The Assassination Target is a Fox - Chapter 1

I am a female assassin. People call me Feihua (Flying Petal). I’m ranked in the top three of the Jianghu. Although I have no idea what criteria are used to determine these rankings, when I saw the “Assassin Leaderboard” at the Martial Arts Alliance Meet, my heart felt quite “proud-ish”—no, wait—I mean, quite proud.

Then one day, I suddenly received a commission.

The weather was excellent this afternoon. I was sitting atop a massive cedar tree, taking in the scenery while waiting for my employer to appear. Looking out into the distance, there was an endless stretch of jagged cliffs. Tucked between the stone walls was a small path, long and narrow, winding its way up from the distance, layer by layer.

From my vantage point, this rugged and completely unsheltered path was visible in its entirety. My previous employers would always appear from that corner and climb up alone—bringing no one, only a standard-format commission letter and a heavy bag of silver.

I’m not entirely sure how they manage to track down this location or how they learn about my specific rules.

Looking down from the high branches as they approach step by step gives me a sense of satisfaction, like being piously worshiped. Just like right now, watching that silhouette slowly trudging toward me from afar. The corners of my mouth curled up; I could almost smell a hint of blood in the air.

Business has finally come knocking.

This employer had wrapped their entire head in cloth, leaving only the eyes and nostrils exposed, and was wearing a night-walking suit—likely changed into at the foot of the mountain. With faces covered, neither of us sees the other’s true appearance or knows the other’s identity. Regardless of success or failure in the future, there will be no strings attached.

I narrowed my eyes slightly, focusing my gaze. Although the figure wasn’t tall and was quite slender, I could still tell the person was a man—even if he did daintily stick out his pinky finger while wiping away sweat.

After watching for a while, I suddenly realized a problem: he was walking so slowly! How could this man be worse than my previous female employers? Could he be some pampered, fragile weakling from a wealthy family?

The excitement of business arriving was gradually chipped away. I actually started wondering if I should find some time to haul some stone slabs up here to repair the mountain path, just so my employers could walk more comfortably and briskly. Of course, that’s assuming I survive long enough to come back after taking this job.

Generally, those who come to commission me are either wealthy or noble, and their targets are usually the “vile and treacherous” type—the kind that ordinary guards or retainers can’t handle, requiring a professional from the Jianghu. Most assassins registered with the Martial Arts Alliance are secretive, possess unique skills, adhere to a code of conduct, and enjoy taking on challenging contracts. In this industry, high-difficulty assassinations are your social capital.

I’ve been in this trade for sixteen years. I can’t say I haven’t worked hard, and while I’m somewhat famous now, only I know the bitterness behind it. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing; a few times I nearly exposed my identity and lost my life. Fortunately, my luck is good, and I’ve always been able to turn a disaster into a blessing and escape death.

Surely it must be Master’s spirit in heaven watching over me.

While I was lost in these myriad thoughts, the man finally finished climbing the last flight of stone steps. He didn’t come over immediately, though. Instead, leaning on his hiking staff, he sat on a large rock by the clearing, panting and resting. Sigh… even though I really wanted to fly down there right away, I ultimately waited patiently for him to finish his break before he sluggishly walked toward a specific stone wall.

He placed a bundle into a hollow in the wall, didn’t look around much, and turned back to return the way he came without lingering. This improved my opinion of him slightly; perhaps this man wasn’t as simple as he appeared on the surface.

Then again, who among those who come here isn’t a “tough character”? Once he was far off, I leapt from the branch. My toes brushed the twigs as I landed as light as a breeze before the stone wall. I retrieved the bundle and departed with my elegant qinggong (lightness skill).

The sun was sinking in the west; it was time to go home and cook dinner.

Only after leisurely finishing my meal did I sit down in the courtyard and open the bundle. First, I weighed the silver inside. It was a bulging, large bag… hm, very heavy. I opened it and—ha!—it was actually several times my usual fee. Just how much hatred and resentment was involved here? My brow furrowed, and the envelope felt heavy in my hand.

I pulled out the parchment. Surprisingly, the content was neat and organized, well-written, and the reason for the assassination was clear and concise. It seems this employer knows the ropes; I’m so glad I don’t have to send it back for “revisions.” I started to feel a bit of goodwill toward this employer. Yes, a teachable student.

He wants to kill a woman. But the reason for killing her… was actually because she is too beautiful.

Is being beautiful a crime? No. The crime lies in the word “too.” Anything in excess easily attracts hatred, whether it’s red-eyed jealousy or love turning into spite. I tucked the envelope away and silently searched my memory for the woman who had been targeted.

Chu Qingning, the Princess of Jin’an in Shuntian City. The legendary “Solitary Beauty of the Nation” and the number one beauty of the Great Yue Dynasty. From this day forward, it’s either her death or my end.

The next day, I left a Flying Leaf Dart on the stone wall, indicating that I had accepted the commission.

Actually, why did I accept it? Aside from the reason the employer wrote, it was also because of that high reward. It had been a long time since I’d received a commission; there are many in this world who want others dead, but very few are willing to spend the money to make it happen—let alone this much money. Although my previous high earnings kept me fed and clothed for now, if I continued to stagnate, I’d eventually eat through my savings. Besides, living a life of idleness for too long makes one start thinking life isn’t worth living.

And so, after some planning, I began my preparations.

At that time, I didn’t know just how perilous the road ahead would be—perilous enough to end my sixteen-year career as an assassin.