Chapter 122: The Assassination

Chapter 122: The Assassination

Senior Sister Shadow, Yanyues ever-gentle tone betrayed an undertone of tension as she rested under the shelter of the ancient tree, her legs folded beneath her thighs.

Mmm? Shadow intoned the unworded question, her back resting against the skytree; her silhouette almost blending in with the shadows that were naturally coalescing around near the base of the tree.

Why did Master enter the Gorge of Death? Yanyue asked the question, one she had asked twice before only to receive the same reply.

I do not know, Shadow replied plainly, her tone carrying none of the concern that prickled at Yanyues heart.

Yanyue allowed a soft sigh to escape her, before she shook her head gently. Worrying would do her no good, she knew that. Cultivators were not allowed to worry about matters that were outside their scope of influencing.

For worry lead to heart demons and that was an insidious malady that not even the rarest spiritual herb or the most profound alchemic pill could cure.

But, Shadow added, causing Yanyue to angle her gaze in her direction. You do not need to worry.

Yanyues expression remained blank for a few long moments, before she blinked repeatedly in surprise. Had her Senior Sister sensed her unease and was trying to reassure her? The most uptodate novels are published on n0velbj)n((.))co/m

Had Senior Sister Shadow changed so much in merely a years passing?

Why? Yanyue could not help but ask, before her willpower could rein in that curiosity.

You do not understand the old man yet, Shadow replied after a moment with a casualness that was unlike her usual demeanor. When people think him to be rash, he is the most thoughtful.

Yanyue offered a single nod in response, if only because she felt like she did not understand her Senior Sisters words enough to justify further conversation.

Both of them sank back into contended silence, taking in the serene calm of the picturesque scenery ensconcing them resting after a three hour long training session that mostly involved Yanyues Senior Sister impressing upon her the importance of knowing how to defend herself with her Water Qi.

A lesson that was drilled into her as Shadow bypassed her guard time after time with just her Shadow Qi empowered speed and martial arts alone, instead of gracing her with offensive use of it.

Ever since the day Yanyue had been introduced to the skytree, she had fallen in love with the ancient tree. Listening to the song of the wind had become a by-weekly passtime and more recently, an escape from her worries.

Chun Zeizhong felt uneasy as he circled the skytrees periphery for a third time. He was no more than an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple taking a contemplative walk around the skytree, as many disciples normally did.

Except today, there was a difference. Eleven faces that he did not recognize. Eleven faceless.

He had not underestimated the Grand Patriarch, after all. Then, were the Noble Houses and him really in dispute all these years, or had it all been a front? Uncovering one plan would only lead to the inception of another, as Chun Zeizhong was realizing.

Had the handlers words really been truthful?

He found himself entertaining dangerous, treasonous thoughts as the moment where his calculations would finally grant him a result, though if it would be erring or unerring was yet to be seen.

Had the two other spies really died? Or was his assassination attempt a foil for the real assassination?

Speculation would get him nowhere, Chun Zeizhong knew.

This was what he had been seeking.

He understood, in that moment, why the Legacy Families were the way they were. Such power, such ludicrous power!

He would want to zealously safeguard it too, for the sole reason of letting his descendants experience it.

He shot forward with frightening speed, the Wind at his back aiding him like never before. To his surprise, a loyal faceless one who had been closest to him before his transformation, his ascension, managed to throw himself in his path, with his blade held defensively before him.

Chun Zeizhong could not help but feel a flicker of respect for the unnamed faceless that threw himself in his path, but that did not stop his Wind Qi empowered blade from slashing outwards.

The faceless was bisected cleanly in half, the wind whisking away his remains in two different directions.

Two flares of Nascent Soul level Qi erupted from two different directions but it was of no import they were already too late.

A third flare of potent Core Formation Shadow Qi erupted from before him as Shadow had barely managed to react to his speed, flinging herself into a forward charge before bringing herself to a stop mid-way.

The reaction had been instinctive, but the pause had been deliberate.

That would have been a cause for concern if the traitor did not think like a traitor why would Yao Shens most prized true disciple give her life for a mere honorary disciple?

Good, He thought, having no qualms with Shadows decision to keep out of the battle. He had no enmity against either of them, it was merely a task he had to accomplish to buy his place in the demonic path. Her senses are so insignificant she hasnt even noticed yet!

A crazed grin appeared on Chun Zeizhongs visage, twisting his features into the ugly truth behind the facade. There was no need for caution now, for the prize was already his.

At this speed and distance, only a Soul Emperor could stop him from killing Yanyue.

Only then did six circular runes blaze to life on the form-fitting breastplate and gauntlets that she concealed beneath her robes.

Four facing forward, two behind.

Standing atop of the mountain, Chun Zeizhong glanced upon the heavens gazing down at him with mockery.

What in the heavens-, He uttered in protest as he tried to cut off the wind Qi empowering his momentum, only to confront a knowledge he had already calculated. His control over the torrential Qi was too lacking to even change directions, let alone halt his momentum.

But he had stopped.

His trembling gaze angled downwards, only to discover something far worse than he had anticipated.

Four fist sized holes punched into his chest and abdomen, perfectly circular in nature.

The traitor Chun Zeizhong was denied even a final, defiant chuckle as he collapsed backwards- dead before he hit the ground.

Hybrid Lumenite Armor Rune of Focus, Shadow thought, shaking her head.

It was good that she didnt have to kill the poor fool herself, for her Master would be angry if she broke the seal on her cultivation.