Chapter 234: The Plan Begins
Following Tom’s plan, Fang Xiaocao immediately sent a message to Taotie:
[Fang Xiaocao: Prepare to ambush Capricorn. Do not participate—avoid exposure. Just find a way to shake her off. Tom and Hummingbird will handle the assassination.]
Taotie, who was currently leading Capricorn in circles, received the message and blinked in surprise before a flash of excitement crossed his eyes.
“The Princess is finally making a move on that crazy bitch. Should’ve done this sooner.”
He muttered to himself, though his expression soon turned disappointed.
“Too bad…”
“The Princess won’t let me join in…”
Grumbling, he sent his location to Fang Xiaocao while preparing to lose Capricorn and create enough distance.
Receiving the coordinates, Fang Xiaocao turned to Tom.
“Taotie sent his location. Let’s move.”
Tom nodded. “Understood.”
“We’ll wait for Capricorn here.”
After analyzing Taotie’s erratic path, Tom pointed to a spot on the map.
Fang Xiaocao agreed without hesitation—she trusted Tom’s judgment completely.
Hummingbird remained silent, her cold expression unchanging as she clutched her katana, ready to follow Fang Xiaocao’s orders.
“Once we reach the position, to further reduce the risk of Taotie’s exposure, the Princess will ambush him with throwing knives, then flee. Taotie will chase you, allowing him to exit the battlefield. Then, Hummingbird and I will strike and eliminate Capricorn.”
Tom continued refining the plan.
Fang Xiaocao nodded. The strategy seemed flawless—at least, she couldn’t spot any holes.
Even if suspicions arose, there’d be no proof.
Taotie would simply be chasing down his attacker, not abandoning an ally. No one could fault him for that.
Unless they could prove Taotie was working with them—but investigating a top-tier assassin like him was already a suicidal endeavor.
And with Tom on their side, even someone of equal skill would find the task nearly impossible.
No sane person would take on such a thankless, high-risk mission.
With the plan set, the three immediately moved out.
Ten minutes later, they reached the ambush point.
Fang Xiaocao pulled out her terminal and messaged Taotie:
[Fang Xiaocao: Operation is a go. Follow this path. When you reach our ambush point, I’ll attack you. Chase me, then leave the rest to Tom and Hummingbird.]
Taotie’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he read the message.
“Chasing the Princess? Now, this is fun!”
[Taotie: Roger!]
After replying, he immediately acted.
Glancing back at Capricorn, who was still stealthily tailing him, he smirked.
“Time to die, psycho.”
He abruptly changed direction.
Seeing Taotie suddenly accelerate, Capricorn paused before quickening her pace.
She felt she was about to uncover one of Taotie’s secrets—one that could become leverage against him.
What she didn’t know was that she was walking straight into a death trap.
______
Hidden under a tree, Fang Xiaocao spotted Taotie’s towering figure approaching. She gripped several steel nails in her hand, ready to strike once he entered range.
Holding her breath, she steadied herself, ensuring her aim would be flawless.
If we’re putting on a show, it better be convincing.
Given her skill level, actually harming Taotie was unlikely—so she didn’t need to hold back.
As Taotie drew closer, Fang Xiaocao suddenly unleashed all seven nails at once—her personal limit.
(If they’d been throwing knives, four would’ve been her max. But nails were lighter, allowing for more.)
“Whoosh—!”
The sharp projectiles cut through the air, their piercing whistle shattering the forest’s silence.
Taotie, unaware of the exact ambush point, was genuinely startled.
“Damn, I really underestimated the Princess.”
A seven-projectile volley was no joke—it placed Fang Xiaocao firmly in the ranks of skilled assassins.
Behind him, Capricorn was equally stunned.
“What the hell?”
“Someone’s attacking Taotie?”
“I thought he was here to meet someone?”
Confused but intrigued, she nearly clapped in excitement.
(Not for Taotie, of course—for his attacker.)
Facing the barrage, Taotie swiftly drew his machete, deflecting six nails with precise swings.
But one slipped through, embedding itself in his arm—deep enough to draw blood.
Fang Xiaocao froze.
“Wait…”
“I actually hit him?”
“That shouldn’t be possible!”
“He had time to dodge!”
She was baffled.
What she didn’t realize was that Taotie had let it happen—to sell the illusion that she was a formidable opponent.
Even the injury’s location was carefully chosen: painful but not debilitating.
Capricorn, watching from behind, was equally shocked.
“This assassin is strong enough to wound Taotie?”
“Damn, they’re no joke!”
Since Taotie’s back was turned, she didn’t see the deliberate move—only the result.
“Princess, RUN!”
Tom’s urgent voice crackled through Fang Xiaocao’s earpiece, snapping her out of her daze.
Right—the plan!
She immediately bolted.
While Capricorn missed the details, Tom hadn’t. He knew Taotie was just adding drama.
Relieved to see Fang Xiaocao finally moving, Taotie roared:
“You little rat—GET BACK HERE!”
He gave chase, his shouts echoing through the trees like a man possessed.
Capricorn smirked.
“Well, this just got interesting.”
Emerging from hiding, she prepared to follow the spectacle.
But the moment she stepped forward—
Her entire body locked up.
A killing intent, sharp as a blade, had locked onto her.
(End of Chapter 234)
