Chapter 24: The Dance of Blades
Chapter 24: The Dance of Blades
The moon hung high, casting a silver glow over the courtyard. The scent of blood lingered in the cold night air.
Leon Xian stood beside Qin Yue, his gaze fixed on the assassin leader.
The man in black robes smiled, his thin blade humming with killing intent.
"A woman protecting you?" His voice carried a mocking tone. "How pathetic."
Leon smirked. "She's not protecting me."
Qin Yue raised her sword.
"I'm simply here to kill you first."
---
The First Exchange
Whoosh!
Qin Yue vanished.
Her speed was terrifying—like a phantom in the night.
The assassin leader's eyes narrowed.
Clang!
Sparks erupted as sword met dagger.
The assassin was fast, but Qin Yue was faster.
She twisted mid-air, her blade slicing toward his throat.
The assassin ducked—just barely.
Then—
Boom!
A wave of pure Qi exploded from him, forcing her back.
Qin Yue landed gracefully, her eyes as sharp as her sword.
---
Leon Enters the Fray
The assassin scoffed. "Not bad, girl."
He turned to Leon.
"But you're the real target."
Leon cracked his knuckles. "Then stop wasting time."
Boom!
Leon launched forward, his fist coated in golden Qi.
The air shook.
The assassin barely had time to react—
BAM!
Leon's fist slammed into his chest.
The assassin flew back, crashing into a stone pillar.
Crack!
The pillar shattered from the impact.
Dust filled the air.
---
A Desperate Counterattack
The assassin coughed blood. His robe was torn, revealing a strange tattoo on his shoulder.
Leon's eyes narrowed.
That symbol… it looked familiar.
The assassin wiped his mouth, grinning.
"You're strong," he admitted. "But this fight isn't over yet."
His Qi surged.
The air turned heavy, the pressure suffocating.
Leon felt it immediately—a strange, corrosive energy.
Poison Qi!
His pupils shrank.
This guy was a poison cultivator!
The assassin smirked. "Let's see how long you last against this!"
He lunged forward, his blade glowing with dark purple mist.
---
A Deadly Gamble
Leon clenched his fists.
"Poison, huh?"
He stepped forward.
Qin Yue called out. "Leon, be careful! Even a single cut—"
"Won't matter," Leon cut in, grinning.
Then—
Boom!
Leon's golden Qi erupted, countering the assassin's poison mist.
The assassin's eyes widened.
"What—?!"
Leon disappeared from sight.
A golden flash.
BAM!
The assassin collapsed, his ribs shattered.
Blood sprayed from his mouth.
He trembled, trying to move—
But a cold blade rested against his neck.
Qin Yue.
Her expression was ice-cold.
"It's over," she said.
Leon cracked his knuckles. "I'd ask who sent you, but I already know."
The assassin's eyes flickered with fear.
"You… You wouldn't dare—"
Leon raised his foot.
CRACK!
The assassin's head slammed into the ground.
Silence.
---
The Aftermath
Qin Yue sheathed her sword, glancing at Leon.
"Are you okay?"
Leon rolled his shoulders. "Yeah. You?"
She nodded.
Then, she hesitated.
"That symbol… You recognized it, didn't you?"
Leon's smirk faded.
"...Yeah."
That tattoo belonged to a powerful underground faction.
The Shadow Pavilion.
This wasn't just an assassination attempt.
It was a warning.