The two assassins abandoned their professional ethics and revealed their organization.
It wasn’t because of that sumptuous feast, nor because of the two bowls of fried rice, but because of Liu Wanshi.
They were imprisoned at Iron Bone Sect, equivalent to being incarcerated prisoners.
When they came to work odd jobs in the dining hall, Liu Wanshi didn’t treat them as criminals, but as friends. Not only did she make delicious food, she would also ask about matters related to being an assassin.
At first, they resisted.
But as time passed, their cold hearts were gradually influenced by the innocent and adorable Liu Wanshi.
They forgot their assassin identity, treating themselves as servers, even proactively going to tell the little girl about their past after the disciples finished eating.
“First Black Brother, Second Black Brother.”
One day, Liu Wanshi rested her chin in her hands and asked, “You hide in the night all the time, hide in the darkness—aren’t you afraid, aren’t you lonely?”
The speaker was unintentional, but the listeners took it to heart.
The two assassins put down their bowls and chopsticks, silent for a very long time.
No one is born cold-blooded, and no one is born heartless.
That kind of life constantly accompanied by darkness, walking a tightrope on a knife’s edge—who would like it?
Liu Wanshi’s words touched the cold hearts of the two assassins.
Just now, seeing her tearfully carrying those two bowls of fried rice, they experienced the feeling of heartache for the first time.
“First Black Brother, Second Black Brother, every dish Dudu makes, every bowl of rice, is filled with emotion. You must finish it all, you can’t waste any of it!”
This was a phrase Liu Wanshi often repeated.
So when she stood before the slop bucket, the two assassins finally gave up the professionalism an assassin should have.
In order not to make this innocent, adorable, and kind-hearted little girl sad, what did it matter if we damn well bore the crime of betraying the organization over a bowl of food!
These two assassins, well, they weren’t so cold after all.
…
After learning Rain Drizzle Tower’s exact coordinates, Jun Changxiao looked at the two assassins who were wolfing down their food and said, “During this time, this sect leader has seen your performance. You may join Iron Bone Sect.”
“However.”
He paused, saying in a deep voice, “Once you’re a person of the Iron Bone and Integrity Sect, you’re a person of the Iron Bone and Integrity Sect for life. One year less, one day less, one hour less—none of that counts as a lifetime, so I need your absolute loyalty.”
“Sect Leader, please rest assured!”
Liu Wanshi raised her hand, solemnity in her big eyes. “I’ll stake my life to vouch for First Black Brother and Second Black Brother. If they join Iron Bone Sect, they will definitely be utterly loyal!”
The two assassins put down their bowls and chopsticks. With mouths full of rice, they grinned widely, tears streaming down uncontrollably.
I, First Black!
I, Second Black!
Even if we die in this lifetime, we’ll always remain at Iron Bone Sect, serving Liu Wanshi loyally!
“Good.”
Jun Changxiao snapped his fingers. “Qingyang, go get the admission forms.”
“Yes.”
After filling out First Black and Second Black’s forms and stamping them with the sect leader’s great seal, Iron Bone Sect’s disciple count increased from 148 to 150, and contribution points also rose to 267 points.
“Ding! Congratulations to Host for completing hidden quest [Abandoning Darkness for Light], obtaining 50 contribution points!”
“Ding! Sect contribution points: 317/500.”
This hidden quest was definitely fixated on four-character idioms!
“Hmph.”
Standing before the kitchen, Ma Yongning held his blade, looking at the two assassins disdainfully. “Useless fellows.”
“Uncle Ma!”
Liu Wanshi waved her hand, blinking her big eyes as she called out, “Do you want to join Iron Bone Sect too?”
Little girl.
You underestimate Uncle Ma’s dignity as a blade master far too much!!
“Ding! Sect members: 151/500.”
“Ding! Sect contribution points: 318/500.”
…
Sect main hall.
Li Qingyang said gravely, “Sect Leader, you’ve been investigating Rain Drizzle Tower headquarters’ location, could it be…”
“Correct.”
Jun Changxiao interlaced his ten fingers, his gaze cold and severe. “Wipe them all out in one fell swoop.”
Li Qingyang said, “According to First Black’s account, Rain Drizzle Tower’s tower master has the strength of a Grade Five Wushi, with four peak-level Wutu ace assassins under him—almost comparable to a seventh-rate sect.”
“Moreover.”
He paused. “This type of assassin organization likes to hide in the shadows and is extremely skilled at ambushes. Trying to wipe them all out will be very difficult.”
At any time, Li Qingyang would analyze rationally.
“Qingyang, when dealing with this kind of organization that can’t see the light of day, the best method is to be even more hidden from the light than they are, even more concealed than they are,” Jun Changxiao said.
Li Qingyang understood—the sect leader wanted to use assassins’ most skilled methods to destroy Rain Drizzle Tower.
Jun Changxiao said, “The sect will temporarily be managed by you. This sect leader and Zuiji will go settle those flies hiding in the shadows, making people disgusted.”
Li Qingyang originally wanted to accompany them, but thinking that the sect leader’s word was law, he nodded. “This disciple will manage Iron Bone Sect well.”
…
Rain Drizzle Tower wasn’t in Qingyang Commandery, but in a deep mountain forest in another commandery.
This organization had existed in the martial world for a long time. The business they conducted was: you give me money, I help you eliminate disasters.
Many sects or martial artists, when they had an enemy that needed resolving, would often contact Rain Drizzle Tower through underground channels, and assassins would come forward to resolve all troubles.
Rain Drizzle Tower’s internal division was very clear—the tower master was the supreme commander, followed in order by ace assassins, gold-rank assassins, and silver-rank assassins.
First Black was a gold-rank assassin, Second Black was a silver-rank assassin.
This type of organization had strict regulations. Betraying the organization, taking missions without authorization, or failing to return for a long time basically warranted a death sentence.
First Black and Second Black knew that their prolonged absence had already violated regulations, so this was also one reason for their honest confession.
“Bang!”
Suddenly, the silent mountain forest was shattered by a massive boom, startling birds and beasts into chaotic flight.
“Swish!”
“Swish!”
Two black shadows flew out from the shadows, landing beneath a large tree. Seeing their companion’s chest pierced through, they immediately became alert and looked toward the direction of the gunshot, discovering that aside from large trees and grass thickets, there were no human figures at all.
“Dammit, who ate a bear’s heart and leopard’s gall, daring to ambush us Rain Drizzle Tower assassins from the shadows!” one black-clothed person said angrily.
“Bang—”
Just then, gunfire came from the side. Scorching fresh blood splattered on his face, while his companion beside him similarly fell to the ground with his chest pierced through.
That Rain Drizzle Tower assassin was so frightened his scalp exploded. He hastily turned to flee.
“Click.”
Just as he turned, something ice-cold pressed against his forehead.
Jun Changxiao, wearing dark glasses and chomping on a cigar, raised the Desert Eagle in his right hand. As he pulled the trigger, he said coolly, “May there be no guns in heaven.”
“Bang—”
The gunshot rang out again, shaking leaves until they fell in succession.
After resolving three Rain Drizzle Tower assassins, Jun Changxiao habitually searched their bodies first. Confirming there was nothing good, he made a hand gesture to Xiao Zuiji in the shadows, then swiftly disappeared.
Before long.
Rain Drizzle Tower assassins, startled by the gunfire, rushed over one after another. When they saw three companions dead in miserable conditions, their eyes without exception filled with thick killing intent.
This was their own territory—yet someone had ambushed them!
“One, two, three…”
Pressed against a moss-covered stone, his entire body covered with miscellaneous grass as if wearing a ghillie suit, Xiao Zuiji counted the target numbers.
“Ten people?”
Xiao Zuiji’s eye moved to the scope. The crosshairs aimed at one assassin’s chest, then he pulled the trigger. With a ‘bang’, the flowing light bullet shot explosively forward, directly piercing through the chests of two closely adjacent assassins.
Sitting on a distant tree branch, Jun Changxiao grinned upon seeing this. “One shot, two kills—not bad, not bad.”
After resolving two assassins, Xiao Zuiji shouldered the Type 88 sniper rifle, bent at the waist and burrowed into the grass thicket, using the ghillie suit’s cover to change to another concealed location.
In the complex mountain forest, this was truly a ghostly confrontation between sniper and assassins!
However, from the current situation, the Rain Drizzle Tower assassins were out in the open while Xiao Zuiji hid in the shadows.