「The sixteenth day of the tenth month, in the seventh year of the Mingjing era of the Daqian Dynasty. Night.」

The north wind swept across the empty training grounds, carrying a biting, lethal chill. It was time for the changing of the guard at the North City Military Camp, leaving the vast encampment exceptionally quiet. Only a few scattered squads of soldiers patrolled in the distance, their lantern-lit figures few and far between.

Inside the Government Office, candlelight flickered.

Chen Sheng stood steadily in the Profound Shielding Posture, the vital energy in his body flowing slowly as his muscles and bones emitted a faint hum. It had been eight days since he had annihilated the Seven Stars Gang and obtained a drop of Earth Core Spirit Milk. Now, he had finished completely refining the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object.

The rewards were immense.

Although his other Cultivation Techniques progressed steadily, his core Cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. He was already approaching the peak of the Bone Forging realm and could even faintly touch the threshold of the next: Marrow Transformation.

[Basic Saber Skill Perfection (246/2000)]

[Great Success in Golden Bell Body Refining Technique (930/1000)]

[Minor Achievement in Fishing Toad Force Secret Technique (45/500)]

[Minor Achievement of Demon-Slaying Triple Extremes Blade (337/500)]

Chen Sheng felt a sense of satisfaction as his gaze swept over the clear panel in his consciousness.

’Marrow Transformation Realm!’

’If I can break through, my Cultivation will be on par with Wu Kuang’s. Throughout all of Changshan County, I’ll be considered one of the top experts.’

’At that point, as long as I don’t run into an Innate Powerhouse, I’ll be able to hold my own and defend myself against any opponent in the Foundation Establishment Realm. All these days of forsaking sleep and food for arduous training have finally paid off.’

At this moment, however, Chen Sheng slowly relaxed his stance and eased out of his cultivation state.

For one thing, the Earth Core Spirit Milk was gone. Although he still had the high-grade Tiger Bone Pills from Wu Kuang, his cultivation speed was nowhere near what it had been. For another, the "guest" he was waiting for was about to arrive.

...

The desolate night wind rattled the window lattices of the Government Office.

A figure in pitch-black night gear emerged from the shadows at the edge of the camp, silent as a ghost.

His sinister gaze, like that of a viper eyeing its prey, locked onto the brightly lit Government Office in the distance.

A cruel smile touched the chapped lips of Li Huai Sheng, the "Bone-Melting Hand."

Slaughtering these so-called "prodigies"—young, promising, with their whole lives ahead of them—was one of the few pleasures in his barren existence.

He especially savored the look in their eyes as they died, that shift from shock to despair, full of indignation and hatred. For him, it was the ultimate solace.

With a flicker of his body, he melted into the night like a wisp of smoke, his presence concealed almost perfectly.

In just a few bounds, he had crept up to the window of the Government Office.

Through the silhouette on the paper window, he could clearly see a young man in loose training clothes moving about inside.

Target confirmed: the commander of the North City Military Camp, Chen Sheng!

From beneath his black robe, a withered hand like a demon’s claw slowly emerged, pinching three hair-thin Poison Needles that glinted with a sinister green light.

’Now!’

A savage grin flashed across Li Huai Sheng’s face. Without a moment’s hesitation, he sprang into action!

With a thunderous BOOM, his palm—infused with Inner Breath—blasted the heavy wooden door of the Government Office to smithereens!

As splinters flew, the three Poison Needles shot toward the occupant’s vitals in a triangular formation, like a viper striking.

Simultaneously, he lunged into the room like an arrow released from a bow, his fingers forming a claw. His sharp, black nails carried a putrid stench as they slashed straight for Chen Sheng’s throat.

This combination of a sneak attack, hidden weapons, and a forceful assault was swift, vicious, and flawlessly executed.

In Li Huai Sheng’s estimation, even someone as gifted as Chen Sheng would find it impossible to defend against such an abrupt and relentless chain of killing blows.

A single scratch from his poisoned claws would be enough for the potent venom to instantly invade his victim’s Meridians. If it didn’t kill him outright, it would leave him half-dead. Finishing him off would then be child’s play.

However—

Yet, the very instant the Poison Needles tore through the air, Chen Sheng—who had seemed completely absorbed in his cultivation—suddenly moved as if he had known what was coming.

Without even looking, he snatched a heavy black cloth from a nearby table. With a flick and a furl of his wrist, he precisely caught all three Poison Needles within its folds. His movements were as fluid as running water; there was no trace of alarm in them.

He showed no fear in the face of Li Huai Sheng’s ferocious follow-up claw strike; in fact, a cold smirk played on his lips.

His footwork shifted, and he floated backward like a willow catkin, effortlessly evading the killing blow.

’This is bad!’

Li Huai Sheng’s heart sank as an overwhelming sense of danger seized him.

As if to confirm his premonition, in the next instant—

THWIP! THWIP! THWIP! 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The screens on either side of the Government Office’s main hall were shoved aside, revealing a dozen figures. Each held a fully-drawn, military-grade Strong Crossbow. A volley of icy Crossbow Arrows, glinting coldly, shot forth, sealing off every possible escape route.

’I’ve fallen into a trap! It’s an ambush!’

The color drained from Li Huai Sheng’s face. Without a second thought, he pushed off the ground and twisted, attempting to bolt for the door. His Body Technique was strange and incredibly fast; if he could just get out of the Government Office and melt back into the night, he might have a chance to escape.

But having gone to such lengths to lay this trap, would Chen Sheng really let him escape?

Li Huai Sheng had barely moved, not yet even crossing the threshold, when a dull whoosh cut through the air behind him, carrying immense force as it flew straight for the vital point in the center of his back.

’Damn it!’

Terrified, Li Huai Sheng had no time to think. He could only throw his arms up to block, infusing them with Inner Breath.

He had tempered his arms to be harder than refined iron, and with two poisoned short blades hidden in his sleeves, he was confident he could block most attacks.

In the end, however, he had underestimated the terrifying power of the attack.

THUD!

With a muffled impact like the beat of a war drum, Li Huai Sheng felt an irresistible force slam into his arms.

He was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing hard onto the stone floor of the Government Office and kicking up a cloud of dust.

A sweet, coppery taste filled his throat, and he nearly choked on a mouthful of blood.

He hastily looked down. The two Refined Iron Poison Blades strapped to his arms were twisted and deformed. Excruciating, bone-deep pain shot through his arms and chest, and he could hear his own bones groaning, on the verge of snapping.

He looked up in horror and saw the "weapon" that had sent him flying: a Bright Silver Melon Hammer, the head of which was the size of an infant’s skull.

At the same time, the thunder of footsteps and the ceaseless clank of armor sounded from outside the Government Office.

Squads of soldiers armed with Strong Bows and Powerful Crossbows had surrounded the building completely, and the tips of every Crossbow Arrow were pointed coldly at him.

The man in the lead wore the black and red robes of an official. He had a square face, a wide mouth, and a physique as burly and imposing as a mountain. He carried another melon hammer of the same design, and his gaze was like lightning, naturally authoritative.

It was none other than the County Captain of Changshan, Wu Kuang.

To ensure the plan was foolproof, Chen Sheng had not only mobilized all his trusted subordinates for the ambush but had also personally invited the powerhouse Wu Kuang to oversee it. He was determined to leave the intruder no escape—to trap a turtle in a jar.

Li Huai Sheng’s face was ashen. He knew there was no escaping his doom today. He whipped his head around to look at the young man sitting calmly in the large mahogany chair.

Chen Sheng calmly straightened his robes. With the barest hint of a smile, he surveyed the assassin from on high and spoke, his voice echoing clearly throughout the Government Office.

"I have been waiting for you for quite some time."

He said this not merely to flaunt his cunning, but also for all the surrounding soldiers to hear.

He wanted to use their mouths to spread the word, to make sure the news that "the Government Office was prepared and had turned the ambush back on the attacker" reached the Gao and Huang Families exactly as it happened.

Normally, a captured assassin like this would commit suicide, either to protect his clients or to maintain some semblance of so-called "honor." Chen Sheng had expected Li Huai Sheng to do the same.

But unexpectedly, as soon as the words left his mouth, the black-robed man dropped to his knees with a THUD. He began kowtowing repeatedly, shamelessly begging for his life without a shred of an expert’s dignity.

"I am Li Huai Sheng! This lowly one was blind and failed to recognize your greatness! Please, Your Excellency, spare my life! I am willing to surrender!"

Chen Sheng’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise in their depths. He then waved his hand.

Soldiers immediately stepped forward and bound Li Huai Sheng securely with oil-soaked ox-tendon ropes. They then searched him thoroughly, confiscating any hidden poisons or sharp objects.

After the soldiers had retreated outside to stand guard, Chen Sheng invited Wu Kuang to take the main seat. He himself ambled over to Li Huai Sheng and looked down at him with great interest.

"You wish to surrender?"

Hearing this, Li Huai Sheng clutched at the words like a drowning man grasping a final straw. He hastily pledged his loyalty, the words tumbling out of him in a rush.

"Your Excellency is wise! I, Huai Sheng, have drifted for half my life. I have these skills, but I have lamented never finding a worthy master. Today, witnessing Your Excellency’s divine power, I feel as though I’ve seen the light for the first time! I beg you, Your Excellency, give this lowly one a chance to leave the darkness and step into the light!"