Professional Assassin C10

Chapter 10: Completing a Job in the Martial Arts World (3)

Although Lin Yuetian spoke lightly, as if killing the Left Protector of the Demonic Sect was no harder than killing a chicken, the system was genuinely anxious, trying to dissuade him the entire way. After all, Lin Yuetian should be well aware that based on the original body’s memories, even though he could be considered a genius and a top-tier martial artist, he was not among the true top combatants of the martial world.

The Left Protector of the Demonic Sect, Ning Songhua, was someone the original body had met.

When Xiao Li approached the original body in disguise, claiming to be the disciple of a hermit from the Central Plains, Ning Songhua accompanied him. This was clearly to protect Xiao Li in case of an emergency. Ning Songhua, introducing himself as Xiao Li’s friend, held a very disdainful attitude toward the original body. He seemed to feel that their sect leader, Xiao Li, with his great ambition and talent, having to curry favor with the naive and wealthy scion like the original body, was an utter humiliation. As such, Ning Songhua often ridiculed the original body. However, the original body, raised in sweetness and indulgence, was astoundingly good-tempered and never argued with Ning Songhua. Only once, provoked by Ning Songhua’s verbal jabs, did he get angry enough to fight him, but he was defeated.

The most vivid memory the original body had of that event was how furious Xiao Li had been. He scolded Ning Songhua harshly, ordering him to stop bothering the original body, which had left the latter feeling warm inside. But Lin Yuetian interpreted this differently. To him, there were two key points: first, Ning Songhua was Xiao Li’s subordinate. He might posture verbally, but without Xiao Li’s approval, how could he dare to act against the original body without permission? In Lin Yuetian’s view, Xiao Li had deliberately instructed Ning Songhua to test the original body’s martial skills.

Second, the original body couldn’t beat Xiao Li, nor could he beat the Demonic Sect’s Protectors.

“Think this through! Think this through!” The system tried to persuade him tirelessly.

“Relax, I won’t act recklessly,” Lin Yuetian had already reached the courtyard mentioned in the note, where the Demonic Sect members were renting their residence. He reassured the system softly, “I’ll use my wits.”

Ning Songhua had a peculiar habit: he disliked lighting lamps and preferred sitting alone in a pitch-dark room.

Thus, it was easy to locate his bedroom. By observing the courtyard from above, all the other rooms occupied by Demonic Sect members were lit except for one darkened room, which stood out conspicuously.

Lin Yuetian tapped lightly on the wall with the tips of his toes, using it as leverage to climb silently onto the roof of the side chamber. Just as he steadied himself on the roof, a flash of steel pierced through the tiles from below! Lin Yuetian spun his body in midair, grabbing the eaves with his left hand to halt his fall, then pushed open a window with his right hand, using the momentum to slip into the room.

Above him, the sound of tiles cracking echoed sharply. The gleam of a blade slashed through the darkness. Lin Yuetian immediately realized that Ning Songhua had just thrust his blade through the roof and was now retracting it. With a flick of his wrist, Ning Songhua’s blade twisted like a shimmering silver snake in the dark, striking straight for Lin Yuetian’s heart! Lin Yuetian swiftly raised his hand, deflecting the blade with his sword scabbard, then leapt to the beam of the room. From his bag, he retrieved two candles and lit them.

“I don’t like talking in the dark,” Lin Yuetian said with a smile, holding up the candles. “Protector Ning, your skills are truly impressive!”

With the candles lit, Ning Songhua could no longer remain in hiding. He withdrew his weapon and dismissed the Demonic Sect members who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion. He coldly said, “Young Master Lin, you have quite the audacity to break into our sacred sect’s residence at night. Aren’t you afraid of the ridicule this will bring you in the martial world?”

“Aren’t you the one looking for me? What’s the matter?” Lin Yuetian ignored his veiled rebuke, casually placing the candles on the table and leaping lightly back to the floor.

Ning Songhua scrutinized him for a while before slowly speaking, “Thanks to our sect leader’s unparalleled talent, our sect has been flourishing. Recently, the sect leader has decided to host a new martial arts assembly at the former residence of the late martial alliance leader. This is to honor the previous leader, promote our sect’s influence, and unify the martial world. This is a grand occasion for our sect. The sect leader said that without Young Master Lin, our sect wouldn’t be what it is today, so he sent me to invite you to join us.”

“Killing someone emotionally first—how despicable,” the system commented tearfully. “What a scumbag.”

But Lin Yuetian asked instead, “I remember during my wedding with Xiao Li, he suddenly pulled out a wax pellet. A strange fragrance emanated from it, and hundreds of people present became immobilized. It was miraculous. What kind of poison was that?”

Ning Songhua thought Lin Yuetian’s calm demeanor when discussing the event was odd, as it was entirely unprecedented. “That is a secret formula of our sect. You righteous sects are ignorant, and falling victim to it is only to be expected.”

Lin Yuetian nodded. “Did you bring it with you today?”

Ning Songhua paused, then retorted, “Why would I bring it?”

Lin Yuetian smiled faintly. “Protector Ning, as the sect leader’s right-hand man and a close friend, would he send you on a mission without equipping you with such a useful tool? I don’t believe you.”

“Believe what you will,” Ning Songhua coldly dismissed him, cutting the conversation short.

Lin Yuetian’s tone remained gentle. “Fine, I won’t ask about that. Protector Ning, let’s talk about something else—have you been feeling a bit of numbness in your tongue, weakness in your waist and legs, dizziness, heart palpitations, and a lack of inner strength…”

With each word Lin Yuetian uttered, Ning Songhua’s expression grew darker.

“…Or perhaps you feel like you’re about to collapse?” Lin Yuetian finished, just as Ning Songhua fell backward. Luckily, Lin Yuetian quickly slid a chair beneath him, preventing the martial artist from hitting the ground.

“You didn’t bring poison, but I did,” Lin Yuetian said, extinguishing the candles.

He had purchased a colorless, odorless sedative from the system store for 100 points. To be economical, he had painstakingly melted the pills and infused them into a pair of candles, making the drug both more concealed and reusable. According to the system, tools bought from the store could also be used in other worlds—it might come in handy again!

“How dare you…!” Ning Songhua’s voice weakened from the effects of the drug, though his anger remained evident. “Using such underhanded tactics…if you have the skill, face me in single combat!”

“I don’t have the skill,” Lin Yuetian replied bluntly.

Ning Songhua was left speechless, his rage turning impotent. He switched tactics, attempting a softer approach. “The sect leader cares deeply about you, Young Master Lin. In fact, the reason I’m here is that the sect leader heard rumors about a mysterious assassin named ‘One Crimson’ operating in this city. This assassin is highly skilled, ruthless, and indiscriminate. Since you’ve left the sect, the sect leader has been worried about your safety. Fearing someone might hire ‘One Crimson’ to harm you, he sent me to protect you and bring you back to his side.”

Ning Songhua had initially thought Xiao Li’s concern for Lin Yuetian was excessive and believed the Young Master would be better off dead. That’s why he deliberately withheld this information, intending to provoke Lin Yuetian into leaving and then reporting back to Xiao Li that the Young Master refused to return.

But the situation had taken a turn for the worse. Realizing this, Ning Songhua quickly brought up the assassin to plead his case.

“Thank you for your and your sect leader’s concern,” Lin Yuetian politely expressed his gratitude, “but it’s unnecessary.”

He slowly drew the longsword, the same one that had never left its sheath during his previous jobs as an assassin. His movements were deliberate and silent, ensuring not to disturb anyone outside or any birds in the vicinity. The moonlight, milky and soft, filtered through the papered windows, casting a faint glow on the sword and illuminating Lin Yuetian’s face with a cold sheen.

This body belonged to a young man with delicate and handsome features, his round eyes giving him an innocent appearance. In Ning Songhua’s memories, Lin Yuetian always had a smile, often revealing a pair of small, sharp canine teeth.

But now, Lin Yuetian’s face was devoid of any expression—no anger, no hatred.

He looked calm, indifferent, and almost lazy, as if he were merely performing a mundane task like eating, drinking, or sleeping.

“Because I am ‘One Crimson,’” Lin Yuetian said.

The sword struck.

Ning Songhua didn’t even feel pain. He only sensed a sudden chill on his neck, like plunging into icy water, and then an eerie lightness in his body.

His vision began to spin, and he saw his own headless body.

In his final moments of consciousness, Ning Songhua’s last thought was unexpectedly: As expected of the Lin family’s young master, such an extraordinary talent—

What a fast sword.