Demon Sword Sect's Undercover-Chapter 773 - 772: The End-of-Year Kill 03

Tang Yan also sensed that something was amiss. His current location was actually not far from the Flower Shop, within a reasonable range, because there was no need for Bai Qingqian to go far while shopping, as she was just around the corner from the Flower Shop.

Whether Zhang Han Cheng had failed or succeeded, it was impossible for there to be no commotion at all, especially between two Sword Cultivators. To say nothing of alarming Horse Hoof Town, even shaking the entirety of Sui Mo City wouldn’t be strange.

Then he could proceed with the next step of his plan, spreading the fact of swordsmen from the Shan Sect slaughtering each other through the mouths of many Cultivators in Sui Mo City, killing two birds with one stone.

This was the plan of the Daoist Sect, not merely plotting a single assassination; that would greatly underestimate the wisdom of the Daoist Sect. Their goal was to kill that annoying Hou Niao while at the same time destabilizing the interior of the Quanzhen Sect, causing conflicts in its internal philosophies.

The Daoist Sect was well aware that to break a sect like Shan Sect Quanzhen, merely applying external pressure would only make it stronger. The true solution lay in internal disintegration.

With no signs of disturbance, he couldn’t carry out the next step of his plan.

Had they annihilated each other? Had Zhang Han Cheng seen through the Daoist Sect’s intent and chosen to retreat? Or were they still engaged in a life-or-death struggle?

He couldn’t wait. This was a common characteristic of superhuman decision-makers, they don’t leave their hopes up to chance when taking action.

With a shift of his Divine Sense, another Daoist appeared in the room, not youthful and with a sharp gaze.

Tang Yan showed his respect, "Senior Brother, I am afraid we might have to trouble you to take a look and see what has actually happened? I have a bad feeling, but I can’t decide on the next step to take?"

The Daoist nodded without saying much and left swiftly, descending towards the Flower Shop in an instant.

Tang Yan had played his hidden move, yet for some reason he felt increasingly uneasy, as if he had done something wrong, yet he couldn’t pinpoint the mistake.

Turning around, he saw the woman sitting leisurely in her chair, still in the mood to trim her fingernails.

Annoyed internally but showing none of it, he said, "The senior brother who just left is an Instant Mage of our Daoist Sect, unparalleled in strength. There is a ranking of the twelve Constellations in the Tongtian Realm, and similarly, there is a ranking at the Golden Core Level. My Senior Brother is not far behind those top Golden Core Upper Cultivators. How is it that the lady of the Bai Family is not worried at all?"

Bai Qingqian breathed a sigh, "Why should I worry? I am used to it! On the contrary, I see that Daoist brother seems a bit worried now. Is sending one person enough? Why not send a few more? You will have to send them sooner or later anyway, better to get it over with all at once."

Tang Niao choked on her words, for the woman’s remarks hit him right where it hurt, pointing out the embarrassment of several Golden Core Cultivators botching an ambush to such an extent that, to speak frankly, he almost felt too ashamed to face anyone.

He chuckled and said, "Perhaps we need to arrange the scene? Maybe it’s already over? Madam Bai is trying to trouble this Daoist’s mind with her words, which seems rather naive."

Bai Qingqian finished manicuring her nails and started to touch up her makeup, "Another several dozen breaths have passed, and these Golden Core Cultivators are still in a mess. Those who know think they went to carry out an assassination, those who don’t would believe they went out for a drink. Seeing how restless Daoist brother is, why not go and see for yourself? It would spare you the anxious anticipation and spare others the annoyance."

A flash of ferocity crossed Tang Yan’s eyes, "Madam Bai seems to be unclear about her own situation. Do you know what would happen if a female Cultivator falls into enemy hands?"

Yet Bai Qingqian remained composed, "You won’t! You will just wait! If it’s successful, then there’s nothing to say, do as you please. If you fail, please be sure to send me back properly! I am just a business Cultivator with no hope for the Great Dao, not worthy for all the outstanding Daoists of the Wu Sect to die with me. I can afford to die, but can you afford to accompany me?"

Tang Yan was taken aback, left with nothing to say.

This woman actually dares to threaten him, and he has no choice but to take such a threat seriously.

But nearly a hundred years of cultivation had taught him how to properly deal with such situations, "Regardless of Hou Niao’s final outcome, I will make sure to send you back unharmed, this is the principle of the Daoist Sect."

Bai Qingqian smirked, "So, should I also thank you? Thank the group of Golden Core Upper Cultivators who proudly think they’re above everyone else for sneaking all this way to bully the few with their numbers? And who smugly consider themselves models of the Daoist Sect, boasting and bragging, taking pride in it?"

Tang Yan gave her a meaningful look, "You’re deliberately trying to anger me, so, can I assume that you’re not as calm as you appear, and that you’re worried too?"

Of course, Bai Qingqian was worried; no matter how much she trusted the strength of her man, the difference in realms could not be erased, not to mention the opponent’s shameless advantage in numbers; it was clear that to ensure the success of this hunt, various forces had already completely abandoned the bottom line of the Cultivation World, doing whatever it takes to achieve their goals.

Her power was too limited, she had no means to use in the face of powerful Golden Core Cultivators; the only thing she could do was to anger the opponent, causing them to make a mistake in their judgment due to loss of rationality.

Now it seemed that the opponent was indeed very angry, but still far from being irrational.

Golden Core Upper Cultivators, they weren’t just an overwhelming force in strength, but also possessed an extremely mature mindset.

She felt somewhat at her wit’s end.

...Tang Yan wasn’t the only one facing tough choices; there were others as well.

A seemingly ordinary tourist raised his head, his gaze growing firm.

Cheng Qianli, one of the Guest Elders of Prince Manor, was also a representative of the many hidden forces of Prince Manor; his difference with Zhang Han Cheng was that, one worked behind the scenes, the other in the open, both celebrated in their own circles, known as the Zhang-Cheng of Prince Manor!

Zhang-Cheng, the rules that must be followed.

As the shadow of Prince Manor, he also represented Prince Manor’s resolve to win this hunt at all costs; Prince Manor could not allow failure, or it would add insult to injury to its reputation, no one would fear Prince Manor’s authority anymore, the faint-hearted might have the urge to leave, and those wanting to sell their service to it would hesitate. For a family that stands by intimidation, this was fatal.

So he came.

After entering the Flower Shop, Zhang Han Cheng had still not made a move a hundred breaths later; Cheng Qianli sensed something was wrong. Having interacted with Zhang Han Cheng for decades and deeply understanding each other, having also collaborated several times, he knew too well his old friend’s ways of doing things. How could such a sure-win hunt go down without a sound?

He didn’t hesitate too much, those in this line of work were all decisive. The moment he sensed something off, he immediately joined in.

He was well aware that if it wasn’t successful this time, and the target fled far away, they would never find such an opportunity again.

Above the Flower Shop, he encountered a Daoist. Both knew why the other was there, yet pretended not to know.

The development of this action had already become somewhat awkward; it was embarrassing, as if they would rather not see each other.

But maintaining a distance was one thing, instinctive coordinated action was another. As if by prior agreement, one to the south and one to the north, they simultaneously descended into the Stone Formation...