Chapter 223: 146. Assassination from Yama Palace, forces beyond our control (5K big Chapter, please subscribe)_3
King of Might slowly outlined the plan that the mole in Flying Feather Immortal Palace had told them. This plan seemed simple, but often the simplest plans are the least likely to go wrong.
First, entering the Hangu Mountain Secret Realm was a significant opportunity the Sect offered Xu Xing. With the help of a Top-grade fixed light talisman, he could not only increase his cultivation speed by 40% within the Xuanguang Talisman small realm of the Late Immortal Foundation Stage, but also increase his chances of condensing a Unity Rank Returning Core by 20% when he consumed the Jade Liquid Reversion Pill. It’s worth noting that a Flawless Immortal Foundation and Ninefold Cloud Mist could only help a cultivator increase their chances of condensing a Unity Rank Returning Core by at most 30%. The value of a Top-grade fixed light talisman was self-evident. How could Xu Xing refuse to go? Not going would signify laziness and a lack of ambition!
Furthermore, incidents like the Flying Boat malfunctioning en route or the guarding House Elder conveniently being absent might seem like obvious flaws, but in reality, none of these actions violated Sect rules.
"Who is this mole?" Xu Xing stared intently at King of Might, not wanting to miss any flicker of expression on his face as he spoke, and asked in a low, serious voice.
"I don’t know!" King of Might shook his head. "They wouldn’t bother lying to small fry like us." He sighed.
Compared to Xu Xing’s value as a first-class True disciple, the five Shadow Assassination Hall disciples were insignificant. The mole within Flying Feather Immortal Palace wouldn’t go to such lengths merely to harm them.
Hearing this, Xu Xing nodded in understanding. If I were the mole in Flying Feather Immortal Palace, I wouldn’t so easily reveal such a vulnerability to disciples of Yama Palace either.
"As for why I came..." At this moment, King of Might bared his thoughts. "First, Fourth Brother, your just and benevolent conduct is paramount. Second, while my strength isn’t the weakest among us five, it’s not formidable either. If anything went wrong, my chances of perishing would be high. Third, rather than undertake this mission, it’s better to... inform you, Fourth Brother. You’re a True disciple of Flying Feather Immortal Palace; your future is far brighter than ours..."
He was speaking honestly. If Xu Xing had handled the matter concerning King of Sorrow too harshly, then even if King of Might had recognized the benefits of aligning with Xu Xing, he would still prioritize his own life. Assassinating Xu Xing was a task with a slim chance of survival, yet it was preferable to being betrayed.
King of Sorrow Yao Dang, standing nearby, was taken aback by the complexities involved. He had assumed King of Might came purely out of brotherly devotion.
It’s true, Yao Dang thought, a wave of shame washing over him. Even though I’ve joined Yama Palace, I’m merely an Outer Sect Disciple. If Second Brother had told me more, I might have inadvertently revealed something, showing my incompetence. He had once been a commanding figure, but after Xu Xing usurped his power, he had wallowed in debauchery, dulling his mind considerably. From this day forward, I quit drinking! He resolved to abstain from fine wine.
"Since Second Brother has given up so much to bring me this news," Xu Xing said, "then... as your brother, I can’t let you make this trip for nothing."
Although King of Might hadn’t requested any reward, Xu Xing, a shrewd judge of character and adept at handling such situations, promptly retrieved 3,000 Spirit Shells and two Lower Grade Flying Swords from his Storage Bag, sending them toward King of Might with a surge of Magic Power.
"Fourth Brother, I only recently joined the Sect and have spent most of my time in secluded cultivation," Xu Xing said with a smile. "These are but modest tokens. Please don’t mock my meager offerings, Second Brother."
He wasn’t frugal with King of Sorrow Yao Dang either. Seeing that all present should benefit, he also gave 1,000 Spirit Shells and one Lower Grade Flying Sword to their nominal "Big Brother." These three Lower Grade Flying Swords were spoils of war he had obtained from the Sea bandits sent by Yang Shao. A Lower Grade Flying Sword would fetch little if sold. However, purchasing a new Flying Sword would cost at least one or two thousand Spirit Shells.
These True disciples of Flying Feather Immortal Palace...
King of Might mused, stowing the Flying Swords and Spirit Shells into his Storage Bag, inwardly astonished. They truly are rolling in wealth. A Lower Grade Shadow Dagger and around a thousand Spirit Shells constituted his entire fortune. Yet Xu Xing’s casual gifts far surpassed all his possessions. Of course, this was also related to him not having completed many missions. Disciples of the Shadow Assassination Hall in Yama Palace were no match for the External Cultivators of Flying Feather Immortal Palace. They were merely cannon fodder groomed by the Shadow Assassination Hall; though designated as Inner Sect Disciples, they couldn’t even grasp the fringes of the Sect’s legacy teachings.It seems I made the right decision, King of Might thought, feeling a wave of relief. Xu Xing wasn’t from an aristocratic Family Line, so his affluence was a testament to his considerable personal strength. It was just as King of Might had suspected: even if the five of them somehow succeeded in assassinating Xu Xing, he, King of Might, would not be the one to benefit.
"Once I depart the Imperial Palace," King of Might assured Xu Xing, "no one will know I was ever here." The reason Bi Qing and the others didn’t suspect him was because Yao Dang had announced his death back at Tiger Soul River, ordering the entire army to mourn for three days. The "real" King of Might was, for all intents and purposes, long dead.
He said this now because the Orthodox and Demonic sects were fundamentally irreconcilable. One was a disciple of Flying Feather Immortal Palace, the other a disciple of Yama Palace. If they were known to associate, it would be a flagrant disregard for the edicts of their respective Sects. Even if the day’s events had a justifiable cause, maintaining contact would inevitably lead to exposure sooner or later. Such an outcome would be detrimental to both him and Xu Xing.
"Second Brother..." Xu Xing raised his cup. "Toasts!" He gestured a toast to the other two across the distance.
"Excellent, Fourth Brother!"
"Excellent, Fourth Brother!"
King of Sorrow and King of Might laughed heartily, then tilted their heads back and drank deeply.
Just as King of Might had predicted, two months later, Xu Xing received a Flying Letter from the Sect, instructing him to enter the Hangu Mountain Secret Realm two years from then. Imprinted upon the Flying Letter was a divine thought from Giant Sword Daoist Monarch, which conveyed that the Hangu Mountain Secret Realm represented an outstanding opportunity laden with numerous benefits, far exceeding those of Purple Magpie Valley.
Master? Xu Xing mused after absorbing the divine thought’s message. Giant Sword Daoist Monarch... He sank into deep thought. However, he quickly composed himself, buried the matter deep within his heart, and ceased to dwell on it. Overthinking is useless!
When he had first pledged himself to his Master, Giant Sword Daoist Monarch had spoken of how "the greater Momentum is beyond personal control." No matter how cunning one might be, against the overwhelming tide of Momentum, one would be ground to dust. When aligned with it, one could harness its power; when opposed, one had to strive against it. And that, above all, required strength.