Free Web NovelChapter 88: Chapter 87: Instant Kill on Sight, No More Talk
"Note (3): I have people watching Shangguan Castle closely, but there’s a constant danger of being exposed. Unfortunately, I am old and my energy is failing. I can no longer continue the investigation. I hope headquarters dispatches reinforcements soon."
...
"Shangguan Ao, Fifth Layer of Gang Energy, and connected to the Bai family?"
Chen Xuan frowned.
Alright.
This is it, then.
’I don’t care who you’re connected to. Colluding with demons and harming your own kind... I can’t stand by and watch this happen.’
Not to mention these demons had repeatedly slaughtered members of the Twelve Alliances.
By any standard of reason or morality, he couldn’t possibly turn a blind eye.
’I wonder how many retribution points I’ll get for killing demons!’
’A mere Fifth Layer of Gang Energy? That’s just free retribution points being handed to me!’
There was no reason not to collect them.
...
Late into the quiet night, in the hours past midnight.
South City, Shangguan Castle.
A carrier pigeon flew in from the distance, cooing as it swiftly landed in a gloomy, sprawling courtyard. A middle-aged man soon emerged from within, picked up the pigeon, and removed a slip of paper from the bamboo tube on its right leg before hurrying toward a room.
"Father, that person has sent another message."
The man handed the note to an elderly man in the room.
The old man’s face was ruddy and he was bursting with vitality, as if he’d just consumed a powerful elixir.
In the jade bowl before him, viscous blood had yet to dry completely.
"This demonic Secret Technique is truly powerful. I’ve only been practicing for two short years, and it has already rejuvenated me so much. Not only has my power faintly increased, but even my hair has become much blacker."
Shangguan Ao smiled, extremely pleased. He casually took the note from the man and glanced at it, his expression quickly turning to one of surprise.
"Han Zhenshan of the Twelve Alliances is retiring, and he’s sent a young man to take his place? And that person wants us to kill this young man?"
"Yes, Father. I’ve heard of this Chen Xuan. He seems to be quite powerful. He just defeated Zhou Tianyang of the Twelve Alliances. To have already reached the Gang Energy Realm at such a young age... he’s considered an unparalleled prodigy."
The middle-aged man said.
"Is that so?" ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
A sly smile played on Shangguan Ao’s lips. "I happen to be very interested in prodigies. The more talented they are, the more precious their lifeblood. Often, absorbing a single drop is worth more than that of dozens of ordinary men. Perhaps it could even help you break through again."
"Then, Father, should we do as that person says? Should we kill this Chen Xuan?"
The middle-aged man’s eyes glinted slightly.
"Naturally. When a plump piece of meat is served to you on a platter, you don’t refuse."
Shangguan Ao smiled.
"But what about Han Zhenshan..."
The middle-aged man, Shangguan Jie, was a little hesitant.
Han Zhenshan’s power was comparable to his father’s... They had been wary of each other for years.
But if they killed the new Foreign Affairs Envoy, he was afraid Han Zhenshan would not let it go.
"Him? A half-dead, decrepit old man. He’s watched us for years and never dared to make a move. You think he’s going to start meddling now? His lifespan is all but spent; he doesn’t have many years left. Pay him no mind!"
Shangguan Ao said in a detached tone, "First, get rid of the spies he left behind. I’m tired of looking at them."
"Yes, Father."
Shangguan Jie nodded, then asked hesitantly, "Should we have Mr. Cat handle it, then?"
"Of course. The Shangguan family is a renowned and noble house. How could we possibly involve ourselves in such matters personally?"
Shangguan Ao said coolly.
...
「Early the next morning.」
As the sun began to rise.
The frantic sound of galloping hooves echoed from within a dense forest.
A tall, powerfully built man in a black robe, covered in blood, was galloping on a swift horse. His face was a mask of terror as he desperately whipped the reins, urging the horse forward.
Even the warhorse beneath him was terrified, neighing shrilly with its coat standing on end, bolting forward with every ounce of its strength.
It was as if something incredibly terrifying was approaching from behind them.
"Faster, faster!"
The man in black cried out in terror.
His hair was a mess and his clothes were in tatters. Horrific wounds, deep enough to expose bone, were clearly visible on his chest and back, dripping blood continuously.
"MEOW~"
A sharp, ear-piercing cry, like that of a cat, echoed from the dense forest behind him.
An unimaginably terrifying, blood-soaked aura kicked up dust and pebbles as it rapidly closed in.
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
An unnatural sound came from the branches of a nearby tree.
A black blur closed in at an unbelievable speed. Two dark-golden eyes peered out from within the blur, glinting with a mix of cruelty and playful malice as they fixed upon the black-robed man.
Just like a cat playing with a mouse.
"I’m with Foreign Affairs Envoy Han of the Twelve Alliances! If you kill me, he will never let you get away with it!"
The man in black shrieked in terror.
SWOOSH!
SCHLICK!
The black shadow flashed past, and blood sprayed through the air.
A piercing, agonized neigh echoed through the forest.
In a single instant, the warhorse was torn to pieces, as if seized by massive claws. Blood and entrails flew everywhere. The man in black was thrown from its back with a pained grunt, flying through the air before crashing violently to the ground. The impact sent waves of agony through his organs, and he began to cough violently, spitting up mouthfuls of blood.
"Hee hee..."
The sound of light, melodious laughter rang out nearby.
The man in black, shivering uncontrollably with a terrified expression, quickly looked up.
Before him stood a monster dressed in the clothes of a human woman. From the neck down, it had a graceful posture and a slender frame, like that of a beautiful young maiden. But above the neck, there was no human head.
Instead, there was a furry cat’s head with golden pupils...
At this moment, the monster was extending its five bloody fingers and licking them clean, an unsettling grin on its face as it watched the man in black.
"Mother taught me to play with my food before eating it. You have to let it run a little first. It makes the meat much more delicious."
