The torrential rain and thunder failed to drown out the arguing voices in Tide View Pavilion.
Tide View Pavilion was located in Haze City’s east district. It bordered mountains and a river and was a thousand feet tall. If someone looked out from the building, they would be able to view nearly half of Haze City.
Tide View Pavilion’s interior was currently brightly lit in contrast to the pouring rain of the night outside and several long tables had been placed on the top floor.
A few dozen cultivators in embroidered clothes were seated on the two sides of the table. There were both men and women in the group and each individual gave off a princely air that ordinary cultivators did not possess.
Qi Tianxing was slouched back on the most north table as he absent-mindedly stared at the pitch-black night outside. He did not participate in the arguing.
Qi Tianxing was from Jadelight Pavilion and was the Pavilion Master’s nephew, which also made him the Pavilion Young Master’s cousin.
Tonight’s joint operation against Lin Xun tonight consisted of dozens of Haze City factions and was headed by Jadelight Pavilion.
As such, Qi Tianxing naturally became the overall person in charge.
However, several factions had conflicting opinions about the operation, causing them to argue endlessly.
Qi Tianxing could not be bothered with their bickering. Since the operation had already begun, what was the point in arguing now?Most importantly, although everyone here was a representative of their respective faction, he knew that there were merely representatives and not anyone important.
Due to these circumstances, Qi Tianxing saw no reason to say anything.
However, he began to frown because the squabbling showed no signs of stopping and instead grew increasingly intense.
Someone sneered, “What a joke. Our target is merely a Human Dipper youngster and yet we’ve made such a huge fuss of it. If the outside world hears of this, we will become a laughing stock!”
Someone retorted, “What do you mean by huge fuss? This is called making an example! The goal of killing Lin Xun is to let those lowly commoners see what happens to anyone who dares to offend us!”
“Hehe, things are different from the past. Lin Xun has already registered for the provincial exam. If we are going to kill such a commoner disciple, we shouldn’t cause a huge ruckus. Otherwise, who knows what will happen when people find out?”
“Agreed. Don’t forget that the empire created these exams to prevent another tragedy like the Bloody Ten Days event that occurred more than a hundred years ago. If a commoner disciple that can participate in the provincial exam is killed by us, who will take responsibility if the higher-ups of the empire decide to pursue this matter?”
“How laughable. How can killing a mere Lin Xun cause something like the Bloody Ten Days? You think too highly of him.”
Qi Tianxing had a headache. He finally stood up and loudly slapped the table with a chilling expression. “Everyone, I want to ask all of you one thing. Do your opinions represent your factions?”
The question was like a bomb that stunned all the cultivators present. Their expressions changed slightly but no one could reply.
A sliver of disdain flashed in Qi Tianxing’s eyes. “Remember, you guys are only representatives. Your only duty is to remember everything that happened tonight and return to report it to your respective factions!”
He was implying that they were just messengers and should not think too highly of themselves. Had they sought approval from their factions before giving out all of these opinions?
There was a hint of mockery in his words that made everyone feel a little uncomfortable. However, no one dared to rebut.
The place became much quieter.
Only then did Qi Tianxing withdraw his gaze and return to his lethargic appearance. “According to the plan, the operation should have already begun.”
A sinister viper-like chuckle suddenly sounded from outside the window. “Young Master Qi is right. The target has already been surrounded and the hunt has begun…everyone, just wait here for the good news. It should not be long before I bring back that little bastard’s head. See all of you soon.”
An uncontrollable chill rushed through Qi Tianxing’s body. By the time he recovered, the voice had already disappeared.
The other cultivators wore varying expressions but most of them displayed a look of fear and disgust.
Someone could not help but ask, “Remnant Wind?”
Qi Tianxing nodded.
Remnant Wind!
He was a greatly feared assassin that always appeared unpredictably like a phantom and whose hands were drenched in the blood of his countless victims. It was rumored that he had cruelly killed a hundred and eight children and drained their blood to cultivate a certain secret art.
No one would willingly contact such a person. As such, it was quite a surprise that Jadelight Pavilion had contracted Remnant Wind to deal with Lin Xun!
Several people puzzledly looked at Qi Tianxing, unable to guess if there was some relation between Remnant Wind and Jadelight Pavilion.
Qi Tianxing did not explain anything. He merely smiled faintly and said, “Everyone, we can finally be certain that Lin Xun will not live past tonight. We only need to wait here for the good news to arrive.”
……
The cold wind howled as the rain continued to pour.
Cao Yunxiu stood under a shelter in the courtyard as he said with some interest, “Those loathsome noble dogs have finally begun to move!”
The other Achievers Society cultivators rejoiced.
“Once Lin Xun dies tonight, we will proceed with our plan and spread the news. I’m interested to see whether these noble factions will dare to start another Bloody Ten Days like General Blood Slaughter!”
Cao Yunxiu took a deep breath. “We commoners have been suppressed for far too long. It’s finally time for us to do something big!”
Someone worriedly asked, “Brother Cao, what if Lin Xun’s death does lead to another Bloody Ten Days? Won’t we be affected as well?”
Cao Yunxiu chuckled. “No need to worry. The current empire is different from the past. Even if such an event happens, it won’t affect us. Don’t forget that we’ve already registered for the provincial exam and are useful people to the empire. They will not idly watch us be killed.”
After a slight pause, his gaze turned towards the dark sky. “Just wait. Whether Lin Xun lives or dies will work in our favor against the suppression of the nobles. Has everyone heard of this saying before?”
Everyone was taken aback as they listened to Cao Yunxiu say, “All it takes is a spark to light a fire that can burn the entire prairie!”
……
The City Lord’s residence.
It was late at night but Liu Wudiao was not in the mood to cultivate. He silently paced in the spacious hall as lightning danced and thunder rumbled outside, unable to calm himself.
After a long time, Liu Wudiao mumbled, “Wind and rain, an excellent night for killing…I hope they will not cause too big of a disturbance…”
……
Haze Academy.
Under the same night sky, Principal Wei Lingzhen was playing chess with Commander Du Dongtu.
Du Dongtu suddenly tossed aside the chess piece in his hand and frowned. “The factions in the city are too much.”
Wei Lingzhen was taken aback. “You’re still worrying about that kid?”
Du Dongtu unhappily said, “He showed outstanding strength, mettle, and ferocity. If he enlists in the army, he will definitely become a famous general. It is such a waste for him to die.”
Wei Lingzhen pondered a little and said, “It is indeed rather regretful. However, you and I cannot interfere in such matters.”
Du Dongtu sneered. “Oh? Why not?”
Wei Lingzhen sighed. “I know you’re unhappy but if you interfere, you will definitely offend those noble factions. That will not do at all.”
Du Dongtu said in a low voice, “I’m from the army, so what if I offend those noble factions? Brother Wei, you underestimate me far too much.”
Wei Lingzhen smiled bitterly. “I know you’re not afraid of offending them. I’m just worried that your interference will be disadvantageous to your future circumstances. The noble factions in Haze City might not be able to touch you but what about the noble factions in the Forbidden City?”
Du Dongtu was taken aback. “What does this have to do with the Forbidden City?”
Wei Lingzhen answered, “Because you interfered in a conflict between the nobles and commoners. If the noble factions in the Forbidden City find out that someone like you interfered to save a commoner, what do you think they will think?”
Du Dongtu fell into thought and his expression soon changed slightly as understanding dawned upon him.
Although it might appear to be a simple operation against Lin Xun, there was a very special meaning behind it. This affair was not different from a clash between the commoners and nobles.
If Du Dongtu interfered and stood on Lin Xun’s side, it would definitely alert the other noble factions. The consequences might become even more serious then.
“Don’t think about it anymore. Let’s continue our game.” Wei Lingzhen smiled and put back the fallen piece.
Du Dongtu’s expression fluctuated indeterminately. After a long time, he sighed. “I don’t like this.”
……
Swoosh!
Lin Xun’s figure darted through an alley like a phantom. He ran through the rain as the sound of people shouting rang out behind him again and again, indicating that the enemies were fast approaching.
In spite of this, Lin Xun’s expression remained coldly calm. His training in Kill Blood Camp had taught him that even the slightest bit of panic could create unforeseeable risk.
He maintained a unique drawn-out breathing rhythm as he sprinted. It was a technique to reduce the consumption of stamina.
Meanwhile, his spirit sense spread outwards like a spider web, alert for any movement nearby.
Swish!
When he passed by a certain low-roof house, his body suddenly stopped as the saber in his hand ruthlessly hacked toward the house’s roof.
The roof shattered with a loud bang. The sharp blade pierced through the tiles as a scream abruptly followed. If closely inspected, a figure could be seen hidden in the roof, his finger ready to fire the crossbow in his hands.
However, he no longer had any chance to shoot because Lin Xun’s blade apparently grew eyes of its own and accurately cut through his throat.
All of this happened in a split second. After releasing the attack, Lin Xun did not even glance back and continued to sprint away.
Such an ambush was child's play to someone like Lin Xun who had graduated from Blood Kill Camp.