Inside the tea house.
The storyteller's passionate performance brought a wave of applause within the tea house.
Private room on the second floor.
"Your idea really works, they've fallen for it."
The speaker had ordinary looks, with nothing remarkable about him. However, his long, narrow eyes gave off a sinister and sleazy impression.
Yang Zhi, an assassin of the Serpent Gang, infamous as the Evil Demon.
Beside him was another man, refined in appearance, waving a paper fan in his hand, which inexplicably added a scholarly air to him.
Yu Bin, another assassin of the Serpent Gang, renowned as the Bloodhand Scholar.
"Of course, any plan I devise is impenetrable. They're bound to walk right into the trap." Yu Bin said with a smug smile, flicking his paper fan.
Yang Zhi remarked, "Honestly, luring him out and simply killing him would've sufficed. Why go through all this trouble?"
"That's where you don't understand. A dual-layered scheme will crush him thoroughly." Yu Bin was confident, and he didn't mind Yang Zhi's skepticism. After all, if everyone could understand, how could Yu Bin's unparalleled intelligence shine?
"Let me explain it in detail," he said.
Yu Bin smiled and began to elaborate on his prideful two-pronged plan, ready for Yang Zhi's admiration.
"Plan one: He comes, Wang Zhou doesn't show, and we execute him ourselves."
"Plan two: He arrives, and Wang Zhou shows up as well, only to be framed and accused. Unable to clear his name, they'll kill each other. If both sides sustain heavy losses, wouldn't we benefit effortlessly?"
Yang Zhi listened attentively, and after hearing Yu Bin's meticulous strategy, he exclaimed, "Brilliant! This is like one wave after another, killing two birds with one stone."
"As expected of the Bloodhand Scholar! With you around, there's no mission we can't accomplish."
For Yang Zhi, he couldn't help but admire Yu Bin's plan—it was flawless.
He relished working alongside someone with a sharp mind.
Yu Bin laughed heartily, saying, "Even killing someone has its artistry. To kill and crush their spirit—that's the pinnacle. Such a strategy took days of painstaking thought, so his death won't be in vain."
...
The sun dipped in the west, dusk arrived.
Ten miles away.
A cloaked figure appeared in the distance. The black robe covered most of their body, and under the dim twilight, it was impossible to discern who they were.
In the shadows.
Yang Zhi and Yu Bin whispered to each other.
"He's here."
"Hmm, wait. Don't rush. Let's confirm if Wang Zhou shows up and if that person is really our target. Caution above all." Yu Bin whispered, keeping his gaze fixed on the silhouette.
Shrouded in the black robe, the face was hidden, making identification impossible.
Anything could happen.
Being cautious was paramount.
Lin Fan lifted the robe off his head, revealing his true face. The glow of twilight bathed his bald head, which shimmered with a faint golden hue—somewhat sacred.
"I'm here. Where are your people?" Lin Fan shouted.
He hadn't intended to come in person and considered sending someone in his stead. However, after some thought, he dismissed the idea.
Bald heads are too distinctive. His subordinates lacked decent martial skills, and if ambushed, they'd likely all perish. So after careful consideration, he decided to handle things personally instead of exposing his men to unnecessary danger.
Yu Bin observed Lin Fan's bald head and facial features, letting out a sigh of relief. It seemed his suspicions were unwarranted.
He smirked internally.
To think he'd come in person—well, he wouldn't leave alive.
Lin Fan scanned his surroundings but didn't notice anything amiss. In his view, while their tricks weren't shallow, they wouldn't be enough to trap him here.
Suddenly.
He noticed a silhouette standing motionlessly in the shadows ahead, prompting him to scrutinize the surrounding environment further.
Hmm?
He detected some clues.
The bark of certain trees bore marks of blades, and the grass had countless cuts—the aftermath of weapon clashes.
"A framing scheme, is it?"
Lin Fan had considered many possible traps, and framing scenarios were among the most anticipated ones.
Though the silhouette's face remained unseen.
He could already deduce the identity of the figure without guessing.
Wei Xiong.
Who else could it be?
After all, he had entered the abandoned well. Sun Tao's faction would never allow Wei Xiong to live—even if there were no treasures in the well, his survival was unacceptable.
Don't ask how he knew.
That's just how it goes in most TV dramas.
If they're willing to act, he's willing to imagine.
Lin Fan intended to confirm whether the figure was indeed Wei Xiong, but as he prepared to approach, he stopped abruptly.
Wait.
Something's wrong.
The fact that the enemy anticipated these traps implied they weren't fools.
It was highly likely the silhouette could trigger something upon closer inspection.
Perhaps it would activate hidden weapons—the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle raining down like a swarm of bees, piercing him through completely. The thought alone was terrifying.
Or maybe poisonous substances were smeared on the corpse, ensuring instant death upon contact with the venom.
These possibilities couldn't be ignored.
The depths of human malice are frightening. Overthinking can be beneficial, preventing countless dangers.
Lin Fan picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it at the silhouette.
Bam!
The figure collapsed to the ground without triggering any mechanisms. With the body falling over, Wei Xiong's face became visible.
"What a pity to die this way."
He shook his head, unsure what else to say. Dying at his hands could result in dropping some loot, but perishing at someone else's, not even a strand of hair would remain.
Based on the scene, he could piece together the enemy's strategy.
Wei Xiong, the corpse, remnants of a fight nearby.
The signs were evident: they were fabricating the site of a battle where Lin Fan supposedly killed Wei Xiong.
Wait.
No, something's off.
Thinking logically, for this scheme to succeed, Wang Zhou's presence was necessary. But how could they guarantee Wang Zhou would show up?
He understood now.
A two-pronged scheme—a double-layered trap.
If Wang Zhou didn't come, they'd personally take action.
If he did arrive, Lin Fan wouldn't stand a chance. Amid indisputable evidence of killing a colleague, he'd likely fight Wang Zhou to escape death.
Damn it!
These crafty schemers are terrifying.
If Lin Fan hadn't watched hundreds of period drama palace intrigue shows, he might've been outwitted.
Whether Wang Zhou would come or not.
He definitely would.
If Wang Zhou didn't come, even if Lin Fan was killed, he wouldn't dare to show up alone.
"Crap, I've been tricked!"
Lin Fan shouted. This wasn't out of panic but to alert the hidden enemies that he knew he'd been duped—an invitation for them to reveal themselves.
As soon as he finished speaking.
Lin Fan mounted his horse, ready to gallop away. "If you don't come out now, I'll be gone!"
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
At that moment, piercing sounds filled the air, and under the murky dusk light, multiple gleams flashed forward.
Thunk!
Thunk!
Several small daggers embedded themselves into the ground.
Blocking Lin Fan's escape route.
Two figures slowly emerged from the shadows.
"Haha! Realized it too late."
"Why don't you stay and keep him company?"
PS: Special thanks to the ride-hailing app driver, almighty Alliance Hierarch. Thank you, love you, mwah!
PS: Asking for some recommendation votes and rewards—thank you so much! Climbing up the new book rankings really depends on rewards. Exhausting!