Chapter 110: The assassin exceeds all expectations (1/2)
Chapter 110: The assassin exceeds all expectations Original and most updated translations are from volare. If read elsewhere, this chapter has been stolen. Please stop supporting theft.
If pesticide was added to tea, it’d definitely change the color and flavor. Even a tiny amount would be acrid to the nose. But if pesticide was sprayed onto tea trees, then the harvested tea leaves that were treated and dried before being steeped in water wouldn’t carry any taste of pesticides at all. If there were enough trace amounts of pesticide in the composition of the tea leaves, a test would reveal it in the tea or tea leaves. Long term usage of pesticide-treated tea leaves would definitely build up and affect the body.
But what if the pesticide was replaced by a toxin like Ten-Thousand Snake Poison? Would it have the same effects? Could tea leaves containing Ten-Thousand Snake Poison be steeped without changing their scent, color, or flavor? Could only a precise and specific analysis be used to reveal traces of poison?
Han Yuxi’s eyes opened wide in great alarm. “This must be it!”
Mu Qingwu was completely baffled. “Esteemed wangfei, what are you talking about?”
Han Yunxi was about to explain when a swift gust of wind suddenly came towards her back.
“Esteemed wangfei, watch out!” Mu Qingwu cried, suddenly pushing Han Yunxi towards the tea plants and shielding her with his body. His experience in the battlefield meant that he caught the sound of arrows being shot in the air.
An assassin!
When Mu Qingwu turned to protect Han Yunxi, he unsheathed his sword at the same time to viciously hit aside the approaching arrow. His movements were direct and efficient, beautiful to see. The arrow had been diverted, but there was no signs of the assassin. Everything before them looked empty beyond tea trees and more tea trees. It was very quiet.
Without the slightest hesitation, Mu Qingwu surveyed his surroundings while shouting, “Someone call the guards, there’s an assassin!”
Two tea masters on the side immediately turned to run. Before the plantation’s guards could arrive, an arrow flew out from the right. Mu Qingwu knocked it aside with his sword again. With esteemed wangfei by his side, he couldn’t just chase after the culprit. But it’d be extremely disadvantageous to move from their location, so he could only stay in place until the rescue troops arrived. Luckily, he’d judged from the speed of the arrows that there was only one assassin. Nestled in the tea tree, Han Yunxi didn’t dare to move a muscle. She admitted that she was a coward. She didn’t know a bit of martial arts, so she’d be a goner if she wasn’t careful!
“Esteemed wangfei, the rescue troops will arrive immediately. I’ve caused you to suffer,” Mu Qingwu said in a low tone.
“It’s…it’s fine! You be careful,” Han Yunxi was very uncomfortable. She was bent over at a 90 degree angle, the tea tree poking into her stomach in a way that made her want to throw up.
Shinnnng! Another arrow came from the left!
Mu Qingwu hit it aside and demanded coldly, “Who is it! Sneaky and base, what kind of hero are you?!”
Han Yunxi sweatdropped…their attacker was an assassin, so why would they care about being a proper hero? This was obviously someone whose skills were limited after failing a sneak attack, so all they could do was keep shooting arrows. Otherwise, wouldn’t they take the chance before the backup arrived to fight a quick battle to force the outcome? Han Yunxi had never met with an assassin or scenes of slaughter, so this made her much more relieved.
But Mu Qingwu suddenly grew alarmed and muttered, “Esteemed wangfei, quite a few people have come! Apologies for the offense!”
“What?”
Han Yunxi didn’t understand. Mu Qingwu turned around and gathered her into his arms before taking to the skies. At the same time, arrows flew at them from all directions, shua, shua, shuaa!, whipping past the wind incessantly! Mu Qingwu held Han Yunxi tightly against him, his other hand using the sword to deflect the arrows as he dodged and swerved.
Han Yunxi’s head was buried in his chest as he violently dodged up and hid down, spinning and turning so much that her head grew dizzy and swollen. She couldn’t see what was happening, but clearly heard the sword as it made contact with the arrows. Clang! Clang! Clang! They came in rapid bursts, an intense, sharp, sound.
There were actually this many people in hiding, but were they after her or Mu Qingwu?
Mu Qingwu concentrated his full attention on warding off the attacks while the assassins remained hidden amongst the tea trees. They were using crossbows that made it easy to fire arrows. The reason they hadn’t moved earlier was because they were afraid of exposing themselves too early to hurt him. They were waiting for him to lower his guard before using all their firepower. It was clear that these assassins knew his moves well!
Were these the same bunch who’d targeted him in the capital city last time?
Right now, Mu Qingwu couldn’t be bothered to think too much. His most important task was to protect esteemed wangfei so she wouldn’t get hurt. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to explain himself to the Duke of Qin. The number of arrows increased steadily, making it impossible for Mu Qingwu to escape, much less find a chance to counterattack. All he could do was ward them off. His only relief was the fact that this was the plantation, so the rescue troops would arrive very soon. If they were in the middle of nowhere, he wouldn’t be able to last long against such strength.
“Hurry! They’re hiding in the tea trees!”
“Split up and search!”