They waited for two full days before news of Minister Lay’s reluctant acceptance to the new terms came. He had paid the new fees in full, the higher amount for additional inconveniences, interference of the contract and return of his Captain which was not stipulated in the original contract.

The boys grinned in satisfaction.

The delay had allowed Xuelei to clean up but did nothing for his heath. His whole body was covered in painful bruises. He tried to stay still and rest while he could. They would be on the move again soon. Ting Ting fussed around him, keeping his amused brothers at bay.

The other four brothers had also returned but Li had instructed them to keep out of sight. They now acted as back-up. They were expecting foul play from Minister Lay and they wanted to be ready. The Minister had not been happy at having to pay the additional exorbitant price for his daughter’s safe return.

Arrangements were made for Minister Lay and his wife to meet their daughter. They should only have an honour guard of ten to escort them. Li and Jin would wait for them at a public pavilion with Ting Ting, Captain Shang and Fung, the leader of the kidnappers.

Xuelei would ‘rest’ in a safe place. He couldn’t wait to get out of his disguise.

Ting Ting had hugged him cried a little.

“I’ll miss you, Xuehua. I will remember that it was you who stood up for me when no one else did.”

“Take care Ting Ting. I’ll miss you too.”

“Thank you for saving me.” She waved at him as she went over to the Li and Jin. They were retying Fung.

“Xuehua?”

“Yes Captain?”

“I, uh, wanted to apologise.”

“No need Captain. You were following orders.”

“I also wanted to thank you. You could have left me there to die. I owe you my life.”

Xuelei smiled sweetly at him. “You’re welcome Captain. All life is precious especially the innocent ones.”

The Captain returned the smile. “You are the most unusual girl I’ve ever met. Maybe we will meet again?”

“If fortune smiles upon us and our paths cross again, then we will.”

“If only …”

Ting Ting called out to the Captain. “Captain Shang! We are ready to go! Bye Xuehua! I’ll miss you.”

Xuelei waved back at Ting Ting and turned back to the Captain. “Farewell Captain Shang.”

“Farewell, Xuehua.” He had an odd expression on his face. Resolutely he turned and went to the waiting group leaving Xuelei alone.

Xuelei kept up pretences until the group was out of sight. Then he whistled, signalling his brothers to come out. Ren, Shen, Qian and Dao appeared dressed in black. Shen tossed Xuelei a bundle of clothes.

“Get changed. We will follow them.”

Xuelei nodded curtly. In a few short moments, they were on their way.

----------

The five of them waited at the pavilion, sweating. It was getting hot, the bright sun had reached its zenith and was happily roasting everything it could get its rays to touch.

Minister Lay had the audacity to arrive late and make them wait.

“I thought he was supposed to be here in the morning.” Jin was pacing the pavilion muttering to himself. “Where is he?” he asked for the hundredth time.

Captain Shang looked uncomfortable and embarrassed at his Lord’s behaviour. Ting Ting was angry.

“I am going to have words with father. Doesn’t he want me back?”

“Relax, Miss Lay. He is purposely late to prove a point. Do net fret. He will be here.”

“What point is that? If he didn’t want to pay extra in penalties, he shouldn’t have messed with the Assassin’s Sect after contracting you to do a job.”

Li shrugged. “He wants to prove that not all the terms are dictated by us.”

“So childish.” Ting Ting grumbled.

It was another hour before the Minister’s carriage rumbled up the road. It was drawn by two matching white horses. Twenty honour guards accompanied him. Li and Jin frowned. He was clearly flaunting the terms of the meeting.

Li and Jin controlled their anger, their eyes narrowed behind their covered faces. They were professionals. They would not let a small thing like that ruffle them. It was not unexpected based on the Minister’s track record of disregarding their terms.

“He’s here. Stay alert.”

Jin nodded understanding.

They waited until the carriage neared the pavilion and finally stopped. The double line of guards stopped and saluted smartly. Captain Shang moved forward and saluted back at his men. Then he moved to the side to stand with Ting Ting, allowing Li to the front.

“Welcome Minister Lay. We were worried you had gotten lost on your way here.”

The carriage curtains were drawn aside by a guard. Minister Lay stepped out of the carriage. Lady Lay was not in the carriage, he had come alone. Not good, Li frowned. This was another negative indication of the Minister’s intentions.

Minister Lay was a tall thin shrewd looking man with a long hooked nose. He pointedly ignored Li.

“Captain Shang! Where is my daughter?”

Li kept a neutral expression at the slight, not giving anything away. Captain Shang glanced apologetically at Li before replying.

“She is here Minister Lay, safe and sound.”

“And the kidnappers?”

“All dead except the leader, Fung. He is here.”

“What are you waiting for. Bring them here to me.”

Captain Shang did not move. He knew who was in control.

“Father! You should at least thank these men who saved me,’ Ting Ting came forward.

“Silence! Captain, I said bring them to me!”

“I’m afraid he can’t do that until I let him,” Li drawled lazily. ”My friend here likes playing with his knife. He hasn’t cut anything all day and he is restless.”

Jin tossed a knife that suddenly appeared in his hand obligingly. He caught it carelessly and tossed it again.

The Minister stepped forward. Immediately an arrow whizzed through the air. It landed on the ground just before his foot warning him not to take another step. Minister Lay tensed, his eyes scanning the tree tops around them.

His guards broke formation and surrounded him forming a human barrier around the Minister. Two more arrows thudded near enough to make a couple of guards hop.

Li leaned casually against a pillar. “You are surrounded. Do not be foolish, Minister.”

“How dare you! How many of you are there?”

“I apologise but we didn’t really expect you to follow our terms so we had to take some precautions.”

“Just thank us and we will be on our way, after all you have already paid our Master in full,” Li said. “We do have other matters to attend to and you were so late in arriving.”

“Father! Please, I want to go home!” Ting Ting called out.

Minister Lay’s lips thinned in displeasure. His expression was sour as he gritted his teeth and ground out the words.

“Thank you, Assassins for saving my daughter.” He stressed the word sarcastically, eyeing their covered faces.

Assassins were looked down upon society. They killed strangers for money. They had no honour at all. They had to hide in the shadows unable to reveal who they were.

They were shunned by society …until they were needed.

“You are welcome, Minister Lay.” Li’s tone left no doubt that he was laughing, not offended at all. “Now that wasn’t so hard was it?”

He gestured to Ting Ting. Only then did she step from the pavilion to go to her father. The prisoner’s rope was handed to Captain Shang and they were allowed to leave. As the Captain and the prisoner were moving down the steps, Li and Jin moved back unobtrusively. There was another exit at the back. They left quickly while the attention was on the Captain and Fung

When all his people had returned safely, Minister Lay ordered his men to surround the pavilion. To his dismay, they found it empty. No traces of the two assassins were found. No more arrows came from the shadows.