Merchant From Earth in the Magical World

Yan Xing handed over the surveillance task to Chui Chui. After exiting the spiritual space, he said to Hibel, who was guarding nearby, "I've found the assassin."

The supporting Griffon patrol team had also arrived by this time, with two Battle Griffon Knights leading eight Griffons in a circling pattern through the lower airspace.

Hibel hadn't expected Yan Xing to be able to locate the assassin under these circumstances. At this altitude… she couldn't even make out the people on the ground clearly.

Hibel asked Yan Xing, "Where is she?"

Yan Xing replied, "I'm not familiar with the street names in Nuta City, so I don't know the exact area, but I know her location. The target is a woman, disguised as a Nuta City civilian, hiding in a residence. Moreover, I've also discovered two of her accomplices; they're merchants in a marketplace."

Hibel couldn't figure out how Yan Xing had managed to find the assassin and her accomplices. However, the assassin who had tried to kill Yan Xing might very well be the same one who had killed the Temple priest. This was a significant accomplishment on Yan Xing's part.

Hibel said to Yan Xing, "The Temple priest's death is likely connected to her. Also, those mercenaries colluding with the Orcs you handed over to me—they died mysteriously in their cells. Perhaps this group was responsible for that too. What do you want to do? Should we arrest them now, or leave them be to lure out the bigger fish behind them?"

Yan Xing agreed with part of Hibel's analysis. I'm new to Nuta City; I haven't made any deep-seated enemies. However, I'm caught between the power-grabbing nobles and Count Theodore. Those power-hungry aristocrats want to continue exploiting the Temple priest's assassination, and I'm a major obstacle to them.

As for Gale from the Golden Oak Chamber of Commerce… even if he wanted to kill me, he couldn't have prepared this quickly.

I had just taken flight on the Griffon when those two arrows were shot. It's clear the assassin had been tracking me, looking for an opportunity. They must have been targeting me for some time.

Considering Count Theodore took me as a disciple to teach me Magic after I left the Temple, and had Hibel teach me knight combat skills and personally protect me… it shows he anticipated this assassination attempt. And his prediction was very accurate.

Lure out the big fish? Count Theodore proactively eliminating the mercenaries shows this particular big fish isn't easy to catch. This can't be rushed. Pushing them too hard, making them desperate, wouldn't be good for anyone. It's like boiling a frog in lukewarm water; it must be done slowly.

Yan Xing asked Hibel, "Do you have a way to monitor them without alerting the assassin?"

Hibel thought for a moment. "This… it's difficult! She managed to shoot arrows to such a height; she must be a powerful assassin. Assassins like her are extremely vigilant and skilled in counter-surveillance Magic. It's almost impossible to effectively monitor her without her knowing."

Yan Xing nodded. "In that case, we have to kill her. Let whoever is behind her know that I, Yan Xing, am not to be trifled with. Then, we'll surveil her accomplices. They're likely just there to help the assassin escape, probably not powerful individuals themselves. If we kill the assassin, her accomplices will surely react, and that might lead us to something."

Hibel thought Yan Xing's plan was feasible. Gripping her sword, she looked down at the city below and said, "Let's go eliminate that assassin now."

Yan Xing, however, said, "We can't let the assassin and her accomplices realize I've been able to track them from the start. We need to put on a show."

Hibel asked, "A show? How?"

Yan Xing smiled. "First, let's return to the Lord's Mansion. I'll teach you..."

Escorted by Hibel and the Griffon Knights, Yan Xing returned to the Lord's Mansion.

Hibel went to mobilize the Mansion Guard to prepare for the assassin's capture. She also borrowed a few family spies from Count Theodore to track the accomplices.

Yan Xing returned to his residence and retrieved three miniature drones from his luggage. Chui Chui took control of the drones, directing them towards the hiding spots of the assassin and her accomplices. The high-definition cameras on the drones were equivalent to Air Eye Magic; with Chui Chui's data link support, they could monitor all three targets from high above.

Yan Xing then summoned three Werewolves. He got some pigments and painted their faces, smearing them with copious amounts of greasepaint. He also found three sackcloth cloaks for them. First, he cut several holes in the cloaks with a knife, then had the Werewolves roll on the ground in them. After successfully "aging" the cloaks, he stuck feathers and twigs into the fabric. Finally, he handed each Werewolf a wooden staff resembling a Mourning Stick.

When Hibel arrived with her troops, she saw the three flamboyantly adorned Werewolves and couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing?"

Yan Xing pointed to the three costumed Werewolves and said to Hibel and the troops she had brought, "They are shamans of the Swamp Werewolves from Thunderous Swamp, masters of mysterious sorcery.

"As the Beast Tamer of Thunderous Swamp, I am under its protection. The assassin who just tried to kill me has been cursed by Thunderous Swamp. No matter where she hides, these Werewolf shamans can track her through the curse.

"I am the City Sheriff, personally appointed by Count Theodore, responsible for investigating the Temple priest's assassination. The assassin who targeted me is very likely the same one who killed the Temple priest.

"Now, I will lead you to capture the assassin. Anyone who resists arrest and dares to fight back… execute them!"

Hibel, though unsure of Yan Xing's exact plan, complied and ordered the Mansion Guard, "We are apprehending the assassin responsible for the Temple priest's death! We will all follow Sir Yan Xing's commands. Anyone who resists arrest or fights back… execute them!

"Move out!"

Yan Xing mounted his Ferghana horse, Feiying, and rode out from the Lord's Mansion alongside Hibel, leading a large contingent of Knights. The chaotic clatter of hooves echoed on the cobblestone pavement. Yan Xing's Werewolf Warriors followed the three "Werewolf shamans," clearing pedestrians from the path. The Knight squadron galloped swiftly down the road.

Simultaneously, a large flock of Griffons took off from the Lord's Mansion. These massive beasts flew close to the rooftops, their powerful wingbeats stirring up clouds of dust. The screeching of the Griffons was incessant.

The City Defense Force mobilized swiftly, quickly locking down the district where the assassin was located. Infantry blocked the intersections while Archers took positions on rooftops. Cavalry patrolled the streets, ordering everyone to remain in their homes and prepare for inspection. Officers and heroes cast enhancement and Defense Magic on themselves, warily eying every house in sight. Battle Griffon Knights circled low in the sky with their Griffons. The entire district was sealed tight, with no escape routes.

Terrified residents hid in their homes, though some bolder individuals peered out through cracks in doors and windows. Yan Xing and Hibel, leading the Knights from the Lord's Mansion, rode slowly along the streets. Ahead of them were the three costumed Werewolves. They performed a ritual dance of the wolf packs, shaking their Mourning Sticks and uttering short barks, their noses twitching as they sniffed the air. Poison Flies buzzed around them, adding to the ceremonial atmosphere.

Werewolf Orff and Steel Fang, flanking Yan Xing's warhorse, continuously shouted to the residents in the houses lining the road: "The assassin who dared to attack our master has been cursed by Thunderous Swamp! She can no longer hide from the eyes of the Werewolf shamans!

"All residents of Nuta City, please remain quietly in your homes!

"If you are not the assassin, the Werewolf shamans will pay you no mind!

"If you are the assassin, you'd better surrender now! Pray that our master grants you a quick death!"