One Pound Meat, One More Attribute Point

The State Mansion in Northern Yue State, where King Qingyang resided, wasn’t considered a large state. Although extensive in size, the environment was harsh due to its proximity to Hunxi Mountain. Furthermore, with a higher number of demons and occasional massacres by Demon Descendants who performed blood sacrifices to appease their ancestors, the state was perilous.

Thus, the population of Northern Yue State was not large.

However, the fact that people could survive in such a harsh environment indicated that the locals were exceptionally robust.

The state mansion of Northern Yue State was named “Qingyang Mansion”.

King Qingyang held great prestige in Northern Yue State, and the mansion city was named after his title.

Although King Qingyang had rebelled against the court in earlier years, his imperial powers were genuine. The title of emperor was still retained, and Qingyang Mansion did not change its name. Although Northern Yue State was barren, Qingyang Mansion was a bustling large city.

Especially recently, since Dragon Abyss had opened.

It attracted cultivators from all over, wearing various exotic outfits as they roamed the streets. Among them, two men of average appearance casually looked around the shops beside them. Walking side by side on the street, they were unremarkable and did not attract any extra attention.

Of these two men, the one on the left was broad-shouldered with thick arms and legs. His skin was coarse and waxen yellow, his facial expression dull and his eyes devoid of any sparkle, resembling a farmer who faced the loess and back to the sky.

He wore a casual hemp short robe with a grass rope belt tied around his waist, holding two dark short sticks.

In the most prosperous Zhongzhou of the great Zhou dynasty, there were three major assassin organizations: Blood Shadow Tower, Red Dust Hell Sect, and Wanliu Manor.

Among these assassin organizations,

Blood Shadow Tower had the fewest members and was the most mysterious, but it had the highest ceiling.

Legend had it that as long as one paid them enough, apart from a few high-ranking individuals, there was nobody they dared not attack.

Although the organization did not strike frequently, the few suspected cases of their involvement involved heads of immortal sects, golden families, and other major powers within the Great Zhou dynasty, causing quite a stir.

These two men were the top-ranked “Heavenly” assassins from Blood Shadow Tower.

The one with broad shoulders and appearance of a farmer was named Huang Cheng, and the other, with short sticks tied at his waist, was named Zhao Yun.

Being elite members of Blood Shadow Tower, they were formidable assassins feared throughout the martial world.

Both men had an almost imperceptible bitterness on their faces.

They sat down in a roadside tavern.

Huang Cheng ordered a plate of peanuts and a pot of tea, while Zhao Yun opposite him rested his legs cross-legged and sized up the pedestrians on the street outside. RἈℕóВĚs

Soon after, a waiter with a burlap on his shoulder brought the plate and tea to their table.

Picking up the chopsticks, Huang Cheng grabbed a peanut and popped it into his mouth. He stuck out his tongue to lick off the few salt grains on the chopsticks before frowning and saying in a bitter tone, “This taste, I’m afraid we won’t have the chance to savor it again.”

Blood Shadow Tower instilled fear in the martial world.

Indeed, their prowess was exceptional as they had the backing of the court.

But as with many things, their fortune was as good as their downfall. Since they obtained a wealth of resources and intelligence from the court, they were inevitably under control and compelled to undertake almost suicidal missions.

Although the strengths of Huang Cheng and Zhao Yun were not weak, the likelihood of assassinating an emperor, even one gravely injured, was extremely low.

If they possessed the combat prowess of an emperor,

Why would they not choose to be crowned as kings of their own territories?

Why would they need to be like now, acting like rats in a sewer, undertaking shameful deeds condemned by the martial world?

But those above did not care about this; their lives were merely pawns, easily expended. From the moment they joined Blood Shadow Tower, their fates were no longer in their own hands.

The death of Emperor Dingxuan made King Qingyang’s reputation stronger than ever after the venture to Dragon Abyss.

And with Su Heng being dubbed as the “Northern Border Demon Dragon,” one could imagine what image he portrayed in the eyes of the imperial elites. The closeness of Su Heng and King Qingyang made some uneasy, fearing that the entire northern region might slip out of control, potentially leading to the complete collapse of the currently barely maintainable situation.

Thus, even knowing the slim hope of success,

They would still take this opportunity with King Qingyang grievously wounded to take a gamble.

If successful, all would rejoice. Even if they failed and the plan went awry, at most they would lose two handy tools. It was just pitiful for Huang Cheng and Zhao Yun, whose cultivation was not weak, but as pawns on the chessboard, they were completely helpless.

Hearing Huang Cheng’s complaint, Zhao Yun withdrew his gaze from the street and thought for a moment before saying, “This mission is not entirely without hope of survival; if we grasp the opportunity well, there’s still a chance for us brothers to make it through.”

"Oh?” If there was a chance to live, who would choose death?

Hearing Zhao Yun’s words, Huang Cheng’s previously dull eyes suddenly brightened, “I’m all ears.”

Zhao Yun extended his index finger and dipped it in the tea.

He first drew a circle on the dark red tabletop, then a curvy line.

Pointing to the circle, he said, “This is Dingshan City, where King Qingyang usually secludes himself for cultivation and healing.”

Zhao Yun’s finger then rested on the wavy line, “And this here is Hunxi Mountain.”

"A few days ago, several demons escaped from Hunxi Mountain causing chaos. I suspect that a powerful demon god has broken free from its seal, hence the disturbance,” Zhao Yun seriously analyzed. “If our attempt to assassinate King Qingyang fails, we’ll cross Hunxi Mountain and escape towards Dragon Abyss.”

"Lions won’t react to a mouse entering their territory, but they will definitely react fiercely to the invasion of another lion,”

Zhao Yun said with a smile, “If King Qingyang catches up by then, that powerful demon god who just broke free will certainly not sit idly by. As long as the two clash, regardless of who wins or loses, it will be an opportunity for us to escape from the battlefield.”

"This is indeed a good plan!” Huang Cheng thought for a moment, “Even if there’s an investigation from above, since you and I, as brothers, have already made a move, we can handle it.”

"It’s just

Huang Cheng furrowed his brows, hesitating, “The events in Hunxi Mountain are quite bizarre, and no one knows what exactly is going on inside. If the situation differs from what you’ve described, wouldn’t we brothers be walking into a trap and heading to our deaths?”

"Ah!” Zhao Yun first let out a sigh, then followed with a wry smile, “We are already risking our lives, having any chance of survival is already quite good.”

"That’s true,” agreed Huang Cheng with a nod.

If possible, both of them would indeed like to head to Hunxi Mountain first to investigate.

They even considered using certain methods to cause a small-scale beast tide, creating chaos, which would make their actions much easier at that time.

However, Dingshan City was also heavily guarded, and minor activities could easily alarm the enemy, possibly exposing their whereabouts prematurely. Moreover, the longer they delayed the preliminary preparations, the more King Qingyang’s injuries would heal, further diminishing their chances of success.

And there were people urging them on from behind.

There was no time to think of a perfect plan, so they would have to make do and handle their current task.

The two immediately discussed the details of their action and then started their operation this evening.

…

…

…

At the residence of King Qingyang in Dingshan City,

In a scenic garden, King Qingyang, who had just finished his retreat, was dressed in dark clothes, his long hair tied up. Holding a white porcelain teacup, he was slowly savoring his tea while sitting on a bench. Beside him was the bookish young girl, Qin Yi, attending him.

With the dragon remains exchanged with Su Heng, King Qingyang’s injuries had not only fully healed,

But he had also made further progress.

He was now faintly touching the threshold of the Third Step of Earth Immortal, the Sky-Opening Realm.

However, the cunning fellow did not appear broad daylight in front of everyone. Instead, he still maintained the posture of healing in retreat, and even the pallor of his face and the sunken eye sockets were imitated exquisitely, showing the appearance of declining vitality.

King Qingyang sipped a bit of the amber-colored tea, and suddenly, as if sensing something, he gently set the tea cup down.

Then he waved his hand lightly.

Seeing this, Qin Yi did not say much and silently turned around and left.

Before leaving, she also took away the two golden-armored guards standing outside, as well as several young maidservants.

Thus, the entire garden, bathed in the red light of the setting sun, was emptied, leaving only King Qingyang alone.

At that moment, King Qingyang gently stroked his beard and calmly said, “Come out, do I really need to invite you personally?”

A breeze came by, shadows fluttering.

There was no movement in the garden, and even the chirping of birds mysteriously disappeared.

King Qingyang showed displeasure and immediately let out a cold snort. A ripple swept through the air, spreading outwards. From a shadow in the corner, suddenly, there was a distortion. Following that, Huang Cheng and Zhao Yun staggered out from inside, both with unpleasant expressions.

"His injuries have not yet healed, he is merely bluffing!” Zhao Yun roared fiercely, “Attack!”

Bang!

Huang Cheng’s face was fierce, his arms crossing in front of his chest.

The aura around him soared in an instant, muscles bulging, with a layer of flowing bloodlight emerging on his arms. Then the ground under his feet exploded, and he threw a punch at King Qingyang’s chest.

King Qingyang frowned slightly, seemingly disappointed at only catching these two small fish.

He thought for a moment and decided not to continue hiding his strength. He directly released his aura, and the sky instantly filled with a translucent, azure flame, with a faint dragon chant spreading. Then King Qingyang also pushed forward with a palm, colliding with Huang Cheng.

"Ah!” the latter screamed.

Azure flames rapidly spread over his body, his flesh falling off like melting candle wax.

"Save me!” he turned his head and reached out for help from his companion Zhao Yun, but the latter had already turned into a wisp of black smoke, fleeing towards Hunxi Mountain.

Qin Yi walked out from an archway in the garden, looking regrettably at Huang Cheng, then her clear eyes fell on King Qingyang, surprised, “That person abandoned his loyalty, truly shameless. Are you just going to let him go?”

King Qingyang, with hands clasped behind his back, shook his head and smiled, “He won’t get far.”

Qin Yi then remembered that the demon dragon was apparently cultivating in seclusion in Hunxi Mountain at this time, and according to what the King had just said, seemed to have already emerged. King Qingyang’s strength had visibly advanced, and it was said that the demon’s gains were even greater than King Qingyang’s. What kind of posture would he show after coming out, she wondered.

At that thought, even Qin Yi, with her calm and mature temperament, couldn’t help but feel a surge of curiosity.

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