Yang Xiaoyun, noticing her awkwardness.

He then said, "Uncle Fu, let me talk to... Sister Xiaoyun for a bit."

"Sure, sure, go ahead. I won’t disturb you. I’ll go prepare something delicious for you both."

With that, he turned and left, his steps seeming lighter than usual.

Yang Xiaoyun watched Uncle Fu leave before sighing softly. "Back when the Ziyang Escort Agency was bustling with activity, now there’s only Uncle Fu left. He has cared for three generations of the Su family and never abandoned us during hard times. We should take care of him in his old age."

"..."

Su Mo nodded slightly, understanding Yang Xiaoyun a bit more.

For her, the marriage arrangement made when they were young had become a part of her life.

Marrying Su Mo was something she would inevitably do.

It had nothing to do with love, but simply because her father had promised Su Mo’s father.

A man’s word is as heavy as a thousand pounds, and this promise could not be broken.

Yet... after understanding this, Su Mo felt even more perplexed.

But if he tried to pinpoint what was odd, he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Just as he was frowning, Yang Xiaoyun sat down again and glared at him. "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

"..."

Su Mo was at a loss for words. "Someone set up an ambush on my way home and tried to kill me. Then, I killed them all."

"You make it sound so simple."

Yang Xiaoyun’s brows furrowed, clearly angry. "That was an assassination attempt. You almost died."

"Speaking of which, how did you find out?"

Su Mo decided to change the subject.

"Is the Iron Blood Escort Agency being underestimated? Yes, your skills have grown, and you’ve learned to hide them. Yesterday, when we sparred, you were letting me win, weren’t you? In that narrow alley, you killed four assassins. In one breath, you repelled Wu Chenfeng. Yesterday afternoon, Wu Chenfeng sent a message saying that from now on, wherever you and I are, he will stay away.

"He explained everything clearly!

"Considering where the conflict took place and where the bodies were found, it’s not hard to figure out."

Yang Xiaoyun sneered. "So, Master Su, with your great martial arts, are you now going to blame me for meddling?"

Su Mo’s lips twitched again. Wu Chenfeng was indeed quick to spread news.

But this guy kept his word, acting swiftly. However, it also made Su Mo wonder if Wu Chenfeng had been looking for an excuse to back off all along.

After all, even if one were made of iron, how many beatings could one endure?

Seeing Yang Xiaoyun’s anger, he couldn’t help but laugh. "I always knew your spear skills were excellent, but I didn’t expect your verbal skills to match your bright silver spear."

"..."

Yang Xiaoyun stood up abruptly. "Are you still joking?"

"Alright, alright."

Su Mo sighed, picking up his teacup. "Have some tea."

"Hmph."

Yang Xiaoyun sat down angrily, picked up the teacup, and took a large gulp before saying, "Do you have any idea who's behind this?"

"It's hard to say."

Su Mo sighed. "Perhaps I got in someone's way?"

This matter wasn't hard to guess. All one needed to do was consider who would benefit from Su Mo's death.

Considering that Su Mo had remained obscure until now, there was only one possible reason for such a life-threatening situation.

He looked at Yang Xiaoyun.

"Is it those who can't bear sons? They know about our engagement, and your existence is blocking Wu Chenfeng's path, so they want you dead?"

Yang Xiaoyun sneered. "Let's go!"

"Where?"

"To find Wu Chenfeng and ask who gave Wu Daoyou such a despicable idea. If he doesn't know, we'll ask Wu Daoyou."

"No matter how you look at it, they're involved in this.

"We must get to the bottom of it!"

As she spoke, she reached for her silver spear and tried to pull Su Mo along.

"Wait a moment."

Su Mo waved his hand. "I think it's best not to act rashly."

"How can you sit here calmly? This is urgent!"

Yang Xiaoyun found herself barely recognizing the man before her. He seemed perfectly composed sitting there drinking tea after just being assassinated, while she felt like her backside was on fire with worry.

"The fire hasn't reached your eyebrows yet."

Su Mo made Yang Xiaoyun sit down. "I'm still alive, am I not?"

"You're alive now, but if they fail once, they might try again. And the second time will be harder to guard against. Besides, one can rob for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against a thief for a thousand days. One slip-up, and you could die!"

"So, I need to be more cautious."

"Cautious?"

Yang Xiaoyun was taken aback, then became furious. "Are you waiting for their second attempt? Xiao Mo, don't treat your life as a game!"

"Exactly because I don't want to treat my life as a game, I shouldn't act rashly."

Su Mo said, "At least until the mastermind behind this reveals themselves, we can't be reckless. Otherwise, it won't help and might make us tools in someone else's hands."

"Hmm? What exactly are you thinking?"

"This matter... I'm just a small escort guard who doesn't provoke anyone. Killing me isn't their goal; what they truly want is the gain from killing me."

Su Mo grimaced. "I just had a conflict with Wu Chenfeng and then died in a dark alley. If you were in their shoes, what would you think first?"

"Wu Chenfeng did it?"

Yang Xiaoyun frowned slightly.

"Yes... That's the normal thought. But they miscalculated one thing. They thought I was weak, so they sent four assassins. I should have died easily. But I didn't... Not dying told me something."

Su Mo poured another cup of tea for Yang Xiaoyun. "Wu Chenfeng did have a conflict with me, but the assassins came too quickly to be his doing. So, is there someone behind the scenes trying to frame him? Or perhaps... someone trying to profit from the chaos?"

The Fallen Phoenix Alliance has eight leaders, two in each of the four major cities.

Apart from the Grand Leader Wei Ruhan, the other seven vie for the position, viewing each other as thorns in their sides.

There's also a Cold Moon Palace expert who could become a potential rival. If she desires the Grand Leader position, who knows what she might do?

Wu Daoyou wants to ally with the Iron Blood Escort Agency. Whether successful or not, others wouldn't want to see it happen.

So, there are many possibilities.

Su Mo isn't someone without a temper. After being assassinated, he can still sit here calmly drinking tea.

Mainly because... to retaliate, he needs to know who attacked him.

Acting blindly and counterattacking would merely make him a tool in someone else's hands.