The moment the words “Dark River” were spoken, all the Iron Sword Sect disciples took a step back.
Dark River—the foremost assassin organization in the martial world. Dark River had strange rules. It never accepted two assassination contracts on the same person, and once Dark River accepted a protection contract, even the King of Hell wouldn’t dare come collect his due.
The fox-masked girl leaped down from the roof. Her red parasol spun once before she landed lightly between the two sides, perfectly blocking Ye Chen from view.
She glanced at Ye Chen, her eyes curving behind the mask like crescent moons. “You’re Ye Chen?”
Ye Chen nodded warily.
“Good. Someone paid a hundred taels of gold for your life... no, for your safety for three days. So for these three days, you’re not allowed to die.”
With that, she turned to the three Iron Sword Sect Elders. Her voice remained clear and sweet, but it now carried a murderous edge.
“Elders, for Dark River’s sake, do me a favor and withdraw today, will you?”
The Iron Sword Sect’s Grand Elder’s expression darkened. “Miss, our Iron Sword Sect and Dark River have always kept out of each other’s affairs. Is it worth opposing the Iron Sword Sect for a hundred taels of gold?”
“A hundred taels of gold?” The girl covered her mouth and giggled. “Of course it isn’t worth it. But the person who paid me said that if I did a good job, he’d give me another piece of information about... Hidden Sword Valley. Now that’s worth it.”
The three Elders were all shaken at the mention of Hidden Sword Valley.
The Second Elder, who had the worst temper, roared, “Enough nonsense! Even Dark River won’t stop us today! Kill her!”
He drew his sword and thrust it straight at the girl. Peak First-Rate sword aura erupted, whipping up the dust around them.
The girl wasn’t frightened in the slightest. She didn’t even draw a weapon. With a snap, the red parasol in her hand opened.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sword aura struck the parasol’s canopy, leaving only faint white streaks without piercing through.
“My parasol is made of Heavenly Silkworm silk and tempered steel. You won’t cut through it.” The girl spoke as her wrist trembled.
A dozen tiny silver needles suddenly shot from the parasol’s canopy, fast as lightning.
The Second Elder was horrified. He swung his sword to deflect them, but he was a step too slow. Two needles sank into his shoulder, and half his body immediately went numb.
“Poison!”
The girl was already right in front of him. The parasol snapped shut, its razor-sharp tip driving straight toward his throat.
Defeat in a single move.
The entire courtyard fell silent.
A peak First-Rate expert had been defeated by a petite girl in just two moves.
“Who... who are you in Dark River? Fox, Vermilion Bird, or...” the Grand Elder stammered.
The girl didn’t answer. She turned around, pressed the parasol’s handle against Ye Chen’s chest, and pushed him back.
“Hey, are you stupid? Hurry up and leave! I’m only protecting you for three days. After that, I’ll kill you with my own hands if someone offers me more money.”
Ye Chen stared at the strange girl before him. He didn’t know who had paid to save him. Old Man Sun was dead, and Li Qingshan could barely take care of himself.
Who was it?
Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, the Grand Elder gritted his teeth. “Fine! For Dark River’s sake, we’ll withdraw today! But three days from now, Dark River will have no reason to protect him anymore! When that time comes, let’s see who can save him!”
Then he waved his hand. “Let’s go!”
The Iron Sword Sect had arrived aggressively and left in just as much of a hurry, leaving only Zhao Gang sprawled on the ground, paralyzed by the poison needles.
The crisis had been averted.
Li Qingshan let out a sigh of relief and gave the girl a fist-and-palm salute. “Thank you for coming to our aid, Miss. May I ask your honored name—”
The girl waved her hand. “Don’t ask. Even if you do, I won’t tell you. My name is... just call me Little Fox.”
She looked at Ye Chen again, then suddenly leaned close to his ear and whispered something only the two of them could hear.
“Hey, little stable boy, can I take a look at that broken iron shard of yours? I’m really curious.”
Her breath, fragrant as orchids, brushed Ye Chen’s ear, turning his face bright red.
He instinctively stepped back, his hand tightening around the Broken Sword.
Little Fox burst out laughing, her laughter ringing through the ruined escort agency courtyard like silver bells.
“Hahahaha! What a coward!”