Assassination

"Young Master Ye, Clearwind Stronghold is just ahead. When we get there, follow behind me and don't speak. I'll take you inside." Liu Laosan turned around and said to Ye Yun.

Ye Yun said nothing, merely nodding at Liu Laosan.

Once Liu Laosan understood Ye Yun's meaning, he led Ye Yun toward the gate ahead.

They had not gone far when a voice rang out from the watchtower, shouting at them, "Who goes there?"

"Zhao Goudan, you bastard! You don't recognize me?" Liu Laosan raised his head and roared fiercely at the watchtower.

"Oh! So it's the Third Chief. It's too dark—I didn't make you out. Please forgive me!" the bandit named Zhao Goudan replied.

"Enough of your damn nonsense! Open the gate already!"

"Yes, yes, Third Chief. Please wait a moment. I'll come down and open it right away."

With that, Zhao Goudan nimbly climbed down the watchtower stairs.

"Once we're inside, find a way to call down the people in the watchtowers," Ye Yun quietly instructed Liu Laosan.

Hearing Ye Yun's voice, Liu Laosan shuddered all over. Then, with his back to Ye Yun, he said, "I understand, Young Master Ye."

A few minutes later, Ye Yun saw the distant iron gate slowly open a crack wide enough for one person. Zhao Goudan poked half his body through the gap and gestured to Liu Laosan.

Once the iron gate was open, Liu Laosan turned back and nodded at Ye Yun before walking toward it. Ye Yun lowered his head and followed closely behind.

Under Liu Laosan's lead, Ye Yun passed through the iron gate without incident.

At that moment, Zhao Goudan, who had been waiting behind the gate, grinned and said to Liu Laosan, "Hehe, Third Chief, why are only you and this brother behind you back? Where are the others? Did you snatch any women?"

"Why are you asking so many questions? You'll know when they return. I came back because something urgent needs to be reported to the First Chief. Also, go call down everyone in the watchtowers. I have matters to instruct you about." Liu Laosan looked coldly at Zhao Goudan as he gave the order.

Seeing Liu Laosan's grave expression, Zhao Goudan did not dare say another word. He turned and climbed up the stairs beneath the watchtower.

After five or six minutes, Zhao Goudan and five bandits rapidly climbed down from the watchtowers on both sides.

Zhao Goudan led the five bandits before Ye Yun and Liu Laosan and asked, "Third Chief, all the brothers are down. What do you need us to do?"

The instant his words fell, Ye Yun and Liu Laosan struck at once, attacking Zhao Goudan and the five bandits.

With speed too swift to cover one's ears, Ye Yun slammed a palm into Zhao Goudan's chest. Ice Force penetrated his body, shattering his heart into icy fragments in an instant.

Then, using the same method, Ye Yun swiftly killed three more bandits. Just as he finished on his side, Liu Laosan also smoothly dealt with the remaining two bandits.

The entire process had been incredibly fast. Even after Zhao Goudan's death, his face remained frozen in utter bewilderment.

Liu Laosan looked toward Ye Yun and asked, "Young Master Ye, what should we do now? Please give your orders!"

"Take me to where the Body Tempering Realm martial artists live first."

Ye Yun had long since sentenced every martial artist in Clearwind Stronghold, from top to bottom, to death. So long as they were martial artists, he did not intend to spare a single one.

Ye Yun planned to eliminate all the Body Tempering Realm martial artists first. Otherwise, when he fought Wu Heihu later, being besieged by so many people would be more than he could bear, and it would add several more degrees of danger.

Hearing Ye Yun's words, Liu Laosan said no more. He turned and led Ye Yun into the stronghold.

The buildings within the stronghold had been constructed continuously upward along Beheaded Mountain. The entrance was a vast open space, and only after walking inward for several minutes did they see rows upon rows of stone houses.

Looking upward, they saw a grand hall at the very top, with several exquisitely built houses beside it. Those were presumably where Wu Heihu and Zhang Bao lived.

Liu Laosan led Ye Yun to a row of houses on the eastern side. Standing before Ye Yun, he lowered his voice and said, "Young Master Ye, this is where the Body Tempering Realm martial artists live. Excluding those you have already killed, there are still more than thirty of them. They sleep six to a room. How should we proceed?"

After thinking for a moment, Ye Yun looked at Liu Laosan indifferently and said, "Keep watch here. If you dare harbor any petty schemes, I guarantee the consequences will be beyond anything you dare imagine!"

Unable to meet Ye Yun's gaze, Liu Laosan lowered his head and quietly said, "Rest assured, Young Master Ye. I absolutely won't entertain any crooked thoughts. Leave this place to me!"

"I hope you can keep your word!"

With that, Ye Yun moved like a ghost, silently making his way toward one of the rooms.

The tightly shut door was as good as nothing before Ye Yun. His true qi instantly blasted it open without making the slightest sound.

There were six beds inside, but only four people occupied the room. The others had presumably either already been killed by Ye Yun or were standing watch at the foot of the mountain.

It was deep in the night, and all four bandits were sleeping soundly. Ye Yun walked to one bandit's side. His hand rose and fell, his palm landing lightly on the bandit's chest. The bandit's eyes abruptly widened, blood slowly flowing from his mouth. In his sleep, his five viscera and six bowels ruptured, and he died.

The remaining three bandits likewise died at Ye Yun's hands in much the same fashion.

After dealing with the bandits in that room, Ye Yun did not pause. He turned and walked outside to deal with the bandits in the other rooms.

In this manner, over the course of more than twenty minutes, Ye Yun eliminated every Body Tempering Realm martial artist in the rooms without a hitch.

When dealing with the fourth room, he had nearly met with an accident. The moment Ye Yun entered, he encountered a bandit getting up to relieve himself. Fortunately, Ye Yun reacted in time, rushing at the bandit at incredible speed and snapping his neck before he could cry out.

Ye Yun quickened his pace and headed toward where Liu Laosan was waiting.

Liu Laosan stood where he was, constantly looking around. His heart was in utter turmoil. Should I go notify Wu Heihu and join forces with them to kill this Ye fellow? Maybe he's only trying to scare me. No... no, that's too risky. If it's true, I'm dead for sure. Besides, with Ye's strength, it's hard to say whether we could even keep him here. Forget it, I'll gamble. This Ye fellow is, after all, a disciple of a great sect. He should keep his promise!

Liu Laosan silently made his choice.

Liu Laosan continued looking around. Before long, he spotted Ye Yun approaching. He immediately went up to him and asked, "Young Master Ye, have you taken care of them all? What should we do next?"

Ye Yun glanced at Liu Laosan, considering his question as well. All that remained were the First Chief Wu Heihu and the Second Chief Zhang Bao.

After several breaths, Ye Yun looked at Liu Laosan and asked, "Are Wu Heihu and Zhang Bao's residences close to each other?"

"Young Master Ye, their residences aren't far apart. If there is even a slightly louder disturbance in one courtyard, the other courtyard will definitely hear it. Moreover, there are guards outside both of their courtyards." After thinking it over, Liu Laosan analyzed the situation for Ye Yun.

After hearing Liu Laosan's analysis, Ye Yun immediately made up his mind. He instructed Liu Laosan, "When we go up there, first find a way to deal with the people outside the courtyards. Then go call Wu Heihu out. The moment he opens the door, I'll ambush him. If Zhang Bao comes over, find a way to tie him down. No matter what, you cannot let him support Wu Heihu, nor can you let him escape. If you can accomplish this, I will definitely spare your life."

"Thank you! Thank you, Young Master Ye! Don't worry, I'll definitely keep Zhang Bao tied down!" Hearing Ye Yun say he would spare his life, Liu Laosan said in wild delight.

"Enough. Lead the way."

Upon hearing this, Liu Laosan immediately turned and led Ye Yun toward the residences of Wu Heihu and Zhang Bao.

(End of Chapter)