Chapter 5: The Assassin

Just moments ago, as Duveil passed by Lin Wei, an instinctive sense of threat surged within him. Since he had begun practicing fencing, his biological instincts had been reawakened, and in that instant, Lin Wei sensed Duveil’s strangeness.

The door closed, and soon laughter and clamor erupted from within. Indecent, unnamable sounds drifted to Lin Wei’s ears.

Madam Marshall had been watching Lin Wei closely, forging a relationship with him was one of her objectives tonight. If all went as expected, this youth before her would, in the future of the Tulip Domain, become a man of formidable influence.

Never mind Belt’s arrogant, overbearing manner— even if he were to become the head of the Entu family, he would still have to show Lin Wei some courtesy in private. Today, Belt refrained from speaking with Lin Wei solely because Jon was present.

“Sir, let me keep watch here. I have also arranged for two young ladies for you to enjoy later,” Madam Marshall said with a gentle laugh.

But Lin Wei’s focus was entirely within the room— Duveil’s presence posed a grave threat to Jon’s safety. If anything happened to Jon, the current Lin Wei would be utterly powerless against the wrath of the Count of Tulip, who would surely destroy him.

“No need—”

Before Lin Wei could finish, a scream of agony pierced from within!

“That’s Jon’s voice!”

Lin Wei, wholly alert, reacted instantly, kicking the door open!

Madam Marshall, startled, hurried after him.

“Lin Wei, save me!”

The moment Jon saw Lin Wei enter, he shouted desperately for help.

Jon stood naked, a massive wound slashed across his arm, blood streaming down. Behind him stood the very Duveil who had seemed so strange to Lin Wei earlier.

Duveil’s own garments were torn to shreds, her private parts exposed without shame. On the inside of her thigh, some unidentified liquid clung. Clutching a sharp dagger, she lunged straight for Jon!

Belt and the others were paralyzed with terror, a mass of naked men and women huddled together, trembling.

“Useless cowards!” Lin Wei cursed inwardly, but his movements did not falter. He had to deal with Duveil as swiftly as possible.

Duveil had clearly noticed Lin Wei, yet paid him no heed— her sole intent was to kill Jon!

“Die!” Duveil’s eyes glinted with ruthless malice.

“Get back!”

Lin Wei shouted, his enhanced physique—honed by fencing—operating at its peak. He snatched up a vase and hurled it at Duveil’s right leg.

Duveil yelped in pain, her body staggering. The dagger that should have plunged into Jon’s chest instead carved another gash into his arm.

“This is the moment!”

Lin Wei darted forward, drawing the sword at his waist and striking down fiercely at Duveil!

He unleashed his fencing skills to their utmost.

A flash of steel— Duveil’s right hand, gripping the dagger, was severed at the root!

“Ah!” Duveil screamed. The agony nearly drove her unconscious. She instantly bit through her lip to stay awake, then lunged again at Jon, as if intent on tearing him apart with her teeth.

Though a girl, she possessed the strength of a grown man— clearly, she had received specialized training. Lin Wei pondered this, but his actions did not slow. He kicked Duveil hard in the abdomen, sending her crashing against the wall.

Realizing her chance was lost, a look of grim resolve crossed Duveil’s face.

“Trying to kill yourself?”

Lin Wei instantly sensed her intent to bite through her own tongue. He hooked her jaw with a punch, and her once-beautiful face was immediately covered in blood.

With a crack, Lin Wei dislocated her jaw, then swiftly shattered all four of her limbs.

In a blink, a once-elegant golden-haired maiden was turned into a blood-soaked ruin.

“Kill her! Lin Wei, kill her for me!”

Jon, seeing the danger pass, clutched his bleeding wound, his face twisted with rage as he shouted at Lin Wei.

“Not yet, young master.” Lin Wei explained calmly, “We must uncover this woman’s origins, or more trouble will follow.”

Jon gritted his teeth, and, recalling that Lin Wei had just saved his life, forced himself to calm down, his voice almost a roar: “Very well, we must get to the bottom of her backers. I’ll make her wish she were dead!”

“Belt!” Jon’s eyes blazed as he glared at the trembling Belt. “You nearly got me killed!”

“Jon…” Belt’s voice quivered— he knew he was in serious trouble now.

Jon would have none of his explanations. He roared, “Have your men take me back to Tulip Manor!”

“Lin Wei, stay here. I’ll have my father send people to take over this matter shortly.” Jon’s expression softened; he was highly satisfied with Lin Wei’s performance tonight.

“Yes, young master!” Lin Wei answered.

Belt, his fat quivering, threw a coat over Jon’s shoulders, hastily pulled on his own trousers, and rushed to lead Jon out.

At the threshold, Jon suddenly turned back, his gaze icy as it landed on the now helpless Madam Marshall. “Lin Wei, cripple this woman for me!”

At this, Madam Marshall’s legs gave out. She sobbed for mercy, “Young master Jon, spare me, please spare me!”

Jon shot her a cold glance and strode away.

Madam Marshall, trembling, looked at Lin Wei, terror overflowing in her eyes.

She had seen with her own eyes the cold-blooded methods of this delicate-looking youth.

Jon’s command to “cripple” her… It could mean making her an invalid, or it could mean… taking her life.

Madam Marshall understood that her fate now rested entirely in the hands of this boy.

She tried to speak, but found her throat constricted, unable to utter a sound. She could only look at Lin Wei with pleading eyes.

Lin Wei tilted his head. He actually resented Jon’s order. His earlier ruthlessness with Duveil was because she had threatened Jon’s safety— which, in turn, endangered his own life. Madam Marshall, on the other hand, was just a bystander; her only crime was being the housekeeper of Golden Splendor Waters.

“Forgive me, Madam Marshall.” Lin Wei’s face betrayed no emotion as he approached, fully aware of her terror.

Naturally, he made his choice. For the sake of an unrelated person, to fall out with Jon? Impossible.

He stood over Madam Marshall, looking down at her.

“Spare me…” Her voice was hoarse, every ounce of strength spent.

“I’m sorry…”

In a flash, Lin Wei swung his sword. Blood spattered.