Cold Blade, Warm Wine - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

A familiar nightmare swept over me. Once again, I was gasping for air on the edge of life and death, like a dying fish out of water.

Someone caught my flailing hand mid-air. My instinctive wariness jolted me awake instantly.

I saw the Assassin, dressed only in his inner robes; he had clearly rushed over the moment he heard the commotion.

When a person is vulnerable, logic is unnecessary.

I buried my face in his chest, greedily embracing the only warmth I could grasp right now.

His heartbeat was steady and powerful. He smelled faintly of herbs and wood, mingled with his own natural scent-cold and calm. It set my heart at ease.

However, as an assassin, years of relentless day-and-night training had instilled in him an instinctive guardedness.

He was not used to such intimate contact.

The body I was holding grew increasingly tense, becoming as rigid as a stone statue.

Not wanting to make things too difficult for him, I gently loosened my arms.

Instead, he reached out with a large hand and pulled me firmly back into his embrace.

With a slight clumsiness, he began to stroke my back with his palm.

At the same time, he silently adjusted his breathing, forcing himself to get used to this contact.

A person can endure when they feel wronged, but if someone offers comfort, an emotional outburst is inevitable.

And so, I began to cry, as if the grievances in my heart had finally found a place to go.

The more he comforted me, the sadder I became. A flash of bewilderment crossed the Assassin’s face. Finally, with a soft sigh, he lowered his head and decisively silenced me with a kiss.

The last time we had such contact was because he had accidentally taken that medicine; this time, however, he was completely sober.

I was dazed as I was swept into a beautiful, hazy dreamscape. The panic from the nightmare was driven away until not a trace remained.

I felt the sliver of tenderness permeating from this man who was usually as cold as snow.

I surrendered to that tenderness.

Once the Assassin’s injuries healed, he prepared to head down the mountain. Using my status as his savior to coerce him, I finally managed to secure a spot by his side for the journey.

I packed a few small wine flasks into a bundle and headed down the mountain in high spirits.

The temple fair in the city was bustling. I ate and drank my way through the streets while the Assassin followed behind, footing the bill.

He seemed to have urgent business to attend to. That evening, after dropping me off at an inn, he prepared to head out. Before leaving, he instructed me not to go outside, specifically warning me to stay away from East Street.

The moment he left, I picked the lock and slipped out. That’s right-the scoundrel had actually locked me in the room.

I grabbed my small bundle and headed straight for East Street.

East Street was quiet during the day, but at night, it was as bright as noon.

The corridors on both sides of the street were lined with taverns, illuminated by brilliant lanterns and candles.

Hundreds of Hu Ji, heavily made up, gathered on the verandas. Seeing a guest arrive, they scrambled over to pull at my sleeves.

The rouge was so thick that it made me sneeze repeatedly.

I hastily begged for mercy. “Sisters, I’m only here to sell wine. I don’t have any money on me.”

The beauties wouldn’t let me go, laughing so hard they trembled. “Such a handsome young master doesn’t need to pay.”

The others all chimed in with laughter.

I was just considering whether to use some medicinal powder to quiet them down when a light cough sounded. An exquisite Madam descended from the upper floor.

“What’s this? None of you have work to do? Don’t want to eat tomorrow?”

The women seemed to fear her greatly and scattered instantly.

I hurried forward to greet her. “Beautiful Sister, this is wine I brewed myself, specifically for taverns. Please try some; I guarantee it’s the best in the world.”

The beauty covered her smile with her hand. “Come up.”

Overjoyed, I followed her upstairs. As I pushed aside the light silk curtains, I smelled a scent of rouge that was identical to the powder Zhishen had given me.

The beauty took a great liking to the wine I brought. She then had someone bring a jar of wine for me to taste, saying that if I could brew something similar, she would take both.

This wine was unusual. The moment I brought it to my nose, I smelled Parting Sorrow. I tilted my head back and drank it as if nothing were wrong.

After only a few cups, I was dead drunk.

“Truly handsome.” The beauty reached out to lift my chin. “It would be a pity for you to die just like this. How about Sister plays with you for a bit, so you can be a happy ghost?”

With a faint *click*, someone landed on the windowsill.

“Take your filthy hands off him, or I’ll tear them off finger by finger.” It was the Assassin.

“Ye Wuchang, do you intend to defy a Hall Order?” the beauty asked coldly.

“I will answer to the Hall Master myself. It is not your place to interfere.” The Assassin leaped down from the windowsill, scooped me up, and turned to leave.

He left the beauty behind in the room, fuming with rage.