Night Raven Tower Assassin

The honor of an Entering Martial Master—across the noble households and military garrisons of the Ming Dynasty, they were all genuine pillars of the martial path. Join the army, and one could serve as a "Martial Affairs Regulations Officer" overseeing soldiers' martial equipment and training; enter a great family, and one could become a "Head Guard" leading martial masters in defense of the estate. Such respectable positions were there for the taking.

But Lin Zhao, accustomed to holding Lin Family Fortress in his hands, would never willingly live beneath another's thumb.

He had already had more than enough of his past life, currying favor in a company and watching his boss's every expression.

In this life, with the Proficiency Panel in hand, along with Mystic Arm Snow Apes and the craft of Martial Arts Blacksmithing to support him, he would never again be a beast of burden at another's beck and call. If he was to live, he would live freely and unfettered.

"Now that I've entered the realm of an Entering Martial Master, I should relax for a few days. I'll skip breathing cultivation today and have Achun and Axia knead my muscles tonight—these past few days of practicing the Three Talents Slash have left my shoulders and back stiff."

These days, Lin Zhao had been like a tightly wound spring. By day, he practiced the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique and Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique to temper his inner breath; in the afternoons, he immersed himself in the Blacksmith Shed forging armor; at night, he calculated the income and expenses of the fortress's black iron mine. He had worked himself until he was nearly falling apart.

No matter how fulfilling his days were, he was ultimately flesh and blood, not cast from black iron. There would always be times when exhaustion caught up to him.

Today, he decided to rest for three days. During the day, he would sleep soundly to replenish his spirit; in the evening, he would only practice the Three Talents Slash for half an hour to loosen his muscles and bones.

Balancing work and rest was the proper way of the martial path. Cultivation was originally a tool for securing one's life and livelihood; it sought longevity and carefree freedom, aimed for a life without restraint. How could one instead become burdened by it?

After nightfall, in the side courtyard of the Lin Family Fortress master's residence, a cedarwood bathing tub held medicinal broth brewed with mugwort and Mystic Dragon gallbladder. Lin Zhao soaked within it, while the impurities forced from his body during his breakthrough into an Entering Martial Master floated upon the surface, forming a greasy black film.

The twin maidservants, Achun and Axia, stood on either side of him, their slender fingers pressing into the taut muscles of his shoulders and back. Those muscles were hard as ancient pines, the tough sinews formed through years of breathing exercise, blade practice, and hammering iron.

"Young Master's body is harder than the black iron pillars in the fortress. My knuckles are sore from pressing on you." Achun pouted coquettishly. Her collar had loosened slightly, inadvertently revealing a glimpse of snow-white skin, while her voice was soft and sweet as honey. "The knots in your shoulders and back need more hot-water compresses before they'll loosen."

"If your hands are sore, let your sister take over. There's no rush." Lin Zhao closed his eyes and enjoyed this rare moment of leisure. The clean fragrance of the medicinal broth lingered beneath his nose, and the fatigue of many days slowly seeped away through his pores.

He thought of Zhao Tieying, far away in Northern Garrison City, and quietly pondered, I hope Uncle Zhao's trip goes smoothly. May he not run into any remnants of the Mountain Breaker Gang.

It was not that he cared about the fifteen hundred taels of silver worth of armor. Rather, Zhao Tieying was his only remaining family in this world—his father's former deputy general, a Peak Martial Master, who now remained by his side guarding Lin Family Fortress. He truly did not wish to lose this elder as well.

As he pondered, the medicinal broth gradually cooled. Lin Zhao rose, dried himself, and returned to his room to rest.

The stars were sparse, and cold crows perched upon the fortress watchtowers. The night was so still that it was frightening.

A figure in dark fitted clothing swept like a night cat across the rocky slopes of Qixia Mountain, silently slipping into the valley west of Lin Family Fortress.

The newcomer stopped beneath the mountain-backed fortress and looked up at the black iron walls more than a zhang high. A cold smile curled across his lips. "This fortress occupies a tricky position, using the mountain terrain for defense. Easy to defend, difficult to attack. What a pity it has encountered me, the Night Raven Guest."

"I waited seven days and finally wore Zhao Tieying down until he left. Without a Peak Martial Master guarding this place, Lin Family Fortress is nothing but a fat slab of meat." His fingers brushed the Tiger Fang Dagger at his waist, tempered with inner breath, and a vicious gleam flashed in his eyes. "Lin Zhao, you little brat—your Entering Martial Master head will be gladly accepted by Night Raven Tower!"

This man was a renowned assassin of the martial world, belonging to Night Raven Tower, an organization spread across every province and prefecture of the Ming Dynasty. Like an underground martial brokerage house, its assassins all cultivated secret arts unique to themselves. So long as the price was high enough, they dared strike even at the children of nobles or military officers of the garrisons.

The Night Raven Guest had come from the ranks of wandering martial masters. With no ties and no burdens, after killing he would flee a thousand li away, leaving no trace to follow.

In five years since entering the trade, he had amassed blood debts beyond counting: one retired Martial Affairs Official, three scions of great families, one head guard of an earl's estate, and even two Entering Martial Masters.

This time, the employer was mysterious. The message had passed through three layers of middlemen, and he did not even know the other party's name. Nor could he be bothered to know. So long as the reward of five hundred taels of gold was paid, he would dare gamble even against an Entering Grandmaster Warrior.

In his eyes, assassinating Lin Zhao was no harder than taking something from his pocket.

Rumors had long circulated through the northern nobles' circles that this little centurion of Lin Family Fortress was a "prodigal son," unable even to manage his own guards. Where could he possibly possess the backbone of a martial family?

Yet the Night Raven Guest placed great importance on an assassin's professional conduct. Even if the target were a child, he would prepare every means at hand. A Tiger Fang Dagger hung at his waist, knockout powder and quicklime were hidden against his chest, a black iron grappling hook was clutched in his hand, and even his mask was the Ebony Night Raven Mask soaked in antidote. Nothing had been overlooked.

Circling the fortress beneath the cover of night, he discovered that only one Estate Guard was dozing beneath the western wall. That guard had merely practiced the Basic Slash and Stab Technique and did not even qualify as a Martial Trainee. This was the weakest point in the fortress's defenses.

"I'll infiltrate from here, find Lin Zhao's bedroom, kill him with one stroke and take his head. Within half an hour, I'll be out of Northern Garrison territory, leaving neither ghost nor god aware." Thoughts raced through the Night Raven Guest's mind as he crouched and crept closer, his fingers already gripping the short dagger at his waist.

The Estate Guard had been born to a farming household and had already been terrified when selected for night watch. Now, leaning against the base of the wall and dozing, he did not notice anyone approaching.

The Night Raven Guest worshiped the Netherworld Martial Venerate of a folk martial cult. Before killing, he would silently recite a prayer: "Netherworld Martial Venerate above, your disciple acts tonight. I beg the honored deity's protection. Once I return with the head, I shall offer black iron in sacrifice."

As soon as the words ended, he lunged forward and covered the Estate Guard's mouth and nose. The Tiger Fang Dagger in his other hand swept across the man's throat. The guard did not even have time to grunt before crumpling to the ground, blood flowing along the wall into the snow and freezing into ice in an instant.

The Night Raven Guest did not spare the corpse another glance. He hurled out his black iron grappling hook, caught it upon the battlements, and climbed the wall with hands and feet. When he flipped over and landed, he was as light as a falling leaf, even elegantly brushing snowflakes from his fitted clothing.

But the moment he steadied himself, he froze in place. Three snow-white giant apes were staring at him with round eyes as large as bronze bells, white vapor billowing from their nostrils.

These were the Mystic Arm Snow Apes raised by Lin Zhao! And the place he had climbed into was precisely their beast enclosure!

"Damn it! Is Lin Zhao insane? He keeps Mystic Arm Snow Apes inside the fortress?" The Night Raven Guest cursed inwardly, cold sweat beading across his brow. He had once seen adult Mystic Arm Snow Apes in the northern desert. They could carry black iron ingots with their strength, and their sharp claws could shatter refined iron armor. Even Entering Martial Masters had to take a detour when they encountered them.

Though these three before him had yet to mature, their powerful bodies and bared fangs marked them as anything but harmless creatures!

The three Mystic Arm Snow Ape brothers were also stunned.

Lin Zhao had long taught them this: remember the scent of every person in the fortress, and if an unfamiliar scent approached, become alert immediately. At this moment, the killing intent and medicinal scent upon the Night Raven Guest differed from anyone in the fortress, and the brothers' fur instantly bristled.

The Night Raven Guest believed his infiltration had left no trace, never realizing he had long been watched by these three "demonic beast living sentries."

Now face-to-face with them, though he was alarmed, he forced himself to remain calm. "I fear adult Mystic Arm Snow Apes by three parts, but your fur has not even grown in properly. You are nothing to fear!"

Before his words had faded, the three brothers charged him at once. This was Lin Zhao's rule: anyone who entered the fortress without using the main gate and bore an unfamiliar scent was to be pounced upon and killed immediately!

The Night Raven Guest's muscles and bones instantly tightened as he circulated his secret Bone Softening Technique. This was a martial art passed down through the martial world. It did not train brute strength in muscles and bones, but specialized in movement and flexibility. At profound levels, one could shrink bones and reshape one's form, becoming even more nimble than an ape.

At that moment, his body contracted slightly, making him half a head shorter. His steps were as light and agile as an opera troupe's song-stepping dance, weaving between the Mystic Arm Snow Apes' sharp claws.

Though the three brothers' pounces were fierce, they could not even touch the corner of his clothes.

As he dodged, the Night Raven Guest sneered. "I told you long ago that you are no match for me! If I were not pressed for time to take Lin Zhao's head, I would certainly use my Tiger Fang Dagger to bleed you dry!"

With that, he pushed off the ground with his toes, borrowed the force to vault over the wooden fence of the enclosure, and vanished into the night deep within the fortress in the blink of an eye.

The Mystic Arm Snow Apes roared anxiously within the pen, their massive bodies crashing against the wooden rails until they creaked, but they could never cross over.

The commotion ultimately alerted the estate guards patrolling at night.

Several men carrying lanterns hurried over. Seeing the three brothers clawing at the fence in agitation, they only assumed the apes were hungry. They hurriedly brought salted Mystic Mane Fierce Wolf meat to feed them, then shouted for more men to strengthen the patrols. Yet they never discovered the corpse already cold beneath the wall.

Elsewhere, having escaped, the Night Raven Guest straightened his rumpled fitted clothing and took the Ebony Night Raven Mask from his chest, putting it on. The mask's lining had been soaked in antidote, allowing it to conceal his face while also preventing him from injuring himself when using quicklime.

This is the duty of a professional assassin! he thought smugly, his steps becoming even lighter.

He had been an assassin for five years. The silver he had earned was already enough to buy a three-courtyard residence in Jiangnan, yet he remained addicted to this life of licking blood from a blade's edge. The money he earned was either spent buying weapons tempered with inner breath or squandered in taverns and pleasure houses. In his eyes, every assassination was an "art." Watching his target breathe their last was more exhilarating than listening to opera.

Using the night as cover, the Night Raven Guest slipped beneath the window of Lin Zhao's bedroom.

He drew a bundle of thin iron wires from his waist. This "Empty-Handed Wonder" technique was an essential martial auxiliary skill for assassins, capable of silently opening ninety percent of the bronze locks in the Ming Dynasty.

With his fingertips dancing, the bronze lock on the door gave a soft click and was actually opened.

The Night Raven Guest drifted into the room like a fallen leaf and walked straight toward the bed.

On the bed, Lin Zhao lay on his side beneath a brocade quilt, breathing evenly, a faint smile still lingering at his lips as though he slept deeply.

"You sleep quite peacefully." A cold glint flashed through the Night Raven Guest's eyes. He drew the Tiger Fang Dagger from his waist, dipped his fingertip into the Blood Sealing Death poison powder hidden against his chest, and gently smeared it across the blade's edge. This poison was a secret martial medicine from Lingnan. Even if it only broke the skin, death would be certain within half an incense stick.

To die in your dreams is the dignity bestowed upon you by the Netherworld Martial Venerate. Lin Zhao, little centurion, may you have a good journey! he silently recited, twisting his wrist as the Tiger Fang Dagger stabbed straight toward Lin Zhao's heart. Even if it missed the heart, the deadly poison would still take his life. There could be no mistake.

Yet when the dagger tip was less than three inches from Lin Zhao's chest, a dark hand wreathed in Mystic Dragon inner breath suddenly shot out and firmly seized his wrist meridian!

The Night Raven Guest felt a vast surge of inner breath crash into him. His wrist bones hurt as though splitting apart, and the Tiger Fang Dagger fell onto the bluestone floor with a clang.

The change had arisen at his elbow and armpit, so sudden that he had not even seen when Lin Zhao awoke. What frightened him even more was that Lin Zhao was actually wearing Light Chainmail with Vein-Protecting Patterns, with a black iron Heart Mirror engraved all over with Black Dragon Patterns embedded over his chest!

"Y-you actually sleep in armor?" the Night Raven Guest cried out, his wrist meridian gripped so painfully that even his inner breath circulated sluggishly.

"You wanted to kill me, yet you won't allow me to stay on guard?" Lin Zhao's voice carried the hoarseness of someone newly awakened, but it also held bone-piercing coldness.

He truly had been asleep just moments ago, but the roars of the Mystic Arm Snow Apes had awakened him. Remembering that he had taught the snow apes to recognize unfamiliar scents, he knew an uninvited guest had infiltrated the fortress. Thus, he simply pretended to sleep and waited for his opponent to walk into the net himself.

Pinned down and unable to move, the Night Raven Guest had a sudden idea in his desperation. His left hand formed a claw and shot straight toward Lin Zhao's face. He had practiced this Netherworld Eagle Claw Technique for three years, and poison was hidden beneath his fingernails. So long as he scratched Lin Zhao's flesh, he could rob him of his fighting strength.

But Lin Zhao had long been prepared. His body moved with his inner breath, and with a slight turn, he evaded the claw strike. Though his Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique leaned toward defense, it had also trained the Mystic Dragon Step. His reactions were even faster than the Night Raven Guest's Bone Softening Technique.

At the same time as he dodged, Lin Zhao's hand gripping the other man's wrist meridian suddenly exerted force. With a sharp crack, the Night Raven Guest's right arm snapped in response!

The agonizing pain turned the Night Raven Guest's vision black. Before he could howl, Lin Zhao seized his left arm and gave it the same treatment—another sharp crack. Both arms were ruined, and pain like a tide drowned his consciousness.

Then Lin Zhao leaped down from the bed, gripped the Night Raven Guest by the back of his neck, and smashed him viciously into the bluestone floor as though flinging a sack!

With a thunderous boom, several thin cracks split across the ground. The Night Raven Guest spat out a mouthful of blood, with no telling how many ribs broken. His entire body slumped upon the floor like mud.

His mind was blank, filled only with shock. Lin Zhao looked no more than fifteen or sixteen years old—how could he possess such terrifying strength?

That Mystic Dragon inner breath, the chainmail, the Heart Mirror, and such ruthless methods—where was the rumored "prodigal son"? He was plainly a ruthless martial fiend who had fought and killed for years! "Y-you're not... a prodigal son? Why...?"

Lin Zhao had no interest in listening to his nonsense. Afraid that the Night Raven Guest still had some hidden move, he raised his hand, intending to knock him unconscious first and interrogate him afterward.

But having only just broken through into an Entering Martial Master, he had not yet fully mastered his inner breath and strength. This punch accidentally used his full force and struck straight at the Night Raven Guest's head!

Crack!

Amid the crisp sound, the Night Raven Guest's head burst apart like a rotten melon, blood splashing across the floor.

Lin Zhao stared at his fist for a long while before scratching his head and muttering to himself, Damn it, I just broke through into an Entering Martial Master and didn't control my strength properly... Now I can't even ask who sent him.

He lowered his head to look at the corpse on the ground, then at his own fist. Suddenly, he broke into a grin. "Good heavens, my strength has already become this powerful?"