Chapter Thirty-Six: Night Raid

Yan Yuanqing was struck by a sense of intuition, though he couldn't be sure whether it was accurate. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that when Shi Chengren spoke and pondered, he seemed to be holding something back, as if his heart harbored countless words that he dared not utter.

"Yurou, how much do you know about your eldest uncle?"

Shi Yurou was taken aback, not expecting Yan Yuanqing to suddenly pose such a question.

"Not much, since we're not of the same generation. But my uncle is well-liked in the family, very generous, always eager to help others, and he has a certain authority in the household. Why do you ask?"

Shi Yurou looked puzzled.

"Oh, I see. Sounds like a decent person," Yan Yuanqing murmured to himself.

"Bah, you should worry more about yourself. Look at you—just seeing you makes me feel unlucky!" Ji Chunyan curled her lips in disdain.

"I already have a sense of everyone’s opinions, so allow me to bring today’s matter to a close," Shi Tianhe declared. "Tomorrow, I will depart for the Fan family, to forge a pact with Lord Fan, wishing for the prosperity of the Shi clan!"

"Meeting adjourned!"

With Shi Tianhe’s announcement, the members of the Shi family began to disperse. On their way back, many continued to discuss the family head’s decision.

At that moment, Yan Yuanqing noticed that when Shi Chengren heard Shi Tianhe’s decision, a hint of gloom crossed his face.

Moreover, one of his hands curled slightly—not clenched into a fist, but enough to betray his inner thoughts.

Last night, Yan Yuanqing felt a persistent sense of unease, and his right eyelid twitched uncontrollably. Well into the depths of the night, sleep eluded him.

Then, suddenly, his eyes snapped open and he turned toward the window. He saw several shadows sweeping past outside, moving noiselessly. Only by listening intently could one catch the faintest sound, easily mistaken for the rustling of grass in the wind.

Yan Yuanqing slipped quietly from bed, went to the window, and lifted a corner of the curtain. With just a glance, he quickly let the curtain fall.

Outside in the courtyard, a dozen figures dressed all in black were gathering, clad in nightwear with weapons at their waists, assembling silently.

"This is bad—their target must be Yurou!"

Yan Yuanqing realized immediately. This house belonged to him and Shi Yurou; only three people lived here. Ji Chunyan was clearly not their target. Yan Yuanqing himself was just a useless son-in-law in the clan, hardly worth such trouble. Even though Ji Chunyan often mocked him viciously, Yan Yuanqing didn’t believe his mother-in-law’s dislike for him had reached the point where she’d hire killers!

This was a society governed by law; such actions carried enormous risks. At the very least, the rewards would have to match those risks!

"Yurou!"

His heart raced as he left his room, careful not to make a sound.

But as he headed toward Shi Yurou’s room, it was already too late. Shadows appeared at the end of the corridor, and Yan Yuanqing quickly hid in a recessed part of the wall nearby, standing straight and using the protruding edges to conceal himself as much as possible.

The soft footsteps drew closer. Yan Yuanqing gauged the distance by the change in their volume.

Hiding his right hand behind his back, he quietly channeled his inner energy. A miniature Taiyi Divine Needle appeared in his palm, its small size allowing him to shield its glow with his hand.