Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 42: A Half Truth

[Xi Feng]

"You've arrived."

"Yes, your humble servant Cao Xin is here," Cao Xin said as he held up his arms and bowed.

The room was dimly lit. There was black cloth everywhere. On the floor, there were layers and layers of black cloth, crisscrossing this way and that. In front of him, two torch stands stood on either side of a big piece of translucent black cloth that hung from the ceiling, veiling the man behind it. His shadow moved as he lifted his arm. "Please rise."

"Thank you, Master." Cao Xin straightened.

"Tell me your latest news."

"Yes Master. I have found Quan Mo Ran and given him the Yan Gu, but he doesn't know it yet. The power you used is really good to use. He didn't know it was the Yan Gu. It will reveal its true form when the time is right."

"Hahaha!" A voice rumbled. "Cao Xin, I underestimated you. I have picked the right man for this mission! First stealing the Yan Gu from that old fox who controls the Hei Feng and now, you have successfully given it to Mo Ran, throwing doubt onto his Yi Fu. As soon as he suspects his Yi Fu, he won't be as easy to be manipulated by that old fox. Maybe we can then swoop in and get rid of him, becoming the best assassin in Jiang Hu!"

"Master, you want to jiè dāo shā rén! You are wise, Master!"

"And you, my good student, have learned well."

Pause.

"Is there anything else you wanted to say, Cao Xin?"

Cao Xin lifted his arms and bowed his head slightly. "Yes, I also learned that Luo Xiao Zhao has evidence of our organization."

"Did you take care of it?"

"Rest assured, Master. I have taken away the symbol in the guise of helping him find out its true meaning. What do you want me to do?"

"I trust your decision of what to do. Afterall, you the my proudest student ever and most successful. Whatever you plan to do, do it with ease. If anything is to happen, I will take care of it."

"Cao Xin understands. Thank you Master for your trust in me."

"Tell me, what are you thinking of doing?"

"Well, since Xiao Zhao wants to know about Xi Feng, why don't we let him? He can find out the truth about what happened back then and while we're at it, we can destroy his relationship with Han Jun. Afterall, if he finds out the truth between Han Jun and his mother, would he still be willing to be friends with Han Jun?"

"What you propose is very wise. But remember, Cao Xin, you should never allow Xiao Zhao to know that he and Han Jun are related."

"Understood. Because Cao Xin knows, that as soon as they realize they are related to each other, they may team up and be a very strong force to reckon with. We should destroy them before they can know the truth."

"You are indeed the student I am most proud of! Do as you plan."

"Yes Master. I shall take my leave now," with that Cao Xin backed out of the room.

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[Quan Mo Ran]

Who could it have been? Who set the library on fire? Mo Ran sat on his bed, a book folded in half in his hand. If it wasn't Cao Xin, then it must be someone else. But who could it be? The only two people there was Han Jun and Xiao Zhao. But they are unlikely candidates. Han Jun is way too innocent to set a whole building on fire and it Xiao Zhao has no reason to do so. Who could it be?