Night Raven Tower Assassin

Lin Zhao had not stained his hands with blood for the first time, but this was the first time he had fought in his own bedroom.

He stared at the curled-up corpse on the ground and reached out to remove the ebony night raven mask. The skull beneath had already been shattered by his internal energy, the face a bloody mess, making it impossible to identify.

"Bad luck! I'll have to switch rooms tomorrow. This place is stained with blood; I won't be able to sleep soundly."

He frowned and kicked the corpse, his mind filled with doubts. "I don't know this person at all. They must be an assassin hired by my enemies. But I'm just a fifteen or sixteen-year-old Entering Martial Master, guarding this remote Lin Family Fortress. I've never made any mortal enemies. Who would spend a fortune to hire an Entering Martial Master to kill me?"

Pacing three rounds in the room, he replayed his experiences from two lifetimes. In his previous life, he was a company employee, cautious in his words and deeds. After inheriting the position of Centurion in this life, he had been even more careful, treading on thin ice. He had neither seized the mining veins of the nobility nor obstructed the business routes of the martial merchants. How could he have incurred such a deadly threat?

After much thought, there were only three possibilities.

The first and foremost was Daoist Zhang of the Celestial Masters' Manor. The old Daoist had visited before, demanding the surrender of a hundred years' worth of Military Supply Tribute and attempting to forcibly purchase the fortress's land and Iron Ore at a low price, only to be firmly refused by him.

That old Daoist, though seemingly gentle, was actually ruthless. He might have harbored resentment and secretly dispatched an assassin to silence him.

The second was the faction of Duke Wei, Xu Qin. Years ago, Lin Zhao's family's two properties in Jiangnan, Furong Manor and Iron Forge Mountain, were seized by Xu Qin's subordinates, the "Bloody Hand General" Zhou Yan and the "White Shirt General" Wang Jun.

They had allowed him to return to the north on the surface, but in reality, they were likely afraid that he would one day achieve the skill of his father, a Peak Grandmaster Warrior, and seek to reclaim their ancestral property.

It would be better to nip him in the bud while his foundation was unstable, cutting off the Lin family's lineage.

"But if it were them, why would they have let me leave Jiangnan Prefecture back then? Wouldn't it have been easier to intercept and kill me on the way? This logic simply doesn't hold up," Lin Zhao mused, stroking his chin. "Could it really be old Daoist Zhang?"

The third possibility was the Wild Jackal Gang.

"No," he shook his head, negating the idea. "The Wild Jackal Gang are just common bandits. They should have gathered their men to attack the fortress long ago. Why would they hire an assassin? Martial artists in the Jianghu always believe in 'open knives and guns,' not these underhanded tricks."

The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became. He punched the desk, his internal energy causing the teacup to rattle violently. "I've endured this much, and they still won't leave me alone? I must find out who is behind this! Once I confirm... as long as I can defeat them, I will make them pay a bloody price! Otherwise, I'll never have peace!"

Lin Family Fortress had walls twelve feet high, and the guards patrolled day and night. They even kept three Mystic Arm Snow Apes as "living sentries." Yet, this assassin had infiltrated silently. Not only did they possess the realm of an Entering Martial Master, but they were also skilled in stealth and infiltration. Anyone who could command such an assassin was definitely no ordinary individual.

With this thought, Lin Zhao picked up the poisoned Tiger Fang Dagger from the desk and bent down to cut open the assassin's dark uniform. He saw a mass of crow-shaped black energy slowly dissipating from the assassin's chest. Countless hair-thin wisps of energy, like roots, had burrowed into the heart that had long since stopped beating.

"Hmph! A Qi Seed! As expected of an Entering Martial Master!" Lin Zhao's eyes sharpened. "To be able to hire an Entering Martial Master as an assassin, the person behind this must either have power, wealth, or both."

As the assassin breathed his last, the crow-shaped Qi Seed gradually faded into nothingness.

This was the first time Lin Zhao had observed another martial artist's Qi Seed up close. His was in the form of a Mystic Dragon, enveloped in cold internal energy. This person's, however, was shaped like a black crow, exuding a sinister aura, clearly having practiced a unorthodox Breathing Exercise.

He stripped off all the assassin's clothes and even searched the soles of his boots. Finally, in the lining of his inner garment, he found a thin booklet no larger than his palm.

The booklet had only five pages. The cover depicted a crow's shadow hidden in the darkness, the ink a deep, dark hue, and the style of the drawing was eerie and unsettling.

"Raven Shadow Scroll," Lin Zhao read the title on the cover and casually opened it.

The contents were half doctrine and half cultivation technique. The first two pages preached about a deity named "Netherworld Martial Venerate," claiming he presided over slaughter, shadows, and stealth, and was the patron deity of assassins and killers in the Martial Path.

The last three pages depicted breathing exercises. The figures were depicted in distorted yet agile postures, precisely the "Bone Softening Technique" used by the assassin.

"Netherworld Martial Venerate? Never heard of him," Lin Zhao scoffed dismissively.

Although beliefs in this high-martial Great Ming were diverse, there were only a few main factions. The imperial court favored the Three Pure Ones, martial deities. The Celestial Masters' Manor revered the "Mystic Heaven Martial Saint," the Earth God Temple worshipped the "Earth Mother," and the Thunder Sound Pavilion honored the "Thunder Ancestor." All were "orthodox gods" with powerful sects and numerous martial artists.

Besides these, the army worshipped "Martial Saint Guan Yu," wild mountain folk paid homage to the "Mountain God of Martial Arts," and the Desolate God Cult worshipped the "Desolate God." However, there was no mention of "Netherworld Martial Venerate."

It seemed that "Night Raven Tower" was originally an underground organization, and the deity they worshipped had not gained prominence, only being known within the assassin circles.

In normal times, Lin Zhao would have disdained such superstitious matters. However, after witnessing the artificer's artifact-refining techniques and the power of the Mystic Arm Snow Ape, he couldn't help but wonder, "Since there are exotic beasts like the Mystic Dragon and Snow Ape in the world, perhaps there truly are martial deities in existence?"

Though he didn't believe it, he didn't dismiss it either. As long as they didn't provoke him, what others believed was none of his concern.

Turning to the last page, Lin Zhao's eyes lit up. The diagrams for the "Bone Softening Technique" were remarkably complete, clearly marking the breathing routes from the initial stage of Martial Master to Entering Martial Master!

"Someone actually carries a complete breathing technique with them?" Lin Zhao couldn't help but chuckle.

He would later learn that this was a rule of the Night Raven Tower. Assassins were required to carry the "Raven Shadow Scroll" with them. Firstly, to recite the "Netherworld Martial Venerate" prayer daily, and secondly, to hone the "Bone Softening Technique" at any time. This technique was specifically created for assassination. When practiced to the Entering Martial Master realm, it allowed for bone reshaping and form alteration. Combined with disguise techniques, it enabled one to easily infiltrate any location.

If the Night Raven Guest had not underestimated Lin Zhao, thinking him a "soft bone" and daring to attack him at close range, with his "Bone Softening Technique" and stealth skills, even Lin Zhao, an Entering Martial Master, might not have been able to easily capture him.

Lin Zhao tucked the "Raven Shadow Scroll" into his chest, then collected the night raven mask and the Tiger Fang Dagger. He didn't even overlook the bag of knockout powder and the bag of quicklime the assassin carried.

Afterward, he dragged the corpse towards the Mystic Iron forging furnace behind the fortress. The furnace was still burning, perfect for disposing of the body.

With a slash of his long saber, the corpse was chopped into several pieces and thrown into the roaring flames.

The flames crackled, and the burnt, foul smell quickly permeated the air. Faintly, a wisp of dark crow-shaped energy rose from the fire before vanishing in an instant.

Lin Zhao narrowed his eyes and watched. Only charred bone fragments remained in the furnace, with no further abnormalities.

"Heh, this 'Bone Softening Technique' is indeed more peculiar than ordinary breathing exercises," he murmured calmly, his heart undisturbed. In this chaotic high-martial world he had been reborn into, having seen Mystic Arm Snow Apes and Mystic Mane Fierce Wolves, this minor anomaly was nothing.

Now, all the breathing exercises he had seen were linked to rare birds and exotic beasts. The Lin family's "Candle-holding Mystic Dragon," the Stone Bear Guard's "Firmament Stone Bear," the Mystic Wolf Fortress's "Silver Mane Frost Wolf," and even Duke Wei's manor's "Mountain-suppressing Mystic Turtle," and the imperial family's "Five-clawed Golden Dragon"—all of them used exotic beasts as their family crests, weaving legendary tales of "beasts bestowing skills" to highlight their noble lineage.

He vaguely recalled his father saying that the Lin family's "Mystic Dragon" was a spiritual creature that brought light from chaos, a divine beast of martial arts that saved the suffering.

But after practicing the "Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique" and seeing the Night Raven Guest's "crow-shaped Qi Seed," Lin Zhao's suspicion grew: "Were these exotic beasts perhaps fabricated by previous generations based on the internal energy forms of breathing exercises?"

This conjecture would require further verification after he witnessed more cultivation techniques and reached the Peak Martial Master realm.

He picked up the Tiger Fang Dagger and weighed it. It was about a foot long, the hilt curved into a tiger's fang shape, wrapped with anti-slip copper wire. The blade had a faint blue sheen, clearly tempered with potent poison.

"This dagger is poisoned and must be stored carefully. However, its craftsmanship is ordinary, only mixed with some refined iron. With my current Martial Arts Blacksmithing skill at Third Rank Perfection, it wouldn't be difficult to reforge it into a short dagger with a 'Pulse Protecting Pattern' for self-defense."

Looking at the black ebony night raven mask, the inner lining was made of medicated gauze. "This item can protect against sleeping gas and dust, making it more practical than an ordinary mask."

Finally, he glanced at the bag of quicklime, his brow furrowed. "This move is insidious. If one's eyes are blinded by quicklime, even an Entering Martial Master will instantly lose their combat effectiveness. Fortunately, my reaction last night was quick, and I didn't give this assassin a chance to act. Otherwise, it would have been truly dangerous."

--After inspecting the assassin's belongings, Lin Zhao's understanding grew even clearer: the mastermind behind this was definitely no ordinary person. "When Uncle Zhao returns from the Northern Garrison, I must consult him properly. He traveled extensively in his youth and served as a martial artist in the army. He is knowledgeable and might know the background of this 'Night Raven Tower'."

After a sleepless night, Lin Zhao simply sat on his bed and circulated the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique. His bedroom was too conspicuous, with its bright windows and wooden doors, making it hardly a place for restful sleep.

He decided to dig a secret room beneath the main office today. Only Zhao Tieying would know its location. He would stock it with plenty of dry rations and Ink Flood Dragon Body Tempering Pills, and set up some Mystic Iron traps. From now on, he would sleep there at night.

In a chaotic world, more caution meant more chance of survival.

As dawn broke, Lin Zhao finished his practice and pushed open the door. He had just reached the training grounds when he saw a group of manor guards gathered around a corpse on the ground. It was Wang Er, the manor guard who had been silenced by assassins last night. His body was already stiff with cold.

"Young Master! Wang Er was killed last night while guarding the west wall!" the guard captain said, his face pale and his voice trembling. He had never imagined that someone could kill within the Lin Family Fortress so silently. This was more terrifying than an attack from outside.

Lin Zhao glanced at the knife wound on the corpse's neck and understood immediately. However, he remained outwardly calm. "First, cremate Wang Er. According to the fortress rules, send two piculs of wheat and five taels of silver to his family as compensation. Say he died in the line of duty defending the fortress, and all corvée labor for his family will be waived from now on."

After instructing the steward, he turned to the gathered guards. He channeled his internal breath into his voice, making their eardrums ache. "No matter who the killer is, I will find out the truth and give Wang Er, and all of you, an explanation! Starting tonight, the number of patrols will be doubled. Each person will be equipped with a Mystic Iron short knife, and the Mystic Arm Snow Apes will patrol the walls in three shifts! Anyone who dares to slack off will face my 'Three Talents Slash'!"

He deliberately did not mention last night's assassination attempt. After this incident, he no longer trusted anyone. It was possible there was an informant for the assassins within the fortress. If they knew he was prepared, the next visitor might not be just one assassin.

The assassination attempt did not disrupt Lin Zhao's plans; instead, it made him even more eager to improve his strength.

Currently, both the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique and the Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique had reached bottlenecks. He poured all his focus into the "Three Talents Slash." If not for the "Three Talents Slash" being on the verge of breaking through to the fourth rank last night, with enough internal energy, he might not have been able to subdue the Night Raven Guest in a single strike.

He had a complete realization: in this high-martial, chaotic world, strength was the only foundation for survival.

If he hadn't broken through to the Entering Martial Master realm, even if he had detected the assassin, he would have had no choice but to offer his neck for slaughter. It was the solid internal breath from the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique, the agile footwork from the Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique, and the "Three Talents Slash" that was about to break through, that allowed him to keep his life.

"This path is the right one!" Lin Zhao secretly rejoiced. "From now on, I must cultivate more breathing techniques to improve my strength, speed, bones, and endurance. I also need to learn more life-saving moves and become a true, tough martial artist!

Even if the breathing techniques are not of high grade, I will pile them up until I have a body that is impervious to blades and spears!

One day, when I encounter a strong enemy again, I will make it so they can't even touch the corner of my clothes!"

For the next two days, Lin Zhao immersed himself in the training grounds, madly honing the "Three Talents Slash." He swung his sword thousands of times a day. When he was tired, he would swallow an Ink Flood Dragon Body Tempering Pill to restore his internal breath. When he was hungry, he would gnaw on some wheat cakes, not even resting.

On this morning, as the sun had just risen above the peak of Qixia Mountain, Lin Zhao stood in the center of the training grounds and took a deep breath. His internal breath surged towards his right arm like a tide. The Cold Steel Frost Condensation Sword in his hand hummed, and a faint Mystic Dragon internal energy emanated from its blade.

"Three Talents Slash!"

He let out a low shout and slashed out with his long sword. A sharp whistling sound cut through the air, and as the sword passed through it, ripples of internal energy, visible to the naked eye, spread out!

In the next instant, internal energy, more domineering than ordinary shocking force, flowed out along the sword, striking the half-finger-thick Mystic Iron plate.

"Crack!"

The Mystic Iron plate shattered like paper. A fist-sized gap, with edges curled outward, appeared centered on the sword tip. The cut surface was as smooth as a mirror. The Frost Condensation Sword continued to hum, as if celebrating the joy of breakthrough.

["Three Talents Slash" Proficiency +5]

["Three Talents Slash" has broken through to the fourth tier! New effect unlocked: Basic Entangling Force (Internal energy can entangle the blade, allowing it to disarm enemy weapons during slashes, increasing armor-piercing ability by 30%)]

Lin Zhao suddenly looked up, his eyes bursting with ecstasy. "Entangling Force! Hahaha! I've also cultivated Entangling Force!"

This was precisely the ability of "internal energy penetrating armor" that Zhao Tieying had spoken of. With Entangling Force, ordinary Mystic Iron plate armor would be like thin paper under his sword. Even an Entering Martial Master in armor would not be able to withstand this blow!

What excited him even more was that he had only taken three years to master this move, whereas Zhao Tieying had spent a full ten years to cultivate Entangling Force!

"If it weren't for this Proficiency Panel's assistance, with my talent, it would have taken at least fifteen years to even touch the threshold of Entangling Force, far behind Uncle Zhao." Lin Zhao showed no arrogance, his heart clear. "My achievements today are all thanks to the panel's unceasing accumulation, not my extraordinary talent."

With a thought, the Proficiency Panel appeared before his eyes. Every line of text exuded solid progress:

-Lin Zhao

-Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique: Fourth Tier (231/20000), Effect: Basic Mystic Dragon Defense (Internal energy covering the body can resist blunt force impacts and weaken sharp weapon injuries)

-Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique: Third Tier (450/10000), Effect: Basic Silver Frost Steps (Agility increased by 20%, silent movement on snow)

-"Three Talents Slash": Fourth Tier (1/20000), Effects: Advanced Shocking Force (Internal energy can crack Mystic Iron), Basic Entangling Force (Disarms and pierces armor)

-Martial Arts Blacksmithing: Third Tier (6897/10000), Effect: Guaranteed Exquisite (Pulse Protecting Pattern compatibility +30%)

-Beast Taming: Third Tier (Perfection), Effect: Heart of Beast Taming (Can command Mystic Arm Snow Apes to cooperate in combat)