Chapter 51: Until Death

The hawk was still following, so the Sky Palace Group maintained a calm demeanor.

Of course, not everyone was like that.

There are always a few people who do different things.

Only the Gold-Clad Scholar, blinded by the Sky Palace Leader, was being diligent.

He brought out some birdseed from somewhere and started scattering it.

As a result, the hawk was not tempted, but instead, all kinds of miscellaneous birds flew in. Thanks to this, the birds had to endure the Gold-Clad Scholar's curses: "This isn't yours, get lost!!!"

Miaobingbing giggled.

"Teacher, you really lack brains. How would a bird flying so far know about the birdseed scattered around the carriage?"

"Then, will you tell me what to do?"

"It's a secret."

"Damn..."

Hou Gong paid no attention to their conversation.

It was a waste of mental energy to ponder why the Gold-Clad Scholar, who was originally not like this, had become so messed up, or when Miaobingbing had lost her sense.

Instead, he couldn't help but be concerned about Miaobingbing in a different way.

She was a perfect fit for an early death.

When an unexpected attack occurred, someone needed to be by Miaobingbing's side.

'Troublesome.'

Hou Gong opened the carriage window.

The Three Heroes of Devil Suppression were running alongside the carriage, using their martial arts techniques.

- The Three Heroes' abilities are truly remarkable.

He sent a mental message to the Three Heroes.

Specifically, to Li Ye among the Three Heroes.

Li Ye turned back and smiled with interest.

- It's refreshing to hear your mental message. The rumors about your significant contribution to the downfall of the Ximen Family are not false, it seems.

- There's nothing much to contribute. But from what I've observed, I have a rough idea of who the Sky Palace Leader will be.

- Oh? Who do you think is the right person?

Li Ye's eyes sparkled.

- Teacher Jin is too busy playing the flute, and the Wu Mountain Twin Heroes are likely to be misunderstood just by their appearance. The Kai Sect disciples have excellent backgrounds, but it's unrealistic for them to step forward due to those backgrounds. Therefore, considering martial arts and other aspects, the Three Heroes are the most suitable, wouldn't you say?

- Ha! Excellent insight. You're not called a genius for nothing.

Li Ye's face lit up with a broad smile.

- But I have one question.

- What is it? Speak your mind. The future Sky Palace Leader will resolve it for you.

- Ahem... What does the future Sky Palace Leader think of Miss Miao?

- A woman? Ah... She's a bit lacking, but strangely cute.

Hou Gong couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected answer.

- That's true, but don't you have a feeling that if there are casualties in the Sky Palace, Miss Miao will be the first?

- Nonsense! That won't happen.

- ...?

Hou Gong was puzzled.

- As the future Sky Palace Leader, we won't let such a thing happen. The Sky Palace must be protected by the Sky Palace Leader!

- I see. It's not easy to take care of her, but you truly are the future Sky Palace Leader.

- Indeed. Don't say such ominous things in the future. This is the Sky Palace, and we are the Sky Palace!

Hou Gong looked at Li Ye's determined expression blankly.

'This guy is simpler than I thought.'

Simplicity wasn't limited to just one person.

After Li Ye spoke, the Three Heroes of Devil Suppression all brightened up.

As friends of the Sky Palace founder Zhu Yang, and as geniuses of the Heavenly Flower Library, and as the reason for the Sky Palace's existence, they had received recognition.

At this point, the position of Sky Palace Leader was a sure thing, so the Three Heroes gave the carriage a thumbs-up.

Hou Gong nodded in return.

Then,

Thud.

He immediately closed the carriage window.

'Have these guys never been leaders or heads before?'

Talking about the Sky Palace Leader was just a roundabout way of saying "protect Miaobingbing," but the Devil Suppression guys were acting as if they had received an appointment.

"Miss Miao!"

Li Ye called out to Miaobingbing. His voice was cheerful.

"What is it?"

"I know you're skilled in martial arts, but don't get too far ahead. Let's go together!"

Miaobingbing, who had destroyed the carriage roof, was running alongside using her martial arts techniques, not entirely devoid of conscience.

"Hmph! You know, I guess. Fine, then."

The Devil Suppression guys had already started taking care of Miaobingbing, so Hou Gong completely lost interest in the outside situation.

He closed his eyes and entered a meditative state.

The sunlight shone on and off Hou Gong's face due to the missing carriage roof.

***

The next night.

The group arrived at Huaxiong County and settled in.

That night, the Gold-Clad Scholar and the two beggars intended to sleep on the inn's roof, so the roof was filled with the gentle melody of a flute.

The music was suitable for the night, so there were no complaints. Instead, the guests using the first and second floors as a tavern found it charming and came in for another drink.

Whoosh.

For a moment, shadows appeared, and two figures soared onto the roof.

The Wu Mountain Twin Heroes.

Their fierce demeanor made the Silver-Necked Dog and Little Heaven Dog stare.

"What's with the devil mask on your faces? Dangdang!"

The Wu Mountain Twin Heroes ignored Little Heaven Dog and stood in front of the Gold-Clad Scholar.

"Teacher, we need to talk."

Pipiri Pipiri~~

The Gold-Clad Scholar only nodded without putting down his flute.

"This can't go on. We need to correct the Heavenly Flower Library brat's attitude."

"That's right. The more I think about it, the more infuriating it is."

The Wu Mountain Twin Heroes' tone was irritable.

They usually looked ferocious even when smiling, but when they were irritated, they looked like demons from hell.

"What do you mean?"

Finally, the Gold-Clad Scholar stopped playing the flute.

"The brat's mischief has no end. He acts as if he's the Sky Palace Leader, as if he's in charge, even though he's just under our protection."

"Hehe, 'mischief' is a bit too strong. But what do you mean by acting like the Sky Palace Leader?"

"Everything from one to ten."

"Start from the beginning."

The Gold-Clad Scholar scratched his ear.

His attitude clearly showed he found it bothersome.

The Wu Mountain Twin Heroes thought, 'At least he's listening.'

"From the moment we met, he didn't seem right. The way he looked at the Sky Palace, at you, the Three Heroes, and us, was so arrogant. There was no sign of respect. For a newcomer, he should at least show basic courtesy when meeting famous figures in the martial world. He acts as if he's the best."

"Heavenly Flower Library's brother is indeed the best!"

Little Heaven Dog interjected.

The Twin Heroes glared at him fiercely.

When Little Heaven Dog stared back, Silver-Necked Dog stepped in, laughing and quickly turning Little Heaven Dog's head away.

The Wu Mountain Twin Heroes continued.

"That's not all. Just yesterday, he subtly encouraged us to catch the hawk. It was as if he was acting like the Sky Palace Leader in the shadows."

"..."

The Gold-Clad Scholar just looked at them. His expression said it all.

'Why bother with such things?'

As if about to play the flute, the Gold-Clad Scholar fiddled with it, making the Wu Mountain Twin Heroes anxious.

"The real issue is coming. You must have noticed how the Three Heroes suddenly became close to Miaobingbing and hovered around her?"

"Yes."

"Do you know why?"

The Gold-Clad Scholar's eyes widened.

"Ah! Could it be they have romantic feelings? Love has blossomed?"

The Wu Mountain Twin Heroes' faces contorted horribly.

"Of course not. The Three Heroes are people who can't even kill a single person, let alone have romantic feelings."

"Then what?"

"The Three Heroes were laughing, so I asked them. At first, they didn't say anything, but after persistent questioning, they revealed that the Young Master had secretly asked them to take care of Miss Miao because she has the weakest martial arts in the Sky Palace."

"Hmm... That sounds like consideration, but..."

The Gold-Clad Scholar scratched his head, raising his eyes.

"Ha... The Three Heroes aren't the type to fall for such things. The truth is, the Young Master acknowledged them as the most suitable for the Sky Palace Leader, treating them as if they were already the leader."

"......????"

The Gold-Clad Scholar's pupils trembled.

Seizing the momentum, the Twin Heroes pressed on.

"As the friend of the Sky Palace founder Zhu Yang and the reason for the Sky Palace's existence, the Young Master is fearlessly setting up the Sky Palace Leader like this..."

The Wu Mountain Twin Heroes couldn't continue.

"This brat!"

Kwakwakwak...

The Gold-Clad Scholar's eyes rolled back as he gathered his energy, causing the tiles on the roof to shatter one after another. Silver-Necked Dog and Little Heaven Dog were terrified and quickly moved away.

"The brat's mischief has no end!"

***

At that moment.

Five shadows landed on the outskirts of Huaxiong County, at a tomb.

They were the top assassins of the Wuji Assassins' Guild.

It had been seven days since they started tracking.

Tonight was the moment of action.

"Antidote."

One of the five, dressed in blue, handed out pills, which the others immediately swallowed.

Their faces contorted.

The smell of the antidote was overwhelming.

"The stench is terrible."

"It's made into a pill, so it's bearable. In its raw form, it's said that no one could eat it."

The smell was so bad that they would rather refuse it if it weren't for the antidote.

Enduring extreme conditions is a significant part of the rigorous training to become an assassin. Along with maintaining composure, the top assassins still found the stench of the antidote unbearable.

Eating the raw ingredients would be worse than death.

The top assassins took turns drinking prepared tea to rinse their mouths and remove the stench. Even then, the lingering taste remained.

Next, the one in white took out a jade bottle and opened the cap.

Pong!

He immediately took out a black pill from his sleeve and dropped it into the jade bottle.

Swoosh...

The sound of the pill dissolving in the jade bottle was clear. The one in white immediately sealed the bottle.

"The Manmian Pill will take effect in half an hour. Duration?"

"Ten minutes."

The four top assassins nodded.

They all knew this.

It was just a confirmation and a reminder.

The one in white moved alone towards the center of the town.

The other four remained at the tomb.

Moving together would be foolish.

The risk of exposure is high.

The four had been observing closely, and they couldn't rule out the possibility of being noticed by the Sky Palace and the Young Master of the Heavenly Flower Library.

The Young Master was particularly concerning.

Two of the four had already felt his killing intent when they approached.

The killing intent was subtle.

It seemed to say, "Don't overdo it."

The Young Master didn't seem to consider the Sky Palace a problem, but it wasn't just a feeling.

Tonight would be the end.

Whether it was the Young Master or the Sky Palace, they would be powerless against the Manmian Pill. Once the one in white spread the Manmian Pill in the air, death was certain.

The four would move at that moment.

"Until death, half an hour."

"It's not raining today."

"A perfect night for sleeping."

"Indeed."

The top assassins muttered.