At winter’s end and spring’s beginning, all things awaken. Yet, in the northern borderlands, a heavy snow suddenly fell upon Liaoluo City.
“White snow dislikes the late coming vernal breeze, in plays the parting flowers flying through the trees.” In a grand mansion within Liaoluo City, an elderly man dressed in a cotton robe sat beside the large lake in the courtyard, watching the snow. He extended his right hand, observing the delicate snowflakes drifting through his fingers, and murmured these words softly.
“I thought this winter was over.” A young voice suddenly sounded from behind him.
The old man’s expression remained unchanged. He simply picked up the wine jug at his feet, tilted his head back, and took a sip. “Those of us at this age, each year we wait for winter to end quickly. Because every end of winter means we’ve survived another year, and waking up is a new beginning. But alas, winter has passed, yet another snow has fallen, and you have arrived, the Ghost of the Dark River.” The old man turned his head and looked at the uninvited guest.
The newcomer was dressed entirely in black, holding an oiled paper umbrella in one hand. His face was covered by a red demon mask, but his voice was calm and cool. “Forgive the intrusion.”
“Hahahaha. An assassin at the door, holding a deadly weapon, yet still so polite and courteous. How intriguing.” The old man scrutinized the umbrella-bearer. “Judging by your attire, you must be the top expert of the Su family’s current generation, the Umbrella Ghost.”
“It’s an honor to have my name known by Second Master Tang,” the Umbrella Ghost said indifferently.
“Dark River, the world’s number one assassin organization, capable of killing royalty and nobility in the court and wiping out major martial arts sects in the wild. And you, Umbrella Ghost, have carried out 107 top-tier missions flawlessly at such a young age. A few years ago, you were even chosen by the Patriarch of the Dark River to lead their elite assassin squad, taking over the position of Kui.” The old man, addressed as Second Master Tang, lightly twirled his fingers, causing a wisp of snow to swirl around his fingertips. “It seems Dark River holds me in high regard, sending you to kill me. What a pity, though.” Second Master Tang flicked his hand, and the wisp of snow shot towards the Umbrella Ghost.
The Umbrella Ghost tilted his head slightly, and the wisp of snow shattered an inch before his face, turning into dust.
“Pity what?” the Umbrella Ghost asked.
“Pity that you alone are not enough!” Second Master Tang stood up and removed his cotton robe. “Even if you are the best assassin in the Dark River today.”
The Umbrella Ghost took a step back. “Second Master Tang misunderstands. Today, I am merely an observer.”
“Oh? Then the one to kill me is…” Second Master Tang suddenly turned his head, and with a swift movement of his long sleeve, a small crimson arrow flew out from his cuff, shooting towards the rooftop.
“Naturally, it is I.” The elderly man with white hair appeared on the rooftop. With a sweep of his sleeve, he intercepted the crimson arrow. Another flick of his wrist, and the arrow snapped in two, falling to the ground.
The patch of snow surrounding the small arrow suddenly turned blood red.
“In my youth, I was arrogant and caught one of your hidden weapons barehanded, nearly dying from the poison.” The white-haired old man took out a tobacco pipe and slowly took a puff. “Forty years have passed since then, and I won’t fall for that trick again.”
“You’re already the Patriarch of the Dark River, yet you still remember a grudge from forty years ago,” Second Master Tang sneered.
The Patriarch sighed softly. “It’s not that I want to remember our grudge, but I never expected to receive an order to kill you even when I’m about to retire.”
Second Master Tang raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So the Patriarch of the Dark River also takes on personal assassination missions. How intriguing.”
“Your Tang Sect never stays quiet. Instead of minding your own business in the martial world, you meddle in the affairs of Tianqi City.” The Patriarch leaped down, landing on the snowy ground. “But alas, you chose the wrong side.”
“So it was someone from Tianqi City who sought out your Dark River?” Second Master Tang’s pupils constricted slightly. “You dare to accept such a contract?”
“As I said, even I cannot evade this task.” the patriarch lunged forward with a swift step. With a gentle flick of his tobacco pipe, he struck towards Second Master Tang’s face.
“So, who sent you?” Second Master Tang extended a finger, effortlessly deflecting the smoking pipe. With a swift sweep of his right hand, three silver needles shot toward the patriarch.
“Revealing the client’s information is not something a competent assassin should do.” The Patriarch placed his hand on the hilt of the longsword at his waist and, with a twist of his body, dodged the three silver needles. The hilt of the longsword was engraved with a lifelike golden dragon, but the dragon’s eyes were closed, as if it was in a deep slumber.
“To make the Patriarch of the Dark River unable to refuse, could it be the current Emperor?” Second Master Tang casually waved his hand, snapping off a nearby plum blossom branch. He then tapped the branch against the plum tree, and the blossoms suddenly swirled down from the tree, attacking the Patriarch.
“What a splendid move, ‘Blossoms Scattering in the Wind.” The Patriarch’s longsword danced in the air, forming a net of blades that stopped the plum blossoms three feet away.
The Umbrella Ghost, standing nearby, slowly tightened his grip on the umbrella handle, a faint killing intent emanating from his body. He had fought members of the Tang Sect before and had seen the “Blossoms Scattering in the Wind” technique. Typically, Tang Sect experts would use hidden weapons to execute this move. However, this Second Master Tang could truly knock down a tree’s worth of plum blossoms with a casual flick, mastering the pinnacle of hidden weapon techniques! It seemed he was right—if the Umbrella Ghost had come alone, he definitely wouldn’t have been able to kill Second Master Tang.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had such an exhilarating battle!” The Patriarch swung his longsword, charging out from the rain of blossoms. The sleeping dragon on the sword hilt suddenly opened its eyes, revealing a fierce and domineering gaze!
Second Master Tang sighed softly, and the plum blossom branch in his hand suddenly turned blood red.
The Umbrella Ghost tightened his grip on the umbrella handle and took a step forward.
“Muyu, stand down!” the Patriarch shouted. The Umbrella Ghost immediately stopped and did not make another move. The Patriarch and Second Master Tang passed each other, and when they landed, the Patriarch’s sword was gone from his hand.
The sword was embedded in Second Master Tang’s chest.
“When it comes to the art of killing, no one in the world can compare to you,” Second Master Tang said with a bitter smile.
The Patriarch looked at the fallen plum blossom branch on the ground, wiped the blood from his cheek, and also gave a wry smile. He said softly, “Snowfall Plum Blossom.”
“On the road to the Yellow Springs, I’ll rest for a while. Don’t make me wait too long.” Second Master Tang closed his eyes and slowly settled down in the snow.
* In Chinese culture, the Yellow Springs (黄泉) refers to the underworld.
The Umbrella Ghost stepped forward, pulling the longsword from Second Master Tang’s chest. He then walked over to the Patriarch’s side and asked in a low voice, “You could have avoided that just now. He is Second Master Tang, and his plum blossom branch must have been coated in deadly poison.”
The Patriarch nodded. “But that was the best opportunity to kill him.”
The Umbrella Ghost sheathed the longsword and said, “Let’s return to the Dark River. We’ll have the Mu Clan’s best physician treat you immediately.”
“We cannot return to the Dark River.” The Patriarch firmly placed a hand on the Umbrella Ghost’s shoulder. “Go to Qiantang City and find a man named Bai Hehuai.”
The Umbrella Ghost hesitated for a moment. “Are you concerned that if the other families learn of your injury…”
“They’ve been waiting for a long time.” The Patriarch tapped a few acupoints on his chest and then slowly walked forward. “Find Bai Hehuai, and then we head north.”
“Head north? To where?” the Umbrella Ghost asked.
“Home,” the Patriarch said solemnly.
“Home!” The Umbrella Ghost’s hand holding the umbrella trembled violently.
“Yes, home. There, I will take you to see the person you most want to see.” The Patriarch glanced back.