Chapter Forty: Unable to Succumb to Darkness

Under the pitch-black night, Tianhe City was unusually quiet. The buildings surrounding the Tower of the Proud were shrouded in darkness as well. Now and then, someone would stealthily crack open a window, peering through the gap to spy on the Tower of the Proud.

The Changyun Inn was more crowded than ever, countless cultivators hiding inside, but the main entrance was guarded by several men in black, their cold eyes watching everyone inside.

“This time, Xu Tianjiao is in real trouble,” someone whispered.

“I heard from people of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect that it’s all because of Qi Ming’s fiancée, the Pearl of the Mo family of Western Kun Province, who has issued a kill order against Xu Tianjiao.”

“Damn, the beloved daughter of the Mo family? No wonder—even the ‘Soulshocker’ assassins have been mobilized.”

“Xu Tianjiao just helped us escape death the other day. Wouldn’t it be wrong if we didn’t warn him?”

“Heh, if you want to warn him, go ahead. The ‘Soulshocker’ assassins just made it clear that if we don’t cooperate, we’ll be the next to die.”

“That’s right, they’ve sent out hundreds of assassins. Xu Tianjiao doesn’t have his warship to blow everyone up this time.”

“Even if his physical strength is monstrous, and he can take on Qi Ming bare-handed, that doesn’t mean he can fight off so many assassins at once!”

Many cultivators murmured in hushed voices, but not one dared to shout a warning. Even though they clearly saw through the door crack that Xu Zhe had returned, not a single person dared to call out and alert him.

The “Soulshocker” assassins standing at the door were deterrent enough.

Meanwhile, in a private room on the second floor of the Changyun Inn, several disciples of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect were crouched at the window, peering through a gap, recording the situation at the Tower of the Proud across the street.

Among them were three familiar faces: Liu Gaoqing, Zhang Wuma, and Lin Xiu.

“Brothers, let’s give it our all tonight. I reckon this will be our last chance to get results from Xu Tianjiao,” Lin Xiu said in a low voice to Liu Gaoqing and Zhang Wuma.

The three had formed a new team, calling themselves “Full HD, Zero Edit.” To fully record tonight’s assassination attempt on Xu Zhe, they had arrived early in Tianhe City, even risking the wrath of Li the Blade God by sneaking into the empty Tower of the Proud to set up their Myriad Image Jade Tablets.

“Sigh, Xu Tianjiao is actually a decent person. When he noticed us recording him before, he didn’t try to stop us,” Zhang Wuma said, his conscience pricked.

“I get you, Brother Wuma. I’d like to warn him too, but it wouldn’t do any good,” Liu Gaoqing said, patting him on the shoulder.

“Exactly!” Lin Xiu sighed with emotion. “The Pearl of the Mo family has mobilized so many ‘Soulshocker’ assassins—she must have been truly infuriated by Xu Tianjiao’s words. Xu Tianjiao doesn’t have any conditions to create miracles tonight, unlike last time when he accidentally brought about the Crow Army’s destruction.”

“Brother Lin is right. Even if we warn him, it would be useless and would only offend both the ‘Soulshocker’ organization and the Mo family,” Liu Gaoqing agreed.

Both men were rational; Zhang Wuma nodded silently and fell quiet.

At that moment, countless pairs of eyes watched in secret as the lone figure stood outside the Tower of the Proud.

Xu Zhe had already swept the area with his spiritual sense, taking in everything within a kilometer. There were many familiar auras in the inn and nearby houses, but the hundred-plus presences inside the Tower of the Proud were all strangers—faces he’d never encountered before.

“Assassins, huh? Their killing intent is well hidden, but they can’t escape my spiritual sense. So many gathered at the door, others hiding in the ceiling, a few more at the entrance of the inn—such an obvious ambush, and all for me,” Xu Zhe mused silently, perplexed.

“All my life, I have acted with integrity, always thinking of others, never offending anyone… right? Getting ambushed by a strange old man earlier today was bad enough, but why are there so many assassins lying in wait for me now? What could be the reason?”

“No, that’s the wrong line of thought. If I keep thinking like this, my heart will only grow heavier. The world is not a beautiful place—I refuse to go along with it or let myself be changed by it, but neither can I change the world. All I can do is hold on to the purity in my own heart.”

“So, I mustn’t let any negativity arise, or the ‘Righteous Seal Demon Scripture’ will corrupt me. If I fall to darkness, I’ll never be an upright man again.”

“While the shield of righteousness is still protecting me, I’d better dispel these negative feelings.”

Muttering to himself, Xu Zhe lifted his head and strode toward the entrance of the Tower of the Proud. Then he raised his foot—

At the same time, inside the tower, over a hundred assassins in ambush saw the figure approaching the door. They all held their breath, drawing their killing intent even deeper.

They were the most renowned, elite assassins of Qingci Continent. Each had been chosen from thousands, hardened by endless training and trials before joining the organization.

They were known as “Soulshocker.” Every assassin possessed the power to strike terror into the soul, and they had never failed an assignment. They—

Bang!

Suddenly, a thunderous crash left every “Soulshocker” assassin stunned.

The front doors of the Tower of the Proud had been violently kicked open. Several assassins lying in wait at the entrance were caught off guard, smashed by the flying doors, left with bloody heads and battered bodies.

“Just as I thought. If I make the first move, it doesn’t count as being ambushed. I feel much better already,” Xu Zhe said calmly, standing in the doorway and watching the fallen assassins, mumbling to himself.

At this, the other assassins hidden in the ceiling and other spots reacted quickly. Without a word, their figures flashed like ghosts as they darted through the tower.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Countless streaks of silver light flashed, cutting through the air, all shooting toward Xu Zhe.

Xu Zhe made no move to evade. His gaze remained fixed on the darting figures as he began to count their numbers.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Every silver flash struck Xu Zhe, ringing out in a series of crisp metallic notes, sparks showering off before the weapons fell to the ground—thin as cicada wings, they were all throwing knives.

“A body of bronze?” a voice of shock and doubt came from among the assassins.

Immediately after, a man in black dropped from the ceiling, locking eyes with Xu Zhe.

“Xu Zhe, how did you discover our ambush? Who warned you?” the man in black demanded coldly.

Since the ambush had failed and their throwing knives were useless, the assassins abandoned subtlety and switched to a direct assault.

As the man spoke, the remaining assassins landed all around, completely encircling Xu Zhe.

“This has nothing to do with the Heavenly Mechanism Sect. I discovered it myself,” Xu Zhe replied truthfully.

At his words, every “Soulshocker” assassin’s eyes flashed with murderous intent.

The Heavenly Mechanism Sect—courting death!

Meanwhile, in the private room on the second floor of the Changyun Inn:

Liu Gaoqing: “Damn.”

Zhang Wuma: “You.”

Lin Xiu: “Ah.”

...

[Finished writing this second chapter on the plane, just landed back in Shenzhen. Don’t forget to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets, everyone. I’ll update earlier tomorrow.]