Years turn into wind

Chapter 129 The Shadow Returns

Even after escorting Cheng Yuwei back to the Marshal's Mansion, Ling Xiaotian still felt uneasy. On the one hand, he was proud of her bravery, but on the other, he couldn't suppress his inner worry. The sneer that flashed in the black-clad man's eyes before his death was like a thorn deeply embedded in his mind.

Cheng Yuwei continued her work even after returning to the mansion. She knew the present tranquility was merely a brief respite before the storm. In her study, she studied the samples retrieved from the water source, hoping to find any clues. Ling Xiaotian stood silently at the door, his eyes shrouded in complex emotions, before finally entering.

"Weier, take a rest," he walked up and said softly, his tone revealing a heartache that could not be refused.

She looked up at him, a trace of fatigue flashed in her eyes, but she still smiled strongly: "Xiaotian, I want to find clues earlier so that we can deal with it earlier."

Ling Xiaotian sighed, walked over to her, and pulled her into his arms: "You've done enough. This assassination was only part of their plan. I can't let you take any more risks."

Cheng Yuwei felt his heartbeat quicken, and her heart warmed. She patted his shoulder gently and comforted him, "I won't be reckless, you have to trust me."

The two embraced for a moment, the air filled with rare warmth. However, this tranquility was broken by the sudden intrusion of the guards.

"Marshal! Madam! News has arrived that there is a large-scale riot in the city, instigated by the remnants of the White Tiger Gang."

Ling Xiaotian frowned, a sharp look flashing in his eyes: "They are deliberately distracting us."

Cheng Yuwei nodded and immediately said, "I will stay in the mansion, you go and handle the situation. Be sure to be careful."

Ling Xiaotian looked at her deeply, then turned and left, walking quickly into the city with his guards.

The town lights flickered in the night, but a commotion erupted from the streets. Remnants of the White Tiger Gang took advantage of the chaotic crowd to spread rumors, attempting to cause even greater panic. Ling Xiaotian led his soldiers through a swift patrol of the city, calming the people and suppressing the chaos.

As Ling Xiaotian dealt with the situation in the city, a dark figure slowly approached outside the Marshal's Mansion. As lithe as a cat, he avoided the guards' sight and headed straight for Cheng Yuwei's study.

Cheng Yuwei was engrossed in a chemical experiment, oblivious to the noise outside. The shadowy figure silently opened the window, a cold glint in his eyes. He was a spy planted within the mansion by the White Tiger Gang, a long-time undercover agent. Now, he had been ordered to take Cheng Yuwei's life.

"Madam, staying up late at night is bad for your health." A cold voice sounded behind Cheng Yuwei. She was startled and turned around quickly, but was quickly grabbed by the other party.

"Who are you?" She asked coldly, pretending to be calm.

The man smiled faintly: "You don't need to know who I am, you just need to know that tonight is your last night."

At this moment, a soft sound was heard, and the door was pushed open, revealing Zhou Hao's stern face. His eyes were like eagles, and he had already noticed something unusual.

"Let her go!" The dagger in Zhou Hao's hand was as fast as the wind. The assassin's eyes flashed with astonishment and he tried to fight back, but was quickly subdued by Zhou Hao.

The assassin fell to the ground, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness. He struggled to get up, but Zhou Hao mercilessly held his shoulders down, the blade gently pressing against his throat.

"Tell me, who is behind you?" Zhou Hao's voice was as cold as ice, with irresistible majesty.

The assassin sneered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth: "You will never know... This game has just begun."

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly bit the poison hidden in his teeth and crushed it. A moment later, his whole body convulsed and he died. Cheng Yuwei's face was pale. She had never seen such a scene before. Her heart was beating like a drum, but she tried to keep herself calm.

"Madam, are you okay?" Zhou Hao stood up, his eyes filled with worry and apology. "It was my fault for not protecting you well enough that the assassin got close to us."

Cheng Yuwei forced a smile: "It's okay, Zhou Hao, you came just in time. Thanks to you, otherwise I would have been in great danger."

Zhou Hao looked at her deeply, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just nodded slightly: "I will strengthen the patrols in the mansion. There will be no second assassin tonight."

Just as they were about to dispose of the assassin's body, Ling Xiaotian's footsteps reached them. Seeing the scene in the room, the rage that flashed across his eyes was almost impossible to ignore. He quickly walked over to Cheng Yuwei to check if she was injured.

"Weier, are you okay?" His voice was low and full of worry.

Cheng Yuwei shook her head gently and held his hand: "I'm fine, Zhou Hao arrived in time and saved me."

Ling Xiaotian turned his gaze to Zhou Hao and nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Zhou Hao. You have made a great contribution this time."

Zhou Hao smiled faintly, but a complex expression flashed in his eyes. "Marshal, the assassin said something before he committed suicide—'This game has just begun.' I suspect they have a bigger conspiracy."

Ling Xiaotian's expression immediately grew solemn. He knew this wasn't the White Tiger Gang's final blow. He whispered, "We must first identify their accomplice and simultaneously raise our defenses to the highest level."

That night, the entire Marshal's Mansion was brightly lit, and the guards patrolled non-stop. Cheng Yuwei returned to her room and lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. Ling Xiaotian stayed by her side, his eyes filled with deep regret and heartache.

"Weier, I shouldn't have let you get involved in these dangers." He said softly, with a hint of self-blame in his voice.

Cheng Yuwei turned around and looked into his eyes: "Xiaotian, I have already decided to fight alongside you. No matter how dangerous it is, I will not back down."

Ling Xiaotian held her hand, pulled her into his arms, and said softly, "With you by my side, I am fearless."

The night breeze blew gently outside the window, bringing a slight chill. The two of them cuddled together quietly, as if they had found the only warmth in this chaos and darkness. However, in the distance, a dark figure flashed by on the city wall, gazing towards the Marshal's Mansion, his eyes gleaming with indifference and calculation.

"This is just the beginning, Cheng Yuwei, Ling Xiaotian, your ordeal has just begun."