Chapter 51: Shadows in the Night

Jiang Cheng stood in the alleyway, the glow of the auction house fading behind him. The masked assassins had made a fatal mistake.

One of them, a mid-level Heaven Realm cultivator, stepped forward. "You're outnumbered. Surrender the codex, and you might walk away alive."

Jiang Cheng chuckled, slipping the codex into his robe. "If you wanted me dead, you wouldn't have spoken."

The assassin scowled. "Enough talk. Kill him."

---

The Battle Begins

Five figures moved at once, their swords flashing like shadows. But Jiang Cheng didn't retreat.

With a single step, he blurred forward—Heaven Blitzing Step!

The nearest assassin barely had time to react before Jiang Cheng's fist slammed into his chest. Ribs shattered. The man coughed blood as he was sent flying into a wall.

The second assassin slashed at Jiang Cheng's back, but a golden light flared—Heaven Body Fortification!

Clang! The sword barely scratched him.

Jiang Cheng turned, his sword flashing in a smooth arc—Flowing River Slash!

Blood sprayed as the assassin collapsed.

"He's a monster" one of them shouted.

Jiang Cheng smirked. "You figured that out just now?"

Two more assassins rushed in with synchronized attacks, their blades carrying a strange, sinister energy. Demonic Qi.

Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes in anger. "The cult…"

Their blades cut through the air, aiming for his vital points. But Jiang Cheng calmly raised his hand—a ripple of sword energy burst out, stopping their attacks mid-air!

He stepped forward, twisting his sword—Thunderous Sky Piercer!

A bolt of energy surged from his blade, tearing through the assassins and sending their broken bodies crashing to the ground.

The final assassin trembled. "This… this wasn't supposed to happen."

Jiang Cheng sheathed his sword. "Tell me who sent you."

The assassin tried to flee, but before he could take a step—Jiang Cheng flicked his finger.

A sharp sword intent cut through the air, piercing the man's leg. He screamed, collapsing to the ground.

"Talk."

The assassin gasped, clutching his wound. "…Starfall Pavilion. They wanted the codex."

Jiang Cheng's gaze turned cold. "Of course."

He knocked the assassin unconscious and left him there. There was no need for mercy.

---

A Warning from the Shadows

Jiang Cheng returned to his inn, but he wasn't alone.

As he entered his room, a faint chuckle echoed. A hooded figure sat by the window.

"Quite the performance," the stranger said. "But you've made an enemy of the Starfall Pavilion."

Jiang Cheng didn't react. "And who are you?"

The stranger leaned forward, revealing piercing silver eyes. "Someone who doesn't like them either."

Jiang Cheng smirked. "Then you're either a fool or an ally."

The stranger laughed. "Maybe both."

The night deepened, and in the distance, storm clouds gathered. The real battle was yet to come.