Chapter 32: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Feng Ruqing stood in the private courtyard of Master Sun, where the silence was suffocating. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a war drum, yet she remained perfectly composed, her soft sword gleaming with a cold light in the dim surroundings.

Master Sun’s sinister voice broke the stillness: "Who are you? How dare you trespass into my private residence!"

Feng Ruqing offered a cold sneer.

Just then, the sound of rapid footsteps shattered the quiet. A guard rushed in, panicked, and whispered to Master Sun, "Sir, it is terrible... the city wall has collapsed!"

Both Feng Ruqing and Master Sun froze. Feng Ruqing silently pondered whether this incident was connected to her mission, while Master Sun quickly regained his composure, a flash of scheming light in his eyes. He laughed coldly and asked, "What, are you frightened?"

Feng Ruqing narrowed her eyes and pressed forward: "Master Sun, your schemes run as deep as the sea, but tonight, I intend to see what secrets lie hidden beneath your waters."

Suddenly, a group of dark shadows emerged, and dozens of burly men surrounded her. Though these thugs were muscular and aggressive, Feng Ruqing faced them like an avatar of war. Her soft sword danced like a spirit snake, her movements agile as an eagle in a gale. She wove through the crowd with lethal precision, felling several men in a matter of moves.

Brother Ma, standing nearby, was frantic and tried to rush forward to help, only to be blocked by other thugs. "Junior Sister, watch out!" he shouted, forced to watch the struggle helplessly.

A cold smirk tugged at the corner of Feng Ruqing’s mouth. Scanning her opponents, she formulated a strategy; her strikes became swifter, aiming directly for vital points, and soon, all the surrounding thugs lay defeated.

Master Sun’s face turned ghastly, his eyes filled with terror and rage. He had never encountered such a formidable opponent, especially the icy glint in Feng Ruqing’s eyes, which seemed to pierce through his machinations.

As Feng Ruqing prepared to strike again, Master Sun gritted his teeth and snarled, "You win, but I will not surrender so easily..."

Feng Ruqing let out a cold hum and retracted her soft sword. "Master Sun, your time is running out."

She walked toward Brother Ma, her eyes firm and resolute. Brother Ma looked at her, his gaze filled with both admiration and worry. "Senior Sister, what do we do now?"

Feng Ruqing replied with steady determination, "We must uncover the truth, no matter the cost. And then, we will make them pay."

***

Master Sun’s eyes flickered with a hint of desperation, which he quickly masked. He whispered a command: "Take them all down!"

But Feng Ruqing had anticipated this. With a light leap, she vanished into the night, and Brother Ma followed close behind, leaving Master Sun caught in a web of fury and fear. The courtyard plunged into an even deeper silence.

Feng Ruqing’s sword moved like a silver dragon through the darkness; wherever she went, blood sprayed and screams erupted. The thugs were no match for her. Her footwork was ghost-like, her swordsmanship vicious, every strike finding a target. Master Sun’s composure began to crack as he watched in horror. The remaining thugs recoiled, terrified to approach, their fear far outweighing their loyalty to their weapons.

Just as Feng Ruqing prepared to press her advantage, Master Sun suddenly produced a jade pendant that glinted coldly in the moonlight. Feng Ruqing recognized it as an item belonging to Miss Wang.

Master Sun said with a sinister, triumphant air, "Feng Ruqing, if you dare take another step, I guarantee your friend will meet a far worse end than them!"

Feng Ruqing’s form froze, her sword coming to a halt. Her sharp eyes flickered with hesitation and struggle. She knew Master Sun was using Miss Wang’s life to threaten her; caught in a dilemma, she felt as if a giant hand were crushing her heart. The surrounding air seemed to solidify, the atmosphere suffocatingly tense.

She gripped her sword tightly, her knuckles turning white, her gaze locked onto Master Sun. She knew she was walking a tightrope; one misstep would send her into the abyss.

Master Sun spoke again, his voice laced with a sick madness: "Well, Feng Ruqing? Will you continue your grand quest for revenge, or choose to save your dear friend? Choose. I will give you time to consider..."

Feng Ruqing suddenly lifted her head, her eyes burning with a murderous, resolute intent. She took a deep breath, slowly sheathed her sword, and said firmly, "Master Sun, do you really think you can threaten me with this?"

Seeing her grave expression, Brother Ma felt a pang of worry. He patted her shoulder with his rough hand, looking at her with steadfast eyes. "Senior Sister, don't worry, we will find a way. Miss Wang is a person of good fortune; she will be safe."

A warmth flooded Feng Ruqing’s heart; she knew she was not fighting alone. Miss Wang’s gentle, kind face appeared in her mind—perhaps she was currently in grave danger, waiting for rescue. As time ticked by, Feng Ruqing felt an unprecedented pressure. Master Sun’s insidious smile made her heart race, but she knew she had to remain calm. She needed to save Miss Wang and have her revenge.

Suddenly, Feng Ruqing opened her eyes, looked at Master Sun, and a meaningful smile curled her lips: "Very well, I agree to your terms."

***

Master Sun was taken aback, eyeing her suspiciously, trying to read her, but Feng Ruqing’s face was a mask of flawlessness, her eyes as calm as water.

Master Sun asked tentatively, "You... you really agree?"

Feng Ruqing offered a slight smile, one edged with icy coldness: "Of course. Do I have any other choice?"

A triumphant grin spread across Master Sun’s face. He let his guard down, already plotting how to use Feng Ruqing. He failed, however, to notice the chilling light deep within her eyes.

"Then—" Master Sun began, but he stopped abruptly, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Before Feng Ruqing had even finished speaking, she moved like a streak of black lightning across the night. Master Sun felt a cold wind brush past his face; before he could even blink, the jade pendant was gone. A chilling sensation touched his throat—it was the blade of Feng Ruqing’s soft sword, its cold aura seemingly capable of freezing his very soul.

He stared wide-eyed, struggling, but under the weight of her imposing aura, he could not move. He could only gaze in terror into the eyes of death itself.

The surrounding thugs saw this and raised their weapons, yet none dared to move; they were utterly intimidated by her speed and ruthlessness. Master Sun’s face turned deathly pale, his voice trembling as he spoke in terror and disbelief: "You..."

Feng Ruqing sneered, her eyes sharp as frost: "Master Sun, did you truly think I would let you manipulate me?"

Cold sweat beaded on Master Sun’s forehead. Knowing he had been utterly defeated, he stammered, "What... what do you want?"

Feng Ruqing replied coldly, "I want the truth."

Under her duress, Master Sun confessed everything. It turned out that the mastermind behind the assassination of Feng Ruqing’s sister was not him, but a massive organization with ties to foreign powers; he was merely a pawn, responsible for providing intelligence and executing parts of the plan.

Feng Ruqing’s heart sank as she realized her enemies were far more powerful and dangerous than she had imagined.

Just then, Brother Ma rushed over, his expression panicked: "Senior Sister, it’s bad! Miss Wang... Miss Wang has been moved!"

Feng Ruqing’s heart tightened, a chill running from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. She looked up, her gaze like a torch, and demanded coldly: "Where did they take her?"

Brother Ma handed her a note, on which was written: "Abandoned Manor on the City Outskirts."