Chapter 61 Hiring Killers to Kidnap Someone?

Giant Saber Town.

The desolate town appeared exceptionally eerie, with not a single figure visible in the empty, winding alleys.

Yet, a faint, lingering scent of blood could still be detected in the air!

Chen An and Wu the Dull walked into an inn that looked relatively new.

The old wooden tables and chairs were covered with countless marks left by swords and iron weapons.

A few youthful waiters sat on the long benches, yawning, while an elderly innkeeper listlessly clicked his abacus beads.

The counter was tightly packed with silver ingots of various sizes, roughly amounting to several hundred taels.

Even the somewhat blockheaded Wu the Dull sensed that something was amiss: "Brother, it feels a bit dangerous here."

"Danger is precisely what we want; which den of thieves isn't dangerous?" Chen An adjusted his robes and walked in with a smile.

Hearing someone brazenly shout the words "den of thieves" in broad daylight, even the seemingly indifferent innkeeper could not help but feel a flicker of curiosity.

"I say, young brother, under the bright sun and in broad daylight, it is probably unwise of you to speak so recklessly."

"Although our inn is small, we operate an honest business."

"Is that so? If that's the case, it seems you won't be able to take my business." Chen An pulled a five-hundred-tael banknote from his pocket.

Clearly, upon seeing the banknote, the previously listless waiters instantly perked up, their greedy gazes fixing onto the paper like glued buttons.

Even the innkeeper revealed a playful smile, gently flicking the abacus beads back to zero before laughing, "Someone, bring tea for our two distinguished guests."

Soon, two steaming cups of Biluochun tea were served.

Chen An gently swirled the teacup, held the lid to brush away the leaves, and took a small sip. "Not bad, pre-Qingming tea."

The innkeeper crossed his arms and chuckled softly, "Esteemed guest, Giant Saber Town can be considered a barren backwater. Since you are visiting with so much money, you must be in some trouble. Tell me, what do you need us to do?"

"Help me run an errand."

The innkeeper swept his palm to the side and immediately burst into laughter, "Good! Then please, young master, step inside for a detailed discussion!"

"Brother," Wu the Dull whispered, fearing something might happen to Chen An, and cautioned him carefully.

"It's fine, this is their territory; when in Rome, do as the Romans do," Chen An patted Wu the Dull's shoulder reassuringly before speaking.

Chen An followed the innkeeper into the courtyard, only to discover that the backyard was a world of its own.

Not only was the architecture adorned with carved beams and painted pillars, but many of the details were also exquisitely crafted.

Especially the complete set of top-quality golden-thread nanmu furniture, which served as the finishing touch.

"You look unfamiliar, young master. If I'm not mistaken, this is probably your first time visiting Giant Saber Town."

A piercing gleam flashed in the innkeeper's eyes. "I always keep my doors open for business here, but I wonder who you might be, young master? And what brings you to us?"

"The pugilistic world has its own rules. My purpose here today is simply to get things done, and I will pay every single cent without fail. As for what shouldn't be asked, I'm afraid you shouldn't ask either."

"Haha, since the young master is straightforward, I naturally won't ask any further." The innkeeper leaned closer. "I wonder what task you wish to accomplish?"

"There is someone who has always been at odds with me. I want you to bring him to me."

"So it's a kidnapping business," the innkeeper said. "We are quite skilled at this sort of work, but I wonder whose target is valuable enough to be worth five hundred taels of silver?"

"Cheng Huan, the legitimate eldest son of Cheng Qian, the Prefect of Youzhou."

Chen An stated each word clearly.

Even though the innkeeper had mentally prepared himself, he still could not help but draw a sharp breath upon hearing those words.

"Esteemed young master, if you put it that way, the banknote in your pocket is far too scorching to hold. I'm afraid our Giant Saber Town lacks the courage for this. Perhaps you should shop around elsewhere?"

"Giant Saber Town is one of the top three assassin organizations in Youzhou—you kill people, plunder goods, and split the loot. Seeing you today, I never expected you to be so cowardly."

"Call it whatever you like," the innkeeper explained. "No matter how powerful Giant Saber Town is, we are still bandits. Even a lowly bailiff represents the government, let alone the Prefect of Youzhou. The reason Giant Saber Town has stood tall for so many years is precisely because of one rule: bandits and officials do not cross paths."

"If that's the case, then do you also know nothing about an assassin named Zhong Miao who recently attempted to murder the commander of the Tiger Battalion at Youushan Pass?"

As soon as Chen An uttered these words, cold sweat immediately poured down the innkeeper's back. "Who are you? How do you know about these matters?"

"I am Chen An."

The moment the name Chen An was spoken, even the temperature of the air abruptly plummeted by several degrees.

The waiters who had been standing guard at the entrance instantly drew their blades and stared at Chen An with piercing eyes.

Compared to the inn's occupants, who were treating him like a formidable enemy, Chen An appeared completely calm and composed, as if he had anticipated this all along.

"What? Does being poked in your weak spot displease you?" Chen An sneered. "Or do you think I, Chen An, am young and easy to bully?"

"Young Master Chen, oh, no! Commander Chen!"

The innkeeper hurriedly explained, "There were reasons behind that incident; please let us explain."

"No need for explanations. People say Giant Saber Town feeds five hundred assassins and is renowned throughout the Youzhou pugilistic world. I wonder how it would hold up if it clashed head-on with my Tiger Battalion?"

Chen An managed to deliver the most serious threat using the mildest tone possible.

The innkeeper was naturally no fool. Based on Chen An's implication,

if he refused today, Giant Saber Town would likely be trampled into a pile of ruins by tomorrow.

After all, government forces needed evidence to suppress bandits, but military troops only needed coordinates.

At this moment, the innkeeper was caught riding a tiger and unable to dismount, trapped in a difficult dilemma.

Seeing that his objective had been achieved, Chen An stopped pressing further. "Alright, Innkeeper, I am not a vengeful person. What's done is past, and I can offer you a path where neither side suffers."

"What brilliant insight does Commander Chen have?"

"Hand over Zhong Miao, and let him take this job."

"But..."

"Hmm?"

Chen An merely cast a questioning glance, and the innkeeper immediately changed his tune. "In that case, everything shall be done according to Commander Chen's wishes."

...

Inside the Cuihong Pavilion at a market thirty miles outside of Giant Saber Town.

Zhong Miao lay in the arms of Su Shiniang, the top courtesan, with his eyes slightly closed, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

This had already become an old habit of Zhong Miao's; whenever he felt irritable or distressed, he would seek solace with his beloved to calm his mind.

Speaking of their origins, there was quite a story behind it.

Back then, Zhong Miao had just entered the profession, making a name for himself overnight through his exceptional archery skills.

During his very first mission, he happened to encounter Su Shiniang, who was selling herself to bury her father.

After shooting dead with arrows the ruffians who coveted Su Shiniang's beauty, he still personally escorted Su Shiniang into the Cuihong Pavilion.

The former acted out of human morality, while the latter acted out of professional ethics.

Time flew by in a flash, and the agreed-upon date between the two was drawing closer and closer.

Zhong Miao's promise of "Wait for me three years, and after three years I will come to redeem you" had reached its final countdown.