Chương 81: Chapter XXI Verse III — The Lethal Ruse of the Maids

Back in the hidden chamber, Aurelia saw through the eyes of Jien after Long had left to scout the garden.

"Are you sure you're up for this?" Wei asked, gripping Jien's shoulder.

"Yeah," Jien replied, though his voice wavered.

"Just… stab and pull out, right?"

"No. That's how you get killed," Wei sighed.

"Remember what Master taught us? Cover the mouth, control the body, and cut deep into the throat." Jien nodded, swallowing hard.

"Right. I get it." Wei's grip tightened.

"Don't forget. Mistake means death. Theirs, or ours." Jien took a deep breath.

"Okay. I'll do it right." A while later, Long returned, excitement in his voice.

"Alright, the garden is clear. We can start working now!"

"Where's Master?" Jien asked.

"Still in the main hall. Come on, we don't have much time." Aurelia's vision shifted to Long as he led them to the kitchen. Two bodies lay in a pool of blood, the metallic scent thick in the air. Some servants gagged, while others stared blankly.

"No time for staring. Clean them quickly!" Long hissed. They dragged the bodies to the storage room and mopped the blood. Yenmei held little Cu close, shielding her eyes.

"It's okay, Cu. Keep your eyes closed."

"Yenmei, wait," Long said. He pointed to Shi Tie, the strongest among them.

"Tie, take his sword." He pointed at one of the raiders' blade.

"Escort them to the emergency passage."

"Got it," Tie nodded, grabbing the weapon.

"Yenmei, leave the lantern. I know the way." Yenmei and Cu followed Tie into the darkness. Long turned to the knife block, selecting two sharp blades. He wrapped them in cloth to create makeshift sheaths and tucked them into his waistband to check for fit and discreetness. He then handed one to Wei and another to Jien.

"Keep them hidden until the moment's right," Long said.

"I know," Jien said, strapping the knife to his waist.

"No one messes with the Cang family and lives." If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"That's the spirit," Long chuckled grimly.

"Remember, silence them first, then strike. Don't let Master's training go to waste." The duo nodded.

"Understood," they said in unison. They moved to the dining room. Lin stood by the screen, trembling but resolute.

"You okay, Lin?" Wei asked.

"Yeah. I'm ready."

"Don't worry, we got this." Jien smiled confidently. Lin stepped behind the screen and removed her clothes.

"Don't you go imagining weird things, Jien," Wei warned.

"Ugh, let's just hide," Jien grimaced, taking his position behind the right screen while Wei took the left. Meanwhile, the smell of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, coming from the dishes the other maids placed on the dining table. Long appeared at the entrance.

"Lin, we're ready. Wei, Jien, we're counting on you."

"Understood, Long," the trio said in unison. He left, and Lin began her performance.

"Please no! Stop! Don't do this!" she cried out, slapping her thigh to mimic the sounds of struggle.

"Somebody help me!" Footsteps approached from the main hall. Two raiders entered, laughing.

"Wow, look at all this food. It smells incredible!" the first one said.

"Heh. Guess they couldn't wait to get ahold of the maid." the second one stated.

"Hey! Need help over there?" the first one asked toward the screen.

"No more! I can't take any more!" Lin screamed back.

"Let's join in," the second raider invited. Both of them dropped their swords and made their way toward the screen. As they passed, Jien lunged, ending the raider's life in a single strike. Before the second could react, Wei was on him, driving his blade home. The glint of steel vanished as quickly as it appeared. Aurelia's real body convulsed at the sensation. Lin dressed quickly.

"Good job. Now let's move them." They dragged the bodies to the storage room.

"Ugh, the smell," Wei muttered, pinching his nose against the smell of blood.

"C'mon, the others are waiting," Lin urged. Jien shook his head.

"No. Master might need help."

"We need to follow the plan," Lin argued.

"I won't leave without him," Jien said, determination in his eyes.

"I'd gladly die by his side." He sprinted toward the main hall.

"Ugh," Wei groaned.

"Go wait with the others. I'm going after him." Jien approached the study just as Siolen rounded the corner, her face a mask of frantic relief.

"Oh, Madam."

"Thank goodness," Siolen gasped.

"Go help Siféng hide the body before the others come."

"Don't worry, Madam. We're on it," Wei said, catching up. Siolen ran toward the passage. The duo entered the hallway, finding Siféng struggling with the massive corpse of the lead raider.

"Master, we're here," they whispered.

"Thank the heavens," Siféng said, breathless.

"Help me move him." They grabbed the shoulders while Siféng took the legs. The body was heavy, the dead weight dragging them down.

"Whoa, he's heavy," Jien said, grunting.

"Guess this is the guy in charge," Wei muttered.

"Want to swap?" Siféng asked.

"No," Jien said firmly.

"You've been through too much. We'll take the burden from now on."

"Thanks, you two." Siféng smiled weakly. They heaved the body into the storage room and slammed the door shut.

"They sure went above and beyond," Siféng noted, eyeing the pile of corpses.

"Ugh, let's go," Jien rasped.

"I can't stand this smell."

"You did good, Jien." Wei smiled.

"Thanks."

"Now, c'mon. Let's meet up with the others," Siféng said. They patted each other on the back, shaken but alive, and headed for the escape tunnel.