Cao County.
The county yamen.
It was late at night.
A bright moon hung high in the sky.
County Magistrate Cao Man slowly walked into the courtyard, cupped his hands towards the moon, and said softly.
"Esteemed Knight Gao, please reveal yourself for a chat!"
As his voice faded.
Countless black mists condensed, and in the blink of an eye, a hazy figure appeared in the center of the bright moon.
The hazy figure was indistinct, ethereal, and mysterious...
County Magistrate Cao Man nodded with satisfaction.
Heh, not bad, not bad. This was the "Five-Star Killer" aura he desired.
This assassin from the "Heavenly Ranking" would surely be able to slay the traitor Liu Xiuer and eliminate a threat to the court.
Thinking of this, County Magistrate Cao Man's expression turned solemn and serious, filled with a sense of mission.
"Esteemed Knight Gao, that Liu Xiuer is truly detestable. He defies imperial will and rejects control, plotting to subvert the authority of the Great Xin Dynasty. His heart deserves to be struck down..."
County Magistrate Cao Man was eloquent. He was about to launch into a "long speech," denouncing Liu Xiuer with "eight major crimes," "twenty secondary crimes," and "one hundred and eight minor crimes."
According to County Magistrate Cao Man's narrative, even the dog Liu Xiuer kept at home was guilty and deserved the extermination of his entire clan!
"Enough!"
The mysterious assassin waved his hand impatiently.
"Kill or be killed, why so much nonsense! As agreed, pay first!"
County Magistrate Cao Man frowned, feeling displeased.
This "Five-Star Killer" had poor ideological awareness. I was just getting to the important part... Never mind, no need to argue with such a person!
County Magistrate Cao Man took out eighteen storage bags, all packed to the brim with spirit stones.
Eighteen storage bags, how many spirit stones could they hold?
Hiring this "Five-Star Killer" was simply sky-high!
County Magistrate Cao Man had sold off his family assets to gather enough spirit stones.
To be an official to his degree, selling his family fortune to aid the court was truly... remarkable!
The pinnacle of working class!
The mysterious assassin accepted the deposit and smiled confidently.
"Choosing me is the most correct decision you'll ever make! Tomorrow evening, I will deliver the head of your target!"
After saying that.
The mysterious assassin flickered, transforming back into ethereal black mist, and vanished into the night sky.
Softly I depart, as softly as I came, I wave my sleeve, carrying no cloud away...
County Magistrate Cao Man smiled with satisfaction.
Professional!
These top ten assassins on the "Heavenly Ranking" were expensive, but worth every penny. Professional indeed!
Now, all he had to do was wait with peace of mind for news of their victory!
...
Hao Ren was anxious.
By the time he discovered this "status update," it was already the next morning. He wondered if the "Five-Star Killer" had already made their move.
Do your best, and leave the rest to fate!
Hao Ren dispatched the "Azure-Eyed Purple Gold Hound."
"Azure-Eyed Purple Gold Hound, listen carefully. You must find Liu Xiuer as quickly as possible and warn him that someone intends to assassinate him..."
"Roar! Boss!"
The Azure-Eyed Purple Gold Hound agreed, brought along its exclusive translator, the "Fat Parrot," and sped down the mountain.
Not long after the Azure-Eyed Purple Gold Hound left, a "status update" regarding the assassin arrived.
[Ding! Golden Core assassin "Gao Shou," ranked in the top ten of the "Heavenly Ranking," has successfully infiltrated the rebel army camp. He has located your eldest disciple, "Liu Xiuer," and is preparing to carry out the assassination...]
Hao Ren sighed.
Alas!
It seemed it was too late...
...
Rebel Army Camp.
Calling it a camp wasn't entirely accurate.
It was actually a small city.
Not only was the rebel army stationed there, but there were also a large number of ordinary civilians.
At this moment, Liu Xiuer was unaware of the impending danger. He was out shopping with Yin Lihua.
"Five-Star Killer" Gao Shou used his stealth divine ability, secretly tailing Liu Xiuer.
Gao Shou sneered inwardly.
"This mission is probably the easiest one I've ever taken! Just a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, assassinating him is as easy as playing. No difficulty, no challenge! I'll treat it as a pleasant vacation!"
Gao Shou wore an expression of immense confidence. He took out a black dagger magical treasure, preparing to strike, and then...
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a basin of cold water was doused from an attic on the street.
Gao Shou's entire focus was on Liu Xiuer. He hadn't anticipated such an event, and was caught completely off guard, drenching him from head to toe.
His stealth divine ability also failed, and he stood on the street like a "drowned rat."
His appearance was somewhat disheveled, completely mismatched with the cold and aloof demeanor expected of a "Five-Star Killer."
Gao Shou was extremely annoyed. It seemed some water had entered his mouth and nose...
Hmm, this smell!
Stinky! Fishy! Salty! Greasy!
Ugh!
Gao Shou, with his two hundred years of Golden Core cultivation, couldn't withstand the stench and instantly vomited.
At this moment, a "great beauty" weighing over three hundred pounds leaned out of the window, revealing a "shy" smile of embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry, young master, I accidentally splashed your foot-washing water on you! How about you come up and change into some clean clothes? My bed is big and soft, uh... I mean, I have many clothes at home!"
Gao Shou looked up at the "great beauty."
Ugh!
He vomited again!
...
Having finally cleaned himself up, Gao Shou once again used his stealth divine ability, preparing to assassinate Liu Xiuer.
"Five-Star Killer" Gao Shou thought resentfully.
An accident, that was definitely an accident!
Who could have imagined a three-hundred-pound "great beauty" would be washing her feet in broad daylight?
"Five-Star Killer" Gao Shou firmly believed that assassinating a "Foundation Establishment cultivator" was easy!
For Gao Shou, this mission held no difficulty; it was like a vacation!
Bring it on!
Gao Shou took out his black dagger magical treasure, ready to launch his assassination, and then...
Rumble!
The street where Gao Shou stood collapsed.
Below was a sewer.
Gao Shou, caught by surprise, fell into the sewer.
His stealth divine ability immediately failed.
Even more maddening was the stench in the sewer, so pungent that it was both agonizing and intoxicating!
Ugh!
Gao Shou vomited again. As a "Five-Star Killer," his senses of smell, sight, and hearing were far more acute than ordinary people.
In the foul-smelling sewer, this acuteness was simply murder.
Stinky! Fishy! Salty! Greasy!
All sorts of smells assailed him.
Ugh!
Gao Shou vomited again, to the point of losing consciousness.
After an unknown period of time, Gao Shou slowly recovered.
By then, it was already dusk.
The sun was setting, and the residual rays of the setting sun illuminated the tranquil small city.
The atmosphere was beautiful.
Gao Shou found Liu Xiuer once again.
He thought hatefully to himself.
I, the dignified "Five-Star Killer," assassinating a "Foundation Establishment cultivator," it's still like a vacation, it's impossible to fail, absolutely impossible to fail!
This time, I will definitely succeed!
Gao Shou took out his black dagger magical treasure again, aimed at Liu Xiuer from a distance, and prepared to launch his assassination, and then...