The night air in the Li Clan estate was calm, thick with the scent of lotus blossoms and quiet gossip. The kind of night where nothing was supposed to happen.
Of course, something did.
3:02 AM – Private Courtyard of Li Xian
I was in the middle of a very vivid dream involving three phoenix maidens, whipped cream, and a golden cauldron when I suddenly snapped awake.
Something wasn't right.
I sat up slowly in bed. The candle flame flickered even though there was no wind. My Qi stirred. The shadows in the room... moved.
"Qing'er?" I whispered.
No response.
I stretched lazily and let out a loud, fake yawn.
"I know you're there."
Silence.
Then—
A whisper behind me:
"You weren't supposed to notice."
I rolled to the side just as a dagger flashed through the air, slicing my pillow clean in half. Feathers exploded everywhere.
An assassin stood in the center of the room, completely dressed in black with a silver fox mask. Their movements were silent, like mist. But the killing intent was very real.
"Impressive reflexes," they said, voice smooth, definitely female. "I expected the spoiled brat to die in one strike."
I grinned.
"And I expected my night to end in a different kind of sweat. But here we are."
She lunged.
[SYSTEM WARNING]
Incoming attack detected!
Initiating Reflex Protocol: [Flirt + Dodge]
Success Rate: 82%
I ducked just as her leg whipped past my head. She was fast—Foundation Realm at least. But my senses were sharper now. Stronger.
Thanks, dual cultivation.
I grabbed a short blade hidden beneath my mattress (yes, I sleep with a backup weapon now—growth), and parried the next strike.
Steel clashed. Sparks flew.
She jumped back, narrowing her eyes.
"You're not like the reports said."
"Yeah, I get that a lot. What exactly did they say—'horny, weak, and easily stabbed'?"
"...More or less."
"Rude."
She attacked again, this time her strikes faster, aimed at pressure points. Her movements were beautiful—graceful, silent, precise.
Too bad I wasn't in the mood to die pretty.
I twisted, ducked, and locked her arm with mine in a spinning hold that sent her flying into a table. She crashed, rolling, but landed catlike on her feet.
"Who sent you?" I asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know."
"Yes. That's why I asked."
She tossed a hidden needle at me. I caught it between two fingers.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You… really aren't him."
Bingo.
"You're right," I said, stepping forward. "The old Li Xian would've begged. Or tried to seduce you in the middle of the stabbing. I'm not him."
She tilted her head. "Then who are you?"
I smiled.
"Let's just say… I'm the upgrade."
She lunged again—this time seriously.
Her dagger flashed in a flurry of moves. I blocked three, dodged two, and caught the last one in my palm. Blood dripped down my wrist.
"Impressive," she whispered.
"Thanks. But now it's my turn."
I channeled Qi into my hand.
For the first time since reincarnating, I activated a technique from my new arsenal:
[TECHNIQUE: Sun-Forged Palm – Tier 3]
Condenses Yang Qi into a blinding solar strike.
Recommended Use: Smacking the stupid out of someone.
My palm glowed. Heat surged. The assassin's eyes widened—but too late.
BOOM!
She flew backward, smashing through the screen wall and landing hard in the courtyard's flower garden. Rose petals and dirt exploded around her.
She coughed, tried to stand, and collapsed again.
I strolled out, still shirtless, blade in hand.
She was trying to crawl away.
I stepped on her back, gently.
"Going somewhere?"
"...Kill me."
"Tempting. But I'm feeling generous."
I knelt beside her and yanked off the fox mask.
Beneath it was a face so beautiful, it actually made me pause. Pale skin, sharp blue eyes, jet-black hair braided to one side. She looked more like a noble daughter than a killer.
"You're not just an assassin," I said. "You were trained by someone high up."
She flinched but said nothing.
"Who sent you?"
"...Shen Clan."
Of course.
"And your name?"
"...Lan Ruo."
"Well, Lan Ruo. Tell your little pebble prince that if he wants me dead, he'll need more than pretty eyes and poisoned blades."
She trembled beneath me. Whether from fear, pain, or something else—I wasn't sure.
I stood.
"I'll let you live. But only because your technique was kind of hot."
"Why?" she rasped.
I grinned.
"Because I'm not just a playboy anymore. I'm a problem."
[SYSTEM]
Host has successfully defended against an assassination attempt!
Yin Threat Detected: Assassin contains unique "Shadow Yin Vein"
Compatibility… HIGH
New Dual Cultivation Partner Unlocked: Lan Ruo
You've got to be kidding me.
Elsewhere, on a rooftop...
A man in black robes with a crescent-shaped scar over his left eye watched the courtyard silently.
"So… the rich fool has teeth now," he whispered.
Behind him, a crow cawed.
"Begin the next phase. He's more dangerous than we thought."
Author's Note
Things are heating up fast 🔥
Assassin girl unlocked? ✅
MC growing stronger? ✅
Enemies plotting in the shadows? ✅
Next: Lan Ruo's secrets, a new beauty arrives at the clan, and the mysterious invitation to join a powerful sect...
Let's goooo.
– ✍️ Kazuki Ren