[Quest Released: After you entered the Academy as the top achiever, many beauties approached you for cultivation guidance and private discussions. This aroused jealousy among the male students. One of them spent a hefty sum to hire assassins from the Heavenly Killing Pavilion. Your task is to evade their assassination attempts.]
[This quest cannot be refused.]
[Quest Reward: Unlock a special quest—“Search for the Immortal Ascension Ladder Fragment.”]
Now this was truly interesting. Other than the first time with the Novice Mission—which could not be refused—this was the first time Jiang Li encountered another unrefusable quest. In other words, to the System’s understanding, this quest—or to be precise, its reward—was of extreme importance.
“Heavenly Killing Pavilion…”
Of course Jiang Li had heard of that name. It was one of the top assassin organizations on the Nine Provinces Continent, a direct rival of the Heavenly Mystery Tower. The Heavenly Killing Pavilion specialized in assassinating high-level cultivators, while the Heavenly Mystery Tower profited from selling intelligence and services to those same cultivators.
Their rivalry had lasted for ages. According to the System’s current assessment, Jiang Li had been at the Academy for more than a month by now and had reached mid Foundation Establishment Stage. Meanwhile, the lowest-ranked assassins of the Heavenly Killing Pavilion were already at the Golden Core Stage.
To the System, this was an extremely dangerous quest. And in truth, even for Jiang Li himself, it was far from easy. … Among the human imperial dynasties of the Nine Provinces, if one were to speak of which nation revered martial strength the most, it would undoubtedly be the Heavenly Origin Dynasty.
The Heavenly Killing Pavilion was established right within the imperial capital of that dynasty, with its plaque boldly displayed in the open. Far from being outlawed, it was admired by the Heavenly Origin citizens, and business thrived. Unlike the Heaven-loving orderliness of the Heavenly Mystery Tower, the Heavenly Killing Pavilion flourished only in chaos.
Within the Heavenly Origin Dynasty, everyone had enemies—everyone wished to kill—but few were powerful enough to do so. That was when the Pavilion’s name shone brightest. Had the Heavenly Killing Pavilion dared to open a branch within the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, it would be declared an illegal organization and abolished by the Great Zhou Law the very next day.
The Pavilion rated its assassins into three classes: Heaven, Earth, and Human. They respectively handled targets at the Spirit Transformation, Nascent Soul, and Golden Core stages. Aside from these, there were the Pavilion Master and Vice Pavilion Master at the late and peak Integration Stage—specialists in hunting other Integration Stage cultivators.
At this time, the Heaven-ranked assassins, along with the Pavilion Master and his vice, were all gathered in the main hall, discussing an issue of great importance to the entire Heavenly Killing Pavilion.
“We have our classification—Heaven, Earth, and Human. But doesn’t that sound a little too common? I’ve been thinking of replacing it with something new. Anyone got good ideas?”
The Pavilion Master asked slowly, his words plunging the room into deep thought. Indeed, though the existing ranks were clear, they lacked style and grandeur. They needed a name that sounded both fierce and elegant.
“How about Gold-ranked, Silver-ranked, and Bronze-ranked assassins?” suggested the Vice Pavilion Master as a constructive proposal.
“No, no, that won’t do,” one Heaven-ranked assassin objected immediately.
“We’re cultivators. Gold, silver, and bronze—those are mundane materials for mortals. How can we use such words to rank ourselves?”
“Then how about using Spirit Stones? Low-grade, mid-grade, and high-grade assassins—and the Pavilion Masters would be the Supreme-grade ones.”
Another Heaven-ranked assassin followed the same train of thought. The Pavilion Master clicked his tongue.
“Supreme-grade assassin… doesn’t that sound as if we’re insulting ourselves? Besides, to call the Golden Core Stage assassins ‘low-grade’—do you think they’d be fine with that? Not proper.”
“Then what about Heaven-, Earth-, and Human-ranked assassins? That follows the Three Talents Doctrine—should make us seem more cultured,” said another Heaven-ranked assassin who was known to be well-read.
He meant the ancient doctrine of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity as the three cosmic pillars. Most knew the phrase, yet few knew its origin. Another assassin frowned.
“But we’re only at the Spirit Transformation Stage. How could our fate bear the title of ‘Heaven’? If not for our First Generation Pavilion Master, who became a disciple holding the Heaven-Severing Seven Slaughter Stele in the Immortal Realm, we’d never have dared to name ourselves the Heavenly Killing Pavilion.”
“Then… First Class, Second Class, and Third Class assassins?”
“That sounds even worse than the old names.”
The crowd collectively groaned in agreement. Just then, while everyone was engrossed in lively debate, an Earth-ranked assassin suddenly pushed the door open.
“We’re in a meeting! Do you not understand rules?”
The Pavilion Master snapped angrily. Under the stern gazes of the Pavilion Master, Vice Pavilion Master, and all the Heaven-ranked assassins present, the Earth-ranked assassin trembled from head to toe as he stammered, “P-Pavilion Master, you said if there’s ever news of your younger sister, we were to report immediately. Your sister… has sent a message.”
The Earth-ranked assassin placed a bright red wedding invitation on the nearest table and fled the hall without lingering. Seeing how grave the atmosphere was, he could tell the discussion earlier must’ve been about something serious.
At the mention of the Pavilion Master’s sister, everyone’s attention shifted to that red envelope, and somehow, a bad premonition rose in all their hearts. The Pavilion Master’s sister was also a Heaven-ranked assassin—the only female among their ranks. She was cold and beautiful, with that tightly fitted black battle attire highlighting her proud, curving figure.
She was admired by nearly every Heaven-ranked assassin, who affectionately called her “Little Junior Sister.” Thirty years ago, the Pavilion received an enormous commission. Some mysterious client paid an astronomical reward to have them assassinate a powerful cultivator at the Integration Stage.
Normally, such a task should’ve been handled by the Pavilion Master and his vice, but his sister’s pride urged her to take it. Unable to change her mind, the Pavilion Master reluctantly gave permission. Knowing the vast disparity between Spirit Transformation and Integration, she naturally wouldn’t attempt a direct assassination.
Instead, she designed an elaborate plan—she would infiltrate that cultivator’s sect, become his disciple, and strike only once he fully trusted her. For the sake of secrecy, she cut off all contact during the mission. Though everyone in the Pavilion worried for her, no one dared reach out first—lest the target, that Integration cultivator, noticed something amiss.
One slip, and the little sister would be doomed. Thirty years drifted by, and now—finally—there was news. Every assassin present could hardly wait to see what Little Junior Sister had to say.
But… why was it a wedding invitation? The Pavilion Master opened the envelope, and out slid a miniature Recording Stone. Injecting Spiritual Qi into it, an image flickered to life.
The icy, aloof woman they remembered was gone. In her place appeared a blushing young beauty, wearing a shy, sweet smile—one the Pavilion Master had never seen on her face before.
“Brother, it’s been so long,” she said cheerfully, glowing with happiness.
“I’m getting married to my master! You must come to the wedding!”
Then she pulled that very master into view—a handsome, refined man. It was the same Integration Stage cultivator she was supposed to assassinate. Pfft— Not only did the Pavilion Master spit blood on the spot, but the Heaven-ranked assassins around him all felt their hearts shatter into pieces.
The Pavilion Master, whose cultivation was at the peak of Integration Stage, turned pale as death. His soul seemed gone, and he quietly announced that the Vice Pavilion Master would preside over the Pavilion’s affairs for now. From this day forth, he would enter a semi-retired state.
Before leaving, he spoke a single sentence.
“We’re all just trying to make a living. No need to throw our lives into it.”
The Vice Pavilion Master, unlike him, had never harbored any affection for the sister. What he sought was power—the Pavilion Master’s position itself. What he didn’t say aloud, was that thirty years ago, he had been one of the two people who issued that contract together with that Integration cultivator.
That cultivator was a man of infamous indulgence, known for charming countless women, and had long lusted after the Pavilion Master’s sister. Meanwhile, the Vice Pavilion Master coveted the Master’s seat. Their interests aligned perfectly, leading to that so-called “mission” plan.
From the little sister’s decision to undertake the assassination, to the arranged plan of becoming the sect disciple—all of it bore the Vice Pavilion Master’s hidden influence. As for the reasoning that “a master and female disciple alone would sooner or later fall in love,”—it had all been part of his plotting.
Just as the Vice Pavilion Master was savoring his quiet triumph, that same Earth-ranked assassin rushed back into the hall, flustered and breathless.
“What are you panicking for? Compose yourself!”
The Vice Pavilion Master tried to maintain authority, scolding sternly. But this time, the Earth-ranked assassin shouted without preamble, “Someone has issued a bounty—to kill the Human Emperor Jiang!” … Thanks to the readers—Dream Fox of Fantasy Township, Farewell to Mr. Lin Qingxuan, and 20170514233608061—for their monthly support!
And special thanks to Dream Fox of Fantasy Township for the reward!
(End of Chapter)