The assassin's pleas for mercy were, as usual, useless. The silver needle landed precisely on a major acupoint on his chest.
The assassin's body trembled violently…
Whether it was from pain or disgust, only he would know…
Master Xie Yan did not stop, one needle following another.
After the twelfth needle, Master Xie Yan finally paused.
The thirteenth needle, an improved version, was something he had just comprehended. This was his first time putting it into practice.
It wasn't that Master Xie Yan felt nervous, but rather he wanted to be in the best possible state to administer this thirteenth needle.
After resting for half an hour, the Master finally raised the last needle!
"Swish!"
The silver needle landed steadily on the assassin's Baihui acupoint.
It went in completely, leaving no trace!
With the previous twelve needles, the assassin's body had shown no reaction apart from occasional tremors.
However, with this thirteenth needle, a drastic change occurred!
The assassin's head began to shake violently, and his limp, mushy body twisted fiercely!
Then, his body began to inflate rapidly, like a balloon being filled with air!
As for what happened next, the assassin was no longer aware.
For he had finally, as he wished, passed out…
An unknown amount of time passed.
The assassin’s consciousness slowly returned.
He seemed to hear someone speaking in his ear.
However, the voice sounded intermittent and unclear.
The assassin felt a bit disoriented.
He vaguely remembered that he had taken a job to deal with a target, then something unexpected happened, and then he was captured…
After a great deal of effort, he finally managed to sort out his thoughts.
Right!
I was finally tortured into unconsciousness by two old perverts!
With this realization, the assassin’s eyes snapped open!
The first thing he saw were two other pairs of eyes…
Elder Er and Master Xie Yan were squatting on the ground by the wooden tub, staring intently at the assassin.
Well…
To say they were staring intently wasn't entirely accurate.
Elder Er was indeed staring intently.
But as for Master Xie Yan…
His left eyeball was fixed on the front right, while his right eyeball darted wildly…
Perhaps the Master was feeling uneasy, as the frequency of its movement was quite high.
Crimson light dots flickered uncontrollably over the assassin’s body as his eyeballs spun…
Even more terrifying was that Master Xie Yan was smiling at the assassin…
Master Xie Yan’s smile was also remarkably peculiar.
Divided by his philtrum.
The left side of his mouth curved upwards when he smiled, appearing no different from a normal person.
But the right half of his mouth was the exact opposite!
When Master Xie Yan smiled, his entire mouth looked like a lying 'S'.
Such a smile, illuminated by the dim candlelight, appeared even more eerie…
The assassin, unable to take a full breath, held it again, almost going into shock…
"Get away from me! You two perverted freaks! Don't come near me!"
The assassin wailed at the top of his lungs, waving his hands desperately.
"Master Xie Yan, this young man seems to have been cured," Elder Er turned his head and asked Master Xie Yan.
"He does seem better. It should be fine," Master Xie Yan nodded with relief.
"That's wonderful! We succeeded!"
The two old men hugged each other, jumping and shouting joyfully.
"No, no!" After a moment of celebration, they quickly stopped. "Ye Fan and the others are still sleeping. We'll disturb them if we're like this."
Also stopping was the assassin in the wooden tub.
Because he suddenly realized that he might have made a sound just now?
And his hands could move?
The assassin raised his hands in disbelief.
They moved!
They actually moved!
The assassin instantly understood what was happening.
"Splash—!"
He leaped out of the wooden tub, grabbed his clothes nearby, and fled through the window!
The entire process was decisive and resolute, without the slightest hesitation!
"This young man runs too fast," Master Xie Yan said with some regret. "I still had some things to tell him."
"Perhaps he had something urgent to attend to," Elder Er mused softly, watching the swaying window. "Youth is a wonderful thing."
"Indeed," Master Xie Yan shook his head. "Never mind, I'm tired. Let's rest."
"Yes, let's sleep," Elder Er supported Master Xie Yan, walking slowly towards the bed.
The Thirteen Needles of the Ghost Gate were extremely taxing. Master Xie Yan had been maintaining a high level of alertness, but now that he relaxed, he could barely stand.
Although the assassin had not uttered a single word of thanks from beginning to end, the two elders harbored no blame whatsoever.
They had saved him out of pure kindness and had never expected any reward.
Despite the exhaustion of saving a life today, seeing a living being restored made it all worthwhile.
The candlelight in the room was extinguished, and soon, silence fell.
Under the cover of night.
The assassin, while fleeing, fumbled to put on his clothes.
He even took out a small mirror to do his makeup.
After flying for over two thousand miles, the assassin finally stopped.
Those two old perverts had not appeared, so it seemed they had no intention of pursuing him.
He had managed to save his life…
The assassin's emotions were complex at this moment.
He naturally harbored immense resentment towards the two old men.
However, from the skills they had displayed, he knew they were far more formidable than they appeared.
At the very least, he was no match for them at his current level.
Yet, his escape tonight had not been entirely without gains.
All the bones in his body had been shattered, but now they had miraculously healed completely!
His sealed true qi had been unsealed and was even more potent than before!
Not only that, but the venous damage caused by his past qi deviation had also been fully repaired!
It could be said that he had experienced a blessing in disguise.
Though he was reluctant to admit it, he had to acknowledge that their treatment methods were indeed remarkably effective!
However, the surprises did not end there.
The assassin ran his hands over his body, a look of ecstasy on his face.
His once thin and withered physique was now covered in muscles like coiled dragons!
Broad, solid pectoral muscles!
Eight-pack abdominal muscles that felt intoxicating to the touch!
Powerful deltoids and biceps!
…
Even his most private secrets could now be flaunted as a source of pride!
Tears, silent and steady, traced paths down his cheeks.
How many times…
How many times!
Had he fantasized about possessing such a physique, and living as a man with dignity!
Yet, each time, this dream could only be realized in slumber.
But now.
The dream had become reality!
The assassin tilted his head back, gazing at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle.
Mother!
Are you watching from heaven!
Your son can finally be a man with dignity!
A true man!
Wiping away his excited tears, the assassin continued his flight back towards his sect.
He couldn't wait to share this wonderful news with his dearest elder sister.
His mother had died young, and his sister had raised him single-handedly.
Although his sister was only two years older than him, in his heart, his sister had silently taken on the role of their mother.
His sister would surely be overjoyed if she knew!
After flying for several hundred miles, a group of dark figures appeared in the assassin's sight.
At first, the assassin thought they were just passers-by and paid them no mind.
However, as they drew closer, he realized that something was amiss!
Approaching him were five young cultivators.
One was clearing the path, while the remaining four carried a brand-new coffin.
On top of the coffin, a small puppy and a small fox were perched.
At the very rear of the procession followed several spirit beasts.
A tall and majestic white horse.
A peacock.
And a celestial crane.
…