The assassin steadied himself, boots digging into the wood, the shock of Lian Hong's counterstrike still vibrating through his arms.
This was no servant.This was no frightened boy.
This was a predator.
"You sensed my strike before I touched the ground…"The assassin's voice was low, incredulous."You're more dangerous than they told me."
Lian Hong moved forward.
Not rushing.Not posturing.
Just walking.Each step measured, silent yet overwhelming.
"I didn't need to sense you," he said coldly."You announce your killing intent with every breath."
The assassin stiffened.
Lian Hong didn't wait.He struck again.
Fast—too fast.
The assassin barely brought his dagger up to block—
CLANG!
The impact rang through the room like a bell.The assassin felt the bones in his wrist crack.
"What—?! This strength—!"
He flipped backward, feet landing on the wall, pushing off like a spider, launching toward Lian Hong again with a flurry of slashes.
Each movement was precise.
Each angle lethal.
He was someone trained for one purpose—to kill cultivators stronger than himself.
His dagger sliced toward Lian Hong's throat.
But the blade slipped through air.
Lian Hong wasn't there.
〈Shadowstep Phantom Movement〉.
A blur—and Lian Hong appeared behind him.
Before the assassin could react—
CRACK!
Lian Hong's elbow smashed into his spine.
The assassin choked on a scream, hurtling forward and crashing into the far wall, wood splintering under the impact.
He staggered to his feet, coughing blood.
"You—your movement technique… it's flawless…"
Lian Hong didn't respond.
His eyes had become cold, detached.
He wasn't angry.
He wasn't excited.
He was judging—
calculating—
taking apart his enemy piece by piece.
The assassin shuddered.
"You're a monster."
Lian Hong spoke quietly.
"No.I'm just someone who refuses to die a second time."
The Assassin's Hidden Technique
The assassin exhaled, gathering all of his qi.
"You forced me…"
His dagger darkened—absorbing a murky, poisonous aura.
Ghostdark Silent Edge.
A forbidden assassination technique.
One that ignored normal defenses and corroded meridians on contact.
Zhou Shan—or any servant disciple—would have died instantly if this blade touched them.
The assassin dashed forward, his body flickering unnaturally, like a shadow torn apart by moonlight.
His steps left no sound.
His breathing was gone.
Even his heartbeat vanished.
〈Silent Footsteps of the Underworld〉—a killing art meant to bypass senses entirely.
He streaked toward Lian Hong, the dagger aimed at his heart.
A sure-kill strike.
But—
Lian Hong closed his eyes.
He didn't dodge.He didn't step back.
He simply lifted his hand—
and caught the assassin's wrist.
A perfect catch.
As if the strike had been moving in slow motion.
The assassin's eyes bulged in sheer disbelief.
"H—how…? You closed your eyes—! How did you—?!"
Lian Hong opened his eyes again.They had become sharp and predatory.
"Your footsteps vanish," he said softly."But your killing intent never does."
He moved.
His fist sank into the assassin's ribs like a hammer.
CRACK!
Three ribs shattered.
The assassin screamed, blood spraying from his lips.
Lian Hong didn't let go.
He yanked the assassin forward and slammed his knee into the man's abdomen—
BOOM!
The assassin crumpled, collapsing to the ground.
He tried to crawl.
Tried to lift his dagger.
But Lian Hong stepped onto the blade, pinning it to the floor.
"You were paid to cripple me."
The assassin trembled violently.
"I—I only follow orders—!"
"Who sent you?"
The assassin's lips trembled.
He knew the rules.A failed assassin must die before speaking.
But Lian Hong leaned down.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Tell me, and I'll let you leave with your life."
The assassin swallowed.
He wanted to believe it.
But Lian Hong's eyes—
were the eyes of someone who had seen death, lived through death, walked alongside death.
And returned.
"I—can't…"The assassin whispered."If I say his name… I die."
Lian Hong's fingers wrapped around his throat.
"Then die by my hand."
The assassin's breath caught.
Struggling weakly, he managed to croak:
"H—he… he's from the inner court… Wei—"
A faint sound echoed outside.
Lian Hong's eyes narrowed.
Someone else was watching.
The assassin realized it too—
and his expression filled with terror.
"No—no—no—! Not him—!"
A flash of silver streaked through the window—
straight into the assassin's neck.
THWIP!
A needle.
Thin.Silent.Deadly.
The assassin convulsed once.
Then collapsed.
Dead.
Lian Hong didn't move.
He only turned toward the window.
A faint gust passed outside.
A presence withdrew.
Cold.Patient.Murderous.
Wei Changbai sent more than one assassin.
And the second one—
was far more dangerous.
The system chimed softly.
[Assassination Attempt Survived – Phase 1][New Threat Detected: Intermediate Assassin (Qi Gathering – Late Stage)]
Lian Hong exhaled.
"Come then."
His voice was quiet.
"If tonight is the night I return everything you did to me—then so be it."
The darkness outside seemed to tremble.
The real assassin was approaching.