Chapter 45: The Heavens Have Yet To Forsake Me
A fine drizzle cast a somber veil over the usually lively Southdragon River. Flower boats, usually bustling with activity at night, now lay dormant along the shore.
On a desolate bank, Wu Yuan observed as three bodies, tied to heavy rocks, descended slowly into the river's depths. He patiently waited until the last ripple dissipated.
Since regaining his consciousness, Wu Yuan had grown accustomed to the weight of taking a life. Moreover, these three individuals were assassins, dispatched to kill him.
This place lies two li from my usual training spot. It is the bank furthest downstream in the city, and five li away from the Wu family's street. The river's current is swift, and if these bodies resurface, it will take many days. By then, they will be discovered even further downstream. The odds of it being traced back to me are slim.
Clues? The three bodies had been stripped clean by Wu Yuan!
Traces? On the way here, Wu Yuan left no footprints in the grass.
In this Middle Land, surveillance and technological support were nonexistent.
Ninedragon Peaks, it must be an underground organization. Three third-rate Adepts, one of them close to the second-rate level. Wu Yuan’s gaze landed on the night stealth attire on the ground, the dagger smeared with deadly poison, and the sleeve arrow holder. There were no other miscellaneous items around.
Revisiting the movements and routes of the assassins, Wu Yuan was certain that these were highly trained killers.
It was not that the assassins lacked strength, but rather that Wu Yuan's own power was overwhelming. And by chance, he had been meditating on the rooftop and spotted them early. Had an ordinary second-rate Adept fallen victim to a surprise attack by three assailants, their fate would have been sealed.
1000 silver taels would suffice to hire a common third-rate Adept as a bodyguard. But to employ such assassins? Three of them? 10,000 silver taels would probably not be enough!
Wu Yuan's gaze was steely, his suspicions directed at one particular individual. Xu Shouyi, is it you?
In theory, the one who ordered his assassination could also be an enemy of the Cloudstride Sect. However, the news of his special recruitment was only tentatively decided two days ago. It hadn't been confirmed and wasn't even announced within the Wu Clan.
Which force could react so swiftly, acting immediately after receiving the news? The probability was too low! After all, Li City was only a county city, not a provincial city! It took time for the news to travel.
Previously, I was hesitant, but you've probed my patience time and time again. Don't blame me for what comes next. Wu Yuan's gaze was icy.
Wu Yuan's mind began churning with ideas.
With tonight's assassination attempt, things should calm down for a bit. Let's clean this up first.
He gathered the clothes, daggers, and other items. After ensuring that no traces were left on the shore, Wu Yuan quietly left with the bundle of items.
Wu Yuan didn't bury these clothes and daggers on the beach. Once the bodies surfaced, any experienced constable or sheriff would scour the river for clues.
...
A misty rain fell over Li City.
Over a thousand li away in Southdream City, the moon hung high, casting its light across the land.
As the heart of Southdream Province, Southdream City boasted a population of millions. It was one of the core bases of the Cloudstride Sect's territory and was considered a major metropolis in the world. The sight of flourishing prosperity stretched in all directions.
To the east of Southdream City stood a towering mountain adorned with countless structures, complexes, and training grounds. From the summit, one could easily survey the entire Southdream Province.
Even in the dead of night, lights continued to blaze in one such complex.
"Gao Yu. Is everything you said true?" queried an elderly man with a full head of white hair, and robed in black. He was seated on the principal seat, full of vigor despite his age, his face youthful beneath his crane-like hair.
At first glance, he seemed no more than 60 years old. But Gao Yu, who stood in the middle of the hall, was acutely aware that this old man was actually a centenarian. His longevity was simply the result of his martial arts training.
"Master, every word this disciple has spoken is true," responded Gao Yu solemnly. "It is extremely rare to find someone with Wu Yuan's talent. Even Xu Hui falls short in comparison."
"Xu Hui?" The white-haired elder muttered. He was the Cloudstride Sect's most gifted recruit in over a decade.
"Gao Yu. Normally, I would visit him myself. However, I'm currently in the midst of patrolling the three provinces," the white-haired elder explained, "If I were to make a detour to Li City, it would attract unwanted attention and potentially put him at risk."
"Furthermore, the upcoming meeting of the four families requires my immediate return to the sect."
"Take my command token and head to Li City to recruit Wu Yuan into our Cloudstride Sect," the white-haired elder directed, "Whatever promises you have made to Wu Yuan, I will ensure they are fulfilled upon my return to the sect."
"Understood," Gao Yu acknowledged, a sense of relief washing over him. His greatest worry had been that the hall master would not believe his words, and therefore reject his proposal.
"In light of this special recruitment, what have you prepared as a welcome gift for Wu Yuan?" the white-haired elder inquired suddenly, his eyes keen.
"Twenty medium-grade body tempering pills, 10,000 silver taels, and a copy of 'Cloud Martial Power Surge: Nineteen Movements'," answered Gao Yu.
"That's not quite enough," the white-haired elder shook his head.
"Not enough?" Gao Yu was taken aback. In his mind, what he offered was already quite generous, especially as it was merely a welcome gift. Once Wu Yuan joined the sect, they would provide him with even more resources for cultivation.
"Hall Master, please advise me," Gao Yu said, realizing the hall master had made up his mind.
"There's no need for gold or silver," the white-haired elder said. "Bring the items over, Gu Ji."
With a resounding clang, the side door swung open, granting entrance to a plain-faced, middle-aged man dressed in simple linen garments. He walked into the room with a hunched posture, cradling a vial made of white jade delicately in his hands.
"What is this?" Gao Yu inquired with curiosity, his eyes fixed on the mysterious vial.
A soft chuckle escaped the lips of the white-haired elder as he replied, "Open it and take a whiff, you will know what it is."
Gao Yu accepted the vial from the man, handling it with caution. He gingerly removed the stopper, bringing the opening close to his nose. In an instant, a wave of invigorating sensation washed over him.
"This!" Gao Yu exclaimed, taken aback by the contents of the vial. Hastily, he sealed it once more and stared at the white-haired elder with astonishment. "Hall Master, this was obtained through the immense efforts of our two ancestors."
The elder's laughter filled the room as he spoke, "I am but an old man, with no hopes of achieving a breakthrough. Most of it has already been consumed, leaving behind this small amount." He paused, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Didn't you mention that Wu Yuan might have unlocked his upper dantian lobe? This may be highly beneficial for him!"
"Hall Master," Gao Yu couldn't help but voice his concern.
The white-haired elder furrowed his brows, a stern expression on his face. "Are you not going to heed my words? Be careful not to lose it. This is all I have left, and even the esteemed Hierarchs may not possess any more."
"Disciple understands," Gao Yu said solemnly. With utmost care, he secured the jade vial in a protective case and stowed it away.
"Gao Yu, once Wu Yuan's true status is revealed, he will undoubtedly attract the attention of many prying eyes. He requires someone to safeguard him," the elder declared. "However, you aren't trained in the skills of a bodyguard."
"Gu Ji!" The white-haired elder commanded, "You shall accompany Protectorate Gao. Once Wu Yuan has been safely escorted to the sect, come and seek me."
"Yes," the middle-aged man dressed in linen nodded deferentially, his head still bowed. He positioned himself next to Gao Yu, ready to fulfill his duty.
"Disciple shall obey," Gao Yu cupped his hands.
Deep within his heart, he comprehended the unspoken message. This Gu Ji, whom he was meeting for the first time, was not only traveling to Li City to protect Wu Yuan, but also to monitor him.
"Hall Master, we must act swiftly. I shall return to Li City overnight," Gao Yu declared.
"Go," the white-haired elder beckoned with a dismissive wave of his hand.
...
In the distant Li City, Wu Yuan remained oblivious to the events unfolding in Southdream City. He tidied up everything and simply retreated to his home to rest, as though nothing had ever happened.
The following day, the rain ceased and the sky gleamed with brightness. Wu Yuan followed his usual routine, paying a visit to the ancestral mansion before leisurely strolling through the Wu family's street.
Wu Yuan is still alive? With not a single scratch! Xu Shouyi, who had anxiously awaited in the study of the Xu Manor throughout the night, struggled to believe his own ears upon receiving the report from his subordinate.
That shouldn't be!
Suppressing his inner turmoil, he motioned with a nonchalant wave of his hand, "Instruct Captain Liu to inform the county magistrate to dispatch additional city guards to closely monitor Wu Yuan's surroundings. There must not be any mistakes."
"Understood." How could this guard understand his deeper motives? He assumed his superior genuinely cared for Wu Yuan's safety.
How is this possible?
Alone in his study, Xu Shouyi paced restlessly, his brow furrowed with confusion. 50,000 silver taels! Ninedragon Peaks explicitly guaranteed a sufficient force to eliminate him within a day. Wu Yuan is merely a martial prodigy, and the Wu Clan harbors no other formidable experts.
He couldn't figure it out. Ninedragon Peaks, though not as illustrious as Pleiades Guild and Ninedeaths Circle, was still a top-tier underground organization! Their reputation was solid!
Night fell.
Wearing a disguise, Xu Shouyi entered the Ninedragon Peaks' base, where he received a letter of explanation and a small package. With haste, he tore it open.
The mission failed, the three bronze-ranked assassins were lost after entering the Wu family's street? There's a 90% chance they are dead! Suspected presence of a first-rate Adept protecting Wu Yuan, hence the task was abandoned? Xu Shouyi stared dumbfounded at the contents of the letter.
This turn of events was far beyond anything he had anticipated.
A first-rate Adept? He had already confirmed that Gao Yu had left the martial academy. First-rate Adepts weren't cabbages, there weren't that many of them in the entire Southdream Province.
That was also why the Ninedragon Peaks abandoned their mission. With a first-rate Adept around, the difficulty of assassination was beyond their capabilities. 50,000 silver taels? 100,000 silver taels wouldn't be enough!
Useless! This Ninedragon Peaks is utterly useless! Xu Shouyi's eyes flickered as he looked at the pile of silver notes in the opened package. Only 20,000 silver notes were in it.
Three bronze-ranked assassins went missing. Therefore, despite their failure and subsequent withdrawal, Ninedragon Peaks still kept 30,000 taels for themselves, refunding only 20,000!
He stood in silence for a long time.
It seems unlikely that Ninedragon Peaks would deceive me. Could there truly be a first-rate Adept protecting Wu Yuan? The sect's caution in this matter is far too excessive.
To his knowledge, unless the special recruitment was confirmed, the sect would not send experts to protect someone. At least, they shouldn't be sending a first-rate Adept.
"How much silver would it take to continue the assassination?" Xu Shouyi asked.
"We cannot proceed with this task. As a mere county branch, we do not possess the capability to eliminate a first-rate Adept," the black-robed man from Ninedragon Peaks explained. "Furthermore, Wu Yuan is highly valued by the Cloudstride Sect, making the risk far too high. If you wish for us to request assistance from our headquarters, it would cost you no less than 500,000 taels!"
"Half a million taels?" Xu Shouyi's eyes widened in surprise.
Such a rip-off! Even the Ninedeaths Circle wasn't this despicable!
However, Xu Shouyi also knew that the Ninedeaths Circle was unaware that Wu Yuan was being guarded by a first-rate Adept. Otherwise, the quote from the Ninedeaths Circle would have been even higher.
This is a real predicament.
Xu Shouyi rose and left the Ninedragon Peaks base. The more the sect focused on Wu Yuan, the more fearsome Wu Yuan's revenge should he seek it.
Silently maneuvering through the shadows, Xu Shouyi made his way back to his residence. Just as he changed his garments, Steward Xu rushed over in a flurry, proclaiming, "General, an enormous incident has occurred, a truly massive one!"
"Something huge? What happened?" Xu Shouyi suppressed his irritation.
"General," Steward Xu began, "in the past few days, I've arranged for our subordinates to investigate the matter concerning the Vicious Tiger Gang. We have discovered the reason behind the mysterious spearman's intrusion into their stronghold!"
"Why?" Xu Shouyi's curiosity was piqued.
"It's all for a token," Steward Xu revealed, handing over two pieces of paper. "For this item, Yang Long mercilessly slaughtered nearly everyone within a manor. Only two individuals who hid in the latrine survived. We apprehended them and forcefully extracted the information. Based on their description, we have sketched a diagram of the token."
Xu Shouyi accepted the drawing, quickly scanning its contents.
The Chu-Jiang Token? Xu Shouyi's eyes lit up, his breath quickening.
The heavens have yet to forsake me!
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