“Assassination?” Whether Min Renlong from a major sect or Yuan Yang from the Southern Wilderness, the four newcomers were all fledglings who had yet to experience the martial world. Their understanding of assassination was still confined to imagination. Now suddenly encountering it, they couldn’t tell whether they should feel excited or frightened and turned their gazes toward Meng Qi, their “Newcomer Guide.”
In their hearts, the young master appeared relaxed and fond of smiling, with an unhurried demeanor. Even holding a long sword, he didn’t seem fearsome. In this unfamiliar environment, he exuded a certain charm that inspired closeness.
Meng Qi picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup, took a sip, and smiled slightly, his eyes curving: “Don’t look at me. I’m merely a ‘mentor’ and won’t interfere excessively in your tasks. From now on, you must learn to assess situations yourselves, formulate strategies yourselves, and complete tasks yourselves.”
The term “mentor” in the primary world originated from Buddhism, used to describe the Buddha guiding sentient beings toward enlightenment and liberation from suffering. Thus, Wu Xiuxian and Weng Lingyu had no difficulty understanding it, though Yuan Yang felt slightly puzzled. However, by combining the context of the conversation, she could still grasp its meaning.
After exchanging glances, Yuan Yang expressed dissatisfaction: “In our Southern Wilderness, when hunting down monstrous beasts or enemies from rival tribes, we must first understand their habits and the surrounding environment. Otherwise, we can’t make our move.”
Her tribe was close to the Jin Dynasty, and she frequently visited the border markets, so she spoke fluent Jin official language. Fortunately, with the Six Dao present, internal communication wasn’t an issue. It automatically unified the spoken language into the most commonly used one. Though some might seem to speak a different tongue, to others, it sounded like the mainstream language.
“That’s right. We’re strangers here. We neither know Tie Xin Hall nor understand the Parting Devil Sword, so we have no starting point,” Min Renlong said, looking around according to the martial world experience taught by his seniors, searching in the noisy inn for someone who appeared well-informed.
Soon, he stood up directly, preparing to leave his seat.
“Master Min, where are you going?” Weng Lingyu asked nervously.
She was the daughter of an ordinary caravan guard, had yet to awaken her inner potential, and lacked worldly experience. Without her three equally inexperienced companions and Mentor Meng Qi, she might have already collapsed. Seeing Min Renlong suddenly depart, she naturally felt uneasy.
Min Renlong smiled: “Naturally, to gather information.”
“Recognize any local bullies?” Wu Xiuxian blurted out.
Meng Qi, sitting beside them, smiled while playing with his teacup, watching their discussion as if watching himself and his companions from years ago.
“I don’t know them, but money makes the ghost push the millstone,” Min Renlong replied, patting his bulging purse.
“Order some food first. You can’t assassinate on an empty stomach,” Meng Qi suddenly said.
Min Renlong nodded and walked away, heading first to the innkeeper.
The remaining three newcomers exchanged glances and fell silent for a moment. Then Wu Xiuxian, the direct disciple from a minor sect, couldn’t help but speak up: “According to the young master’s words…”
He instinctively glanced at Meng Qi.
Meng Qi nodded slightly, indicating him to continue.
According to the young master, the tasks assigned by the Six Paths Reincarnation Master won’t be simple, but they won’t be impossible for us to complete either. Currently, with insufficient intelligence, we shouldn’t consider seeking external assistance yet. Relying solely on the combined strength of the four of us, if we plan carefully, we should have a chance to eliminate the Parting Devil Sword. However, any misstep could cost us our lives. In other words, Fu Cuo’s strength is likely slightly superior to our combined power. Taking into account Master Min’s presence and the guards accompanying the position of Fragrance Master, the target’s strength should be around the fourth to sixth Qiao level.
In minor sects, those who unlocked their meridians before the age of twenty were considered rare talents. Wu Xiuxian naturally received considerable attention and guidance from the elders, and his thinking was quite systematic.
He glanced at Meng Qi once more: “Even a Xiangzhu has reached the level of the fourth to sixth apertures. The elders and hall masters of the Iron Heart Hall have likely opened seven or eight apertures, possibly even nine. Combining this with the intelligence gathered by Master Min, we can assess the Iron Heart Hall’s standing in the martial world and roughly gauge the upper limits of strength in this realm. However, there’s no need for concern. Enemies beyond the sixth aperture level are unlikely to appear. Even if they do, they should fall within the young master’s assigned mission scope.”
Meng Qi maintained his leisurely smile, nodding to indicate they needn’t consider enemies beyond the sixth level.
“Could it be that the Parting Devil Sword was sidelined, hence only holding the position of a Xiangzhu, yet his true strength surpasses most within Tie Xin Hall?” Weng Lingyu murmured softly. She had witnessed numerous instances where power didn’t always correlate with high status, particularly in the lower echelons of the martial arts world.
Yuan Yang agreed: “Exactly. My father is among the top ten fighters in our clan, but he offended the clan leader and never became an elder.”
The three began discussing based solely on the brief mission description, reminding Meng Qi of his younger self, who once tried to act as a military advisor but ended up being the team’s main fighter due to unforeseen circumstances.
He sighed and reminded them: “We must also consider the unique cultivation methods of this world. Not every place follows the path of opening the apertures and external manifestation of inner scenery.”
“Other cultivation methods?” Weng Lingyu and Wu Xiuxian were startled.
The Southern Wilderness girl Yuan Yang nodded thoughtfully. In her homeland, filled with chaos, monstrous beasts, and numerous tribes, cultivation methods were incredibly diverse—such as forming a life bond with insects, gradually enhancing them by feeding them specific herbs and flesh, thereby increasing one’s own power.
Meng Qi glanced at her and smiled lightly: “The Blood Robe Sect dominates the Southern Wilderness, with many peculiar cultivation methods. I’m sure Lady Yuan is no stranger to this.”
The Blood Robe Sect, one of the nine heretical sects, was exiled from the Central Plains in ancient times and established itself in the harsh Southern Wilderness, becoming the dominant force of the region. Its leader cultivated the “Blood Sea Rakshasa” true form, wielding supreme authority over the Southern Wilderness.
Speaking of which, the unorthodox sects, benefiting from their unique techniques, had many shortcuts, making it easier for them to attain Dharmakaya status compared to orthodox sects. However, they faced increasing difficulties later on, often stagnating. Moreover, their mutual hostility frequently led to mutual destruction, which is why orthodox sects suppressed them, branding them as enemies to all.
Yuan Yang showed slight fear: “Yes, I’ve seen Blood Robe Sect disciples sewing talismans onto their bodies with scalding needles…”
At this moment, Min Renlong returned joyfully. As he approached, he lowered his voice: “I’ve gathered the information. Tie Xin Hall is the leader of the Leftist Sect. Its hall master is one of the top martial experts in the world, though his exact cultivation level is unknown. This isn’t the main hall, but it’s still within Tie Xin Hall’s sphere of influence. ‘The Parting Devil Sword’ Fu Cuo is the supreme authority in this city, likely having opened the eye acupoint and ear acupoint…”
With more information, the four newcomers discussed more enthusiastically, as if in a secret chamber.
Soon, the waiter brought the wine and dishes. Already hungry, they ate while talking. Meng Qi sat beside them, smiling and eating heartily.
“Now we need to figure out Fu Cuo’s daily routines to find an assassination opportunity,” Min Renlong said, full of confidence. This would be his first martial world mission!
Inexperienced, Weng Lingyu lacked confidence and glanced at Meng Qi: “Young master, how are we doing?”
“Not bad,” Meng Qi put down his chopsticks and smiled. “But there are three mistakes.”
“What mistakes?” Min Renlong couldn’t quite believe it.
Meng Qi played with his wine glass: “First, if the matter isn’t kept secret, it leads to failure. Discussing assassination openly in a public place makes it easy for someone with ill intentions to overhear.”
Wu Xiuxian and others were startled, quickly looking around. They noticed that, without realizing it, the inn had emptied out, leaving only empty tables and chairs.
“We thought you were here with us,” Weng Lingyu stammered in explanation.
“It was our mistake. The Six Dao matters felt too much like a dream, making us forget our surroundings and become careless,” Yuan Yang, the girl with the dual-faced demeanor, said with a grim expression, criticizing herself.
Meng Qi continued: “Second, gathering information isn’t wrong, but in unfamiliar territory, how do you know the local bullies aren’t connected to the Parting Devil Sword? You should have inquired indirectly, from different sources. Direct questioning easily alerts the target and invites disaster.”
This was the summary of his years of martial world experience.
Min Renlong’s body swayed, his face paling. This was content his seniors had taught him, yet there was always a gap between knowledge and action, especially on the first attempt.
“As for the third…” Meng Qi suddenly smiled. “You ate the food served without checking it first. Did you think you were still at home?”
“Ahh?” They were first puzzled, then shocked, realizing they were beginning to feel weak!
The intense discussion atmosphere and the absence of immediate danger had caused these martial world fledglings to forget the most basic common sense. Now, it seemed too late for regret.
Min Renlong abruptly stood up, intending to draw his sword, but his arms and legs felt weak and numb, causing him to collapse back into his seat. The other three couldn’t even muster the strength to stand.
“You actually remained unaffected by the Soft Tendon Powder? Did you figure it out beforehand?” A voice filled with doubt sounded. The previously stern-faced innkeeper and a beautiful woman wearing a pink robe approached. The other patrons of the inn had either left or dispersed.
“Cursed thieves, drugging us!” Min Renlong roared.
Meng Qi watched them with a cheerful smile: “Soft Tendon Powder mixed with steamed beef has an acidic taste, not very delicious, but when added to bamboo shoot soup, it’s surprisingly savory. Quite good, actually, with a unique flavor.”
He had actually eaten it, remained unaffected, and was now commenting on the taste… The stern-faced innkeeper’s expression froze, while the pink-robed woman’s face changed suddenly. She suddenly attacked, attempting to subdue the only unaffected enemy.
Puu, her palms struck the enemy, but he seemed completely unaffected, still savoring the delicious soup.
“Body-protecting martial art?”
No wonder you had the audacity to target the Fragrance Master Fu!
“No counterattack! He must be affected too!”
The two seemed to understand something. One drew a sword, while the other wielded two daggers, surrounding Meng Qi in a fierce assault.
The sound of clashing metal continued. Whether it was the precious sword or the daggers, none could leave even the slightest mark on Meng Qi. Weng Lingyu and the others watched in both tension and astonishment.
The stern-faced innkeeper gritted his teeth, extended a dagger, and aimed for Meng Qi’s eyes—the weak point of body-protecting martial arts.
Meng Qi lowered his eyelids, allowing the dagger to strike.
Clang! His eyelids didn’t budge an inch. The repeatedly struck dagger had already curled at the edge, terrifying the stern-faced innkeeper into retreating several steps, unable to believe the man before him was human!
The pink-robed woman extended her thin sword, attempting to penetrate Meng Qi’s mouth and disrupt his martial art from within.
With a snap of his white teeth, the sword emitted a clear breaking sound, its tip bitten off directly.
As chewing sounds echoed, Meng Qi spat out a lump of steel slag, smiling at the now-dazed pink-robed woman: “Crunchy…”
The stern-faced innkeeper let out a scream of despair, extending his right index and middle fingers, releasing a spiral-like force specifically designed to counter body-protecting martial arts.
Pah! His two fingers broke, causing him to roll on the ground in pain.
The pink-robed woman’s expression collapsed, crying out in terror:
“You… you’re not human!”
Either a demon or a deity!
Min Renlong, Weng Lingyu, and the others were in a daze, as if dreaming, forgetting they had been drugged.
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