7. The Assassin in the Night
A Night of Silence... Or So It Seemed
The Ling Clan was unusually quiet that night.
The earlier events had left whispers lingering in the air, and the elders were still discussing what to do about Ling Tian.
But while the clan slept, someone else was awake.
Someone who didn't belong.
A shadow moved silently across the rooftops, unseen, unheard.
A hired killer.
His target? Ling Tian.
---
A Predator's Arrival
In Ling Tian's quarters, the air was still.
He sat cross-legged, deep in cultivation. The remnants of heavenly energy from his rebirth still coursed through his veins, strengthening him with every breath.
But then—
A subtle shift.
The wind outside changed, barely noticeable to the average person.
Ling Tian's eyes snapped open.
A smirk formed on his lips.
"You're finally here."
---
Death Strikes First
The assassin struck without hesitation.
A dagger coated in Spirit-Breaking Poison shot toward Ling Tian's neck, gleaming under the moonlight.
Fast. Precise. Fatal.
But—
CLANG!
The assassin's eyes widened.
His dagger, which could pierce through steel, had just been caught between two fingers.
Ling Tian smiled.
"That's all?"
The assassin's instincts screamed danger.
Retreat!
But before he could move—
BANG!
Ling Tian flicked the dagger back with such force that it shattered the assassin's wrist.
"AHH!" The killer stumbled back, but Ling Tian was already in front of him.
A single punch to the chest.
The assassin was sent flying through the wooden wall, crashing into the courtyard.
Blood spilled from his lips.
He had failed.
And worse—he was trapped.
---
The Hunter Becomes the Hunted
Ling Tian walked out, stretching his arms.
"Did my dear cousin send you?" he asked casually.
The assassin didn't answer. He knew he was dead either way.
But he was trained to die without revealing secrets.
He bit down on something hidden in his mouth—a poison pill.
But before he could swallow—
SMACK!
Ling Tian's hand struck his jaw, dislocating it instantly.
The poison pill fell to the ground.
The assassin's eyes widened in horror.
Ling Tian grinned. "Oh no, we can't have you dying just yet."
The killer shook with fear.
What… was this monster?
---
Interrogation Under the Moonlight
Ling Tian crouched beside him.
"Now then," he said, his voice almost playful. "Who sent you?"
The assassin remained silent.
CRACK!
Ling Tian snapped his other wrist.
The assassin screamed.
"You'll want to answer me before I get creative," Ling Tian suggested.
The assassin panted, sweat pouring down his face.
But he was a professional. He wouldn't break that easily.
Ling Tian sighed.
"Fine. Let's try something else."
He pressed his palm against the assassin's chest.
A golden energy spread from his fingers, seeping into the man's body.
And then—
Pain.
The assassin's entire body seized up. His veins bulged, his muscles spasmed.
It felt like his very soul was being torn apart.
"W-WAIT!" he choked out.
Ling Tian smiled. "Good. Now talk."
---
A Familiar Enemy
The assassin gasped for breath.
"It… it was Ling Tao," he confessed. "He paid for your death."
Ling Tian chuckled.
"As expected."
Of course, his dear cousin would try something so pathetic.
But then—
"There was… someone else," the assassin continued.
Ling Tian's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
The assassin hesitated, fear flashing across his face.
"They wore a mask. I don't know their identity… but they weren't from the Ling Clan."
Ling Tian's expression turned cold.
Someone outside the clan was interested in him?
Interesting.
Very interesting.
---
No Mercy for the Weak
Ling Tian stood up. "Thank you for your cooperation."
The assassin looked up, hopeful. "Then… you'll let me go?"
Ling Tian smiled.
"Of course not."
CRACK!
A single step snapped the assassin's neck.
Ling Tian sighed. "I hate loose ends."
He turned away, letting the corpse fall lifelessly to the ground.
Then, he looked up at the moon, his eyes gleaming.
"So, someone else is after me, huh?"
His smile widened.
"Good. Let's play."
---