“You said earlier that once you got hold of that yellow leather suitcase, you would immediately leave this city.”
“If you leave, I will no longer spend my days worrying—of course I must help you search for that suitcase.”
“Oh? Are you serious with your words?”
“I won’t deny it.
Before I came here to see you, I already tried to find out about that suitcase.
A few hours ago, I found a yellow leather suitcase like the one you described. Unfortunately, there was nothing inside it.”
“I already knew,” Thiat-yan replied coldly.
“You knew?”
“Of course I knew.
That leather suitcase was not the one my father once carried.
If it really were his, how could it possibly have fallen into your hands?”
Tu Liong no longer pressed with questions.
He merely recounted all the events he had experienced, and after that, he said: “If that’s how things stand, then I still have one request for you.”
“Feel free to ask whatever you wish, but I make no promise to answer.”
“Someone was murdered in Bu Tiat-cui’s chamber this morning.”
“Oh?”
“The cause of death was a steel needle pierced into the person’s head.”
“What a cruel act.”
“It was done very neatly,” Thiat-yan remained silent.
“Young lady, why did you kill that person?”
Miss Thiat-yan blinked briefly, then spoke again coldly: “According to rumors, you’re very smart, and skilled in handling many matters.
Yet now you ask such a foolish question—you appear like a fool yourself.
Can those rumors not be trusted, then?”
“Oh? Then this means you didn’t kill that person?”
“Of course not.
In my whole life, I’ve never taken anyone’s life.
Even injuring someone—this is my first time.”
In his heart, Tu Liong was quietly astonished. If Thiat-yan wasn’t the one who killed him, then who was the true murderer?
Could it be that there’s still someone else after that yellow leather suitcase?
“One day, perhaps I will kill someone—but only one person.
Other than that person, so long as others do not meddle with me, I guarantee they will not encounter trouble.”
“Who is that unfortunate person?”
Thiat-yan replied slowly, each word clear and firm: “Cu Siau-thian.”
That was the answer Tu Liong had long suspected.
Therefore, he wasn’t surprised in the slightest. His mind had already turned to another question.
If the person who died with a needle through their head wasn’t killed by Thiat-yan, then that means someone else is secretly taking action.
“Young lady,” Tu Liong began using his skills again, “I once heard a rumor—perhaps you’ve heard it too?”
“What rumor?”
“I heard that Leng Taiya often visits the fortune-teller Bu Tiat-cui.
Considering his official status, he shouldn’t be associating with such people.”
“Why are you trying to betray Leng Taiya?”
“This isn’t betrayal—I’m merely investigating the situation and pursuing the truth.
I want to quickly obtain the item you’re looking for.”
“Do you truly mean that?”
“Of course.
I don’t want you to commit murder. Especially not to kill Cu Siau-thian... very well, let us return to the topic...
According to rumors, Leng Taiya entrusted a yellow leather suitcase to Bu Tiat-cui for safekeeping...”
“Isn’t that suitcase now in your possession?”
At that moment, Tu Liong looked like a rooster that had lost a fight.
His feathers were scattered everywhere.
His body was soaked in blood.
So painful, so pitiful, and filled with disappointment.
It seemed the strategy he employed had failed.
After a long silence, Thiat-yan finally spoke again: “That yellow leather suitcase is my business.
You should be thinking about something else.”
“Oh?”
“Besides me, there are others who desire the suitcase.
And not just one person, but a group of people…”
“Young lady, what are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.”
“You seem deeply invested in this matter.”
“Of course I am.
I want to uncover three answers:
Who was the person killed with a needle to the head?
Who killed them?
And why did they have to be killed?”
“Young lady, ever since I was a child, I’ve enjoyed solving mysteries.
I might be able to help you.”
“Is that true?” Thiat-yan’s eyes glowed with hope.
“I have never lied from the start.”
“In that case... I’ll be waiting.”
“But I never help anyone without fair compensation.”
“If you have conditions, speak them now.”
“Please don’t harm Cu Taiya.”
“Tu Liong!” Thiat-yan’s voice was filled with feeling, “I understand your intention, but I cannot agree to your request.
The reason is that neither of us can change what the future holds.
At this point, who knows how long we can even maintain this half-friend, half-enemy relationship.
Is that not so?”
“Then we must stand as true enemies?” Tu Liong’s face darkened.
“If it must come to that, then we will fight to the bitter end,” Thiat-yan said flatly. “But I hope you won’t waste your money hiring unclear characters to confront me.”
“Unclear characters?”
“People like the White-Browed Killer.”
Tu Liong was secretly in awe—Thiat-yan always seemed to know what he was doing.
She was like a master at unraveling riddles.
“Tu Liong,” Miss Thiat-yan said meaningfully, “I’m not afraid of the White-Browed Killer—I’m just afraid others will laugh at you.
In this city of Pakhia, you are someone of status.
Now you’re dealing with someone like him—is that proper?”
Tu Liong deliberately provoked her: “Are you saying you’re afraid of the White-Browed Killer that you speak like this?”
“If you want me to die by such a man’s hands, I won’t accept it.
I’m not afraid of him at all.
Tu Liong, I want to use this opportunity to speak my mind...”
“Have you never feared anyone?” Tu Liong voiced what might be on her mind.
“Correct! At times I respect my enemies, even admire them.
But fear them? Honestly, fear serves no purpose.”
“What’s your view of the White-Browed Killer?”
“Not bad. He’s a first-rate fighter—but still not among the top martial artists.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because even the finest item can be eaten by termites.”
Nevertheless, Tu Liong greatly admired Thiat-yan’s eloquence—especially her talent for metaphors and veiled words. She wielded them masterfully.
She also carried an aura... and she wasn’t bad looking either.
In Tu Liong’s heart, Thiat-yan had only one flaw... sadly, she was an enemy.
Truly a shame.
“Young lady,” Tu Liong suddenly said with great spirit, “rest assured—I will not send someone like the White-Browed Killer to face you.”
“Then I thank you.
To be honest, I most detest filth—especially people whose hearts are filthy.”
Suddenly Tu Liong realized he had run out of words.
Being speechless in front of Thiat-yan was deeply humiliating.
So, without another word, he took his leave, turned around, and walked away.
He didn’t know how to force himself to remain there.
0-0-0
Tu Liong had yet to decide where he would meet the White-Browed Killer—but he knew the habits of assassins like him.
People like that always guarded their identity.
So he went to the Tong-ceng teahouse—the place where he first met the White-Browed Killer.
Sure enough, he was there.
“You must be very pleased,” said the White-Browed Killer arrogantly.
“Your work was indeed satisfactory.”
“This is the start of a fine partnership.”
“And it is also the end of one.”
“What do you mean by that?” the White-Browed Killer’s blood-red eyes widened.
“There are some matters I must handle on my own.” Tu Liong’s meaning was clear.
The White-Browed Killer was taken aback: “… Are you saying I’ve been dismissed?”
“No.
You’ve completed your task well.”
“I cannot return the money you paid me, because I owe someone else. I’ve already handed it over.”
“You don’t need to return the money.”
“You are generous—but I dislike taking gifts for nothing.
I’ve accepted your payment for a month-long contract—naturally, I must obey your commands during that month.”
“You owe me nothing.
This was no gift without merit. The job you did was paid for with four hundred Western coins—was that not enough?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve already told you.
I don’t like taking money without earning it.”
“Are you trying to use this as leverage over me?”
“Think whatever you wish. For this month, I’ll remain nearby—I’ll obey whatever order you give.”
Suddenly, Tu Liong’s right hand flashed like lightning.
He grabbed the White-Browed Killer’s wrist—testing his strength.
The White-Browed Killer didn’t move. He let his wrist be tightly held.
He only asked coldly: “What do you mean by this?”
“I just want to let you know—whatever you can do, I can do too.”
“Now I understand.”
“White-Browed Killer, if you took this job for money, you should be satisfied.
But if you have other motives... then you are truly a fool.”