The humid night air clung to the corridors of Daguanyuan, the faint glow of paper lanterns casting long shadows across the wooden walkways. Inside your private quarters, the scent of ink and parchment lingered, evidence of recent exchanges with Jia Xichun, the newly appointed family hierarch. The sliding door to the garden stood slightly ajar, letting in the distant chirping of crickets and rustling bamboo.
A shadow detached itself from the darkness outside, its owner silent with the intent of predation. The assassin moved with feline grace, claws retracted but ready. The slit eyes of a Si Branch Heishou gleamed beneath their mask as they slipped inside, drawn by orders from an unseen master. You, who happened to be their target, lay seemingly unaware, back turned as you examined a scroll given to you by candlelight.
Just as the assassin lunged, a blur of black and grey cut through the doorway. Zilu’s Mao sword intercepted mid-air with a metallic screech. Sparks flew as she forced the blade aside, her golden eye narrowing beneath the veil of her conical hat.
"..."
No words were necessary, her presence alone was condemnation enough. The Si Heishou recoiled, muscles coiling like a cornered beast before retaliating with a swipe of their spear using their extended scaled arm. Zilu twisted away, robes flaring as she pivoted on one foot, her other leg morphing briefly, black fur bursting from wrappings as digitigrade strength propelled her into a counter-strike.
The clang of steel rang out again, you barely had time to register the fight unfolding before you when she drew her second blade. The Tianjiu Star’s sealed canister slammed into the assassin’s ribs, sending them crashing through the paper screen door and into the courtyard beyond.
Wind stirred the fallen ginkgo tree leaves at their feet as Zilu stepped forward, twin swords angled low but ready.
The Si operative hissed between sharpened fangs, upon realising the calibre of their enemy, whatever the mission was, it had clearly failed. With a final snarl, the assassin melted back into the shadows, leaving only torn fabric and the scent of iron behind.
Zilu exhaled slowly, letting her blades dip before turning to you. Assessing if there was any damage done... or merely biding time until she was sure the threat was gone. In either case, she did not seem surprised by this event, especially since Xichun had taken the position under such turbulent circumstances.
"I presume you are unharmed?"
She remarked flatly.
"...I suggest you mind your surroundings more carefully."
