Leng Residence, study.
Leng Qingqiu should have been alone.
Instead, a blindfolded woman knelt on one knee before her.
The woman wore an elegant crimson robe. Her long hair fell like a waterfall down her back, her posture straight and disciplined. Her skin was pale as snow, her figure slender, carrying a calm, lethal grace that set her apart from ordinary people.
"Master," the blindfolded woman said respectfully. "Our investigation has borne fruit. One of the perpetrators has been identified."
Leng Qingqiu's hand froze.
A chill swept across her expression.
She rose abruptly, murderous impatience flashing through her eyes. The book in her hand snapped shut with a dull thud, echoing through the study.
"Speak," she said coldly. "Who is it?"
Five years.
Five long years since the massacre.
And now—finally—progress.
Even if it was only one participant, it meant she was one step closer to the truth. One step closer to blood repayment.
The blindfolded woman lowered her head even further. "He is a member of an organization known as Death. His name is Lin Feng."
"Lin Feng?" Leng Qingqiu frowned. "And this Death—what kind of force is it?"
The blindfolded woman answered without hesitation. "When we traced Lin Feng, he had already withdrawn from the organization. He is now married, with children, and works as a low-level employee at the Wanli Group in Jianghai City."
"As for Death—it is a notorious assassination organization in the foreign ancient martial arts world. All its members are martial artists. They operate primarily through contracts acquired from the dark web."
Leng Qingqiu let out a sharp laugh.
"How… interesting."
She shoved the desk aside and strode toward the window, her cloak fluttering like a shadow in motion. With a snap, she pulled the curtains open. Cold wind surged into the study, instantly freezing the air.
She inhaled deeply, forcing the boiling murderous intent in her chest to settle.
Death.
What a fitting name.
An assassin.
A butcher.
And yet—
"You slaughtered my family," she whispered, gripping the curtain. "And now you live peacefully. Married. Children. An ordinary life."
"How dare you?"
You take lives without mercy, yet cling to your own happiness?
"Mei Xue."
Her voice dropped into icy calm.
"Find Lin Feng. Extract everything he knows—every detail, every name."
"No matter the method."
"Threaten his family. His friends."
"I want everything."
The temperature in the study plummeted.
Mei Xue swallowed hard. Cold sweat slid down her temple. "Yes."
As her reply fell, shadows bloomed beneath her feet. Darkness swallowed her form inch by inch until she vanished completely.
Silence returned.
Only then did Leng Qingqiu exhale.
Her grip loosened.
The rage ebbed, replaced by a familiar ache.
"Father… Mother… Grandfather… Grandmother…"
"I swear," she murmured. "I will uncover the truth. I will avenge you."
Her fingers twitched.
Buzz.
A dagger materialized in her palm.
Its blade was dark as the abyss, swallowing light. Ancient, obscure runes etched along its surface pulsed faintly with cold power.
This was the dagger.
The one she used to carve out her own eye.
The moment she did—
Memory surged.
---
Night.
That was the dagger's name.
And the name of the ancient scripture now embedded in her mind.
The book strengthened her memory, sharpened her comprehension—and revealed a hidden truth about this world.
An existence known as the Ancient Martial Arts World.
Leng Qingqiu lifted her hand to her eyes.
She opened them slightly.
Where ordinary blind eyes should have been empty—
Strange talismans glowed faintly within her pupils.
Her vision was sealed. Deliberately.
According to the scripture, the power of Night was unique.
Absorb the night.
Understand the night.
Become the night.
Endure five years of darkness.
Only then, when light returned, would she shatter the limits of the human body and step into invincibility.
"Five years…" she murmured, closing her eyes again.
Until then, she remained outwardly ordinary.
But the memories within her had already granted her much.
Including the inheritance of an organization also named Night.
It did not follow people.
It followed the dagger.
Whoever wielded it was its master.
Over the years, this force had become her eyes and ears in the dark.
"Hah…"
She dismissed the dagger and steadied her breathing.
She had lost control earlier.
That wouldn't do.
"Leng Qingqiu," she reminded herself quietly. "You will face many enemies. You must be calm. Steady."
She reached for her walking stick.
If she wasn't mistaken, it was already noon.
Ling'er wasn't home—she would just eat something simple.
But instead of her walking stick—
A warm, solid hand grasped hers.
A familiar voice followed.
"Qingqiu, what are you thinking about?"
"Why are you standing by the window like that?"
Gu Yan.
He held her hand, puzzled. The curtains were wide open; cold wind rushed in.
"Hiss—so cold," he muttered, closing the window. "Your hands are freezing."
Leng Qingqiu went still.
When did he arrive?
How much did he hear?
Did he see the dagger?
Her heart tightened.
If Gu Yan had noticed…
If the Gu family had been involved back then…
Her breathing faltered.
At this distance—
One strike was enough.
Mei Xue could clean up afterward.
All hidden dangers must be eliminated.
Her hand lifted slightly.
Gu Yan smiled gently, misunderstanding the motion. "Worried about Ling'er? She's fine. I sent her to school."
Leng Qingqiu froze.
…He really was just like this.
Kind. Annoying. Thoughtless.
Her strength drained away.
She lowered her hand.
Something was wrong with her.
"Qingqiu?" Gu Yan touched her forehead, surprised. "No fever."
She could have done it.
Yet she didn't.
Why?
Damn it.
"…You're annoying," she said flatly.
Gu Yan beamed.
"Really? That's great!" He grabbed her hand and rubbed it happily. "You're cute when you say that. I'd love to bother you every day."
"I don't even bother my own dad this much."
"You're special."
[Touched the pure love target. Points +1]
[Pure love target's mood improved. Points +3]
Leng Qingqiu sneered inwardly.
This liar.
Everyone knew he could barely exchange three sentences with his father.
On the surface, she snorted lightly. "Who cares."
"I do. I only care about you."
"Heh. Smooth talk."
"Oh?" Gu Yan leaned closer. "How do you know your husband's tongue is slick? Want to test it—"
"Get out!"
He laughed, utterly delighted.
"Alright, alright. What do you want for lunch? No bragging—I'll make anything."
She hesitated.
"I'm not hungry. I was just going to eat something simple. Master Gu shouldn't act like a servant."
He waved it off immediately. "That won't do. That's terrible for your health."
"How about this—two simple dishes."
"…Do whatever you want."
After lunch, Leng Qingqiu sat on the sofa, lost in thought.
The sound of dishes being washed drifted from the kitchen.
The TV played Ling'er's favorite cartoon.
For some reason—
She felt peaceful.
Too peaceful.
And that scared her.
She turned off the TV and straightened.
No.
She couldn't indulge in this.
One murderer had been found. The plan must continue.
The truth must be uncovered.
The Gu family must be taken.
Both paths—simultaneously.
"Qingqiu," Gu Yan said cheerfully, sitting beside her. "Beautiful weather today. Want to go outside?"
He naturally draped an arm around her shoulders.
She frowned and tried to shake him off.
It was useless.
"No."
"Come on," he coaxed. "Work-life balance. You'll get moldy staying indoors."
"Let's just sit in the yard."
"Otherwise you'll get osteoporosis when you're old."
"In my opinion, you're just shy—"
"Stop!" she snapped. "Go, go, go!"
Immediately, regret followed.
"Wait—"
Too late.
Gu Yan pulled her up, grinning. "Great! Let's go bask in the sun!"
She opened her mouth to refuse—
Then closed it again.
Forget it.
I'm taking the Gu family eventually anyway.
Let him be happy for now.
Yes.
That was all this was.
Just a little compensation.
Nothing more.