Martial King's Retired Life

“What exactly is the matter?”

(“You’re the problem!”) I heard from behind.

(“Shuang’er will be here to report to me in a bit!”) Boss continued.

(“… Why here?! Why now?!”)

(“Who expected you to barge into my room?!”)

Tang Ye went through several expressions, several thoughts, and then finally made up his mind to inform, “I have something I need to discuss with you.”

“Does it have to be right now? How about another day?”

“But… it’d be better to talk about it now.”

“Ahaha, I guess there’s nothing we can do about, then.” “We have to talk about it now! Okay! Okay!”

My dry fake laugh and sudden increase in volume left Tang Ye wondering which screw went loose in my head.

Don’t give me that look! It’s all your fault! Why the hell is so much happening now of all times?! Boss is so ticked off that she’s gone silent! I’m screwed…

“So…”

Shut up! I haven’t decided if I want to hear it or not yet! Boss is still wrapped up under her blanket! Have some decency, will you?!

“There’s this girl… I can’t forget.”

Say whaaat?

Even Boss was probably tuning in and forgot about her anger.

“I have not been able to stop myself from thinking about her for the last few days. Although thinking about her is not productive, I cannot stop myself.”

If that’s not having a crush, I don’t know what it is.

I could hear Boss dying trying to suppress her urge to laugh even harder than I was. I crossed my arms, bobbed my head and, utilising Voice Transmission, remarked, “The kid has grown up.”

Also using Voice Transmission, Boss replied back, “He’s reached puberty.”

Tang Ye’s eyes darted around as he instinctively reached for the back of his neck. “Is there really just the two of us in here?”

“What are you being paranoid about now?”

Yeah, he was growing, all right; even his hearing had improved.

“Let’s try to seal the deal within the next year, hey? I’ve been doing this professionally for thirty years. I promise you’ll look dashing and pretty. If you’re worried I can’t deliver up to standard, pay me twenty thousand, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

“… Huh?”

“Never mind. Keep going. Who is she?”

“… Bai Clan’s Bai Yumo.”

Hoho, I s-, you’re insane! She’s a criminal… and an assassin!

“She is an assassin… and your aunt.”

Ah, crap! I forgot about that! Can’t you pick a better girl?!

“I was unsure if I should talk about it, but I do not feel she is sleep walking or whatever Song Chi described it as. I feel that she is different person when she is Bronze Mask.”

Tang Ye filled me in on everything he remembered on the day he was struck out of the ring and introduced to Mo Yubai. From her speech mannerisms to her style of attack, everything was measured, which was unlike someone diagnosed with Delusion. The fact that she could slip in and out from Emperor’s Entourage’s agents without a struggle, and the fact that she managed to stay off the radar after her crimes, reinforced Tang Ye’s conjecture.

I had heard that Song Chi claimed Bai Yumo had a serious case of Delusions, but that was more than likely him crapping out of his mouth. People diagnosed with Delusions didn’t function so methodically, not to mention the stark contrast in personalities. If she was diagnosed with such a severe case, I would’ve noticed something when I met her.

“I am sure she could have killed me, yet she left me for some reason. Perhaps she did not want to make an enemy out of Liu Shan Men.”

I wasn’t sure if Tang Ye’s confidence was a product of his feelings for his crush or not. Poor fellow fell for an assassin wanted by the law for his first love, while he was a constable himself. The poor fellow consulted me for advice on how to help his crush because I had experience on both sides of the law. I had my answer ready; I was just waiting for him to ask for it.

“So, we must capture her,” Tang Ye asserted.

“Huh?”

“She has two personalities, and there is no telling when she switches, which makes her dangerous. She has already proven this with her score of assassinations in the capital thus far. Furthermore, she is a scion of Bai Clan. It will be even more difficult to capture her if we let her escape from the capital. Hmm? What’s the matter? Why are you looking at me like that?”

… Kid, you change your rhythm too fast for me to keep up. Do all young people these days like to add cuffs to romance? Is this some sort of new fetish?

From behind the screen, Boss suddenly harrumphed. Tang Ye’s train of thought was the reason Boss couldn’t resist!

“Who’s there?!” Tang Ye leapt towards the screen.

Boss, what are y-, wait! She’s not even dressed!

“Stop, runt!”

I managed to beat pin Tang Ye to the ground with one arm before it was too late, but his head passed the bath tub. Had I been a moment later, I’d hate to imagine what would’ve transpired.

Boss brushed open her bed curtains.

“Who dares to barge int-”

Tang Ye lowered his head right after he looked up. It had nothing to do with the fact that I pinched his eyes.

Who let you look?! I only just saw for the first time before… No looking for any reason!

“What are you doing? Let go of Yan Ling.”

I flapped my eyelids. I had no eye idea how to react to seeing a skirt in front of us. I looked up to see Boss sitting on her bed, arms and legs crossed, and wearing a frown on her face.

“B-Boss…”

I glanced to the side, where I spotted a cupboard. Based on that, I surmised Boss managed to sneakily grab her clothes from the cupboard while Tang Ye and I were talking. However, so much happened in such a short time frame that I had trouble processing it all.

“Your chest is amazing. I meant your head is amazing!”