Chapter 512: Lurking
The outcome of the battle was already clear.
Blood poured from the masked man’s wound, rapidly soaking his clothes.
Resentment and indignation filled his eyes.
’I thought this would be the easiest of missions... Who could have imagined I’d die here?’
’To go out like this... I can’t rest in peace!’
"You..." He gripped the blade piercing his chest. "Who... who in the world do you work for!?"
He could tell these people didn’t know Ye Chutang well, but they were obviously tasked with her protection.
But in the vastness of the Capital City, who could provide such powerful guardians?
Moreover, all his previous investigations had turned up nothing on them. Clearly, they possessed not only strength but also cunning.
Otherwise, how could there have been no word of them at all?
The man in black looked down at him expressionlessly. "You are not worthy to know."
As he spoke, he twisted his wrist. The sword spun in the wound, and blood exploded from the masked man’s chest.
The masked man’s eyes bulged, bloodshot, as the last of his life faded away.
His head drooped lifelessly.
The man in black withdrew his sword with a clean pull. Blood slid slowly down the pristine white blade, leaving it sharp and spotless, without a single stain.
Ye Chutang arched an eyebrow slightly.
’They certainly use fine equipment.’
The man in black turned and saluted with his sword. "My apologies for startling you, Second Miss Ye, and you, young miss."
The men behind him bowed their heads in unison.
Ye Chutang shook her head gently. "No, Xiao Wu and I should be the ones thanking you for saving us."
While speaking, she discreetly sized him up.
’His face is masked, but judging by his build and movements, he can’t be older than twenty-five.’
’The same goes for the men behind him.’
’So young, yet so skilled.’
Ye Chutang mused, "Might I ask, sir, which commander of the Black Cavalry Guard are you?"
The man in black froze, surprised that Ye Chutang had guessed his identity so directly.
After a moment’s hesitation, he answered:
"Lu Yu."
It was common knowledge that the seven commanders of Shen Yanchuan’s Black Cavalry Guard were divided among various units, each with their own expertise.
Ye Chutang had met Lian Zhou’s group before, but this was her first time meeting Lu Yu.
The corners of her lips quirked up slightly. "Your stealth skills are quite good," she complimented.
Lu Yu was speechless.
He shot Ye Chutang a complicated look.
It sounded like praise, but it was actually a criticism.
He had been ordered to protect Ye Chutang in secret, yet the very person he was supposed to guard had detected him long ago. Hearing her say it out loud, he could hardly feel pleased.
"My skills are lacking. My apologies for the poor display, Second Miss Ye."
Ye Chutang waved a dismissive hand.
"I’m not being polite. Your ability to conceal your tracks is decent. It would be perfect if you could hide your presence better."
Lu Yu froze.
’Her words... It sounds as if she’s an expert in these matters.’
’But I’ve been following her in secret recently. I’m certain she doesn’t know any martial arts.’
’So then... what is this?’
On a sudden impulse, he glanced back at the masked men lying on the ground.
’That’s it! When those men were lying in ambush in the alley, she noticed them immediately!’
’With such sharp instincts, how could she be an ordinary, defenseless woman?’
"I’ll need to trouble you with one small favor in a moment." Ye Chutang spoke again before he could sort out his thoughts.
Lu Yu snapped back to reality. "If you have any orders, Second Miss Ye, please just give them."
Their original orders were to protect Ye Chutang from the shadows. But since she already knew they were there, there was no longer any need for concealment.
Until their master recalled them, they were to take their orders from Ye Chutang.
Ye Chutang pointed.
"Those men. I’d like you to deliver them to the Shuntian Prefecture."