The Aloof and Pure-hearted Killer: She is the Moonlight He Cannot Covet
Yuyi Yue’s smile only lasted a few seconds before gradually fading away.
She lowered her gaze and shook her head: “No, I can’t trouble you like this. You’re a killer, you must have many things to do.”
Yuyi Yue continued rummaging through the chest, softly saying:
“I’ll figure out the secret chamber matter on my own. Let me find the silver for you first. You brought two hundred taels, so I should give you back one hundred twenty taels and eight hundred forty copper coins…”
Yuyi Yue murmured quietly, carefully counting the copper coins in her hand.
“I don’t have many things to do. I’m quite idle.”
Fang Xun’gui stepped forward.
He wasn’t lying.
As the top killer of the world’s foremost assassination organization, “Zhan Kong” actually didn’t take on many missions.
Aside from special assignments from the Master, very few people commissioned Zhan Kong for killings.
His abilities were too exceptional, and his fees were too high. Frankly speaking, for most employers, Zhan Kong wasn’t cost-effective.
Nine years ago, the imperial court was in turmoil, and the martial world’s situation became unpredictable. During that time, everyone in the Blood-Severing Pavilion was extremely busy.
It was precisely nine years ago that Zhan Kong secured his position as “First on the Celestial Ranking,” and since then, no one could challenge it.
After that period of turmoil ended, Zhan Kong actually became more idle. Each year, he received only a little over ten commissions.
This year was especially so.
The news that “Zhan Kong single-handedly wiped out an entire branch of the Netherworld Hall” had long spread.
Anyone with even a slight grasp of the martial world’s situation understood that the conflict between Zhan Kong and the Master of the Blood Severing Pavilion was about to unfold.
At such a time, commissioning Zhan Kong wasn’t a wise choice.
“I’ve been quite idle recently.”
Fang Xun’gui repeated.
Hearing his firm voice, Yuyi Yue looked up, gazing into Fang Xun’gui’s eyes.
She simply looked at Fang Xun’gui, remaining silent for so long that Fang Xun’gui began to worry he had been too presumptuous.
Suddenly, Yuyi Yue smiled and said: “Then thank you very much. How much should I pay you?”
Fang Xun’gui was taken aback, then shook his head:
“Not necessary.”
Yuyi Yue insisted:
“That definitely won’t do. How about this: I won’t charge you for the last consultation, and I’ll additionally compensate you with one hundred ingots of gold, is that okay?”
Fang Xun’gui couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
One hundred ingots of gold—he didn’t even know he was worth that much.
He restrained his smile and shook his head: “No need, I don’t require that much money.”
Yuyi Yue shook her head vigorously:
“You’ll be at a disadvantage this way… How about this, I’ll prepare your medicine for you? The prescription I gave you last time, you surely haven’t gone to the pharmacy to fill it yet, right? Perfect, leave it to me.”
Having thought of a solution, Yuyi Yue smiled again:
“It’s settled then!”
Fang Xun’gui remained silent without answering.
Yuyi Yue examined Fang Xun’gui and suddenly exclaimed in surprise:
“Eh? You actually changed your clothes?”
Fang Xun’gui took this as criticism and awkwardly said:
“The one you mended before, I’ve put it away.”
Unexpectedly, Yuyi Yue said:
“I thought you killers were the type who wear the same clothes from birth to death without changing.”
Fang Xun’gui chuckled softly:
“How could that be? Where did you hear such rumors?”
Yuyi Yue seemed lost in thought:
“I heard it from a brother outside Misty River. The friends outside Misty River come from all over, each with their own fantastical experiences. I’ve heard many stories from them.”With that, Yuyi Yue gazed at Fang Xun’gui with a smile:
“I like listening to stories. Later, tell me your story. You must be an interesting person.”
These words landed softly on the tip of Fang Xun’gui’s heart.
Yet they were like a bucket of ice water, instantly dousing the untimely flame in his chest.
He suddenly found himself without the slightest courage to look into those clear eyes again.
He had nearly forgotten.
He no longer had a story of his own.
…
On the way back to Moon-Cutting Mountain, Fang Xun’gui’s inner turmoil had reached its peak.
What was he doing? Hadn’t he warned himself to stay away from Yuyi Yue, to stay away from that desolate courtyard?
Now look at him—unnecessary matters, and he had eagerly taken them upon himself.
Was it because of the Gu insect’s influence?
No, Yuyi Yue had already extracted the Offspring Gu of the Life-Death Gu from Fang Xun’gui’s body.
Just moments ago, a silver needle had pricked Yuyi Yue’s fingertip, squeezing out a drop of blood that fell onto Fang Xun’gui’s finger. In no time, a black mark traveled along his blood vessels to his fingertip.
After extracting the rice-sized Gu insect from his fingertip, Yuyi Yue tossed it into the candle flame right before Fang Xun’gui’s eyes.
A strange fragrance spread through the room.
“Now I can no longer threaten your life.”
Yuyi Yue’s voice still lingered in Fang Xun’gui’s ears.
He grew even more agitated.
There were clearly more important matters to attend to.
The killer who had murdered his elder brother nine years ago, the schemes laid by the Pavilion Master—so many things still awaited his pursuit of the truth.
How dare he covet a sliver of moonlight that did not belong to him?
This night was windless and cloudless. Fang Xun’gui walked faster and faster under the moonlight until, as if chased by a malevolent spirit, he broke into a run.
But he wasn’t afraid of malevolent spirits. A heartless, emotionless killer—how could he believe in ghosts and gods?
Then what was he afraid of?
At the cliff’s edge, Fang Xun’gui stopped, his ears filled only with the clamor of his own heartbeat, louder than ever before.
The wind howled, carrying withered leaves and thin frost, swirling through the desolate and barren Moon-Cutting Mountain, shattering every excuse he had made for himself.
What more could he say? Even if he didn’t dare to admit it, even if he refused to admit it—what could he do?
Fang Xun’gui slowly straightened his posture and let out a long breath.
His fingertip still throbbed faintly—such a tiny wound, yet she had carefully applied herbs and wrapped it with fine gauze.
Her movements were gentle and meticulous, as if tending to some rare treasure of the world.
But he was merely a blade that should have been broken long ago.
Fang Xun’gui suddenly laughed aloud. Under the moonlight, his laughter grew wild and unrestrained, until tears glistened at the corners of his eyes.
Birds scattered in fright, and the surroundings fell silent once more.
Only Fang Xun’gui’s heartbeat remained.
Yes.
This was what he feared.
He feared this suddenly uncontrollable heart.
Let it end here.
Fang Xun’gui took one last deep look in the direction of the desolate courtyard.
Tomorrow, he would leave the silver outside her courtyard and never set foot inside again.
He was a “bad person.” It was only natural for bad people to break their promises.
What kind of secret chamber Yuyi Yue would build, what kind of clinic she would open—none of it had anything to do with him.
They were never from the same world to begin with.
Fang Xun’gui lowered his head, looking at the gauze on his fingertip, and curled his lips in self-mockery.
Slowly, he unwrapped the gauze, layer by layer, and threw it over the cliff.The ripple that stirred in his heart was sealed away along with the name “Fang Xun’gui,” which should have been forgotten.
Then, he became Zhan Kong again, cold as frost.
It was time to return to the Blood-Severing Pavilion.
…
[Master, what should we do?]
[Hmm? What do you mean?]
[Fang Xun’gui’s Favorability was already so high, but it suddenly dropped just now, and then it started fluctuating wildly.]
[…He’s really adorable.]
[Master, are you really listening to me?]
[I am.]
[Then what will you do next?]
[Don’t rush to the next step—this one isn’t over yet. If he comes to secretly give me silver tomorrow, I’ll give him a little surprise.]
[…Master, based on my humble professional judgment, what you call a “surprise” is usually a scare.]
[For him, there’s no difference between the two. You’ll understand tomorrow.]