The bathtub made of cedarwood was filled with hot water, steam rising and warming the entire room.
Before the water was brought in, some fragrance had already been added. As the servant prepared to pour petals from a small basket into the tub, Su Yan quickly stopped him. “I don’t need any of that! And I don’t need anyone to serve me either.”
The young attendant said, “Which scholar doesn’t use fragrance?”
Su Yan replied, “I’m a rough man.”
“If you’re a rough man, then we must be made of clay,” the servant joked, bowing as he left. “I still have two more buckets of hot water to fetch.”
After the door closed behind the attendant, Su Yan bolted it shut. He finally undressed, loosened his hair, and stepped into the bath.
The moment the hot water touched him, he felt his exhaustion melt away, as though even his bones were turning soft. Su Yan let out a contented sigh.
Beside the tub hung a soap dish with a round bar of soap. He washed his long hair first, then messily tied it up and secured it with a jade hairpin before efficiently cleaning the rest of his body.
He had been in this body for eight or nine months now and was still not used to it. Though it had a slim waist, long legs, and good proportions, it wasn’t as tall as in his past life. The skin was too pale, and the muscles were too thin. The only place that had any extra flesh was on his rounded, peach-shaped buttocks.
But what’s a grown man doing with a pair of peachy buttocks! D*mn it, when will the heavens return my 1.8-meter height, my biceps, six-pack abs, and those perfect obliques?!
Dejected, Su Yan stroked his flat abdomen, hoping to uncover some hint of abs beneath the smooth, white skin. Over the past six months since his transmigration, he had been exercising—night runs, lifting weights, sit-ups, and planks—but all to little avail. The few muscles he had managed to gain disappeared during a month of recovery from injury.
He could only console himself that this body was only 17 years old and still developing. Teen boys were often skinny, and muscle-building could wait until adulthood.
At least the most important part had developed quite well—of medium to large size, at least. It was the last bit of mercy from the heavens.
The water was still warm, and he was reluctant to get out. He wanted to soak a little longer.
A faint breeze slipped through the cracks in the windows, causing the candle flames on the table to flicker before steadying again.
Leaning back with his eyes closed, Su Yan didn’t notice the tall shadow that the candlelight cast on the floor behind him.
When a strong hand suddenly clamped around his throat, he opened his eyes with a start.
A rough, hoarse voice, clearly disguised, whispered close to his ear, “Don’t move, or I’ll kill you.”
Goosebumps rose all over Su Yan’s body. He instinctively leaned forward and felt something cold and hard press against his back—probably a blade.
The shadow of death descended sharply and unexpectedly. His heart pounded wildly in his chest, and his mind went blank.
But within that blankness, a thin thread of thought quickly emerged, weaving into a net. The more dangerous the situation, the clearer and more precise that net became, as if all his latent potential was being channeled into it.
If this person had truly come to assassinate him, they would have struck already. By now, he’d just be a corpse soaking in the tub. The fact that they spoke meant there was still room for negotiation.
Everyone has needs and vulnerabilities. If he could stall for time and find a point of leverage, there was a chance to survive.
“Brother,” Su Yan spoke softly, “if you spare me, whatever your employer promised, I can double it.” His tone was gentle. “If you want money, I’m the only son of a high official with a fortune. Just name your price. If you want a position, I can recommend you directly to the Crown Prince. He holds me in high regard and will surely agree. If someone is holding your family hostage to force your hand, just pretend you succeeded and report back. I’ll secretly inform the Emperor, and he’ll send troops to wipe them out, ensuring your family’s safety. You’ll never have to be controlled again.”
“On the other hand, if you kill me, you’ll commit an unforgivable crime. The Emperor and the Crown Prince will be furious, and the entire nation will hunt you down. You’ll have nowhere to hide. You’ll either be silenced by those who hired you or publicly executed, and your family will suffer as well. There’s no good outcome.
“Think about it carefully, brother. One moment of thought can change your fate entirely. Will you live as a respected official or die a criminal? The choice is yours.”
Su Yan felt his mouth go dry. He thought, I’ve laid out the pros and cons. Unless this guy has a deep personal grudge or is a fool, he should hesitate and reconsider. If not, well, there’s nothing more I can do. It’s in the hands of fate now.
Behind him, there was a faint, chilling laugh, made all the more unnerving by its hoarse tone. “Impressive,” the voice said. “Facing death, and you still have the gift of gab.”
It’s over—this was someone too skilled to be swayed by words. Su Yan sighed. “Brother, just kill me slowly. Let me at least put on some clothes first. It would be too humiliating to die naked in a bath. If you’re sending me off, at least leave me with a little dignity.”
After speaking, he tried to slowly get up. The cold, hard sensation behind him also moved down his spine, sliding past his lower back and probing into the cleft of his buttocks.
Su Yan’s hand, resting on the edge of the bath barrel, froze.
“B-b-brother—” he stammered.
“I fancy men, and seeing your soft skin and tender flesh, I’ve gotten aroused,” the man said bluntly. “If you comply, I’ll spare your life. Otherwise, I’ll kill you first and then have my way with your corpse. I won’t mind either way.”
Wait… Did he just say, I’m going to rape you, so either offer yourself up or I’ll kill you and then have my way with your body? Su Yan felt as though he’d been struck by lightning.
Life is precious, but virtue is priceless… No, that’s wrong.
Where there’s life, there’s hope… No, that’s not right either.
Isn’t there some way to have it both ways? I won’t make this choice! Su Yan grabbed the basket next to the bath barrel and threw the flower petals and soap beans over his head toward the man. Then, using the edge of the barrel as leverage, he leaped out amidst the splashing water.
If this were a martial arts film, this would definitely be a slow-motion scene filled with visual flair. Unfortunately, Su Yan wasn’t the protagonist with expert martial arts skills. As soon as he landed, he stepped on the soap beans, twisted his ankle, and fell backward.
Twice today! Gravity is my nemesis…
Just as he was about to scream “Assassin!” at the top of his lungs, his mouth was covered, and he was gently lowered onto the ground.
The hairpin fell with a light ding, and Su Yan’s long black hair, now without support, cascaded down like an inky wave, spilling from the air and settling on his bare shoulders and chest.
His black hair against his pale skin resembled dark clouds draped over snow, yet it couldn’t hide the tantalizing sight of his chest, where two faintly red points stood out like enticing berries on a snowy field.
A hand covered Su Yan’s eyes, and the man rasped, “Truly unyielding even at death. Fine, I’ll grant your wish.”
Su Yan heard the sharp sound of a blade being drawn and screamed internally, I yield! I yield! If I’m going to die and still be violated, it’s better to be alive!
Besides, there’s no way the guy could keep holding the weapon the whole time. When the moment is right, maybe I can use the hairpin to stab him in the neck.
But his mouth was covered, and he couldn’t say a word. His vision was blocked too, leaving him only aware of the weight of the man pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe.
The man looked down at Su Yan’s prone body. The hills and valleys of his form, covered in pale snow and pink hues, were laid out in full view. The moist steam and fragrant warmth of the bath added an intoxicating allure, and the man felt his heart ensnared, as if bound by countless invisible threads.
If he couldn’t escape, why not indulge forever?
***
When Wu Ming pried open the window with his sword, this was exactly what he saw:
The room was a mess of scattered petals, water flowing everywhere, and Su Yan, stark naked, being forcibly pinned down by a man dressed as a guard. His disheveled black hair contrasted sharply against his white skin, making the scene shocking. It looked more like an attempted rape than an assassination.
His pupils shrank, and he burst through the window with his sword in hand.
His sword was thin and sharp, moving with lightning speed. A flash of cold light, like a shooting star, struck out in an instant.
This was a killing sword, without flourish or show. Its target was the vital spot, and often the enemy wouldn’t realize what had happened before losing their life.
The guard’s reflexes, however, were quick. One hand was still covering Su Yan’s mouth, while the other slapped the scabbard at his waist. His blade shot out, barely managing to block the incoming sword tip.
Wu Ming twisted his wrist, and the sword trembled, tracing a strange arc as it slipped under the guard’s blade.
His goal was the man’s throat, and because the sword’s angle was so unusual, the guard mistakenly thought the assassin in black was aiming for the man beneath him. Without hesitation, he pushed Su Yan away.
Su Yan had barely regained his sight when he was flung aside by the force of the man’s palm, crashing into the bath barrel with a yelp of pain.
“Get out of here! I’ll deal with him,” the guard barked, his voice sounding entirely different from earlier.
Su Yan recognized the voice and, through gritted teeth, said, “Shen Qi!”
He dragged his aching ankle to stand, pulled a robe off the screen, and haphazardly wrapped it around himself. Recalling the humiliating situation Shen Qi had put him in earlier, he fumed, “Shen Qi, you b*stard! Go to h*ll!”
Shen Qi didn’t have time to respond.
The masked man in black was an exceptionally skilled fighter, his movements agile and ruthless. His sword pursued Shen Qi relentlessly. Shen Qi, on the other hand, found his blade cumbersome in the tight space, and even after dozens of exchanges, neither side had gained the upper hand.
“Who sent you to kill Su Yan? Wei Jun? Or Feng Que? Did you kill Ye Donglou?” Shen Qi asked as he blocked the blows, attempting to unsettle his opponent’s focus.
The masked man seemed momentarily distracted, and his sword faltered.
Seizing the opportunity, Shen Qi slashed at his face. The man dodged, but the force of the strike tore off his mask.
Su Yan, captivated by the intense fight, had been watching closely from the doorway, ready to bolt at any sign of trouble. When the black-clad swordsman’s face was revealed, it gave him quite a shock.
“Wu… Wu Ming?”
“Stop fighting! This is all a misunderstanding…” Su Yan said, trying to step closer but nearly caught by the swordplay.
Both combatants turned to him at once:
“Stay back!”
“Be careful, Lord Su!”
Then they glanced at each other, suspicion evident in their eyes. Their weapons clashed again, sending sparks flying.
Su Yan slapped his forehead, “I said stop fighting! Stand down, we’re all on the same side.”
Shen Qi eyed him warily. “You know this assassin? Don’t be fooled.”
“He won’t fool me. I saved his life, and he even stayed at my house for half a month,” Su Yan explained.
Shen Qi’s expression darkened as he scrutinized Wu Ming. Though Wu Ming wasn’t particularly handsome, his sharp brows and piercing eyes exuded an intense, cold aura, like stars in a winter sky or the glint of a blade in the snow. This wasn’t someone to be taken lightly.
“Your eyes… I feel like I’ve seen them before,” Shen Qi said, narrowing his eyes with suspicion.
Wu Ming stared back at him, and suddenly his gaze turned cold. “You’re the Embroidered Uniform Guard officer who was hunting me! Those three knife wounds on my body are all thanks to you!”
Shen Qi immediately recalled, “Ah, you’re the assassin who failed to kill Marquis Fengan! I chased you through half of the capital, and then you turned into a turtle. How did you end up hiding in the Qinghe household? Don’t tell me you begged him to save you!”
Wu Ming retorted sharply, “You’re nothing more than a lapdog for the corrupt, yet you have the nerve to bark like a mad dog here!”
As the two were about to fight again, Su Yan tried to intervene, but his efforts were in vain. Unable to stop them, he sat on the ground clutching his ankle, groaning, “It hurts so much… Oh no, I think it’s broken… You two just keep fighting, don’t mind me.”
The two men, thrown off by his injury, sheathed their weapons simultaneously and rushed over to check on him.
