Chapter 11: The Assassins in the Dark
·Sovereign of Celestial Ascent
Chapter 11: The Assassins in the Dark
Tianming stood at the edge of the training ground of White Eagle Sect, his senses sharpened. The wind carried the faint rustle of leaves, but something about it felt unnatural.
Too controlled. Too deliberate.
Jiang Chen had warned him earlier. "Mu Qingfeng won't act openly. He'll send others to do his dirty work."
Tianming smirked. Let them try.
He closed his eyes, focusing his spirit sense outward. The Celestial Jade of Primordial Chaos pulsed faintly in his chest, resonating with the world around him.
Then—movement.
A whisper of shadow. A flicker of steel.
Without hesitation, Tianming sidestepped just as a dagger slashed through the air where his throat had been.
His attacker landed softly on the ground—a figure clad in black, face hidden behind a mask. No words, only deathly silence.
An assassin.
And then another dropped down from the rooftop.
And another.
Ten in total.
Tianming's lips curled into a cold smile. "Is this all Mu Qingfeng could send?"
The assassins said nothing. They attacked.
---
They moved in sync, their daggers gleaming under the moonlight, striking at his vitals with inhuman precision.
But Tianming was faster.
A surge of primordial energy roared through his veins as he activated his movement technique—Celestial Void Steps. His form blurred, leaving behind afterimages as he dodged between the strikes.
One assassin lunged. Tianming caught his wrist and twisted. A sickening crack filled the air as the assassin's arm bent unnaturally.
Another slashed at his back. Tianming spun, catching the blade between his fingers, snapping it like brittle wood.
Steel flashed. Shadows moved. The cold edge of a blade aimed for Tianming's throat.
He twisted—just in time. The dagger barely missed him, slicing the air where his neck had been. Jiang Chen's sword roared to life, slashing through the darkness, forcing the attackers back.
"They're not just ordinary killers," Jiang Chen muttered, eyes narrowing. "These are trained assassins. Sect-trained."
Tianming didn't answer. He already knew.
Mu Qingfeng had pulled the strings faster than expected.
--
The assassins were fast. Too fast. Injured, drained from the ruins, Tianming and Jiang Chen fought on the edge of survival.
Tianming moved like a phantom, weaving between blades, striking with precise force.
Jiang Chen's sword danced like lightning, cutting through the night.
Yet, the assassins kept coming. Their coordination was terrifying—silent, ruthless, perfect.
"We can't keep this up," Jiang Chen gritted out, parrying a strike. "We need to break their formation."
Tianming's eyes flickered. An idea.
---
He suddenly dropped his defense.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Jiang Chen snapped.
But it was a trap. The assassins saw an opening—and lunged.
Too late.
Tianming's palm exploded with celestial energy, twisting the flow of the battle. A forceful shockwave blasted through the valley, sending the assassins stumbling.
Jiang Chen moved instantly. His blade gleamed in the moonlight—and three assassins fell.
For the first time, the remaining attackers hesitated.
"You didn't expect us to fight back, did you?" Tianming smirked, blood dripping from his lips.
"It as an impressive display. But against me, tricks like that won't work."
One assassin tried to retreat, but Tianming was already there.
A single strike to the chest. A pulse of energy from the Celestial Jade sent the assassin flying backward, smashing into a wall. Unconscious.
The remaining two hesitated. Fear.
Tianming's golden eyes gleamed. "You chose the wrong target."
They turned to flee—but Jiang Chen was waiting.
A flash of his blade. Two bodies collapsed.
The battle was over before it had truly begun.
The mission had failed.
---
Tianming crouched beside one of the fallen assassins, removing his mask. A stranger. Not a disciple of the sect.
Jiang Chen sheathed his sword. "Hired mercenaries. Mu Qingfeng didn't want any connection to this."
Tianming nodded. "He's getting desperate."
Jiang scoffed. "And he will try again."
Tianming stood, his gaze fixed toward the towering halls of the sect. Mu Qingfeng wanted to remove him from the board.
But he had made a fatal mistake.
Tianming wasn't just a piece on the board. He was the one flipping the entire game.
And now, it was his turn to make a move.
---
Next Chapter Preview: Chapter 12 – A Dangerous Invitation
Mu Qingfeng changes his tactics. Instead of striking from the shadows, he forces Tianming into the light—challenging his honor in front of the entire sect. A deadly test awaits, where strength alone may not be enough.
He was not just a survivor.
He was the Sovereign of the Celestial Ascent.
---