Chapter 96: Just Who Are You?

Chapter 96: Just Who Are You?

Seemingly intrigued, the Seventh Shroud asked, “You knew I was coming?”

It was a well-known fact in the jianghu that the true fear of an assassin came from the unpredictability of their ambushes. For most assassins, who were primarily trained in stealth techniques, concealed weapons, deadly throat strikes, and escape arts, their ability to kill was greatly diminished once their identity was revealed.

However, this assassin was from Deathshroud.

Baek Suryong kept his gaze locked on him as he replied, “I knew you wouldn’t give up easily, so I prepared a little trap.”

“And oh dear, I walked right into it,” the Seventh Shroud admitted, his tone unfazed despite his failed strike and revealed identity.

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“I suspected this might happen...” Seventh Shroud murmured, rubbing his face. “I thought perhaps you recognized me because the kid’s resistance while I skinned him caused some noticeable differences in the face...”

A shiver ran down Gongson Su’s spine as he bellowed, “You scoundrel! What have you done to Kang? Is that his face...?”

“Elder,” Baek Suryong interjected, calming the agitated Gongson Su who looked poised to attack. “He hasn’t harmed Hyonwon Kang.”

“How can you be so certain?” the Seventh Shroud asked, tilting his head curiously.

Baek Suryong dismissed his psychological ploy with a laugh, “Elite assassins don’t resort to crude human skin masks. Mastering the art of bone contortion and disguise is far more effective.”

“That doesn’t prove I spared Hyonwon Kang,” the Seventh Shroud argued.

“You had to spare him,” Baek Suryong retorted, grinning. “Hyonwon Kang needs to be alive for you to frame him after you kill the Elder.”

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“Oho...” Seventh Shroud nodded in acknowledgment. “Were you an assassin once?”

“It’s easy enough to deduce.”

“You’re quite sharp,” the Seventh Shroud observed, sneering.

“I get that a lot,” Baek Suryong replied, matching his smirk.

The Seventh Shroud’s smile morphed into one of mockery. Despite his failed initial attack, he remained eerily calm as he declared, “For all your cleverness, you’ve missed something crucial. Even without a surprise attack, I can still kill both of you right here.”

A dark mist began to emanate from Seventh Shroud, swiftly enveloping his entire form.

“Ugh...!” Gongson Su gasped, overwhelmed by the formidable aura.

Emerging from a shroud of darkness, the Seventh Shroud’s eyes emitted an eerie green glow, his ominous presence seeming to weigh down the air. As he stepped forward, mist swirled at his feet. “Do you know why Deathshroud’s assassins are known as the Assassin Kings? It’s because our martial arts skills enable us to eliminate anyone, with or without an ambush. For us, assassination is just one method among many for taking a life.”

Baek Suryong scoffed, “Quite a bold statement for someone who only showed himself because Namgoong Jaehak isn’t present.”

“Haha, I acknowledge that,” the Seventh Shroud confessed. He had remained hidden during the Black Forest’s assault on Gongson Su at the Azure Dragon Academy, all because of the Blue Sky Sword King Namgoong Jaehak.

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“There’s no shame in doing that. The Ten Supremes are monsters that even Deathshroud’s finest can’t be sure of defeating. But you, Baek Suryong, are different. I’ve been observing you these past days. You excel at instructing students, but your martial arts don’t quite measure up.”

“You were watching me?”

“That day, when the Black Forest assassins came, I saw you fight. You’re barely at the threshold of a peak master. Even if you were concealing your true strength, it’s not significantly greater.”

Baek Suryong’s face stiffened, and Seventh Shroud’s lips curled into a smile.

His glowing eyes were actually an illusion technique known as the Blood Demon Eyes, which he had recently manifested when his Heaven Defying Divine Art reached the five-star stage, or intermediate mastery, after absorbing the immense contaminated qi and medicinal energies in Gongson Su’s body. Unfortunately, as a side effect, activating the Heaven Defying Divine Art now dyed his hair and eyes red, making it impossible to use in secret with others around.

Just days before, he had used these eyes to shatter the spirit of a Black Forest assassin and extract the information he needed. Right now, he could only induce fear in his opponents, but as he improved the technique, he would be able to manipulate minds and create hallucinations.

“Guess who’s become the strongest at White Dragon Manor over the last month?” he continued.

“No way...” The Seventh Shroud trembled uncontrollably. The Blood Demon Eyes definitely affected him, but there was something deeper and more disturbing that was bothering him. “Your martial art... Is it a Blood Cult demonic art?”

“Are you sure you’ve never heard of it? Think carefully.” Baek Suryong’s smirk grew broader.

Suddenly, something clicked in the Seventh Shroud’s mind, and he shuddered violently. “Impossible...!”

“The legendary Blood Demon has hair and eyes the color of blood, and an aura that overwhelms and suppresses all demonic practitioners.”

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“The Blood Demon’s... martial arts?” he muttered in disbelief.

Baek Suryong brandished his sword again, looking a little impatient. It was obvious that the Seventh Shroud knew something, but he didn’t have much time left before one of the Ten Supremes, Skysword, showed up. He needed to make this assassin talk, and fast.

“Hey... Are you going to stand there all day? Didn’t you say that Skysword was on his way here? If we’re done with introductions, let’s get started,” he said.

“Wait...!”

Baek Suryong lunged like lightning, his sword tearing through the black darkness of the Black Death Demonic Art.

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“We should be there soon,” Skysword said.

A man of few words, Skysword had spoken only twice on the journey from the palace, including his last remark, the first being a simple “Let’s go.

Known for his reticence, Skysword made sure that the procession to fetch Gongson Su proceeded in near silence.

However, he suddenly stopped riding and furrowed his brow.

“Is something wrong, sir?” Shadow asked.

Skysword ignored her, concentrating on his keen senses that surpassed human capabilities. Not far away, two formidable auras clashed violently, evidence of an intense ongoing battle between two elite martial artists.

His face hardened. “I’m going ahead. Catch up with me as soon as possible.”

“Pardon?” Shadow asked again, but Skysword was already gone, leaving his horse behind.

WHOOSH!

Skysword hurtled across the landscape, his face etched with concern. I hope the Prime Minister is safe...

He soon reached the battlefield. Despite the thick darkness that swirled like fog, his vision remained clear, but he still skid to a halt.

“Huh!” he exclaimed in a rare departure from his usual stoicism, gazing at the spectacle before him.

A blood-red dragon tore through the darkness and soared into the sky.