Chapter Sixty-Five: Encounter with the Man in Black

The servant had intended to step forward and block the man, but with a mere touch, the man struck an acupoint, rendering the servant immobile and mute.

Yan Heru had just entered the house and was about to proceed into the inner hall when the man who had been following her suddenly appeared at her side and struck her acupoint as well.

She glanced at him, noting the mask that shrouded his face, making it impossible to discern his features.

After subduing Yan Heru, the man circled her once before stopping to ask, "You are Yan Heru, aren’t you?"

She blinked but did not reply. The man coughed awkwardly, then released her voice acupoint.

"I'm not," Yan Heru responded docilely after regaining her voice, choosing not to scream or cause a scene.

“You’re not? I don’t believe that,” the man insisted.

Yan Heru smiled faintly, replying, “If you don’t believe me, why bother asking? You’ve already decided who I am—what use are more words?”

Her retort left the man momentarily speechless.

Indeed… there was no need to ask her…

“Ahem, don’t try to change the subject. Just answer what I ask you. Do you not realize you’re now a prisoner?” he said, trying to salvage his dignity by pressing on.

Yan Heru watched his reaction with a slight smile, thinking that since he acted this way, he was likely no professional assassin. As long as her life wasn’t in danger, she had little to fear.

“Very well, ask whatever you wish.”

“You… You are the Ninth Prince’s Consort, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know who I am?”

“No.”

“Fine! Take her away!” The man stopped his questioning, struck Yan Heru’s sleep acupoint, and prepared to leave with her. However, he had forgotten that they were in Shengjing Medical Hall, just a step away from the inner hall.

Suddenly, someone flew out from the inner hall, blocking the man’s path and rescuing Yan Heru.

“Junior sister! Wake up, junior sister!” The newcomer was a man who, seeing Yan Heru unconscious, probed her sleep acupoint, awakening her gently.

“Who are you?” Yan Heru’s first sight upon awakening was yet another unfamiliar man, causing her a moment of helplessness. It seemed strangers constantly appeared around her, and every one of them wore a mask.

“Junior sister, it’s me,” the man replied softly.

Hearing him call her “junior sister,” Yan Heru frowned, thinking hard. Then she suddenly recalled that the hall master she’d apprenticed under had another disciple. Since this man called her “junior sister,” he must be that disciple.

“Um… senior brother?” she ventured.

When the man heard her call him “senior brother,” Yan Heru could distinctly sense his joy radiating.

Hmm? Could calling him “senior brother” really make him that happy?

“Would you two stop ignoring me? I’m still here!” the man who had tried to abduct Yan Heru complained, displeased that she’d been snatched away.

Yan Heru paid him no heed. Since her senior brother could rescue her, she had nothing to fear from the masked man.

“Senior brother, what’s your name?” she pressed.

“My surname is Han. Just call me senior brother.” With that, her senior brother engaged the masked man in combat.

Yan Heru quickly took cover, watching the fierce exchange. A thought suddenly blossomed in her heart: she must learn martial arts. In this world, not knowing martial arts truly put her at a disadvantage. If someone wished to capture her, it was all too easy. But if she knew martial arts, at least she could put up a fight.

She silently resolved herself to this idea.

“Who are you, and why are you stopping me? Do you know who stands behind me?” the black-clad man demanded, realizing he was no match for Yan Heru’s senior brother.

“I don’t care who you are, nor who’s behind you. What you ought to consider is where you are now. You dare bully my junior sister in this place—why should I care about your background?” With that, her senior brother intensified his assault.

Before long, the black-clad man was subdued by Yan Heru’s senior brother.

“You! Damn it! Let me go! Let’s have a fair fight! Clearly, you used several sneak attacks just now!” the man protested.

“There’s something wrong with your head, isn’t there? Who fights fair in a real battle? You tried to capture my junior sister—do you expect me to go easy on you?” Her senior brother’s tone was thick with disdain.

Not only him, but even Yan Heru felt a deep sense of embarrassment at the masked man’s words.

So he was allowed to capture others, but others weren’t allowed to capture him if they were stronger? How typical—he could dish it out but couldn’t take it.

“Hmph, since you’ve caught me, do as you please—kill me if you wish. But you should know, if you do, my master will come for you. You’d best consider the consequences,” the man threatened.

Yan Heru and her senior brother exchanged a glance, then both smiled.

The black-clad man, uneasy, asked, “What are you laughing at? Don’t think I’m bluffing—if you kill me, my master really will come for you.”

Once certain the masked man posed no further threat, Yan Heru stepped forward, removed his mask, and indeed, found a stranger’s face she did not recognize.

“We’re laughing because, even with your life in our hands, you dare to mouth threats at us.”

“I’m not threatening you, nor am I bluffing. Every word I’ve said is true,” the man insisted.

Her senior brother, apparently unable to stomach the man’s foolishness, said, “Are you certain your master will come to your aid if he learns you’ve been captured?”

“Of course!” the man replied, full of confidence.

“Then have you never wondered, given your lackluster skills, why your master would send you on such a dangerous mission? Isn’t it more likely he wanted you dead?”

Hearing this, Yan Heru couldn’t help but salute her senior brother in her heart.

Such words were truly a blow to both body and soul.