Soulbound: Chronicles Of A Shadow Assassin-Chapter 26: Cut Off

The next morning, Jingwei didn’t waste time, and immediately set out to Mingyu’s former home, with some other Mages who were aware of Yan Jianyu’s identity as the Yewang.

They didn’t even get to search for long before they found the note Mingyu had left for them.

"Find a merchant who is selling a Jinxing spirit plaque, and then you would be able to find me. I’ll be waiting." Jingwei read the note aloud.

"Jinxing spirit plaque, huh?" Jingwei muttered to himself, before turning to face the others. "Let’s go!"

They left Mingyu’s home, traveling through the forest until they got to the central city.

Jingwei led them straight to a tavern, popular known for it’s dealings with black market. They marched in, and were greeted with the sight of so many people going about their businesses–both merchants and customers.

Spotting a man sitting at the far end of the tavern, Jingwei marched forward, and only stopped when he was right before the man’s table.

"I’m looking the one selling a spirit plaque." He said without beating around the bush. "Jinxing’s spirit plaque, to be precise."

The merchant raised his head to look at the imposing figures who were standing before him. Swallowing hard, he quickly stood up. "Just a moment, young men. I’ll have them fetched, right away. Come with me."

He ushered them upstairs, lodging them in a room meant for VIP guests, and quickly sent one of his underlings to go fetch whoever had requested the sale of a Jinxing spirit plaque. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

In less than an hour, the person finally arrived, carrying the spirit plaque along.

The merchant greeted the person, and immediately gave out directions to the room where the supposed customers were waiting. "You will find them upstairs. The very last room."

"Thank you." The person said, and quickly made their way upstairs.

....

"How could you lose such a precious item?!" Mingyu yelled at Li Mei, who was frantically searching her room for the spirit plaque which had suddenly gone missing.

"I did not lose it. Someone must have stolen it." Li Mei defended, and she suddenly paused as if thinking about something. "It must be Ai Ling!"

"Who the heck is Ai Ling?" Mingyu asked with furrowed brows. I’m going to kill her!

"An ambitious wench I took under my wings. There’s no time. We have to get to The Red Lion tavern before she does something stupid." Li Mei said as she took Mingyu’s hand in hers, and dragged him along, running out of her room, and out of the brothel.

Back at the tavern, Ai Ling had gotten into the room where Jingwei and the other Mages were.

The other Mages were standing, while Jingwei sat comfortably at a table, so she assumed him to be the boss. "Are you the one who wants to buy this?" She asked, as she brought out the spirit plaque from the folds of her robes.

"Yes, indeed, I am." Jingwei said as eyed the plaque in her hand.

Kill him to avoid more problems. He’s no longer useful. Yan Jianyu’s words replayed in Jingwei’s head.

Jingwei slowly stood, and picked up his sword from the table as he walked towards her.

Ai Ling’s eyes widened in terror, and she instinctively tried to run, but she was immediately held captive by the other Mages.

"I can’t believe the so called Shadow Assassin could stoop so low to transfer his soul into the body of a useless woman." He said with a tone that dripped with mockery.

"Excuse me?" Ai Ling could only say in confusion, shivering from head to toe.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Mingyu and Li Mei had just arrived, and Li Mei quickly located the head Merchant.

"You know me, right?" She said, amidst her heavy breathing.

The man looked up at them, and smiled in recognition of Li Mei. "Who wouldn’t know the owner of the number one brothel in Huayang?" He chuckled, "What can I do for you?"

"I told you to let me know if someone was interested in buying Jinxing’s spirit plaque." She whispered.

"And I did." The man said. "Weren’t you the one who sent the lady? She is currently meeting them upstairs."

"See!" Li Mei said as she bumped her shoulder against Mingyu’s. "I was right. It was Ai Ling."

Argh!!!

A shrill scream suddenly echoed in the tavern, prompting everyone’s attention.

Mingyu moved to see what was going on, but he paused in his tracks when a man from the second floor addressed everyone in a loud, authoritative voice.

"No need to panic." Jingwei said as he showed them a seal belonging to the Huo sect. "We are Mages from the Huo sect. We just apprehended a thief. Please, do mind your own businesses."

As he said that, he made his way downstairs, followed by the other Mages, and one of them was carrying the dead body of Ai Ling, over his shoulder.

Mingyu’s face darkened as he eyed the men. They killed her. Could it be...? Did they mistake her for me? Mingyu thought of the possibilities.

He had dropped a note, informing the Yewang to find him by searching for someone intending to sell a Jinxing spirit plaque, and then the next day, some mages showed up and killed Ai Ling who had stolen the plaque. It couldn’t have been a coincidence, could it?

Mingyu stood frozen, lost in thoughts. He was standing in the middle pathway of the tavern, and so, when the mages were walking by, Li Mei had to pull Mingyu out of the way, avoiding collision with the passing Mages.

Mingyu snapped out of his thoughts, and accidentally made eye contact with Jingwei, who also happened to be looking at him.

Quickly avoiding Jingwei’s prodding gaze so as to avoid suspicion, Mingyu lowered his gaze, and only raised his head once Jingwei and his men were out of the tavern.

Mingyu let out a despairing sigh. Exhaustion washed over him, as he felt as though he had lost everything.

The Yewang has cut me off.