Chương 39: The Secret Guard

"I've conducted a thorough search. The first time anyone saw Wang Jingyuan was at Xuanyan Mountain a little more than two months ago. She appeared in the village at the foot of the backside of the mountain and bought some basic supplies, including food and medicine. She told a woman in the village that she and her mentor were going up Xuanyan Mountain," Wuxin reported. "A week later, Wang Jingyuan buried her mentor with the help of the villagers. She told them that her mentor died from an illness. Then she left for the Capital in search of her senior brother."

Mo Xian nodded slowly. He was relieved that Wang Jingyuan did tell him the truth. "Anything else I should know?"

"According to my search, Wang Jingyuan has no family and no relations to anyone of concern," answered Wuxin. "Her past is a blank slate. I could not find anything about where she came from or who she is. That's very strange, sir."

"Very strange indeed." Mo Xian slowly tapped his index finger on the tea table. "Jing-Jing told me she came from a faraway place called Kaifeng. There's no such place in this country, correct?"

"Correct. There is no city, town, or village by the name of Kaifeng." Wuxin paused before speaking again. "Sir, I think there's something else you should know."

"What is it?"

"When Wang Jingyuan first appeared in the village, she was dressed peculiarly, wearing clothes that no one had ever seen before. According to the woman I spoke to, Wang Jingyuan wore a short sleeved shirt and skin-tight dark-blue pants made from an unrecognizable material. Her shoes were not sandals, boots, or the cloth shoes of the common people."

"Well, if she came from a place no one knows, then it is no surprise that she was wearing clothes no one has seen before." Mo Xian found the fact weird, but didn't think there was much to it. Wuxin looked up at Mo Xian.

"Sir, we can't discount the possibility that Miss Wang is an enemy spy," Wuxin warned quietly. "You should still be careful around her, sir." Mo Xian glanced at him, and Wuxin quickly bowed his head again.

"Wuxin, how long have you been with me?"

"All my life, sir."

"And how long is that?"

"Twenty-four years, sir."

"In these twenty-four years, you have always been my best secret guard. You have always accomplished the tasks I gave you exceptionally well, and you have always carried them out without question. Now, when did I have to ask your opinion first before making a friend?" Mo Xian's voice was quiet, but the authority in it was overwhelming. Wuxin bowed lower.

"This subordinate apologizes for overstepping. I meant no disrespect, sir."

Mo Xian sighed. "I know you're just looking out for me, Wuxin. Don't just kneel there; you may rise."

Wuxin bowed one more time before rising to his feet. Mo Xian poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip before speaking again. "Wuxin, do you know that I encountered two rounds of assassins on my trip here?" He gave Wuxin a short summary of what happened.

Upon hearing this, Wuxin dropped into a one-legged kneel again. He bowed his head and wrapped his left hand around his right fist. "This subordinate was derelict in his duties and was unable to protect the Master. Please give me the fitting punishment."

"Why are you kneeling again? Get up, get up. I wasn't scolding you." Mo Xian waved his hand. Wuxin slowly rose to his feet. "I brought it up for two reasons. One, if it wasn't for Jing-Jing, I would be dead the first time the assassins ambushed me. She saved my life both times, and she even got hurt because of me. She had no reason or obligation to save me, yet she did even when she had no idea of who I was. And I am not an ungrateful man."

Wuxin stayed silent, his eyes slightly downcast. Mo Xian continued. "Secondly, after the second assassination attempt, I am sure of who has been trying to harm me."

Wuxin looked up in surprise. Mo Xian reached into his wide sleeves and brought out a small cloth bundle. He tossed it to Wuxin.

"Take a look at this. The assassin from the second attempt left this behind."

Wuxin unwrapped the cloth bundle. A dagger came into view. He inspected it closely; a crest on the hilt caught his attention. "Sir, this crest—is this not the crest of the Fourth Prince?"

"It is." Mo Xian took another sip of his tea. "I never thought he would make such rookie mistake as to leave an item with his crest behind, but what can I say—his henchmen are nowhere as good as my secret guards. Wuxin, I want you to keep this safe for me. I will need it later."

Wuxin carefully wrapped the dagger back up and stuck it inside a hidden pocket. "I will keep this item safe with my life."

Mo Xian nodded. "Now that you and I are both back in the Capital, I have a new task for you. The others are still on their own missions, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Alright. I will ask them about what has happened in the Capital in my absence. Wuxin, you let me know immediately if the Fourth Prince makes any moves, no matter how small or insignificant. Understood?"

Wuxin bowed his head and clasped his right fist with his left hand in front of his face. "Yes, sir. Shall I have our people secretly protect you and Miss Wang, in case anything happens?"

"No need. Now that I'm in the Capital, I doubt the Fourth Prince or anyone else would do anything to me. Besides, with Jing-Jing's martial arts skills, I am safer than ever." Mo Xian felt the corner of his lips turn up with a smile when he talked about Jing-Jing.

Wuxin had never seen his master smile so…genuinely before. "Even safer than when I'm around?"

"Wuxin, are you jealous?" Mo Xian looked at his subordinate, amused.

"No. Of course not. How can I compare with Master's friend?" Wuxin lowered his gaze. He had been following Mo Xian and Wang Jingyuan around for a few days now. Although he saw how they interacted and how close Mo Xian seemed to be with Wang Jingyuan, he still didn't trust her entirely. It made him anxious to place his master's safety in this unknown young woman's hands, especially when she seemed so naïve and didn't even know Mo Xian's true identity. "Sir, I have a question, though I am not sure if it is appropriate for me to ask."

"You may ask."

"Sir, do you plan on letting Miss Wang know your real identity? She may find out sooner or later, especially here in the Capital."

"It will be better for her if she never found out. I don't want Jing-Jing to get caught up in the mess." Mo Xian's response was unhesitant and firm. "I don't know if I will ever tell Jing-Jing my true identity, or even how to tell her, but for now, let's hide it for as long as I can."

"Sir, you said the second assassin fled. The Fourth Prince knows of Miss Wang's existence. If he plots something—"

Mo Xian's expression darkened. "If he dares to touch a single hair of Jing-Jing, I will make him pay with his life. Wuxin, besides ensuring my safety, I also want you to ensure that no harm comes to Jing-Jing."

"Yes, sir." Wuxin bowed again.

"That is all for tonight. You may leave now." Mo Xian concluded the conversation. With one last bow, Wuxin turned and leapt out the window soundlessly. Mo Xian went to close the windows and looked out on the quiet street. Wuxin was nowhere in sight; it was as if he had disappeared into the shadows, and the conversation never happened.