Lin Yide was indeed enjoying a "Sweet Madame," a Sweet Flower Chicken he bought from the system store for 200 experience points.
He was now left with only 100 system points, almost back to square one.
Fortunately, at this moment, the stingy system had a rare moment of generosity: "Congratulations to the host for completing the trial event - evading the assassination, gaining 400 experience points."
Hearing this, Lin Yide's mood improved slightly. At least he hadn't lost too much.
"Looks like you're in pretty good shape," Arlecchino said with a smile.
Lin Yide casually tossed the gnawed-clean chicken bones in his hand, which arced through the air and landed in a nearby flower bed.
He looked up and said nonchalantly, "Not dead yet."
Suddenly, hurried footsteps broke the surrounding silence.
Lin Yide turned to see Furina's guards rapidly approaching.
Upon arriving, the guards' eyes immediately fell on Lin Yide.
They looked at the conspicuous chicken bones on the ground, their faces showing strange expressions.
Facing the crowd's gazes, Lin Yide remained unusually calm.
He met their eyes with a composed expression and slowly said, "The Pure Water Association assassins have been taken care of. You can all go back and rest."
Although the guards still had many questions, they temporarily put aside their doubts upon seeing Lin Yide standing safely before them.
After confirming Lin Yide's safety, they turned and left.
Not long after, Furina rushed to the scene, her face still streaked with tears.
Lin Yide had recovered some strength and slowly stood up, meeting Furina's anxious and worried gaze.
He said softly, "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Hearing this, Furina finally felt the weight lift from her heart.
Arlecchino also discreetly left, not wanting to be a third wheel and disturb them.
Her figure gradually faded into the night.
Furina could no longer hide her emotions and threw herself into Lin Yide's arms without hesitation.
Tears streamed down her delicate cheeks like broken pearls.
"Yide, do you know how scared I was…"
Furina's voice trembled as she clutched Lin Yide's clothes, as if only that could give her a sense of security.
Lin Yide felt the trembling body and hot tears of the beauty in his arms, and a strong desire to protect her welled up within him.
He held Furina tightly, trying to warm her frightened heart with his body temperature. "Your Grace, I haven't teased you enough yet. How could I die so easily?"
He said half-jokingly, hoping to ease her sadness.
Furina lightly punched him. "You're such a jerk!"
Lin Yide didn't say anything more, just quietly held Furina.
The two embraced silently in the dim night, their heartbeats and love intertwined in the air.
…
In a dimly lit, tense chamber,
Tywin stood under the dim light, his eyes sharp as knives, staring directly at the masked figure in front of him, who was tightly wrapped in a long, water-blue robe.
His tone was full of contempt and disdain, as if mocking the other's incompetence. "Is this what your Pure Water Association boasts as pure water assassins?"
The masked man's anger ignited instantly upon hearing this.
He took a deep breath, trying to suppress his inner rage.
The three pure water assassins were elites that the Pure Water Association had cultivated with countless efforts and time. Their failure not only meant the failure of an operation but also a heavy blow to the Pure Water Association's strength.
He clenched his fists, his voice revealing undisguised pain. "First of all, you never told me in detail that Yide's swordsmanship had reached an extraordinary level.
If we had known his strength was so terrifying, we would have definitely formulated a more thorough assassination plan."
He paused and continued, "Secondly, if it hadn't been for the appearance of that mysterious woman at the last moment, our assassination would have been successful."
Although the masked man tried to keep his tone calm, the intense anger and unwillingness could still be felt in his words.
Tywin frowned in displeasure, his voice revealing sternness and impatience. "The process is not important to me. I want results!
If your Pure Water Association can't even succeed in such a small assassination, all cooperation between us will be in vain."
The masked man's eyes burned with rage. If it weren't for the noble goal, he would have purified Tywin right then and there.
"Give us one more chance. Yide will definitely die by our hands."
Tywin snorted dismissively, obviously not very concerned about the masked man's guarantee. "Alright, since you insist so much, I'll give you one more chance.
But remember, this is the last time. If you fail again, don't blame me for being ruthless."
After saying that, he turned and left.
…
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the exquisite window lattices, spilling onto the luxurious carpet of the Chief Justice's office, but failed to dispel the heavy atmosphere within.
Neuvillette sat behind the large desk, his expression as cold as ice, staring intently at Tywin standing before him. "Chief Tywin, do you have anything to say about the sudden appearance of the Pure Water Association?"
Tywin's heart tightened, and he quickly said, "This is my dereliction of duty. The Marechaussee Phantom did not investigate this in advance, allowing the Pure Water Association to take advantage of the situation."
Neuvillette didn't speak, but gently tapped the table with his fingers, making a rhythmic "thud, thud" sound.
The sound echoed in the quiet office, each tap like a strike on Tywin's heart, making him feel unprecedented pressure.
After a moment, Neuvillette finally broke the silence.
His voice was low and powerful, revealing an unquestionable authority. "The Pure Water Association could not have openly appeared in the Court of Fontaine without the protection of a major power behind them.
I demand that the Marechaussee Phantom begin a comprehensive investigation of all nobles from now on!"
Hearing Neuvillette's words, Tywin was completely relieved. He said in a firm tone, "Chief Justice Neuvillette, please rest assured that the Marechaussee Phantom will do their best to investigate."
After saying that, he gave Neuvillette a standard salute and then turned to leave.
Watching his back, Neuvillette's gaze gradually deepened, his eyes flashing with complex light, seemingly mixed with something else.
The Marechaussee Phantom are meant to pursue the deep shadows, expelling and hunting them.
But now, they have been swallowed by the darkness, becoming the deep shadows themselves.
He sighed softly, a sigh filled with endless regret.
The nature of power often breeds corruption, and the Marechaussee Phantom are now deeply mired in it, rotten to the core.
Perhaps, only by completely eradicating this organization that is terminally ill can it be truly redeemed.
At this moment, he suddenly thought of Lin Yide and the West Factory.
The reason he initially opposed the establishment of the West Factory was because he worried that the West Factory would be unrestrained.
But now, it seems that only by being unrestrained can the West Factory fully display its abilities and uphold true law and justice.