Jiu Yue fell silent.
Why was it that every boss she encountered could never articulate their demands clearly?
"Excluding the dog—"
What dog?
Why exclude a dog?
Where is this dog?
And the deadline?
The note provided none of this information, and neither did her own mind.
She had only been in the capital for a few days, barely acquainted with a handful of people, let alone the dogs of the city.
Frustrated, Jiu Yue paced around the room for a solid fifteen minutes.
From the shadows, Mo Jin, carefully concealing his presence as he observed her: "…?"
What was she doing? Had she suddenly lost her mind?
Ah, he understood! She must have also seen through the prince’s scheme—no matter what she did, she was doomed. That’s why she was breaking down like this!
Mo Jin smirked triumphantly.
Jiu Yue smiled too, though hers was forced.
Clutching the note, she stepped outside and found her colleague still waiting for her at the door.
"You’re so kind to stay behind for me," Jiu Yue praised sincerely, deciding to forgive his earlier rudeness that morning. "By the way, could you help me figure out where this dog the prince wants eliminated is?"
Fu Yu, who happened to be passing by after arranging manpower: "…"
He stiffened slightly before answering, "I-In the p-p-palace."
Jiu Yue: "…"
Why was he stuttering all of a sudden?
She nodded, her curiosity about the mission details fading. After a moment, she simply asked, "Did the prince say when this needs to be done?"
Fu Yu replied, "T-t-tonight."
Of course. It was the palace, after all. What kind of fool would break in during broad daylight to kill a dog?
Armed with the key details, Jiu Yue thanked Fu Yu and left.
Left behind, Fu Yu closed his eyes briefly. Mo Jin immediately jumped to his side, yanking his hair in exasperation. "When will you fix this stuttering habit of yours when you’re nervous?! What if you ruin the mission?!"
Fu Yu said nothing, merely lowering his gaze in silent apology.
Mo Jin sighed and dragged him along. "Fine, fine, I won’t tell the prince. Let’s hurry and follow her before she gets too far…"
The mission wasn’t due until nightfall, and it wasn’t even afternoon yet. After leaving the prince’s residence, Jiu Yue headed straight for a tavern, ordering a full spread of dishes and digging in.
She’d barely touched the steamed buns that morning, and after the earlier fight, she was starving.
Would the prince’s household provide meals in the future?
Between bites, Jiu Yue mused about asking her colleague about benefits later.
She wasn’t actually planning to work for the prince, but she had to play the part convincingly.
After the meal, she took the opportunity to explore the capital.
She’d been holed up in Cai Ya’s courtyard for days without venturing out, and she doubted she’d have this much free time later.
From the tavern, she wandered north, then veered east to explore before hearing that the western district was lined with pleasure houses. Eager for new experiences, she eagerly made her way there, eventually ending up in the southern district, handing out candied hawthorns from a stick she’d bought along the way.
By the time night fell, Jiu Yue was still perched on a bridge, nibbling the last skewer of candied hawthorn while watching an old man perform acrobatics—showing no intention of heading to the palace.
Nor any intention of fleeing.
Mo Jin, Fu Yu, and their men: "…"
Mo Jin muttered, "Does she know her time is running out and is just enjoying her last moments?"
Just then, chaos erupted in the crowd. Shouts filled the air as a massive boulder suddenly plummeted toward the old performer, who had no time to dodge.
Everyone braced for tragedy.
But in the next instant, a nimble figure darted beneath the boulder. With one hand, she grabbed the old man; with the other, she pressed her palm against the falling rock.
Then, without warning, she clenched her fist and struck—shattering the boulder into pieces within seconds.
Jiu Yue swiftly pulled the old man to safety, frowning at the gash on his forehead from the debris. She spat out a hawthorn seed and handed him off to the younger performers nearby.
"That rock wasn’t part of your act, was it? You’ve got to be more careful, or next time, it’ll be ‘boulder meets ribcage,’" she scolded.
The troupe stammered their thanks.
Jiu Yue waved them off, dusted her hands, and walked away.
The hidden observers: "…"
Fu Yu finally spoke, though not in response to Mo Jin. "She’s been holding back her strength."
Mo Jin’s expression grew serious.
…
Jiu Yue could sense the growing number of tails behind her.
Some had been following her all along; others had joined after she shattered the boulder.
She didn’t know who they were, nor did she care to confront them.
Right now, she had a more pressing matter—
Breaking into the palace.
Who would’ve thought? She’d worried that working for the prince would keep her from the palace, only for her trial mission to be infiltrating it!
Honestly, Jiu Yue was thrilled.
If her system knew how quickly she’d made progress—reaching the palace mere days after arriving in the capital—it would be proud, right?
Even if her future assassination target was someone inside, this was the perfect chance to scout the terrain!
Though she’d spent the day sightseeing, she hadn’t been idle. By now, Jiu Yue knew exactly where the palace was.
She took her time, meandering from the southern district to the palace outskirts, timing it perfectly—just before midnight.
The perfect hour for clandestine work.
Licking her lips, Jiu Yue moved like a shadow, skimming the walls as she slipped inside.
Behind her, Mo Jin and Fu Yu’s group halted.
Once Jiu Yue entered the palace, there was no need to follow.
Exchanging a glance, Mo Jin and Fu Yu split up, stationing men at different points around the palace.
Now, they waited.
If Jiu Yue lost her nerve and tried to flee, they’d cut off her escape.
If she dared to confront the eunuch’s lapdog, they’d be the first to know whether she survived.
The palace wasn’t an easy place to infiltrate.
Jiu Yue had heard storytellers in the market speak of the imperial shadow guards—and now, she was face-to-face with one.
Damn, they were good.
Relentlessly hunting her down.
Her legs burned from sprinting, but the guard’s lightness skill matched hers, and he knew the layout far better.
Seeing no advantage, Jiu Yue gritted her teeth and made a decision.
Fight.
His weapon was a whip; hers, a broadsword. Long-range versus close combat—she was at a disadvantage.
Time and again, before she could close the distance, his whip lashed out, forcing her to block instead of advance.
Several exchanges later, neither had gained the upper hand.
But Jiu Yue noticed his strikes were growing faster.
Normally, she might’ve drawn out the fight, but tonight, she needed to end it quickly before reinforcements arrived.
Lost in thought, she didn’t realize her own movements were accelerating in response.
Then, in a split-second opening as the guard swung his whip, Jiu Yue acted.
She hurled her broadsword straight at his chest.
If he dodged, he’d have to use his whip to deflect.
If he didn’t, they’d both be wounded—her by the whip, him by the blade.
Jiu Yue stared fixedly at the man, and after a moment, the faintest smile flickered across her lips.
She had gambled right.
He was afraid of death.
