Chapter 106: The Unusual Assassin

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Ouyang Tianming, the leader of the Nine Poison Sect, had forcefully broken through the palace’s protective barrier, his aim unmistakably to assassinate Emperor Li Shimin. Although the Heavenly Mirror world had vanished, Li Shimin still stood atop the pavilion, watching the battle unfold, leaving Wei Zheng’s heart hanging in suspense.

At that moment, a shadow suddenly appeared from an unknown direction, swift as lightning. In the pitch-black night, ordinary eyes could scarcely perceive it. Wei Zheng furrowed his brow and hurriedly stepped in front of Li Shimin, only to be stopped by the emperor himself. In the next instant, a white figure descended from above the pavilion—it was Tan Zongxiao.

“Attempting to assassinate His Majesty? How many lives do you think you have to squander?” Tan Zongxiao’s voice rang out.

“Hehehehe... Long live the Emperor of Tang! I, old man though I am, merely wished to take a stroll through the Son of Heaven’s residence and witness this prosperous land. Surely Your Majesty and the Immortal Sect’s master, who defies death, do not lack such generosity?” The shadow declared, cloaked entirely in a dense black aura, rendering his form indistinct.

Upon seeing Tan Zongxiao, the shadow halted about a hundred meters from the pavilion’s edge and emitted a shrill, eerie laugh. The self-proclaimed “old man” concealed within the dark energy was enigmatic and elusive.

Tan Zongxiao raised his brow and whipped his broad sleeve. Suddenly, a golden barrier shimmered before the pavilion, its surface flowing with radiant light and sparkling stars, resembling an inverted starry sky.

“A stroll, you say? Old man, throughout history, no emperor has permitted such unbridled trespass into their bedchambers. Tonight, Chang’an is in chaos. What intentions bring you here? Must I spell it out for you?” Tan Zongxiao’s tone was sharp.

“Heh heh heh, to witness the Immortal Sect Master and the Emperor of the Great Tang in person, this night is no wasted journey. Gentlemen, I take my leave.” The old man chuckled ominously and, without further words, vanished swiftly beyond the palace walls, wrapped in his dark aura. His arrival and departure were both rapid and mysterious.

After watching him leave, Tan Zongxiao glanced gravely toward the direction where Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang stood. Wei Zheng, angered, demanded, “This man clearly harbors intentions to assassinate His Majesty. Why does the Yin-Yang Temple’s Chief not give chase?”

“Lord Wei, do you truly fail to discern his identity? He is one of the Nine Netherworld Fiends, masters of the Heavenly Star Escape Technique. The old trickster from the Five Elements Sect, Elder Zhou, is notoriously cunning. Such a lifetime of caution will not easily yield him to me. Besides, our true enemy has yet to reveal themselves,” Tan Zongxiao replied solemnly.

With that, Tan Zongxiao withdrew his gaze and descended from the pavilion, returning to stand closely behind Li Shimin—a sign of his heightened vigilance.

“The Five Elements Sect? If I recall correctly, they are a minor faction from Qianzhou, yet closely allied with the Miao territories. I once dealt with their disciples when pacifying the southern barbarians. How swiftly time flies,” Li Shimin mused.

“You were not yet emperor then; now you sit upon the throne. Elder Zhou’s visit clearly involves collusion, seeking advantage. Yet, Your Majesty’s fortune and divine aid have unsettled their plans, rendering them less threatening. Were it not for a greater enemy still concealed, I would have apprehended them,” Tan Zongxiao explained.

“Very well. Since he found a way to retreat, I shall grant him face. This matter can be settled later. By the way, the Immortal Master has been gone some time—have the scholars been secured?” Li Shimin inquired.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. I laid formations within the Imperial Academy, and no one was harmed. However, the scholars lodging at the inns are scattered; the court cannot guarantee their protection,” Tan Zongxiao replied.

“The court has its difficulties, and the scholars their fates. Let each abide by heaven’s decree.” Li Shimin sighed, then cast his gaze skyward. Yuan Tiangang was still entangled with Shangguan Yunyi, while Li Chunfeng was trapped helplessly by an endless stream of humanoid moonlight, his fate unknown. Beyond this, battles raged from every corner of Chang’an, leaving scarcely a safe haven.

“This man who stands against the Nine Poison Sect’s leader—his cultivation and divine power likely rival Yuan Tiangang’s. After this battle, Immortal Master, I entrust you to recruit him for me,” Li Shimin said decisively.

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“Your Majesty is wise, yet this man may not be amenable to serving the court. Recently, the tribunal of the Three Departments examined someone precisely his disciple,” Tan Zongxiao cautioned.

“Oh? A youth named Lu Xin? So he is his apprentice...” Li Shimin frowned, withdrawing his gaze and closing his eyes, saying no more.

Meanwhile, beneath the Buddhist pagoda, Lu Xin prepared to leave Xiaofu Temple. Yet, atop a nearby rooftop appeared a gigantic fox—undoubtedly the true form of Yue Buhei, the demon fox, who rarely revealed himself without dire necessity.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A barrage of sword qi rained down, forcing Yue Buhei to shatter countless tiles. The incoming magical energy suggested at least five assailants. Lu Xin, furious, kicked off and dashed outside the temple. The Yang sisters wasted no time; Yang Qin leapt onto the neighboring rooftop with agility. A scholar recently descended from the pagoda, believing himself safe, was startled by Lu Xin and fled hastily into the bushes.

“Damn, this is bad. Fox, please stay safe!” he muttered.

“Beast, I should have slain you back in Chizhou. Where do you think you can run now?” came a shout from above the roof where Yue Buhei stood. The voice sounded familiar. Yue Buhei, pressed by sword qi, was unable to reply. His massive fox form was riddled with wounds.

“Damn, it’s the Upper Profound Heaven Sect again!” Lu Xin exclaimed.

With his swift movement, Lu Xin reached the rooftop in moments. Five figures charged at Yue Buhei; among them was “Brother Cao,” a disciple of the Upper Profound Heaven Sect who had once pursued Lu Xin in Chizhou.

Back then, Lu Xin and his companions were escaping via boat toward Poyang Lake, chased by Huang Yuyi, when Brother Cao and two others blocked the river. Had it not been for his sudden arrival, Lu Xin and Yue Buhei would have been humiliated and nearly killed.

Enemies meeting again, tempers flared. Lu Xin wasted no time, unleashing the Youxian Sword with golden brilliance, striking Brother Cao’s front line, halting their advance. Brother Cao dodged swiftly but his robe was torn.

“Who dares block our demon-slaying mission?” the Upper Profound Heaven Sect assailants demanded.

Their leader was not Brother Cao but a stout middle-aged man. Upon spotting Lu Xin, he frowned and threw three talismans aloft. Wind caught them ablaze, lighting three lamps on his forehead and shoulders.

Brother Cao’s face went pale upon recognizing Lu Xin, disbelief in his eyes. Before he could speak, the Yang sisters climbed up to the rooftop from both sides. Yue Buhei reverted to human form, kneeling, clutching his left arm, breath weak and body marked by sword qi wounds.

“Cao Xiong, it’s you again?” Yang Qin cursed loudly. Yang Xiu’s expression darkened as she reached for a cloth pouch at her waist. Lu Xin sheathed the Youxian Sword and stood before Yue Buhei protectively.

“Fox, what happened?” Lu Xin asked.

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“Damn it! Those shameless fools attacked me from behind while I was fighting the Great Wilderness Sect. Were it not for my imperial luck, I’d be dead under their blades,” Yue Buhei growled.

“Hahaha... From behind? You’re a demon, we’re humans. Do you expect us to greet you politely before attacking? Everyone knows foxes are cunning. If you escaped again, how could I explain to our sect? Brother Cao, were these the ones who wounded you and Huang Yuyi in Chizhou?”

“Brother Lei, your insight is correct,” Cao Xiong replied.

Though the Upper Profound Heaven Sect ceased their assault, their magical energy remained poised. The stout “Brother Lei,” with his three burning lamps, grew stronger. Cao Xiong himself was at the seventh level of the Observing Void realm; the others were similar, making them formidable.

Lu Xin glared fiercely at Cao Xiong, holding the Youxian Sword once more, golden light shimmering.

“Always a hall leader or a sect chief. The Upper Profound Heaven Sect truly reeks of underworld dealings. Such a sect hardly merits talk of demon-slaying,” Lu Xin spat.

Without hesitation, Lu Xin surged toward “Brother Lei.” This unexpected move shook the others, including Yang Xiu.

Among Yin-Yang Masters, one can “read” others’ energy, sensing their cultivation. Higher-ranked masters easily discern lower ranks; even lower-ranked sense approximate levels. Lu Xin was no fool; he knew the strength before him. “Brother Lei” recognized Lu Xin as a mere second-level Observing Void junior and paid him little mind—though he was surprised by the sudden charge.

“Qin’er, we join in,” Yang Xiu declared.

Unaware of Lu Xin’s motive, the sisters followed suit, leaving no path back, attacking Cao Xiong from both sides.

In the next moment, golden light exploded above “Brother Lei,” unleashing countless sword qì. The stout man was enveloped and instantly blasted off the rooftop.

The others gasped, all eyes fixed on Lu Xin’s Youxian Sword.

“What is this...?” Cao Xiong’s expression shifted. He had pursued Lu Xin in Chizhou and knew some secrets. Yan Fu personally ordered the hunt to seize Lu Xin’s sword. The Upper Profound Heaven Sect focused on swordsmanship; their disciples had a unique bond with swords. Though Cao Xiong knew Lu Xin’s sword was powerful, he never expected it to blast “Brother Lei” away in a single strike. The gap in cultivation was simply too vast.

“Hmph, what are you staring at? Today, I claim your life,” Yang Xiu declared fiercely.

The Yang sisters pressed their attack on Cao Xiong, forcing him to retreat swiftly, sword raised defensively. Lu Xin was surrounded by the other two, caught in the middle.

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