Chapter 1 Aftermath

Several days later, night.

The massive city of the Imperial Capital was shrouded in darkness, and nine black-clad figures silently approached the residence rented by Xu Jingming.

"The target is a first-rate expert. Be careful," the white-haired old man at the lead whispered. The others nodded slightly.

This team of theirs was also quite elite, a small assassination squad composed of three first-rate experts and six second-rate experts! It was more than enough to deal with a Blood Rain Guard captain.

"Action," the old man ordered softly.

*Swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh!*

The figures scattered, quietly scaling the courtyard walls, each heading straight for the tightly closed door of the house.

The place Xu Jingming rented wasn't large. After all, in a place like the Imperial Capital, a yearly rent of fifty taels of silver wouldn't get you a luxurious mansion.

"Stop!" the old man whispered. He focused his mind, using mental fluctuations to sense his surroundings, also sensing the few houses before him.

"No sound of breathing, can't sense any aura," the old man frowned. "At this late hour, he should be fast asleep. Fang Cheng, go take a look inside."

"Yes."

A figure silently approached the door, gently pried open the wooden window, and quietly slipped inside. In just a few breaths, he emerged again, and then investigated a side room.

"Sir, I've searched the houses inside and out, no one's there," the figure reported back.

The other eight were somewhat surprised.

"That shouldn't be. According to the intelligence, this Jingming mostly stays at his residence, except for strolling around his district and eating and drinking at nearby restaurants and teahouses. He usually doesn't go out at night. Now he's gone? Where did he go?" a companion said. "Brother Wen, what do we do now?"

"We're launching simultaneous attacks on Jingming and Luo Baichuan tonight; we can't postpone it," the old man shook his head. "Once we postpone it, Jingming might become alert tomorrow morning when he learns about Luo Baichuan's matter. So… we must act tonight."

"But he's not here," the companion worried.

"He must have gone out for something. We'll lie in ambush in the house! Once he returns, we'll surround and kill him. If he doesn't return all night, then consider him lucky." Soon, the nine people quietly lay in ambush, patiently waiting for Xu Jingming's return.

******

At that moment, Xu Jingming was at a Qisha Tower (Seven Kill Tower) branch in the Imperial Capital.

He was wearing black clothes, a bamboo hat, and a mask. This Qisha Tower branch was a seemingly ordinary inn, but the hidden hall inside was very spacious. Xu Jingming was there to hand in a mission.

"Three Kill Sir, this is your reward money," a gray-robed man weighed half a gold bar. "Fifty gold, not a single bit less." He then handed the half gold bar to Xu Jingming.

"Good."

Xu Jingming accepted the gold bar.

"After completing this mission, Sir, you will also be promoted to Four Kill rank. This is your new token," the gray-robed man handed Xu Jingming a new token, and asked with a smile, "Four Kill Sir, would you like to choose a new mission?"

This assassin before him had only registered for less than a month, but he had already completed five rather difficult missions, and was promoted to Four Kill rank.

"I'll rest for a while first," Xu Jingming said, taking the token and turning to leave.

His current strength was considered quite formidable even among first-rate experts. Even if he were to exchange blows with a 'super-first-rate expert', he might be able to last dozens of moves.

After all, a 20x bonus to combat strength was a huge advantage compared to a 10x bonus, enough to kill in one or two moves.

But compared to a 15x bonus, the advantage wasn't so outrageous! Depending on the environment and other factors, they could exchange a few moves, and with the cooperation of companions, they could completely match him.

It was precisely because he was strong enough that he could become a Four Kill rank assassin in such a short time.

…

In the dark night, a figure in black, wearing a bamboo hat and mask, Xu Jingming walked silently with a gun-pouch on his back.

"Being an assassin in the Qisha Tower is also a way to save money," Xu Jingming thought to himself.

As a player, one naturally had to advance on several paths simultaneously! Working hard to save money.

Being a Blood Rain Guard captain was to save money.

Being an assassin in the Qisha Tower was also to save money.

As for becoming an assassin in the Qisha Tower? As a player, it was easy to collect information on the many branches of the Qisha Tower in the virtual world, and it was easy to join.

"The detailed information about the Blood Rain Guard also makes my assassinations much easier," Xu Jingming felt that the two paths complemented each other.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xu Jingming quietly returned to the front of his residence, glanced at the lock on the gate, then leaped over the courtyard wall, landing exactly in an inconspicuous corner of the front yard.

Xu Jingming scanned the ground of the courtyard, and his pupils suddenly constricted.

Although there was no moon tonight, only stars, with the help of the faint starlight… Xu Jingming, a cell-control level expert, could still clearly see the details of the front yard.

As a player, he was afraid of the Blood Rain World targeting him.

As an assassin in the Qisha Tower, he was even more cautious!

Therefore, his front and back yards were always covered with a layer of ash, as if they hadn't been swept for a long time. Anyone who walked into the courtyard… the footprints they left behind would expose them.

Xu Jingming's residence didn't have any maids or servants, only he lived there!

"New footprints, and quite a few of them," Xu Jingming tried to sense with the Lianxin (Heart Refining) method, mental awareness fluctuations spread out, affecting the houses, sensing the life auras within.

Xu Jingming suddenly opened his eyes, and quietly leaped, jumping out of the courtyard wall again, to the outside of the residence.

"He's out!"

The old man hiding in the house, sensed a faint aura entering the courtyard, and then quietly leaving.

"Yo!"

An incredibly piercing screech sounded, as a signal arrow shot into the sky, exploding into a pattern of blood rain.

"The Blood Rain Guard's signal arrow!"

The signal arrow immediately alarmed many people.

"It's a signal arrow."

"It's the Captain's house."

The surrounding dozens of *li* could see the signal arrow! And the piercing sound was enough to spread far.

The street where Xu Jingming lived had five Blood Rain Guards stationed there long-term. Some of the five Blood Rain Guards were drinking, and some were sound asleep, but at least two were awake. At this moment, hearing the piercing sound of the signal arrow, all five instantly woke up.

"It's the Captain's house, hurry, hurry, hurry," the five Blood Rain Guards were the first to rush over.

"Captain Jing's house is asking for help," a patrol team of auxiliary guards also rushed over with all their strength. The direct superior's residence was sending a signal arrow; they naturally had to rush over desperately.

"What?" Zhang Ke heard the piercing sound of the signal arrow, pushed open the window, and saw the blood rain pattern in the sky. He immediately jumped out of the brothel, and ordered at the same time, "Follow me." Taking five Blood Rain Guards with him, they all turned into blurry afterimages, heading straight for the Captain's house.

Some Blood Rain Guards who were sleeping soundly at home were awakened by the patrolling auxiliary guards.

The signal arrow was issued in the area where the captain's house was located! The Blood Rain Guards and auxiliary guards of the entire jurisdiction were alarmed, and they all flocked over.

…

"It's the Blood Rain Guard's signal arrow, we've been discovered," the old man's face changed when he saw the signal arrow rising, "Action! Kill that Jingming before the large group of Blood Rain Guards arrive."

"By the time they arrive, that Jingming will be long dead."

*Swoosh swoosh swoosh!*

In an instant, nine figures rushed out of the house, each turning into a blurry figure, rushing towards the street outside.

"There are nine people," Xu Jingming stood on the street, holding his spear, sensing the nine auras rushing towards him.

Too fast!

His residence was too small; the distance from the house to the street was less than thirty meters. These experts didn't even need a second to rush over.

Xu Jingming's heart was as still as water, waiting silently. Coming to the Blood Rain World, accumulating ten thousand gold to obtain the sacrificial opportunity was the goal, but the most fundamental thing… was still to hone himself! Xu Jingming's fighting spirit was rising as he faced the nine-person attack!

Come on!

No matter how strong the enemy! He would kill them all!

"Now!" Xu Jingming's eyes flashed with a cold light, the five Blood Rain Guards in the distance were rushing over, and Xu Jingming had already moved.

The moment the nine figures rushed out of the courtyard wall, they were greeted by a terrifying spear shadow!

"What?"

The unfortunate assassin chosen by Xu Jingming wasn't proficient in aura sensing. Caught off guard, he used both his sabers to block at the same time.

"Puchi!"

That spear was as swift as a black dragon.

Upon contact, the spear's rotating force was like a black dragon swimming, extremely slippery, deflecting the obstructing sabers. The spearhead directly pierced into the assassin's throat! Then it was instantly pulled out, and Xu Jingming had already retreated.

An assassin fell from the air to the ground, without a sound.

The nine-person team had one member die as soon as they rushed out of the courtyard.

"What courage," the old man said, not surprised but delighted, "He didn't escape; surround and kill him."

If Xu Jingming had immediately fled after sending the signal arrow, as long as he delayed for a while, the Blood Rain Guards would arrive, and their assassination mission would likely fail.

He didn't expect this person to be so crazy, not valuing his life, and actively facing the battle!

"Kill."

Three first-rate experts and five second-rate experts quickly surrounded him, each filled with killing intent.

When Xu Jingming killed one person, he understood in his heart: "He was a second-rate expert." After comprehending four types of spear arts, four of the five scrolls of the *Huaguang* (Transformation of Light) upper volume spear technique had already reached the entry level. According to Xuan's records, after all five scrolls were mastered, their combined power would naturally be enormous.

But the combination of four scrolls was already quite remarkable, enough to kill ordinary second-rate experts in one move.

"Clang clang clang!"

Xu Jingming's spear twirled in his hand, like a rolling dragon, the spearhead flashing again and again, even more ghostly and eerie. Under the spear's sweep, it blocked the incoming hidden weapons.

The three great first-rate experts were responsible for the main attack! They all felt the huge threat brought by the spear shadow.

"What?"

"How is he so strong?"

The three first-rate experts all felt the ferocity and ruthlessness of the spear! Xu Jingming also had a long weapon against their three short weapons… if it was one-on-one, none of them would be his opponent.

Xu Jingming's spear technique was also good at adapting to changes in the situation, controlling the situation at all times. Xu Jingming's movement technique changed, taking advantage of the situation, so that at most three or five people were attacking him at the same time.

"Captain," the five Blood Rain Guards came killing, and had already released a handful of hidden weapons from more than ten *zhang* away.

The sudden attack of hidden weapons caused some confusion among the eight assassins surrounding the group.

"Pu."

Xu Jingming seized the opportunity of the confusion, and pierced another assassin's chest with his spear.

"Withdraw!" The old man at the lead, reluctantly gave the order, and the seven began to scatter and flee!

It had to be admitted, the mission had failed!

This time, the target was stronger than expected, and Blood Rain Guards were arriving one after another. The longer they delayed, the worse it would be for them.

"Want to leave?" Xu Jingming took the initiative to rush forward. As someone who cultivated the *Huahong* (Transformation Rainbow) spear technique, he was quite skilled in speed. At least most of the assassins in front of him were not as fast as him.

*Pu!*

The second-rate expert closest to Xu Jingming was stabbed to death with one spear! Xu Jingming immediately chased after one of the first-rate swordsmen.

"Brother Wen, save me," the first-rate swordsman cried out urgently. At this moment, they were scattered and fleeing. In a one-on-one situation, he had no confidence in facing Xu Jingming.

"Withdraw!" The old man didn't turn his head back, and gave the order sternly.

He was very clear that ordinary Blood Rain Guards were generally also second-rate experts, and their running speed was extremely fast! If they didn't leave now, and wasted more time, they would likely be intercepted by a group of Blood Rain Guards, plus a group of auxiliary guards.

The auxiliary guards were also all experts who had entered the ranks, and if a large number of them surrounded them, with the addition of Xu Jingming and Zhang Ke, two first-rate experts, they probably wouldn't be able to escape.

"Damn it."

The first-rate swordsman was angry and unwilling. He turned back and unleashed several life-risking sword moves. The sword light was like a peacock spreading its tail, dazzlingly beautiful, but also dangerous.

Xu Jingming wasn't in a hurry at this time, relying on the 'length advantage' of the spear against the sword, overwhelming him head-on! Not being reckless! As the Blood Rain Guards surrounded them, the increasingly anxious first-rate swordsman also revealed a flaw.

"Pu." Xu Jingming sent his spear forward smoothly, piercing the swordsman's abdomen, stabbing out a bloody hole.

"In a normal one-on-one fight, it would probably take twenty moves to kill him. But under his anxiety, I seriously injured him in just a few moves," Xu Jingming shook his spear, and shattered the sword in the swordsman's hand.

"Capture him," Xu Jingming instructed the five Blood Rain Guards who had arrived, and looked into the distance, because of the few moves of fighting, the other assassins had scattered and fled into the darkness.

"A young man from a remote small city, his strength is so great," the swordsman stared at Xu Jingming, "I'm afraid that in the future, you will be able to reach the level of a super-first-rate expert. Falling into your hands, I have nothing to say."

"Who sent you?" Xu Jingming looked at him.

"Hmph, you have offended a great figure that you can't afford to offend," the swordsman sneered, "This time you survived, but next time, you won't be so lucky."

As soon as he finished speaking, blood flowed from the corner of the swordsman's mouth, and his eyes dimmed.

The Blood Rain Guards who were using chains to bind him were slightly stunned.

"Captain, he committed suicide," the Blood Rain Guards said, somewhat panicked.

A dignified first-rate expert, chose to commit suicide just after being captured alive?

This was a death warrior!

What a terrifying force it must be to cultivate first-rate expert death warriors?

"Death warrior?"

Xu Jingming was also startled.

Even if Fei Qing was in a high position of power, his experts were all officials, and he probably didn't have many 'first-rate expert death warriors'. Those who could cultivate 'first-rate expert death warriors' were terrifying forces in the Blood Rain World.

*Swoosh swoosh swoosh!*

Zhang Ke arrived with five Blood Rain Guards.

"Captain," Zhang Ke walked over, "What happened?"

Xu Jingming was inspecting the body: "It was a group of assassins."

Among his 32 Blood Rain Guards, the deputy captain, Zhang Ke, was also a first-rate expert. In the Imperial Capital, Blood Rain Guard captains were almost all first-rate experts. And some of the deputy captains were also first-rate experts.

"They're all a bunch of paupers," after checking the four corpses, the gold leaves and broken silver that Xu Jingming found added up to less than one hundred taels of silver.

"Who sent the assassins?" Xu Jingming was also somewhat puzzled, was it the Shen Gong family? Was it the force behind the people he had assassinated? That shouldn't be; he had done it very cleanly.