Assassination

The Demonic Sect Cult is said to have a history of hundreds of years, and in the minds of people in the martial arts world, it represents mystery, cruelty, and immense power.

But anyone who truly understands the Demonic Sect knows that the Demonic Sect of three hundred years ago is completely different from the Demonic Sect of today.

Their territory changed, their doctrines changed, and the people in charge changed countless times.

The original symbol of power for the Demonic Sect was a green jade wand, and successive leaders were known for their internal strength and poison skills.

Those who become religious leaders often wear masks that symbolize deities.

Their rule often possesses a dual nature, reflecting both Divine Intent and human will, leading their followers to risk their lives, pay a bloody price for their ambitions, and even regard this as an honor.

The ultimate symbol of the Demonic Sect that has existed for the last hundred years is a knife.

Although the experts recruited by their sect still belong to different schools and mostly use different weapons, the grassroots members are basically all equipped with knives and know a little about them.

Under the new atmosphere, apart from some grand celebrations, the Demonic Sect rarely uses the name of God to fool its followers anymore.

They hone the ferocity of their followers, selecting them layer by layer, and inspiring their ambition to achieve their goals.

Although in terms of total numbers, the current number of members of the Demonic Sect Demonic Sect may not be comparable to the peak number of its followers in the past.

However, the current strength of the Demonic Sect is definitely more terrifying than that of the Demonic Sect that wields a staff and serves the gods.

On a clear, bright day, snow piled up on both sides of the river, and the great river was frozen solid.

Three hundred cavalrymen rode their horses across the ice.

The formation resembled a dark, pointed cone, gliding across the vast glacier.

The convoy they were escorting was mostly loaded with supplies and provisions, which were what the group needed to rest each night during their long journey.

Only one large carriage, made with the most solid materials, was available for passengers.

This carriage required four fine horses to pull, and even the driver was the tallest man in the entire Demonic Sect Cult.

The rider at the front of the procession suddenly grabbed the reins, dismounted, took off his helmet, and skillfully pressed his ear to the ice.

The entire team slowed down as a result.

The rider quickly mounted his horse, turned around, and rushed to the carriage to report.

"Reporting to the Master! Your subordinate has heard the sound of water flowing beneath the ice."

"In another two or three miles, the ice will thin and will not be able to support our carriages and horses."

A voice came from inside the car.

"Then let's go ashore."

The road conditions outside the pass were not good. When the ice was frozen solid, the cavalry preferred to walk on the ice. Even though their horses' hooves were prone to slipping, they had ways to deal with it, and it was actually more comfortable than walking on the shore.

Unfortunately, it's already close to the month when the ice will thaw.

Fortunately, they are heading towards the interior of the pass, and the road conditions will improve soon.

"The leader has ordered us to turn towards the shore!"

The rider shouted repeatedly, leading the group towards the shore.

The carriage was indeed very spacious.

The leader of the Demonic Sect and his Protector Jin sat on either side, a full eight feet apart.

At the deepest part of the carriage, three slaves knelt with their heads bowed, surrounded by copper basins, handkerchiefs, incense burners, teapots, and many other items, ready to be at your beck and call.

The Protector Jin, dressed in a yellow robe and jade belt, with a refined and elegant long beard, sensed the annoyance and anxiety in his voice when he heard the shouts of the cavalry outside.

"Traveling long distances in such weather is most troublesome. Once we reach the interior, seeing prosperous places where the people are weak, many troubles will surely arise."

Protector Jin inquired, "Should the leader give them a warning?"

The Sect Leader Qiu seemed to be very afraid of the cold. He was still wrapped in a thick fox fur coat in the carriage, flipping through an old book to pass the time, and answering casually.

"No need! Flowing Cloud Manor's warm invitation was foreshadowed. Even if trouble arises, they have people to help smooth things over."

Protector Jin asked with a smile, "Will Flowing Cloud Manor really be so lenient this time?"

Sect Leader Qiu raised his eyes. "I want to see just how much patience they can muster this time, so I can know just how much trouble that person in the south really is."

The Protector Jin understood.

For them, gathering information about the martial arts world in the south from the lands beyond the Great Wall was far more troublesome.

When the news of Chen Zuqi's murder first arrived, the sect leader immediately sent people to thoroughly investigate Chu Tianshu's background.

The result was that they only uncovered something that was already common knowledge in the martial arts world.

It wasn't until Flowing Cloud Manor Master sent a letter a few days ago that they learned Chu Tianshu might possess a strange sword similar to the sect's treasured sword.

Even though the cult leader knew that Flowing Cloud Manor intended to use them, he still decided to go along with it.

It was for the sword, and also to personally observe the situation within the pass.

However, when it comes to that enemy whom even the Flowing Cloud Manor Master is not confident enough to defeat, we must still be extremely cautious.

It's best to find out the truth from all aspects before meeting them in person.

Although Protector Jin smiled outwardly, he became even more vigilant inwardly.

The Demonic Sect has four guardians and four heavenly kings.

The Four Heavenly Kings are stationed in various places year-round to oversee local affairs, while the Four Protectors are always by the leader's side.

They are only dispatched by the cult leader when there is an emergency to deal with.

Of the four guardians, the Tong Yaonü has been sent to Dongying, while Tie Siming serves as an envoy in the Central Plains, overseeing the curved sword trade.

Only Jin and Yin remained, staying by the cult leader's side.

The cult leader would certainly not easily give up such extremely rare and highly skilled confidants.

But if things really get dangerous, I'm afraid that even this Protector Jin will become a significant stepping stone, testing the waters for potential dangers.

Whether one can find refuge on the questioning stone ultimately depends on oneself.

Jin Shi stroked his beard, pondering in his heart.

Once we reach the interior, the cult leader will inevitably become the target of everyone's hatred. The closer we get to the cult leader, the easier it will be for us to fall into danger.

I should make plans early and start subtly distancing myself from the cult leader now, so as not to arouse his suspicion and to avoid the center of the storm.

"We need to observe the responses of the people inside the pass to understand the situation on all sides and the attitude of the Flowing Cloud Manor. We certainly cannot observe the details using only these cavalrymen."

Protector Jin said, "Why don't I go and accompany the cavalry now? Then we can test and observe, and things will fall into place naturally."

Sect Leader Qiu turned a page and said, "Very well, go then."

Protector Jin rose, bowed, took a few steps, and lifted the carriage curtain.

A cold wind briefly swept into the carriage.

A hint of blue seemed to emanate from the waist of the Demonic Sect Cult Leader; even the thick fox fur could not conceal the brilliance of that object.

The bluish light gradually faded as the carriage curtain was lowered.

Although the Sect Leader Qiu's gaze was fixed on the newly opened pages of the book, it seemed as if not a single word caught his eye.

He wasn't afraid of the cold; however, the cold made him easily recall the feel of that knife.

Once he starts thinking too much, the knife will begin to act restlessly.

"Humans are the most intelligent of all beings, and if so many people have to be my slaves, what's a mere knife?"

The leader of the Demonic Sect thought to himself, "I will surely make you submit."

The cavalry had their own horses prepared for changing mounts.

After disembarking from the carriage, Protector Jin had just mounted his horse.

The entire cavalry unit turned to the right and crossed onto the shore.

The snow on the hills along the shore had not yet melted, and icicles hung from the branches, making the tree trunks and branches appear completely black.

A white mountain, a black forest.

The sound of horses' hooves made the nearby branches tremble slightly.

The Protector Jin's gaze swept across the area unintentionally, and he noticed a short tree that had turned white.

No!

There was a white shadow; it just flashed past the low tree.

"An assassin!!"

Protector Jin's heart tightened, and he drew his sword with a shout.

The white shadows that swept down the hillside almost melted into the snow.

A white cloak covered his black hair, and the scabbard and hilt of his sword were also wrapped in snow-white.

But the moment his presence was exposed, he raised his face, revealing two delicate eyebrows and two dark pupils, with a white cloth covering the lower half of his face.

This face suddenly appeared among the cavalry.

One of the cavalrymen on the very edge felt a Hongxian light up and pass vertically through him.

BOOM!!!

The man was torn in two, and the horse was blown to pieces.

The assassin, protected by Sword Qi, remained unstained in his white robes as he charged towards Protector Jin.

Protector Jin flew diagonally off the horse's back.

The assassin placed one foot on the saddle, ready to charge forward.

Protector Jin, having already used the shoulder of a cavalryman for leverage, charged back, his long, wide iron sword, plated with a golden luster, slashing out.

Among the four protectors of the Demonic Sect, Jin Shi was originally from Central Plains. However, due to a disgraceful act he committed in his youth, he was meddlesome by several hateful heroes who chased him all the way to the borderlands.

The Sect Leader Qiu took him in, valuing his familiarity with military strategy and tactics and his ability to train soldiers. He put him in charge of training new followers and later had him assist in managing the leader's personal guards and even train the imperial guards.

It was also because of the personal guidance of the Sect Leader Qiu, who taught him the sect's extraordinary skills and secret manuals, that his martial arts improved greatly through practice and the use of medicine, and he gradually began to understand the wonders of the Divine Intent.

His swordsmanship was imbued with the dignified and authoritative air of a master reprimanding his disciple.

Even unruly figures like the Demonic Sect Cult's elite cavalrymen were disciplined by his sword, allowing his Divine Intent to flourish.

He could tell that the assassin was young, and although his swordsmanship was excellent, his internal strength was inferior to his own.

This is exactly the type of person he's best at dealing with.

The golden sword and the red sword Zongheng and crossed paths more than ten times in the blink of an eye.

The assassin's advance was thwarted, and he retreated to the rump of his horse.

"You rude brat, surrender now!"

The Protector Jin, imposing and awe-inspiring, swung his longsword once more. The Sword Qi blocked all escape routes, causing people to feel a tightness in their chest, shortness of breath, and a sudden cessation of breathing.

The assassin sensed the essence of the sword and flew into a rage.

"I want to beat even my own Laozi, and you still want to be my adopted father?!"

The assassin slashed with his sword, unleashing his Sword Intent to its fullest extent.

The white cloak exploded with a bang, its contents stained red by the Sword Qi, shooting out in all directions like fallen red leaves.

These Imperial Guard cavalrymen were truly skilled; many of them immediately drew their swords to parry.

The scattered Sword Qi tore through the cloth, failing to kill them, but instead causing the scimitars to clang and slam back against the armor.

It knocked them off their horses, sending them tumbling two or three zhang (approximately 6.6-9 meters) away.

The other cavalrymen instinctively steered their horses to avoid their fallen comrades, causing chaos in their formation.

The two swordsmen stood on the same horse, still exchanging blows.

The horse, terrified, galloped wildly through the chaotic scene.

Everywhere there were shouts from people and neighing from horses.

Many cavalrymen who had just landed were forced to run back onto the ice.

The ice here is already thin; it can hardly withstand the trampling of horses' hooves.

In a short while, the ice began to crack, and the cavalrymen fell into the water.

The four fine horses pulling the cart, spurred on by their kind, galloped wildly along the shore.

Some astute cavalrymen even slowed down as much as possible, staying close to the carriage.

Suddenly, a sword flashed from the cracked ice.

This sword strike not only pierced the water's surface but also seemed to force away all the river water from his body.

The burst of water vapor spread on both sides of his body, and because he was rushing forward, it was stretched into an acute angle.

The driver suddenly stood up and flipped to the side.

The carriage was like a small, square house. When the Great Han driving the carriage stood up, his hands and back pressed tightly against the front of the house.

His movements as he rolled over were stiff and rigid, yet incredibly swift.

It was like a giant pancake that suddenly flipped from the front of the house to the side.

With a surge of internal energy, he arrived instantly, blocking the swordsman's path.

The Great Han's long leg ripped through the air as he kicked towards the swordsman.

One of his legs was longer than the swordsman's arm and sword combined.

But the sword's edge hadn't arrived yet; the intent had already followed.

The Great Han's clothes ripped open at the chest, revealing sunken and sagging skin with a white spot.

It's dented, but not broken!

The Four Guardians, Yin Jiang.

His body appears normal, but it is actually covered in fine scales, all forged using the secret methods of the Demonic Sect, the result of three generations of painstaking effort.

These tiny scales are so light they are practically weightless, and they don't hinder movement under normal circumstances. Only when one is using their internal energy will they display a pale silver luster in the sunlight.

Its defensive capabilities are comparable to a one-inch-thick layer of heavy iron armor.

The swordsman used only the first thirteen sword strikes; the Sword Qi did not pierce his chest, but the blade swept across his leg, drawing blood but not severing it.

But only after those two sword strikes, blood suddenly gushed from the Yin Jiang's mouth and nose, and its face turned ashen.

The Death-Claiming Sword Intent invaded his brain.

Click!

Suddenly, a small hole appeared in the carriage, and a left hand reached out, placed on the Yin Jiang's back, and then pushed upwards.

The carriage walls posed no obstacle to this hand.

As you lift your wrist, a vertical gap appears in the board.

The Sword Intent in the Yin Jiang's mind had been neutralized, and its entire body, like a Shitou, was suddenly thrown into the air, six or seven zhang high.

The Death-Claiming Sword came face to face with the people in the carriage.

The man raised his left hand, while his right hand gripped the hilt of his knife on his left hip.

Lu Shuangyan's pupils contracted, Sword Intent surged wildly to the Fourteenth Sword, showing signs of continuing to rise.

The leader of the Demonic Sect had encountered countless assassins in his life, but he never expected that this one would possess such strength, easily defeating the Yin Jiang.

His expression was icy cold, and the speed at which his Saber Intent rose surpassed that of Lu Shuangyan.

I don't know why this swordsman restrained his sword.

But since you're going to restrain yourself, then die.

As the sword was about to be drawn, another feeling suddenly descended upon me.

Many of the cavalrymen around felt their vision go black, their pupils contract, and they were instinctively filled with fear.

The pupils of the horses they rode also changed, and they even resembled those of humans, perhaps even more vividly.

From the very beginning of the assassination attempt, all the chaos they had painstakingly created seemed to be a prelude to this moment of silence.

The carriage was on the shore, and all four horses were eager to gallop.

One side of the carriage is the river, and the other side is the swordsman.

On the other side of the car was a mountain road and hills.

The snow piled up under the big trees on the hillside scattered in the silence.

Hidden in the ice and snow, Chu Tianshu seems to be slowly rising, like spring returning to the earth, sprouting branches and blossoming flowers.

In reality, he was already close to his limit when he unleashed a palm strike.

(End of this chapter)