Chapter Four: Hidden Peril

“You seem to know a great deal about the Marquis of Zhenbei. Do you know him personally?” Yi An gazed into Lin Shiyin’s eyes, a hint of doubt flickering within his own.

From her words earlier, it was clear Lin Shiyin hailed from Chang’an, and the fact that she was acquainted with such a powerful figure proved her status was anything but ordinary.

“I know him, though I wouldn’t say we’re close. Besides, what little I know isn’t exactly a secret.” Lin Shiyin nodded, neither denying nor confirming, her answer as ambiguous as ever.

“Then, Miss Shiyin, could you keep my identity a secret for now?” Yi An truly didn’t wish to confront that father, a stranger to him, so soon. Moreover, given Lady Jia’s temperament, she would surely try to obstruct him. Without the power to protect himself, he had no desire to be swept into such unpredictable turmoil.

“You’re right. Now is not the time to reveal yourself. It’s best to follow our original plan and act when the opportunity arises. Don’t worry—when you arrive in Chang’an, I’ll help you.” Lin Shiyin agreed readily.

“Then how will I find you? And why do you want me to sit for the imperial exams? Can’t you at least give me a hint beforehand?” Only now did Yi An realize Lin Shiyin seemed to know everything about him, while her own origins remained shrouded in mystery.

“You needn’t concern yourself with that. When the time comes, I’ll contact you. As for my identity, don’t bother trying to dig it up—you wouldn’t find anything even if you tried. When you get to Chang’an, all will be revealed.” Lin Shiyin smiled, her expression full of secret.

Yi An pouted. “So mysterious—what’s so impressive about that?”

“We’ve wasted enough time as it is. Let’s go take care of your family matters,” Lin Shiyin said, glancing at the sky. She suddenly reached out, grabbed Yi An’s arm, and with a single leap, brought him with her as they sped toward the direction of Fengyang City.

“Hey, slow down! My body can’t take this—I’m about to fall apart!” Yi An felt like a kite tossed in the wind, his whole body filled with cold air that made him shiver uncontrollably.

“Don’t worry, you’ll survive.” Seeing his wretched state, Lin Shiyin couldn’t help but laugh.

After about the time it takes to burn two or three sticks of incense, Yi An suddenly felt warmth return to his body. They had arrived at Yingchuan. Familiar with the area, he quickly made his way home.

Outside, everything appeared as usual, nothing out of the ordinary. But within, two figures in black robes lay in wait. Though not as formidable as the assassin who had previously pursued him, both were still inner sect martial artists. As soon as they moved to attack, Lin Shiyin subdued them with ease.

“Yi An, don’t think that just because you found yourself a helper, you can sleep soundly at night. You’ve offended the Demonic Sect—there’s no escape for you,” the two black-clad men spat, death in their eyes.

“You’re with the Demonic Sect? And what’s your relation to Lady Jia? Did she hire you?” At the mention of the Demonic Sect, Lin Shiyin’s face turned icy, her voice thunderous, gaze piercing.

“Hah! Even if we knew, we wouldn’t tell you a word,” sneered one of the men, utterly unafraid.

“Then you can die! One day, I’ll uproot the Demonic Sect and destroy the faith you hold so dear!” Lin Shiyin’s palm closed and opened—a strike sent the two men crashing into the carved window behind them, splinters flying, their faces mangled. It was unlikely they would survive.

“Well, we could have tried threats or bribes to get something useful out of them,” Yi An swallowed, thinking to himself that Lin Shiyin was far more ruthless than he had ever been. But he wisely held his tongue.

“It’s pointless. The Demonic Sect is the most notorious cult in the land. Its members are like the brainwashed—they’d never betray a secret, no matter what we tried. Besides, these two are nothing but small fry. We wouldn’t have learned anything valuable from them.” Lin Shiyin shook her head. The matter was growing increasingly complicated—now the Demonic Sect was involved, and she could not take it lightly.

Lady Jia’s cruelty was well known—murder and theft were her tools, and now she was colluding with the Demonic Sect. Her crimes only grew.

“So what now? We can’t just let Lady Jia run rampant. I still have some time before I go to Chang’an, and she’s been lurking in the marquis’s residence—maybe she has some ulterior motive?” Yi An was troubled.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll keep an eye on her. Now is not the time to alert our enemies. Focus on your studies with Master Yinshan. When you’ve made your mark and hold power, revenge will be within your grasp.” Lin Shiyin pondered a moment.

She did not believe things were as simple as they seemed. Lady Jia’s presence in the marquis’s residence was deeply suspicious. And who knew if someone else was supporting her from the shadows? If they exposed her too soon, every lead might be lost.

“Very well. I’ll leave everything in Chang’an to you. Rest assured, I will do all I can to fulfill my promise.” Yi An nodded, gratitude in his eyes.

The pair searched the area, but aside from signs of a struggle, there was no trace of Yi An’s nursemaid.

“Could she have fallen into the hands of the Demonic Sect?” Yi An wondered, a sense of dread settling over him.

“Don’t jump to conclusions. Perhaps your nursemaid escaped safely. You’ve said before that she’s not as simple as she appears—she may have hidden resources yet.” Lin Shiyin tried to comfort him.

“I hope so,” Yi An replied, though he knew the odds were slim. His nursemaid had already been at a disadvantage, and with so many enemies, the chance of escape was small.

“It’s getting late. I must go. This isn’t a place to linger. I’ll escort you out of the city, but from here, you’ll be on your own.” Lin Shiyin glanced at the darkening sky, then seized Yi An’s arm again. With a few leaps, they were outside the city walls.

She left Yi An in a secluded spot far from town and departed without another word.

“What an extraordinary woman,” Yi An murmured, watching her silhouette recede into the distance.

But she was right—the road ahead was his to walk alone. No one could help him now. The Demonic Sect’s agents surely lurked everywhere around Yingchuan. He couldn’t risk the main roads; his only option was to cross the desolate mountains before him and keep heading south—eventually, he would reach the territory of Hangzhou.

He was about to set out under cover of night when, as if fate itself were against him, the wind rose, clouds gathered, and a fine misty rain began to fall.