Chapter 45. The Sky Guard is Never Steady (1)

I inwardly shook my head and sent a telepathic message to Xiaotiankai.

- Explain it.

‘Huh?’

Xiaotiankai's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden telepathic message. He never thought he would receive a telepathic message from Brother Tianhua. After all, considering his martial arts skills when dealing with the Xumen family head, it wasn't strange that he could use telepathy.

- Brother, it's like this.

Amid the chaos of drawing lots, Xiaotiankai sent a telepathic message.

The truth was revealed.

“Huh...”

After hearing the whole story, Hou Gong could only let out a helpless laugh.

The Wuji Assassins.

Once a contract is made, it's eternal...

I wondered why Zhuyang and Wan Bozhe left in such a hurry.

It was also strange how Zhuyang, who cherished Fan Hang, was so restless. At the time, I thought it was just due to guilt, but now it seems the assassination contract hasn't ended.

It's astonishing that there are assassins like the Wuji Assassins who adhere to such ironclad rules, but even more astonishing is that Zhuyang, in response, has gathered martial arts experts to form the Extermination Squad, threatening to cut off the breath of anyone who doesn't stop.

The Wuji Assassins and Zhuyang.

What was once a mutually beneficial relationship between a client and a service provider has now turned into mortal enemies.

On the other hand, forming the Sky Guard to protect himself not only from the Extermination Squad but also from assassins is truly meticulous.

It must have come from Zhuyang's worries, but with the justification and money, Wan Bozhe would have put it into action.

But has Wan Bozhe lost his mind?

How could he fill the Sky Guard with such ruffians? Not only are they unreliable and untrustworthy, but just looking at them is distressing.

“Everyone in the Sky Guard, stop fighting! I just explained everything. Hahaha!”

At Xiaotiankai's words, the chaos of drawing lots abruptly stopped.

The expressions of the Sky Guard members soured like dogs chasing chickens.

Some even glared at Xiaotiankai as if they wanted to kill him. The presence of Yinyangkai among them was a serious concern for the future of the Beggar Sect.

Jin Jize soon approached Hou Gong with a smile, as if nothing had happened.

“I am Jin Jize. As long as I am here, you will not be harmed. Hehehehe!”

Hou Gong greeted him with a blank stare.

‘Jin Jize... What happened during his absence?’

Originally, Jin Jize was dignified.

He was taciturn and not light in his demeanor.

He played his golden flute more often than he spoke. For such a Jin Jize to appear as a madman playing the golden flute was surprising.

Introductions continued.

Three men stepped forward and spoke.

“We are the Three Demon-Slaying Heroes.”

“We do not value our lives for the sake of the cause.”

“Wherever the Three Demon-Slaying Heroes are, no evil path can exist. We promise to protect you.”

Then, two middle-aged men with fierce expressions stepped forward.

Their appearance alone made them look like evil paths.

“We are the Wu Mountain Twin Heroes.”

“In the Sky Guard, no one else matters. With us, you will live forever.”

Hou Gong chuckled.

Despite their fearsome appearance, their assurances were somehow reassuring.

The last to introduce herself was a woman.

“My name is Miaobingbing. Hehehe, to have my protection, Mr. Fan, you are truly a fortunate person.”

Hou Gong's eyes narrowed at the introduction of the woman, who stood on the border between plump and fat.

She was the first person to introduce herself with such a formal title in the martial world. How did such a young person end up like this?

But the surprise didn't end there.

“I have heard a lot from my father and brother. I was disappointed not to participate in the Xumen family's downfall due to a critical point in my cultivation, but now that I have joined the Sky Guard, you are truly a lucky person.”

Her words ended strangely.

But the important part was the beginning.

“Your father?”

“The White Flower Sect Master.”

“Cough...”

Hou Gong recalled the White Flower Sect Master and Miaoling, and swallowed hard.

It seems Miaoling had an older sister.

They didn't look alike at all.

She must have taken after her mother's side.

Or rather, it's impressive that she managed to get permission.

“We are disciples of the Beggar Sect. I am Yinyangkai.”

“I am Xiaotiankai.”

The two beggars introduced themselves as if they were meeting for the first time.

Hou Gong frowned at them, and Yinyangkai and Xiaotiankai pretended to ignore him.

Was the source of annoyance only the two beggars?

The lineup was too impressive.

Hou Gong looked back at Yang Xiao.

“Let's go.”

They weren't the type to leave gracefully when told to. It would be a waste of time to argue.

Yang Xiao climbed onto the driver's seat.

At that moment, a thunderous shout erupted.

“Not yet!”

It was the old man, Jin Jize.

His sudden and loud voice startled some, and even the Sky Guard members looked at him with confusion.

“Grandpa Jin, are you going to play the flute?”

“No, beggar.”

Jin Jize shook his head at Xiaotiankai's words.

He stroked his white beard, which reached his chest, and spoke.

“Everyone, I have something to say, so please wait a moment. This is the first meeting between the Sky Guard and the one they will protect. Before we start, there is something we need to confirm.”

“...?”

“...?”

“Isn't there a saying that knowing your enemy and yourself ensures victory? I heard that the Great Scholar of Tianhua Library has mastered martial arts. We should first assess his martial arts skills. How is his movement, and what is his internal energy like? This will help us make the best decisions in a crisis!”

The Three Demon-Slaying Heroes and the Wu Mountain Twin Heroes immediately agreed.

“That's a reasonable point.”

“I strongly agree.”

Miaobingbing added her thoughts.

“I don't like how Mr. Jin Jize speaks as if he represents the Sky Guard, but he does have a point.”

Not everyone agreed.

Yinyangkai flared up.

“Are you all not listening to me at all? I saw it myself, so what's this about confirmation now!”

Yinyangkai glared and blocked the way.

Xiaotiankai, standing beside him, placed his hand on his waist and glared as well.

“Hey, beggar friends, calm down. It's not that we don't believe you, but we want to confirm it ourselves.”

“Considering your skills to face the Xumen family head, it shouldn't be hard to show us again. There's no reason to doubt it.”

Two of the Three Demon-Slaying Heroes gently persuaded him.

Yinyangkai, seemingly calmed down, thought for a moment and then asked.

“How do you plan to confirm it?”

“Is there anything more certain than a test?”

“Then who among us?”

Hou Gong, who was about to object, watched the beggars with a mix of admiration and frustration, then bit his lower lip.

‘Of course. These dogs. The meat I fed them at Tianhua Library was wasted.’

Yinyangkai was now taking the lead, and Xiaotiankai was eagerly looking forward to it.

The Sky Guard became chaotic again, each vying to be the one to test him.

Hou Gong had no intention of fighting, regardless of who they chose or in what order.

“Please pay attention for a moment.”

The chaos immediately ceased.

As everyone's gaze turned to him, Hou Gong pointed to the sky.

“It's raining.”

Suddenly,

Rumble, Boom!

Thunder struck.

Lightning flashed through the dark clouds, and heavy raindrops began to fall.

***

The carriage sped through the rain.

Only Hou Gong and Songhua were inside, while the Sky Guard moved around the carriage, protecting it from the rain.

“Great Hero Yinyangkai, it's amazing. Isn't it incredible how the rain started just as you spoke! Brother Tianhua must be extraordinary, right?”

“Indeed. Is Fan Hang controlling the thunder and rain?”

“Senior Brother, why the sudden informal speech?”

“You too.”

“Understood.”

The rain was heavy.

It felt as if the sky had a hole in it. The Sky Guard suggested waiting for the rain to stop, but Hou Gong, secretly annoyed, ignored them and set off. Meanwhile, the beggars and some others were discussing the timing of the rain.

The sky was full of dark clouds, and it was clearly going to rain, but the timing was too perfect. Some even speculated that Tianhua Library's Great Scholar,