The Duke’s Mansion.
“Dark River has brought an army into Tianqi City,” Crow’s voice carried a hint of worry. Though he was known in the Shadow Sect for fearing neither heaven nor earth, it wasn’t until he saw those Dark River assassins that he truly understood how terrifying blades in the darkness could be.
“To kill the King of Langya, we need an army,” Yi Bu said, clenching his fists.
“But I fear we may not be able to control them,” Crow replied.
“Take the Eagle Eye Squad and guard the Shadow Prison. Don’t let anyone approach before Dark River completes their mission,” Yi Bu thought for a moment before adding, “Including me!”
“Including the Sect Leader?” Crow sought confirmation.
Yi Bu nodded: “Including me!”
“Yes, sir!” Crow waved his hand, and six shadow guards hidden in the darkness appeared. All seven of them left the main hall for the Shadow Prison. Though none of them were particularly formidable fighters individually, when the seven worked together to form the Eagle Eye Formation, they became formidable opponents. Even Bai Li Dongjun, whom many now consider the world’s finest, was once stopped by them when helping Ye Dingzhi break into Tianqi City.
“Sect Leader, this is a gamble,” a shadow guard beside Yi Bu suddenly spoke.
“Back when I had to choose between the Azure King and the Jade King, I chose the Jade King. I won that bet!” Yi Bu said gravely.
“But this time, the gamble isn’t about placing a bet—it’s about putting yourself on the gambling table,” the shadow guard reminded him.
“Yes, which is why this time I’m betting that His Majesty also wants the King of Langya dead!” Yi Bu said in a low voice.
The shadow guard started, frowning: “His Majesty and the King of Langya are like brothers, and even… that throne was given to him by the King of Langya.”
“It’s precisely because the throne was given by the King of Langya,” Yi Bu sneered.
“When do we strike?” the shadow guard asked.
“Three days from now, the King of Langya will visit Fengxiao Temple to pray, alone, without any guards. It’s a habit he maintains every year. Have Dark River strike there,” Yi Bu said solemnly.
The shadow guard was puzzled: “I never took the King of Langya for a devoted Buddhist.”
Yi Bu shook his head: “He says he’s going to pray, but he’s meeting someone.”
“Meeting someone?” the shadow guard asked. “Who would be worth the King of Langya meeting without any guards?”
“The current greatest Buddhist master in Northern Li, Master Wangyou,” Yi Bu replied.
The shadow guard was shocked: “Master Wangyou, isn’t that…”
“Yes, the one who adopted the Demonic Sect’s young lord. Though Master Wangyou is now the abbot of Hanshan Temple, he once lived in Fengxiao Temple and was friends with the King of Langya. Back then, when the King of Langya helped the Jade King stop Ye Dingzhi, he didn’t kill him but instead handed him over to Master Wangyou, hoping the master would help eliminate the darkness in his heart. But in the end, due to the Outer Heaven’s interference, his plan failed, and Ye Dingzhi still fell to darkness, bringing catastrophe to Northern Li. The King of Langya feels guilty, so he meets secretly with Wangyou at Fengxiao Temple every year to inquire about Ye Dingzhi’s son and offer whatever help he can,” Yi Bu paused, then sneered, “Otherwise, with everyone knowing Ye Dingzhi’s son is at Hanshan Temple, how could the temple remain so peaceful? Many want him dead.”
“Including His Majesty,” the shadow guard replied.
“Indeed. Come to think of it, that child is my grandson too,” Yi Bu sighed lightly. “I hear he’s extremely intelligent, unlike the unruly one here in Tianqi City.”
“Then I’ll inform Dark River to strike in three days,” the shadow guard didn’t pursue the topic further.
“Good. This is a war, so naturally, we need an army,” Yi Bu placed his hand on the sword at his waist. “Tell them that when necessary, I too will draw my sword.”
“Understood,” the shadow guard replied solemnly.
At Zhaolai Inn.
Su Changhe peeled an apple with his dagger: “How many people have arrived?”
“According to everyone’s lists, sixty-two Dark River members have entered Tianqi City, plus the eighteen that Seventh Uncle brought, making eighty in total. Thirty-six have deliberately exposed themselves to the Shadow Sect’s view, twenty have hidden their identities but were secretly discovered by the Shadow Sect, so there are still twenty-four that the Shadow Sect hasn’t detected,” Mu Qingyang replied.
“I’m useless now, my killing dagger can only peel apples,” Su Changhe took a bite of the apple.
Mu Qingyang wiped his eyes: “My sword is useless too, and if I die, no one will even collect my body. They’ll only care about Su Muyu.”
“So twenty-six people have nothing to do with killing the King of Langya,” Su Changhe said quietly.
“Twenty-seven people.” Bai Hehuai, who had been resting on a nearby chair, suddenly opened his eyes and spoke.
“You’re not part of Dark River. This doesn’t concern you,” Su Changhe swung his dagger, cutting the apple in half, and with a light tap, sent it flying into Bai Hehuai’s hand.
Bai Hehuai took a bite: “But I’m Su Muyu’s friend, and they’re partners from the Qiantang Medicine House.”
“Fine,” Su Changhe smiled. “Just don’t die. He’ll blame me if you do.”
“I am Su Zhe’s daughter after all,” Bai Hehuai raised an eyebrow. “Wait, where’s my father? What’s his task this time?”
“His task,” Su Changhe said slowly, “is the most important one. Quiet now, someone from the Shadow Sect is coming.”
The door opened, and an unfamiliar shadow guard entered.
“Not Crow?” Mu Qingyang stood up and asked.
The shadow guard produced a token: “Crow has other matters to attend to. I am Luo Tianxiang, Left Shadow Guard Commander of the Shadow Sect.”
“I heard your Right Shadow Guard Commander was once the Lone Sword Immortal, whose given name was Qingyang, like mine,” Mu Qingyang smiled. “As the Left Commander and sharing the Luo surname, you must be quite formidable too.”
Luo Tianxiang shook his head expressionlessly: “Senior Brother Luo’s swordsmanship was unparalleled. The Shadow Sect has only produced one such sword immortal in decades. I am far inferior to him.”
“So, Right Commander, what brings you here?” Mu Qingyang asked.
Luo Tianxiang said gravely: “In three days, at Fengxiao Temple, we ambush and kill the King of Langya.”
“The time of killing should be decided by the killer,” Su Changhe snorted coldly.
Luo Tianxiang repeated: “In three days, at Fengxiao Temple, we ambush and kill the King of Langya!”
“The time of killing should be decided by the killer,” Su Changhe repeated as well.
“The killer is the Shadow Sect. You and I are merely blades,” Luo Tianxiang extended his hand. “And the hand that holds the blade tells you that when the crucial moment comes, he will strike personally.”
“Go back and tell Sect Leader Yi Bu that we need more intelligence within three days. Killing the King of Langya isn’t something that can be decided with just a word,” Mu Qingyang replied.
“Naturally,” Luo Tianxiang nodded. “In this battle, none of us has a path of retreat.”