Chapter 264 Chapter 264 - The Third Assassin 2/2
"Big Brother, are we really going to settle for a fifth-stage cultivator this time?"
Three people were sitting on tree branches and talking. The one who voiced the last opinion was the only girl in the trio.
"There's nothing we can do about it. Their sect is subpar, to begin with, and we can only threaten the commoners' families. We will just hope we won't have to depend on him, and that if we do, he will utilize the surprise effect well," the leader sighed. He also preferred to "recruit" someone stronger.
However, since they were restricted to commoners as targets, the number of sixth-stage cultivators was limited. Those who were taken as core disciples had their families protected by the sect, so it was impossible to kidnap them. As for non-core disciples, they had much fewer resources to cultivate.
Even if they made it to the sixth stage, most of them valued their own lives much above their own families. Not because they were bad people, but because their point of view changed since becoming cultivators, prompting them to look down on mortals and disregard their short lives.
"Indeed, I can't believe that out of the 300 disciples I checked, none had a direct family member still alive. Those trashy cultivators reach the sixth stage when they're too old."
The second man complained. He was the one who always called the names of their targets when they recognized one.
"At least we could find a peak fifth-stage guard with ties to the mortal world. He probably hid his connections to get accepted to his job and enjoy the higher-paying place," the girl commented.
"Stop dilly-dallying, we need to capture the next one. Unfortunately, we can only force him into a fight with other disciples of the fifth stage, or else one of their elders might kill us if they find out."
The three jumped off the tree and began searching for their next target. All three of them were peak sixth-stage cultivators who occupied a spot in the top ten of their bracket in their sect's ranking, and they were powerful enough not to worry about any threat. On a battlefield where elders did not participate, they could be considered as the strongest.
It took them a few days, but they finally saw the one last target, the safety net for the safety net, the third and last assassination attempt, at the very territory of the Sue clan.
"Oh, here's Elliot. Our disciples can't kill them, they're running away."
"You know what to do."
A battle of five versus three raged underneath them, and three were winning. However, the five cooperated with each other and retreated toward the sect, and it would be a matter of time until they ran into another group which would tilt the battle in their favor by numbers.
"Argh! There's a wall of Qi blocking the way!" One shouted in panic and confusion.
"Haha, you must fight, don't just run away shamefully, doesn't the Phoenix Feather Sect have any self-respect?" A voice above them could be heard, prompting everyone's heads to look up.
"It's Senior Brother Ewan! He is trapping them in a fight with us! Kill!"
The five understood instantly what was going on and fought desperately in an attempt to buy time. They hoped an elder or someone of equal power to the new enemies would come and allow them to escape. Unfortunately, their wish did not come true.
"Make sure the short guy with the brown hair survives!"
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
The three slowly inflicted more and more injuries upon their opponents until one finally succumbed to the accumulating damage and could not react on time to an attack, being the first casualty of that battle. Three others died, while the last one was cornered.
"What should we do, Senior Brother?"
"Injure him and bind him to a tree so he can't run away, then you can leave."
The three followed the command and left the area after they were done. They did not question the decisions made by a group of known madmen.
"Hello Elliot, we have an interesting offer for you!" The girl dropped from a branch above him with a somersault.
"What do you want? Why not kill me like the rest?" He asked worriedly.
"Don't be like that, many little lives depend on you in Purple Feather City!"
Elliot's eyes were fixed on the pretty round face of the girl, but the horror in them implied he was not appreciating the view.
"What... what do you mean?"
"You know what I mean, the orphanage you've been supporting secretly! The kids there are so cute, and that old man taking care of everyone there is so righteous! I can't believe he abandoned the journey of cultivation only to help starving kids, haha!"
The girl giggled and clapped her hands as if she was excited by the goodness of the old man's heart.
"What do you want from me? What kind of monsters use orphans as hostages?! You are worse than beasts, you are evil cultivators!" Elliot shouted in anger, but nobody was there to accommodate his feelings.
"We are no monsters; we also don't want to kill them! But we will be forced to if you don't do as we say... I hope you can help us, we are stuck in this unpleasant situation just like you!"
"How... how can I help you?"
"That's simple, we will give you a few items and you will kill Ken Sue."
"But... but that will guarantee my death!"
"True, but the choice is between dying along with your little brothers and sisters or dying along with Ken Sue."
After a few more threats and persuasion, the line they always heard in the end was said once more.
"I will do it."
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"Hey, Big Brother, wouldn't we get in trouble with Felix Ashford for helping the other faction kill Ken instead of capturing him?" The other man asked somewhat worriedly.
"Hmm, we will just say we were ordered to do it. He can always find a way to fuck that sect's toy. I don't know why he's chasing so hard after a mere tool."
"I guess you're right..."
The three continued on their way, completely carefree.