Chapter 243
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“Those who were originally imprisoned and trained to fight have nowhere to go now. Many don’t know how to live in the outside world and have come here to seek a way out,” Marc said.
Margaery nodded. While feeling reassured, she also deeply sensed how perilous the outside world truly was. And the path she was about to take was to make this world a better place.
She asked the seller, “Can I have a look at their skills?”
The seller nodded and replied, “Yes, you can.” As he spoke, he looked at the four people and said, “You guys form two pairs, attack each other, and let this distinguished guest have a look.”
The four nodded in silence, then sprang into action. In an instant, the wind and snow whipped up, leaving only fleeting shadows.
Their strikes were fast, fierce, and precise; completely unlike ordinary moves. The fight raged with blazing intensity, their eyes gleaming with a wolfish light, as if their own lives meant nothing to them.
“That’s enough!” Margaery quickly called a halt. “Moving on, you’re merely bodyguards for ordinary families. Being a bodyguard is your means of livelihood; there’s no need to fight to the death like this. You must cherish your lives; we come to this world only once.”
After dying once, Margaery deeply felt how reckless she had been in her previous life, as if she would never die. Only when death arrived did she understand how brief life truly is. And now, naturally, she would cherish life more.
She spoke these words with genuine sincerity, and these words brought tears to the eyes of the four youths. They clasped their fists and dropped to one knee, saying, “We’re willing to follow you; no matter the cost, even unto death.”
For all these years, their former master had cared only about orders and victories; no one had ever spared a thought for their lives. When they first entered that assassin organization, there were 320 of them. Now, only four of them were left.
Had the organization not been wiped out, they would have turned on one another, fighting until only a single survivor was left. But now, all four of them could survive, and what was more, they had found a worthy master. All four were deeply grateful.
“Get up,
all of you. What are your names?” Margaery asked them to rise, looking over the four youths, feeling a surge of emotion in her heart.
They were about her age, perhaps two or three years older, or just a year. Yet, they were already making a living out in the world. The suffering of the mortal world is no more than this, she thought to herself. Suddenly, she felt that her own grievances had faded away.
From now on, I’m one of the countless people in the world who can endure any hardship, overcome any obstacle. Free of the restraints of a young lady’s status, free of the narrow confines of the inner quarters, I now feel lighter, unburdened at last, she thought.
The oldest youth stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “I’m Blood Fiend. This youth was a full head taller than Margaery, with handsome, wild features, dark skin, but eyes that were bright and sharp, like a wolf cub emerging from the jungle.
‘But this name… Margaery’s lips twitched as she thought to herself. “No wonder you’re an assassin, that name is chilling,” she
said.
She then asked another youth, “What about you?”
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Chapter 243
“Seven Kill!” the youth replied, his voice clear and resolute.
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He was young, no more than seventeen. Like Marc, his skin was fair, but there was nothing warm or gentle about his gaze. One look from him cut like a cold blade.
He was especially thin and frail. Standing there in the wind and snow, he looked as though a gust might scatter him, but on closer inspection, he was more like a drawn knife, cold and lethal, enough to send a chill down one’s spine.
Margaery took a deep breath and asked the names of the remaining two girls. One was a sweet–looking girl with a round face, looking like sixteen, her eyes curved like crescent moons. She could smile.
Her smile was radiant, but highly deceptive. Even when she struck just now, she was smiling, though her eyes were filled with deadly intent.
‘Smiling tiger. No, at this moment, she looked more like a smiling little kitten,‘ Margaery thought to herself.
She answered sweetly, “Bell.”
‘Finally, there’s someone without a murderous aura, Margaery thought. The last was a tall young woman, about nineteen, very cold and aloof, barely speaking, with little expression in her eyes. She stood there holding a sword, warning strangers to keep their distance.
Her speech was equally cold and very sparing with words. “Whitecliff,” she said.
Margaery looked at the four and swallowed hard. “I’m bringing you guys home to practice swordsmanship with me and help me train. But remember, from now on, you’re no longer assassins. Do not take lives lightly,” she said.
She was afraid that if these four lost focus for a moment, they might simply kill her. Her demeanor, however, amused the four; even the aloof older girl’s lips curled upward slightly.
Bell said, “That won’t happen. From now on, you are our provider; who would destroy their own livelihood?”
“Alright then, come with me,” Margaery said. She took a deep breath and made the payment. She had borrowed it from Marc, as these four were highly skilled in martial arts, so their price was not low.
Although these people had come to sell themselves, as they had no connections and went through the seller’s channel, they had to pay a commission. The commission was rather high and could only be covered by the buyer.
Unfortunately, Margaery was a bit poor; she could only tell Marc, “Once I earn money practicing medicine, I’ll pay you back.
Marc smiled and said, “Alright.” He realized that his new little sister was actually quite endearing. ‘It’s truly perplexing for the Wallen family to force such a young girl into this situation,‘ he thought.
Margaery handed over the money and led the group away. The four assassins trailed behind the carriage. Margaery sat inside, feeling a little strange.
Safe? Well, there were four assassins behind her. Just the word assassin, plus the two male ones‘ names, didn’t exactly inspire
warmth.
Nervous? Maybe a little. After all, they were newly hired, and they’ve promised they wouldn’t harm their provider, Margaery thought to herself.
In short, it was her first time she had such people around her, and she felt odd. Nevertheless, from now on, she would have four experts by her side and no longer need to rely on Adam and Solon for everything, nor Amber, that thirteen–year–old girl.
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Chapter 243
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Margaery even considered, once things stabilized, letting Amber learn martial arts and literacy, training her well so she could eventually handle matters independently, which would also honor her nursemaid’s care.
The group returned to the inn. Marc had matters to attend to at court and excused himself to get busy. Margaery stayed behind, chatted with her four new subordinates, and upon inquiry, learned that all four were orphans.
“From now on, we are family.” Margaery smiled at them and said, “Prepare to settle in for a while. Get acquainted with Amber first; I’ll read for a bit.”
The four followed Amber and exchanged pleasantries. Margaery read for a while. By evening, her four guards and Amber returned, bringing steaming hot food.
Amber’s face was red from the cold, and she sniffled as she said, “Miss Wallen, the people out there are saying that the imperial guards smashed the Chancellor’s estate’s nameplate. Now rumors are spreading that the Chancellor’s estate will be ruined soon.”
Margaery looked up and replied, “From now on, the affairs of the Wallen family have nothing to do with us anymore.”
If the Wallen family were an ordinary household, she would have sought revenge for her past life as she pleased. But that was not the case.
Raul had served as Chancellor for ten years; his roots ran deep. If she sought revenge, it would be like stirring up a hornet’s nest, meddling in matters beyond her control.
Those were matters of the court and the King. Therefore, she did not need to worry about it, as overstepping would be risking her life.
Amber sighed with emotion at these words and said, “I also heard that after Mr. Wallen returned home, he has been restless, kept calling your name, hoping you would go back.”
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