5

Next Day

As dawn broke over the horizon, casting golden rays across the landscape, Xiao Lin rose from his restless sleep. He washed his face and gathered his belongings, ensuring his backpack was secure. After a hearty breakfast at the inn—his first real meal in months—he steeled himself for the journey ahead.

Today was the day he would confront the assassin sect, taking advantage of the early morning's quiet to strike unexpectedly. With each step, he reminded himself of the merciless nature of his enemies.

"Assassins are trained to kill without hesitation; I cannot afford to play by the rules," he thought, determination hardening his resolve. "The strong survive in this world, and I will show them that justice can be a weapon."

His heart quickened with the anticipation of revenge, yet he remained vigilant, attuned to every movement around him. His senses had sharpened significantly over the past months, granting him a heightened awareness that felt almost supernatural.

"To truly unleash my potential, this revenge is not just a personal vendetta; it's a path to breaking my limits," he mused as he approached the gate of the assassin sect.

Inside the Assassin Sect

In the shadow of the sect's imposing walls, Zhao Lu swept the courtyard, his thoughts heavy with bitterness and a longing for vengeance. "This year has tested me, but my resolve is stronger than ever. I will dismantle this sect, the very place responsible for my family's murder."

Whispers of missing assassin squads had reached his ears, fueling his hope that perhaps justice was being served in some twisted manner. "If they were foolish enough to offend someone powerful, they deserve their fate," he thought, his ambition igniting a fire within him. "I must learn their secrets, even if it means betraying them when the time is right."

Zhao Lu's determination to strengthen himself echoed through the emptiness of the sect. "I've waited years to prove my worth; I can endure a little longer. One day, I'll avenge my parents' deaths."

However, his ambitions were soon interrupted as he realized he needed water for the kitchen. With a sigh of frustration, he grabbed two buckets and made his way toward the river outside the sect.

As he approached the gate, he spotted a figure clad in unfamiliar clothing, a sword hanging loosely at his side.

"Who are you? You shouldn't be here! If they see you…" Zhao Lu warned, his voice wavering between authority and fear.

"Then what are you doing here?" Xiao Lin replied, a knowing smile creeping onto his lips.

"I'm just trying to get into the sect to achieve my goals," Zhao Lu responded, a hint of desperation seeping into his tone.

"Finish your business first. I'll be gone by the time you return," Xiao Lin assured him.

"Okay, bye," Zhao Lu said, relief flooding through him as he hurried off.

Unbeknownst to Zhao Lu, he had just brushed shoulders with death itself.

Infiltration of the Sect

Xiao Lin moved stealthily through the assassin sect, his senses alert for any sign of danger. His arrival had not gone unnoticed. A young disciple, barely trained, spotted him and began to speak.

"Who are you? You should—"

Before he could finish, Xiao Lin's katana was already in motion. A swift, elegant arc of steel severed the disciple's head from his body, the blood spraying across the ground.

Panic erupted as other disciples rushed to defend their territory, but Xiao Lin remained unfazed, his movements fluid and precise. With each swing of his sword, he unleashed a storm of deadly energy, creating the illusion of a thousand blades. One by one, they fell, lifeless, to the ground.

A commotion rippled through the sect as news of the attack reached the elders. Shock turned to outrage as they rushed to confront the intruder.

When they arrived, they were met with a grim scene: the bodies of their disciples littered the ground, and in the center stood Xiao Lin, pristine and untainted, a bloodied katana in hand.

"What do you think you're doing? You think you can leave after killing our disciples? Your death is imminent!" one elder shouted, fury igniting in his voice.

Without hesitation, Xiao Lin vanished, reappearing beside the elder in a flash. He slashed with precision, severing the elder's hands before they could even react. The remaining elders launched a counterattack, but their skills were no match for Xiao Lin's overwhelming speed and strength.

For the first time, he felt the pressure of true adversaries. Though he sustained injuries, blood seeping from his wounds, he pressed on, fueled by rage and the haunting memories of his wife's final moments.

Xiao Lin danced through the chaos, retaliating against the assassins with ruthless efficiency. Each slash of his katana was a testament to his resolve, a reminder of the pain they had inflicted upon him.

Finally, he stood before the patriarch of the sect, the embodiment of the corruption he sought to eradicate.

"Why are you doing this?" the patriarch gasped, his eyes wide with fear. "This offends the entire empire, including the emperor!"

Xiao Lin thrust his katana into the patriarch's abdomen, a cruel smile forming on his lips. "You should know the pain my wife felt in her last moments. You gave her agony; now I give you yours. I'll dismantle your sect before the empire itself."

With a swift motion, he decapitated the patriarch, sending his head rolling to the ground.

"This is merely the beginning of my vengeance," Xiao Lin declared, his voice a low growl as he surveyed the carnage around him.

Sign-In Reward

As the last breath escaped the patriarch's lips, a familiar voice echoed in Xiao Lin's mind.

"System: Host, do you want to sign in?"

"Sign-in," he commanded, anticipation coursing through him.

"Sign-in reward: Blood Controlling Technique. Additional incident reward: Assassination experience of 100 years."

Xiao Lin felt a rush of energy as the knowledge flowed through him. The blood control technique would aid him in stemming his wounds and fortifying his strength.

Once satisfied that all enemies had fallen, he walked toward the gate, turning back one last time.

"This will mark the beginning of my vengeance," he vowed, washing away the remnants of his brutal conquest in the nearby river. As the blood washed off, he reflected on the path that lay ahead.

"The forest will offer me shelter; I must remain hidden from those who seek to thwart my journey."

With renewed purpose, Xiao Lin slipped into the trees, his thoughts consumed by the imminent destruction of the empire that had robbed him of his happiness.

Time slipped away as he moved through the wilderness, each step leading him closer to the heart of his vengeance, driven by the memories of a love lost and the promise of blood-soaked justice.