A Strong Expert Blocks the Way

A Strong Expert Blocks the Way

That night, Lin Yu searched the entire military camp. There were still matters here whose truth he did not understand. Perhaps what he had sensed was merely a mistaken impression of his own, though that was not entirely the case either.

It was already night, and the army had only made it halfway up the mountain road. Even after another day of marching, they would not be able to reach the summit. This gave Lin Yu quite a bit of time—three more days.

"Three days does not seem like much." Lin Yu glanced around and let out a long sigh. Over these three days, he would have to figure out that cultivator's strength, who he was, and why he was staying in the military camp. Just then, that aura came drifting over once more.

This time, that aura led him directly there. Before him stood an aged face. Lin Yu asked, "Senior, who are you, and why are you stopping my assassination?" He was somewhat confused. An old man should not have appeared in this military camp in the first place, yet here he was.

"Tch. Junior, the Flame Emperor invited me here to lend my support. If I let you assassinate them now, would that not be slapping this old man in the face?" The old man said with a chuckle, sending a chill through Lin Yu's heart. If they truly fought, he would be no match for him.

"Senior, I advise you not to meddle in other people's affairs here. I merely want to assassinate a few generals. It will not cause this army much damage. So long as they do not invade my ancient kingdom, I will at least not take part in this war." With Lin Yu's strength, he truly was no match for the old man before him, but now, that might not necessarily be the case.

In an instant, a trace of desolation flashed through the old man's eyes. Then he said, "War has indeed taken many young lives. But junior, tell me—if cultivators from Flame Emperor City had infiltrated your military camp, what would you do?" Unlike before, his eyes now carried killing intent.

"They would not. As far as I know, Flame Emperor City does not have cultivator soldiers at all, much less infiltrators carrying out assassinations." Lin Yu had come to the military camp to temper himself, but only afterward did he discover that very few people in the camp were cultivators. Even those who had entered Body Tempering were completely unaware of it.

"Hehe, perhaps that is so!" The old man laughed again, then continued, "In all my years of life, I have never heard such words. You are the first, and perhaps the last." There was not the slightest fear in Lin Yu's eyes. On the contrary, they held a measure of killing intent.

"You want to kill me?" Lin Yu did not know what else he could ask. Yet this question stumped the old man. He shook his head, and Lin Yu continued, "Then what did you mean by what you just said?"

In the blink of an eye, he felt his throat completely seized. The sensation was as though he had brushed against death in an instant.

With a flick of his hand, the old man threw Lin Yu away and asked, "You only have third-tier spiritual power?" During this journey with the army, Lin Yu had also felt that the spiritual power within his body could no longer be suppressed.

"What else did you think?" As he spoke, he coughed twice more. A black mark had appeared on the old man's hand. Lin Yu continued, "If I die, I fear you will have to remain here today as well."

The old man looked at it, then shook his head again. "I never intended to kill you. What talk is there of life or death? I simply did not expect poison to be hidden in your body. No wonder you chose the path of assassination."

What the old man had never expected was that Lin Yu carried such a poison—one that would drag both sides into destruction together.

"Then, Senior, why are you stopping me from killing those generals?" Lin Yu simply could not understand what the old man was thinking. If this had been before, he would already have succeeded and returned.

"Do you know what the Assassination Path contains?" the old man asked again.

"What?" Although Poison Slayer had trained his Poison Body and taught him many assassination skills, this Assassination Path was the first time he had heard of it. What exactly did it mean?

"The Assassination Path: lurking, a cold blade, cold blood, speed, precision, ruthlessness. Tell me, which of these have you achieved?"

"Not one, I suppose! This old man spent an entire lifetime comprehending these principles. You could not possibly comprehend them either." The old man was rather confident in what he had understood. Every person's path of cultivation was different, and his was especially so.

"Senior, are you teaching me how to become an assassin?" Lin Yu looked at him again, not knowing what else he could say.

"What? You are unwilling? Let me tell you, countless people want to become disciples of Flame Dragon. And even if I wanted to accept you as a disciple, you would not be qualified. I am merely teaching you a few simple things." Lin Yu was instantly dumbfounded. Naturally, he had heard the name Flame Dragon before. In the mortal world, he was considered a formidable expert among cultivators.

"Senior, even if you wanted to accept me, you could not. I already have a master." Flame Dragon laughed upon hearing this. Without a master, how could Lin Yu possess such strength? However, he had begun to take an interest in Lin Yu's master as well.

"Forget it. I will explain some principles to you, then leave this place. Your affairs will have nothing to do with me. As for what the Flame Emperor says, that will no longer be my concern." Lin Yu stared blankly. Flame Dragon continued, "Those who kill will always be killed. When killing, the first thing you must do is push speed, precision, and ruthlessness to their limits. You should know that already, if your teacher was responsible enough."

Lin Yu's face reddened, and he gave a sheepish laugh. Poison Slayer had never told him any of this. Had he intended for Lin Yu to comprehend it all himself? How long would that take?

"A so-called assassin must not carry even the slightest trace of emotion. Once emotion is stirred, others will learn where your weakness lies. They can strike down your emotions in a single blow and thereby ravage your spirit..." At the word assassin, Lin Yu began to space out. Did Ding Meng count as an emotion?

"Cold-bloodedness goes without saying. If you do not possess icy blood, you are utterly unworthy of being an assassin, and even less qualified to speak the word assassin."

"A cold blade—never show mercy to anyone beneath your hand. Remember, mercy toward an enemy will ultimately harm you. This old man will leave for now. Comprehend those matters yourself!" As Flame Dragon spoke, he turned and left directly. Lin Yu still did not know what to say.

"Thank you for Senior Flame Dragon's kindness. This junior will remember today's teachings. I guarantee this battle will end very soon." Lin Yu glanced over, said nothing more, then turned and left.