A hint of a smile slowly appeared on the man behind her as he spoke for the first time that night. His voice was hoarse as if he didn’t speak often. 

“I have been waiting for you for a long time.” 

Across the room, Ning Yi, whose body had tensed up when he saw Feng Zhi Wei being restrained, calmed down when he heard those words, took a step back slowly, and leaned against the window. 

“Who might you be sir?” he said, “Judging by your mannerisms, you seem also to be unwilling to cause a commotion, or else you would have informed the master here. With that being the case, we might as well talk it out.” 

“A smart man.” the commander of the Gold Feather Guard chuckled, “I do like talking to smart people.” 

He pondered momentarily and said, “Why did you two come here today? Tell the truth and I will let you live.” 

Feng Zhi Wei lowered her eyes…this guy is also lying. Unfortunately, he is not as good at lying as Second Prince. As she had guessed, judging from his mannerisms and the tone of his words he was indeed not in Second Prince’s camp. This meant he must be the emperor’s man, which also meant he would more or less know some of what went on in the east pool. Just based on the fact she and Ning Yi had been to the east pool then this number one hunting dog of the empire would not let them stay alive. 

She knew this well enough, but she didn’t say a word. With Ning Yi’s intelligence, there is no need to remind him of these things and she too, can safely entrust her safety to him. 

“Sir, your manner of doing things,” Instead of answering, Ning Yi stared at the Commander of Gold Feather Guard and asked, “Feels a bit familiar… Lin Duanan, Zhi Shenjing, Thirteen horses hoofs descending upon cities  …may I ask you, sir, whose mansion are you in charge of, and which door do you open?” 

The Commander of the Gold Feather Guard raised an eyebrow. 

These words might be gibberish to others but he was all too familiar with it. 

This is the secret code for the entire Gold Feather Guards!

In addition to the headquarters in the Capital, there are thirteen other subsidiary branches spread across the country. They are responsible for the secret investigation of area officials. The phrase of thirteen horses hoofs descending upon cities represented exactly that. And the last sentence was asking him which clan of Gold Feather Guard he belongs to and what position he holds. 

Many thoughts flashed across the Gold Feather Guard Commander’s mind in that instant. He wanted to find out the other party’s identity but he was also worried that it might be a trap and he would end up exposing his own identity. After hesitating a moment between either pretending ignorance or probing some more, he finally said coldly, “I don’t understand what you are talking about, answer my questions.”

Ning Yi sighed in disappointment, stepped back, and leaned against the wall as he said calmly, “It’s nothing. In this case, there is nothing more to say. Sir, you can go ahead and pinch your fingers now.” 

The Commander was taken aback, and said coldly, “I have many ways of killing people. You two would like to choose the most painful one?” 

“We also have many ways if we want to die. If we don’t want it to hurt, then it won’t hurt.” Ning Yi’s answer was also quite decisive. He didn’t spare a glance at Feng Zhi Wei at all, there was only cold indifference in his eyes. 

Feng Zhi Wei let out a sigh of resignation, looking as if she had not only expected but had accepted her fate. 

The Commander of the Gold Feather Guards frowned. He was not frightened by Ning Yi’s words but was starting to doubt himself after seeing Ning Yi’s attitude. The Gold Feather Guard has strict rules. When doing secret missions, only success is allowed. No failure is tolerated at all. Suicide is the only result of failures. Anyone who leaks secrets and escapes will be hunted by the organization from one end of the world to the other, with no place to hide at all. Moreover, every member of the Gold Feather Guard has a weakness in the commander’s hand, they won’t dare to even dream of running. And indeed, the organization has trained every member, no matter if they need it or not, to be an expert not only in torturing but to endure torture as well. They know when to make themselves unconscious, and how to decisively die without pain. 

As the commander of the Gold Feather Guard, he was naturally very familiar with these words. He hesitated in his heart– could these two really be part of the Gold Feather Guard? Were they really sent by one of the Gold Feather Guard subsidiary branches to infiltrate the villa to perform a secret mission? 

His movements were decisive and the expression in his eyes was also firm, but because of his thoughts, his fingers clutched on Feng Zhi Wei’s throat moved slightly. 

Ning Yi took in his slight movement and suddenly smiled, “Sir, please do whatever you want. As for me…I can only jump out of this window!” 

As he spoke, he leaned back, flipped upside down in the air, seemingly really planning to jump out without any hesitation. 

“Wait!” 

Suddenly, there was a low shout, and a flash of silver light flying out of the Gold Feather Guard Commander’s sleeve and wrapped around Ning Yi’s boots, forcefully pulling backward and ripping him away from the window. 

Feng Zhi Wei’s heart lurched the moment Ning Yi leaped– even knowing he was faking it, but Ning Yi’s action was real, ready to jump out of the window without any hesitation. It was not like what he did in front of Second Prince. In front of the Gold Feather Guard Commander, he can’t pull such stunts as hooking his foot on the window ledge. If the Gold Feather Guard had not fallen for it, then he really would be jumping out of the window, down a seemingly bottomless cliff to a certain death. 

Although Ning Yi was good at manipulating people and was confident he could control the Gold Feather Guard but as one who can only watch from the sideline, Feng Zhi Wei was sweating at his boldness and decisiveness. 

Instead of looking happy to be pulled back, Ning Yi looked at the Gold Feather Guard Commander with a frown and said, “Sir, don’t waste your efforts. I—” 

“You are certainly a talent.” The Gold Feather Guard Commander’s tone has changed. Although his voice was still hoarse with aloof indifference, but there was a hint of appreciation as he examined Ning Yi, “The organization deserves praise for having someone like you in it.” 

He is finally admitting his identity? Eyeing the Gold Feather Guard Commander with suspicion instead of joy, Ning Yi said coldly, “Don’t waste your efforts trying to deceive me. I don’t understand what you are talking about.” 

The admiration in the commander’s eyes increased. He feels that this man is loyal and cautious, he is indeed a talent. His appreciation for talents lessened his thoughts on killing considerably. Giving Ning Yi a slight smile, he said “Shiny gold scales, to the hairpin, twenty-four bright moon shines on the return of people. I am of the Southeast Changning residence, opening the first door.” 

Ning Yi abruptly raised his head, and stared at the commander for a while before suddenly shaking his head and said, “You are still deceiving me, it’s impossible.” 

The Gold Feather Guard Commander was speechless. He didn’t want to reveal his identity as the number one person in the Gold Feather Guards so he claimed to be the sub-commanding officer of the Changning branch but who would’ve thought this kid would refuse to believe him? 

He sighed and said, “It feels like you are not very old. Have you participated in the internal election? I think you are pretty good. Over by the Capital, I will put in a word for you.” 

Ning Yi blinked in surprise before an expression of joy finally appeared on his face. The commander was talking about the selection process the Gold Feather Guard holds every year. Using every guard’s performance in the current year as measurement, an elite guard is chosen to receive awards in the Imperial Capital. It might even be possible for those who are particularly outstanding to be transferred back to the Imperial Capital Headquarters. This is something only those who are in the top management of Gold Feather Guard would know.

He let out an “Ah!” with obvious relief in his voice and hurriedly bowed, “Greetings to you, Southeast commander!”

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