Martial King's Retired Life

Sisi’s style emphasised dexterity and relied on her ability to vary her swordplay. She overlooked so many openings that I didn’t even need to dodge; I dismantled her offence with a single knife hand strike.

“Wait. Fu Xiang isn’t dead.”

“How dare you lie to my face!” With bloodshot eyes, Sisi pulled out a short sword from under her dress and thrust it diagonally towards my neck.

Sisi was no expert in short swords. Her entire style revolved around performing subterfuge with swordplay, which was a common style that League of Assassins employed.

As I evaded Sisi’s attack, I asked, “What makes you say I’m lying?”

“I waited for him for a long time, used all of our secret communications signals and never found him at our appointed rendezvous point. If he’s not dead, where is he?!”

“How should I know? Considering how perverted he is, maybe some perverted organisation kidnapped him.”

“How dare you continue to slander him!”

Unlike Zhao Tiankui, Sisi didn’t fight aggressively, and she wasn’t flawless as Confucianism disciples, nor did she have as many bloody techniques in her arsenal as them. That being said, her internal energy was more potent than mine despite hers not being potent in the first place, so a protracted battle did me no good. As I went to subdue her, though, she whistled.

Eight people disguised as common folks rushed over and drew their weapons. I wasn’t surprised she could arrange an assassination squad considering she was a part of League of Assassins. I was prepared for a similar situation.

“I was saving this for Jiang Chen’s lackeys, but this encounter with you was unexpected, Miss Si. Allow me to show you my hospitality.” Despite the assassins coming closer, despite Sisi’s gaze of despise, I stood my ground and yelled, “Go doggy!”

…

Nothing happened.

The assassins kept inching closer. Sisi showed me even more despise.

I sprinted the other way!

“Hey! Come out! If I die, you won’t get any reimbursement!”

“You’re the only dog here!” Out of nowhere, a candied haw seller pulled out two shiny long knives and charged towards the assassins.

Like a butcher getting a rush of adrenaline, the seller littered the ground with strewn corpses in just minutes.

In the meantime, I was busy dispersing the crowd. “Officials kill-, working. Please give way. Anyone who sticks around to watch will be arrested. Move! Move!”

Once the violence settled, there was a sweaty Mountain Monster trading with Sisi. Though it was twin knives against twin swords, Wawa had to go all out to kill the assassins, so she was tired. Nonetheless, in the skill, shrewdness and experience departments as an assassin, Wawa had an enormous advantage. Wawa deliberately revealed an opening, and Sisi bit straight away. Wawa subsequently drove her foot into Sisi’s chest, sending the latter upm away and back onto the ground.

“Oi, Ming Feizhen! The name time you summon me as a dog, I’ll watch you die!”

“Thank you, thank you. Relax. Take a break.” I cackled as I meandered over and looked down at Miss Sisi. “Miss Sisi, I never killed your father, but you have made several attempts on my life. You will not get away this time.”

Sisi fearlessly looked up to meet my gaze. “Do what you will with me.”

“Hoho, I couldn’t bear to kill such a beauty. I happen to be short on manpower. Be my maid and y-”

Gui Wa and Sisi: “You wish!”

I pulled Gui Wa over. “Why are you copying her?”

“Why do you get a maid when I still don’t have one?”

What the hell are you starting an internal struggle for now, you vicious loli?!

“Would you be able to enjoy life in the capital without me?!”

“Hmph, different matters.”

“Different things!”

“What’s the difference?”

“Well…”

How the hell did I let a Beijiang lass shut me down in Mandarin?

“What was your level then, and what is your level now? You have no shame demanding a maid in your state. She’s mine!” asserted Gui Wa.

She had a point. She could stick a knife in my back, and I’d be helpless, let alone fight her.

“Fine, fine.”

“I never agreed to anything! You two are shameless!” exclaimed Sisi.

“Does your opinion make any difference? Hahaha, lass, just surrender. I promise you’ll have fun with me.”

Was Gui Wa an orphan dumped at the foot of Mount Daluo? Why is she so good with the Mount Daluo lines?

Gui Wa knocked out Sisi, shoved her into a sack and then hoisted the latter onto her shoulders.

… Is it just me, or was that criminally professional?

Gui Wa looked over her shoulder to tell me, “Did you know people from the imperial court arrived at Eight Deities after you left and declared they had an arrest warrant for you because your fighting competition disturbed the peace?”

“I know.” I pointed to my ears.

“Monster ears.” Gui Wa stomped. “I’m off! Look after yourself! I’m not bodyguarding you!”

I headed off to Liu Shan Men since someone needed to clean up the mess. As for my arrest warrant, I couldn’t help it. It was my last resort. I didn’t like it, but I’d have to ask Boss to shelter me. When I arrived at the outer walls, I saw somebody with a scarf wrapped around his head, knotted around his nose, peeking into the courtyard from a corner of the wall.

Man… thieves these days sure are bold, targeting a government office. What is wrong with the world nowadays? He must be one of Gongsun Chu’s boys. If I let you slip away, I’ll bring shame to my post as head constable.

I reached into my shirt and slowly took out my precious bamboo tube the size of my arm, removed the cover to unveil the shiny and sharp projectiles within. If I pressed the trigger inside, it’d fire silver shuttles out; it was a needlerain modified for the better. Needless to say, there was no auto-aim feature. In the hands of someone as skilled as yours truly, however, hah, you’ll wish you never made an enemy out of me.

I narrowed my eyes, zoomed in on my target, stabilised my hands and pictured the perfect shot. The thief kept moving left and right, but it was useless against a god-tier shuttle sharpshooter. I slowly increased my pressure on the trigger.

Zoom!

“Ow!”

Eh? Where have I heard this voice before?

The man lying in his blood looked up at me in disbelief and roared, “Ming Feizhen! Is this treason?!”

“Your Majesty?”