Two days later, Qin Yu arrived in the Three Prefectures of the Eastern Region. He kept a low profile, changed into a black outfit that allowed him to move freely, stowed the Yan Chi Longsword and Dagger inside his body, and suppressed the Xiantian true essence around him. He looked like an ordinary wandering cultivator from the martial world as he quietly slipped into the depths of the prefectural city. Zhen Xu's villa stood in a secluded spot on the eastern side of the city, surrounded by high walls of blue brick and a vermilion-lacquered gate. Hidden sentries lined the walls, while guards patrolled the courtyard every ten paces. The security was far tighter than Qin Yu had expected.
Taking advantage of the night, Qin Yu circled around to a secluded corner behind the villa. He sprang up like a wildcat, lightly touching the wall with his toes. With his well-practiced lightness skill, he scaled the high wall without a sound and landed in the courtyard's shadows. Crouching low and holding his breath, he surveyed the layout by the dim glow of the lanterns. The main hall was brightly lit, and the faint sound of conversation drifted out. One voice belonged to Zhen Xu; the other two, somewhat feminine-sounding voices, presumably belonged to his personal guards—the two early Xiantian cultivators.
Qin Yu's heart stirred. Knowing he couldn't let the opportunity slip by, he immediately suppressed every trace of his presence and crept toward the main hall like a Meteor in the night. He evaded the patrolling guards, his steps light and noiseless, and reached the window in just a few breaths. He slowly lifted one corner of the window paper and peered inside.
Three people sat around a table in the main hall, with tea and intelligence reports spread across it. The man at the head wore a brocade robe. His face was sinister, his eyes sharp—it was Zhen Xu. He toyed with a pair of pitch-black claw-shaped weapons, their tips gleaming with a bone-chilling light and faintly exuding a bloodthirsty aura. On either side of him stood a man and a woman. The man wore black and had a cold expression, with a curved saber in his hand. The woman wore purple, her features touched with an eerie charm, and toyed with a silver chain. Both had steady auras and early Xiantian cultivation. They were Zhen Xu's sworn siblings, Nalan Feng and Nalan Dan.
"Big brother, the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion has been secretly mobilizing cultivators again lately. Judging by their movements, they seem to be massing troops along the borders of the Three Prefectures of the Eastern Region," Nalan Feng said slowly, his voice low. "The spies we planted have uncovered some clues, but we still haven't determined the exact number of troops or where they're deployed."
A vicious smile curled Zhen Xu's lips. He rubbed his fingers over the tips of the Blood Soul Claw and said coldly, "That old fox Qin De is in a hurry. But it doesn't matter. As long as we keep an eye on him, we'll uncover his secrets sooner or later. The Blood Soul Claw is made from the talons of a Blood Soul Beast, a demonic beast from the Great Wilderness, and has been refined through dozens of processes. It's incredibly durable and can absorb blood essence to increase its power. Once I uncover enough information, I'll take this Blood Soul Claw and the intelligence back to the capital and report to His Majesty. That'll make sure old fox Qin De pays dearly!"
Nalan Dan chuckled, her voice eerie. "You're right, big brother. With the Blood Soul Claw in hand and the two of us at your side, you'd be a match even for Qin De himself, let alone his covert forces. But they say Mr. Yun Ce of the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion has profound cultivation. We should still be on our guard."
"Yun Ce?" A hint of wariness flickered in Zhen Xu's eyes, but he soon sneered. "He's just a cultivator living in seclusion. However profound his cultivation may be, he might not interfere in court affairs. Besides, I have His Majesty's support and a powerful weapon like the Blood Soul Claw. Why should I fear Yun Ce?"
Outside the window, a cold killing intent flashed in Qin Yu's eyes as he listened to their conversation. Zhen Xu was not only ambitious but arrogant as well. Today, he would pay for that arrogance. Qin Yu didn't hesitate. With a slight movement of his fingers, the Crimson Short Sword at his waist leaped from its sheath. A flash of crimson light streaked across the night like a Meteor. He shoved the window open and shot into the main hall like an arrow, shouting coldly, "Zhen Xu, your time has come!"
The three inside were caught completely off guard and jolted in surprise. Zhen Xu sprang to his feet, shock flashing across his face before it turned vicious. He clenched the Blood Soul Claw in both hands and said coldly, "What brat dares break into the Zhen Mansion? You're asking for death!" Nalan Feng and Nalan Dan reacted at once, moving to stand in front of Zhen Xu, one on each side. They stared at Qin Yu as their spiritual energy surged, revealing their early Xiantian auras.
"Heavenly Net. Meteor." Qin Yu spoke calmly, his voice cold. He didn't waste another word. Raising the Yan Chi Dagger in his hand, he let its crimson glow intensify. "I'm here to take your worthless life. Die!" He deliberately mentioned the Heavenly Net and his codename to conceal his true identity, making this look like a routine Heavenly Net assassination unrelated to the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion.
"Heavenly Net? Meteor?" Surprise flashed in Zhen Xu's eyes, then he laughed coldly, immediately guessing that Qin Family had hired an assassin. "So you're a Heavenly Net assassin. Looks like that old fox Qin De can't wait to get rid of me. Too bad you picked the wrong opponent!" Before his words had faded, Zhen Xu surged forward, spiritual energy bursting beneath his feet as he lunged at Qin Yu with the Blood Soul Claw. The weapon lived up to its reputation. Before it even reached him, a thick wave of bloodlust and chill rushed toward Qin Yu, and the icy gleam of its tips sent a shiver down the spine.
Qin Yu remained calm and unafraid. He shifted lightly to the side, easily evading Zhen Xu's lunge, and thrust the Yan Chi Dagger toward his wrist. Its crimson glow flashed like a scarlet bolt of lightning. Zhen Xu was startled by Qin Yu's speed. He hastily turned his wrist and brought the Blood Soul Claw up to block.
"Clang!" A sharp metallic screech rang out as the Crimson Short Sword struck the Blood Soul Claw. A shocking sight followed: the Blood Soul Claw Zhen Xu had been so proud of—the weapon made from the talons of a Great Wilderness demonic beast and refined through dozens of processes—had been carved with a deep gash by Qin Yu's Crimson Short Sword. One of its icy tips broke off, while the sword in Qin Yu's hand remained completely unscathed, its crimson glow still bright.
"How is this possible?" Zhen Xu's pupils contracted. His face was filled with disbelief, and the hand gripping the Blood Soul Claw trembled slightly. "My Blood Soul Claw is a treasure from the Great Wilderness. How could your piece of junk damage it?" He could hardly believe that the Blood Soul Claw he treasured had proved so fragile against Qin Yu's sword.
Qin Yu understood why and gave a faint smile. His Yan Chi Dagger was a High-Grade Spirit Artifact that Yun Ce had forged from Stone-Embedded Yan Chi Iron. It contained pure fire-attribute spiritual energy and was incredibly hard. Though the Blood Soul Claw was made from the talons of a Great Wilderness demonic beast, it was still an ordinary weapon. It had never been tempered in spiritual fire or infused with spiritual energy, so it couldn't compare to a High-Grade Spirit Artifact. This clash had been a complete mismatch.
"It's just an ordinary weapon. Don't show off in front of a spirit artifact." Qin Yu shouted coldly. His spiritual energy surged and poured down the Crimson Short Sword. Its crimson glow flared, and a dazzling red light spread over the blade as a tremendous wave of fire-attribute spiritual energy erupted, suppressing the Blood Soul Claw's bloodlust at once. He turned his wrist and thrust again, each strike viciously aimed at Zhen Xu's vitals.
Zhen Xu was shocked and furious. He had never imagined that his Blood Soul Claw would be so thoroughly outclassed, much less that this Heavenly Net assassin codenamed Meteor would be so powerful. He forced down his shock, gripped the damaged Blood Soul Claw, and lunged at Qin Yu again, his claw technique vicious and each move lethal. He tried to use his late Xiantian cultivation to make up for the difference in weapons.
But Qin Yu's cultivation was already a level above Zhen Xu's, and he had the advantage of a High-Grade Spirit Artifact as well as far more combat experience. He faced Zhen Xu's attacks without rushing, his steps nimble as willow branches swaying in the wind. He easily dodged every strike while counterattacking with the Crimson Short Sword. Every blow carried rich fire-attribute spiritual energy, burning holes in Zhen Xu's brocade robe and forcing him backward again and again until he was in a wretched state.
"Big brother, we'll help you!" Seeing Zhen Xu gradually fall behind, Nalan Feng shouted and drew his curved saber in a flash of cold light, bringing it down toward Qin Yu's back. Nalan Dan attacked at the same time, sending her silver chain darting out like a spirit snake toward Qin Yu's wrist, hoping to restrict his movements.
Qin Yu's expression didn't change. His ear twitched, and he instantly sensed the attack behind him. He neither dodged nor retreated, but stamped his left foot against the ground and shot upward. At the same time, he thrust the Crimson Short Sword backward, its crimson light flashing as it precisely deflected Nalan Feng's curved saber. With a clang, Nalan Feng's wrist went numb. A notch appeared in his saber, and it nearly slipped from his grasp. Shocked, he hurriedly retreated several steps, staring at Qin Yu in disbelief. He hadn't expected Qin Yu to deflect his full-strength attack so easily.
At the same time, Qin Yu lightly touched his right toes to the ground and twisted in midair, evading Nalan Dan's silver chain. With a turn of his right hand, he drew a Crimson Long Sword. Now wielding one spirit artifact in each hand, he sent their crimson light intertwining like two fiery dragons lunging at Nalan Feng and Nalan Dan.
Nalan Feng and Nalan Dan were startled and hurriedly joined forces to defend themselves. Nalan Feng swung his saber at Qin Yu's longsword, while Nalan Dan controlled her silver chain and wrapped it around his dagger. But both weapons in Qin Yu's hands were High-Grade Spirit Artifacts, imbued with pure fire-attribute spiritual energy and immense power. When their weapons clashed with Qin Yu's spirit artifacts, they were knocked from their hands and shattered instantly. A vast surge of spiritual energy coursed through the weapons into them. Both groaned, blood trickling from their mouths as they staggered backward several steps, their faces as pale as paper.
"Impossible! How can you have two weapons this powerful—and such high cultivation?" Terror filled Nalan Dan's eyes. Her voice trembled, and greed flickered in her gaze. Most Gold-Rank Assassins in the Heavenly Net had only one weapon at the peak of the ordinary-weapon level, and their cultivation was usually at the early or middle Xiantian stage. But this "Meteor" had not only two powerful weapons but late Xiantian cultivation as well. He was no ordinary Gold-Rank Assassin—he was even stronger than an ordinary Heavenly Net branch master.
Qin Yu paid no heed to their shock. He darted forward like a Meteor and appeared in front of Nalan Feng. A light thrust of his Crimson Short Sword pierced Nalan Feng's chest. A flash of unwillingness passed through Nalan Feng's eyes. He tried to speak, but could only spit out a mouthful of blood before slowly collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Seeing Nalan Feng killed, Nalan Dan was terrified out of her wits. She turned and tried to flee, but Qin Yu was much faster. He flashed in front of her, the Crimson Long Sword at her throat. "Trying to run? Too late!"
Trembling all over, Nalan Dan fell to her knees and begged for mercy. "Spare me, my lord! Please spare me! I know I was wrong. I'll never help Zhen Xu again. Please let me live!" The eerie arrogance she'd shown earlier was gone, replaced by nothing but terror. She had no time to worry about anyone else's fate when her own life was at stake.
Qin Yu showed no pity. "You aided a tyrant, helped Zhen Xu spy on the Qin Family, and obstructed the Conquest of Chu. You must die today!" Before he finished speaking, he flicked his wrist. The Crimson Long Sword sliced through Nalan Dan's throat, and blood gushed out. She fell to the ground and twitched a few times before going still.
In the space of a few moments, Qin Yu had killed Nalan Feng and Nalan Dan. Only Zhen Xu remained in the main hall. He looked at the two corpses on the floor, then at Qin Yu's icy expression, his heart filled with terror and despair. He knew he was no match for Qin Yu. He was going to die today.
"Y-you... who are you?" Zhen Xu's voice trembled, and the hand gripping the Blood Soul Claw shook uncontrollably. "You can't be an ordinary Heavenly Net assassin. Are you one of Qin De's men?" He had finally realized that this young man was no ordinary Gold-Rank Assassin of the Heavenly Net. He had to be a top expert sent by Qin De.
Qin Yu gave a cold laugh and didn't answer. He merely raised the Crimson Long Sword slightly and said coldly, "There's no point in talking. Prepare to die!" Before his words had faded, he lunged at Zhen Xu, the Crimson Short Sword in his hand brimming with fire-attribute spiritual energy as it thrust toward Zhen Xu's heart.
Zhen Xu was desperate, but he refused to wait for death. He poured all his spiritual energy into his body, gripped the damaged Blood Soul Claw, and lunged at Qin Yu's sword in a last-ditch attempt to fight back. But his resistance was like an egg thrown against a rock. With a sharp clang, the Blood Soul Claw struck the Crimson Short Sword again. This time, Qin Yu's sword split it in two, and its icy black pieces scattered across the floor.
Zhen Xu felt a tremendous surge of spiritual energy crash into him. His chest tightened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. He staggered backward and slammed into the table behind him, scattering the tea and intelligence reports across the floor. Qin Yu gave him no chance to catch his breath. He flashed in front of Zhen Xu and lightly thrust the Crimson Short Sword, piercing Zhen Xu's heart.
Zhen Xu looked down at the sword in his chest, his eyes full of unwillingness and regret. He opened his mouth to say something, but could only spit out a mouthful of blood before slowly collapsing, lifeless. Thus, Zhen Xu, who had obstructed the Qin Family's preparations for war, and his two chief guards were all killed by Qin Yu.
Qin Yu withdrew the Yan Chi Dagger, flicked the blood from its blade, suppressed his spiritual energy and killing intent, and stowed the dagger inside his body. He swept his gaze across the main hall. He had planned to leave at once, lest Zhen Xu's guards come running, but then his attention was caught by a square jade tablet lying among the scattered items on the table. Complex patterns had been engraved on it, and it faintly radiated an ancient aura. Tiny gemstones inlaid its edges, and thirty-six images were drawn across it. It looked extremely precious.
Qin Yu's heart stirred. He stepped forward, picked up the jade tablet, and slowly unfolded it. The chart depicted thirty-six different movements. He studied the images closely, then his pupils contracted. The patterns on the chart looked remarkably similar to the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts his master, Yun Ce, had taught him.
He quickly recalled the complete Three Heaven-Reaching Charts Yun Ce had taught him and compared them. To his surprise, this jade tablet was one of the pieces of the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts! Qin Yu was stunned. He had never expected to obtain a piece of the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts by assassinating Zhen Xu.
A faint smile curled Qin Yu's lips, and he thought, You reap what you don't sow. Still, Master already taught me the complete Three Heaven-Reaching Charts, so this Heaven-Reaching Chart can only be a collectible to me. When I return to the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion, I'll place it in the Qin Family's treasure vault and add another treasure to the family's collection.
He carefully put away the piece of the Heaven-Reaching Chart, then gathered the fragments of Zhen Xu's Blood Soul Claw along with Nalan Feng and Nalan Dan's weapons. These things weren't as valuable as spirit artifacts, but he could still trade them for some cultivation resources, so they might come in handy. After that, Qin Yu inspected the main hall and erased every trace he had left behind, making sure there were no clues. Only then did he move out and quietly leave Zhen Xu's villa, disappearing into the night.
Outside, the villa's guards continued their patrol, completely unaware of what had happened inside. Qin Yu avoided all eyes and left Zhen Xu's residence without a hitch, heading toward the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion. He was delighted. Not only had he successfully killed Zhen Xu and removed an obstacle for the Qin Family, but he had also unexpectedly obtained a piece of the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts. The assassination had yielded an abundant harvest.
Meanwhile, in the small courtyard on Cloud Mist Mountain, Yun Ce sat cross-legged, a faint smile on his lips. Through his spiritual sense, he had witnessed Qin Yu's entire assassination of Zhen Xu. Watching Qin Yu's growth filled him with satisfaction. "Not bad. In just three months, he's made such progress. He can not only kill the three of them with ease, but also carefully erase every trace. It seems the Heavenly Net's trials weren't wasted." Yun Ce spoke softly to himself as the pale purple True Fire at his fingertips slowly faded. "As for that Heaven-Reaching Chart, it's an unexpected bonus—a little reward to spice up Qin Yu's trial."
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