Wei Yunzhao wasn’t sure either. "If it’s two groups, there aren’t enough people."
As soon as he finished speaking, two black-clad figures suddenly jumped down from the roof, heading straight for Wei Yunqi, who was in Wei Yunzhao’s arms.
Jiang Lin glanced at Wei Yunzhao. "Crow's mouth!"
[乌鸦嘴 (wū yā zuǐ)]: lit. Crow’s mouth; fig. Refers to someone who brings bad luck or predicts unfortunate events, often jokingly]
After scolding him, Jiang Lin fought with the two black-clad men. This was just the beginning. Every time Jiang Lin dealt with two attackers, two more would appear. There were even people shooting arrows from the rooftops, and Jiang Lin nearly got hit.
The old soldiers in the residence also came out to help. The attackers’ arrows didn’t spare even the servants trying to put out the fire, killing several of them.
Jiang Lin called out to Wei Yunzhao, who, while protecting Wei Yunqi with one hand, used hidden weapons to take down the archers on the roof.
With the constant influx of black-clad assassins, the entire Wei mansion descended into chaos. Shouts to fetch water and put out the fire, the clashing of weapons, and the screams of the women and maids in the courtyards filled the air. This was destined to be a restless night.
By the fourth watch, the fire was finally extinguished, but half of the Wei mansion had been burned, and several nearby houses had also been damaged.
[四更 (sì gēng): Fourth Watch, approximately 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM]
Zhaoyun Courtyard was littered with corpses. Jiang Lin held a sword, its tip dripping with blood. He had killed many people, more than he had in the small courtyard that night. His clothes were soaked in blood, and the blood splattered on his face had already dried.
Apart from him, many assassins had been killed by Xun Qi and Wei Yunzhao. Even Wei Yunji, the young girl, had killed someone to protect the other two girls.
Whether it was one group or two, whether they were here to kill or set fires, one thing was certain: the attackers had gone all out to ensure the Wei family’s destruction.
Jiang Lin ordered the servants to clean up the courtyard and brought Wei Yunji and the other girls to Zhaoyun Courtyard to stay with Wei Yunzhao. He then went to check on Madam Wei and the others.
The attackers had also targeted the courtyards of the other ladies. Although the old soldiers in the residence had eventually killed them, many people had been injured. Madam Wei and Wei Yunzhao’s third aunt were among the casualties, one injured and the other fainted from fright. The attackers had suffered heavy losses, but the Wei family had also paid a steep price.
Madam Wei was terrified and clung to Jiang Lin, refusing to let him go. Along with her fear, there was also resentment. She felt that Jiang Lin’s actions were too flamboyant and had brought trouble to the Wei family, now leading to a life-threatening situation.
Madam Wei cried, "You have martial arts skills, so of course you’re not afraid. But what about us? Those people could kill us with a single stroke of their swords. Jiang Lin, I beg you, stop causing trouble. I just want to live peacefully."
Jiang Lin pulled his hand away, not exactly angry but feeling that a dog couldn't stop eating poop, this person’s nature was hard to change.
[狗改不了吃屎 (gǒu gǎi bù liǎo chī shǐ)]: lit. A dog can’t stop eating poop; fig. Old habits die hard; someone’s nature is hard to change]
Jiang Lin said, "The aunts from the second, third, and fourth branches can say such things, but you cannot. You have no right."
"Dong Shi, remember this, without me, you would have died countless times already. But don’t worry, from now on, I won’t care about your life or death. For me, having one less person to blame me is even better."
Jiang Lin brought the aunts from the second, third, and fourth branches to Zhaoyun Courtyard but left Madam Wei behind.
When Madam Wei found out, she wailed loudly and cursed Jiang Lin, calling him a scourge.
Standing outside the door, the second aunt sighed when she heard Madam Wei cursing Jiang Lin. "Why can’t she understand? It’s clearly the Wei family that’s been dragging Xiao Lin down."
The fourth aunt chimed in, "She’s probably just scared. As long as someone has it out for the Wei family, no matter how well-behaved you are, you can’t escape. Heaven has no eyes."
Jiang Lin didn’t comment on this. After all, those who were clear-headed would always be clear-headed, while those who couldn't see the truth would never understand.
This night was destined to be sleepless night. After settling everyone else, Jiang Lin sat in the pavilion, lost in thought, while Wei Yunzhao bandaged his wounds beside him.
As dawn approached, Jiang Lin said, "Wei Yunzhao, I think the blood of the Yue family is filthy. I want to go kill that dog right now."
Wei Yunzhao pulled down Jiang Lin’s sleeve to cover his arm. "Hmm, let’s ask Yue Heng. If no one in the Yue family is fit to be emperor, I’ll start a rebellion."
Jiang Lin turned to him, surprised. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
"I don’t want to see you get hurt again. This is the third time. I’ve been keeping count."
"What kind of reason is that? And it’s such an afterthought. I’ve already been hurt before you said anything." Jiang Lin didn’t believe him.
Wei Yunzhao explained honestly, "Because in their eyes, human life is worthless."
He was becoming increasingly aware of this cruel reality. "Tonight, they came for Yunqi, a child. I can’t understand what threat he could pose to them that they would go to such lengths to kill him."
Jiang Lin patted him. "Because children grow up. When they grow up, they’ll shine as brightly as their fathers and brothers, making others wary. But the simplest reason is that if he dies, the Wei family will have no heirs."
Jiang Lin poked Wei Yunzhao’s leg. "After all, you can’t have children either."
Wei Yunzhao: "..." He had no rebuttal.
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